Why You Should Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

It seems like everything is getting “smarter” nowadays. Cell phones, TVs and even irrigation systems come in “smart” varieties, as do HVAC thermostats. The idea of smart devices is to make it easier to access the information you need and get better or more efficient performance. That is certainly true of smart thermostats. Not only can it make it easier to control the climate inside your home by connecting to your smartphone, it can save you money. Here are a few reasons to upgrade to a smart thermostat for your HVAC system.

Change Your Settings Remotely

Older thermostats can often be programmed, but you need to be home to control the settings. With a smart thermostat you can access your settings from anywhere. This means if you find out you need to stay late at work, you can change the programmed time that the temperature should go up or down at your home. Going home early? Get your home cooled down or warmed up before you arrive, all from your smartphone app.

Reduce Energy Costs

The ability to change the settings on your HVAC system from anywhere helps you manage your heating and cooling costs. Plus, many smart thermostats have efficiency functions to help you improve your energy use. Some will let you know when the filter needs to be changed or other maintenance needs to be performed.

Besides the convenience and energy savings, smart thermostats can last longer and require less maintenance than older versions. If you want to save money and reduce energy waste on heating or cooling in your home, contact your local HVAC service company and talk to them about the options available in smart thermostats.

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

What is An HVAC Energy Efficiency Audit?

Does your energy bill seem to keep growing? The biggest drain on your electric and gas bill comes from your heating and cooling source: your HVAC unit. While higher energy bills are to be expected during the hottest and coldest months of the year, if you flinch every time you see a monthly invoice, it may be time to see if your HVAC system is working as efficiently as possible with an energy efficiency audit.

During an energy efficiency audit or a system efficiency analysis, your HVAC specialist will do a complete evaluation of your system. This comprehensive audit can identify issues in your system that are causing a strain that draws more energy. Some of the components that are often evaluated include:

  • Air quality, including testing and distribution
  • Analysis of energy consumption
  • Thermostat and temperature control
  • Complete system check
  • Safety features

Once the audit is completed, the next step is determining the options for energy use improvements. The audit may reveal services that need to be performed to improve the efficiency of the system. The HVAC technician can also provide tips for better system operation to cut down on energy costs and extend the life of your HVAC system. Following through with the suggestions revealed during the energy efficiency audit can help lower monthly energy costs plus add years of service to your HVAC system. In some cases, it may be suggested that it is time to replace your HVAC system, especially if it is over ten years old and has a poor efficiency rating.

You shouldn’t need to live with enormous energy bills. Call your local HVAC service company to schedule an energy efficiency audit to find out how to lower your monthly heating and cooling costs.

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

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

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

Invest Your Tax Refund In Lower Energy Costs

Many families receive a sizable tax refund each year that they can use to invest in improving their homes. One great investment to make with that extra money is to update your heating and cooling system to save you money all year round on your energy bill. What better way to get the most out of your refund then to use it to make your home more efficient and comfortable for years to come? 

Energy efficient heating and cooling systems can make a large difference in your utility bills each month. As much as 50% of energy bills go toward keeping your home at an even, comfortable temperature. If your system is 10 years old or older, you could save up to 30% on your annual heating and cooling costs by replacing your HVAC system with a new energy efficient system. Over the years, the new system can almost pay for itself! In addition to ongoing savings, there are several other reasons to look at upgrading your HVAC system:

  • If you struggle to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, a new energy efficient system can solve many of these problems. Having a trained professional evaluate your home and recommend the best system for your needs can make a huge difference in how comfortable your home stays in both the winter and summer months.
  • New efficient HVAC systems can lower your carbon footprint. New technology has made many of the newer models healthier for the environment and can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted.
  • A new system can also add to the value of your home when it comes time to sell. Many people are looking for homes that have energy efficiency when they are in the market to buy. 

What better way to use your tax refund then to invest it back into your home and see a return on that investment for years to come!

Low Cooling And Heating Costs Help Sell Homes

When looking to buy a new home, one the points a potential buyer is going to consider is how efficient the home is to cool and heat. Monthly utilities are an ongoing cost to living in any home and if all other factors are equal, a buyer will most likely choose a home with an efficient heating and air conditioning system to control interior climate. Updating the heating or cooling system can help your home sell faster and it could also increase the value.

Although replacing an old heating or cooling system is not cheap, it can be worth every penny. Whether you plan on living in the home for some time or are going to sell it in the near future, having a home that is expensive to heat or cool is not to your benefit. There are many energy efficient alternatives available that will reduce the amount you spend in cooling and heating each year, often by hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. This will save you money while you still live in the home as well as make it more desirable when it comes time to sell.

If you are in the market to sell your home soon, talk with a realtor on the difference in value your home will have if you add an updated, energy efficient system. The value difference may pay for the system and more, as well as increase the speed of the sale. It may be the difference between waiting a year or more to sell your home versus a few months. Make your home the better value and “greener” choice by having an energy system in place.

 

HVAC System Fan Setting

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.