TIPS

** Debating whether to repair or replace your existing air conditioner or heat pump?  Click on Spring tips to learn why 2010 is the best year ever to replace your old equipment!

SAFETY CHECKS

In honor of National Fire Prevention Week about to begin (Oct. 9), it's a good time for homeowners to make sure their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. As more furnaces start up, there's an increased risk of indoor fire and smoke, experts say. 

The National Fire Protection Association says 78 percent of all reported fires - more than 400,000 a year - happen in residences (homes, dormitories, apartments, etc.). Properly working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can save lives. It's also a good idea to have a safety plan that features an escape route and a fire extinguisher.

* During your furnace tune-up Wahl Heating and Cooling will check for gas and carbon monoxide leaks as well as check that your smoke and Co2 alarms are functioning properly.  We also offer a variety of safety device installations including the revolutionary in-duct smoke detectors.  See our “specials” page for details.

Cold weather is coming!  Is your home ready?

At least 44% of your energy costs this season will come from your heating bills.  Is your home ready?  Follow these simple tips to save big on energy without sacrificing your families comfort.

q       Have your furnace tuned-up.  Some homeowners might be tempted to have their furnaces tuned-up only semi-annually to save money on the maintenance.  Before you decide consider this:  Having even an efficient furnace tuned-up can save homeowners at least 10% on their energy bills!  While having a furnace with an inefficient burner can cost a homeowner three times the price of a tune-up in fuel cost alone! 

q       Check around your doors and windows for leaks.  Improperly sealed homes can waste 10 to 15 percent of homeowners heating dollars! Add weather-stripping or caulk any holes that allow heat to escape. Make sure doors seal properly.

q       Have your home’s heating ducts inspected for leaks.  Think of your duct work as huge hoses, only instead of bringing water into your house they deliver hot air in winter and cool air in summer.  Leaky ducts make rooms hard to heat and can cause your furnace to operate more than it needs to.  Since you don't see them everyday, ducts can leak for years without you knowing it. They can become torn or crushed and flattened. Have damaged ducts repaired or replaced. The effort can be worth it.  According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory you can save 10% or more on heating/cooling costs by getting your ducts sealed.

                      * Your ductwork functions as the reparatory system for your home.  If you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or other chronic breathing conditions ask your technician to check your ductwork for a noticeable buildup of dirt, dust, or mold.  If these contaminants are present options such as duct cleaning, U.V. lights, or air cleaners can provide much needed relief for these symptoms as well as help to improve the overall health of yourself and your family.

q       Insulate your attic. In older homes, this can be the most cost-efficient way to cut home heating costs. Prior to energy efficiency standards, homes were often built with little or no insulation. As a result, large amounts of heat are lost through walls, floors, and ceilings. Seal holes in the attic that lead down into the house, such as open wall tops and duct, plumbing, or electrical runs. Any hole that leads from a basement or crawlspace to an attic is a big energy waster. Cover and seal them with spray foam and rigid foam board if necessary

q       If your heating system is old, you might consider updating it. A pre-1977 gas furnace is probably 50 percent to 60 percent efficient today. Modern gas furnaces, on the other hand, achieve efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent. Replacing an old heating system can cut your natural gas use nearly in half!  If you rely on electricity to heat your home, heat-pumps or hybrids offer the most efficiency.  A heat-pump can cut your electricity by as much as 30 to 40%

q       Make adjustments for winter airflow.  Check that all heating vents are opened and unblocked by furniture or other items. This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed through the home. Accessories such as air deflectors or turning veins can be added to problem areas by increasing the airflow and overall comfort of your home without turning the thermostat up.  Reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward. This is especially valuable in high ceiling rooms, where heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.

q       Check your thermostat.  The placement of your thermostat will determine how often your furnace has to turn on or off to maintain the desired temperature in your home.  If the thermostat is placed in a drafty area or an area that is consistently too hot your unit will end up working harder than necessary. 

q       Use your programmable thermostat if you have one.  A set-back thermostat allows you to automatically turn down the heat when you're away at work or when you're sleeping and still allow you to boost the temperature to a comfortable level when you need it. It takes less energy to warm a cool home than to maintain a warm temperature all day. A programmable thermostat can cut heating costs from 20% to 75%.

q       Don’t forget about your humidifier.  Humidifiers that are old or that aren’t functioning properly can waste water unnecessarily.  During your fall tune-up ask the service technician to check your humidifier for efficiency.  Also check the water-panel regularly to prevent mold and bacteria from circulating through the system and into your air.

Energy Saving Tips for the Home and Office:

• Set thermostats between 65 and 70 degrees during winter months and at 58 degrees when away from the house for more than a few hours.

• Turn down thermostats without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

• Change air filters every 3 to 12 months. If your home has excessive dust or pet dander, or if you are remodeling, you may need to check it more often.
  When your filter is clogged your system has to work harder to circulate air through your home. Not only will your unit’s efficiency drop but also your energy bills will increase along with the chance of a break down.
• Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm airflow across the floor. Accessories such as air deflectors or turning veins can be added to problem areas by increasing the airflow and overall comfort of your home without turning the thermostat up.
• Install water-flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets
• Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room
• Run washing machines and clothes dryers with a full load
• On sunny days, open drapes and blinds to let the sun’s warmth in. Close them at night to keep the cold air outside.
• In the living room- Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. An open damper can let 8% of the warm air escape.
• Upgrade existing furnace to a High Efficiency system, or Hybrid. Aside from using less energy, and having lower utility bills, the government is offering tax credits or refunds on qualifying systems.

At the Office:

• Try to keep your office at a constant temperature, between 69 and 73 degrees during the day. About half of all energy uses in commercial buildings is for space heating and cooling. Switch to a programmable thermostat that will not only keep the temperature constant during the day but will also drop to the chosen night temperature to eliminate.