How Smart Is Your Thermostat?

August 31st, 2014 Posted in Thermostats
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Technology has led to incredible inventions which can make life not only easier, but also more affordable. This is definitely true of the HVAC thermostat. The newer models are designed to make it easier to control the temperature of your home while also learning your preferences without needing regular programming. If you have an older thermostat installed in your home, it may be time to consider upgrading to one of the higher tech models which can help make your space both more comfortable and more energy efficient. 

Features Available On New Thermostats

First and foremost, a programmable thermostat is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner who currently has or is considering the installation of an HVAC system. The ability to program your home’s temperature throughout the day can lead to large savings on your energy bill. This allows you to reduce the heating or cooling when you and your family are gone during the day, also at night when you are sleeping. Some other fantastic features that newer thermostats offer include: 

  • Learning capabilities. Many computerized thermostats now can learn your preferences and program your temperatures accordingly. These smart thermostats can memorize what settings you use, give you energy efficient options and even create reports regarding energy usage during a set period.
     
  • Remote technology. Newer thermostats often now have Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing you to control your home settings from any internet capable device, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer.
     
  • Display. Many of the high-tech thermostats come with back-lit displays which are easy to read and use, often with touchscreen options. Battery backups ensure settings are not lost during a power outage. 

To learn more about the smart options available in thermostats, talk to your local HVAC service company for advice. They can suggest a newer model which will meet your personal needs, and which can possibly offer substantial savings off your energy bills when used correctly.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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HVAC Energy Saving Tips

August 31st, 2014 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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One of the largest expenses in most households is the cost of energy, especially cooling and heating your home. Except for a few months in the spring and fall when temperatures are generally milder, the rest of the year an HVAC system must work hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. While increased energy bills during the hottest and coldest months are to be expected, there are ways to reduce these costs with a few home improvement tips: 

  • Insulation. Insulation is one of the best ways to keep your home at the temperature you desire, with less strain on your HVAC system. Adding extra insulation in the attic, crawlspace or walls of your home can make a large difference in your energy bills.
     
  • Drafts. Any crack which allows outdoor air inside your home can also be leaking your warm or cold air. Seal cracks in ductwork, around windows or below doors to reduce the amount of temperature-controlled air which is lost.
     
  • Windows. Old windows can also be poorly insulated, allowing air to escape or outdoor air to move into your home, affecting the interior temperature. Replacing your old windows can make a significant difference in your energy bills. Another option is to use heavy drapes or blinds to help insulate the windows, plus keep out the hot sun during the summer months.
     
  • HVAC maintenance. Your HVAC system needs regular HVAC maintenance to stay efficient. Reduce energy costs by scheduling annual maintenance with your HVAC service company and ensuring that filters are replaced as needed throughout the year. 

By adding a few home improvements, you can reduce how hard your HVAC system needs to work in order to keep your home comfortable. Even one or two of these improvements can have a big impact on your monthly and yearly energy expenses.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Programming Your Thermostat For Vacations

August 31st, 2014 Posted in Thermostats
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If you have one last vacation planned for the summer or are getting away for a long Labor Day weekend, save some money on your energy bills by programming your thermostat accordingly. While you are away, there is no reason to pay for your home to be cooled to the same comfort level you would expect while your home is occupied. While you may not want to turn the HVAC system all the way off, you should at least raise the temperature a few degrees. 

Where Should You Set Your Thermostat?

While you are away, you want to save on your energy bills. However, you should still keep your home cooled to a reasonable level. Allowing it to get too hot can destroy items in the house, plus make it expensive to cool down when you get back. A good rule of thumb is to set it between 3-6 degrees above your normal setting. This will save on energy while still keeping your home reasonably cool. 

The same is true for winter vacations, in the opposite direction. During the winter, set your thermostat about four degrees below your normal setting while away for heat pumps. For gas furnaces, you can go a little lower, up to eight degrees since they can heat a home back up to temperature quickly and efficiently. 

By raising or lowering your thermostat during your vacation, you can save a bundle off your energy bills while keeping your home at a safe, moderate temperature. This will ensure that when you return your home will be able to return to your normal settings quickly and efficiently. For those with programmable thermostats featuring smartphone applications, consider changing your temperature setting back to normal a few hours before you get home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Tips To Protect Your HVAC System

August 31st, 2014 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Your HVAC system is an expensive and necessary part of your home, offering heating and cooling to keep your house comfortable year round. To keep this system working at its best, it is important to provide it with the necessary maintenance and repairs, as well as protecting it from preventable stress. On top of regular annual HVAC maintenance from your local HVAC service company, here are a few tips to reduce stress on your HVAC system: 

–        Programmable thermostats. Constant heating or cooling can add extra stress to your HVAC unit. Use a programmable thermostat to give your system a break when you are away from home or sleeping at night. Even a few degrees can save on over-taxing your unit, plus save money on your energy bills.

