Before Adding Home Insulation, Be Sure You Select the Right Type

attic insulation, long island, New YorkInsulation Comes in a Number of Materials and Applications

Since keeping a home well-insulated is so important in terms of reducing energy bills and increasing comfort levels, there’s a wide variety of home insulation types that are available to homeowners. Different types of insulation will work best for different spaces, so it’s important to do some research and choose the right type for your situation. Continue reading “Before Adding Home Insulation, Be Sure You Select the Right Type”

How to Maximize Your Programmable Thermostat to Save Energy

thermostat Long Island

Why Programmable Thermostats Can Save You Money

 

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.

Image via  Shutterstock.com

Home Insulation Upgrade: 3 Ways You’ll Benefit

home insulation upgrade, Long Island, New YorkKeep Winter Weather Out and Warm Air in With Insulation

As the temperature starts to drop, many Long Island homeowners take steps to make their homes winter-ready. In addition to fall furnace preventive maintenance, evaluating your home’s insulation should be a top priority before winter hits. Continue reading “Home Insulation Upgrade: 3 Ways You’ll Benefit”

A Buyer’s Guide To Energy-Efficient Furnaces

energy-efficient furnaces, Long Island, New YorkNew Furnaces Meet Higher Energy Standards

As another Long Island winter approaches, considering an upgrade to an energy-efficient furnace makes sense. New high-efficiency furnaces with Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings of at least 90 percent really shine in these cold winters. Continue reading “A Buyer’s Guide To Energy-Efficient Furnaces”

A Ceiling Fan Can Be Your Furnace’s Best Friend

ceiling fan with furnace, Long Island, New YorkWhen cooler weather arrives, homeowners need to be ready for it. Though many homeowners know the basic tips of sealing their windows and checking their home’s insulation to improve furnace and whole-house efficiency, there are other tricks to keeping your home comfortable and lowering energy costs. Did you know that by utilizing your ceiling fans in conjunction with your furnace, you can enjoy a cozier winter at a lower cost? Continue reading “A Ceiling Fan Can Be Your Furnace’s Best Friend”

Those Pesky Air Leaks In Your Long Island Home: Find Them, And Fix Them

sealing air leaks, Long Island, New YorkReduce Heating and Cooling Bills with a Sealed Home

While some air leaks are noticeable enough to create an uncomfortable draft, your home probably has air leaks in hidden places you don’t even know about. To create a tight seal in the home’s outer envelope and improve energy efficiency, you need to find and fix leaks where they are most prominent: in the walls, the attic floor, and the basement ceiling. Continue reading “Those Pesky Air Leaks In Your Long Island Home: Find Them, And Fix Them”

Your Home Zoning System: 6 Key Components Of Excellent Design

your home zoning system, Long Island, New York

Rooms and Living Areas Have Different Comfort Needs

We have talked before on this blog about zoning systems  and the improved comfort and temperature control they can bring to your Long Island home. If you are considering getting a zoning system installed, there are six important design elements that you need to keep in mind. Continue reading “Your Home Zoning System: 6 Key Components Of Excellent Design”

Your A/C And Ceiling Fans: The Efficiency’s Better When You Use Them Together

a/c and ceiling fans, Long Island, New YorkA Ceiling Fan Can Help Your Home’s Circulation

 

Some things in life just seem to go together: a tea bag and water, a hammer and nails and an A/C and ceiling fans. When you put the last two into action inside of your home, you can reach peak energy efficiency. Continue reading “Your A/C And Ceiling Fans: The Efficiency’s Better When You Use Them Together”

The Home Energy Evaluation You Do Yourself: A Weekend Job With Long-Term Potential

home energy evaluation finds air leaks, Long Island, New YorkTrim Your Energy Bill With a Simple DIY Energy Audit

 

Long Island can be a rewarding but expensive place to live. If you’re looking for ways to save money, consider performing an energy evaluation of your own home. Continue reading “The Home Energy Evaluation You Do Yourself: A Weekend Job With Long-Term Potential”