Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
Conserving energy is important to many individuals in this day and age. This is likely because it not only helps homeowners save money, but is also good for the planet. A hot, humid summer can be the worst enemy of any home’s HVAC system. When a house is in the blazing sunlight throughout the day, its air conditioner is working harder than normal. This is particularly true in the afternoon. Strategically planting a tree or two to offer the home some shade is a great way to conserve energy. It not only makes the dwelling more beautiful, it also reduces air conditioning costs.
Giving thought to direction is essential when planting a tree or several trees to shade a dwelling. The most important sides of the home are the west and southwest. These sides that receive the most afternoon sun. Creating shade in the easterly direction is not as critical.
The most appropriate choice for those who live in the South are trees that keep their leaves throughout the year. This is because southern properties are exposed to warm weather year-round. In northern regions on the other hand, afternoon sun can help keep the dwelling warm throughout winter. Therefore, deciduous trees are a wise choice for homes in the north. As one might suspect, a strategically planted row of evergreens can efficiently shield a house from strong winter winds. Subsequently, it helps homeowners save money and energy.
Shade is also advantageous in certain areas surrounding the home’s air conditioning unit. For example, some thoughtfully arranged trees can block direct sunlight in this area. This lowers the temperature of the air being sucked into the unit. Additionally, water evaporating from nearby leaves helps to cool the air surrounding the unit. This in turn helps the HVAC system work more efficiently, which ultimately lowers energy costs. Nevertheless, it is essential to avoid planting low hanging evergreens and shrubs too close to the unit, as this can have a negative effect on the system’s proper air flow.
The more shade each tree creates, the more the dwelling is protected from the sun. Therefore, a full-grown tree offers more advantages to the home than a young tree that is not yet grown to maturity. Ideally, trees that reach heights of 25 feet or more need be placed approximately ten to 20 feet west of the home to ensure optimum, energy-conserving shade. Trees planted immediately to the west of the dwelling create shade that extends over the home. However, trees positioned to the southwest of the house do not offer direct shadows unless branches eventually cover parts of the home.
If the HVAC unit or home itself is located near paved areas, trees can be positioned to shade the pavement, which will help protect the house from summer heat. This is because pavement is typically made from asphalt, the latter of which heats up significantly when the sun is shining. Any tree that offers shade to areas featuring asphalt will ultimately help lower air conditioning costs.
Before planting any kind of tree, research should be conducted regarding its height in order to avoid choosing overly large trees. It is always wise to plant trees a reasonable distance from power lines, outbuildings and paved areas to avoid damage caused by branches and roots. To keep trees appropriately sized, careful pruning is also important.
To ensure a home remains as energy efficient as possible, regular air conditioning checkups need to be scheduled. This ensures that problems are caught before they become major repairs. A shade tree or two can add value to virtually any dwelling, while simultaneously lowering energy costs, which is a win-win situation for essentially any homeowner.
Ace-Robbins offers HVAC services for residents and commercial properties. We offer air conditioner tune-ups, cooling system maintenance, AC installation services, and much more. We have been in business since 1961, so you can rest assured that when you hire us, you will receive HVAC technicians that have years of experience under their belt. They will get the job done precisely the way that you want it. This will help make your heating or cooling system run more efficiently. Give us a call today so that we can set up an air conditioner tune-up appointment. Click here to check out all of our air conditioning services.
We service Bear Creek PA 18602, Dallas PA 18612, Duryea PA 18642, Kingston PA 18704, Lehman PA 18627, Luzerne PA 18709, Nanticoke PA 18634, Pittston PA 18640, Plymouth PA 18651, Shavertown PA 18708, Wilkes-Barre PA 18701, Wyoming PA 18644, and all surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
No one enjoys paying excessively large energy bills. For this reason, homeowners are always on the search to find ways or new strategies to reduce their energy consumption. Using less energy means reduced energy costs. Naturally, no one wants to compromise their comfort levels while doing so. There are so many ways that we can reduce our energy use and feel comfortable at the same time. Some tasks are quite simple. Others are more involved. However, they all make a significant impact on our energy use. In this article, we will discuss our top seven techniques that will make your energy bill more manageable this winter.