–        Filters. One of the easiest ways to protect your HVAC system is to ensure that the filter is regularly changed. This keeps your unit protected from dust and other air particles while removing them from the air your family breathes.

–        Outdoor units. If you have an outdoor HVAC unit, make sure to keep it clear of excess foliage and dirt. Keep grass clippings away from the unit, as well as leaves and other debris. Anything that can block air flow into the system could create problems, from poor efficiency to costly repairs. 

By reducing the stress on your HVAC unit, you can help prolong the life of the system and make it more energy efficient. Just by keeping the system well-maintained and clean, you may be able to get years of extra comfort from your existing HVAC components.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Which HVAC Filter Is Best?

August 31st, 2014 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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The filter for your HVAC system does two things: clean the air and protect your HVAC components. These filters catch and remove particles from the air, making sure your air clean to breathe while also keeping these same particles out of the working components of your system. Although any filter is better than none, there is quite a difference in the quality of filters and what particles they can capture from the air. 

Three Types Of HVAC Filters

HVAC filters are rated on the MERV system, the minimum efficiency reporting value. This rating runs from 1-16, with 16 at the highest level of efficiency. Three of the most common types of HVAC filters and their MERV ratings include: 

–        Fiberglass. The most basic filter uses fiberglass as a filtering agent. These filters are very cost effective, yet have a low MERV rating of between 1-4 in most cases. While these filters will help protect your system, they are not designed to improve air quality in your home.

–        Pleated and polyester. The next step above fiberglass filters is the pleated and polyester filters. These also will protect your HVAC system, plus remove more of the harmful contaminants in the air. The MERV ratings on these filters usually ranges between 8 to 13.

–        High-efficiency. The highest level of air quality from an HVAC filter comes from the high-efficiency filters. These filters are also pleated, removing up to 85% of pollutants from the air. These filters have the highest MERV rating of between 14-16. Although these are the highest rated filters, they are usually reserved for commercial use. 

Whatever filter you choose, make sure it is changed as part of your regular HVAC maintenance. Your local HVAC service company can check and replace your filters for you when performing tune-ups or other scheduled maintenance.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Energy Efficiency Benefit Of Heat Pumps

August 13th, 2014 Posted in Heat Pumps
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While the classic combination of air conditioning and a furnace may be necessary for regions with hot summers and cold winters, homeowners in many regions can save money by owning a heat pump. This is particularly true of the southern regions, which typically have mild winters paired with hot summers. Heat pumps use less energy to operate, especially in the winter, offering substantial energy savings for many homeowners. 

How Heat Pumps Work

What makes a heat pump efficient is its ability to use the warm air both inside and outside a home to cool or heat the interior air as needed. During the summer, heat pumps absorb hot air and transfer it outside to cool the inside of the home. In the winter, the exact opposite is true, with heat pumps absorbing heat from outside and transferring inside to warm the air. 

This absorption of warmth is more energy efficient, especially in the winter. Instead of needing excessive amounts of gas or electricity to warm the air like a furnace, the heat pump is utilizing the warm air already available. In regions that rarely see temperatures below freezing, heat pumps can be an effective and efficient option to keep indoor air comfortable all year round. 

For homeowners in moderate winter climates, choosing a heat pump over other HVAC options may save on monthly energy bills while still providing their homes with the perfect temperatures throughout the summer and winter. To determine whether a heat pump may be a good option for your home, talk to your local HVAC service professional to schedule an assessment of your current system versus the many heat pumps that are available.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Is Your Central Air Conditioning Out-Of-Date?

August 13th, 2014 Posted in Central Air Conditioning
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When was the last time you replaced your central air conditioning system? If you answered ten years or more, or never, it might be time to consider investing in a new system. Air conditioning systems have drastically improved in the last decade, making them more energy efficient and healthier for the environment. While the initial cost to replace your old system may seem high, your energy savings over the next few years can make it worth the  investment. 

Changes In Air Conditioning Efficiency

The differences in newer air conditioning units versus models made only 10-15 years ago are substantial. SEER, or seasonal efficiency energy ratio, is the most effective way to determine the efficiency of an air conditioning unit. While many air conditioners manufactured a decade ago had a SEER rating of 10 or less, units sold today can have a SEER rating of 20 or more, with the standard for residential systems having a minimum of 13. This means the efficiency of a new air conditioning system can be over double that of older models, with energy savings of 20-40% off monthly utility bills. This translates to significant savings, costing homeowners less each year to cool their homes while helping to conserve natural resources in the environment. In warmer climates, these savings can be even greater if temperatures remain high for more months out of the year. 

