Summer Energy Tips for Home and Business

Summer is here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, and so is the heat. It will get to 100 degrees today and high 90's the rest of the week. When the temperatures rise, cooling can be the largest part of summer electric bills. The Idaho Power Company has provided these tips to help you be energy efficient.

FOR YOUR HOME
Adjust your thermostat up to 78 degrees, or use natural ventilation to cool during the night.
When practical, use your microwave or barbecue grill instead of your stove top or oven.
Use a clothesline or a clothes drying rack when possible. (Who knew)
Turn off fans when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not rooms.

FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Make sure your thermostat program direct digital control system is programmed properly.
Evaluate and replace outdated lighting.
Install occupancy sensors in all enclosed offices, small spaces and meeting rooms.

FOR BOTH HOME AND BUSINESS

Close your blinds on south-and west-facing windows during warm summer days to keep out un-wanted heat and reduce air conditioning use.
Tune up your HVAC system. Get you system serviced regularly and  replace air filters.

You can read more of my blogs at hvaccomfortguyjerry@blogspot.com or go our website at www.greensheating.com.   

Air Conditioners Vrs The Enviroment

     Let's face it. When it comes to air conditioning, most of us are more concerned about how cool we can be during the summer, than we are in it's impact on the environment.
You're probably saying, "impact on the environment?". When it's over 100 degrees outside, we could care less about the environment. And besides, what impact? It's only electricity after all.
     Well, many energy conservationist say that air conditioners result in up to 80% percent of co2 emissions released by power plants who produce the electricity to run the millions of air conditioners in residential and commercial applications.
During the hot summer months here Boise, Idaho our air conditioners are running full blast for a good portion of the day. That means a high consumption of energy during the summer. One of the easiest ways to lower that consumption is to use a programmable thermostat so you can control when it is running, and what temperature you want to maintain when your home and away.
     The next thing, is to consider is changing out your old air conditioner to a super high efficient model. Newer units require less energy to run, and some units offer two stage cooling that requires less energy. Most homes only  need 100% of cooling capacity for about 20% of the time. If you have a unit that is 15 years old, it may have started out as a 10 SEER rated A/C but they lose efficiency over time and so now it would be doing good to be rated at 7-8 SEER. Just moving up from 8 to 14 SEER your annual savings on your energy bill could be as much as 40%. That can help offset the initial cost of purchasing a higher efficient model. The newer units also use R10A refrigerant that has less impact on the ozone layer then the old R22 freon.
     Little things we can do are, keeping blinds and drapes closed during the hot part of the day. Using draperies that are lined with a heavy material to block out the suns heat. Installing ceiling fans to keep air circulating. Setting our thermostats a couple of degrees warmer or planting shade trees around our house, especially on the west side that gets the afternoon sun.
     For more energy saving ideas, read my other blogs at www.hvaccomfortguyjerry@blogspot.com or go to our website at www.greensheating.com.

Is A Heat Pump In Your Future?

     When you think of cooling your home, you probably think, "air conditioner", evaporating cooler (swamp cooler), or window fan. As it turns out, a heat pump can be a preferred way of cooling your home. Wait! "Heat to cool your home?? Well, that is a bit of misnomer. But a heat pump can both heat, and cool your home.

     In some parts of the country where the winter temperatures seldom get below 35 degrees, a heat pump is a great advantage because you won't need a separate back of heat source like a furnace or air handler. Where we live in the Boise, Idaho area, we still get some pretty cold mornings and we have to have a back up heat source, due to the fact that heat pumps began to lose efficiency at about 30 degrees. Once the outside temperature gets above 30 the furnace will seamlessly turn off and switch over to heat pump use.
     Let me explain how they work. I am going to focus on 'air source' heat pumps because, they are most commonly used in residential air conditioning, and they look exactly like an air conditioner. They use the ambient air temperature to heat. The operative word in heat pump; is the word pump. What makes them energy efficient is, that instead of 'making' heat, or 'making' cold air, They are in essence pumping, or transferring cold air out of your home in the winter, and replacing it with warm air. Moving air is more cost effective then manufacturing air. In the summer time, it reverses the process, moving hot air out of your home, and replacing it with cold air. It works much on the same principle as your refrigerator. Not to get too 'techy' on you, but, remember back when you were in school and they taught you in science that 'cold' is merely the absence of heat. and 'heat' is merely the absence of cold. That is basically the same principle heat pumps work on.
     So, why hasn't everyone switched to heat pumps. The reason is, that, in much of the united states we still get some very cold weather and a heat pump is not as efficient as a furnace in those areas. In most cases though, it is less expensive to run an electric heat pump than to run a gas furnace. It is staggering less expensive then propane or resistance heat! (baseboard, ceiling heat, or electric furnace) Overall they are a smart choice for many homeowners, and most heat pumps are energy star rated. They also don't cost much more than an A/C unit. @comfortguyjerry has one at his home and we love it. My  natural gas usage the first winter we had it was cut in half! My electric bill went up slightly. I installed a 16 SEER heat pump and a 95% efficient furnace, and I know I am saving 25-30% on my overall heating and cooling bill. For more information on heat pumps go to our website at www.greensheating.com. Maybe a heat pump IS in your future.

