Thermostat settings are a constant source of disagreement in households across the United States, especially in regions of the country that see cold winters. But one area where you may find common ground is a desire to save money on your energy bills.
Even if you don’t have a smart thermostat or programmable features, you can still find ways to save money on your heating by adopting a few simple energy-saving strategies over the winter. You may be able to save around 10 percent per year on energy bills just by adjusting some of your heating and cooling habits.
Here are a few money-saving tips for heaters this winter that you can put into practice.
Consider your lowest comfortable temperature
Setting your thermostat to the lowest temperature at which you will be comfortable will significantly slow down heat loss for homes that have either baseboard heating systems or regular furnaces. This is not true for heat pumps, though, as turning down the heat can actually make the pump less efficient.
The standard “lowest comfortable temperature” is 68 degrees, but this can vary for some people. You may be able to go a couple degrees lower, or 68 might still be a bit too low for you. But consider what your specific lowest comfortable temperature is, and keep it there.
Consider the location of your thermostat
You shouldn’t place the thermostat in a spot where you will have inaccurate temperature readings. If you place the thermostat near sunlight, doorways or drafts, this could result in it giving temperatures that do not actually reflect the conditions in most of the home.
Try installing the thermostat on an interior wall that gets natural airflow. This will usually produce the most accurate readings and thus set you up for better efficiency.
Adjust temperatures when you’re not home
Consider lowering the temperature on your thermostat when you’re not at home. Make sure the home remains comfortable for pets (typically not an issue if they are furry) and that you don’t set the temperature so low that your pipes will freeze. But if you’re going to be gone at work all day, there’s no need to have the heat cranked up. Lowering the thermostat for eight hours a day can save you money.
You can also adjust temperatures while you sleep. Most people sleep better in slightly cool conditions, so don’t keep the heat cranked when you’re going to bed.
Let your household acclimate
Everyone in your home will need a little bit of time to adapt to the colder temperatures after the warmth of summer and early fall. You can lower the temperature gradually after you adjust to the new conditions. Until your body finally acclimates, make it a point to wear layers, use warm socks and bust out the cozy blankets.
These are just a few tips that will help you get more efficient operation out of your heater this winter. For more money-saving tips for heaters that involve your winter thermostat settings, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling.
Is energy efficiency and environmental friendliness a top priority for you as a homeowner? One of the best ways to reduce your energy consumption is to install an HVAC system designed to operate as efficiently as possible.
Therefore, if you’re in the market for a new HVAC system in St. Louis, MO, here’s a look at some examples of HVAC units that will help you achieve energy efficiency.
Geothermal heat pump
If energy efficiency is your goal, you can do no better than geothermal (ground source) heat pumps. These units have energy efficiency ratings (EER) of up to 45, when a rating of 12 or more is considered “efficient.” So, while the initial investment in the system might be expensive, you will save a boatload of money on energy costs over the long term, much more so than you would with any other system.
Geothermal systems operate by taking heat from underground, where temperatures remain around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The equipment requires very little in terms of maintenance, and will provide you with reliable heating results for years to come.
Standard split system heat pump
Split system heat pumps that both heat and cool the home are becoming quite popular around the United States, gaining ground on forced air central systems that are essentially the standard in this country. These split systems allow you to save 30 to 40 percent on heating costs even over high-efficiency furnaces.
You can customize these systems for greater efficiency by adding inverter compressors in variable capacity units. These systems are especially beneficial in areas that see milder winters, but they’ll go to work for you anywhere you live and give you reliable, high-quality and efficient results.
Ductless mini-split heat pump
There are also ductless mini-split system heat pump options that work on a smaller scale that you may find to be beneficial for your home. These mini-splits will usually have EERs of around 20, and will feature an outdoor unit connected to up to eight indoor units.
Each of the indoor units you install will be tasked with heating and cooling a specific room, and each of those units will have its own thermostat. This provides you with greater overall energy savings, because you only have to heat or cool the rooms you’re using at any given time. It also provides you with greater versatility in your heating and cooling—you might prefer some rooms to be warmer or colder than others, and having those individual thermostats and temperature settings allows for greater customization.
Because mini-splits do not use ductwork, you won’t have to worry about air leaking through the seams of the ductwork. Plus, because the system moves heat instead of creating it, you will have much lower costs than you’d see with a forced air furnace.
To learn more your options for HVAC units that will help achieve energy efficiency in your home, we encourage you to contact the HVAC specialists in St. Louis, MO at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.
As summer gets into high gear, we hope you’re all enjoying yourselves and getting to spend lots of time outdoors. Summertime means backyard cookouts, swimming and fun sports for all, but you also want to make sure your indoor activities are enjoyable, and being comfortable is a big part of that. Having a reliable HVAC system is a wonderful asset, and one of the best parts of modern air conditioning is that it’s actually more affordable than many people think, thanks to the incredible efficiency of today’s systems.
If you’ve been considering an investment in energy-efficient AC in St. Louis, MO, the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling has the knowledge and the ability to install an air conditioning system that will keep you cool, at a lower cost, for years to come. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy:
Less humidity: Air conditioning was actually invented as a way to remove humidity from the air, with the cooling effect just being a pleasant side benefit. Humidity control remains one of the greatest benefits of energy-saving cooling in St. Louis, MO. If you have a properly-sized air conditioning unit for your home, you’re going to be pleased with your humidity levels, as lower humidity will make everyone more comfortable and allows for better sleeping conditions at night.
Easier on your wallet: The most obvious benefit of energy-efficient AC in St. Louis, MO is that it consumes far less power than older systems. This means it doesn’t require as much juice to start up and achieve the same results as older, less efficient systems. It will therefore provide many of the same benefits at a much lower cost, which is music to every homeowner’s ears.
