Keeping an Even Temperature in Your Home

Do you find that certain areas of your home are either colder or warmer than others? It could be a problem with your cooling or heating system. However, often it is a simple issue that you can fix or check on your own. Here are a few to things to check before you consider calling in a professional:

  • Check your air filter. Sometimes something as simple as a clogged air filter can cause inconsistencies in temperature. Check your air filter and change it if it looks dirty.
  • Inspect your air vents. Turn on your AC or heat and check the air coming from your vents or registers. Make sure all are open and allowing air through. If a vent is open but no air is coming out, you may have a blockage in an air duct.

If you check the vents and filters but still can’t resolve the uneven temperatures in your home, it may be time to contact your local HVAC service. You may have issues like blocked or leaking ductwork that is affecting the air flow. This is a common issue that can increase your energy bills and cause poor temperature control.

Has your home always been difficult to keep at an even temperature? If this isn’t a new problem, it could be the design of your home or the location of your thermostat. Your HVAC professional can evaluate your system and offer solutions. Adding a zoning system, a ductless mini split or just moving the thermostat could fix your issue. The professionals will get to the heart of the issue and find a solution for improved comfort and efficiency in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

5 Ways to Lower your AC Costs This Summer

You want to stay cool and comfortable during the summer – but you also don’t want to pay high energy bills. While air conditioning does increase your energy costs, there are many ways to reduce the financial pain of staying cool during the summer. Here are five tips you can do now to lower your AC costs this summer.

  1. Seal doors and windows. Make sure the weather stripping around doors and windows is not cracked or worn. Sealing around these entrances can help keep cool air in and hot air out.
  2. Invest in drapes/shades for windows and glass doors. Give your AC unit a helping hand by reducing the sunlight that comes in the home on hot days. Invest in drapes, shades or blinds for windows and glass doors to keep sunlight out.
  3. Run large appliances during cooler hours. Wash dishes and clothes during the morning or evening hours when it is cooler outside. This reduces heat from these large appliances during the peak temperature times during the day.
  4. Use a programmable thermostat. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get one and use it. This allows you to set the temperature on your AC to reduce use during times when you are not home or asleep.
  5. Get a spring tune-up. Did you know dirty coils and filters can cost you up to an extra $1,000 per season in AC costs? Get a spring tune-up for your unit to ensure it is ready for summer.
  6. System Efficiency Analysis – Have a system efficiency analysis performed by a qualified HVAC contractor.

Now is the time to start preparing your home to keep AC costs low this summer. With a little prep and maintenance, you can save hundreds of dollars and still stay cool during the dog days of summer.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Is it Time for an HVAC Energy Efficiency Analysis?

One of the ways you can increase your spendable income each month is cutting down on energy use. Shutting off lights, regulating temperatures and cutting down on hot water use are a few ways to reduce your energy bills. But a bigger way to save money is to invest in energy efficient appliances, including your HVAC system. An energy efficiency analysis can give you an estimate on how efficient your current system is and ideas on how to reduce your heating and cooling costs.

If you have a newer HVAC system and your energy bills seem reasonable, you may not need an analysis of your heating/cooling system. However, if any of these apply to you, it may benefit you to explore getting an analysis performed to see if you can improve your HVAC efficiency:

  • Your furnace/HVAC system is at least ten years old
  • Your energy bills have continually increased
  • There is difficulty maintaining even temperatures throughout your home
  • Poor air quality

What Should be Included in an Energy Efficiency Analysis

Many HVAC companies may offer an energy efficiency analysis, but you want to ensure you get a complete system analysis. Some of the inspection/analysis points that should be included:

  • Air quality and distribution
  • Energy consumption
  • Temperature control
  • Comfort level
  • Operation and owning costs
  • AC/heating service

Even newer HVAC systems may have components that can be improved for better efficiency and air quality in the home. A comprehensive evaluation can help you identify if service is needed, repairs, or if a complete replacement could be a wise investment. Contact your local HVAC service that offers a complete HVAC energy efficiency analysis to see if you improve your home’s HVAC system and save money off your energy bills.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

How Important is Good Insulation?

