Five ways to save money on heating this winter

Winters are upon us. Your heating and air conditioning service, which until now was keeping your home cool in summer, has another task — to keep your place cosy warm during the freezing months of December and January.

Everyone likes a comfortable temperature at home during winters. However, in the excitement of making indoor air warm one can easily adopt poor energy conservation practices.

This blog suggests a few common techniques to save money and still stay warm in winter.

• Take advantage of the sun, especially on sunny days. Instead of relying on your heating and air conditioning system all the time, make it a habit to adjust blinds on sunny days. Tilt them toward the ceiling during days but close them when the sun goes down

• Use your ceiling fan. If settings allow it, run your ceiling fan in reverse. This way, when the sun’s warm rays enter your place; the running fan will distribute the across the entire room.

• Fireplaces aren’t energy efficiency. They cause warm air to flow out of the house through the chimney. A way to keep the electricity (or fuel) bill of your HVAC system in control is to use a damper in front of the fireplace and close it when it’s not in use. Installing doors of glass is also a helpful way to keep heat in your home.

• Don’t run exhaust fans unless you absolutely need them. Turn them off during extreme spells of cold weather. They can cause heated air to flow out. Another disadvantage of running these fans is that they lower air pressure inside your house and thereby lead to cold back dafts from your fireplace inside your room.

• Finally, the best way to keep your HVAC system efficient is to consult a heating and air conditioning repair service regularly. A team of professionals can inspect the safety and efficiency of your system and keep it in a good shape.

How to Choose an Air Conditioning Service in Los Angeles?

Air conditioning and heating is absolutely essential in the severe climate of California. Unsurprisingly, it is rare to find a building in the state that does not have its own all air heating and cooling system installed. It is also not uncommon — especially when the sun is shining over the blue skies of San Fernando Valley with all its energy — for these systems to break down. The demand for air conditioning services in Los Angeles and other parts of California shoots up when weather turns extreme; when excessive heat or cold. It is during this period that many people contact air conditioning services. Some of them find a good air conditioning and heating contractor, while others — after having spent many long and frustrated hours and hundreds of hard-earned dollars — end up with a repaired system that will need to be fixed in less than a month. How does some people manage to find a good contractor, while others struggle to separate wheat from chaff? This blog attempts to answer.

This blog lists two ways to find a good air conditioning service in Los Angeles; although the techniques can be used to virtually any part of California or the U.S.

• All Contractors are Not Same

The quality of air conditioning contractors in Los Angeles varies greatly. Some are excellent, while others may choose your as their first customer to practice their hands on a real all air heating and cooling system. It cannot be emphasized more that it is safer to hire a more experienced contractor. For instance, Enertek has been fixing air conditioning and heating in San Fernando valley for more than 23 years. It is impossible for a new contractor to match this experience and expertise.

• Better Business Bureau’s AAA-rating Matters

There is not a dearth of air conditioning contractors in California, but how many of them have a AAA-rating from Better Business Bureau? You can count them on your fingers. A way to ensure a quality service is to hire a contractor with a AAA rating from Better Business Bureau. It is hard to obtain and even harder to maintain; almost a guarantee that the contractor will do a high-quality job.

The two ways to hire a good air conditioning service in Los Angeles is to contract someone with a AAA-rating and a long experience. Enertek fulfils both criteria. It has been working in this industry for more than 23 years and possess the highly coveted Better Business Bureau’s AAA rating.

Three No-cost Ways to Save Money on Air Conditioning This Year

Cooling bills are a drain on your pocket. They can make up over half of your utility expenses. But it is possible to reduce what you pay to your power company each month. Read on to learn four Enertekac’s three no-cost ways to save money on air conditioning this year:

• Curb Humidity

Humidity can make a room feel warmer than it really is. You may feel as if it were 77 degrees Fahrenheit when the thermometer reads 71 degrees. Humidity is not merely an undesired nuisance, it also makes your air conditioning unit work harder. Although the humidity outside your house is beyond your control, you can use the following techniques to reduce the amount of water vapors inside your house:

- Turn on the exhaust fan when you are taking a bath.
- Cover your dirt crawl space with a moisture barrier.
- Cover your pots while cooking.
- Ensure the clothes dryer throws out water vapors outside the house.
 

• Use Thermal Curtains

Thermal curtains are insulators. They are used in winters to hold heat in and they can be used in summers to keep heat out. Unwelcome sunshine inside your house, especially during afternoon, impedes the efficiency of your AC unit and makes it consume more energy to keep indoor temperature comfortable. Do not give in to the temptation to let natural light in during afternoons. Wait until it is evening or leave the drapes open in only in the shady areas of your house.

• Do Not Fiddle With Thermostat

Seventy-eight degrees Fahrenheit is a comfortable temperature for most of us. Some people like to drop it down to 72 degrees every time they get home; hoping that it will produce faster cooling. This is wasteful. Dropping temperatures to below 78 degrees does not produce faster cooling but it makes the AC work more - adding to your energy bill.

To conclude, use thermal curtains, do not fiddle the thermostat, and curb humidity to save money. And if you are prepared to invest a little, a fourth way to save energy is to use efficient ACs, such as Lennox’s XC 25 Air Conditioner.

