Home Renovation: Saving Money with your Heating and Cooling

Contact a Professional HVAC Contractor:

Your heating and cooling efforts need a professional to review your current HVAC services. Call a heating and air conditioning professional today, and see about getting an energy audit done within your home or business. Not sure what an energy audit is? Take a look at what an energy audit is from

Installing Energy-Efficient Lighting

Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) bulbs have changed the energy industry. Both bulbs are extremely efficient. Older bulbs emit so much heat that they not only raise your lighting bill but also raise your HVAC bill because your system is constantly working against the heat trying to cool off your home. This is one of the cheapest and simple ways to lower your energy bills.

Control Heating and Cooling with Insulation & Air Sealing

This is one of the most overlooked renovations when it comes to improving your HVAC consumption. Maybe because if it’s out of sight it’s out of mind. In this case, you do not want to overlook insulation & air sealing installation.

Where to insulate:

• Unfinished attic spaces
• Between & over the floor joists
• Between the studs of “knee” walls
• Slab floors built directly on the ground
• Cathedral ceilings

Where to seal off air:

• Around recessed lights
• Open stud cavities
• Gaps around chimneys
• The attic access door
• Skinny gaps

Over time, these areas experience wear and tear. This will end up meaning that you are not only paying to heat up your house but the areas around your house as well. In our opinion, that isn’t the best use of your finances. Installing proper insulation, and air sealing will increase the efficiency of your home.

Installing Storm Windows can keep Heating and Cooling Bills lower:

Installing window film, caulking, cleaning, and replacing parts are always to make sure your storm windows last their entire expected lifetime.

Install Window Film

This is another form of energy efficiency that is completely overlooked by homeowners. Roughly one-third of a building’s energy load is from solar heat- sunlight coming in through windows. Window film, more commonly known as window tint, can reduce up to 80% of solar heat by absorbing and reflecting it back outdoors.

Install Programmable or Smart Thermostats

Making a regular use of programmable thermostats, Timing automation systems, and demand & occupancy sensors are all great ways to save your home or business money. These tools optimize your HVAC system during peak hours, and when your home or business in unoccupied. This is a great way to cut back on heating or cooling your home/business unnecessarily. We love these smart thermostats from LifeHacker. They give you the top 5 they would recommend.

This season improve your energy bills through your HVAC unit. Your heating and cooling bills could be drastically changed by using these simple home tips.

For more home maintenance tips, look to our archives.

However, before you decide on that old rickety house and breakout all your tools, you need to first understand what you’re getting into. If you don’t have much experience with fixing up homes, there’s a chance you could overlook something so significant that it either blows your budget or makes the home unfixable. Before you buy a fixer upper, be sure you don’t overlook these areas.

Choosing a Fixer Upper Home? Essential Tips to Consider

 

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Inspect the Home’s Foundation

The home’s foundation is one of the most important elements of a home. Damage to the foundation can make the home unstable, be the cause of flooding, or allow rodents and pests to get in and out of the home. Before you decide on a home, be sure that you thoroughly inspect the foundation. Go into the basement and walk along the walls. Look for signs of water damage, cracks, holes, or rotting. You can even look for signs of previous repair, as this will let you know that you may have a potential problem on your hands. If you find any issues, reconsider buying the house carefully. Fixing a foundation can be extremely expensive, as you may need to jack the house up in order to do so.

Look Through the Attic & the Roof

The attic and the roof can say a lot about a home, so you want to be sure you really inspect these areas before deciding to buy. Check the attic and look for signs of water damage or rot. If you notice any, chances are you’ll need to replace the wood in order to keep the home safe and stable. You should also check the roof for signs of damage. If you notice any gaps, holes, warping, or rotting, you’ll need to factor in the cost of roofing materials to your budget.

HVAC – Is the Heating and Air Conditioning Working Correctly?

Chances are you don’t live in an area that offers perfect weather every day, which means that you’ll need a way to warm up or cool down the house. Be sure that you inspect the current HVAC system that’s in place. Look for signs of damage, or even try turning it on to see if it works. You also should make sure the HVAC system is up to code or made to your liking. For example, if the home window air conditioning units, you may want to splurge on a central heating and cooling system instead. If you don’t factor this into your renovation, you could end up with a pricey fix on your hand.

