These Household Appliances Affect Your Energy Bills

Many of the causes behind higher monthly energy bills are obvious suspects. Others, however, may be "under the radar" and not often considered. Here are three household appliances that could be consuming more than their fair share of energy and pushing costs higher:

The Refrigerator

It has a big footprint in your kitchen but often doesn’t loom large as a potential cause of higher energy bills. It was 1997 before refrigerators were included in the Department of Energy’s Energy Star standards. Since then, technology to enhance efficiency has been gradually incorporated in new models. Refrigerators manufactured before that year, or early in the time span since, may be operating well below today’s norm when it comes to electrical consumption. If your refrigerator falls in that category, consider upgrading and start saving now.

The Washing Machine

Most washers last 10 years or so. However, if yours is that old or older it may be much less efficient than units manufactured recently. A new efficient clothes washer today will use about 100,000 gallons less water over the upcoming decade than a new washer sold in 2007. Since most of that water is heated by gas or electricity, the new units will cost their owners an estimated $150 less in energy costs per year. Today’s efficient washers also extract water more efficiently, which reduces time in the dryer and also cuts energy expenses.

The HVAC Blower

If your air conditioner and furnace are up-to-date but the blower motor that circulates air is old-school, you may not be getting the full benefit of more efficient HVAC equipment. When the furnace or A/C is running, an outmoded, single-speed PSC (permanent split capacitor) blower fan can account for fully 10 percent of household electrical usage. New, variable-speed ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) blowers are programmed to circulate air across a wide range of output and maintain more consistent indoor temperature. In addition, these highly efficient units use up to 75 percent less power than the old, original-equipment motors.

For more about lesser-known causes of high energy bills, in Broken Arrow ask the pros at Air Assurance.

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 appliances and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “deeptuts/Pixabay”

Your Computer Depends On A Surge Protector, Why Not Your Heating And Cooling Systems?

Power surges are among the top three causes of HVAC system breakdown, along with neglect and old equipment. They are unpredictable, and only last milliseconds, but they have the potential to be very destructive. Through no fault of your own, you could be left out in the cold (or heat!) without an HVAC system, and a very high repair bill. You may even have to replace your entire system. That’s why HVAC surge protectors are solid investments.Power surges are strong, sudden electrical fluctuations, generally caused by lightning, events at the utility company, or internal occurrences. Contrary to popular belief, most causes are actually internal, created by such things as motors on household appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators, pumps for a well or a pool, and other mechanical systems. Think of when you plug in a vacuum or hairdryer and the lights go slightly dim for a moment. Power surges are more common than many people realize. The average U.S. home experiences over 300 a year, each with the ability to cause damage.Many people recognize the importance of surge protectors for their computers and take appropriate measures to protect them. If there is a sudden spike of power, the surge protector shuts down their computer, protecting their investment and valuable files. An HVAC surge protector works the same way, by shutting down your system in the event of a dangerous power fluctuation. Often the same people who protect their computers and other home electronics overlook their HVAC systems.Your HVAC system is among the top three most expensive household investments to replace, along with your home and your car. You have insurance policies on the second two items. Don’t neglect the first! Surge protectors are a kind of insurance policy for HVAC systems. In fact, surge protectors increase the life spans of all your major household appliances, including the aforementioned culprits like the dishwasher and refrigerator.Call Air Assurance to learn more about how surge protectors safeguard your equipment and your home!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.