News
More Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint (And Save Money)
February 2, 2012
Looking for even more ways to help our environment while keeping more green in your wallet? Here are more simple ways to reduce your energy bill for a brighter tomorrow:
- Use a ceiling fan. They might seem old-fashioned, but using a ceiling fan to complement your air conditioning can be a great way to stay cool in our muggy Indiana summers. It lets you keep your thermostat set just a little higher, meaning big rewards on your electricity bill.
- Motion detector light switches. It can be tough getting kids to remember to turn the lights off. So make it easy on them with motion activated light switches. The lights will only turn on if there’s someone moving in the room, so when the room’s empty, the lights are off.
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFLs last 6-10 times longer than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, and use less energy. Switching your house to CFLs can save you $40-$60/year or more.
- Outlet insulators. Who would have thought air could enter through your outlet covers? It’s true! Use a simple outlet insulator to keep cold air from sneaking in.
- Low flow shower heads. Using a low flow shower head can save on your water bill and your hot water heating bill. Don’t worry, most people can’t even tell the difference between regular shower heads and the low flow models.
Don’t feel the need to implement all of these changes all at once. Take your time, take it slow, and you’ll be amazed in the difference it can make to your heating bill and how you interact with the environment. If we can help you implement any of the HVAC-related changes, give us a call today!
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint (And Save Money)
January 31, 2012
It’s always great to do something good for the environment. It’s even better if you can do something good for your wallet at the same time. If you’ve ever looked for easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills, read on:
- Upgrade old appliances. Dishwashers, ovens, water heaters, furnaces, boilers and most any other household appliance you can name all run up energy costs if they aren’t upgraded. Appliances are getting more and more energy efficient all the time. If your appliances are more than 10+ years old, you may be able to save money in the long run by upgrading.
- Fix refrigerant leaks. Refrigerant is expensive, and when it leaks, it can cause huge harm to the environment. Additionally, if moisture reacts with the refrigerant, it can cause damage to your compressor and other parts of your air conditioner. If you notice any refrigerant leaks, get them fixed right away!
- Seal your home. Up to 30% of your heating bill can be attributed to tiny leaks and drafts that leave your home chilly no matter how high you crank the heat. Use caulk or insulation to fill small gaps and cracks in your windows, walls or floor. You may also want to consider having a home energy audit to determine the most cost-effective ways to reduce your footprint.
- Seal outside ducts. If you have ducts in your garage, attic, basement or crawlspace, they may be subject to extreme temperature variations. Seal and insulate your ducts for a more constant, consistent temperature.
Stay tuned for more easy ways to help the environment and lower your home energy bills!
Why Humidifiers Are Good for Your House
January 26, 2012
Humidifiers aren’t just a way to keep yourself and your family healthy and comfortable: they can also help to protect your home and your valued belongings. How? Moisture is the enemy of wood. Too much moisture and it rots; too little and wood c0ntracts, causing cracks and warping. This can lead to bowed wooden floors, cracks in antique wooden furniture or wooden architectural details. If you have valuable musical instruments, too much or too little moisture can warp strings or cause significant damage. And it isn’t just wood you have to worry about. Moisture can cause wallpaper to curl and unstick from the wall and paint to flake. It all adds up to bad news for the things you love.
And it isn’t just moisture you have to worry about: dry air can cause just as many problems as wet air. Dry air causes static electricity to build up, which causes those shocks you sometimes feel when touching a piece of metal. But those shocks are actually tiny sparks of electricity, and it can cause major problems when they’re combined with a piece of electronic equipment. A shock at the wrong time in the wrong place can lead to a damaged piece of equipment.
So how can you protect the things that mean most to you? Use a humidifier to keep your home’s humidity at 30-50%. This is the range for maximum comfort, while limiting mold growth and damaging dryness. At York’s Quality Air, we’re always happy to help you choose the humidifier that’s right for you and your family. Or, stay tuned to our blog for your chance to win a free humidifier! Details coming soon.
How to Choose an HVAC Preventative Maintenance Plan
January 25, 2012
Precision tune-up and cleaning on your home HVAC system is key to keeping your system running smoothly and efficiently. One of the best ways to make sure you’re staying on top of preventative maintenance is to use a service plan. When you work with York’s Quality Air, we call these arrangements Preferred Customer Agreements, and they go far beyond simple cleaning and maintenance. Our agreements include an inspection of your heating system in the fall and an inspection of your cooling system in the spring, with any additional work needed is performed at a discounted rate.
Whether you choose a Preferred Customer Agreement with us or someone else, here are a few things you should always make sure are included in any maintenance agreement:
- Cleaning of furnace blower motor
- Cleaning or replacement of furnace filters
- Examination of blower bearings, sheaves and belts
- Lubrication of all bearings and motors
- Check refrigerant filter, driers and valves for problems
- Verify the system operating pressures and temperatures
- Check airflow
- Tighten all electrical connections
- Check and clean heat exchanger
- Check gas valve and adjust as needed
- Clean the flame sensor and verify proper operation of all safety controls
Before entering a service agreement, make sure you’re going to get the kind of attention and quality you deserve. For more information about how we can help, call us at 1-800-AIR REPAIR.
How Maintaining Your HVAC System Can Save You Money
January 16, 2012
Most of the time, your furnace and air conditioner just work. They’re always there, humming along quietly in the background. You never notice them until something goes wrong. But paying a little attention to your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner now can save you money every month.
Over time, your HVAC system starts to slow down. It doesn’t run as efficiently anymore. Maybe it’s because the filter hasn’t been changed, or there’s some small mechanical problem with a quick fix. Whatever the reason, a licensed HVAC tech can identify the problem and fix it in a jiffy. You’ll be able to benefit from lower heating and cooling bills.
Besides being great for your wallet, regular maintenance can help to catch small issues before they become large issues and prevent a total system failure.
Typically, we recommend that you have maintenance performed on your heating and cooling system twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring. This ensures that before your system starts working overtime in the heat of an Indiana summer or the cold of an Indiana winter that everything’s in ship-shape. We can even make it easy for you to remember and stay on track with one of our easy maintenance plans. We’ll make sure your furnace or air conditioner is always in the best condition. Call 1-800-AIR-REPAIR to find out more!