Check the Plumbing Pipes & System

Having underlying plumbing problems can become a major expense. This is why it’s very important you thoroughly inspect the plumbing components of your potential home. Make sure you look for signs of damage, rot, or mold. You should also be sure to turn every faucet on and off to check the water pressure and see how the water drains. If you’re unsure of the home’s plumbing, you can always hire a professional to inspect the home’s system for any issues.

Don’t Make a Home Purchase Blindly

Having a fixer upper can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be a financial nightmare. Be sure that you keep a keen eye on these areas of the home to ensure you’re not buying a money pit.

For more home maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

The cooler fall weather is upon us! And as a typical early fall season tends to go, the nights and mornings are cool and the afternoons get hot. With these daily fluctuating temperatures, how do we keep your home energy efficient? Here are just a few tips to keep you and your home at just the right temperature this fall without breaking the bank.

Keep windows open or closed for fresh air:

Since the evening and early morning hours are the coolest at this time of year, it only makes sense to open your windows nice and wide at night.  I hear you, what about security? Well, consider just opening your upper floor windows while you sleep, allowing for fresh, cool air to come in while keeping the house safe and secure at the same time. (Keep an extra blanket near your bed, in case you get chilly in the middle of the night).  Make sure to close your windows and drapes around 10 a.m. before the afternoon heat sets in. This will ensure your home retains the cool air for as long as possible. The best thing about this plan? You can avoid turning on the costly air conditioner!

Line Dry Your Clothes:

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Yes, it seems old-fashioned, but line drying your clothes is not just for Grandma.  Our Grandparents did this because it was financially efficient.  Take advantage of these nice fall days and hang your clothes out on the line. After all, the sun is free!

Seal Your Windows:

Image via: Houzz

Sealing your windows is one of the simplest and most cost-efficient ways to make your home more energy efficient.  Inspect all your window and door frames for cracks or openings. Simply seal these cracks with a Low-expanding foam sealant. This will keep your doors and windows free of those chilly fall and winter drafts.

Image via: Houzz

Change Your Filter:

Another simple home efficiency step is to change your furnace filter on a regular basis, allowing for proper air flow through the ducts.  You may also want to have your heating system inspected and cleaned before the real chilly days of winter begin.

Use these tips this fall to save energy in your home on Stagetecture.

The long summer days have already come to their close. The fall season has officially started, as it is the beginning of September. As the temperature will gradually go down from now on, you should start thinking about conserving energy in your home. While keeping the inside of your house warm without losing money on your energy costs.

Image via: Mark Pinkerton vi360

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Utilize Natural Heat

If you have south-facing windows in your house, keep the curtains open during daytime to take advantage of the heat from the sun. Natural sunlight is a natural solution to keeping a place warm during the cooler days. While keeping the windows open at day, close them at night to reduce the chill from cold weather.

Image via: Gregory Carmichael

Adjusting the Temperature

Save the heating bills by adjusting the temperature of your house. Set the thermostat at a comfortable low level when you are at home and awake. When you are outside of your home or sleeping, you can set the temperature to 10-15 degrees. This little action will save nearly 10 percent on your cooling and heating bills in a year. If you find it irritating to change the temperature again and again, buy a programmable thermostat to make the job easier.

Cut on Fireplace Heat Loss

When you are not burning a fire, keep the fireplace damper closed. Warm air goes right up to the chimney through this damper. A heat-air exchange system and tempered glass doors in the fireplace will also bring the warm air back into the room. C-shaped metal tube-made grates will draw the room’s cold air into the fireplace and flow warm air back into the room.

Image via: Houzz

Seal the Leaks

Check your house to find any air leak around utility cut-through and seal it. Energy loss occurs through leaks made by cut-through for gaps around chimney, incomplete spaces behind closets and cupboards, pipes in wall, and recessed lights in insulated ceilings. Doors and windows may have leaks too. Seal them with chalk or weatherstripping.

Use Wood

Wood can be a very good element to prevent the energy loss of your home during the cold days. Take out the curtains or blinds of the windows and use wooden shutters instead because they help to insulate. Besides saving energy, they also add elegance to any space.

Image via: Decor City

Using wooden shelves is another effective way to save energy. Place these shelves above the heaters and radiators. Hot air from heaters and radiators usually goes straight up to the ceiling instead of spreading through a room. However, shelving above a heater or a radiator will prevent hot air going upward and help circulating it out and into the room. Place the shelving at least one foot above the heater or radiator to avoid a fire.