Happy summers!

Is It Time to Replace the Furnace?

There are three factors you need to take into account to decide if it is time you replace your furnance:

1. Efficiency
2. Fuel costs
3. Heating load

Let’s take a look at them one at a time.

Efficiency

Fuel costs are capricious nowadays. Although petroleum companies tend to price gas competitively, there is still much uncertainty associated with gas prices. Therefore it is safer to keep furnaces that are efficient. For instance, the best condensing-type gas furnaces can capture as much as 97 percent energy of the fuel. If your furnace is worn out, and thus no longer as efficient as it used to be, it is probably the time to buy a more efficient model. But do not be in a hurry. The average life of a furnace is 25 years. Your model may have a lot of life still left in it.

Fuel Costs

An efficient furnace can reduce your heating bills by as much as 20 percent. To figure out if these savings matter, add up look at the fuel bill of the last winter. Then multiply that number with ⅕. After that figure out how much it will cost you to install a new system. Divide the cost with the second number (which you received after multiplying by ⅕). The figure will show you the number of years to recoup the investment in the new system.

Heating Load

Heating load varies between houses. You can get a report on your heating needs through an audit. Ask your energy company for it. After that it is your decision: whether to upgrade the existing system or to purchase a new system to meet the increased heating load requirements.

Conclusion

It is a smart idea to replace your furnace if efficiency, fuel costs, and heating load requirement dictate that. You can ask for help from professionals to find out if your meet the criteria.

Four Tips to Improve the Efficiency of Your Residential Heat Pump

We are in the midst of autumn. Winter will soon knock at our door. If you do not have a heat pump, it is time to scour the internet and local bazaars to find what heat pumps are up for sale. If you already own an air-to-water heat pump, it is time to learn a few tips so that you can stay warm this winter; without blasting your utility bills through the roof.

• Reduce Load Through Improvements In Your Structure

Heat pump will have to work more, or consume more energy, if your house or office is not well insulated. Start with the structure. Make sure there are not heat sinks, places from where the warm air can leak out into the atmosphere. Insulation will reduce energy use.
 

• Do Not Let Snow Fall On Your Unit

Outdoor temperature affects the efficiency of your heat unit. It is a good idea to cover it to protect is from rain and snow. Also it is smart to mount your heat pump at least two feet above ground where snow cannot come into contact with the unit.

• Choose Right-size Pipes

Heat pumps make noise. You will need at least 15 feet of piping to make sure no noise travels from the motors into your bedroom. This holds true for both interior and exterior units. But do not go overboard because excessive piping can make your pump inefficient.

• Purchase High-efficiency Pumps

In colder climates, performance often takes the upper hand and efficiency is compromised. But if you live in a slightly warm region, where temperatures rarely get below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, it is smart to invest in high-efficiency heat pumps, such as Lennox’s XP 25 heat pump. It has an energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 23.5.

Keep yourself warm this winter.

How to Get Air Conditioners for Cheap in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a warm climate. The summers can be pretty uncomfortable if you do not own an air conditioner. Unsurprisingly a large number of Los Angeles households prefer to live with an AC. But these machines do not come cheap. They are quite an investment. However, if you live in Los Angeles, you have many options available to you. For instance, you can get cheap air conditioners at discounted prices if you know the right people. Alternatively, you can buy air conditioners online and save money. These are attractive options, as long as you do not get shortchanged through either a poor quality machine or cheap-stuff sold for a higher price. If you have been looking for a budget air conditioner this blog will help you. It suggests a few ways to get cheap air conditioners in Los Angeles:

• Friends and acquaintances

No one comes more handy than a good friend if you are looking for a way to get cheap air conditioners in Los Angeles. Harness the power of social media, telephone your friends, and email your acquaintances for suggestions. There is a very high probability that at least one of them will offer a useful suggestion - a website, a company, or a vendor where you can get quality and budget-friendly air conditioners from. Currently, Lennox air conditioners are widely regarded as inexpensive yet high quality machines.

• Use the internet

Utilize the internet to find places and vendors that sell the air conditioners to fit your budget. There are many of them in Los Angeles. But not all of them will offer their machines within the price range that fits your budget. Prefer a vendor, such as Enertek, with a wide range of devices. With such vendors, you have more chances of finding the air conditioners that fit your budget.

What to look for in an air conditioner?

Cheap does not mean you will have to compromise on quality. You can purchase reliable machines if you are looking for the right qualities. Here are some of the features, you ought to look for when hunting a budget air conditioner for your home or office:

• Energy efficiency: Look at the SEER rating to gauge energy efficiency. More is better. Currently, Lennox offers some of the more energy efficient air conditioners in the United States.

Vendor support: Opt for a vendor, whom you can trust. For instance, Enertek has carved a name for itself through its excellent vendor support.

How to Choose the Best Air Conditioner in Los Angeles?

