Benefits of Owning a Heat Pump

If you are considering upgrading your HVAC system, you may have wondered whether a heat pump could have advantages over a traditional heating and air conditioning system. Of course, air quality and comfort are important, so you want to ensure that the system you choose will give you and your family the environment you prefer. Here are some benefits that heat pumps offer to help you determine if this system would be a better choice for your home.

  • Energy efficiency. Heat pumps can offer savings on your energy bill. Heating costs can be reduced by up to 40% versus electrically heat.
  • Safe surfaces. Heat pumps do not create hot surfaces that can create an unsafe environment. This reduces fire hazards and burn possibilities for small children or pets.
  • Environmentally-friendly. Heat pumps do not use fuels that can harm the environment – no gas, wood, smoke or oils, just a transfer of air to heat or cool your home.
  • Lower humidity. The transfer of air allows for better control of humidity in your home. The air is automatically circulated and excess moisture in the air is collected in the unit as it passes through, draining outside to keep humidity levels low.
  • Temperature control. Heat pumps can bring in warm air or work in reverse to release warm air for temperature control. Use automatic settings to control when the pump is turned on for better energy efficiency.

Heat pumps are great for mild climates when winters are not too severe and summer heat is not overbearing. To learn more about the benefits of heat pumps and to determine if they are a good fit for your home, talk to your local HVAC service provider.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

Why You Need An HVAC Efficiency Analysis

Energy costs can run high, especially if your HVAC system is not working efficiently. Even homeowners who have invested in energy efficient HVAC equipment may still not be getting the utility savings they should be realizing. Often, it can be a simple fix to reduce your monthly energy bills and get the most out of your HVAC system. If your energy costs are higher than you would prefer, it may be time to have an efficiency analysis performed on your HVAC system. 

What An Efficiency Analysis Should Include

There are many different components which can affect how efficient your HVAC system is and how much energy your home is consuming each month. An efficiency analysis performed by a quality HVAC professional can identify areas where you could improve your HVAC’s performance, often saving you money on your energy bills. A thorough efficiency analysis should include the following: 

–        Analysis of your home’s heating and cooling operating costs

–        Inventory and inspection of your HVAC equipment

–        Identification of any potential hazards, including performing an indoor air quality test

–        Evaluate your energy consumption

–        Test for comfort levels throughout the home

–        Inspect air distribution system, checking for leaks and air loss problems 

Once the analysis is complete, your HVAC professional can give you recommendations for ways to improve your efficiency and discuss any potential problems. These improvements can be used to lower your energy bills, and possibly increase the life of your HVAC system. Call your local HVAC company today and ask about scheduling an efficiency analysis for your system. It could save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bills, and help increase the comfort level inside your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Buford, GA
(770) 475-9528

Tips To Reduce Air Cooling Costs

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, so does the cost of cooling your home. Even the most efficient air conditioning system can cost a pretty penny to keep running on days when temperatures reach the 90 or 100 degree mark. Before you get sticker shock from opening your energy bill, consider these tips to keep your cooling costs as low as possible. 

  • Heat producing appliances. It is bad enough that the air outside is hot; don’t make the situation worse by adding unnecessary heat indoors. Many appliances create heat when in use, including computers and stoves. If it’s not necessary, keep these appliances turned off or unplugged.
     
  • Programmable thermostat. One of the biggest contributors to high cooling costs is cooling your home when you are not home or your family is sleeping. A programmable thermostat can help you automatically set your air conditioning to turn off when it is not needed. Talk to your HVAC service company about installing a programmable thermostat if you do not have one.
     
  • Cooking. On the hottest days, consider cooking meals on an outdoor grill or buying take-out foods for dinner. Turning on your stove or oven on a hot day puts extra strain on your cooling system.
     
  • Keep shutters and curtains closed. In the mornings, close all your curtains and shutters on your windows and glass doors to insulate your home from the heat outside. Consider purchasing drapes which are specifically designed for insulating purposes.
     
  • Keep your air conditioning system maintained. Having annual HVAC maintenance performed on your air conditioning unit can ensure that it is working efficiently as possible.