Numerous ways are there to save energy during the cold weather. Find out what will be convenient for you to do and apply them on your house.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Are you interested in cooling and heating your home in an eco-friendly way? Most people have never heard of a geo-exchange, and even those who have may not fully understand how the system works. There are pipes under your house, right? And they bring the air up into your home? That’s the basic gist of it, but the inception is a bit more complex. What you really need to know is that this alternative form of heating and cooling your home is an eco-friendly option that allows you to cut your electrical use significantly. And although it is expensive to install (especially after your house has already been built), it can save you a ton of money over time, all while helping to make the planet a little cleaner. Here are just a few reasons you might want to consider installing such a system in your home.

Image via: Travis Neely

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Save energy.

The main reason most people opt for a geo-exchange over a standard HVAC system is simple: it cuts energy consumption by a significant margin. In fact, people generally notice that they require only about a third of the energy to run a geo-exchange that they needed for their old heating and cooling system. The reason is because the system rarely needs to heat or cool. The ground under your home tends to remain at a fairly steady temperature thanks to heated ground water, so the majority of electricity used by the system is simply to pump that air into your home. This way you only have to heat or cool your interior air slightly in order to achieve the desired temperature. And the incentive, of course, is that less energy is being drawn from the grid, reducing the pollution and waste that go hand-in-hand with power production.

Lower utility bills.

As a nice bonus to decreasing your energy consumption, you’ll notice that your electric and gas bills drop, as well (depending on the type of heating and cooling systems you had prior to switching). When you only need about a third of the energy you were using before to heat and cool your home, your monthly utility bills will reflect the change.

Stop CFCs.

Chlorofluorocarbons are created by the products used as refrigerant in most AC units, and they are responsible for creating holes in our ozone layer. Luckily, the government has limited the use of these harmful products, but if you want to cut back even further, a geo-exchange gives you the opportunity to drastically reduce your contributions to depleting the ozone.

Image via:  Lazar Design+Build

Regulate temperature more easily.

Ground temperatures vary from place to place, but they tend to fall somewhere in the range of about 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit. What does this mean for the temperature in your home? The geo-exchange pumps this air into your home to set the base temperature. Suppose, for example, that it’s below zero outside and you’d like your home to be a balmy 70 degrees. When you’re heating your home from a base temperature of 50 rather than 0, you can see how it would take a lot less time and energy to do so, and how it would be easier to maintain. In addition, you won’t suffer the same spikes and drops as with a regular HVAC system, leaving you hot and cold in turn.

Reduce particulates.

No matter how often you replace filters in your furnace and AC unit, you’re still blowing air through ductwork that gathers dust, spewing all kinds of potential allergens into your interior space. By using a geo-exchange you can limit your use of standard heating and cooling methods. If this reduces allergy symptoms for you and your family, it may be worth it.

For more eco-friendly ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether it’s a stifling heat wave or just general summertime heat and humidity, let’s face it – your air conditioning unit has helped you through some rather sticky summer situations. Putting your AC unit to good use certainly makes your indoor living quarters seem like your own little slice of paradise, offering a refreshing contrast to the harsh outdoors – but how exactly are you ensuring that your unit is being maintained correctly?

Image via:  Resolution: 4 Architecture

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Is the air which you are breathing in healthy? Even if the answer is a definite yes, precautionary measures should still be taken. Sure, professional upkeep is necessary at certain times throughout the year, but there are some things you can do yourself for maintenance. Follow these tips to help you maintain your beloved AC unit, in order to keep it running at the highest possible standards:

Debris Removal:

Logically, the harder your AC unit works, the more debris are subject to being unwillingly sucked in the unit, leading to eventual clogging of your unit, and in some cases, polluted air. Luckily, this is easily preventable.

To do this, a monthly or bi-monthly trip to your outdoor unit is necessary. Start by removing any debris from around the unit, such as any random plant parts, grass, dust, or pollen. To stay even more efficient, methods of hosing down the filters, usually located on the sides of the unit, should be taken – after all, it’s the ideal breeding ground for clusters of dust and debris. Apply a low pressure water flow directly to the filters, but be careful about getting too much water inside the unit.

Always remember to turn off the power to the unit prior to starting this process.