Does it seem like it is difficult to keep your home the perfect temperature? It is not always the HVAC system that is the problem; it could be the insulation in your home. Many homes are not well-insulated, especially in milder climate regions. Home builders often skimp on the insulation to save money in areas that do not have extreme cold, making it difficult to maintain the comfort level when it gets too hot or too cold outside. Insulating your home can have a dramatic impact on the ease of maintaining your perfect indoor climate and save you money on your energy bills.

Benefits of Insulating Your Home

Adding insulation to your attic, crawl space and any accessible exterior walls can have a dramatic impact on the comfort of your home. Insulation creates a barrier that seals the air inside of your home from the outside. This helps you maintain the preferred temperature inside longer, using less fuel or energy to heat or cool your home. This can have a big impact on your energy bills all year round, making it a worthwhile investment that can pay for itself over a few years.

In addition to making your home more comfortable and efficient, insulation also works as a sound barrier. This reduces the noise levels coming from outside, or the noise that leaves your home. This helps maintain a more private environment, especially in compact neighborhoods where homes are close together.

If your home has poor insulation, consider adding more to improve the comfort, efficiency and privacy of your home. Talk to your local HVAC service company that offers insulation services to learn more about the benefits insulating your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

4 Reasons to Reinsulate Your Home

Do you have adequate insulation in your home? Many older homes and some newer ones do not have adequate insulation for maximum efficiency. Some homes have little or no insulation, making it harder to keep them cool or warm. Since insulation is hidden away in walls, attics and crawl spaces, you may not know what amount of insulation you have. Here are four reasons to check your insulation levels and consider reinsulating if they are not sufficient.

  1. Energy savings. Insulation helps keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer during the winter. This added layer of insulating materials in your walls can reduce your energy usage and have a significant impact on your utility bills.
  2. Insulation settling. Even if you have insulation, it may have settled over the years. Investing in new insulation, preferably blown-in insulation, can improve the level of insulation in your home.
  3. Sound-proofing. An added benefit of more insulation is how it helps sound-proof your home. Keep outdoor noises dulled and reduce the sounds that leave your home for improved privacy. Adding insulation in the interior walls can help muffle sounds – this is perfect for noisy rooms like the kid’s play room or a theatre room in your home.
  4. Keep it green. New insulation can help you reduce the energy you use, reducing pollution and use of natural resources. Make sure to choose a green option in insulation like blown-in R19 that is made from recycled products.

A well-insulated home can make it more comfortable all year round and save you money on your energy bills. If you think you may be losing heat or cold air through thinly insulated walls, call your local HVAC service to have an efficiency evaluation performed.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Could Insulating Your Home Save You Money?

Does it seem like your energy bill is too high? It may be due to poor insulation inside your home. Many homes are built without adequate insulation that can lead to open airways that impact the temperature of the home. It is never too late to add insulation to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Retain better heat in the winter and keep cool in the summer by investing in insulation in your home.

Insulation uses a poor conductor of heat to create a barrier between the interior of your home and the weather outside. Most insulation is created from fiberglass that is made from spun glass fibers. Glass is one of the best options for insulation since it is naturally a poor conductor of heat and is safe for home construction. It is used in blown and rolled insulation, creating a barrier that keeps homes cool or warm as needed.

When adding insulation to an existing home, blown insulation is often the most efficient option. It can be added into walls, attics and crawls spaces to block airways that let in the heat or cold from the outside. Once in place, insulation will perform for decades, making it a worthwhile investment. The savings on your heating and cooling bill can easily pay for this improvement to your home in a matter of just a few years or less. It also puts less stress on your HVAC system, saving you money on maintenance, repairs and replacement.

Stopping wasting energy and money in your home. Call your local HVAC expert that offers insulation installation to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Insulate to Conserve Energy

Even the most efficient HVAC system can ultimately cost you higher energy bills if the air it conditions doesn’t stay in the building. Leaks, drafts and poorly insulated walls will allow your money to literally go right out the window. Instead of investing in a larger HVAC unit, consider insulating your building to increase your energy efficiency.