To choose an air conditioner (AC) for your home or office is a big decision. ACs are expensive, to buy one is an important investment. What is more, an AC purchase is not a one-time buy. The electricity and utility bills stay with you for as long as you choose to run the air conditioner. Many people want a comfortable time for themselves and their families when the summer heat is at its worst. So they look for the most reliable machines. If you are also hunting for a cooling comfort this summer, this guide will help you. It lists a few things you ought to consider before investing in a cooling machine.

Qualities of best air conditioners

Although there many companies manufacturing and selling air conditioners in Los Angeles, a few qualities run through the best of them. The best machines are all energy efficient. They use minimal electricity to cool your place, and thereby keep utility bills down.

A second quality of the best machines is their robustness. They are steady and dependable. Their performance does not fluctuate wildly year after year. If the customers are careful about maintenance, these machines stay efficient for many years.

Finally, the best air conditioners are low on noise. They do not announce to the neighbors that you are running your air conditioning and heating system. The machine stay low-noise for many years, without excessive service needs.

Three tips to choose the best air conditioner for your Los Angeles home or office

• Right size

When you go out to an air conditioning service in Los Angeles, ask them for a unit that is neither too small nor too large for your home or office. Too small a unit will not be comfortable, and an oversized AC will strain your utility bills unnecessarily.

A smart idea is to contact a good contract, such as Enertekac, to determine the right size of the machine for your home.

• Energy efficiency

Very much like car manufacturers, today AC makers are required to rate their equipment on a standard efficiency scale. The scale is known as Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. Prefer equipment with high SEER ratings because they signify efficiency. 

• Manufacturing quality

Some manufacturers are better than others because they emphasize on quality while the product is still in the assembly line. It is wise to opt for renowned manufacturers, such as Lennox.

To sum up, it is a good idea to focus on the right size, energy efficiency, and the manufacturer when you go out to purchase an air conditioner.
 

Avoid indoor air problems with right air conditioning

Indoor air problems are subtle. They are not always detectable easily. But their ill-effects become apparent after a while. 

There are many factors that affect the quality of air inside a building. They include high traffic in the region, climate, neighborhood industry, and even faulty heating and air conditioning systems.

A study by the researchers from Cornell University has found that one in five occupants in America show symptoms caused by indoor air pollution. The symptoms are collectively known as the sick building syndrome. They include the following four health conditions:

• Cough, sneezing, and sinus congestion
• Fatigue, irregular breath, and headache
• Irritation on skin, in eyes, nose, and throat
• Nausea and dizziness

People are not equally sensitive. Therefore some tend to develop symptoms of sick building syndrome quite early while other occupants continue to live without showing any ill effects. Although only a healthcare professional can determine how susceptible an individual is to poor air quality, there are groups that are more prone than others. These groups are:

• People diagnosed with a respiratory disease
• People with a weak immune system
• Those who wear contact lenses
• Individuals with asthma or air related allergies

Do you have an issue?

Although professionals working for air conditioning and air heating companies are better prepared to advise you on whether you have excessive population inside your building, below is a checklist you can use to make a preliminarily determination yourself.

You may have the problem of bad air inside your building if:

• Symptoms of sick building disease are widespread among its occupants
• Symptoms go away when the occupants go away for long periods of time
• Symptoms appear out of the blue
• Individuals with high sensitivity to chemicals, or with a disease, are more prone to show symptoms
• Your doctor says so

The air conditioning of your home affects the air quality of your place enormously. If you think you have a problem, consult an air conditioning and heating company and get your cooling and heating systems fixed up.

Poor Indoor Air Quality – Causes and Solutions

Los Angeles has never been famous for air quality. Its smog-filled streets and alleys during weekdays are far too familiar to be missed. But that is not the sole problem facing its inhabitants. There is another problem that is affecting the people of this wonderful city – indoor air pollution.

It is hard to believe that the air inside your building can be polluted. There are no black fumes or smoke-spewing factories in there. Yet, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency claims that the indoors can be five times as polluted as the air outside.

Causes

Poor ventilation and high humidity are two primary reasons of high indoor air pollution.

Poor ventilation

Poor ventilation is particularly a problem in new buildings. They are sealed tightly to save energy. This blocks air flow between the building and the surrounding atmosphere. Without movement, the indoor air becomes stagnant and stale. The contaminants have nowhere to escape. They continue to float around, leading to mild discomfort, allergic reactions, and several other health problems.

High humidity
Too much of moisture is not good for air quality indoors. Mites, mildew, mold, bacteria, and viruses thrive in high humidity. These tiny organisms float in air. When occupants breathe, these microorganisms find their way into the lungs; affecting their health. High humidity affects health in a second way by promoting many common materials to release chemicals. The chemicals are often harmless, but over time, they tend to have a negative effect on the throat, eyes, nose, and skin.

How to improve air quality indoors?

There are several things that can be done to improve indoor air quality. Here are the top five of them:

• Find an air conditioning repair company in Los Angeles and ask them to ensure your cooling system helps in ventilation

• Keep the humidifier, furnace, and air conditioner in perfect shape

• Avoid furnishings that release vapors

• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens

• Avoid smoking within the walls of the building

Los Angeles does not have a good air quality. There is little you can do to change it. But you can improve the air quality inside your home if you keep your ventilation equipment in a good shape and avoid chemical-fumes producing products.