HOW TO LOWER YOUR HEATING BILLS

Its Winter in Michigan.  Time to change and replace your furnace filter:

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HERE ARE SOME GREAT FURNACE NAME BRANDS:

 

GOODMAN

CARRIER

LENNOX

TRANE

AMERICAN STANDARD

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If you are really looking to lower your electric bills this Winter, here are some very useful hints:

1.  Change out your Thermostat to a NEST thermostat.    Believe it or not, most people leave the house at one temperature and forget to change it.  The Nest Learning Thermostat will learn your schedule, program itself and can be contrrolled from you smart phone.  The Nest Thermostat can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%.  The Nest Thermostat provides you with a detailed reading of your energy usage.  If you don't know how much you are using, you really don't know how much you can save.


If you just turn down your thermostat by 2 degrees, you will save around $180 dollars per year.

call: 248-435-2425 for pricing and installation

2. Change your furnace air filter:  Your furnace air filter is very similar to the air filter in your vehicle or to the filter in your vacume cleaner.  By replacing the filter, you will increase the air flow to the furnace.  By doing this simple act, you will increase the life of your furnace.  Change the furnace filter every two months (this will increase its efficiency by 50%).

3. Replace your Humidifier filter.  This will clean up the air, add moisture, eleminate static pressure, and help cut down on your dusting.  Most of the homes in Michigan are equipted with a humidifier.  You should replace the filter at least once every year.

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4. Simple trick number 4.  Make sure that your dishwasher is full before you turn it on.  Research has proven that they are more energy and water efficient when they are full.

 

5. Try insulating your water tank.  Or, how about a going down to HomeDepot or Lowes and buying a Water Heater Blanket.

 

6. Clean the condenser coil on your refrigerator.  This will improve its efficiency.

 

7. Do laundry before 7:00am and after 10:00pm.  This simple act can reduce your energy requirements and costs.  It is a known fact that some provinces raise your electric rates in the daytime (prime time).  Also, don't forget to dry two or more loads of laundry in a row to take advantage of an already a warm dryer.  Don't forget to clean the lint filter!!!!!!!!! A clogged lint filter can increase energy use by up to 30%.

8. Weatherproof your home.  Caulking and insulation!!!! Pull out your caulking gun and seal up those tine cracks and crevices around your window panes and doors.  Try the candle test near your windows.  If the flame blows out; you have a leak!!!
A Gap or crack around the window or door is equivalent of a 3 foot by 3 foot hole in the wall.  Caulking and weather-stripping will seal off these leaks.

 

* use putty to seal gaps around loose window panes.

* cover bare floors with padded rugs.

9.  Unplug home electronics!! Turn off your computer when you are not using it.  Do you have an extra refrigerator in the basement or in the garage?  If you are really not using them; unglug them.  It will save you around $10 dollars every month.

10. Replace your old light bulbs with incandescent bulbs.  They give off 90% of their energy as HEAT.

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Now, if you are looking to really lower your bills this WINTER, consider:

1. Taking a hot shower instead of taking a hot bath.  A typical shower uses about 1.4kWh.  A hot bath uses 5kWh.

2. Compact fluorescent lights use 75% less energy and conventional incandescent light bulbs.

3. Unplug things; unplug chargers. Unplug PDA; digital cameras; cordless tools.

4.  Use power strips to switch off televisions and stereos when not using them.  Their standby comsumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.

5.  Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Turn off your lights.  Remember to flick the switch when you leave a room.












































 

GETTING READY FOR WINTER 2015

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GETTING READY FOR THE WINTER SEASON

 

5 Tips to keep your energy bills down and your house cool.

 

 

Go to your thermostat and check and change the batteries:  (if your batteries are bad your Air conditioner will not work)  The thermostat is typically located on a wall in a hallway at eye level.

 

 

 

 

After checking the thermostat, make sure to turn it to cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wash the outside coils of your AC unit. (Get a hose and spray down outside unit top to bottom.  No need to use any chemicals, simply use the water from your hose.)

 

 

Pull and remove all grass and bushes within twelve inches of your AC unit.
 

 

 

Call Aireserv of Southeast Michigan at: 248-435-2425

 

 

 

Now to keep the rest of your house nice and cold:

 

 

1. Shut all shades!  (solar shades are a great option.)

2. Keep all doors and windows shut during the day.

3. Avoid using applicances such as; the dishwasher; ovens; washer and dryers during the hottest part of the day.  These applicances can heat up your house. 