Install additional insulation. Be sure to place it in areas such as the attic and walls. This even goes for modern homes which are designed to be energy efficient. Some of the insulation materials commonly used are
The Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) recommends that insulation materials with high R-values are preferred. Additionally, the R-value should be based on the standards established by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). Your space-heating costs are lowered by between 10-50% by the addition of insulation to your home.
Appropriate weather stripping needs to be applied to the doors, windows and other parts of your home. Be sure to address any areas where it is possible for cold air to leak indoors during the winter season. A professional should be contracted to identify areas where air leaks could occur. A comprehensive home energy audit usually is quite precise because they use tools such as infrared cameras and blower doors. The materials that can be used to seal any problem areas once identified are:
This needs to be done prior to the commencement of the winter season. Always apply weather-stripping to surfaces that are dry.
The installation of a programmable thermostat can contribute to reducing home heating costs during the winter. This is possible because this you can set it up based on your schedule. You can schedule your thermostat to reduce the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees when you leave your home. It will go back to a higher indoor temperature right before you return home. As a result, your space heating costs are lowered by as much as 10% in the winter. Your home will also feel much more comfortable.
Any fluorescent lights still being used in your home should be replaced with LED lights. LED lights are more energy efficient. Data released from the US Department of Energy indicate that LED lights are more energy efficient than traditional lights such as incandescent bulbs, by as much as 75%. LED lights are also more durable than both fluorescent and incandescent lights. Therefore, opt for LED lights that are connected to the Internet of things (loT). This means that they are controlled via a tablet or smart phone.
Review the possibility of replacing the doors and windows in your home with energy efficient alternatives. One example is doors and windows that carry the ENERGY STAR label. This label indicates that they are specifically designed to prevent heat loss. Interestingly enough, the EPA published figures showing that by installing energy-efficient doors and windows, the energy consumption in households nationally could be lowered by 12% annually.
You should contract the services of a professional HVAC company to complete a thorough tune-up of your furnace or home heating system. This would include cleaning, inspecting, or replacement of:
A professional HVAC expert determines if there are any abnormalities being emitted from various parts of your home heating system. A heating unit that is not operating efficiently will consume more energy. Consequently, this results in higher power bills during the winter season.
If your water heater is at least ten years old, then you need to replace it with a modern water heater. Newer water heaters are far more energy-efficient. An example of this kind of water heater is one which only heats on-demand. Unfortunately, many older models heat all of the water contained in the tank.
When you follow even just a few of the above steps, you will see a major difference on your energy bills. These methods work and homeowners who follow these tips can enjoy the associated savings. Tuning up your heating system is probably one of the most important aspects of reducing your energy use. Be sure to find an HVAC company that has what it takes to get your heating system at peak efficiency.
Contact Ace-Robbins for all of your home heating needs. It is not too late to schedule your annual heater tune-up. We offer repair services such as furnace repair services as well as boiler repair services on HVAC systems of all makes and models. We also deliver propane and offer heating oil delivery. Be sure to contact us for all of your home heating needs. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing quality services at affordable prices.
Most homeowners are on the constant search to find ways to conserve energy and cut down on costs, especially during the summertime. Fortunately there are many things that a homeowner can do to reduce their carbon footprint while reducing the use of energy in their home. Many homeowners are unaware of the fact that they are spending more on energy costs than necessary without having to compensate the comfort of their home. There are energy conservation methods that are extremely easy to follow but it is a matter of changing small things around the house. Below we have provided 8 tips that will help you conserve energy in your home and significantly cut costs.
Cracks in building materials and other openings can let hot air seep into the home, forcing your air conditioner to work a lot harder in order to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors. Learn more about air sealing for new and old homes, perform a comprehensive inspection of the entire building structure and take advantage of caulk and weather stripping to thoroughly seal any gaps or openings in the walls or around the doors and windows.
