Can a Smart Thermostat Lower your Heating Bill?

March 11, 2020

Perhaps in your search for ways to reduce your heating bill you’ve come across people or websites recommending smart thermostats. While there is no doubt that smart thermostats can save you money, the question is really how much. Ordinary Thermostats and Smart Thermostats First of all, it is important to know how a thermostat works. This device turns the heating system on and off based on its reading of the indoor temperature. It can only indirectly cut down on energy costs by having the system turn on for a shorter period to heat at a lower temperature. The difference is that while ordinary thermostats require you to set the temperature according to your own lights, smart thermostats know more accurately what is energy-efficient at what time. In other words, even an ordinary thermostat can help you to save money; it just takes more effort on your part. Smart Thermostats and Heating Schedules The main draw with smart thermostats is that they can learn your heating preferences and lower the temperature during those times when it’s wise to do so — namely, when you’re asleep or outside of the home. With a smartphone app, you can turn the heat on before...

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Do Plants Help Indoor Air Quality?

February 11, 2020

According to a growing number of researchers and plant enthusiasts, the air inside can gradually improve if you create and maintain an indoor garden. Several plants will suffice because green foliage can remove a good amount of airborne pollutants. Although they won’t be as effective as air-purifying devices, you can still benefit from the results. Top Reason to Consider Plants can get the job done because their leaves are covered with stomata, which are similar to the pores on your skin. Because of these tiny openings, plants have excellent absorbing power. They take in not only gases and light but also a variety of volatile organic compounds. This is good news for you if you often handle plastics, smoke cigarettes or use cosmetics. Benzene and formaldehyde are toxic components in cigarette smoke, plastic containers, and makeup. By placing plants throughout your property, you can potentially prevent benzene and formaldehyde from building up in the indoor environment. Without such chemicals floating around, the air in your breathing space will be 10 times safer to inhale. Other Ways to Improve Air Quality It should be noted that plants alone often aren’t enough to totally refresh an indoor area. While they can certainly...

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5 Ways to Help Your Furnace Deal With Extremely Cold Weather

January 4, 2020

When it gets extremely cold out, your furnace needs your help to deal with the extra strain of heating your home. Here are five ways to manage an extreme weather event. 1. Clean or Change Your Filter A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder than it needs to. Your furnace needs all the help it can get when it’s bitterly cold out, so make sure the filter is clean. This will help keep your furnace from working overtime to heat your home. 2. Lower Your Thermostat Setting You should set the temperature 3–5 degrees lower than you normally do, and keep it there. With a lower temperature setting, the furnace won’t have to work as hard to heat your home. If you’re accustomed to turning down the temperature when you are away or asleep, stop this practice temporarily. Getting your home’s temperature back up again in these circumstances will be very difficult for your furnace. 3. Prepare Your Home Ahead of Time Before winter arrives, make sure your home’s doors and windows are sealed. Repair any cracks so that warm air stays in your home instead of leaking outside. 4. Keep the Vents Clear High-efficiency furnaces have exterior vents...

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What Causes Heating Repairs?

December 17, 2019

A furnace can run smoothly for years, and then a problem arises. Homeowners shouldn’t expect their heaters to act any differently from their cars. Anything mechanical requires service, eventually. Still, some may feel surprised when a furnace breaks down. While some work is unavoidable, preventive maintenance steps could keep costly troubles from occurring. So, what are the usual reasons for heating repairs? Not Caring for the System Taking an “If it is not broke, don’t fix it” attitude might lead to the furnace breaking. Allowing a heating system to run winter after winter without replacing parts and performing other routine maintenance means trouble. Failure to replace a part ahead of schedule might lead to more extensive damage. Parts are reliant on each other for effective system operation. If you want help with furnace repair and installation work in Burbank, is there to help. Not Changing the Filter Always refer to your user manual to know when to change the filter. Spot checking the filter to see if it is dirty or clogged makes sense, too. A dirty filter restricts airflow, which can lead to overheating. An overheated furnace could suffer a critical failure. And then there are other problems the...

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Are Heating Tune-Ups Necessary?

November 8, 2019

At , we offer affordable maintenance plans to keep your climate systems running at their best. In the autumn, our technicians will come to your home and give your furnace a careful inspection. We recognize that our customers are always looking to save money. The long-term benefits of an annual heating tune-up definitely outweigh the short-term savings of skipping this service. Higher Efficiency When we first install your system, everything is carefully calibrated to give you the most power and efficient heating possible. Over time, things will change. The low-level vibrations that happen when the system runs can make the settings less precise. The dust that accumulates over several months can make the system less responsive, so it has to work harder to pump warm air into your home. All of these factors can impact the unit’s efficiency. During an annual tune-up, our technicians will recalibrate, clean and lubricate the system. It will run to the best of its ability, saving you money on heating costs. Fewer Unexpected Repairs When our technicians look at your system, they can find small problems that could turn into larger issues. It is only natural that parts will wear out over time. When an...