4. Use ceiling fans.

5. If your house has an old AC unit, consider replacing the unit for a more high-efficiency unit with a higher SEER rating.  (Seer rating is like MPG for your car.  If your car only gets 15 miles per gallon, consider buying a car that gets better gas mileage.)

6. Keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees or higher if your are using a ceiling fan.


7. Close South and West facing curtains during the day (or any windows that are directly facing the sun).


8. Do not use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder which will result in higher bills.

 

9. Install tightly woven screens or bamboo shades outside the window during the summer.  This will stop 60% to 80% of the sun's heat from getting to the actual window.

10. Clean your AC filter/ change it every month.

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASK THE HVAC EXPERT

Heating & Air Conditioning Repair vs. Replacement:

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Your air conditioning and heating system can be one of the most expensive purchases you make in your home. There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not you should repair an old unit or replace it, such as the age of the unit, overall investment costs, from initial purchase price to long term operating costs, and utility rates. To help determine whether or not you should keep your existing system, we've created an interactive Repair vs. Replacement Calculator.

 

 

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Simply fill in the text field below with a number, and click your "tab" key. More text and text fields will appear. Whenever you see the "tab" note, click your tab key to continue the calculation.

What is the Cost of Keeping Your Existing System?

Some homeowners may feel "if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it." Here are some often-overlooked considerations. Sometimes you put multiple repairs into a system that is on its last legs. As of January 2006, new air conditioner efficiency standards came into effect. Most systems installed before this date cost up to 20% or more to operate than today’s base efficiency models.

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AIRSERV OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

 

 

Air Quality

Air Cleaning Systems

As homes become more energy-efficient, they are also becoming more susceptible to indoor air pollutants, due to the limited exchange of indoor air and fresh outdoor air. Failure to eliminate indoor air pollutants can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation, as well as aggravation of asthma and allergy conditions.

 

Frequent vacuuming and dusting can help to keep your indoor air clean, but the smallest particles that cause the most irritation can only be removed with filtering devices. Aire Serv can identify the important issues and provide a solution tailored to your specific need.

 

 

Air Filters

Air filters have evolved from keeping the furnace clean to a way that removes dust particles from the air we breathe.

Air Purifiers

Air purification systems can be stand-alone items or paired up with air filtration units to address three distinct types of pollutants in the home – dust particles, microbes and toxic chemicals.

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System Enhancements

Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced from incomplete combustion of fossil fuel appliances, including gas furnaces, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and even automobiles. It is deadly in high concentrations. Carbon monoxide detectors give an alarm when the gas is detected, allowing you to leave the building or ventilate the area.

 

AIRESERV.COM

Smoke Detectors – When a home is on fire, you have only minutes – if not seconds – to get your family out safely. Smoke inhalation is a major cause of death in house fires. Smoke detectors detect smoke in the air and sound an alarm. Some may also have flashing lights.

Humidifiers – Do you have a dry throat, dry nose, or static electricity? Installing a humidifier on your heating and cooling system is the best way to avoid the dryness that normally occurs while your heating system is operating.


Humidistat – A humidistat is a controller for a humidifier which turns the unit on and off to maintain desired humidity levels.

 

Dehumidifiers – In many high-humidity areas the moisture content of the air remains higher than is advisable even during the cooling season, which could lead to condensation on walls and damage to your home. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture to help keep humidity at the optimum level.

Air Filtration and Purification – Air cleaners and filters trap and filter pollutants like dust, smoke, mold and pet dander from the air passing through your heating and air conditioning system.

 

 

 

Programmable Thermostats – A programmable thermostat is not only great at saving energy by adjusting the temperature when the space is not being used, but it can also help make you more comfortable while you are in the home. If you like to sleep with a lower temperature, the thermostat can automatically adjust to accommodate you. In the morning, you can have the temperature increase so you don’t have to get out of bed to a cold house.

 

 

Surge Protectors – Many things can cause a voltage or power surge, including lightning strikes. A properly sized and placed surge protector can be a small investment to help protect your more costly investments.

