Year: 2014

Summer Energy Savings: Use Ceiling Fans or Raise the Thermostat?

Summertime brings hot days and higher energy bills for most home owners. The electricity used to run air conditioners in our homes consumes up to 15 percent of all the energy used in the home, according to the U. S. Energy Department. In hotter parts of the country, an A/C unit consumes much more to cool the house. There is no doubt that air conditioning contributes greatly to Home Energy Costs. Some homeowners think the only solution for reducing air conditioner energy use is to raise the temperature setting on their thermostats and live with a warmer indoor climate. Though that does save some money on electric bills, it is not the most effective answer. Consider this information from the New York Times. Central A/C units use around three kilowatts of energy per hour. Window units use 1.2 kilowatts per hour. Ceiling fans, however, only use a scant 30 watts of energy per hour. Think of the energy savings to be gained from using ceiling fans to cool the home. Now look at the cost of that energy use. Central A/C units cost approximately 36¢ per hour to run, based on their energy use. Window units cost 14¢ per hour.

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High Winds Across the United States Affecting Indoor Air Quality

The high winds that have been experienced from coast to coast in the United States lately have wreaked havoc on home A/C and HVAC systems. Therefore, it is the perfect time to clean the dust and debris from the air conditioning components and machinery. It is important to clean as soon as possible in order to prevent broken parts and eventual expensive repairs. Taking the necessary steps to protect the system and to prepare for harsh weather can help protect the whole family’s safety and comfort. HVAC Vent Cleaning and MaintenanceIndoor air quality is an issue of growing importance and increased visibility. Many HVAC contractors are marketing services and products intended to improve home air quality. The range in cost of vent cleaning services depends on the services offered, system accessibility, the size of the system, and the level of contamination. Generally, vent cleaning refers to the cleaning of different heating and cooling components of forced air systems, including the air ducts and registers, heating and cooling coils, grilles and diffusers, condensate drain pans, fan motor and housing, and the unit housing. If not properly cleaned and maintained, these components may become contaminated with allergens, dust, pollen, and other debris.

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Tips for Putting Together Your Summer Energy Savings Plan

The invention of air conditioning made life immensely more comfortable for all of us. It is very pleasant to be able to come home to a cool house on a hot summer day. We pay for that comfort, however, in the form of higher energy consumption and increased utility bills. A house’s A/C unit utilizes 15 to 25 percent of the total energy the house uses monthly. To begin to put together a homeowner’s Summer Energy Savings plan, the first item to address is efficient use of your air conditioning system. Most people can be comfortable with a thermostat setting of 78°F to 80°F, so set your temperature up some. You will save seven to ten percent on cooling costs for each degree you set it above 78°F. If you have ceiling fans, run them along with your A/C and your will feel four to five degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as the fan cools you and not the room. Set the thermostat up several degrees when you will be away from home for several hours. Better yet, invest in and install a programmable thermostat. Close air vents in rooms

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Energy simulation software

EnergyPlus and OpenStudio Plug-in have been updated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE’s high-tech energy saving systems measure the energy flow of heating, cooling, and lighting in buildings. The Google SketchUp OpenStudio Plug-in provides a user-friendly interface for interactive building designs, highlighting energy use in action, while the EnergyPlus generates a whole building energy simulation. These models can work in conjunction with one another, or independently, amplifying the already impressive technology. The latest versions also calculate the carbon dioxide concentrations and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning capacity of a given space. With no charge for download, building owners are advised to take advantage of the EnergyPlus or OpenStudio Plug-in software to further enhance the quality of heating and cooling use, leading ultimately to energy savings.

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Carrier Donates to Georgia Northwestern HVAC Program

The Chattanooga based firm, Carrier Enterprise, has donated funds to assist with training students attending Northwestern Technical College in Georgia. Recently, the Tennessee firm provided a Carrier touch-screen Wi-Fi thermostat to the college as well. Carrier gave the college more than $10,000 worth of equipment and training. This will be used for the ventilation, air conditioning and heating program taught at the college’s campus in Walker County, Rock Spring. It has been widely reported that Carrier donates to Georgia Northwestern HVAC program, as a way of training the next generation of techs to service the Infinity air Conditioning System. Undoubtedly, this system is among Carrier’s best models. Another benefit of this training arrangement, is that when industry representatives visit the college, students get the chance to network with them. Hence, students learn the right information and meet the right people. In addition, at its’ Chattanooga premises, Carrier trains students of the college free of charge on how to service its’ products. Inspired by Willis Carrier’s early twentieth century work on air conditioning systems, Carrier is a leading global brand in refrigeration, air conditioning and heating solutions. Nowadays, Carrier products are used the world over, in almost every area of day

