November 2016

Winter is here and you probably have already cranked up your furnace to cope with unseasonably cold days. Soon you’ll notice a spike in your monthly utility bill. This time of year we get a lot of questions about energy efficiency. Here are some tips from our highly trained team of professional service technicians. The first thing you should do is to conduct a home energy assessment (sometimes referred to as an energy audit) to find out how your home uses energy and determine the best ways to cut energy use and costs. Get free heat from the sun. Open the curtains on your south-facing windows during winter days to bring free heat into your home. Close your window coverings when the sun goes down to keep the heat inside. Use ceiling fans to your advantage. Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months Ceiling fans can be used to achieve better airflow. Run your ceiling fan clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down. Use layers. This is one of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill. Instead of turning the heat up, put on a cozy winter sweater and warm socks. Keep throw blankets on your couch, and add an area rug to insulate the floor. Adjust the thermostat at night. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you…

Most furnaces last anywhere between 15-20 years depending on how well you have maintained them over the years. Some popular signs to start looking for a furnace replacement include: Energy bills going up More furnace repairs, most repairs occur within the last 2 years of furnace life Your thermostat is not keeping you as comfortable Furnace making strange noises If you are looking to get a head start on planning your next furnace, call or schedule a free estimate here! With 18 month financing available to qualifying customers, a new furnace fits any budget.

We talk a lot about how to cut energy costs in your home and we offer a lot of tips for your furnace and air conditioner, but there are other major appliances in your home that can use a lot of energy as well. Below are simple steps to help you cut energy costs when using other appliances in your home. Water heating is a typical family’s third largest energy expense, accounting for about 14 percent of utility bills. Here are some tips that can help cut that down. • Take a shower instead of a bath. You’ll use less hot water • Install a low-flow aerator or flow restrictor on an existing shower head, and you’ll use less water when it seems like more! Both are inexpensive and easy to install—just screw them in. • Put an insulating blanket around your water heater. It holds heat in. You can cook delicious and nutritious meals and help lower energy costs by following these handy tips. • Thaw foods and cut vegetables into small pieces. They’ll take less time to cook • Put lids on pots and pans and make sure they’re the right size for the burners. Foods will cook faster and use less energy. • When the pot boils over or grease splatters, clean the reflector pans. They’ll reflect more heat when they shine • If the flames on your gas stove or oven are yellow, energy is being wasted and the burners need adjusting. Call an appliance repair…