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”
Tag: saving energy
Energy Star: The Label Can Help You Select Better Home-Comfort Equipment
Even if you’ve downright scurried through a home-improvement store, the Energy Star label has probably caught your eye. And now that you’re searching for an appliance, you’ll probably slow down long enough to see just how valuable this label really is. Continue reading “Energy Star: The Label Can Help You Select Better Home-Comfort Equipment”
5 Options For Reducing Home Heat Gain
Heat gain – “solar gain” and “passive solar gain” mean the same thing – is the process whereby structures, including our homes, warm up inside as the sun’s energy falls on the outside. There are several options for reducing heat gain, steps that are particularly valuable with our hot and muggy Long Island summers. Continue reading “5 Options For Reducing Home Heat Gain”
Need A New Thermostat? 3 Key Considerations
So you need a new thermostat and, because this may be the first time you’ve ever had to shop for one, you may not know where to begin. If that’s the case, consider three factors and, by the time you head to the store, you should feel ready and confident to make the right selection. Continue reading “Need A New Thermostat? 3 Key Considerations”
A/C Preventive Maintenance Time Is Now
Summer is just around the corner, and Long Island homeowners will be depending on their air conditioning systems to keep their homes cool and comfortable. Preventive maintenance is a good idea; you can have a professional make sure that everything is in working order before it’s time to use your cooling system. This will help you avoid last-minute problems, so that you don’t turn on your A/C system to find out something is wrong. An efficient air conditioning system will save you money as well. Continue reading “A/C Preventive Maintenance Time Is Now”
Comfort Plus Control with Zoning Systems
An option for your heating and cooling system that allows better comfort, greater control and the potential to reduce energy costs sounds good, doesn’t it? The use of zoning systems gives homeowners that type of increased comfort and control in our homes.
Zoning systems added to a home’s existing heating and cooling systems results in a more consistent temperature level. The home is divided into “zones†that have their own thermostat. The different thermostats tie into a central control allowing the homeowner to have a consistent comfort level in all the home living spaces. This eliminates problem rooms or areas that are too cool in winter or too hot in summer. The flow of conditioned air is more accurately balanced without getting one room too hot or cool in order to warm up or cool off another room. More air is delivered where it is needed, less air where it is not.
The air distribution can be controlled and the comfort level in each zone is more easily maintained. Rooms or areas that are rarely used can be dealt with separately. Keep those areas at a winter level of 65 degrees and a summer level of 78. While the other living spaces maintain a 72-degree level, you are saving energy costs by reducing the heating and cooling of rooms that are seldom, if ever, used. Put the warm and cool air where it is needed, not where it is wasted.
Zoning systems can give you that kind of control. If you and your family have noticed “hot spots†or “cold spots†inside the home, zoning may be a solution. If you would like an assessment of your home to see if zoning systems can give you greater comfort and control, contact us at T.F. O’Brien. We’re always happy to help with answers and options for your home comfort concerns.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Energy Savings Calculator: Making Every Dollar Count
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.