The Energy Star program was formed in 1992 out of the combined resources of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Its mission is to improve the country’s energy efficiency and protect the environment by educating homeowners. Continue reading “Three Reasons Why You Should Choose Energy Star Equipment”
By Paying Attention to Leaks and Ventilation, You Can Save Money
As fuel prices continue to increase, energy efficiency is on the minds of many Long Island residents. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make your home as energy efficient as possible. Continue reading “Steps That Increase The Efficiency Of Your Home”
Customize Your Energy Usage Based on Your Time at Home
Before you leave for an extended trip, make sure your Long Island home isn’t using an unnecessary amount of energy by running the air-conditioning system the whole time you’re away. The best way to do this is to use a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature when you’re not home. Continue reading “Taking A Vacation? Use A Programmable Thermostat To Monitor Your Home’s Temperature”
Moving the Air in Your Home Helps HVAC Systems Do Their JobCeiling fans produce a wind chill effect that wicks moisture and body heat away from your skin. They don’t actually lower the temperature of a room, but you still feel several degrees cooler. Thanks to this wind chill factor, a ceiling fan can make it possible to raise your thermostat by as much as to 4 degrees, generating energy savings without sacrificing comfort. If you use ceiling fans when the weather is milder, during autumn and spring, you may be able to turn off the air conditioner completely. Continue reading “Ceiling Fans Enhance Home Comfort — Let Them Work For You”
If the Long Island summer heat and humidity don’t make you uncomfortable, your cooling bills just might. But increasing your energy savings doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort. Here are a few summer energy savings tips: Continue reading “Summer Energy-Savings Tips For Long Island Residents”
Learn Why a Variable Speed Air Handler Might Be a Perfect HVAC Upgrade
This summer is shaping up to be a brutal one on Long Island. Having an air conditioner that can go the distance is important. With rising fuel prices, it’s also important to save as much energy as possible. Continue reading “Air-Handler Options To Increase Efficiency And Comfort For Long Island Homeowners”
Air leaks are common problems in older homes. They are one of the biggest ways that Long Island homes lose valuable heat. Here are a few ways you can stop those expensive air leaks. Continue reading “Stop Air Leaks Before They Become A Big Problem”
It’s expensive to own a home on Long Island. But even if you can’t do anything about your property taxes. there are steps you can take to increase your energy savings and reduce your utility bills. Continue reading “Whole-House Energy Savings Tips For Long Island Homeowners”
Furnaces have come a long way in the past 15 years. Systems that were once gas guzzlers have become vastly more efficient, saving you money on your heating bills.
Every furnace has a rating based on the unit’s annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. A furnace’s AFUE is the percentage of heat created compared to the amount of energy used.
Numbers that used to hover between 60 to 70 percent have become dramatically higher over the past decade. As of now, it is not uncommon to find new furnaces that break the 95 percent mark.
It is for this reason that high efficiency furnaces are a good investment. When a new furnace is properly sized for the area of your house, Your heating bills can drop in half, according to the Department of Energy, with a new furnace.
Here are some tips on deciding whether or not to upgrade to one of these new, high efficiency furnaces.
Finding a contractor you can trust is the most important task when installing high efficiency furnaces.Energy costs are rising, but technology has found ways to help us save money. High efficiency furnaces are just one example. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the professionals at T.F. O’Brien. They are more than happy to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about high efficiency furnaces and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area. To get started, get a quote from us or check out our special offers.
You may have the newest, most energy efficient heating and air equipment, or maybe your system getting on in years but still performing well. Whichever is your situation, a sure way to get the most out of either is to check your air ducts.
Continue reading “Sealing Air Ducts for Savings”
