5 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill

Climate control in your home is one of the biggest factors on your energy costs. Staying cool in the summer is expensive, but so is staying warm during the winter. If you are tired of paying big utility bills during the colder months of the year, there are ways to reduce your heating costs. Here are five tips to stay warm without paying a fortune on your heating bills each month.

  1. Use your programmable thermostat. Maximize when you heat your home and when you can lower the temperature with a programmable thermostat. Utilize the program features to set a lower temperature during hours no one is at home to reduce heating costs.
  2. Minimize heat loss. Insulating your home and reducing heat loss can save money. Shut doors to rooms not in use; close vents or shut off these zones to stop heating unused rooms. Using window treatments or updating to insulated windows can also help reduce heat loss.
  3. Keep your temperatures moderate. Set your thermostat for 68 degrees when you are home to manage your heating costs. Add couch blankets and warm slippers to stay cozy instead of raising the indoor temperature.
  4. Keep up with furnace maintenance. Servicing your furnace or heat pump can ensure it is working properly and efficiently. Make sure to have annual tune-ups for your system.
  5. Get an efficiency analysis. Not sure if your furnace or heat pump is working efficiently? Have your HVAC pro complete an efficiency analysis on your system. There may be ways to improve your efficiency and lower your heating bills.

Stay warm without paying big heating bills. Maintain your HVAC system and use smart methods to manage your heating to keep your energy costs low during the winter.

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

Keep Your Commercial Tenants Happy with HVAC Maintenance

Heating or cooling problems in your commercial rental building can cause riffs between you and your tenants. It is guaranteed that HVAC issues will result in phone calls to your property manager from your tenants. When the AC is dysfunctional in the middle of summer or the heat is not working correctly in January, it can affect your commercial tenants’ business. Keep your tenants happy with an ongoing HVAC maintenance plan to prevent heating and cooling problems.

Finding reliable tenants for a commercial building is difficult. Once you fill your spaces, you want to keep those tenants in place to make the most of your investment. When HVAC problems occur, landlords can put relationships with their tenants at risk. If heating or cooling issues are making their employees unhappy or driving away customers, they may begin looking for a new space when their lease expires.

Invest in a Commercial HVAC Maintenance Plan

To ensure your commercial tenants do not need to continuously make calls complaining about heating or cooling issues, invest in a HVAC maintenance plan for your building. Not only does routine maintenance help reduce the chance of breakdowns, it can help extend the life of your HVAC equipment. In the long run, it will cost less than emergency repairs and possibly lost revenue if dissatisfied tenants decide to leave due to HVAC problems.

There are many factors involved with managing a successful commercial rental property, including maintaining your HVAC system. Make it simple by hiring an experienced industrial HVAC service to maintain your system to ensure heating and cooling is not a problem. It is a worthwhile investment to keep your tenants happy and retain longer leases for your building.

Posted on behalf of:
JS Thomas Service, Inc
4085 Nine McFarland Dr
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 475-2600

How Often Should You Clean Your HVAC Ducts?

Do you know what is hiding in the HVAC ducts in your home? If it has been a few years since your last duct cleaning, it could be a collection of dirt and other debris. Dirty ducts can affect your air quality and the health of your family. Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your air ducts, from frequency to signs it is time to schedule a cleaning now.

What is in Your Air Ducts?

If your air ducts are properly sealed and your humidity is low, your air ducts most likely stay clean longer with just a little dust collecting inside. However, most ducts are located in areas where they may be infiltrated by pests, which can lead to problems. Not only can pests like rodents create cracks or leaks in your duct work, they may be defecating and urinating in your ducts; holes they create can allow in other pests that may live and die in your ductwork. And if your home has high humidity, mold could be growing inside your ducts.

When Should You Clean Your Ducts?

For well-sealed ductwork without mold problems, cleaning will only need to be done every 3-5 years. But if you have signs of dirty ducts, you should schedule an inspection and cleaning sooner. These can include:

  • Duct vents are frequently dirty
  • There are bad odors emitted from your air ducts
  • You have a mold problem in your home
  • Those with dust and other air allergies are having more pronounced symptoms when in your home

Cleaning you air ducts as needed can help keep your home healthy. Make sure to have your ducts inspected during your annual HVAC service and professionally cleaned every few years.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

Protecting Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If you have a natural gas, oil or wood furnace, it is important to understand the risks of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Every year 400-500 people in the U.S. die from CO poisoning and an estimated 15.000 are treated for exposure at emergency rooms. CO is colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is a by-product of burning fuel. You need to know how to protect your family from accidental CO exposure that can be deadly.

