Beat fall allergies one closed window at a time
The days are a little bit shorter. The nights are a little bit colder. And those heating and air conditioning systems don’t have to work as hard to keep your home at the right temperature. Fall is definitely in full swing, and we’re loving every minute of it. BUT, although it can be tempting to open up the windows and let in those cool fall breezes (particularly after a brutally hot summer), you may want to stop and think about indoor air quality.
Not only is fall infamous for its cooler temperatures, but it is also (like spring) a prime time for allergies. This can put a real damper on the nicer weather and start to the holiday season. Luckily, we have some tips that you can keep in mind as we go through fall.
- Keep the windows…closed! It’s a good idea to air out
your home every once in a while to prevent stuffiness. But, you don’t want to overdo it. Open windows and doors let allergens right into your home without being treated by your HVAC system. Instead of opening windows, consider turning your thermostat to the ON fan position for a while. - Change your furnace filter. While we’re discussing your HVAC system, it’s important that you keep your furnace filter fresh. It’s your first line of defense against allergens.
- Get your ducts cleaned. Lots of gross things can be lurking in your ductwork. Have your contractor come out and clean your ductwork and get rid of all those creepy crawlies.
- Keep your home clean. Dust and allergens can accumulate on the surface of your home. If you regularly dust and keep things shiny, they are less likely to aggravate your health.
So, what do you do to keep your home free from allergens during the fall?
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The perks of upgrading to a new furnace
Besides getting rid of that ghastly, energy-guzzling nightmare in your basement, there can be many perks of ditching that old gas furnace and going with a new one – particularly if your old furnace is over 20 years old. From efficiency potential to home comfort features – a brand-new gas furnace has many perks that weren’t around even 10 years ago.
Here are some big benefits of buying a new gas furnace.
- Efficiency boost. Here’s the big benefit – a boost in efficiency. The more energy efficient your gas furnace, the less money you will spend on heating during the winter. In some cases, this can more than recoup the costs of purchasing a brand-new system.
- Comfort upgrade. Systems now contain features that help stabilize comfort throughout your entire home (like variable-speed operation and zoning systems). Have cold spots? It’s probably not a ghost, just uneven comfort. You can remedy this through a zoning system, variable-speed operation or different heating stages.
- Catch any kinks. This is also a good time to examine your whole-home heating and cooling system to make sure that everything is working properly. Make sure that when your contractor is giving you an estimate for a new system, they check out the duct work as well.
These are just a few perks of replacing your old, rickety gas furnace with something newer. Ultimately, those out-of-pocket costs will seem like a great investment after you get that first gas bill back.
Have you recently replaced your gas furnace? How does the new model compare to the old model?
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What’s your favorite thing about fall?
Whether it’s the cooler weather, Halloween, the start of the holidays, or one of many other things – fall is a great season!
There are so many things you can do during the fall. You can do some awesome Halloween decorating (check out these tips from Better Homes & Gardens). You can perfect your Halloween costume. You can get a jump on your winter holiday shopping. You can take some time to visit a haunted house or have a night in with your favorite spooky movie. SO many things!
From a heating and cooling standpoint, this can also be a great time to get your heating equipment in shape. After all, heating demand won’t be as high during the fall (for certain parts of the country) so if you do encounter problems, they can be taken care of without too many comfort sacrifices.
Fall can be a great time to…
- Replace an old, inefficient gas furnace with something more efficient and high tech.
- Get your ducts cleaned.
- Have your gas furnace cleaned for peak performance.
- Have your outdoor unit cleaned after a hard summer’s work cooling your home.
- Have your permanent filter replaced. Or…
- Replace your temporary filter.
- Schedule furnace maintenance to catch any issues before they become big problems.
So, these are just some of our favorite things about fall. What are yours?
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Welcome to fall!
Fall is finally here! Hot summer temperatures are on the way out and cool, fall breezes are making an appearance. This is good news for your air conditioner. Reduced cooling demand can mean a lower electric bill and more money to spend on Halloween costumes, spooky decorations and tons of candy.
That doesn’t mean that you should neglect your heating and cooling equipment. Here are some things you should make sure to do during the fall so that your bills stay as low as possible and your equipment stays as healthy as possible.
- Clear leaves away from your air conditioner or heat pump.
- Turn off your equipment during thunderstorms.
