Archive for: #energysavingstips

Energy Savings Tips … part 5

Energy Savings Tips … part 5!

What happened to spring?  Summer is in full effect!

I cannot remember the day (this week) that this video was taken, however, the “light show” was fantastic!  Staci had just taken the dogs out. She came back in and said that I had to see this. I got out of the recliner, and I didn’t notice anything different at the front of the house.  She then directed me to the back of our home.  I have seen “heat lightning” before, but this was special.  The lightning was behind some really dark clouds.  Take a look at this video.

 

I think this went on for about an hour… maybe more! What an amazing light show!

 

moneyNow, on with the Energy Savings tips … part 5.

I guess you could say that the main gist of these tips is to avoid heating your home with lighting and appliances. Here is how you can unintentionally heat up your home without realizing it.

 

  • Try to not use the oven on hot days. When you are ready to cook, use the stove top, use a microwave, or (my favorite) break out the grill!
  • hot thermometersInstall those weird looking bulbs in your lighting fixtures. Those bulbs, in most cases, use less electricity and produce less heat! Energy efficient bulbs also use about 10 – 15% of the electricity that incandescent (regular) bulbs use.
  • Use the daylight instead of artificial lighting. Just be sure to avoid the direct sunlight.
  • When washing clothing and dishes, only wash full loads. Air drying both will help reduce heat and save on your electric bill.
  • Try to minimize activities that produce heat.  For example, using computers, burning candles (or other open flame items), running the dishwasher, clothes dryer, hair dryer, or curling irons.  Televisions and stereos can also add to the heat load of your home.

TGIF! The weekend is here.  Father’s Day is Sunday… I cannot wait to have my dad and father-in-law over for a feast. I hope those whose father have passed on, can look back with fond memories and remember the good things about your dads!

Enjoy the weekend!

Mike

Energy Savings Tips …. Part 4

heat warningAnother week has almost past, and it looks like 90° weather is in our forecast. As the spring fades into summer, everyone is going to be looking for a cool place to relax.

I should mention… As the temperatures begin to increase, do not leave children or pets unattended in your car.  Temperatures can skyrocket quickly!

A test conducted by the University of San Francisco showed that in 10 minutes a closed-up car reached 99 degrees when the outside temperature was 80 degrees. In 20 minutes, the inside of the car had reached 109 degrees.  dog-car-01These temperatures can cause heat stroke, and in some cases, death.

Energy Savings Tips …. Part 4

moneyTo get the best performance and efficiency out of your air conditioning equipment, it is important to follow these guidelines.

  • Schedule a tune-up (aka, preventive maintenance, summer start-up, planned maintenance)- Your air conditioning and heating system runs most of the year.  Just like your car, your ac needs to have a tune-up.  We recommend at least twice a year.  One time before the summer season, and once before the winter season.
  • Keep lamps, lights, tvs or other heat producing items away from your thermostat. Your thermostat senses heat from these items, which can cause your air conditioning to run longer than necessary.
  • Keep any dust from building up on your registers by vacuuming them. This will help keep the flow of air moving freely and without restriction.
  • Be sure that your furniture and other objects are not impeding the flow of air from the registers.
  • Keep doors open throughout the house. This will keep the airflow at the proper levels.

If you find that your ac unit is not working, please feel free to contact us.

Also, I am still running a “Preseason Sale” on complete air conditioning units. Up to $1500 off York and Goodman units!  This sale will end soon, so don’t wait until the Dog Days of Summer.

Since the weekend is almost here, I hope that you have a great weekend!