Proper Ventilation

All furnaces need to have the right ventilation and seals in place to prevent CO leaks inside your home. It is critical to have your furnace inspected and services annually to ensure that it is working correctly, including the ventilation system.

Use a CO Detector

All homes should have a CO detector, especially those with fuel-fed furnaces. Make sure to check your detectors periodically to ensure they are working. Detectors should have a battery-backup if they are plugged in; make sure to change the batteries as needed.

Carbon Monoxide Exposure Symptoms

You should know the early signs of CO exposure. Dizziness, headaches, tightness in the chest, fatigue and nausea are common symptoms – children are more likely to show effects first. If there are any signs of CO exposure, exit the home immediately and seek medical care. You should also call your local HVAC service company to have your home tested for CO. If there is CO detected in your home, you may need your furnace serviced or repaired.

Awareness is key in protecting your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure to keep up with furnace and CO detector maintenance to prevent CO poisoning in your home.

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

Pneumatic vs DDC HVAC Energy Management Systems

Many older industrial buildings use pneumatic HVAC control systems. These manual controls have the benefit of long-lasting use – many buildings have pneumatic controls that have been in place for decades and continue to function. However, direct digital control or DDC are considered more energy efficient with many advantages not offered by pneumatic systems. If you manage or own a commercial building with pneumatic controls, it is important to know the benefits of DDC to determine if it is a better option for your building’s HVAC system.

Why Use DDC for Your HVAC Energy Management System?

If you have pneumatic controls, you may have wondered whether upgrading to DDC is worth the investment. If your energy costs are low and your industry does not require precise control over temperatures, pneumatic may work adequately. However, if you want to lower energy costs and improve your control options over your energy management, DDC can be worth the investment. Some benefits include:

  • Higher accuracy and precision with climate control
  • Improve energy efficiency with easier management
  • Advanced reporting systems
  • Easier adaption to automation systems
  • Wireless and remote control options

The drawbacks to a DDC over pneumatic energy management system are related to maintenance and longevity. In some cases, digital controls may need repairs or replacement more frequently than the more basic manual controls used in pneumatic. However, the savings in energy costs can more than make up for the difference and many DDC systems can still last for decades.

For building managers considering upgrading to a DDC system from pneumatic, talk to a expert. Consult an industrial HVAC installer that offers both systems to determine whether a retrofit to a new system is a wise investment for your building.

Posted on behalf of:
JS Thomas Service, Inc
4085 Nine McFarland Dr
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 475-2600

Protecting Your Commercial Building from Mold Infestation

If you own a business or commercial property, it is an investment that you want to protect. Damage to a building can be costly; not only is it expensive to repair, it can interrupt business activities and stop incoming revenue. Mold is a quiet culprit that can cause serious damage to buildings and can be an expensive problem to solve. The best option is to prevent mold infestation by monitoring and controlling humidity in your commercial building.

Mold growth can be detrimental to any business. Store rooms, basements and closed areas are more likely to be affected by mold due to poor ventilation. Mold growth on surfaces can destroy supplies, especially porous materials like paper, cloth and cardboard. If the mold infestation is severe, it can enter walls and spread throughout the building. Mold removal can require a complete evacuation of the building, with specialized equipment needed to remove all mold spores, costing thousands upon thousands of dollars.

Preventing Mold Growth

Many times, mold growth is caused by poor air quality and ventilation. To protect your business and investment, you should monitor your air humidity and have routine inspections on your HVAC system. Your HVAC service can test the humidity in your building and ensure adequate ventilation is helping limit mold growth. If humidity is high, dehumidification options can help manage moisture levels to reduce mold growth.

If you have noticed musty smells in areas of your commercial building, it is time to schedule a HVAC inspection and air quality analysis. It is much less expensive to prevent mold growth than deal with a full-blown mold infestation in your commercial building.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

Allergies and Your HVAC System

If anyone in your household has allergies or respiratory health issues, air quality control is vital. Dirty, unfiltered air can trigger allergies, asthma attacks and breathing problems. Your HVAC system circulates the air in your home. When the air is flowing through a dirty filter or duct, it is no longer pure. Your HVAC system can help or irritate allergies, depending on how it is used and maintained.

