Taking energy saving measures

In St.

Petersburg, Florida, UV light, heat and humidity create significant challenges for the majority of the year.

We run the air conditioner just about non stop, and the electric bill is a big part of the household budget. I am always searching for new opportunities to elevate indoor comfort and air quality while reducing energy consumption. Energy Star rated windows was a big investment but helped to tighten up the thermal envelope. I make sure to close curtains and blinds to prevent sunlight from not only warming up the living space but also cause fading to furnishings. The back of my property overlooks the waterfront. For those windows, I installed window tints that block UV light without obstructing my view. I’ve installed insulation in the attic and weatherstripping on exterior doors. The addition of ceiling fans works to create a cooling effect and reduce strain on the air conditioner. I also hired a local St. Petersburg HVAC professional to install a whole-home dehumidifier. The dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air, making it feel cooler and allows for higher thermostat settings. My smart thermostat also contributes to cost-savings. The device features geofencing, which tracks the locations of family members’ smartphones and makes adjustments accordingly. It conserves energy when the house is empty and makes sure we arrive home to perfect comfort. Another energy saving measure is regular air conditioner maintenance. By having the cooling system inspected, cleaned and tuned-up every spring, I can be sure it’s operating at peak capacity, reliability and efficiency. I avoid the expense of needless repairs, pay lower monthly bills and enjoy superior comfort and air quality.

St. Petersburg Florida Quality air conditioner

Choosing a VRF system

Until fairly recently, variable refrigerant flow systems were strictly for commercial application.

When my husband and I needed to replace the heating and cooling system in our home in Springfield, Missouri, we looked into all different options.

We were unhappy with our forced air system and didn’t want another furnace and air conditioner combination. After consulting with a local area HVAC contractor, we decided on a VRF system. This innovative option provides a great deal of unique benefits. We liked that it’s a modular setup which allows for easy expansion or replacement of components. The equipment is quite compact and the system was installed without any major renovation project or mess. The indoor air handlers are streamlined, lightweight and unobtrusive. They offer the advantages of zoned adjustment and customized settings in each room. There is no need to heat or cool empty rooms or get by with chilly or overheated conditions. With the wide variation of weather in Springfield, the precision control of the VRF system is especially helpful. There are times when we require cooling during the day and need to switch to cooling overnight. Another major perk of the VRF is the automatic adjustment of refrigerant flow. The system supplies only the exact amount of refrigerant necessary to achieve ideal comfort in each zone. This feature saves on energy consumption, avoids temperature fluctuations and keeps running costs to a minimum. Another unique perk of VRFs is the capacity for simultaneous heating and cooling. We can heat one room while cooling another. Plus, the system will utilize heat from the cooling process and use it for those rooms requiring heating.

 

Springfield Missouri Commercial HVAC

Adding a heat recovery ventilator

The weather in South Bend, Indiana, provides every type of extreme. The summers bring temperatures in the mid to high eighties with plenty of humidity. The spring and fall seasons tend to be wet, chilly and windy. The winters last the longest, and the conditions are freezing cold and snowy. The temperature regularly drops into the teens or even the negative digits and the snow piles up in multiple feet. There is rarely a time when we’re not running either the air conditioner or the furnace. The cost of heating and cooling is considerable, making up approximately half of the energy bills. I’ve done my best to tighten up the house and eliminate energy waste. New windows and doors, caulking, weatherstripping and insulation help to seal up leaks and prevent heated and cooled air from escaping. However, these preventive measures also stop outdoor air from coming inside. While this is beneficial for energy efficiency, it’s bad for indoor air quality. Since we can rarely open a window in South Bend, pollutants get trapped inside. Dust, dander, pollen, mold spores, VOCs and all sorts of contaminants get endlessly circulated throughout the house and can lead to health concerns. I wasn’t quite sure what to do to improve indoor air quality. I asked the HVAC contractor who handles the maintenance of the furnace and air conditioner. He recommended a heat recovery ventilator or HRV that works to bring fresh air into the home without energy losses. Once the HRV was installed, I immediately noticed the improvement. The house stays cleander, feels more comfortable, and the air smells fresher. Because the ventilator uses the outgoing stale air to pre-heat the incoming air, it also helps to reduce the workload of the furnace and reduce utility bills.

 

South Bend Indiana HVAC system

Ductless split system is ideal for addition

When my husband and I first got married, we had very little money.

We were struggling to pay off college loans and cover car payments and insurance.

Because of job opportunities, we moved directly to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, after graduating. We didn’t want to waste money renting and immediately began shopping for a house to buy. While our budget was limited, we wanted a decent amount of property and a safe neighborhood. We were able to afford our home because of the very small amount of square footage and need for updates. The property had been left vacant for quite some time and had suffered damage from a leaky roof. Its small size made remodeling quick and affordable. We absolutely love our location in Tuscaloosa. Over the years, we’ve added three kids, two dogs and a cat to our family. The house became rather crowded. We decided to put on an addition large enough for each child to have their own bedroom. We also wanted another bathroom, a play room and closet space. One of the biggest concerns with the addition was temperature control. Our local weather demands both heating and cooling. The existing air conditioner and furnace were not sized to handle the added square footage. Plus, we were reluctant to sacrifice space for ductwork. After some research, we chose a ductless heat pump to manage comfort in the addition. The ductless unit provides both heating and cooling. It consists of a single outdoor compressor linked by way of a conduit to multiple indoor air handlers. Each of the air handlers features occupancy sensors and an independent thermostat. This allows us to customize the temperature in every room.

 

Ductless split system is ideal for addition

Considering a new air conditioner

I have been debating on whether or not I want to replace my air conditioner.

Living in Plano, Texas, the cooling unit runs for more than half the year.

It needs to combat temperatures in the upper nineties on a regular basis. I bought my home in Plan approximately twelve years ago. The air conditioner was already installed and definitely not brand new. While it has proven especially reliable, its performance has gradually declined. Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed that the cooling system makes a lot more noise than it used to. There is far less cool air flowing from the vents, requiring much longer run times to satisfy the thermostat setting. Because the house doesn’t feel as cool or comfortable, I am often tempted to lower the setting. My monthly electric bills are steadily more expensive. I also have concerns with indoor air quality. There are a lot more airborne contaminants circulating in the breathing air. It’s necessary to dust and vacuum far more frequently. The air conditioner has lasted much longer than expected. While I am reluctant to replace a system that is still operational, I would prefer not to wait until it fails entirely. If it quits during the middle of the night, my family will be left without air conditioning until I can get an appointment and arrange to have a new system installed. I’d be stuck with whatever cooling unit was readily available. I would like to take the time to research different makes, models and features. There are air conditioners that automatically adapt speed to maintain a very consistent indoor temperature and achieve outstanding efficiency ratings. By running at lower capacity for longer cycles, the cooling system does a better job of dehumidifying.

Plano Texas HVAC business