How to Save Money on Heating Bills this Winter

When the need to warm up the interior of your home for the winter season arrives, so does the need to start paying an increase in heating bills. If you are concerned about how much you are spending to effectively heat your home, try some of the following tips to keep the amount on the lower end. Make Sure Your Windows Are Not Allowing Air To Escape Many people find that their windows are drafty, allowing for heat to escape the interior of their homes. If you notice cool air coming into your home around your windows during the cooler months of the year, consider upgrading your windows to more efficient models. If new windows are not an option at the moment, use pieces of weather-stripping, expandable foam, or caulk around your window panes to help seal them effectively. In addition, use thermal-lined curtains or draperies to cover your windows so air loss is not as great. Use A Programmable Thermostat A programmable thermostat will allow you to select the temperature you would like in the interior of your home at any given time. Keep your thermostat at a lower level at times no one is home. Turning down your...

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When Should I Replace My Furnace?

After years of service, your furnace will be susceptible to wear and tear that will, in turn, reduce its efficiency. While minor damages can be resolved easily in some cases, a complete overhaul of the system may be necessary. If you are faced with any of these scenarios, then it is time to think about replacing your furnace actively. Your Furnace Becomes Old Most furnaces can serve for close to 20 years before they begin to lose their worth and efficiency. It will be pointless to continue paying for repairs when you can get a new furnace and reinvent your home’s comfort. Frequent Breakdowns At a particular point, you may notice that you are calling in a technician to assess the state of your furnace more frequently. The cost of repairs may also have gone up at this point, and it may be time to think about other alternatives. Increased Heating Bills A less efficient furnace usually translates to higher utility bills. If you notice that you’ve been progressively paying more for your energy bills, then it is time to consider replacing your furnace. Find out the cost implications of getting a new furnace and make your choice based on...

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Benefits of Financing Options for Your Heating System

The comfort of your home is not only in the indoor air quality but also in the state of your finances. Buying a new heating system is a major investment that a lot of people may not be able to afford to pay for at one go. No matter where you stay, having a reliable heating system is very important. Over time, these systems get run down and may require replacement. Fortunately, a great number of heating contractors understand that not everybody can be able to spend a lot of money in order to ensure that their in-home environment is superb. That is why there are many companies out there that offer convenient financing options to new and existing clients to assist them in their time of need. Flexible Financing Options Help to Lower Stress Levels Home improvement expenses can really cause stress on homeowners, especially since you have many other things to worry about, and it becomes hard to set aside some funds for an emergency furnace or heat pump replacement. By taking advantage of financing options offered by your heating contractor, you can be able to ensure that your home stays comfortable throughout the cold winter days. More...

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Geothermal Heat Pump vs. Furnace

In many places, it is traditional to get a forced air furnace, but that is not the only option one has when choosing a heating system for a new home, or replacing an old furnace for an existing home. Another option for heating and cooling your home is a geothermal heat pump. But what is the difference between a traditional furnace and a geothermal heat pump? Is a geothermal heat pump better? Let’s find out. Geothermal Heat Pumps Geothermal heat pumps draw heat from below the surface of the Earth and use that energy to heat or cool your home. It is a renewable energy source that will never run out. Geothermal heat pumps are more efficient than forced air traditional furnaces. Using a Geothermal heat pump can save you anywhere from 30-70% on heating costs and 20-50% on cooling costs. However, the drawback is that they are far more expensive to install. The system itself costs more, plus the installation is very expensive as well. The expensive upfront cost may not be suitable for some, but over time the savings with efficiency can more than pay for themselves. The pump also still needs electricity to run, so that is...

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Why Standby Home Generators are Important

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Whether they are hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or blizzards, the Earth has a way of intermittently reminding everyone of just how powerful it can be. Most people heard about the damage that Hurricane Florence recently left in Eastern North Carolina, which left hundreds of thousands of people without power and homes. Some people even lost their lives. For some families, it could be weeks before they will have power restored. This is only one of the many reasons why people need to invest in a standby home generator. What are some of the many reasons that make home generators important? Reasons Why Families Should Have a Standby Home Generator Everyone knows the feeling of having the power go out. The clocks go off. The TV stops working. The internet fails. Many families even have smart home devices that link all of their equipment together. Unfortunately, without power, these devices become useless. With a backup generator, this becomes a worry of the past. Some of the many benefits include: If the power goes out, there is an automatic delivery of a backup power source This will allow homeowners to keep their heating systems, televisions, computers,...

