Archive for the ‘Go Green’ category

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Outdated Duct Work

October 10th, 2011

So you are purchasing a new HVAC system for your home, and you have already found the perfect furnace and air conditioner to replace your old outdated units. You have the systems installed, but once you really start using them, you don’t notice much of a difference between the way the old units worked and the way the new systems work. Sure the energy bills are a little bit lower, but did you really get the return on the investment that you were expecting? If not, the problem may not be with your new systems. The problem is probably located in the most commonly neglected portion of the HVAC system: the duct work.

Assessing the Ducts

            The duct work is more important most homeowners think. Sure, the ducts may not have any fancy gadgets, but their ability to transport air effectively is crucial to the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. If the air they are conditioning cannot get to the target rooms effectively, you will pay more every month for wasted energy that could have been saved by simply caring for this part of the system. The first step towards getting your ducts working the best that they can is to have them inspected by a professional. A true pro can give you an honest assessment of your ducts, and if they can be salvaged, the repair job is simple. If some parts need to be replaced, it may take a bit more effort, but it is necessary to complete so you can get the most out of your new heating and cooling units. » Read more: Outdated Duct Work

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Posted in Duct Cleaning, Furnace, Go Green, Home Services, Insulation, Money Saving

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Quick Tips to Save Energy

September 28th, 2011

With the rising cost of energy, it is very important and practical to conserve electricity as much as we can. Conserving energy not only helps us lower our electric bills, but it also helps protect our natural resources as well. There are a lot of ways to conserve energy. Most of them are so simple, even your kids can do it. Here are just a few to get you started:

5 Tips to Start Saving Energy

1. Turn off the lights when leaving a room at night. Electrical lights consume a large amount of energy especially if you are using incandescent lights which are energy inefficient kind of lights. Make it a habit to turn the lights off and see how much you could save on your electricity bills.

2. Unplug your appliances when you’re not using them. Appliances that are plugged still consume energy even if they are turned off so to avoid this from happening, unplug everything that is not in use. » Read more: Quick Tips to Save Energy

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Posted in Go Green, Information, Money Saving

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Outrageous Electric Bills!

August 15th, 2011

The heat wave is over but some people are still hot under the collar. Why? They just got the electric bills. More than one couple is sitting there drinking their morning coffee and blaming each other for the outrageous electric bill that just came in the mail. In most cases it wasn’t because they had their thermostat set too low it’s because they have problems with the efficiency of their air conditioner or their home isn’t insulated correctly.

How Much are You Wasting?

These two simple problems that no one seems to see until we get extremes in weather will causes high electric bills and homes that are uncomfortable in the late afternoon. This wake-up call shouldn’t be ignored. If your air conditioner is using that much electricity in extreme weather, how much is it wasting in moderate weather? » Read more: Outrageous Electric Bills!

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Go Green, Home Improvements, Home Repairs, Insulation, Money Saving

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High Efficiency Air Conditioners Offer Worthwhile Savings

July 27th, 2011

I was surprised the other day by how many of the highest efficiency air conditioners HVAC contractors are keeping in stock. Usually they seem to stock a few of each size and model, and more often than not, many companies will carry lower efficiency units in bulk. This is due to the fact that, in the past, many homeowners would only want to purchase the bare minimum in energy efficiency. They didn’t care about long term savings, and the initial out of pocket cost was more important than the potential for future savings.

Going Green Despite the Economy

Today, things are different. I was surprised to find out that more customers are “going green” than in years past. I know the economy isn’t healthy, so why would people want to spend extra to go green? I guess the answer has to be the rising cost of utility bills. Utility costs are driving the high efficiency air conditioner and furnace market to an all time record high. » Read more: High Efficiency Air Conditioners Offer Worthwhile Savings

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Go Green, Money Saving, Value

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What’s All this Talk about SEER Ratings?

July 18th, 2011

SEER ratings seem to be the deciding factor these days when it comes to replacing the air conditioning system, but few actually understand the concept of this energy efficiency rating system. So, I’ve been surfing the web to see what everyone was saying about SEER ratings, and I found that most people are talking a lot about the differences between a 10 SEER and 13 SEER air conditioners. What they don’t explain, at least to my satisfaction is what that means as far as how much you will save per year in the Chicagoland area.

