Are you looking for techniques to reduce your heating bill? If yes, you are far from being the only one with such a predicament. According to HomeAdvisor, the average annual heating bill for Americans is $1,500. Although you cannot control oil prices, you can enhance your home’s energy efficiency by managing your usage. Thankfully, there are lots of low-cost energy conservation tips to prevent heat loss. Whether you are looking for small steps to make your home warmer or you would like to refurbish it all together, here is what you can do to make it energy efficient. 1. Lower the Thermostat Most people have gotten used to staying in warm homes over the years. That is why they end up spending too much money to keep their houses at unnecessarily high temperatures during winter. Consider setting the temperature to 68 degrees during the day and lowering it to 60 degrees at night. If you feel too cold, you can supplement with extra blankets. Switching off your heater when no one is at home over the weekend or during the day will help you save loads of cash. If you are forgetful, you can install a smart thermostat, and it...
Even if you live in a region where temperatures don’t normally fall below the freezing point, having a furnace installed in your home is probably essential for your well-being and comfort. A properly functioning furnace is the safeguard that keeps you and your family warm on those cold winter days and ensures proper air circulation throughout your house. Although there are many different kinds of furnaces, their basic functioning is similar. Each device warms air by one means or another, and a fan sends it through a duct system to spread it through your residence. The heating mechanism is triggered by a thermostat that can be set to the desired temperature. When all the components are working in harmony, the result is a cozy home. Precisely how this result is achieved depends on the type of furnace that is in place. If you’re thinking of upgrading your current heating system or installing one in a new construction, it’s important to consider your range of options and the advantages of each. Furnaces are primarily categorized by the sort of fuel they use to produce heat. Electric Furnace Thanks to their compact nature and straightforward mode of operation, electric furnaces are highly...
When it comes to improving your Burbank home’s air quality, there’s far more involved than simply changing the temperature. The purity, relative humidity, and smell of the air are other qualities that you should be concerned about. That’s why devices such as air purifiers and dehumidifiers are so useful to help improve the quality of your home’s air. Of course, before you can put these devices into action, it’s important to understand what they do. That’s why the HVAC professionals at offer this guide covering the differences between air purifiers and dehumidifiers. What Is an Air Purifier? Typically, an air purifier refers to a device that cleans the air throughout your entire home. Some air purifiers are smaller so that they can be used in a single room. No matter how large an air purifier is, though, it typically has three stages to remove the maximum amount of contaminants. The first stage of an air purifier is a HEPA-type filter. These are physical filters that have tightly wound fibers that capture a large majority of contaminants. The second stage of an air purifier utilizes activated charcoal that has a static charge. Thanks to this static charge, any small contaminants that...
When your Burbank, CA, home is in need of a new heating and air conditioning system, choosing one can be a challenge. You might not know if it’s better to replace just the cooling or just the heating system or to get both at the same time. There are also systems that offer both heating and cooling functions. You’ll also have to consider costs, comfort options, and energy-efficient features. At , we’re proud to install a wide range of gas furnaces, electric heat pumps, air conditioners, mini-split AC, and other types of HVAC systems. Use these 10 tips to make an informed decision about which system is the best one for your comfort, home, and budget. 1. Fuel Source If you’re replacing your heating system, you’ll need to choose between a gas-powered or electricity-powered one. Not all homes are set up for natural gas or propane. Electricity and natural gas rates vary by season and provider. An electricity-powered furnace or heat pump may require an upgrade to your home’s electrical panel. Although there are solar and geothermal heating systems available, they do require some electricity to power their fans. 2. Capacity It’s important to choose a heating and cooling system...
Heating and cooling expenses seem unavoidable. After all, it wouldn’t be beneficial to sit inside a home that was uncomfortable hot or cold. The summer and the winter bring extremes in temperature, and those extremes won’t stay outside. The cold air, in particular, will drive down temperatures in the home. While comfort and, presumably, safety increase when properly regulating temperatures, monthly expenses rise. Solving comfort and safety issues, however, could lead to woes about the household budget. Paying bills with credit cards often leads to debt for already cash-strapped homeowners. Or does it? A solution may exist in the form of zoned control systems. Thanks to zone control setups, a home may maintain a better-regulated temperature in a home. What are some issues of concern that might lead someone to go with zone control setups? Here is some information, just to get you started. What Homeowners Get with Zone Control Systems A family may live in a relatively sizeable home, one with many rooms. Not every room ends up occupied all the time, and some rooms may remain empty for weeks and weeks. For example, a spare bedroom might not have an occupant when a young person goes away to...
