In the United States, it is common for the average person to spend over $3,000 per year on energy.
For many people, this represents a large investment and a substantial portion of their income. Finding ways to reduce costs by energy saving measures can make a big difference in your quality of life.
When we say Energy Savings, we are talking about ways in which your home will use less energy. This in turn produces smaller bills and also helps to provide a benefit for the environment as well. Here are some energy saving tips for you to try, some are simple and others require investment.
Many homes aren’t properly insulated, which allows for heat loss during the winter and hot air to invade your home during the summer. In turn, this requires your HVAC system to work much harder in order to maintain a temperature you find acceptable. You can choose to do this renovation yourself, or have a professional contractor assist you.
Modern Air Conditioner
Modern energy saving air conditioners are far more efficient than older models, reducing your energy usage by 20% to 50%. Specific energy saving models are even better at this, and combined with proper insulation can dramatically change your energy bills. They also produce far less pollution.
Energy Efficient Heating
Switching to an energy saving heater can make a big difference in your bills at the end of the month. Just because you save on energy doesn’t mean you skimp on effect, as modern energy-efficient heaters are highly effective at warming your home. You can also use heat pumps to achieve a high degree of warming without breaking the bank.
Boilers can be a major source of energy expenditure because they produce a lot of positive effects. The steam can be used for heating, and the water is used as well. Upgrade your old system and you can see immediate savings that may shock you, especially in the winter months.
Change Light Bulbs
Energy saving light bulbs and LED lighting require far less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. In addition to energy savings, they also last longer and provide brighter lighting for inside your home. Any older bulbs you have should be changed out immediately.
Windows Are Key
If you have any single-pane windows, you are wasting a great deal of energy no matter what season it is. Single pane windows offer almost no insulation value, they allow heat in and out, as well as cold. One of the best ways to prepare your home for energy savings is to replace any windows with at least dual pane energy saving windows.
Energy Saving and Your Home
Energy savings are easy to find and don’t require a great deal of effort to install for the most part. If you have any questions or want to know more about what HVAC energy savings you can find, feel free to contact us. We are ready to help you find the energy savings that can change your life.
Did you know that heat can have negative impacts on your mood? Many people get more aggressive or even angry when they are in hot weather!
HVAC systems are one of the best ways to keep your home comfortable in those hot or cold months.
Are you considering getting an HVAC system for your house?
To learn more about residential HVAC installation and why it may be a good investment for you to make, keep reading below.
What Is the Residential HVAC Installation Process?
A professional can come to install a heating and cooling system in your house, but you must plan ahead of time for this to happen.
The process starts with you working with the professionals, such as those at Schwantes Heating and Air Conditioning, to determine the type and design of the HVAC system you need.
Before you can have a residential HVAC system installed, you’ll need to consider certain factors. Some of the things that you’ll want to think about ahead of time include:
- HVAC system location
- Load distribution
- Your home’s insulation
- Current and future ventilation
- Your home’s air quality
Once these concerns have been explored, the HVAC expert will be able to help you set up a timeline for HVAC system installation. They can work with you to find a time that you’re most comfortable with.
Learn about your new system and how it functions before the installation process is over. Understanding the HVAC system better will make it easier to know when there is an issue or when maintenance is required.
Benefits of Having a Residential HVAC System
One of the biggest benefits of having a residential HVAC system is comfort. You want your family to be comfortable, and when the air is at a nice temperature and of good quality, this is much more likely to be the case.
Another benefit to consider is updating your current heating and cooling system.
If you already have an old HVAC system that hardly works, upgrading to a new system is a good investment for your family and your home. If you don’t have one at all, you won’t have to rely on outdated methods to stay warm or cool any longer.
A third benefit is lower repair costs. Because the system is newer, you will have less maintenance and will be able to rely on the quality of the HVAC processes.
You also will save money on your energy bills. Heating and cooling can be expensive, but many of the new HVAC systems are designed to be more energy-efficient, which is great for the environment and for your wallet.
Are You in Need of a Residential HVAC System?
A new HVAC system can be a huge upgrade for any home, including yours.
If you’re interested in residential HVAC installation, we have you covered. Schwantes Heating and Air Conditioning have been in business for over 70 years providing HVAC services to the surrounding area.
Be sure to contact us today, and let us give you a more comfortable home.
Winter is coming. Not only is this the motto of House Stark in Game of Thrones, but also what you should be thinking when fall arrives.
That’s because as the colder weather arrives, you’re going to want your heating system in great condition.
Preparing your furnace for use should be high on your fall maintenance checklist.
Read on to learn the steps you need to take.
