Tag: energy costs

Faced with Repair or Replace Decision? Some Tips!

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Homeowners often face the decision of whether to repair or replace their furnace. Before making this important decision, answer the following questions:

  • Is your system in overall good condition? If so, it might be more cost- effective to repair it.
  • How long are you planning to live in your home? If you are moving within a couple of years, evaluate whether a new system will increase the value of your home. If the cost outweighs the investment value, consider repair. If you are planning on living in your home for many more years, consider the benefits of a more energy efficient system.
  • Have you addressed insulation and duct work? Proper insulation and seals can save up to 20 percent on your energy costs.
  • Are you using a programmable thermostat? A programmable thermostat can save up to 30 percent in energy costs.
  • Have you performed the Home Energy Yardstick? Use this tool to score your home’s energy efficiency.

Consider repairing if:

  • Your system is less than 15 years old.
  • The repair is under $500.
  • The overall condition of your system is good.
  • Your energy bills are reasonable and not concerning.
  • Your Home Energy Yardstick score is 5 or above.

Consider replacing if:

  • Your system is over 15 years old.
  • Your system needs frequent repairs.
  • Your Home Energy Yardstick score is less than 5. If the energy savings of a more efficient unit will cover all or part of your investment, consider replacing it.
  • Your utilities costs are constantly rising.
  • You are concerned about air quality. Consider replacement with an energy-efficient system that can reduce the potential for air contaminants like mold, bacteria, and dust.

A general rule of thumb that can be helpful in deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace is to add up your energy costs for the past winter and multiply by 20 percent. Divide that number into the cost of buying and installing. This is an estimate of how many years it will take to recoup your investment.

Of course, you can also count on T.F. O’Brien for expert advice on repairing vs. replacing your furnace. We can walk you through the options and help you make an educated decision. Call us if we can help.

Retrofitting Options for Zoning Systems

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Home zoning systems have gained in popularity as a method of moderating room-to-room temperature fluctuations. It’s not uncommon to see zoning systems incorporated into new residential construction as it is being built. Existing homes can also use zoning to maximize home comfort. The system can be retrofitted.

Zoning is simply a method to maintain a comfortable level of heating and cooling consistent throughout the home. Leaving one room to move to another can mean a change of several degrees in temperature. This problem can especially exist in two or three story homes. Upstairs rooms can get uncomfortably warm due to downstairs heat rising. Zoning systems can control the heating and cooling differences.

A heating and air specialist can consult best determine how to retrofit an existing home. Usually, the home is divided into two, three or four zones. Separate thermostats are installed in the zones. These work in conjunction with a central control unit. This unit can intelligently control the amount of air required in each zone, keeping a consistent comfort level in the living spaces of the home. Hot and/or cold spots are eliminated.

Rooms, wings or sections of a home that see little use can be controlled to reduce the amount of heat or cool air going in. This can result in a substantial savings in energy costs. Savings of up to 30 percent are not uncommon in homes with a zoning retrofit.

Over time, zoning systems can pay for themselves in fuel and energy costs. The added benefit of a consistent temperature in all living spaces makes zoning quite attractive to families who have had to endure rooms that are too cold in winter and too hot in summer.

The experts at  T.F. O’Brien Cooling and Heating are familiar with all the latest information in maintaining peak comfort at the lowest possible cost. Call us if we can help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).   For more information about xoning systems and other HVAC topics,  click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Energy Savings Calculator: Making Every Dollar Count

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Energy savings calculators are questionnaires that gather information on energy usage and process that information to identify changes that will decrease energy usage and provide energy cost savings. Using an energy savings calculator can help you focus on the parts of your home energy system that need attention. The  Home Energy Saver website is a good example of an energy savings calculator.

After you input your household data, then the calculator provides recommendations on potential energy cost savings in the following areas:

  • Heating
  • Cooling
  • Hot Water
  • Large Appliances
  • Small Appliances
  • Lighting

The savings in energy costs are based on reduced energy usage after upgrading your current home energy system. Think of your home energy system as being enclosed in your house structure, or envelope. Making small but important changes in the envelope to seal leaks and add insulation are important first steps to reducing energy usage and costs.

Here in the New York and Long Island areas, heating and cooling are critical to your household. These systems should operate efficiently and provide the best performance for the least cost. One way to improve heating and cooling efficiency is through using a programmable thermostat. To improve the basic performance of your heating and cooling, consider replacing your heating or air conditioning equipment.

Hot water, appliances, and lighting are also areas where you can use the energy savings calculator to help decide on the best equipment upgrade plans for energy cost reduction. You can also take advantage of newer and more energy-efficient technology like solar and tankless water heaters, energy star appliances, and CFL lighting options.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free  Home Comfort Resource guide.

A Winter Tune-Up Prevents Equipment Failure

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Your household heating system contains many complex components, all of which can be damaged by neglect, the build-up of dirt and general use during the cold winter months. Letting your system fall into neglect can cause energy inefficiency and even premature system failure.

Your heating system is an investment. If you take care of it, it will continue to take care of you and your family. One of the most important steps you can take is having experienced professionals perform regular maintenance, especially in preparation for the harsh New York winters. At T.F. O’Brien & Co. we believe in the importance of a precision heating tune-up for every HVAC system.

There are many factors that cause poor performance in your central heating system. Dirt and dust particles collect on the equipment. Soot and carbon deposits build up, especially around the burner and in the combustion chamber. This area is also the site of scaling on equipment. Another problem is iron oxide (rust), naturally produced over time and everyday use. The particles form a black sludge that sticks to interior surfaces and corrodes valves, pumps, and more. During our heating tune-up our highly trained technicians will provide a thorough inspection for dirt, dust, rust, corrosion and all risk factors, correcting them at your discretion.

Included in our heating tune-up, our experienced technicians will test the safety of your system’s operating controls, monitoring for combustion leaks and carbon monoxide, as well as make any necessary adjustments to your thermostat, wiring and connections.

Ensuring your system is in excellent shape for the winter will prolong its lifespan, and can keep your energy costs down by as much as 20%. This not only means you save money, but you also use less energy and contribute less to greenhouse gases. Let our professionals ensure all the components of your system are performing at maximum efficiency and safety so you and your family are not left out in the cold.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free  Home Comfort Resource guide.