HVAC System Fan Setting

December 20th, 2011 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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You may not have given it much thought, but if you take a look at your thermostat, you’ll probably see that it has two settings for the fan:  auto and on.  On the auto setting the fan only runs when the system is either heating or cooling.  With the fan set to on, the fan runs continuously.

There are pros and cons of each setting.  The choice of whether to set your fan to on or auto depends on your situation.  Leaving the fan in the on position uses more electricity than setting it to auto.  If you have an older traditional furnace and air conditioner system, the fan uses quite a lot more electricity when it runs constantly.  Depending on energy costs in your area, continuously running the fan on these systems could cost $300 to $400 more than leaving the fan on auto.

If you have a new, energy efficient HVAC system with a variable speed fan, the cost difference is somewhat less; about $50 to $100.  In addition, running the fan continuously will reduce the system’s ability to dehumidify the air in your home.  Some of the moisture that condenses on the coils and would ordinarily drip into the drip pan and be drained will instead be blown back into your home.

The advantages of running the fan all the time include improved indoor air quality and more even heating and cooling.  By continuously circulating the air, hot and cold spots in your home will be less of a problem.  Also, your furnace filter will capture more dust and other airborne contaminates if the fan is always on.

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Save Heating and Cooling Costs With Ceiling Fans

November 6th, 2011 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Homeowners looking for a way to save money on their heating and cooling costs should consider installing ceiling fans.  Properly used, a ceiling fan can work in conjunction with your heating and air conditioning system to help you stay comfortable at temperatures a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter.  A few degrees may not sound like much, but the energy savings can add up quickly.

If you are installing a ceiling fan, be sure to get a fan that is reversible.  You will want to reverse the direction of the fan in the winter.  A competent handyman can install a typical ceiling fan, but if you have any doubt about your ability you should hire a home improvement contractor or electrician to do the installation.  Ceiling fans are heavy and can fall if improperly installed.  Further, the electrical connections are not completed properly there is a risk of fire.

Using the fan properly is the key to energy savings.  In the summer, the fan should be set so that you feel a breeze standing underneath it.  This breeze makes you feel cooler and allows you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher.

In the winter, turn the fan on low and reverse the direction.  This will create a flow of warm air from the ceiling where it accumulates down to the lower area of the room where it will help keep temperatures a few degrees warmer.

If you are considering a ceiling fan because your air conditioner or heating system can’t keep you and your family comfortable, you may need residential HVAC maintenance.  Have your HVAC system serviced by a reputable HVAC contractor.

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2011 HVAC Tax Credit

January 31st, 2011 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Now that 2011 is underway, there is some good news about tax credits for HVAC equipment. For the past few years, tax credits of up to $1,500 were available for consumers who installed qualifying energy efficient HVAC equipment. Up until the end of 2010, consumers may have been eligible for a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of qualifying energy efficient HVAC equipment including heat pumps, furnaces, and central air conditioning units.

The $1,500 tax credit was a great incentive for consumers to install energy efficient HVAC equipment. The tax credit was a dollar for dollar reduction the tax owed which is much better than a tax deduction which is a reduction in gross income. With a deduction, your tax savings depends on the tax bracket you are in. The higher the tax bracket, the greater the savings.

These tax credits were due to expire at the end of 2010 and for awhile it appeared that they would not be renewed for 2011. Fortunately, in late December the tax credits were renewed instead of being allowed to expire, but they are significantly reduced for 2011.

Starting in 2011, the tax credit for energy efficient HVAC equipment is calculated at the rate of 10% of the cost of qualifying HVAC equipment and it is capped at a total of $500. Certain central air conditioners and heat pumps qualify for a credit of up to $300. Costs of qualifying natural gas furnaces are eligible for a credit of up to $150, and qualified advanced main air circulating fans are eligible for a $50 credit. While the 2011 tax incentives are not as generous as in previous years, they are certainly worth looking into if you are in the market for energy efficient HVAC equipment.

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Reducing Home Heating Costs

January 10th, 2011 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Now that the winter weather is here, most of us are looking for ways to reduce our home heating costs without sacrificing comfort.  Here are a few tips to get you started:

Have your local HVAC company do an HVAC system efficiency analysis.  They will inspect your home and HVAC system, measure your energy usage, and make recommendations for reducing your home heating costs.

Install a programmable thermostat.  Your HVAC professional can install one for you or you buy one at your local home  improvement store for do-it –yourself installation.  Programmable thermostats can reduce your heating costs by automatically lowering the temperature when you and your family are away from home.

Even if you do not have a programmable thermostat, you can do pretty much the same thing by turning your thermostat down at night and while you and your family are away at work or school during the day.

Use your ceiling fans to recirculate warm air down to the lower areas of the room.  Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch to accomplish this.  Run the fan in reverse on low for good results without any drafts.

Make sure your doors and windows have good weather stripping.  Your local home improvement store has a wide selection of easily applied weather stripping products for sealing drafty doors and windows.

Change your furnace filter.  A dirty furnace filter makes your furnace work harder and reduces heating efficiency.

Make sure your attic has plenty of insulation.  Heat rises, so a lot of your heated air escapes through the ceilings.  An extra layer of insulation in your attic can make  a big difference.

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