Category: Energy Savings

The 2012 Residential Energy Consumption Survey data from the Energy Information Administration has shown a 10% decline in household energy consumption dedicated to heating and air conditioning. This decrease is attributed partly to more efficient systems growing in popularity, and partly household practices like maintenance and AC repair. This consumption rate is expected to continue to decrease as more people are taking conscientious steps toward a more energy-efficient future. You can easily calculate just how much your home’s air conditioning unit is costing you in monthly utility bills by following the steps outlined below. SEER Rating Your air conditioning unit has a set SEER rating. You can ask your heating and AC repair technician for more information about the SEER rating, but in summary, it’s a measure of its efficiency in terms of energy consumed versus the cooling effect produced. The higher the rating, the more efficient it is in energy consumption. Older models will have a rating of 6 or lower. Heat Capacity Heat capacity is measured in British Thermal Units-hour or BTU-h. This is a measure of how much heat the unit can process. Higher capacity units tend to have higher rates of consumption but can cool much larger spaces. You can

Chances are, if you want to save money, you are doing everything you know how to do. Do you know how to save money on your electric bill? In the paragraphs below, we are going to give you some energy efficiency ideas that can go a long way.Here’s our home energy efficiency tips … Check the Energy-Efficiency Ratio Before You Buy an Air Conditioning Unit Before you go out and by an air conditioning unit, check to see what its energy-efficiency ratio is. You can find out the energy efficiency ratio by taking the unit’s cooling capacity and dividing it by the energy requirement. If it comes out with an EER of 10 or more, that is great, while 6 or 7 is fair.Go for the Smallest Air Unit Possible So many people are under the impression that bigger is better. Don’t go out and buy the biggest system out there — go for the smallest one that will meet your needs. Energy Efficiency Tip for Doing Laundry When doing laundry, wash full loads. By doing this, you will be using the machine less and saving energy. Energy Saving Tip for Your Refrigerator When it comes to saving money on

The evolving geothermal heating and cooling technologies could be the wave of the future in cutting the cost of operating commercial and other non-residential buildings once businesses can get past the initial cost, according to a study by Frost & Sullivan, a market research and analysis firm in San Antonio, TX. The market already is expanding. It received revenue of $120.8 million in 2012, and the Geothermal Market is expected to reach $147.6 Million by 2017, thanks in part to laws in Canada and the U.S. promoting geothermal and other renewable energy sources. Laws already on the books include the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the earlier Energy Policy Act of 2005. The study looked at the period between 2009 and 2017 and identifies geothermal heat pumps, both open and closed loop designs, as primary segments of the geothermal market on the North American continent. The Higher Energy Efficiency of Geothermal Heating and Cooling has long been apparent. The ground at about 10 feet deep is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than the air above it, with a constant temperature of between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of

Winter is just around the corner, which means that it’s time to enjoy the holiday season. There’s nothing better than spending time with family and friends while making new holiday memories. One thing that you probably won’t be thinking about is your energy consumption… that is until you get the energy bill at the end of the month. The holidays are the one time of the year when homeowners tend to use more energy than usual. Between hosting guests, cooking up a storm, and keeping the heat on, it’s no surprise that your December energy bill will be slightly higher than normal. The good news is that there are a few simple ways that you can work to save energy throughout the holiday season so that you aren’t too shocked by the bill at the end of the month. Best Ways to Save Energy During the Holidays Here are just 3 ways that West Los Angeles homeowners can work to save energy this holiday season: The more people you have in your home, the warmer it is likely to get. This means that if you are having a holiday party or plan on hosting guests, you can turn down the thermostat and

As you begin watching the leaves turn from the green of summer time to autumn colors of red, gold and brown, it is natural to anticipate the cold of winter lurking around the corner. Most people are enamored by the bright colors of fall, but there is something sinister about them, as well. It doesn’t have to be this way, at least, not if you have done your due diligence and taken care to prepare your home. Home heating service and repair are necessary components of living a comfortable life. It calls for professional HVAC service in order to keep the cold at bay. No one wants to spend the winter months wondering whether they will be able to get through without a heating system emergency and a breakdown would be even worse. Heater maintenance before going into the winter season is a time honored responsibility of home owners everywhere. Unless you want to look forward to new heater installation sooner rather than later, it is a good idea to call the professional HVAC service contractor of your choice to take care of this responsibility for you. Otherwise, you can expect to spend a lot of time mulling over why

With summer comes a blast of fun new things to do, but also the scorching heat that watches your energy costs rise. While you’re taking refuge from the blazing sun or trying to cool down after all those fun outdoor activities, check out these 6 energy saving hacks for summer that’ll have you conserving like a pro. Super-Stock That Freezer When you open that door, you’re letting out hours of built-up cold in seconds, which makes the machine work harder to return the temperatures to normal. However, if you keep your freezer well-stocked, those items will hold the cold and make it work less. If you lack food or drinks, simple put water bottles or even newspaper in there. Get a Clothes Line – or Rack Dryers take an incredible amount of power, and even the best-made ones still pump heat into the room – making your AC work harder. To keep them from racking up your electricity bills in the summer, get a clothes line for your yard or (in the case of apartments) invest in a cheap clothing rack to let your items air dry. Plus, this energy saving hack leaves your clothes with a nice sunbathed smell!