ANDY'S STATEWIDE Tips & Resources
A new heating and air conditioning system can save 30% - 50% on your utility bills. To find out how efficient your home is now, enter your information into the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick at this URL (click here).
2. Keep your home comfortable this spring with these timely tips.
If you're like most people, your heating and air conditioning system was working overtime this winter. So instead of just easing back and forgetting about your system until summer, you'd be wise to take advantage of the mild spring weather to give your HVAC the attention it deserves and make sure it will be ready for summer.
Let's start with the basics. A change in season is a signal to change your filters. Or if you have a high end HEPA filter, you should clean it. If you do nothing else, do that. It keeps your air clean and makes your system more energy efficient.
While you're working on your unit, go ahead and vacuum any dust or debris you might find and check for any loose or corroded connections. If your system has a humidifier or dehumidifier, remove the housing, allow the unit to dry and vacuum it as well.
Here's something you might not ever think about - clean your bathroom fans. Take off the cover (after disconnecting the power), wash with soapy water and clean the blades. Allow it to dry completely before reconnecting the power.
If your system is over ten years old, you might want to consider replacing it with a new, high efficiency system. New systems can save you big bucks on your energy bill and can be properly sized to make sure you enjoy the ultimate in comfort. And spring is the perfect time for such a conversion. After all, wouldn't you rather have a day or two of downtime in April instead of August!
Moving outside, you should make sure that your exterior HVAC equipment and any window units you might have are free and clear of shrubs, trees or growth of any nature. If your greenery is too close, break out the pruning shears.
Make sure you check around all your doors and windows for small cracks that may have developed during the winter and recaulk as necessary.
And finally, if you'd rather someone else give your HVAC system a spring sprucing, schedule an appointment with ANDY'S STATEWIDE service team today.
3. How properly positioned air ducts can save you money.
Lots of people know that spending a little more on a high efficiency air conditioning system now will pay off big in the long run with lower energy costs, less upkeep and a higher level of comfort.
What most people don't realize is that their equipment is only part of the solution. To fully feel the benefits of your investment, make sure your ductwork is as well thought out as your HVAC unit.
Poorly planned or sloppily installed ducts can negate the energy savings and cost reductions you are counting on. Joints that aren't sealed properly can let a lot of that precious conditioned air escape. As can old ductwork that may not be up to par with today's new standards.
Even newer ducts, when placed in areas where temperatures can be extreme (like attics), release a not-too-insignificant percentage of that comfy air.
Well what's a well-meaning homeowner to do?
Interestingly enough, some new homes these days are being built with ductwork running through the conditioned living space. By constructing an insulated zone between the ceiling joists and a dropped ceiling, or between the walls mainly in the corners of a room, ducts can exist in a area where any lost air would contribute to the overall comfort of the home.
Of course you don't have to build a new house to improve the efficiency of your ductwork. One thing you can look at is your duct's configuration. A radial design, where air supplies and returns have direct connections to the unit, or a trunk and branch design, where supplies and returns branch off from a long "trunk" directly connected to the unit, are best for most houses. If your home has a different configuration, you might consider a conversion.
Schedule an appointment today to take advantage of these savings!
4. With Air Conditioning systems, bigger doesn't always mean better.
When outside temperatures are pushing triple digits, the idea of having the biggest, strongest air conditioning system on the planet blasting you with a wave of arctic air is a pretty refreshing thought.
But while the dog days of summer may have you hot and heavy for more HVAC horsepower, you'd be better served by a system that is just the right size. A properly sized system will actually cool your home better than that industrial model you're dreaming of. And it will cost you a lot less money both now and in the future.
Here's why.
An oversized AC will roar to life and blast air into your home. Because the cool air rushes into the space so quickly, your thermostat will be fooled into believing the whole house is comfortable. So it will shut down the system. However, since not enough cold air will have been added to the mix, warm air will cause the unit to start up again and this cycle will continue over and over and over.
This doesn't cool your home very well, wastes energy, is very hard on the system, and doesn't allow the air to be dehumidified - which can lead to hazardous mold problems.
If your system runs like this, or you are about to invest in a new system, you need to get one that is properly sized to fit your home.
Your ANDY'S STATEWIDE home comfort specialist can help you make the right choice. Using guidelines established by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, we'll consider several factors in determining the perfect system for your home, including:
- local climate
- size, shape and orientation of your home
- insulation levels
- window type/locations
- and comfort preferences
The end result will be a system that costs less to purchase, keeps your house comfortable, is more energy-efficient and lasts much, much longer.
To find out if your system fits your home, give ANDY'S STATEWIDE a call today.
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