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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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Summer Heat Brings Air Conditioning Boost

With the sizzling summer temperatures taking over much of the United States, air conditioning sales and air conditioning repairs have surged. Though, people enjoy the outdoors, swimming, and the sports of July and August, nothing beats running into a nice, cool, air conditioned room. From the over 100 degree New York temperatures, to the San Fernando Valley of California blazing summer heat, residents are flocking to their local air conditioning repair shops and researching ways to stay cool. Air conditioning service technicians, A/C installers, and commercial air conditioning high-end experts, stay ready and equipped to bring in the cool temperatures, in every circumstance, and with some helpful tips included: Keeping your A/C unit running at peak performance during the summer months requires regular air conditioning maintenance and a simple thermostat bump up to 75 degrees. This minor adjustment allows for a cool down and results in savings.

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How to Clean a Boiler Heating System

Millions of people live in houses where the primary source of heat comes from the boiler. This type of heating system accounts for over 60% of what you spend every year on energy bills. Over time, your boiler can get filled up with deposits and sludge. Most breakdowns occur in the winter when boilers – having been inactive for long periods – are forced back into life. Common boiler problems include drips and leaks, weird noises, loss of pressure, and misreading temperature setting. How Important Is Boiler Cleaning? Regular maintenance will extend the life of your boiler and improve its efficiency. Cleaning the boiler regularly is the best way to prevent the problems of scale and corrosion. Research indicates that energy costs can increase greatly if the efficiency of this heating system is affected by insulating deposits. Poor boiler cleaning will result in efficiency loss or energy losses. If only 3/100 of an inch of soot is deposited on the tubes, the efficiency of your boiler will drop by over 2.5%. That is $1250 per every $50,000 spent. Water impurities will leave solid deposits as steam evaporates. Boiler explosions were common until people learned how to regularly clean their boilers. Proper cleaning

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How to Diagnose Manual and Automatic Zone Damper Issues With Your AC System

Are you having trouble regulating temperature within your home? Chances are, the larger your house is, the harder it will be to regulate the temperature inside it to keep everyone comfortable and happy. These issues can result in areas that are too hot in the summertime and too drafty and cold in the wintertime. As you are attempting to find an even balance, you will end up dueling with your thermostat to keep problem areas and the rest of your home balanced. There is something you can do, however, which is to consider getting a zone damper system. What is a Zone Damper System? A zone damper system is simply installing motorized doors to restrict airflow in specific rooms within your house. If you have a bad HVAC damper, you can no longer achieve proper airflow through the ductwork. This results in too much or too little airflow through the duct and improper temperature regulation within your home. Manual Zone Dampers vs. Automatic Zone Dampers Certain HVAC units are equipped with manual zone dampers for regulating the amount of air conditioning or heat being delivered in a room. A zone control system like this uses levers, which are located outside

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How to Locate Top Quality Heating Contractors

When it comes time to have your heating and cooling units worked on you want to know that the company you work with is a top quality company. You may be a little concerned as to how you can pick the right contractor for your home. Whether it is new construction or you just need some repairs or replacements at home, here are a few tips to help you choose the right contractor. Customer Service Skills While you want someone knowledgeable with the heating and cooling industry, you also want someone that knows how to handle customers. Do they make you feel comfortable with the process and answer all your questions? How do they handle your calls? Do they call back in a prompt time frame or are you waiting for days with no return calls? These are just a few ways to know if the customer service of the company is one you want to deal with. Proper Insurance And Regulations Make sure your contractor you are considering has all the proper insurance and follows the regulations set forth by the state and county you are in. Check with them to see what type of coverage they have and

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How to Winterize Your Air Conditioner

Other than the usual functional reasons why you should consider winterizing your air conditioner, many homeowners do it because it helps to save some money in the long run. During the winter season, the only way you can protect your air conditioner is to winterize it. It is one way of ensuring that your air conditioner is prepared for the cold weather. Winterizing your air conditioner technically means preparing it for the cold season ahead. There are several ways in which one can ensure that this is done properly. The first step always involves turning off the system by disconnecting the switch at the breaker panel. When you disconnect the switch, you will be guaranteeing your safety and the safety of the system. This is because the switch can accidentally turn on and cause water to seep into the unit and freeze or it could accidentally electrocute you. In order to prepare your AC for the cold weather you will need a number of things. One of these items includes a garden hose, which will be used to remove any dirt, leaves, twigs, branches and any other debris that may have collect and got stuck to the compressor. Another item

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Air conditioning expo heats up

Mark your calendars! The 2011 Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition (AHR) is already slated to be the largest air conditioning event in the company’s 80 years of shows. Las Vegas will once again host the AHR Expo and with over 1,300 companies already scheduled for the January 31st through February 2nd event, next year’s show could very well make history. The pumped-up venue stems from the public outcry for increased environmentally friendly air conditioning and heating equipment and a greater selection of energy savings results. The AHR Expo plans to not disappoint. AHR already tops the air conditioning and heating show charts, but organizers are looking to expand even more, by presenting consumers and business owners with a wide variety of options. Over 120 countries have expressed interest in attending next year’s event. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), co-sponsor the event and have touted the 2011 AHR Expo as being one for the record books.

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Air conditioning alert: global alliance and iiar unite

The recent annual IIAR Conference and Exhibition proved promising for two major temperature-controlled industry leaders. A partnership was formed between Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) and the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) in an attempt to become the largest team for industrial application of natural refrigeration. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of GCCA president, Bill Hudson, and IIAR Chair Brian Marriott. Improving the cold storage end is the ultimate goal behind the newfound partnership. Cold storage warehouses require improved technology to effectively feed the hungry. Ammonia refrigeration could aid in this effort, particularly in third world countries. International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration and Global Cold Chain Alliance agree that maintaining individuality, while working together towards the advancement of refrigeration resources is their main objective.

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