When fall comes, cold weather comes with it. That means you want to prepare your thermostat and your heating system to prepare for the impending cold. The thermostat is the item in your house that controls the temperature the HVAC system will attempt to heat the house too. Here are the 10 best thermostat practices for fall. 1. Insulate Your Home When air seeps out of your home, you will lose heat. That’s why you need to keep your home well-insulated. To do this, start by keeping your doors and windows shut. If your windows and doors are old, you may want to upgrade to efficiency windows and doors. The efficient windows and doors create a tighter seal to prevent air leakage. You may also want to install new insulation within your walls. This foam-like product helps prevent air from going through the walls. You can also install insulation within your ceiling. Having a well-insulated home will help your thermostat maintain your desired temperature settings better. 2. Purchase a Smart Thermostat A smart thermostat is an efficient device that allows you to preset your thermostat’s temperature to help you remain comfortable. You can set your smart thermostat to turn off...
Your HVAC system contains some of the biggest mechanical components in your residence. Its efforts to heat and cool your house can account for as much as 50% of your total energy usage each month. Keeping this system operating at peak efficiency will not only ensure that you are comfortable in your home, but it can also result in significant savings. The professional HVAC technicians from [company name] in Burbank have put together a list of signs that your HVAC components may be in need of an efficiency boost. These indicators include: An HVAC system that seems to be running more than usual Inconsistent temperatures throughout your home Unexpected increases in your utility bills Increased humidity in your residence If you are experiencing these or other comfort issues, then read on for five ideas on how you can improve your HVAC performance. Please also feel free to reach out to us. We’ve been assisting customers with professional and reliable HVAC evaluations, maintenance and installations since 2001. 1. Seal and Clean Your Ductwork The ducts and returns are the lifeblood of your HVAC system. They take hot or cold air from your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump and carry it...
An electrostatic air filter permanently replaces the traditional filter that must be changed every month in an HVAC unit or furnace. Not only is this type of filter economical, but it will also remove the dirt, debris and allergens from the indoor air. Instead of spending hard-earned money every month to purchase a new conventional filter, the electrostatic air filter is removed, taken outside, then washed using a hose. The idea is to save money without compromising the quality of the air. The best part is as long as the filter is taken care of properly, there should be no need to replace it. Electrostatic air filters offer numerous benefits, such as allergy relief and environmental friendliness. Contact for more information about electrostatic air filters. How Does an Electrostatic Air Filter Work? The principle behind this type of air filter is static electricity as opposed to traditional electricity. A negative charge is contained within the entire surface of the filter media. When air passes through the filter, the surface is enhanced. Extremely small particles, including mold, pollen and dust, are positively charged. This means the filter will attract them like a magnet. All of these particles are responsible for poor...
When you turn on the cooling system in your home, you expect it to do its job. An air conditioner, however, is going to show its age eventually. A well-working AC is a must in a city like Burbank, CA. While the summer weather average is in the high 80s, it can easily feel hotter since the city is situated in a valley. At , we know how important it is to keep the cooling system operating as close to 100% as possible. Here are five signs that your AC is deteriorating. 1. Hot Air Is Produced Instead of Cold A cooling unit is supposed to produce cold air. If it ever generates warm or hot air, this is a sign that something is wrong. An AC unit might produce hot air or no cold air because the compressor is no longer working properly. The refrigerant level could also be low. Regular maintenance ensures that the unit is free of debris, especially the air filter. A professional looks for leaks in and outside of the unit. He or she also looks for corrosion in the coil and on other parts. If you have been keeping up with regular maintenance and...
The World Health Organization is an agency of the United Nations that focuses on public health from an international perspective. The WHO is among the leading organizations that recognizes indoor air pollution as a major health concern for most countries. Since it’s more concentrated, indoor air pollution is often at higher levels than outdoor air pollution. This presents serious health risks not just in homes but daycare centers, schools, offices, public buildings, healthcare facilities and so forth. In order to aid residents and organizations improve the air in their indoor environments, the WHO has developed and maintains indoor air quality guidelines, which are currently presented across four publications. Four Sets of WHO IAQ Guidelines The core publication for the WHO guidelines is titled “WHO Air Quality Guidelines for Particulate Matter, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide.” It was originally published in 1987, and the WHO published a second edition in 2005. All guidelines are updated on an annual basis, and subsequent editions reflect major changes to the structure and other aspects of a guide. In 2009, the WHO published “Dampness and Mould,” which focuses specifically on microbes that are byproducts of mold, fungi and bacteria. In 2010, “Selected Pollutants” was...
