How to Achieve HVAC Savings This Winter

We're fortunate that over the past few winters, the price of energy has been lower than in previous years, and predictions are that this winter, it will be lower still. Furthermore, winters of late have not been as cold as in former times, so homeowners have gotten a break on HVAC savings. Nevertheless, when it comes to our energy bills, we're always looking for ways to extend those HVAC savings.

In fact, if you've noticed that your heating bill has gone up, it's time to look for the reason and do something about it. Sometimes the remedy is quite simple, such as air sealing your home. Otherwise, you may have to make a more serious investment, such as newer, more efficient equipment to replace an old heating unit that's seen better days.

Here are some tips on how you can realize HVAC savings:

HVAC Savings This Winter

1. Air seal your home. Once a year, you should go around your home sealing air leaks that allow heated air out and cold air inside. Using caulk, insulation, and weatherstripping, seal around these spots: window and door frames; baseboards; electric switch plates (install a foam gasket inside the cover); at the bottom of the door; the attic hatch; and around the openings in exterior walls for pipes, cables, and wiring. Also check the fireplace chimney, furnaces, and gas-powered water heater vents, fixing leaks with fire-resistant materials such as Sheetrock, sheet metal, and furnace cement caulk.

2. Schedule maintenance for your furnace. Your HVAC technician can help boost your HVAC savings by servicing your furnace. The tech will ensure that burners are clean and igniting properly, and they can test the blower motor for amp draw. The tech will also inspect the vent system for blockages and make sure the blower is clean and functioning properly.

3. Turn the thermostat down a few degrees. You can save as much as 15% on your energy bill by turning the thermostat down a few degrees at night when the household is sleeping and when the premises is unoccupied.

For more on HVAC savings, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Learn the HVAC Heating Season Lingo

It's winter in Oklahoma, which means heating season. It's important to make sure your furnace is in proper shape and can keep you comfortable without driving up your energy bill. How do you do that? First you need to know the lingo. Here are a few important terms to help you navigate heating season.

AFUE

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The amount of fuel your furnace gives off as heat, vs. the amount given off as exhaust, by percentage. The higher the number, the more efficient your furnace.

CAE

Combined Annual Efficiency. The total efficiency of your furnace combined with that of your water heater, for those who have devices that integrate the two.

Load Calculation

A formula to determine what size furnace you need to heat your home properly — i.e. how much heat it needs to produce — based on your home's square footage, number of rooms, and a variety of other factors. If the furnace is too small, it will be overworked trying to heat your home. If it's too big, it will cycle on and off too frequently. Both situations waste energy and cause your heating system to wear out more quickly.

Heat Pump

An energy-saving alternative to a traditional furnace, it reverses the flow of heat, taking warm air from outside and circulating it through your home. Then in the summer, it acts as an air conditioner to keep your home cool. It's a good option for climates with milder winters.

Dual Fuel

A heating system that can alternate back and forth between electric power and natural gas, to improve efficiency while still maintaining comfort.

Energy Star

The federal program that identifies and labels household appliances that save energy. If you see the blue Energy Star logo on your furnace or heat pump, that means it's been proven to save both money and energy over similar models, without sacrificing performance or features. It's a great place to start when comparing heating systems.

To learn more about the terms you need to know this heating season, contact us at Air Assurance. We've served the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terms and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “stockcreations/Shutterstock”

Think You Need To Replace Your Furnace? Now's The Right Time To Go Shopping

Summer is upon us, and thinking about the best way to keep your home warm is probably one of the last things on your mind.  However, just like getting your holiday shopping done early, summer is the perfect time to look into purchasing a new furnace.  Be prepared when winter returns, and don't be caught in a chilly home.Most furnaces have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years. However, older models with lower efficiency may be worth replacing before they have reached the end of their operational lifespan.  Ultimately, investing in a new, high-efficiency furnace can save you as much as 40 percent on your energy bills.Many older furnaces can have efficiencies as low as 55percent.  Modern furnaces, on the other hand, reach efficiencies of over 98 percent.  What this means for you is that if you decide to upgrade your current furnace to a new model, less energy will be expended in heating your home.Retrofitting your current furnace is another way of improving the efficiency of your heating system and reducing your energy bill.  This option is ideal for furnaces which haven't reached the end of their lifespan, but are not yet old enough to justify the purchase and installation of an entirely new unit.Air Assurance is committed to helping you make the right choice when making a decision about your furnace purchase. If you're considering purchasing a new furnace, don't hesitate to schedule a visit from one of our technicians, who can give you a free estimate on the price of the unit and installation.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.