Give It a Clean
Before you start firing up your furnace, it’s the perfect opportunity to give it a thorough clean.
Make sure the power and gas are shut off. Remove the side panels, and use a brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust and debris you can find. Wipe down the fan blades and any other areas that need it.
A clean furnace is far less likely to cause you problems.
During the colder months, you should be aiming to change your HVAC filters every couple of months or so.
Replacing your filters before you first fire up the furnace for the winter is always recommended. Clogged filters can seriously impair the performance of your heating system, so make sure they’re replaced during the fall.
Any holes or blockages in your heating ducts are also going to have a negative impact on your heating system. This will cost you money as your furnace will have to work harder than it needs to.
Give your ducts an inspection looking for any damage or debris. If you find any holes, you’ll need to get those ducts repaired or replaced.
Vents are the perfect place for dust and debris to build up, especially when your heating system hasn’t been used for some time.
Check all of your vents and give them a good wipe down with a wet cloth to remove any dust. Check between the vents to make sure that there are no obvious obstructions.
Give It a Test Run
Once you’ve completed all of the above steps, it’s worth giving your furnace a test run. The last thing you want is to discover a problem the first time you really need to warm up your home.
Listen out for any unusual sounds that might be signs of a significant problem. Notice if your rooms are getting up to the required temperature based on your thermostat settings.
If you find any issues, it’s important that you get your system repaired as soon as possible before the cold weather kicks in.
One More Item for Your Fall Maintenance Checklist
There’s one more step you should consider adding to your fall maintenance checklist when preparing your furnace. That step is to get a professional to perform maintenance on your furnace to keep it in tip-top condition.
We offer a range of services, including furnace maintenance, repairs, and installation. We also offer AC maintenance and repair services too when it’s time to start your spring maintenance checklist!
Contact us today to find out how we can help.
Summer is upon us, is your AC unit ready?
It’s not unusual to peak over 90°F in Minnesota through July, so you want to keep cool and comfortable. But if you don’t prepare now, you might find problems with your AC unit when you need it most.
Read on for why you should do an air conditioner tune up today!
1. Get Your AC Going
During winter, it’s likely you didn’t use your AC at all. It’s important that you warm it up and get it going after being off for so long.
Being left inactive could have caused dust and dirt to build up inside the system. Or you might have developed an electrical or mechanical fault that you don’t know of.
2. Reduce the Chance of an AC Breakdown
You don’t want your AC unit to break when you need it the most. Having regular maintenance before the summer heat picks up helps prevent this.
A trained technician checks for any issues and puts solutions in place before you need them. Preventative maintenance costs less than fixing a breakdown in peak season too.
3. Boost Your Energy Efficiency
If dust and debris build up in your AC system, it can reduce the system’s efficiency. Your AC unit could be losing up to 15% of its efficiency, bringing up costs.
By cleaning the different parts, you’ll ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible. This will translate to savings on your energy bills. Even if it’s only an annual AC tune up, you’ll be able to spot issues before they grow into bigger, more disastrous ones.
4. Your Filter Likely Need Replacing
Whether in use or not, your filters will gather dirt and debris. And the material on the filter can create an environment for moisture. This can lead to mold and bacteria growth. This will reduce airflow and introduce allergens and irritants into your air. It could spell disaster for your AC system and your health!
5. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
For allergy sufferers, you already know spring and summer are tough enough. But, if you don’t clean out your AC unit, particles built up over winter will end up in the air inside your home. Not to mention those caught through the spring and summer months.
By having regular tune ups and cleanouts, you will cut back on the allergens inside your home. It’ll also help to boost the quality of air circulating your home in general.
6. Increase the Lifespan of Your System
An AC unit’s lifespan depends on the correct installation and proper maintenance. According to the Department of Energy, your AC unit should last 15-20 years if looked after.
Regular maintenance will keep your AC unit running smoother, for longer. Even if it’s only changing the air filter every 3 months, this will have a positive impact on its lifespan.
7. EPA and EnergyStar Recommend Annual Maintenance
HVAC and AC maintenance isn’t busywork. And it’s not only the HVAC companies that recommend it. The EPA and EnergyStar both recommend regular, annual AC tune ups to keep your unit running.
Don’t Delay with Your Air Conditioner Tune Up Today
So there you have it! You now know the importance of an air conditioner tune up.
It is the perfect time to check your system before you need it in summer. You can clear out any dirt and debris and fix any small issues before they become expensive problems.
If you’re looking to book in your annual AC tune up, contact us today. At Schwantes Heating & Air Conditioning we can help you with all your AC needs.