If you are unsure what your current air conditioning system’s rating is, or want more information on the newer models available, call your local HVAC service company. They can help you determine the efficiency of your current system and compare its rating to the newer units that can be installed today. It’s worth taking the time to research your options, as it could save you plenty off your energy bills in the years to come. 

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Old Furnace Plus New Air Conditioning Equals Lower Efficiency

August 13th, 2014 Posted in HVAC Replacement
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Most air conditioning systems work in tandem with a furnace, with the blower motor of the furnace doing dual duty in both the summer and the winter. However, it’s not uncommon for a homeowner may replace their air conditioning system with a new, more efficient model while leaving the old furnace in place. What they may not realize is that their new air conditioning system, even one with a high SEER rating, cannot provide optimal energy savings while attached to an older, inefficient furnace. 

Understanding The SEER Rating

When purchasing a new central air conditioning unit, one of the most important factors is the SEER rating. SEER stands for seasonal efficiency energy ratio. This rating is based on the cooling output and the energy input, with the higher the number representing larger energy savings. Newer models, especially those manufactured after 2006, have higher SEER ratings along with substantially increased efficiency. However, to realize this efficiency, it must be attached to an efficient blower motor. 

Anyone who is replacing their air conditioning system should also be ensuring that their furnace can meet the efficiency needs of their new unit. Most furnaces that are 15 years or older are less likely to be able to perform at peak efficiency. A new air conditioner connected to an older furnace will not necessarily be able to perform at the SEER rating advertised. 

In many cases, the furnace and air conditioning should be replaced at the same time to ensure the maximum amount of efficiency. Having one system which is older can detract from the energy efficiency of the other. Before replacing only the air conditioning system, make sure to have your HVAC professional inspect your furnace to ensure that it can meet the efficiency requirements of your new system.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Uneven Temperatures In Office Buildings

August 13th, 2014 Posted in Commercial HVAC Service & Repair
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It’s a common complaint in many commercial or office buildings: one office is too hot, while another one is too cold. Sometimes both can be happening at the same time, making a remedy for the situation seem impossible to find. The problem can often be attributed to the fact that thermostat which regulates the air temperature for all the offices or rooms is located in one area of the building with either more or less exposure to the sun, sending too much hot or cold air to other areas of the building. 

Solutions For Uneven Temperatures

If you own or manage a building experiencing these types of fluctuations in heating or cooling, there are options which can fix the problem. Not only are these issues annoying for the workers in the building, it is also likely to be affecting monthly energy bills. Rooms or office which are too hot or too cold are wasting energy, in comparison to even temperatures throughout the building. 

The solutions to these types of recurring issues generally revolve around the existing system you have in place. Many buildings use a constant volume system, which is meant to be cost-effective, but can cause these types of temperature fluctuations when not properly installed. In addition, frustrated tenants may have tried to make their own modifications to their vents to divert air flow when it is too hot or too cold, compromising the whole system. 

To get your building back on an even heating or cooling schedule for all offices and areas of the building, call in your local commercial HVAC service company to inspect your system. It may be something simple and affordable to fix, making your tenants or employees happy while possibly even saving money on energy bills each month.

Posted on behalf of JS Thomas Service, Inc.

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When Was The Last Time Your Air Ducts Were Cleaned?

August 13th, 2014 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Homeowners depend on their HVAC systems to cool and heat their homes, often through extensive ducts which transport air throughout the rooms and different floors of the house. All the air in the home comes in contact with these ducts, both depositing and picking up particles within the ducts. Although most HVAC systems have filters to protect the air quality, after the air is filtered it can still pick up dust and other allergens in dirty air ducts before reentering the home. The question you should be asking yourself is when was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned or inspected? 

Are Your Ducts Contaminating Your Air?

There are many ways in which air ducts can become less than clean over the years. Accumulation of skin, hair, pet dander and many other particles is common within the ducts of an HVAC system. In addition, more hazardous debris is often found inside these ducts, including dead pests, along with their feces and urine, and harmful mold growth. While dirty ducts can add particles to the air which are irritating to those with allergies, the real risk is when toxins that can affect everyone’s health are being circulated into the home through dirty ductwork. 

In addition, your duct system can lose some of its efficiency due to dirty ductwork, poorly sealed ductwork, or poorly insulated ducts. 

The easiest solution to protect your family from possible allergens and toxins from dirty air ducts and to maximize system efficiency is to have them cleaned and inspected on an annual basis. A system efficiency analysis can ensure the air flowing through your home is not being contaminated by your ducts, as well as making sure your ducts are properly sealed and not losing the cooled or warmed air into walls or crawlspaces. If it has been over a year since your ducts have been inspected or cleaned, call your local HVAC service provider to schedule an appointment for a system efficiency analysis or duct cleaning.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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