Using Your HVAC System to Control Air Quality

Since your HVAC system already circulates the air in your home, it makes sense to use it to clean it. All HVAC systems have a air filter, but that does not mean your air is clean. The type of filter you use can determine what particles are removed for the air. Plus, the filter needs to be changed frequently to be effective. Other HVAC elements that can impact air quality:

  • Moisture control. Does your HVAC use a humidifier or dehumidifier to control moisture? Mold can be detrimental to those with asthma, allergies or respiratory problems, and dry air can impact breathing issues as well. .
  • Ductwork cleaning. When was the last time your air ducts were cleaned? Ducts should be professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.
  • Circulate air consistently. If your HVAC is your only source of air quality control, make sure the air is circulated regularly, even when heating or cooling is not needed. Circulating on “fan only” mode can ensure air stays filtered.
  • Routine maintenance. Make sure your HVAC receives annual maintenance to keep it working correctly and efficiently.

Your HVAC system can help make your home healthier for those with allergies. Keep up with maintenance to manage air quality.

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

Mini-Split Heat Pumps for Separate Spaces

Do you have rooms or buildings on your property that are left cold during the winter? Not only does this make spare rooms, garages and outbuildings uncomfortable, it can cause other issues. Plumbing can be vulnerable to freezing and lack of heat can lead to moisture and mold problems. Adding climate control is a solution and with ductless mini-split heat pumps, you can control temperature in your separate spaces all year round.

What is a Mini-Split Heat Pump?

Heat pumps use the outside air to bring in heat or cool the air, depending on the need. They are an energy efficient option for heating and cooling, but most are large and used with a duct system. Mini-split heat pumps are much smaller and designed to offer the same efficiency for smaller spaces. There are only two components and no ductwork – just an outside compressor and the inside unit that emits the climate-controlled air.

Mini-split heat pumps can be used in any room or building that needs separate climate control. If you have an addition to your home that was not connected to your HVAC system or a garage without conditioning, a mini-split is perfect. It has its own controls to help manage energy costs and can be used separately to keep these spaces warm during the winter and cooler during the summer. Mini-splits can also be used to add “zones” to your home to improve climate control in certain areas.

If you want to add heat or AC to a room or small space without the expensive of connecting it to your existing HVAC system, consider a mini-split heat pump. Contact your local HVAC service provider to learn if it is the right option for your unheated space.

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

Should You Replace Your Furnace with a Heat Pump?

If your furnace is coming to the end of its lifespan, you may be looking at your heating options. Should you stick with a furnace for heat, or would a heat pump be a better option? Which is better depends on where you live and your preferences. Here are some of the basics about heat pumps and when they can be a better choice than furnaces for heat.

Efficient Source of Heat

Heat pumps are usually more energy efficient than most furnaces. They use electricity for energy, while many furnaces use oil or gas. Your monthly heating bills can be less.

Great for Mild Climates

Heat pumps are great for heating in mild climates but are not a good choice for areas that have cold winters. Since they rely on pulling heat from the air, they may not be able to maintain a comfortable temperature when the outside air drops below freezing consistently. Furnaces are a better choice for cold climates.

Cooling During the Summer

Heat pumps work as a heating and cooling system in one. You can replace a furnace and air conditioning unit with a heat pump for year-round climate control.

Quiet, Safe Heating

Heat pumps tend to run quieter and can be safer than a gas furnace. You do not need to worry about gas leaks that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning or explosions in your home.

If you live in a region that has mild winters, a heat pump may be a good choice for replacing your old furnace. Discuss the benefits with your local HVAC service company to determine whether a heat pump is right for your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality During the Winter

The colder months of winter can keep you and your family indoors and limit the amount of fresh air in your home. Dust, dander and mold can become trapped inside, impacting the health of the air you breathe. When the doors and windows stay shut, you want to ensure that you are reaping the benefits of a good air filtration system and controlling the humidity. Here are some tips to help protect your air quality and the health of your family during the cooler winter months.

Change Your HVAC Air Filter

All the air in your home is circulated through your HVAC system. For many homes, the HVAC filter is the main source of air purification, making it a vital component to maintain. Not only can a dirty air filter lead to poor air quality, it effects the efficiency of your HVAC system. Make sure to change it as needed to maintain healthy air and limit stress on your HVAC system.

Clean Vents and Ducts

In addition to your air filter, your HVAC vents and ducts can collect dirt, mold and dust. Make sure to regularly clean the vents throughout the winter. Ducts should be cleaned every few years to remove any debris, mold or pest residue that may collect inside, impacting your air quality.

Monitor Humidity

If mold is a common problem in your home during the winter, you may need to monitor and control humidity levels. Have your humidity levels checked and if they are above 50-60%, discuss adding a dehumidifier with your local HVAC professional.

A few maintenance items can help protect your indoor air quality throughout the winter. Make sure to keep up with HVAC maintenance to ensure good air quality and a healthy home for your family.

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