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Doe reports energy saving tips

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and national laboratories have collaborated and disclosed documents describing detailed ways to accomplish up to a 50% energy savings in various commercial building settings. DOE focused on general merchandise, grocery store, lodging, and medium-sized offices, for their research. The documents serve as a business guide to energy conservation. Energy efficiency can be attained by targeting architecture and engineering techniques used in the building process and continuing repair services. The Commercial Building Energy Alliances will also receive the energy saving data and share it with owners and operators accordingly. The DOE objectives revolve around maintaining an eco-friendly environment, saving on energy costs, and passing along all useful information.

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Air Conditioning Retrofit Project Nearly Complete

Alabama’s Cullman county schools are currently undergoing a heating, air conditioning, and lighting hardware overhaul. The energy conservation project has been managed by Chevron Energy solutions at an approximate cost of $13 million. Chevron has worked diligently to supply every county school with updated air conditioning and heating units, along with energy-efficient lighting. The school district and Chevron have come to an agreement regarding payment. With the projected energy bill savings, Cullman county will be able reimburse Chevron Energy. Though the retrofitting took longer than expected, the energy-saving results should outweigh any school inconvenience. Quarterly energy bill analysis will assist Cullman county and Chevron to assess the actual effectiveness of the program.

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Cooling options and services for a healthy environment

Dust and air pollutants present in your ductwork are one of the leading causes of various ailments. Regular duct cleaning and proper maintenance of your cooling and heating systems is essential to get rid of these disease causing allergens. We have been one of the leading Bel Air air conditioning service and solution providers to homes and offices for the past many years. Our MightyServ air conditioner tune up team of technicians is qualified to repair all makes and models. Regular maintenance not only ensures that your heating and cooling systems are functioning at optimum levels but also reduces your monthly energy bills. You may not have information about the latest in the market or the right model and size for your home or office. When you contact us for home air conditioning in Pacific Palisades, our service staff will visit your premises to assess your needs and give you solutions that are right for you. The technicians who visit your home are highly skilled and experienced, and they are licensed, insured and bonded. They follow all safety precautions and ensure your place and belongings are not damaged and that you are not disturbed. We always keep the best interests

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3 Tips for Comparing New Air Conditioning Systems

Regardless if you are a believer in global warming caused by man or not, it is common knowledge that using older electrical air conditioning systems which are not that energy efficient rather than the new systems is a waste in resources and money. Homeowners can become more energy efficient simply by getting rid of their older outdated systems and replacing them with newer models. Benefits of Modern AC Systems In the last couple decades, modern air conditioning systems have changed a great deal. Heated air from a heat pump system or furnace or air conditioning cooled air is forced through air ducts or vents, and evenly distributed throughout the home. One of the most cost effective and efficient ways to heat or cool your entire home is through a central HVAC system. There is advanced, integrated technology built into modern AC units to provide you with ultra-quiet operation and top-notch service. The modern AC systems are smarter looking and can be found in many shapes and sizes. They come with a filtration system that is improved and is set in place to eliminate harmful particles, which is thought to cause hay fever, asthma and other unhealthy conditions. If you are

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Air conditioner tune ups can really save homeowners money

The view that a home or business air conditioner tune up saves energy is proven to be true according to technicians regarding easy ways to prevent costly AC breakdowns. For instance, those home and business owners who got an air conditioner spring tune up are now relaxing in comfort during this hot summer season. The main reason for investing in a high-quality AC tune up is to ensure a properly performing AC system that you can depend upon while also saving on the overall cost of cooling one’s home or office building. AC maintenance all important At the end of the day, AC technicians say the best way to keep your home or business air conditioning system working efficiently and reliably is to simply have regular AC maintenance. In turn, the best advice is to hire skilled AC mechanics to perform either a periodic AC tune-up or make needed repairs if your AC system is not working properly. Also, the question about when to get your home or office building AC checked is simply common sense during hot weather conditions. Moreover, the top mechanics – who repair air conditioning units at homes and offices regularly – say most of the

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