 Hopefully using these tips will help keep your cooling costs to a reasonable level this summer. If you have not already done so, schedule your annual air conditioning maintenance now to avoid breakdowns and additional costs during the hottest months ahead.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Spring Is The Perfect Time For A New HVAC System

Spring is the time for renewal, especially if you have been considering replacing your old HVAC system. March through May is typically a mild time of year in most regions of the country, making it an ideal time to install a new heating and air conditioning system. New varieties of HVAC systems are typically more energy efficient, saving many homeowners hundreds of dollars off their energy bills. Plus, as these systems wear out, frequent service calls can cost a bundle, making it worth the investment in a new HVAC system. 

Is It Time To Replace Your HVAC System?

It is true that a new HVAC replacement system can be a large expense. However, a poorly running HVAC system can cost you plenty in repair bills and high energy costs. If you have already been experiencing a higher frequency of breakdowns or noticed that your energy bills have increased, it may be time to replace your old HVAC system. Is your HVAC system: 

  • Over seven years old?
  • Not keeping rooms in your home at a consistent temperature?
  • Running excessively or constantly turning on and off?
  • Causing higher utility bills?

If any of these are true regarding your HVAC unit, it may be time to start looking at a new system. What better time to do that then spring, right before the hot weather hits? 

There are many different types of HVAC systems available, ranging in seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings. When comparing HVAC units, look for the SEER rating to determine how much the unit could help save in energy costs. The higher the SEER rating, the more money you could save each year. Talk with your local HVAC professional about the best size and efficiency model for your home, then schedule a time this spring to get your new unit installed!

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Tips To Reduce Your Heating And Cooling Utility Bills

A large portion of most utility bills throughout the year is spent on temperature control of the home. Whether it is heating in the winter or cooling in the summer, your monthly energy bills can skyrocket with heavy use of your HVAC system. However, there are ways to reduce the load on your system, making it more efficient,  and possibly saving hundreds of dollars each year on your utility bills. 

Tips To Reduce Heating And Cooling Costs

There are a few basic ways to save on heating and cooling costs. First, make sure your HVAC system is working properly and efficiently. Secondly, ensure you are conserving the temperature-controlled air in your home. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish both of these steps: 

  • HVAC service – Your HVAC system needs regular air conditioning service to work efficiently. Annual inspections and tune-ups will keep the unit clean, well lubricated and running smoothly.
     
  • Insulation – Increasing the insulation in your attic and crawl places can preserve the temperature in your home, reducing the strain on your HVAC system.
     
  • Ducts – Your ducts should be cleaned and inspected to ensure they don’t have any leaks or cracks which are losing air.
     
  • Windows and doors – Replacing your windows and doors with energy efficient models can have a large impact on your utility bills.
     
  • Programmable thermostat – Having a thermostat that can be programmed to turn off when not in use can result in significantly increased efficiency and savings. 

Your HVAV professional can discuss the best ways to save money on your energy bills during your annual service appointments. Talk to them about adding a programmable thermostat or other energy saving devices to your existing HVAC system.

Posted on behalf of Western Aire

Heating and Cooling Your Vacation Home

Because you only spend a portion of the year in your vacation home or recreational vehicle, you may not give much thought to the heating and cooling options available to you. In fact, saving money on the operation and maintenance of a second home or RV can be as simple as reviewing your climate-control options with an eye on efficiency. 

The appeal of a vacation home is, for many, the idea of escaping to a climate entirely different that that of your primary residence. While this does introduce an exotic element to your vacations, it also means that the requirements of an HVAC system will almost certainly be quite different from those of the home where you spend most of your time. In these cases, you’ll need to discuss the matter with a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor in that area so that you can determine the best possible solution for boosting both comfort and efficiency. In addition to the HVAC system installation, you’ll also need to discuss the necessary winterizing steps and climate control for harsh temperatures when you won’t be in the home, especially if the vacation home is situated in a particularly cold climate. 

For recreational vehicles and travel trailers, HVAC needs will often be quite different. Some residential heating and cooling companies offer their services to owners of mobile vacation homes, and will be well-versed in the best HVAC solutions for them. In order to enjoy your vacation or second home to the fullest, you’ll need to make sure that it’s as comfortable as possible. Your HVAC technician will be able to help you make the necessary changes to ensure that your vacation home is an efficient and comfortable place to spend leisure time.