Time to go green: Energy-efficient AC in St. Louis, MO is also more friendly on the environment. The summer months can increase energy consumption across the board thanks to cooling usage, but you can lessen your footprint with a more efficient modern system. Your family’s carbon footprint will be smaller, and you’ll be able to feel a bit better about your impact.
Fewer repairs: If you have an older HVAC system, you’re probably familiar with the challenges presented by frequent repair needs. While those can easily be handled by our team, replacing your system with an energy-efficient one might actually be more cost-effective over the long term. A newer model AC will provide better cooling capabilities while also offering peace of mind regarding its reliability.
Less noise: The sound produced by older HVAC units can really create a problem for your family. Energy-saving cooling in St. Louis, MO, on the other hand, can cut down on excessive noise and keep your family cool with less ambient sound.
Working with air conditioning is something our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling has been doing for over two decades, and we’ve seen technology advance at a rapid pace during that time. With the efficiency of HVAC units getting better all the time, there’s no reason not to invest in a new unit if your existing one has been causing you trouble. Get in touch with us to learn more!
Saving on your energy bill is always a good thing. Installing a smart thermostat can help in this department, as the Environmental Protection Agency estimates savings at $180 a year. While it will certainly save on your energy bill as well as provide a host of other benefits, there are some drawbacks to the technology that might not be right for everyone. An HVAC service in St. Louis, MO can help you determine whether this technology is a good fit for your home, as well as easily install a smart thermostat for your home’s HVAC system.
Pros of installing a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat operates wirelessly using your Internet to control the temperature in your home. It allows you to change the temperature at your house, even when you are not there, making it a good option for those times when you forget to adjust appropriately.
Because it works off the Internet, it can sense those times when you normally reduce your energy costs and adjust the temperature accordingly. It also offers programmability, which provides temperature settings for certain times of day when you are normally home or away.
The smart technology of the thermostat allows it to notify you if repairs are needed or if regular maintenance needs to be scheduled. This is a good way to know if you need HVAC service in St. Louis, MO, whether you are home or not.
Installing a smart thermostat will save you money on your energy bill, as you will be able to more thoroughly regulate the temperature in your home. Some cities even offer a rebate to customers who install a smart thermostat, and it also can increase the value of your home as buyers look for technology and savings options in their home-buying search.
Cons of installing a smart thermostat
The cost to install a smart thermostat can be quite high, as it can be roughly four times the cost of a standard thermostat. You would not want to install one if you live in an apartment or are planning on moving, as you won’t be able to reap the benefits of your investment.
Because smart thermostats are complicated systems that incorporate Internet connections, thermostat calibration and receiving units, you will want to hire an HVAC service in St. Louis, MO for installation.
If technology is not your thing, then a smart thermostat is probably not for you. If requires a smart phone to run its systems, and it can be a challenge to program all its capabilities. It is also not compatible with every HVAC system on the market, so it may not work with the heating and cooling system you have installed at your home.
One company that produces the smart thermostat is Nest, which is owned by Google. Some people may not be comfortable with Google having information about them, such as whether they are home or not. If you have concerns about this, it may indicate that a smart thermostat is not a good option for you.
Take into consideration these pros and cons of installing a smart thermostat. If you think it’s right for you, contact your HVAC service in St. Louis, MO to install one in your home. For smart thermostat installation, as well as HVAC service and repair, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We offer 24-hour service to help anytime your HVAC system breaks down or needs repairs.
No homeowner likes the prospect of having to replace, update or repair an expensive facet of their home like their air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO, but it’s a prospect that will roll around at some point in time or another. The best thing you can do as a responsible homeowner when it does is to make the best decision you can about how to invest your money and lead yourself and your home down the path of sustainability.
If the time has come for your AC unit to be assessed and, ultimately, replaced, it’s a good idea to consider energy efficient units as a progressive next step in your strive for a better quality of life in your home. Why? Take a look at some of the tremendous benefits that an energy efficient air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO can have:
Energy efficient units can save you hundreds of dollars in cooling costs each year—and this is already on top of the efficiency that comes with replacing a unit that’s likely more than a decade old.
Having an energy efficient unit is seen as an investment in your home, which means the value of your home will go up, should you decide to sell down the line.
Because energy efficient units often feature two-stage compressors and variable speed air handlers, they’re able to create more encompassing capabilities when it comes to climate control.
Most energy efficient AC units are Freon-free and have done away with this chemical in favor of a more environmentally friendly refrigerant alternative. This means lower costs associated with Freon and coolant-related issues.
Now, the above benefits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to enhancing your home and your quality of life with an efficient air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO! Another huge factor to consider is the monetary savings you’ll reap from tax and energy rebates!
Federal tax credits exist—like the credit for Consumer Energy Efficiency—to reward citizens who make the transition towards a more environmentally friendly, energy efficient cooling system. These rebates exist at both state and federal levels, meaning you’ll be able to save on both state and federal taxes each year if you’re someone who has made the investment in a high-efficiency AC system!
Now, perhaps the best benefit and biggest reason to invest in an energy efficient air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO is the immediate impact it’s going to have on your quality of life. Cleaner forced air, better temperature control and responsive controls make it easy to enjoy every moment in your home while the AC unit hums along softly to provide you with optimal forced air. Not having to worry about strange smells, fluctuating temperatures and odd noises is a luxury you won’t come to appreciate until you experience it!
If you’re interested in seeing how far your money can go with an investment in a new AC unit, consult with the professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today about energy efficient AC installations.