 

 

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Extended Warranties – If your heating and air conditioning system is relatively new, it may still be lacking coverage in case the system breaks or fails. If you have purchased an extended warranty, it may require the equipment to be maintained bi-annually by a professional heating and cooling specialist. The Aire Serv maintenance plan, The Advantage Plan, will help keep your system up-to-date and in-line with your manufacturer’s warranty and our system assurance guarantee covers every component of the installation, not just the equipment.

Ceiling Saver Switch and Drain Pan – For attic units, water may leak through your ceiling if a problem occurs with the unit. A ceiling saver switch is designed to shut the unit off before water damage can occur, and the overflow drain pan is the extra protection to catch any water that may leak from the unit and direct to a desired location.

 

Noise Reduction Systems – Many units make more noise than they should (ductwork “popping” noises, air flow noises, jet noises, etc.). Noise reduction packages can help with these sounds.


Temperature Zone Control – Many people have rooms that are too hot or too cold in their home, only to be told by contractors that there is nothing they can do. A Zone Control system uses your existing system and uses dampers to control the flow of air to your rooms with individual thermostat controls.

 

 

AC REPLACEMENT

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Air Conditioning Replacement

 

If it’s time for an air conditioning replacement, it’s important to research your options before you purchase the first A/C unit you run across. What efficiency, size and type will you choose? What energy efficiency laws should you be aware of? Who will you hire for the installation? Let Aire Serv® guide you through the air conditioning buying process.

Repair or Replace?

 

Since an air conditioning replacement is one of the largest investments you’ll make for your home, it’s tempting to forgo a replacement and choose a more affordable repair instead. Consider these factors when deciding whether to repair or replace:

• Age: If your A/C is more than ten years old and is giving you trouble yet again, consider a replacement.
• Investment cost: This includes the initial purchase price of a new system vs. the repair cost as well as the long-term operating costs of a new A/C vs. the old unit. An Aire Serv air conditioning contractor can help you calculate your return on investment to determine whether an upgrade is financially worthwhile in the long run.
• Utility rates: You may think you can’t afford an air conditioning replacement, but a more efficient unit consumes less electricity and saves you big time on energy bills.

 

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What to Consider when Choosing a New System

• Geographic location: Humidity, average temperature, and overall climate affect the size, type, and economic value of the efficiency you choose. For example, investing in a more expensive, higher-efficiency model is economical for a Florida resident but might not be for a Minnesota resident.
• Existing system: Homes with radiant or baseboard heating may not have ductwork. To avoid expensive installation costs, one-room units or ductless mini-splits are the best option. This goes for older homes as well, which likely don’t have ductwork.

Different Types of A/C Systems

 

 

Many types of A/C systems are available:

• Split system and package A/Cs are your standard central air conditioners.
• Ductless mini-splits are perfect for cooling homes without ductwork.
• Portable, window and wall units are designed to cool one room in your home.
• Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, remove heat using evaporation and work most effectively in dry climates.

Benefits of an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

• Energy savings: Your air conditioner likely accounts for more than half of your energy bills in the summer. By upgrading to an energy efficient air conditioner, you can cut your monthly cooling bills by up to one-third.
• Improved home comfort: The same technology that lowers your cooling bills also helps you stay more comfortable. For example, a variable-speed blower motor saves energy by running on low most of the time, which also decreases temperature fluctuations. Also, scroll compressors that utilize refrigerant more efficiently also cool the room off faster for superior comfort on the hottest days.
• Environmentally friendly: Lower energy consumption is good news for your wallet, but it also helps the environment by reducing emissions. Choosing an energy-efficient air conditioner is one step you can take to lower your home’s carbon footprint.

Energy Efficiency Laws

 

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New air conditioners are required to have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of 13 or higher. Your outdated system could be significantly less efficient than this, meaning great savings await you once you replace it. New models also have R-410A refrigerant, a more environmentally friendly alternative to R-22 refrigerant, better known as Freon.

Air Conditioning Preventive Maintenance

Once you have a new, energy efficient air conditioning system, you want to keep it running smoothly for as long as possible. Consult our air conditioning maintenance information for routine things you can do to extend the life of your air conditioning and prevent unexpected emergency repairs.

If you’re ready to update your system, Aire Serv is here to help. To learn more about making an efficient air conditioning replacement, please contact the professionals at Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’re happy to answer all your questions.

 

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HOT OR COLD AIR TONIGHT!