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4 Benefits of Having Your HVAC System Maintenance Done

One of the best things that Arizona homeowners can do to make sure that their heating and cooling units stay healthy is to conduct regular HVAC maintenance. You need to keep in mind that your HVAC system is the heart and soul of your home’s comfort. You can be in a quite predicament if your system isn’t functioning properly. The best time to conduct this maintenance is in fall for your heating equipment and spring for your air conditioning unit. Proper maintenance of your HVAC system is a worthwhile investment that you shouldn’t ignore. Here are the top four benefits of having your HVAC system maintenance done. Cut Your Energy Bills The US Department of Energy reports that heating and cooling accounts for more than 48 percent of your overall home’s energy bill. This is the primary reason why you need to make sure that your system is operating properly and optimally. Typically, your system will consume a lot of energy if it is overworking to achieve the desired results. Keeping your HVAC system in top-condition through proper maintenance will cut down your energy usage and make you save a lot of money on your monthly energy bills. Enhance Air...

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Does Rain Damage My Heating System Over Time?

During the coldest months of the year, we depend on our heaters to provide the comfort we need. But the unfortunate truth is, the hot and cold temperatures aren’t the only weathering you should worry about. While year-round extreme temperatures and soaring humidity levels can put more strain on your system, other types of weather can mean a poor-functioning unit and even a system breakdown. A Natural Cleaning Although it may be surprising, rainfall can actually be good for your furnace. As our heating system fans and coils get used on a daily basis during the summer, it can mean dirty parts and more friction on system components. During light to moderate rainstorms, the water seeps into your unit, causing a natural cleaning of important system components. Watch Out for Flooding In regards to our heating systems, rain only becomes a factor when it gets extreme. While our systems can withstand heavy amounts of rain, flooding can provide some serious worry — and for good reason. Given that our outdoor units are able to withstand heavy amounts of rain, our indoor units are at a greater risk. Whether flood waters reach your outdoor unit or indoor unit, it’s important to...

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How Do I Improve My Air Quality?

You relax in your home, dine in it, sleep in it and maybe even work in it. Yes, outside of your day job, you likely spend a good portion of the typical day inside your home. And is that so much time is spent in the home, ensuring that you and your family are breathing in high-quality air is crucial. Poor indoor air quality from the likes of fumes, chemicals, mold, and other pollutants can escalate allergic symptoms, increase fatigue and even lead to some long-term health issues. The good news is that there are a variety of things you can do to improve the indoor air quality in your home. Here’s a look: Keep it Clean Dust and other contaminants build up over time on the surfaces in your home, and it’s possible for them to recirculate throughout the house if left to accumulate for too long. On that note, regular dusting and vacuuming can keep irritating contaminants at bay. Have Your Air Conditioner Checked Out If your air conditioner hasn’t been regularly maintained or if it’s old and past its prime, there’s a good chance that it’s the source of poor air quality in your home. In some...

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Why Are Product Warranties Important?

Product warranties can provide your equipment with protection when things go wrong with your HVAC system. In order to get the most out of their terms, you need to know what they are. Warranties define what they cover and for how long they cover it, as well as what could invalidate this coverage. What is a product warranty? A product warranty is a coverage offered by the HVAC manufacturer to account for the replacement of its parts in case there are defects that emerge during the time period defined by the warranty (the “warranty term”). Longer warranty terms can save you so much money over time that they are often a major selling point for different HVAC systems. The most basic product warranty term lasts five years. If you register your product, your warranty is typically extended up to ten years. Some manufacturers might offer longer warranties, so be sure you read the materials that come with your equipment. Specific parts of your equipment might have longer warranties; that is something for you to look out for as well. In order to file any claims, you will likely need to bring the product serial number, proof of purchase, and proof...

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What to Expect During an AC Inspection in Mesa, AZ

An air conditioning maintenance inspection or tune-up is an opportunity for our HVAC techs to optimize your system. Here at Honest Air Inc. in Mesa, AZ, we offer comprehensive AC inspection services. Before you schedule your AC tune-up in Arizona, take a look at what you can expect to happen during our visit for our air conditioning inspection. Air Conditioning Evaluation Our AC inspections begin with a thorough evaluation of your air conditioning system. The examination covers everything from the physical AC unit and filters to the way the system functions. Our techs will manually examine the indoor and outdoor components, which includes the AC unit motor, belts, and hoses. If anything is cracked, broken, leaking, or otherwise jeopardizing the integrity of your AC system, we will recommend a repair or replacement. In some instances, repairs may be done during the same visit. However, if we need to order parts or the service requires a more extensive timeframe, we will require you to schedule a follow-up visit to handle the repairs. Coolant Level Checkup The next step is to manage the coolant level in the air conditioning system. Along with a coolant top-off, we also handle everything from condensate pumps...

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