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3 Top Tips for Heating Your Home More Efficiently this Winter

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As winter approaches, many homeowners are getting ready for the holiday season and turning on their heater for the first time. As you start to turn up the heat, it’s important to be aware of your energy use as it can start to drive your heating bills through the roof. The key to keeping heating costs down during the winter is taking the necessary steps to heat your home more efficiently.

Energy Saving Tips for Efficient Heating

Want to save money on heating costs this winter? We’ve put together a list of energy saving tips for heating your home more efficiently this winter:

  1. Inspect and improve home insulation.

Poor insulation can allow heat to escape. When you waste energy, your electricity bills tend to skyrocket. It’s important to inspect your home insulation and check for drafts. Replace any damaged or missing weather-stripping around your doors and windows. Adjust any door thresholds to eliminate any gaps that may allow warm air to escape. Don’t forget to check your electrical boxes for drafts, and fill any gaps with latex caulk or foam sealant. A little work can go a long way when it comes to home insulation as even the tiniest leaks and cracks can make an impact on your heating costs.

  1. Use a space heater when you can.

You can use a space heater to help reduce heating costs when your family is all together during the holidays. Place the heater in the area where your family is gathering, like the living room or den. Then, turn down the furnace temperature. Though the rest of your home will be cooler, this is a good solution for families that are spending a lot of time together in one area of the home during the holidays. According to the California Energy Commission, you can save 5% on energy costs by setting your thermostat to the 60- to 70-degree range. The space heater will still use electricity, but you can save a significant amount of energy by cutting down on your furnace use and utilizing a space heater when you can.

  1. Tune up your furnace.

One of the best ways to save energy throughout the year is to ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. Make sure that you get your annual furnace or heater tune-up before the heating season starts. During this maintenance visit, an experienced HVAC technician will ensure that your heating system is clean, lubricated, and working properly. This increases energy efficiency and can help you save money on heating costs in the long run.

If you are ready to take the next step toward optimal efficiency, Schmitt Heating and Air Conditioning is ready to help you find a brand new, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning system. Contact us today to find out more about your options or to schedule a consultation with one of our heating and cooling experts.

The Latest Advancements in HVAC Home Comfort

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Every industry undergoes changes from time to time. As new technologies are discovered and developed, it takes time for those new technologies to hit the mainstream and be accepted for everyday use as the new industry-standard. In the world of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), there are a number of technologies on the horizon that will begin to change the way that home owner’s heat and cool their homes.

Latest HVAC Advancements for 2016-2017

Here are some of the latest HVAC technologies that have already hit the market or will soon be showing up in homes across the country in no time:

Smart Thermostats

Though this is by no means a brand new technology, smart thermostats continue to improve, offering even more features that are not only convenient for homeowners but help them save money. For those not familiar with this technology, smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature and other aspects of your indoor air quality remotely from the convenience of your smart phone.

This Wi-Fi enabled thermostat helps homeowners cut down on energy waste by allowing them to control their HVAC system from wherever they may be. For instance, if you leave the AC on full blast when you left the house, you can adjust it to a more moderate temperature to save energy while you are away.

Smart Ventilation

Smart ventilation is another powerful technology that makes it easier for you to make your home environment more comfortable while also helping you reduce energy usage and cut cooling and heating costs. Smart ventilation uses sensors that allow you to monitor and control airflow in each room in your house.

You can save energy by reducing air flow to rooms that are often empty. You can also increase comfort levels by adjusting air flow to each room in line with the family member’s preference. For instance, if you like to feel the cool air directly on you, you might increase airflow to your room, while decreasing airflow to the room of a family member who easily gets cold. The best part is that all of this can be done from the convenience of your smartphone.

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)

Variable refrigerant flow is also not a brand new technology. However, when connecting this technology to your home automation system, it has the potential to transform the way that home owners maintain a comfortable indoor environment year-round. Variable refrigerant flow gives you greater control over the temperature inside your home and allows you to adjust different rooms to different temperatures.

Everyone has different ideas of what temperature is optimal and which environment makes them most comfortable. This technology allows you to increase comfort for everyone by adjusting temperature to their liking. Combine this with the smart ventilation system, and you will be making your home more comfortable and saving energy in no time.