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Ductwork 101

October 15, 2019

Ductwork is one of the most important components of an HVAC system. As the vessels through which warm and cold airflow, HVAC ducts keep each part of the home at the desired temperature. The integrity of the duct system directly impacts the overall performance of the heating and cooling equipment. Designing Ductwork Total renovations and newly constructed homes require ductwork. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America outlined industry best practices for design in its manual. The manual extensively details how to design and install ductwork for maximum balance and airflow. Although these specifications are clearly defined in trade literature, some technicians erroneously ignore the guidelines and design ductwork solely based on the home’s square footage. Ductwork Materials Ductwork must be made of approved permanent materials. Most ducts are fabricated from lightweight sheet metal, although fiberglass flexible ducts have recently been gaining popularity. Flexible ducts can be easily maneuvered to allow for soft turns, which minimizes restrictions to airflow. Another advantage is that fiberglass ducts are also insulated. This makes them suitable for unconditioned spaces as the insulation will allow little heat gain or loss. Best Location for Ductwork Uninhabited areas in the home, such as attics, basements, and crawl spaces,...

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How to Care for Your AC System

September 10, 2019

Performing a few simple tasks can safeguard your AC system from breakdown and inefficiency. Homeowners should take a proactive approach to their air conditioner’s maintenance and not rely solely on their local technician’s scheduled tune-up visit. A few easy actions can save you money on your electricity bill while adding years onto the lifespan of your AC. Let’s take a look at a list of three maintenance tips that we at recommend to our Burbank customers. 1. Cleaning or Changing the Air Filters Having your AC run on a clean air filter will guarantee that your indoor air quality is of the best possible. Pollutants that escape through a clogged air filter can be detrimental to the health of those living in your home. Also, a dirty AC air filter increases the chances of a breakdown for your unit. Next time your local technician performs a tune-up on your air conditioner, ask them to show you how to clean and change the air filter as needed. They will be more than eager to oblige. 2. Removing Debris From the External Unit Your AC system’s external unit is especially susceptible to debris from the environment. Leaves, branches, dirt and other rubbish...

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Find Out What’s Wrong With Your Thermostat

August 5, 2019

The thermostat is the electronic brain of your AC unit, telling it what the current temperature is so that it can turn on and off at the right times. An inaccurate thermostat can make it much more difficult for you to get the comfort you want from your air conditioner. If you believe your thermostat may be wrong, can help you to get it back on track fast. Understand the Complexities of Your Thermostat Your thermostat is a complex and sensitive electronic component. It reads temperature data from a sensor located near the unit’s evaporator coils. Air passing through the AC system’s return vents tells the sensor what temperature it is in your home. The temperature sensor on any AC will lose some sensitivity over time, but this is especially true of older models. Eventually, your unit may become inaccurate. This will cause all kinds of unpredictable behavior and might accelerate wear and tear on the air conditioner. Other internal problems can also cause the thermostat to fail. Diagnose the Issue With Your Thermostat Odd behavior from your air conditioning unit can indicate a problem with your thermostat. Your AC could be having difficulty reading the temperature if it turns...

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4 Benefits of Cleaning Your Air Ducts

June 10, 2019

Your home’s air ducts play a very important role in circulating air from your heating and cooling system into each room. Since the air that cycles through your air ducts is the same air you and your family breathe, you want that air to be as fresh and clean as possible. Any issues with your air ducts could cause your heating and cooling units to work harder, resulting in higher energy costs, too. Professional air duct cleaning refers to a process in which contaminants such as dirt and dust are removed. This will prevent these substances from recirculating throughout your home. As part of a periodic AC maintenance program, air duct cleaning comes with an array of benefits. Here are the top four reasons to have your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis. 1. Reduces Household Allergens Your air ducts may contain harmful contaminants like pet dander, dust, pollen, mildew, mold spores, and bacteria that could trigger allergies. Regular air duct cleaning relieves these allergy triggers, resulting in healthier living. 2. Improves Air Circulation Air ducts that are covered in accumulated dirt and grime could restrict the airflow of your HVAC system, resulting in increased energy costs and decreased...

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Saving Money With a Whole-Home Humidifier

May 21, 2019

A whole-home humidifier is often installed directly into your home’s central cooling and heating system. In contrast to a portable humidifier, a whole-home humidifier can humidify every single room in your house. Many people and research studies have conveyed the benefits of a portable humidifier, but how can a whole-home humidifier help you save money? Keep Warm Air Flowing in the Winter Months Once the weather starts to get cooler, our immediate reaction is to bump up the thermostat. In fact, the months with the highest usage of electricity are often in the winter and summer—for obvious reasons. Still, what if you didn’t have to raise the thermostat right away? What if you could save money on your winter heating bills by adding a whole-home humidifier? What many homeowners are realizing is that a whole-home humidifier actually makes the circulating air feel warmer. As a result, you can stop fidgeting with the thermostat. A certified HVAC specialist who can efficiently install a whole-home humidifier can help you save money on your energy costs. Prevent the Flu and Irritated Respiratory Systems Your health is your wealth. When you’re battling a tough cold, the only thing you can think of is getting...

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