Tips For Saving Energy This Summer

     Summer has arrived it seems, in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. For we folks living in the Boise area, that generally means hot temps. and our energy bill will soon be on the rise. But, with a little preparation, we can reduce our energy bill substantially. I have three things you can do to get started. Now, some of these ideas are not "tre' chic", but, are you interested in saving money, or being fashion forward?

     The easiest, and cheapest, way  to save energy is by covering your windows. When the sun is hitting your windows in the morning or in the afternoon, close the blinds and curtains to block the sun from heating up your home. Light means heat. So, when the sun hits those windows it provides passive solar heat. If you are really wanting to save money and energy, you can take cardboard and cut it out to fit your window. You can cover one side with aluminum foil using glue, staples, etc. This will not only block the sun, but the foil will reflect it back away from your house. This is especially effective on windows that don't have a view to enjoy, or rooms that are seldom used, like guest rooms, and bonus rooms. I know, it's a bit 'red neck', but hey, comfortguyjerry is trying to save you money!
     The next tip is ceiling fans. They are a cheap way of keeping your house cool. Overall, they are pretty cost effective, but you have to remember to change the spin rotation direction. In summer the fan should turn clockwise, and in the winter, counter clockwise. If you need to purchase a ceiling fan, don't waste your money on a low end cheap model. They are usually nosier then high end fans. The last thing you need in the bedroom. Do your home work before you buy. I have a vaulted ceiling in my home, and the fan we have in the living area has been running nearly 24/7 for 14 years. I have it set on medium speed, so it moves the air without feeling drafty.
     The last tip is all about caulking and weather stripping. There are so many places, hundreds of them, where warm air can seep into your home through windows that are not caulked, and doors that have no weather stripping. Here is a test for your door weather stripping. Fold a sheet of copy paper in half and go outside of your front door, close the door, and try to slide the paper through the door between the jam, and the door itself. See how easy or difficult it is to slide the paper through the door.
     Time spent now summer proofing your home will save you money, plus reduce the amount of energy use, and will be kinder to the planet. For more information check our website at www.greensheating.com.

Why Is A Matched System Important? Part 2

     In my first blog on this subject, we focused on matters of 'efficiency' in the system to help you get the 'most bang for the buck', as it were. Today I had a few other comments to hopefully round out my thoughts, and help provide more education on the subject.
     There are really a variety of reasons for purchasing a matched system, meaning a furnace, indoor coil, and outdoor condenser. One important reason is your comfort, and the comfort of your family. If your system is sized properly, then you will be able to control the precise amount of heating and cooling you need, and can relax about the operating cost. How perfect.
     What do we mean by properly sized? Sizing means that the dealer will do what is called a load calculation to determine the right size A/C, coil, and furnace, along with the right size blower motor on the furnace. The load calculation takes into account the size of the duct work, amount of insulation, size and number of windows, and there type. So as you can see the load calculation is to make sure your not purchasing too large of a system for your home and end up heating and cooling rooms that do not exist. Oversized or undersized equipment makes that equipment work harder, cycle more often, etc. I think you get the picture.

     Because the government has set the bar for air conditioner SEER ratings at a minimum of 13, and we are required by law to use the new R410-A refrigerant when we replace and A/C unit, we have to change out the indoor coil, or your new system won't work. Period! The United Homeowners Association, a Washington based consumer organization offers this advice:

                  "If your furnace, for example, is over 15 years of age, it's probably time to
                  boot it our the door....If your furnace's efficiency comes in somewhere
                  between 50%-75% you ought to begin investigating rebate offers for buy-
                  ing a high-efficiency new furnace as well."

