Reduce, Reuse, Reprogram

Earth Day is April 22nd and we thought we’d give a friendly reminder on some simple things you can do in your own home to be more energy efficient:

• Don’t leave water running. That’s right, turn the faucet off while you’re brushing your teeth.
• Turn off lights and open the blinds to let in natural light.
• Recycle! Everything from pop cans to batteries to paper – it can all be recycled. You’ve probably made room in your garage after your spring cleaning. Save a space to collect those odds and ends and make a big trip to the recycling center.
• Reuse your plastic water bottles. (Think less dishes to wash).
• Reuse your plastic grocery bags - they make good trashcan liners, transporting things to the car, bringing home sweaty or wet clothes from the gym or pool, and trash bags for your car.
• Don’t purchase anything in styrofoam! Do you know how long it takes to biodegrade? 500 years! Let’s think cardboard!
• Set your air conditioning unit to 75 degrees, and  your  heating equipment between 66 and 68 degrees.
• Last, but not least, have a programmable thermostat installed in your home! The benefits include reduced energy costs, more comfort, and are environmentally because they are eco-friendly and do not contain any mercury.

With that being said, we’d like to offer you $20 off the installation of a programmable thermostat in celebration of Earth Day. Give us a call now, as this offer is only valid through April 22nd, 2011.

 Call and schedule your installation today!

Have you scheduled your spring Precision Tune-up yet?

Have you all been able to enjoy the beautiful sunshine the last few days? I sure hope so! Let’s hope that it is a preview of a warm, beautiful summer. Speaking of warm, when is the last time you had a precision tune-up on your heat pump or air conditioning unit? March is almost over and if we’re lucky that warm weather will be a regular part of our days very soon. Be sure to give us a call to set up an appointment for your precision tune-up today! This will help to avoid being too warm once these summer months are upon us. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

How to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing (light colors reflect away some of the sun’s energy) and plenty of sunscreen. Wear a hat or use an umbrella to help shield you from the sun.
• Carry water or juice and drink frequently, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Make sure to check on youth and elderly to make sure they have enough fluids.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
• Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do something physically demanding, try to do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. Take regular breaks to cool off.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Be vigilant about water safety if headed to a pool or beach. Never leave a child unattended near water and keep lifesaving gear handy.
• Watch for signs of life-threatening heat stroke. The person’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
• Signals of heat stroke include hot, red, and usually dry skin, changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing.
• If you or someone you know experience symptoms, call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim’s wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.
• Don’t forget to protect your pets.
• Limit exercise to the coolest part of the day, typically early in the morning. Even in the coolest part of the day, watch for signs of trouble. Glassy eyes and frantic panting indicate a dog needs help.
• Make sure your pet has constant access to shade and an endless supply of cool, clean water.
• Never leave a pet in a car – even for a few minutes.
• Be vigilant for signs of heat stroke, which is deadly for pets. Symptoms include sluggish and non-responsive demeanor, bright red and/or dry tongue and gums, vomiting or diarrhea and/or unusual breathing patter, heavy panting, or high heart rate.  If your pet displays these symptoms, get emergency medical attention.

Coming up later this week… Air Conditioning and whether it is right for you.

So here’s what you have to do:

1. Detach the dryer vent from the dryer
2. Use an electric leaf blower or a shop vac set in reverse to blow through the tubing.  All of the gunk that is in there will come out of your house on the other side.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Do NOT use a gas leaf blower inside your home because the fumes are toxic and can cause some serious health risks, even death
3. Check the vent outside of your house and clear out all of the remaining debris

Another thing to take a look at is how close the vent is to your heat pump or air conditioner.  Often they are installed close together and lint from the dryer vent gets in the coils of your outdoor unit.  You will want to examine the unit to see if there is any buildup.  If you find any lint, have a reputable HVAC company do a professional tune up and cleaning on the system to ensure that there is no damage to the unit.  They will also be able to talk with you about ways to prevent the lint from collecting on the coils (in fact, my technician said he recommends a solution involving pantyhose).  If you want more information or to schedule a cleaning for your unit call me, Angie, at 253-630-9224.