Calculating Watts Per Hour

First off, a 10 SEER air conditioner gives you 10 BTU’s of cooling per watt hour of electricity. 13 SEER air conditioners would give you 13 BTU’s per watt hour. What does that mean? Basically, if you have a 3 ton air conditioner rated at 36,000BTU, it is assumed that at a 10 SEER this unit will use 3,600 watts in an hour. This would mean that a 13 SEER AC at 36,000 BTU would use about 2,770 watts in an hour. That would equal 830 watts of electricity you are saving per hour of run time. Its all a bit technical, but the difference between the watts use per hour between each unit determines how much you could save. » Read more: What’s All this Talk about SEER Ratings?

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Go Green, Money Saving

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Window Air Conditioner Waste

June 20th, 2011

Choosing a window air conditioning unit over a central air conditioning system can in some cases be a much more energy efficient option. However, many people do not use these systems properly and actually end up wasting loads of the energy they were hoping to save through the purchase of the window air conditioning system. Saving energy is easy, and knowing where to locate the energy loss is the first step. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while setting up your window air conditioner this summer season:

  • Seal Around the System: Cracks around the window in between the air conditioning and the frame can allow large amounts of cold air to be lost to the outdoors. Sealing these gaps with insulation will increase your comfort and your energy efficiency.
  • Change Filters: Many window air conditioning systems have air filters that need to be changed regularly. Not changing the filter will decrease air flow, decrease efficiency, and decrease your comfort. It could even lead to a system breakdown if the problem is left unchecked. » Read more: Window Air Conditioner Waste

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Go Green, Maintenace, Money Saving

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Sun Powered Air Conditioners

May 30th, 2011

Are you still making excuses not to “go green” in your home? Of all the complaints we have heard about going green, cost has got to be number one on that list. However, we think that in the case of sun powered air conditioners, the money you will save defiantly outweighs the cost of installation. Grid tied sun powered air conditioners are more affordable than ever, and installing one this summer will cut a huge chunk of your electricity costs for years and years to come.

Saving Money by Going Solar

Building a solar powered system in your home is best done in pieces. Adding a couple panels at a time will help spread out the cost of insulation, and the first appliance you should hook up to the panels is your air conditioner. Of your home’s entire energy consumption, the air conditioner usually eats up about 12 to 17% of the energy you pay for. That percentage translates into a lot of money just for a little relief from the summer heat, but you can cut that cost by having the sun generate energy for your air conditioner. » Read more: Sun Powered Air Conditioners

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Go Green, Home Improvements

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Energy Conscious Water Heating

March 31st, 2011

When it comes to energy conscious home improvements, picking an effective place to spend your money is often the most difficult decision. Not all of us have money to blow on improvements that aren’t really going to make our home more energy efficient, so it is important to take a moment to look at your options. The HVAC system is always a good place to invest a little money in the replacement of outdated systems, but there is one other unit in the home that consumes tons of energy all year round. It is your hot water tank, and odds are you haven’t replaced yours in ages.

The hot water tank consumes between 14 and 25% of the energy in your home, so replacing this system will a new high efficiency unit could save you tons on your energy bills and decrease your home’s carbon footprint. However, you shouldn’t just run out and buy the first tank you see, keep the following tips in mind while you shop, and you are sure to find the perfect hot water tank for your home and your needs. » Read more: Energy Conscious Water Heating

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Posted in Go Green, Home Improvements, Hot Water Tank

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Start the Spring Off Right!

March 1st, 2011

Spring signifies a new beginning for everything around us. The trees and flowers begin to bud, and we will soon start the yearly ritual of cleaning the home top to bottom. However, spring cleaning isn’t just a time to rid your home of dust bunnies. It is also a chance to improve your home’s carbon footprint! There are several ways that you can do this and some cost more than others. But, there isn’t a better time to start making some of these improvements in your home, and it all starts with the HVAC system.

  • Change the Thermostat: If your home still relies on an old dial thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home, you could be wasting energy. Those old thermostats are incredibly inaccurate when it comes to temperature control, and yours could be off by 3 to 5 degrees in either direction. That means that the home has been overheating all winter and will over cool all summer. » Read more: Start the Spring Off Right!

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Duct Cleaning, Go Green, Money Saving

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Potted Protectors: Using Plants to Improve Air Quality

February 7th, 2011

When it comes to improving the air quality in your home, you have several choices. Air purifiers, furnace filters, UV lights, and air cleaners are all popular products that homeowners have been using for years to clean the air in their homes, but there is one option that you may not have considered. This “air cleaner” doesn’t get plugged in and you may even already have a few of them in your home. They are plants! Living plants have the ability to absorb and make use of the harmful contaminants in your air supply, and as a result, they clean the air in your home.

Common Contaminants

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen during their food making process. During a study performed by NASA, it was found that plants also absorb:

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Posted in Air Purifier, Air Quality, Go Green, Home Improvements, Information

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