Really good advice from a consumer group that is looking out for your interests, and not out to sell you something. HVAC equipment is still a good investment. People don't mind spending $20,000 for a new car that they will keep 7-10 years and only spend an hour a day in. So why balk at the idea of spending half of that amount to keep your home comfortable 15-20 years or MORE. You spend more time in your home then you do in your car, so you can appreciate the value of a new matched system. For more information contact @comfortguyjerry or check our website at www.greensheating.com.

Why Is A Matched System Important?

     As we approach the summer months, we might start remembering how hot is was last summer, and we were remembering that our A/C didn't seem to be keeping up and keeping us cool. Maybe we remember how much noise our A/C was making and how rusted out and dirty our outdoor unit was. In either case, we should think about whether or not it is time to replace it.
     If you replace a outdoor unit that is 15 years old, you will need to replace the indoor coil that fits above or below your furnace. The reason being is, that all new systems call for the new R-410A refrigerant that is environmentally friendly.

    Here is what you may not know. If your replacing the A/C outdoor unit and the indoor evaporative coil, you SHOULD replace the furnace at the same time. I know, your saying there is nothing wrong with the furnace and we don't use it in the summer!
     Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, Furnaces and Air Handlers have energy efficiency ratings. The only way to achieve those ratings is by installing a matched system. There are SEER ratings. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) There are HSPF ratings. (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) There are EER ratings. (Energy Efficiency Ratings) and the like. These are standards of energy used in comparison with comfort and air delivered. Its all very technical I know. @comfortguyjerry is here to tell you, if you want to get an A/C with a SEER rating of 14, you will have to replace your furnace with a new one. Why? All of these ratings are tied together, meaning, the furnace has to be the right efficiency, the blower motor size delivering the correct CFM's has to be correct and add to that, your duct work has to be sized correctly. All these factors are required to get a 14 SEER unit.
     Plus, when the installer comes out to install your new A/C, he going to have to pull your furnace out anyway to be able to install the new evaporative coil. Trust me, they are not just trying to sell you more product. Their goal is to help you get as close as you can to the efficiency that is stated on the equipment or in their literature. Don't make the mistake and assume that if you purchase a 14 SEER A/C that your are going to get 14 SEER. You will 'get up' to 14 depending on these other factors. For more information check our website at www.greensheating.com
     www.greensheating.com

Is Your Home "Energy Ready" for summer?

     Are you ready for hot weather? I don't mean running out a buying a swimming pool or swim wear. This means making sure your air conditioning system is ready to deliver cool air on hot days. Most of the things are easy DIY things that wont cost you and arm and a leg.
     First: Change your filters in your heating/cooling system. You would think this would be a given but I have known folks that have not changed their filters in a couple of years! Change them at least twice a year and if you live in dusty or rural areas change them four times a year. Quick, easy, and cheap.
      Next, change your thermostat over to 'cool' and test the system by turning the temperature down. If the air conditioner does not run, check your breakers. If it still does not come on, call your heating and cooling professional. If your system does turn on, make sure it putting out an adequate amount of cool air. Then, set your thermostat to your desired setting, or program it to perform at your comfort level. Setting it at 73 - 76 degrees in the summer will keep your cooling bills easier to swallow. But bottom line it is all about personal comfort.
     On the subject of thermostats.Now would be a good time to install a programmable thermostat if you do not have one. You can save up to $100 a year using a new programmable set-back thermostat.
     Now, if your air conditioner is 15 years old or older then you might think about replacing it with a higher efficiency model to save money and insure a trouble free summer for many years. The older our air conditioners get, they lose efficiency and even if you bought a high efficient model back in the day, it has lost a good measure of efficiency over time. The key is, DO IT NOW before it gets blazing hot in the summer because your heating and cooling professionals will be very busy when it gets hot. They will want to check your insulation and duct work in your hot attic, look at your windows, and other things to evaluate what system is going to be best for your home.  Also air conditioners never go out in the winter do they? They always go out in July or August here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho.
     Finally, don't be afraid to install ceiling fans in your home, especially if you have vaulted or high ceilings. I know they are not 'sheek' and decorators hate them and feel they don't go with your decor. But lets face it, we don't buy them because they are hip and fashion forward. We buy them because they move air, help conserve energy,  and keep us more comfortable at higher room temperatures.
@comfortguyjerry says all of these things will keep your home 'energy smart' for the summer. For more information check our website at www.greensheating.com.