Keeping the difference between temperatures outdoors and indoors as low as you can will lower your monthly energy bill by quite a bit and with minimal effort on your part. You can do this by setting the thermostat at a reasonably high temperature, so long as you and all other household residents remain comfortable once the thermostat setting has been raised. When you aren’t at home, set your thermostat to keep the home a bit warmer by only lowering it to approximately 78F or 26C. When you’re in the house, you may be tempted to lower the thermostat setting a bit more than you usually do when turning the air conditioner back on. This, however, is something that you should avoid because it won’t expedite the cooling process but it will significantly increase your energy bill.
A lot of people think that they’re increasing their overall energy efficiency by washing the dishes by hand. Surprisingly, however, using the dishwasher can actually help you save a lot of energy. You can save more energy by turning the dry cycle off and allowing the dishes to air dry.
In addition to increasing your energy efficiency, it can also reduce your spending on power. If you can, try not to use appliances between peak hours of 4 pm to 6 pm or when a declaration of electricity emergency has been made. It is possible to reduce your home energy use by up to four percent by using only the warm or cold settings on your washing machine for washing and rinsing your laundry in cold water. On warm, sunny days, put your clothes out on the laundry line to sun dry. If using your dryer is a must, only run it when the machine is full, use the moisture-sensing feature and always keep the lint trap clean.
Approximately 18 percent of the energy that your household uses is for heating water and you can limit your spending here by switching to the 120F or warm setting. In the warm months of summer, it isn’t necessary to have piping hot water for showers and baths and thus, this is a very effective way to increase your energy efficiency throughout the year.
When the weather grows warmer, warm outside air is constantly on the search for cooler spaces to move into and the cool interior of your abode is a primary target. If your attic lacks proper insulation, this warm air can simply enter your property via the roof. So, if you currently have attic insulation with a rating of R-19 or lower, think about switching up to an option that’s rated R-30 or higher.
If you’re living in a home that’s 20 years old or older, it’s probably time to start assessing the benefits of upgrading your air conditioner to a unit with a much greater level of energy efficiency. This is also true if you have a new home but live in an extreme climate, such as in a desert climate. Look for systems that cost less to operate and that have energy-approved, program standards. Keep in mind, however, that this will vary from one location to the next, so the area in which you live will largely determine the type of home cooling equipment you should invest in.
Reduce the strain on your air conditioner by having a light-colored roof installed. Certain home improvements can dramatically increase your energy efficiency and the roof is the absolute best place to get started. In the summer, having a light-colored roof is a lot like people choosing to wear loose, light clothes in high temperatures to stay cool. Your cooling system has to use a lot more energy and work a lot harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures when the outside heat is coming into the building via the roof. The typical roof can get as hot as 150F when summer temperatures are extreme, but if there is a light-colored roof in place, this same temperature can be lowered by as much as 50 percent! Thus, investing in a light-colored roof will limit the strain on your home cooling system, which will in turn, dramatically reduce your home energy bill throughout the summer months.
These eight ways of conserving energy can really make a huge difference. Even if you pick out a few out of the eight, you will see a major difference on your electric bill. By following these tips, you will reduce the amount of energy that is used while keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summertime.
Part of reducing energy consumption in the summertime is by having your air conditioner tuned up professionally. Ace-Robbins offers exceptional air conditioning services that will keep your cooling system working efficiently while saving you money at the same time. Be sure to contact us when you need to tune up your air conditioner. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing quality services at an affordable price. We serve Scranton, Tunkhannock, Laceyville, Montrose, Clarks Summit, Dallas, and surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
Everybody loves saving money, this blog post features a great infographic with 13 ways to conserve energy and save money this summer. Here is a preview of one conservation tip found in the Infographic:
Fans are great for energy conservation. Fans, both the portable and ceiling type, work well to cool the air down in your home, but just make sure to run the ceiling fan in an anti-clockwise direction. Even if the air is circulating slowly, it is sufficient to help you cool down by 3 to 4 degrees.
