We all know that the winter months in Long Island are notorious for creating an excessive amount of static electricity around the home, causing everything from unpleasant shocks to bad hair days. The reason for the static increase is related to a home’s heating system and the lack of a humidifier. Continue reading “A Humidifier Will Keep Static Electricity From Getting Out of Hand”
Tag: climate control
With a Programmable Thermostat You Can Schedule Comfort and Savings
After a long day at work, many people return to an empty, chilly home in the summer and an empty, toasty warm home in the winter with no one but the utility company bill collector to appreciate the expense. Meanwhile, other homeowners who try to save energy expend too much of their own repeatedly changing the thermostat setting. A programmable thermostat is the answer to both energy-wasting scenarios. Continue reading “With a Programmable Thermostat You Can Schedule Comfort and Savings”
Take the Sweat Out of Summer When You Install a Dehumidifier
Generations of Long Islanders have wondered whether it’s really possible to take the sweat out of summer — that unique sweat that’s spawned by humidity. While you can’t control humidity levels outdoors, you can certainly take the upper hand with indoor humidity if you install a dehumidifier. Continue reading “Take the Sweat Out of Summer When You Install a Dehumidifier”
Enjoy Insulation Benefits in All Seasons on Long Island
Most people know that insulation benefits homeowners in the winter by keeping out the cold, but it also benefits your home during warmer months by sealing in cool air and keeping the heat out. If you’re unsure if your home is adequately insulated, check to make sure that it meets the needs of our climate. Continue reading “Enjoy Insulation Benefits in All Seasons on Long Island”
Optimizing Heat Pump Efficiency in That New Home You’re Building
When you’re building a new home, you want to install appliances that will help you save money while having the smallest ecological impact. For homeowners in Long Island, optimizing heat pump efficiency is an important factor if you want to stay comfortable throughout the year. Continue reading “Optimizing Heat Pump Efficiency in That New Home You’re Building”
Your Air Conditioner Replacement: Should You Really Put It off Any Longer?
It’s easy to put off an air conditioner replacement because it’s an expensive undertaking and a fairly complicated process. But putting the replacement off too long will raise your electric bills and could leave you uncomfortable when the weather turns warm. Continue reading “Your Air Conditioner Replacement: Should You Really Put It off Any Longer?”
Modulating Furnaces: Green, Eco-Friendly, Efficient and Comfortable
Unlike standard furnaces that start and stop, leaving drastic temperature changes in your home, a modulating furnace operates constantly to monitor the temperature in your home. Continue reading “Modulating Furnaces: Green, Eco-Friendly, Efficient and Comfortable”
Think a Programmable Thermostat Is Too Smart? Read On
When you leave your Long Island home for a day at work, do you need to heat it like you do when you’re home? Absolutely not, yet turning down the thermostat is just one more thing to remember on your way out the door. To make this job simpler, you can install a programmable thermostat to take care of this for you, so you can save money and energy while still coming back to a comfortable home. Continue reading “Think a Programmable Thermostat Is Too Smart? Read On”
How to Maximize Your Programmable Thermostat to Save Energy
As temperatures fluctuate between seasons, weeks and even days, having a programmable thermostat can help keep you and your family comfortable.
Installing a programmable thermostat also provides energy-saving benefits, resulting in lower monthly utility bills. Follow some simple guidelines to maximize your programmable thermostat and save energy.
- Keep your thermostat set at its energy-saving setting during long periods of time, such as during the day while family members are at work or school and overnight. To see the best results in savings, keep settings in place for 8 hours at a time when possible.
- If you need a boost in warm or cool air, temporarily override the set program temperature. That said, using this feature regularly can reduce your efficiency. Instead, alter your settings to a more comfortable programmed setting.
- When you’ll be away from home for days at a time, use the vacation setting so you aren’t heating or cooling an empty house. Maximize your savings by reducing the amount of conditioned air your HVAC system produces since your home will be empty.
- Set a program that works for your family. The 7-day models are ideal for families with a unique schedule each day of the week while 5+2-day models are great for families with a set Monday through Friday routine and a separate weekend schedule.
- To optimize performance, remember to change the batteries in your thermostat each year. Most systems will alert you if you need to change the batteries more often.
By following these tips and being thoughtful about your energy usage, you will notice the savings in your utility bills.
Thinking of installing a programmable thermostat in your home to optimize your energy usage? Contact the experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating. We’ve served the Long Island area since 1934.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Take Care Of Dry Winter Air With A Whole-House Humidifier
With winter arriving, now’s the time to consider installing a whole-house humidifier to protect both your family and your home from the damaging effects of dry winter air. Consider what you risk from high humidity levels in your home. Continue reading “Take Care Of Dry Winter Air With A Whole-House Humidifier”