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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

May 22, 2014 No Comments

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.

May 27, 2014 No Comments

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.

May 31, 2014 No Comments

Save Money With Summer Cooling Tips

Many people know that keeping their home cool will be much more effective if they follow some simple summer cooling tips. Of course, some of the best tips will not only help keep your cooling equipment functioning at its best, but they can actually help lower expensive cooling bills in the process. For example, ceiling fans can help keep you feeling cooler, but they are also a great way to save on energy costs. One of the most effective tips to stay cool in summer months is to make sure that you keep your air filter clean. Most HVAC professionals recommend changing the filter at least once every three months; however, you should check your filter every month to see if it needs more frequent changing. An air conditioner with a dirty filter will not be able to provide sufficient cooling to keep you comfortable, especially when the temperatures start to climb. Other great cooling tips for your home include shutting blinds and shades in order to keep indoor temperatures from getting too hot and to planting shrubs or trees that will provide some shade for your outdoor unit. The more you can do to help ensure your air conditioner

June 8, 2014 No Comments

Hiring a professional NATE certified technician to keep future indoor forecasts cozy

When a homeowner needs the services of an HVAC specialist, they want to know they are hiring an expert. A heating and cooling service company is not a professional company just because they ‘claim’ to be. This is why NATE certification is so important for technicians and companies to have. What does NATE certified mean? Having NATE certification means that an individual or company is indeed a professional in the HVAC industry. NATE is the shortened word for North American Technician Excellence organization. Created by some of the best HVAC professionals in the industry, this nonprofit group provides several tests that pertain to different skills needed in the heating and cooling industry. Each test was designed to enable technicians to prove their knowledge in this field. Due to all of the changes in the HVAC industry, NATE requires that technicians have to periodically retest in order to renew their certifications and remain NATE certified. This is great news to all home and business owners, because it ensures that technicians are staying educated and are skilled to work on all of the latest HVAC equipment on the market. Having regularly scheduled maintenance and tune ups on an HVAC system is a

June 17, 2014 No Comments

Is Your HVAC System Protected From Power Surges?

Most homeowners consider surge protection a necessity with expensive electronics such as computers, stereos and televisions. With these items, they typically use a point–of–use surge protector that they can plug into an electrical outlet. However, most people do not realize that heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment have sensitive electrical components that also need the same kind of protection. A power surge is a short–lived spike, or a series of spikes, in electrical service voltage. Usually, a power surge lasts for only a fraction of a second; on the other hand, utility equipment failure can cause longer–lasting spikes that may last for sizeable fractions of a second or longer. No home is immune to electricity surges; therefore, all expensive appliances should have some surge protection. Since the HVAC system is one of the most important and expensive investments for a homeowner, it stands to reason that it should have adequate protection from power surges. The most common natural cause of power surges is lightning. Characterized by an instantaneous spike in voltage for a short duration, it can cause substantial damage to structures, electrical equipment and appliances. The biggest factor about lightning is where it strikes; fortunately, the effects dissipate rapidly

July 20, 2014 No Comments

Self troubleshooting your a/c

It is the middle of the afternoon on a hot July day. You remember turning your air conditioning on this morning, but now you suspect the temperature in your house is rising. You run to check the thermostat in hopes that maybe you are just having a hot flash or had been working too hard on your tasks around the house, only to find your hopes dash. The thermostat has crept up five degrees over what you had set it for, or worse yet, the thermostat shows nothing. Sweat drips down your forehead and dollar signs flash before your eyes when you think of you’re a/c not working. Now what? Before you panic and call the HVAC service technician, there are a few things to check on your own. 1. Check the Power to your Home It may seem simple, but many HVAC service technicians have been called to homes for a case of an air conditioning outage, only to find that there is no power to the entire home. This is embarrassing and expensive to the homeowner. Check this potential issue first before doing anything else. 2. Check the Air Filter Air filters on your HVAC unit should be changed

July 25, 2014 No Comments

Whole home performance evaluations

Paying high costs for energy in your home is never what anyone wants to do. However, there are solutions and answers to help you pay less when your energy bills come due. Home Performance is a complete approach to making your home more energy efficient and provide comfort in your home environment. What is Whole Home Performance? Home Performance includes many different factors in the home. Contractors trained in Home Performance are skilled to offer complete home improvements to make your home more energy efficient. This includes insulation, energy efficient lighting and appliances, as well as furnace and air conditioner upgrades. The benefits of the Home Performance upgrade include decreasing and eliminating energy waste in the home, as well as cold drafts and musty smelling air. Your comfort, health and the long term value of your home will increase. Your home environment will also be cleaner while you enjoy lower energy bills. Cost of Whole Home Performance Your upgrade will start with a thorough home inspection and evaluation to determine the current energy use of your household. After this, your Home Performance contractor will make suggested improvements that suit your budget and the priorities you have in your home. They

July 31, 2014 No Comments

When Will the HVAC Efficiency Standards Be Raised?

Many people know that it is important for the U.S. to adopt some measures to help reduce the amount of energy consumed each year. In order to address this problem, back in 2009, the Department of Energy worked with experts in both the utilities and HVAC industries to come up with an effective way of increasing HVAC efficiency standards. The goal was to implement higher standards that would raise annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings from an AFUE of 78 to a new minimum of 90. This increase in HVAC efficiency could make a major impact in reducing energy consumption. The problem, however, was that these new minimum AFUE requirements would inflict a heavy financial burden on many homeowners. In order to comply with the minimum 90 AFUE HVAC efficiency standard, homeowners would need to install a condensing furnace as this is currently the only type of combustible heating unit capable of meeting the required minimum standard. Unfortunately, installing a condensing furnace is not as easy as one might think. This type of furnace has its own unique requirements and would mean homeowners would need extensive retrofitting in order to modify their homes for this type of heating system. Not

August 9, 2014 No Comments

Important End of Season A/C Maintenance

When it comes to protecting your air conditioning system, end of season maintenance is certainly important. Your HVAC system is a major component in the comfort of your home and making sure you take preventative action now can help ensure it will be ready for you when the heat of another summer hits. Fortunately, summer air conditioning maintenance is quick and easy; it is also something that most homeowners will be able to handle on their own. Of course, there are some aspects of HVAC maintenance that should be left to the professionals, such as checking refrigerant levels and tuning up your equipment. At the end of the season, it is a good idea to check the condensate pan to see if there is any water sitting in it. This pan collects water during the normal cooling process, but it is important that it not be left to sit for a prolonged period of time. The drain line should carry the water outdoors, so be sure to check the line for any blockage. Water left in the line or pan could freeze, especially if it is in an uninsulated part of your home or garage. Another important part of A/C

August 14, 2014 No Comments

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