Take Good Care of Your Air Conditioner

If you have central air conditioning, there are some things you can do to take care of your outside unit, so when it is blazing hot this summer it will take good care of you. Let me tell you, @comfortguyjerry has seen some outdoor A/C units so filthy, and coils so clogged up it was a wonder the motor and compressor had'nt  burned out. So, how can you take good care of your air conditioner? A couple of things I do in the early spring before we start to use it is this. Hook up a garden hose and give the A/C unit a good 'bath'. Flush out the coils both from inside out, and outside in. Over the winter there is a lot of dust, leaves and debris that get trapped in the fins of the coil and a good flushing will dislodge all of that. Let it dry for a couple of days before turning it on. The other thing I do is after I have mowed the yard, I get out my leaf blower to blow the grass off the sidewalk, patio and driveway. I always go by the A/C unit and use the blower on it as well. That keeps the dust from building up. Your unit will run better and more efficiently. Of course the best advice I could give you is to call your heating and cooling professional and have them do a 'tune up' on your unit. Not only will they clean the coil but they will go through the whole unit and check freon levels, pressures reads, electronics, etc to make sure your system is running at max efficiency. Sometimes they can see where there are potential problems that may need to be addressed. Remember: Care for your A/C now, and it will care for you all summer. At Greens Heating and Air we go through a 14 point inspection when we do a tune up. Check our website for more details at www.greensheating.com.

Do More than Air Condition Your Home

The weather will soon begin to warm up in southwest Idaho and so we start thinking of how to stay cool. Comfortguyjerry says that air conditioning is NOT the only answer. There are several other factors to consider and things we can do to stay cool AND stay energy efficient.
Feeling comfortable in hot weather  requires two things to happen together. Obviously the first consideration is the temperature. The one we often don't think about is relative humidity or RH for short. The RH and the temperature have to both be low enough to keep you from sweating. Here in the Treasure Valley we live in what is called high desert and the humidity is fairly low all the time. The lower the RH the hotter it can be and we still feel pretty comfortable. Living here it can he 80 outside and we can handle it but if you live in Florida or North Carolina in it's 80 with humidity at 70% we are sweltering! So ideally we want to keep our humidity in our home at about 40-50% to be comfortable. In some areas people have to install dehumidifier's to deal with excessive humidity. We rarely if ever do that in Idaho. Traditional air conditioning units are good at removing excess humidity from the air. However there are other things we can do to help stay cool with out lowering out thermostats more and more.
FIRST: Dress for the weather. If its hot inside your home wear light weight clothing when at home and you may be able to adjust the thermostat up a few degrees and still be comfortable.
SECOND: Turn on a fan. Air circulating on your skin will make you feel cooler. So think about ceiling fans or circulating fans that can move the air toward you. If you are not having it blow on your skin then it is not going to do much good, so shut if off when your not in the room. Make sure your ceiling fan blades are turning clockwise in the summer and counter-clockwise in the winter for them to be the most efficient.
THIRD: Open the windows and doors when it 's cool at night or in the morning. Then before it gets too hot, close them all up, usually around mid-day or early afternoon. Use the air conditioner until it cools down enough that you could open doors and windows again. You will stay comfortable and also save energy. The trick to this is don't let it get too hot in the house before you turn on the air conditioner. It will take more time and energy to cool down the house to the desired temperature.
FOURTH: Sun shining on widows produces a lot of passive solar heat, heat, heat. Close the blinds and drapes on the south, west, and east of your house. You might even consider installing outside awnings or sun shades if you receive a lot of intense heat. Sun rooms are just that. Sun Rooms. They can turn into a real sauna and literally warm up the rest of the rooms adjacent to them and then your A/C will work overtime to trying to keep up with the demand at the thermostat. For more information follow us twitter @comfortguyjerry or like us on Facebook page at Greens Heating and Air Conditioning. Consult are website at greensheating.com Stay cool my friends.