If I haven’t convinced you yet to take a look at your dryer vent,  check out this news story about a family in Kent who suffered a tragic fire because of a clogged dryer vent.   Please don’t let this happen to you!  http://www.kirotv.com/video/9914544/

Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new energy-efficient equipment is guaranteed to save you money on your utility bills.  However, you need to make sure that the company that is installing your new equipment is doing it properly.  Improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30%!  Make sure you ask the following questions before committing to a company:

• How did you size the equipment for my home?  If the system is too big or too small, it will work harder than it should and shorten the length of its life.  You want to make sure that a heat loss calculation has been performed on the house by your contractor to determine exactly what the right size of equipment is for you.
• Do I have any leaks in the duct system?  The contractor should evaluate the duct system to identify leaks and then seal them.
• How do you ensure a proper refrigerant charge?  If your cooling system has an improper refrigerant charge, it can cause failure of components, which results in costly repairs.
• Do you have a Quality Installation Checklist?  A contractor that has a checklist to ensure that the installers are doing the install correctly is definitely a company you should look for.

Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR:  Rebates and Tax Credits

Source: www.energystar.gov

1. Make a list of each room and what needs to be done in it.  You will feel great checking things off as you go along.
2. Add to your list anything that might not reside in a specific room—changing your furnace filter, sweeping your porch, changing the batteries in your smoke alarms, etc.
3. Make sure you have all your cleaning supplies on hand.  There is nothing worse than starting a project and then having to run to the store for something you forgot!
4. Listen to upbeat music as you clean.  You’ll go faster and can dance along as you’re scrubbing.  Trust us, it makes it much more fun.
5. Tackle one room at a time and work first on the room that will make you feel the best once it’s done.  Work from top to bottom in each room to ensure maximum cleanliness.

We hoped this helped get you jump started on your spring cleaning.   In a few weeks, we’ll also share some simple homemade cleaners you can make to replace the toxic ones you have in your cupboards.

If you have tried all of the other steps shown in our previous posts and you still continue to experience problems, or if your heating or cooling system is over 10 years old or not working, you might want to consider replacing your equipment with a high-efficiency unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR.  Here are some facts to help you in your decision making.

Furnaces

Furnaces are the most commonly used heating system in the United States.  Those that have earned the ENERGY STAR have a higher AFUE rating, which is the measure of the efficiency.  Most furnaces that can qualify for the ENERGY STAR will be the condensing furnaces where the transfer of heat is so thorough that water or condensate is a byproduct of combustion.  Systems that are over 90% efficient have earned this distinction.

Central Air Conditioners

Most residential central air conditioners are called split-systems because they have an outdoor component and an indoor component.  It’s very important to replace both of these units at the same time to maximize efficiency and prevent premature failure of the system.  ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners have a higher SEER rating, which is the measurement of efficiency.

Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps provide both heating and cooling in one integrated system.  They use the difference between the oudoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat.  ENERGY STAR qualified heat pumps have higher SEER ratings than conventional models.  They also have a higher Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), which measures the heating efficiency of the heat pump.

Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR: Working With A Heating & Cooling Contractor

Source: www.energystar.gov

Right now, we are offering $188 of Services for only $93!  If you call and schedule by February 28, 2010, you will get:

• 23 Point Precision Tune Up that will fully clean, adjust, and reset your system to factory specs
• Complete Carbon Monoxide Test
• Free High Efficient Air Filter
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed—if you don’t think you’ve gotten an excellent value, you don’t pay us!

Call us at 253-630-9224 today to schedule your Precision Tune Up for only $93.  However, make sure you call us before February 28,  2010 or our offer will have expired.

P.S.  Don’t just take our word for it that you need annual Precision Tune Ups.  Your utility company, The Center for Disease Control, and all heating & cooling manufacturers will also tell you how important it is.

Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system inefficiencies and failures, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Performing routine maintenance is key to ensuring that your heating or cooling system runs efficiently at a lower cost to you, as well as extending the life of the unit.

We agree with the EPA and strongly recommend changing your filter on a regular basis, approximately every 2 months.  We also agree that having a trained technician perform maintenance on your heating system once a year and cooling system once a year is also crucial to the health and efficiency of your units.

The EPA recommends the following checklist for the overall system maintenance.  At AAA Heating & Air Conditioning, we do all of this and more:

• Check thermostat settings
• Tighten all electrical connectiosn and measure voltage and current on motors
• Lubricate moving parts
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioniner, furnace, and/or heat pump
• Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation
• Inspect, clean, or change the air filter
• Inspect the flue piping
• Check all gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and heat exchanger
• Clean indoor and outdoor coils
• Check refrigerant charges and adjust as necessary
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow

Give us a call at 253-630-9224 if you want more information on the importance of maintaining your system or to schedule an appointment with one of our specially trained technicians.

Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR: Sealing Duct Work

Source: www.energystar.gov