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.
Like this post? Share it!
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.
Like this post? Share it!
Maytag’s HVAC Fall Furnace Checklist
Want to now some simple things to do to keep your gas furnace running at peak performance levels during the winter? It starts in the fall.
Here are some things you should be doing regularly to ensure that your gas furnace performs at peak operating levels.
- Filter. Whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall – regular filter changes are the best way to keep your equipment running properly and keep your air as clean as possible. At the very least, you should change your filter once before the summer cooling season (during the spring) and the winter heating season (during the fall).
- Leaves. If you have a heat pump or air conditioner, make sure you keep leaves and debris away from the outdoor component to maintain proper airflow. Improper airflow can result in decreased performance and potential system breakdowns.
- Thermostat. Fall can be a roller coaster of a season (in terms of temperature in certain parts of the country). To decrease utility bills, either stick to your programmed comfort schedule, or (if you don’t have a programmable thermostat) set the temperature and forget about it. Constantly fidgeting with the thermostat can result in higher utility bills.
- Cleaning indoors. Fall is another allergy season. It can be tempting to open windows and let in some cooler air. Clean indoors to make sure that dust and allergens from outdoors aren’t settling on your surfaces and lowering indoor air quality.
- Maintenance. Make sure you schedule maintenance with your local heating and cooling contractor. This is the best way to ensure proper performance levels throughout the winter.
- Clean. Your contractor will clean the burner, heat exchanger and any other component if necessary.
- Inspect. They will make sure that your venting system is operating properly.
- Check. They will look over your furnace to make sure there aren’t any problems, aren’t any rusty spots or leaks, and make sure that the electric system is in tip-top shape.
Like this post? Share it!
Fall is on its way! Make sure you start thinking about furnace maintenance
The first day of fall is just next week! And, in our opinion, it is just as important to schedule a fall furnace check as it is to pick out the perfect costume for Halloween. It’s never too early! Your local HVAC contractor’s schedule could fill up early. And, remember: it’s Murphy’s Law – your furnace is most likely to fail when you need it most.
Here are some reasons it’s important to schedule yearly, fall furnace preventative maintenance with your local HVAC dealer:
- Catch things early. Of course, a clean bill of health is ideal during a fall furnace checklist. But, in case there are problems, it’s better to catch them in the fall before they could cause major problems in the winter.
- Ensure clean air. In addition to checking for problems, your contractor can also clean the system – making sure that you have proper airflow and making it easier for your filter to catch as many air pollutants as possible.
- Long system life. Regular maintenance can help your furnace perform at peak levels for a longer period of time. It can also make sure that you get as many quality heating years as possible from your old unit. The cost of routine maintenance is going to seem minimal compared to the cost of a brand new system if the old unit were to fail.
- Warranty protection. Many system warranties require routine maintenance in order to enjoy continued protection.
Like this post? Share it!
How does a heat pump work?
Earlier this week, we talked about how a heat pump can be the ideal system choice for many homeowners.
Are you thinking about choosing a heat pump for your home, but want to find out exactly how it’s different than an air conditioner? Really, the process that creates cool air in an air conditioner is exactly the same as the process for a heat pump. BUT, a heat pump can reverse the method used by an air conditioner to provide heat as well.
Looking for a refresher on how an air conditioner works? Visit our previous “How an Air Conditioner Works” blog post.
So, what’s the key difference? It’s called a reversing valve. This valve can reverse the flow of refrigerant so that hot air is distributed through your ducts and cool air is released into the air outside. This can mean lower gas heating bills (especially during the spring and fall), simpler system setup is some areas (in the South, you may only need a heat pump and air handler to heat and cool your home) and greater home comfort.
Still not sure if a heat pump system is the right option for your home? You know where to turn. Your local heating and air conditioning professional will be able to fill you in on everything you need to know about electric heat pumps. They can tell you whether it’s common in your area to have these systems installed and they can tell you which setup (packaged, split or dual fuel) is right for your home. So, are you still considering a heat pump for your home?Like this post? Share it!
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.
Like this post? Share it!
How does a programmable thermostat help save you money?
Last week we touched on the definition of a programmable thermostat and we briefly discussed how a programmable thermostat can help you save money. BUT, just how do those savings translate? Let us show you.
Let’s take the average home in the Midwest.
Say the average cost to run your air conditioner each month is $120*. Per year, that meals you’ll spend approximately $1,440 cooling your home. Shocking figure, right? Well, the Department of Energy says that by using a programmable thermostat, you can save approximately 5-15% on cooling costs each year.
This would translate to $72 (on the low side) and $216 (on the high side).
But that’s not the only place you’ll see savings. Now, you have to figure out the average cost to heat a home per year. Say the average cost to heat your home is $75* a month. This translates to $900 in heating costs per year.
So, on the heating side, this means you could save anywhere from $45 to $135 per year on heating costs.
Altogether, that’s a range of savings from $117 to $351 per year!
With $350 you could by an Apple Watch, a 10-person family tent, a new TV and more!
This is without even figuring in other system features (like variable-speed operation, multiple-stages of heating or cooling, zoning, efficient, etc.). Combine a programmable thermostat with an ultra-high efficiency heating and air conditioning system and whole-house zoning and you’ll enjoy rock-bottom utility costs year round!
Do you have a programmable thermostat? If so, have you noticed reduced utility bill savings?
*Figures based on the average cost to run an air conditioner and a gas furnace per month. Actual costs will vary depending on the type of system you have, where you live and more.
Like this post? Share it!
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.
Like this post? Share it!
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.
Like this post? Share it!
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?