Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Heating and Cooling System Health Check
A Little Preventive Medicine for Your Heating and Air Conditioning System Can Go a Long Way!As summer is coming to an end and winter's cold weather is just around the corner, you'll definitely want to make sure your home’s heating system is functioning properly for the winter ahead...and that your air conditioner has successfully survived the long, hot summer without any damage or problems. The following checklist can help you decide if you need to make some improvements, replace equipment, or consult a professional about more extensive repairs.
If your heater, heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star rated system. When installed by an expert, these units will improve your home’s energy efficiency and can help you save up to 20% on your utility bills.
If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, you may want to research Energy Star certified units. These newer systems are almost 15% more energy efficient than older furnaces, while an Energy Star boiler is about 5% more efficient than an older model.
If you’ve noticed a dramatic increase in the number of times you have to call in a professional to repair your heating and cooling system, or your utility bills keep rising no matter what you try to do to save energy, your current system is not working as efficiently as it should and it may be time to replace your unit.
If you notice that certain rooms in your house are always too hot or too cold, your heating or cooling system may be malfunctioning or your ductwork or insulation could need some attention.
If you spend the better part of the day away from home and you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you could be wasting energy—and money. An Energy Star certified programmable thermostat lets you control the temperature of your home when you’re not there, saving energy and money.
If you notice condensation on windows and sills or the humidity in your home is never quite right, your system could need work and an overhaul. Leaky ducts can also make your home too humid in summer and overly dry in winter.
If you find it nearly impossible to keep up with the dust inside your home, it could mean that your ductwork is leaking. Improperly sealed ducts pull air and dust particles from attics, basements and crawl spaces, circulating them throughout your home.
If your heating or cooling system makes a lot of noise, your ducts could be too small or one of the key components of your system could be malfunctioning.
Use the Home Energy Yardstick found on the EPA's Energy Star website to determine your home’s energy health. To complete the survey, you’ll need to gather your utility bills from the last 12 months or request a 12-month summary of charges from your energy provider, information about your home’s energy sources—natural gas, oil, electricity, propane, kerosene—and the total square footage of your home. Simply enter this information in the right places and let the yardstick calculate your home’s energy efficiency rating. If you score lower than five, your home is using more energy than average and you are likely paying more than you have to on your utility bills.
Finally, it's always a great idea to give your heating and air conditioning system a tune-up and cleaning before the start of the summer or winter season. A tune-up will make sure that your heater or air conditioner starts the season in optimal working condition and will operate at peak energy-efficiency. It will also extend the life of your heating and air conditioning system and is your best assurance that your heater or air conditioner won't break down at an inopportune time -- like right in the middle of a heatwave or cold snap!
Related Heating & Air Conditioning Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, August 2, 2010
Take Control of Home Heating and Cooling With an Internet Thermostat
Monitor and Set Temperatures Anytime, Anywhere!You've probably seen or heard of people using the Internet to monitor their home's security or to keep tabs on nannies and babysitters. These days, many homeowners are using the power of the Internet to remotely monitor something else in their homes -- their thermostat.
An internet thermostat in your home can be programmed and controlled remotely through a computer network system. Like other programmable thermostat controls, these units have a keypad unit which allows you to set a schedule for temperature adjustments, but internet thermostats let you make changes to the schedule from anyplace outside the home with an internet signal. No matter how far from home you are, and no matter how long you plan to be away, you can have complete access to your heating and cooling system.
How an Internet Thermostat Works:
The internet thermostat is connected to your home or office computer network. Home networks are generally wired using Ethernet cables or wireless connections, or some combination of the two.
An internet thermostat is linked to your home’s network through an Ethernet cord, and therefore connects to the internet in the same way that your computer or web-ready video game device does. Once the unit has been set up, you simply log on to a special website where you’ll have full access to your temperature settings.
To ensure the security and stability of your system, most internet thermostats must be hard wired —- meaning they have to hook up to the internet using a physical connection like a cord or cable. Though wireless internet thermostats do exist, these are generally more vulnerable to outside interference. For added security, you’ll be asked to set up a username and password to access your internet thermostat. This prevents unauthorized use of the thermostat.
The Benefits of an Internet Thermostat:
The most obvious benefit of a remotely programmable internet thermostat is that you have complete control over the temperature in your home no matter where you are. It's perfect for those who work out of the home -- you can adjust the temperature before you leave the house for the day and turn it back to a comfortable level just before you return home. This makes your home more comfortable and helps save energy and money on utility costs.
You can also monitor the temperature in your home or office at any time. This is an invaluable resource if you travel frequently, have a vacation home you use only during certain times of year, or are away from home for long periods. Having the ability to monitor your HVAC system lets you see if there are problems with the unit, and makes it possible to adjust the indoor temperature if the weather changes unexpectedly.
Another benefit of an internet thermostat is that you no longer have to worry about temperature settings. If you forget to adjust the thermostat before you leave for work or vacation, simply log on to your system from any internet device and change the settings.
What You Need to Set Up an Internet Thermostat:
If an internet thermostat seems like a good fit for your home, you’ll need a fully operational home computer network. Generally, home networking requires a gateway, a modem or wireless router, a computer, and access to the internet. Most of us have all of these items in our homes already, even if we don’t have a network configured. A certified HVAC contractor can help you determine which components you need to complete your network, and will assist you in connecting the internet thermostat to the other devices in your home.
Related Information from Horizon Services...
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