Are you beating the heat?

It's still hot outside, but fall is just around the corner. Are you beating the heat?

Both energy conservation and energy efficiency result in less energy used. Energy conservation is doing something, often an alternative way, that results in lower or no energy use. An example would be to air dry your clothes rather than run the dryer. Energy efficiency is the efficiency that a technology uses energy, like a fluorescent light bulb using less energy than a traditional one. While energy efficient technologies typically have a bigger up-front cost, both energy efficiency and energy conservation will (eventually) result in money savings.

Here are some ways you can conserve energy:
• Turn off the lights when you're done in a room.
• Turn off the TV, Computers, etc. when you aren't using them. Additionally, turn off the power strips they are plugged into at night; TVs, DVD players and the like use several watts of power while in standby mode.
• Air dry your dishes.
• Air dry your clothes.
• Take short showers instead of baths or long showers.
• Close the doors and windows to your home when the heating or cooling system is running.

Here are some ways you can be energy efficient:
• Purchase a programmable thermostat to efficiently manage your systems and temperatures.
• Purchase low-flow shower-heads.
• Washing laundry and dishes only at full capacity to maximize efficiency.
• Use appliances, electronics and light bulbs with Energy Star labels, as these products meet very strict efficiency requirements.
• Purchase a newer, more energy efficient heating and cooling. You'd be surprised how far efficiency and standard efficiency requirements have come.

If you're looking for a new system or maybe just a thermostat, give us a call today!

Key AC Installation Factors That Can Make Or Break Performance.

So maybe you've decided it's time for a new Air Conditioning system, or maybe you're just wondering what could be keeping the one you have from performing as good as it could be. Here's 4 of the most important factors to consider when your having a system installed:

System Size - It's relatively common for systems to be too big or too small for a home's needs, unfortunately. Being anything aside from perfect can affect your systems efficiency. A system that is too big will start and stop too often adding extra wear to the components as well as supplying inferior humidity control. A system that is too small will run for far too long, and struggle to keep up on hot days.

Duct Leaks - Air leaks in the ductwork can account for up to 35% of a home's total energy loss. Plus, unfiltered air from the attic or crawlspace can find it's way into your cleaner, distributed air.

Airflow - If your airflow is poor, then your ideal temperature will be hard, if not impossible, to achieve; but your air conditioner will keep trying anyway. A well-trained professional can check for restrictive grills or ductwork design, improperly sized ducts or if your air handler is incompatible with your other equipment.

Refrigerant Charge - This often goes unnoticed to homeowners; up to 70% of home A/C units are using an incorrect refrigerant charge. An HVAC technician will know how to set this charge, maximizing the efficiency of your system.

If you're planning on buying a new Air Conditioner or suspect any of these problems with your current system, call us today to make sure whatever system you have will run great!

Some Excellent Summer Money Saving Tips by Lennox

Freons Affect on Energy Cost and Comfort

Freon is a refrigerant used to remove the heat from your home. When the levels are out of whack the efficiency of the system will drop. If either over charged or under charged with Freon, the air conditioner will cease to cool your home efficiently or effectively.

Maybe you've got a Freon leak; many homeowners have Freon problems right this moment and don't even know it. The system may be just barely keeping up with the summer heat, but it may be because of Freon level rather than it just being really hot out. If the problem doesn't lead to a break down, then you will definitely notice on your energy bills.

Here are the most common symptoms of a low Freon charge:

• The air coming out of the vents in your home should be freezing cold to the touch. if the air feels 'cool', but not 'cold', the Freon levels may be off.

• An ever increasing energy bill is another sign of a refrigerant issue. When Freon levels are low, the A/C must work much harder to remove the heat with whatever less-than-ideal ammount of Freon it has available.

• If the air conditioner is running 24 hours a day, it's not operating normally. Definitely a tip-off for a low Freon charge.

If you suspect that your system may be low on Freon, call today!

Check out our newest TV spots!

Win a Lennox System and a year's supply of ice cream!

Are you an "Energy Savings Superstar"? You could win a Lennox system and a year's supply of ice cream! http://social.lennox.com/OWV

Happy 4th of July!

Normally we're all about staying cool and comfortable in this intense heat, but tomorrow is the 4th of July! The Declaration of Independence was approved way back on the 4th of July 1776, a momentous landmark in our nations history. For many people the 4th brings on memories of the holiday in past years, full of annual parties, festivals and ceremonies. So gather your friends and family to get out there for a barbecue, enjoy some fireworks and have a good time.

Stay safe and have fun!