Properly Placing Your Programmable Thermostat

When you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing one, you will almost certainly have a detailed picture fixed in your mind of what everything will look like when the work is finished. Unfortunately, when it comes to the placement of your programmable thermostat, your professional HVAC contractor may be forced to adjust that mental picture a bit. 

Regardless of what your internal interior designer is looking for aesthetically, a programmable thermostat’s location is vital to proper functionality. If it’s too close to a heating vent or cold air return, it will affect the temperature in the area in a way that may not accurately reflect the temperature throughout your home. Remember: your thermostat only knows what the temperature is in the area surrounding it. That’s why placement is so integral to functionality. 

Installing your thermostat near an exterior door can dramatically affect how it works, as the opening and closing of the door will change the ambient temperature in the immediate area, regardless of temperature in the rest of the house. For the same reason, it’s not recommended to place a thermostat near windows. This is only one of the reasons why, when it comes to HVAC installation and maintenance, you will need the guidance of a professional who’s able to draw upon years of experience and training. 

Before you paint a picture of how your home will look upon completion, down to the placement of thermostats and light switches, you should contact an HVAC contractor in your area. Together, you can work out a plan that ensures peak performance of your central heating and air conditioning system while keeping the look of your home satisfying and aesthetically pleasing.

Multiple Thermostats for Greater Temperature Control

It is not uncommon for a home to have some areas that are cooler or warmer than others. Part of this is due to the fact that heat rises. A second story of a home will typically be warmer than the main level or the basement of a home. To overcome this inequality in temperatures from one area to another within your home, many people choose to have their heating and cooling system ‘zoned’ and a separate thermostat installed for each zone. 

With a separate thermostat located in each zone, you are no longer dependent on the temperature of just one area of the home to control the heating system for the entire house. However, if you still have only one furnace to heat the entire home, when the furnace turns on and off or the air conditioning kicks in or off still must be controlled by only one thermostat, so what do the other thermostats do? How do multiple thermostats affect the temperature control of a home that only has one heating and cooling system? 

The answer lies inside the ductwork. Dampers are place within the different zones of the ductwork. When one area is calling for more heat and a second area does not need heat, the thermostats open the dampers for the area needing heat and close them for the area that has already reached the desired temperature. Zoning your heating and cooling system with multiple thermostats to control the system can also help your system to be more energy efflicient.

Zoned heating and cooling systems are best installed during the initial installation of your residential HVAC system or during an HVAC system replacement, but they can be installed on extisting systems in many cases.  Talk to your HVAC contractor about your options.

Use Energy Efficiency to Sell Your Home

Selling a home in today’s housing market can be a challenge, to say the least.  With so many homes on the market at rock bottom prices, it can take a long time to get an offer on your home and it will probably be thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars less than your asking price even if your home is competitively priced.  The problem is that houses have almost become a commodity. If your home is just like half a dozen other homes for sale in your area, buyers have no incentive to make you a better offer.  The buyer can just keep making low ball offers on homes like yours until some desperate homeowner takes it.

What you need to do is to make your home stand out from the others so that the buyer wants your home, not a home like yours.  One way to make your home stand out is by improving the energy efficiency of your home and the most fertile ground for energy efficiency improvements is your home’s heating and cooling system.

Studies have shown that homes with third party energy efficiency certifications sell significantly faster and for more money than conventional homes.  Even if your home doesn’t have a third party energy efficiency certification, buyers are clearly interested in energy efficiency.  Use that to your advantage by having an system efficiency analysis done by a good HVAC contractor and have them install the recommended package of energy efficiency improvements. 

If your heating and cooling system is more than 10 years old, consider installing a new energy efficient HVAC system.  You probably won’t recover the full cost of the system when you sell, but it will make your home more attractive to potential buyers and reduce the amount of time your home sits on the market.  Be sure that your real estate agent highlights your home’s energy efficiency and provides potential buyers with information about the improvements to your heating and cooling system.