Image via: Studio H Landscape Architecture

Going Inside the Unit:

In some cases, obtaining access to the insides of your unit is necessary. To do this, first refer to your owner’s manual, as most AC units differ in their own way. Start by removing the top head of the unit using specific screwdrivers. Once the head is removed, you can proceed to remove any unwanted debris. This is extremely useful if anyone in your house suffers from allergies.

In the end, these methods are the best possible D-I-Y remedies for your polluted AC Unit. Remember, if you do not feel confident in your ability to complete this yourself, it’s better to call upon a professional Blue Bell AC repair company than to end up damaging the costly unit. Stay cool!

For more cleaning & maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Air quality is of the utmost importance in the home. Poor indoor air quality can have a number of negative health effects, like chronic lung disease, asthma, nasal congestion, headaches and fatigue. For people who already have trouble breathing or have chronic lung disease the risk is even greater. This summer when you blast the air conditioner to stay cool it is important to take into consideration what some of these risks are. Moreover, making sure that the air circulation in your home is clean and running efficiently will have a number of other benefits too.

Image via: Winder Gibson Architects

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Here are 5 benefits of cleaning the air ducts and vents in your home.

1.) Your heating and air conditioning system will last longer.

Keeping up with basic maintenance, like cleaning and making sure that the filters in your air ducts and vents are free from dirt, dust and grime is the number way to keep your system from breaking down. In fact, 9 out of 10 heating and air conditioning systems break down as a result of people not taking the proper steps to clean their air ducts and vents. Parts and labor can be expensive and over time can really start to add up. In addition, having to replace the entire system can really set you back financially.

2.) Cleaning the air ducts and vents will also increase energy efficiency.

They say that even minimal removal or vacuuming of dust can increase energy efficiency by up to 20%. This can, effectively, save you a tremendous amount of money on your next utility bill, but can also hugely reduce your home’s impact on the environment.

3.) It’s good for your health.

Making sure that your air ducts and vents are free from common indoor air pollutants, like pollen, pet dander, mildew, mold and more, will improve your home’s air quality. Basically, if you don’t clean out your ducts and vents, all of these pollutants can be sent into the air of your home. Not only does poor indoor air quality have disastrous effects on your health, but your home too. Excess moisture from an inefficient AC system can cause structural rot in the walls, window frames and even roofs.

Image via: Summit Design Remodeling, LLC

4.) Cleaning can lead to a better smelling home

Routine cleaning and removal of pollutants in your air ducts and vents will also make your home smell better. No air freshener, incense, floral candle or cookie baking is going to remove the smell of mildew or mold that emanates from an unclean air duct system. If you want to go ductless you could go with a mini-split system to avoid the unnecessary expense and effort of having to clean your ducts and vents (visit FloridaACDealers.com to learn more).

5.) Maintain your property value.

Lastly, cleaning out your home’s air ducts and vents will maintain the property value of your home. Letting your air ducts and vents get too dirty will cause serious problems for your home, like yellowing of walls and peeling of paint. Cleaning out your heating and air conditioning system should be an essential part of your home’s basic annual maintenance and should never be ignored, because a clean home is a happy home.

For more cleaning & maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Some steps you can take towards having a greener house are easier than others. Because a new boiler is a relatively big investment it is one of the changes which you will probably want to think about before going ahead with.

The most relevant question to ask yourself is when the time would be perfect to make the change to a new boiler in order to get the maximum benefit and help the planet as much as possible. There are a few different circumstances which you might like to take into account before you check out the range on offer from the likes of Help-Link UK.

Image via: Dyanne Wilson Photography

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It Is Getting Old

If you do some checking online you will find quite a wide variety of opinions on the subject of how old is too old for a boiler to give you the efficient service you require. Some experts say that after 10 years a boiler needs to be replaced while others say 15 years and yet others think that 20 years is long enough. In truth, the answer has a lot to do with how well it has been looked after and how good it was in the first place. If you have any doubts about how well yours is ageing it is worth getting it checked out by an expert.

It Has a Poor Energy Rating

These days you can get an A rated boiler which will give the best possible energy efficiency. However, if you have an older one then it could have anything as low as a G rating. The cost saving by switching from a G rated device to an A rated one has been calculated at over £300 per year in the average house, while your carbon dioxide emissions could drop by around 1,200 kg each year as well when you do this.

