Pro-Tips to Lower Your Energy Bills This Winter

You can never be too prepared when it comes to winter and its effect on your wallet. When the temperature goes down your energy bill shoots up to keep you warm and comfortable. Here are some pro-tips to maximize your energy efficiency this winter and save you some money:

1. Install a Programmable Thermostat.We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: get a Programmable Thermostat if you don’t have one already. It is the easiest and most efficient way to lower your energy bills all year around. Program it to automatically turn off when everyone’s at work, and have it get the temperature ready before people get home. Turn the system off for vacations; if you buy a Smart Programmable Thermostat and you forgot to turn off the system before you left you can even connect and turn it off remotely.
2. Turn Down the Thermostat.Once you’ve got your Programmable Thermostat this is the next step! You can save up to 4% for every degree you lower on your thermostat in the winter. That’s easy money!
3. Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater.Your Water Heater typically accounts for a quarter of your entire energy bill each month, 25% is nothing to scoff at! Turning the temperature down on your water heater by just 10 degrees will save you a significant amount of money without hindering your ability to heat your water.
4. Keep the Cold Air Out.Your paying to keep your house warm in the winter, don’t make it any harder for your system to keep up. Take the time to seal up the small gaps around your windows and doors, or hire a contractor to do it for you. Windows account for 20% of all heat loss in your home, so make sure they’re all sealed up (and closed) this winter!
5. Turn on Your Ceiling Fans.Heat rises, so set up your ceiling fans to spin clockwise so it forces the hot air back down into your room. That warm breeze in your home will help to counteract the slight temperature decrease from step 2, and then some!

So what are you waiting for? Start saving on your energy bills this winter now. If you have questions about installing programmable thermostats, a full winter system tune-up, or any other money saving tips, contact us today!

Have you had your Winter System Tune-up yet?

No?

What if the Snowpocalypse hits on December 21st and your system is ill prepared? ‘What if’ indeed…

This could be your kitchen if your system fails (or you leave the window open) this winter, so fix your problems before you have them!

How would you cook? Where would you eat? And what about the dishes?!

You better call today and schedule a Winter Tune-up… before it’s too late.

Trust

We are a dealer you can count on:

Choosing the right dealer for your home’s heating, cooling and air quality needs is every bit as important as choosing the right brand. The dedication to quality shows in our knowledge, training and expertise in designing the right system for your home, installing it properly and keeping it running perfectly for many years to come.

Here comes the cold winter air...

Why should you keep your home’s air clean?

Poor air quality can lead to poor health.
Pollutants in your home’s air can cause dizziness, headaches, nasal congestion and fatigue, and they can aggravate allergies and asthma.

Plus, it can affect how you feel.
Humidity inside your home has the same impact on your comfort as humidity outside. Too much moisture can make you feel sluggish, weak and even sick. Too little can leave you feeling cold and achy.
The flow of air is also a factor. If it isn’t moving freely from room to room, your home can feel stuffy or stale. This also causes unpleasant odors to linger.


HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF UNCOMFORTABLE AIR

THE PROBLEM	WHY IT’S A PROBLEM	THE SOLUTION
High Humidity (Relative humidity levels above 50%*)	High levels of humidity can make your home feel warmer than the actual temperature and create a breeding ground for mold, mildew, dust mites and bacteria.	Dehumidification – Dehumidifier systems remove moisture from sticky indoor air, making you feel more comfortable— without having to turn down your air conditioner thermostat and over-cool your home.
Low Humidity (Relative humidity levels below 35%*)	Dry air can cause skin irritation and respiratory** problems, not to mention annoying static shocks.	Humidification – Humidifiers add moisture to the air, making it easier to breathe—in every room of your home.
Stale or Stagnant Air	Poor ventilation can make rooms feel stuffy. This is a common problem in newer homes, which are tightly sealed to conserve energy. This also means contaminants have no way to escape.	Ventilation – Ventilation systems replace stale indoor air with fresh air from outside.

*National studies indicate that, for optimal comfort and health, your home’s relative humidity levels should range between 35 and 50 percent.
**Exposure to excessively dry air (relative humidity of less than 20%) can cause respiratory irritation. Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 

Solutions...

Solution: Two-stage cooling
Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures. Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. As an added benefit, many two-stage compressors use the new R410A refrigerant, which meets U.S. government standards for environmental safety.

Solution: Variable speed heating
Variable speed operation minimizes up-and-down temperature changes. A greater degree of precision means you stay perfectly warm, even on the coldest winter days. Compared to conventional furnaces with single-speed motors, variable speed systems use about two-thirds less energy. They’re also more effective at drawing moisture from the air for improved indoor air quality and comfort.

Solution: Comfort control
An essential part of your home comfort system is control, and this can take shape in one or two ways. Programmable thermostats allow you to fine-tune comfort settings based on your schedule, and zoning systems let you customize comfort according to the different ways you use your home. 

Lennox winter tips

Good list we wanted to share:

- Seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping.

- Keep blinds open during the day to allow sunlight to enter and heat the home.

- Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature at certain times of the day, automatically keeping the temperature lower when you’re away or sleeping at night.

- Clean or replace the natural gas furnace filter every three months to ensure the furnace is running at full efficiency, and check to make sure the home’s heating vents are openand not blocked by furniture or curtains.

- Consider replacing an older furnace with a newer, more efficient model.

- Insulate the water heater with a water heater jacket that can be purchased at most hardware stores, and lower the temperature setting on the water heater to save energy.

- Add extra insulation to the attic.

- Make sure roof shingles are intact and flashings around chimneys, skylights, antennas and vents are sealed.

“Things to Consider” Checklist

You may want to consider making a change if: 

Some of your rooms are too hot or cold.Duct problems, inadequate air sealing or insulation could be the cause. No matter how efficient your heating and cooling system is, if your home is not properly sealed and insulated against air leakage, you will not be as comfortable and your system will have to work harder. 

Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust.Poorly operating or improperly sized equipment could be to blame. Leaky ductwork can also cause these problems, so having it sealed may be a solution. Monthly maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment’s filters may also help. 

Your cooling system is noisy.Your duct system could be improperly sized or there may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment. 

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient. 

Your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 12 years old.Consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment. And, remember, high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR. 

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.Consider replacing it with ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment. ENERGY STAR has set high efficiency guidelines for both types of heating systems. 

You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature.You could be missing a great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home’s temperature at times when you’re regularly away or sleeping.

Two is better than one... Right?

One stage...

Two stage...

Lets have a conversation about heat pumps shall we?  Winter is just about upon us and waiting until things fail is never a good idea.  Now is the time to invest in your home comfort and we are available right now to answer any questions.

Start with the video... and then call us.  We are eager to earn your business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6URIYtahXzg&feature=share&list=UL6URIYtahXzg