Some of these technologies are already being utilized in homes across the country, while others are not far behind. If you are interested in what HVAC upgrades might be available to you, contact us today.

 

Energy Saving Technologies For Your Business

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Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) is the single biggest energy consumer in residential buildings, accounting for over 40 percent of the residential energy consumption globally. Accordingly, installing an efficient HVAC system is the best way to cut on your energy bills and improve the comfort of your home at the same time. Without much ado, here is an overview of the top energy saving technologies that you can adapt for your business or home:

  • Duct Sealing: Duct sealing eliminates leakage in your duct systems—which is a major source of energy waste. Although aerosol systems are believed to seal existing duct leaks, they are never guarantee against future leaks.
  • Desiccant Dehumidification: Liquid desiccant solution absorbs moisture and evaporates it using heat. Desiccant dehumidification systems therefore save energy by removing humidity, pre-cooling makeup air, and lowering air conditioning load.
  • Adjustable Speed Drives: Save energy by regulating motor speed to accommodate different HVAC loads.
  • Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV): Traps energy from the exhausted air and use it in preconditioning the incoming makeup air. This saves energy by reducing HVAC needs while maintaining the level and comfort of indoor air.
  • Electronically Commutated Motors: Have variable-speed components that vary HVAC lower speed to match your premise’s demand.
  • Displacement Ventilation: Uses low velocity cold and fresh air at the door level to displace the exhausted air near your ceiling, thereby improving indoor air quality. Their energy saving potential varies with premise design and climate.
  • Dedicated Outdoor Airs Systems: Conditions outdoor air makeup air separately from the returning indoor air, thereby improving humidity. What’s more, it removes air from the outside air, reducing cooling system load.
  • Demand Control Ventilation: This combines economizers with carbon dioxide sensors to regulate air levels while avoiding over ventilation (another form of energy waste).
  • Variable Flow Volume Systems: These use multiple compressors and provide zone temperature control and part-load performance, saving energy while ensuring that your premises remain comfortable.

While the highlighted technologies will help you save a lot on your energy, they are not applicable in every situation. Accordingly, it is pertinent to consult your trusted commercial HVAC expert before installing any in your premise.

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10 Tips For A Summer Energy Savings Plan

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The summer season doesn’t have to mean higher cooler costs. With an HVAC energy savings home energy savings plan in place, homeowners can reduce their monthly bill. Here are 10 easy tips that you can follow to make your home energy efficient this summer.

1) Change out the filter in the air conditioner in the beginning of the season. Check the filter monthly after that, and clean it when needed. A clean filter will help to ensure that the AC is running optimally.

2) Use window coverings to block out sunlight, which can overheat the interior of the home. Make sure to use curtains, blinds, and shades to reduce the natural light streaming into the home during the day. Choose light colored blinds and curtains so that you can enjoy natural light while still blocking out the heat.

3) Make sure that all windows and doors that lead to the outside are closed and sealed up tightly when the air conditioner is on. An open window will allow air to escape easily, and it can have your AC unit running nonstop for hours.

4) Insulate the attic and the walls to help keep cool air in and hot air out. Air can easily leak in through an attic that hasn’t been properly insulated. Cement wall blocks can also allow air to seep in, so they should be sprayed with a foam insulation.

5) Do a thorough check around the home to find sources of air leaks. Places to check include electrical outlets, windows, doors, and fireplaces.

6) When the AC is running, open up interior doors between rooms to allow cool air to flow. Also, close up the vents in rooms that aren’t being used.

7) Have air ducts inspected for leaks, and if any are found, have them repaired right away. Even a small hole or tear in a duct can result in higher heating and cooling bills.

8) Use fans to cool down. Ceiling fans are perfect for cooling off in a room, but be sure to shut them off upon leaving.

9) Make sure to set the thermostat on “Auto”, and not “On”. When the thermostat is set to “On”, it will run nonstop.

10) Schedule a tune up for your HVAC system to ensure that it is performing as efficiently as possible. A skilled and reputable technician will able to identify any potential problems with your unit, and you can make any necessary repairs to keep your costs down over the years.

Take advantage of summer energy savings by following these tips. Manage cooling costs by ensuring that your HVAC system is running optimally all season long. Call today to learn more about how an energy efficient HVAC system replacement will help you to save money.