Energy Efficient HVAC Tips for Summer

Summer Energy Efficient HVAC Tips

Being cool is the number one priority for most of us during the intense summer heat. HVAC systems work overtime to remove the heat and make our homes comfortable and safe.

Cool summertime temperatures come with a cost. Homeowners see spikes in utility bills and must question their choices and consider energy-efficient alternatives. Here are some solutions to reduce your energy consumption during the summer.

Important Facts About Energy Efficient HVAC

Do you know what percentage of your utility bills come from your HVAC system? Let us take a quick look at some facts to help you better understand your HVAC system efficiency.

In the Texas Gulf Coast, over 95% of homes use some type of cooling system. In the U.S., 12% of the total energy consumption is from air conditioning systems. In Southeast Texas, that number is over 30%. Reducing the amount you use your air conditioning system is the easiest way to reduce your energy usage, but the cost is not worth it. Yes, your bill is lower, but often your comfort level is also below what is acceptable.

Energy Efficient HVAC System Upgrades

Older HVAC units are not as energy-efficient as newer and more modern options. Newer air conditioners are required by the Department of Energy to meet certain energy efficiency standards. Over time your HVAC system will lose efficiency. The older your unit is, the harder it has to work to reach the same comfort levels that you are used to.

Redesign Your Energy Efficient HVAC System in Your Home

Air conditioning systems work to cool your home. Rarely does each area of your home stays the same temperature or have the same cooling requirements. Zoning HVAC systems create comfort levels designed exactly like what you need and want. Zoning thermostats can redirect airflow to specific areas of your home as needed. This keeps the temperature consistent, between floors and rooms to provide the cooling and heating level you desire.

A zoned Energy Efficient HVAC system provides comfort and precision, and it helps you use less energy. Zoned HVAC systems can reduce airflow to unused rooms so energy is not wasted cooling/heating areas where nobody will be using it. When you pair your zoned HVAC system with a zoning thermostat, you can see additional savings that can further reduce your utility bills.

Looking for a more Energy Efficient HVAC system?

If you are sick of paying high utility bills and looking for an energy efficient HVAC system, call us at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

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August 4, 2019February 17, 2020

Are Your Air Conditioning Ducts Costing You Money?

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If you have noticed a whistling sound coming from your home, that could be your hard-earned money escaping through leaks in your air ducts. One utility company stated that between 25 and 30 percent of heating and cooling loss in an average home is the result of faulty ductwork. Your utility bills could be far less than what they are if you have a Katy air conditioning repair technician come to your home or office for a quick inspection.
Even the very finest, most energy-efficient furnace or air conditioner will not save you money if your ductwork needs sealing to transport the air to its intended destination. In fact, as more air is lost, your Katy HVAC system works harder to heat or cool your home to your desired setting. Your ducts are leaking cash every time you start your HVAC system.

How to Tell if Your Ducts are Leaking

If you have leaking ductwork, you probably already suspect it. If you notice any of the following telltale symptoms of leaking air ducts, call a Katy air conditioning service professional immediately.

– A dusty discharge of dirty air from your air vents after your turn on the A/C or heat is a sure sign that there is a problem. That dust was sucked into the system through the same gaps that allow treated air to escape. In this case, you are not just losing money, you are polluting the air in your home or office building.
– If one or more of the rooms in your home seems to be harder to heat or cool, your ducts could possibly not be working correctly. Their job is to evenly transport the warm or cool air to all your rooms. Some rooms might always seem stuffy and uncomfortable. A cold or hot spot is an indication that there is a problem.
– A sudden spike or an uncommonly high energy bill in the summer and winter are another symptom of leaking ducts. Your HVAC system is working harder to distribute the treated air evenly.
– If you have older air ducts in the garage, crawlspace or attic, they might be tangled or kinked. It is possible that air cannot move through them because they are blocked. Just like all of the other equipment in a building, your ducts wear down and break as they age.

A Katy A/C repair technician will check your air ducts for leaks. If any leaks are discovered, your ducks can be sealed. Leaks are usually found where the ducts meet the vents and registers on the walls, ceiling and floors. Frequently, the ductwork is not damaged. In some cases, the ductwork was not properly connected when it was installed.

A professional can access your ducts without causing any harm to the surrounding areas. A thorough search will reveal the location of any leaks. After the leaks have been sealed, your system can be checked with a special fan used by many HVAC technicians. This will make certain that the leaks have been completely closed and your system is working correctly.

Your home will be far more comfortable and energy efficient if your duct system is completely sealed. The best way to handle leaking ducts is to call All Cool A/C & Heating at 281-238-9292. We will find any leaks, repair them and test the system for you. We can also give your HVAC system a seasonal checkup to make sure it is ready to keep your building comfortable. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way when it comes to your HVAC. Keep your HVAC system in top shape, and it will keep your home comfortable for many years.

August 20, 2015February 17, 2020

Do Smart Thermostats Save You Money?

Homeowners in the Houston area are always looking to save money on their heating and cooling bills. Lately, smart thermostats have become very popular because they promise savings by automating home temperature settings. They are available from local companies that perform A/C repair in Sugar Land and throughout the metro area. Professionals can help you select the right smart thermostat for your home and lifestyle.

Naturally, every company that manufactures smart thermostats claims that their product will save you money, but are the savings worth the investment? Several companies have conducted studies on just how much smart thermostats can affect your monthly budget for heating and air conditioning. Nest Labs claims that their research proves that you can save as much as 12 percent, which equals about $145 per year. That would make it easy to recoup the initial expense of hiring a Sugar Land air conditioning repair specialist to install the unit. In most cases, the thermostat would pay for itself in about two years.

However, it is possible that your savings could be significantly more or less than 12 percent because these studies are based on data from surveys. Here are some factors that will determine how much you could save.

– The cost of utilities in your area is important. In most cases, the rates increase every year.
– Your rate of energy consumption will affect savings. If you adjust your thermostat manually when you go to work or at nighttime, your savings will not be as high as if you leave the thermostat setting constant.
– Fluctuations in the severity of the weather from one year to the next can make a big difference. If you have the hottest summer on record, your cooling costs will be higher than usual.
– People in more temperate climates will experience lower savings than those in regions with very hot summers and extremely cold winters.
– Your home also plays a role. If you have good insulation, change your filter regularly and keep your HVAC system in good running order, your savings will be lower. Almost every home could benefit from a regular tune up or A/C repair in Katy and the entire Houston area. Larger homes cost more to heat or cool than smaller ones. That makes the potential for savings proportionately higher.

Most people set their thermostats once in the fall and spring and never change them. Other folks use daily “setbacks.” Smart thermostats make those changes for you. Some smart systems actually monitor motion within a room and turn the heat or air conditioning on only when there is someone in the area. When your system is not running, it is not costing you money. The rule of thumb is that setbacks, whether automated or not, will save you money on your HVAC bills. In some areas, the local utility company will contribute to an upgrade to your thermostat.

Is a smart thermostat really worth the cost? As you can see, there are so many variables that it is hard to make a definitive statement one way or the other. Some homeowners may recoup their expenses in a single year. Other people may not see that return for more than two years.

Savings are not the only consideration. Smart thermostats are very convenient. They never forget to adjust the temperature when you go to work. They are easy to set up and provide extra features, such as alerts and outdoor temperature readings.

It seems obvious that smart thermostats are worth the investment. This is especially true if you remain in your home for many years. Another nice thing is that you can have them uninstalled from your current home and reinstalled in a new home if you decide to relocate. You can take the savings with you.