Blown-in insulation can prevent air loss and excessive energy consumption with minimal disruption to your commercial or residential space. Keep the external temperatures outside and your conditioned air inside with a professional blow-in insulation.

With blow-in insulation, there’s no need to tear out drywall or wood finish. Insulation is blown directly into wall voids through attic or drop ceiling spaces. Problem areas around door jambs and window frames are sealed up to prevent energy loss. Blown insulation makes older existing buildings more efficient without having to remove walls, wall coverings and fixtures to access voids.

When your building is improperly insulated, the HVAC system must work harder to maintain the comfort level you want for your interior spaces. That ultimately reduces the effective life expectancy of system components, as well as increasing maintenance costs.

Blown insulation will help you get more out of your HVAC system, at a lower strain on the system and with a lower electric bill. If your air conditioning seems to be running non-stop to maintain an adequate interior temperature for your home or business, contact your local HVAC service provider and ask for an inspection. A professional HVAC service technician can identify potential energy problem areas, and recommend a solution that will optimize your system’s efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Alpharetta, GA
(770) 475-9555

5 Tips to Reduce A/C Energy Costs

You may be thankful for your air conditioning when the temperatures skyrocket during the summer, but you may also be less than thrilled when your electricity bill comes. Keeping your home climate-controlled can account for at least half of your energy bill, costing a small fortune each month. As the days get hotter, your energy bill can get out of control. Here are 5 tips to help minimize your energy costs while still enjoying the benefits of A/C.

  1. Close your shades during the day. Use your window treatments to reduce sunshine and heat in your home by closing drapes or blinds in the morning.
  2. Use a programmable thermostat. If you have a programmable thermostat, use it. If you don’t have one, this is a good investment. Program your A/C for higher temps when you are away from home or during the night when you are sleeping.
  3. Invest in outdoor shade. Shading your home can have a big impact on your inside temps. Planting trees to shade from the afternoon sun can help reduce cooling costs. Outdoor awnings that shade windows and your A/C unit are also good investments.
  4. Schedule regular maintenance. Keeping your A/C unit in top condition can help reduce energy costs while preventing breakdowns. Schedule regular service at least twice a year.
  5. Use fans. Even with A/C, fans can offer a cooling effect as they circulate the air and the movement cools your skin. You can set the A/C temp higher while still enjoying a cooler home.

If you have an older A/C unit, this can also contribute to higher energy costs. You may want to consider investing in a newer, more energy efficient unit that could pay for itself with lower electricity costs.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Alpharetta, GA
(770) 475-9555

Is Your HVAC System Costing You a Small Fortune?

Summer can be a tough time when it comes to energy costs. Hot days lead to large air conditioning energy bills that can be painfully expensive. If this summer seemed to cost you even more than usual when it came to keeping your home cool, it may be time to invest in a new HVAC system. But before you invest in a new system, it may be worth your while to have an energy analysis performed on your HVAC.

What to Expect in an Energy Analysis

Many quality HVAC service contractors offer an energy analysis to help gauge the performance of your HVAC system. This evaluation is especially valuable on older systems that may be costing you a small fortune extra in energy costs over newer, more efficient models. Some of the factors that many contractors will check in an analysis include:

  • Energy output and consumption
  • Air quality in the home
  • Air and temperature distribution
  • Inspection of equipment
  • Inspection for safety issues

Once the analysis is done, the contractor can recommend solutions for decreasing energy use and increasing efficiency. In many cases the HVAC system is still in good condition but just needs maintenance or maybe the addition of an automated thermostat to improve efficiency. In other cases, it may be worth the investment into a newer model that offers a much higher level of energy efficiency, paying for the new system in a matter of a year or two.

If you are tired of paying too much for your energy bill to cool and heat your home, call your local HVAC contractor to schedule an energy analysis and inspection of your HVAC system. It could make a big difference in your monthly energy bills.

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

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