- Change your furnace filter to avoid build up.
- Open vents to ensure maximum airflow.
- If you open windows, keep your indoor surfaces clean to avoid allergen buildups.
- Avoid the temptation to fiddle with your thermostat. Keep your schedule or temperature setting consistent.
- Schedule preventative maintenance before the winter heating season. It’s Murphy’s Law: your gas furnace is only going to fail when you need it most.
It can also be a good time to start considering a new gas furnace if your old one is over 20 years old. A new gas furnace can lower the amount of gas it takes to heat your home, in turn lowering your heating bills.
So, what are you looking forward to most during the fall?
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What do you know about heat pumps?
Is it time to replace that old heating and cooling system? Selecting your new heating and air unit can be one of the most important things you do for your budget. After all, heating and cooling costs comprise the majority of your utility expenses! That is why we always suggest doing research before selecting your new equipment. For example, did you know that a heat pump can be a great substitute for an air conditioner?
Here are a few reasons why:
- Versatility. While an air conditioner strictly specializes in cooling, a heat pump uses the same process to cool AND heat with electricity.
- Ideal savings. Electric heating capabilities can be a big benefit. For example, during the fall a heat pump can use its electric heating power to heat when temperatures are cool enough to need heat, but not cold enough to warrant kicking on the gas furnace.
- Cheaper in some areas. Check utility rates in your area. In some places, it can be cheaper to heat with electricity than gas.
- Year-round heating and cooling in some areas. Live in the South? Temperatures really never reach extreme lows, like in the North. This means you can pair a heat pump with an air handler and never have the need for a gas furnace.
Heat pumps come in a range of efficiency, setups and sizes – there’s one to meet most homeowners needs. Ask your contractor if this is the right system for your home.
So, did you already know this? What do you already know about heat pumps?
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Tricks for saving money when you have people over
Labor Day is just a few days away! It’s time to kick back, relax and appreciate all the work that everyone does year round. Labor Day can also mean get-togethers with family and friends. Did you know that having more people in your home can actually raise the temperature of your home, make your air conditioner work harder maintaining temperature and ultimately, raise your utility spending?
Here are some things you can do to have the best of both worlds – entertain without busting the budget.
- Move the party outside. Hey! It’s Labor Day. Hopefully the temperatures in your area are on the decline. If not, find a shady spot and spend time with company outside. Or, move the party to a time of day where the sun is not quite so intense. Yes, in some areas, this is not realistic. But, if the temperatures are reasonable, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy the fresh air.
- Use the grill not the stove. Grilling is a good idea for any summer gathering. The oven can heat up your home and make your air conditioner work extra hard.
- Avoid opening and shutting exterior doors and windows. Don’t let your cool air escape outside. Constantly opening and closing the doors can make it harder for your home to reach
temperature. So, if you are having an outdoor gathering, make sure that people aren’t constantly going in and out. While you can’t necessarily post a bouncer at your door, it’s good to be aware. - Lower the humidity level in your home. If you have a whole-home dehumidification system, lower the humidity setting. A home that is more humid actually feels hotter than a drier home. With a humidity adjustment, you can maintain comfort without fiddling with the temperature.
Of course, these are only a few ideas. What are your tricks for keeping your home cool during a gathering like Labor Day?
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Why is my house hot?
Have a room that just won’t keep cool? Does your home have a hard time reaching the set temperature? When your home won’t cool properly it can be frustrating (and money draining in some cases). It’s important to be able to recognize where the problem may be coming from and know what steps to take to remedy the problem. Your home is supposed to be a refuge from hot summer temperatures – you don’t want it to be uncomfortable.
Here are some problems, what could be causing them and what steps you should take to correct the problem.
Have one room that is hotter than the others?
Potential problems:
- Animals on vents. Pets want to keep cool just as much as you do! What better way than to camp out on the vent? This can block the airflow to your room and keep temperatures hot.
- Solution: Keep Fido away from the vent! Make sure you always shoo them from lying down there or add an obstacle that blocks access (without restricting airflow).
- Furniture on vents. Just like pets, furniture placed on a vent can restrict airflow and make a room hotter than it should be.
- Solution: Rearrange your room so that no vents are blocked. You’ll see a drastic change immediately.
- Closed vents. Maybe your pet, a curious toddler, a foot, or more, shut the vent and cut off access to the cool air.
- Solution: Just open those vents right back up! Closed vents can also restrict airflow and cause damage to your unit. Always keep those vents open.
- Solution: Just open those vents right back up! Closed vents can also restrict airflow and cause damage to your unit. Always keep those vents open.
- Is it a south-facing room? The sun can really warm up a room in the afternoon. If it’s a south-facing room, this could be the culprit.
- Solution: There are several solutions to this problem. You can close curtains and blinds, plant a tree outside or you can invest in a zoning system that can keep this room set a a cooler temperature than the rest of the house.
- Ductwork. You could have a dirty or collapsed vent. You could also have a closed damper in your ductwork. This can block off access to cool air from the rest of the house.
- Solution. This problem will require the expertise of your contractor. Make sure to call them out and see if there are any problems with your ducts. It’s a good idea to have your ductwork periodically examined and cleaned to maintain proper airflow and keep your air fresh.
Does your whole home never reach temperature? Generally, when your whole home isn’t cooling it is an indication of a bigger problem. If your air conditioner is always running it can indicate a problem with the thermostat, the coil or another component of the system. For these problems, shut the unit off (having your unit constantly running without any results can cause damage to the unit) and call a qualified local professional.
What are some other common no cooling questions you have?
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How does a programmable thermostat work?
Are you trying to find the BEST way to save energy? While investing in efficiency is always a safe bet, there are additional things you can buy that can help you save even MORE energy – like a programmable thermostat.
First, a little something about thermostats. Essentially, a thermostat is what you use to control your heating and air conditioning system. There are different thermostats that are compatible with different systems. For example, if you have a two-stage heating and air conditioning system, you are going to want to invest in a two-stage thermostat to get expected comfort and efficiency.
Now, a programmable thermostat is an extra something special. These models still are compatible with different equipment, BUT you can use them to schedule your heating and cooling equipment to run at different temperatures during different times of the day or different days of the week.
So, for example, say it is summer and you go to work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During that time, you can raise the temperature. This way, you can avoid wasting energy dollars cooling a vacant home. Worried about your home being too hot by the time you get home? DON’T! You can program the thermostat to kick on at a lower temperature about a half hour before you are scheduled to get home. This way, you won’t miss a minute of optimal comfort!
There are also programmable thermostat models that will make sure that your house is comfortable BEFORE you get home. If you set the programmable thermostat to adjust to a cooler temperature at 5:00 PM, it will tell the unit to start cooling at 4:30 PM. This way, your home is at the exact temperature you want at the exact time you want.
Tell us, do you have a programmable thermostat in your home? How do you use it to save energy?
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Saving energy while enjoying your air conditioning system
There’s still a full month until fall and the summer’s heat is not letting up! With higher temperatures comes, of course, higher electricity bills. Did you know that your heating and air conditioning equipment actually comprises most of your utility costs? That’s why we always preach investing in the most efficient air conditioning you can afford.
While you can’t necessarily avoid a spike in electricity spending when temperatures are higher, there are some indoor activities you can do that won’t raise your bills. But, they can still keep you entertained on those hot days.
- Read. Flip open a book instead of flipping on the television.
- Experiment with the crock pot. Let those yummy smells perfume your home all day. Crock pots use less energy than a stove AND don’t heat up your home.
- Break out Risk or Monopoly. Instead of overworking that PlayStation or X-Box, play with a deck of cards or break out a board game.
- Coloring books. Sometimes something simple, like a coloring book, can be a great change from apps and TV programs. It’s a great activity for the kids.
And that’s just the surface. There are so many things you can do indoors to help beat the heat and save energy. You can also make your air conditioner’s job easier and lower utility bills by spending some time outdoors. If you add fans and shade a spot outdoors, you can create an extra living space.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a hot day?
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What is your favorite thing to do indoors
Summer is still in full swing! In some areas of the country, temperatures are still well above 90°F consistently. Now’s the best time to take advantage of that air conditioning system. Spending so much time indoors can seem monotonous, even boring. That’s why it’s important to keep a cache of fun indoor activities.
Yeah, spending time around the television seems to be the go-to. But, there are other things you can do (like create an awesome indoor book nook) that don’t involve staring at a screen.
Like, check out these cool indoor reading nooks by Houzz.
So, give us some inspiration! What’s your favorite thing to do indoors while beating the summer heat?