Image via: Crisp Architects

You Are Using It More

There are many different reasons why you might be using your boiler more now than in the past. Maybe your family has grown or perhaps an extension or loft conversion has given you extra space in the property. Whatever the reason is, you will have seen your energy bills increase and may be worried about the amount of greenhouse gases you are now contributing towards. This could be an ideal moment to change to a new boiler and start to see the difference this makes in terms of efficiency. 

When You Don’t Plan to Move

One of the biggest factors to take into account is the amount of time you plan to spend in the property. While this is a sizeable investment we have already seen that your annual cash saving could be enough for you recover your outlay more quickly than you might have thought. This means that you can take advantage of a greener approach safe in the knowledge that it will soon pay for itself.

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Excessive moisture in your home can be extremely problematic, often leading to such issues as mold, degradation of air quality, offensive odors and even structural damage. If you feel that your home is taking on too much moisture, it’s important to take action right away, before small issues become serious problems. Remember these tips for controlling moisture to keep your home solid and healthy for years to come.

Image via: Rustic Brick and Stone

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1. Clean and Maintain the Gutters

Gutters are extremely important for controlling moisture levels in any home. A clogged gutter can cause water to accumulate on your roof, leading to water damage and a buildup of moisture. Likewise, if your gutters are not properly diverting rainwater away from your home, you may find water seeping into your basement. Make sure that all of your homes gutters are clean, well maintained, and optimized to divert rain away from your home. This small effort can go a long way in controlling moisture.

2. Install Exhaust Fans

Not every source of moisture comes from the outside. Very often, bathrooms and kitchens that are not properly ventilated can cause moisture to build up inside your home. Whether you’re boiling water or enjoying a hot shower, lots of water vapor is getting into the air in your home. If that vapor can’t be directed outside, it will hang around indefinitely. Installing exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom will help you keep that moisture under control, so don’t hesitate to make this investment for your home.

3. Vent Your Dryer to the Outside

Drying clothes has become much easier and faster than it was in the past, thanks to electric dryers. However, if your dryer isn’t vented so that it blows off steam outside, you could be pumping lots of moisture into your home air every time you dry your clothes. Be sure to run your dryer’s exhaust vent outdoors, and if you hang any clothing to dry, do that outside as well. This easy tip will help you cut out one of the biggest sources of indoor moisture in your home.

4. Build Yourself a Hill

Landscaping can be great for beautifying a home, but it can also be very damaging if you’re not careful. When you start landscaping, be sure to avoid putting your home in a valley. Plan your projects so that your home comes out on top, so that ground water won’t rush up to your walls and seep into your home. The house on the hill will always control moisture better than the house in the valley.

Image via: My House Design Build Team

5. Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling Systems

The importance of indoor ventilation should never be underestimated. Making a small investment in air conditioning and heating repair air conditioning and heating repair can be a great help in your struggle to control indoor moisture. Aside from appliances and plumbing, you and your family members also release moisture into the air every time you breathe. It may not seem significant, but a home without good ventilation and air circulation quickly becomes moist and musty. Make sure that the air in your home is circulating, and your moisture control issues will be much easier to handle.

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

There are a lot of great things that come with the spring and summer seasons. Longer days to spend outside. Perfect weather conditions to go swimming or to walk along the beach. It’s also a time when it’s appropriate to eat as much ice cream as your body can handle. But sometimes, the heat can be close to unbearable, especially if you live in a warm climate, and trying to keep your house cool can mean hefty energy bills.

Image via: Tate Studio Architects

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If you would like some natural tips on how to keep your home comfortable without relying on your air conditioner, we have some for you below:

Cover up.

This can mean a lot of things. For one, oftentimes people’s energy bills are high because their cold air is escaping through small holes in the home. So, make it a point to look for any kind of holes or cracks in your walls or doors. If you see some, cover them with caulking. Also, the more natural light that comes into your house, the warmer it will seem. There are thermal curtains and solar shades that are specifically designed to keep heat out. You can find them at Sears, Wal-Mart and Overstock, just to name a few.

Use less energy.

The more energy that you use, the warmer your house will feel. So, make it a point to opt for the microwave rather than your stove; to wash your dishes by hand rather than using the dishwasher; to wait until you have a full load before washing or drying your clothes and to take cooler showers over warm baths. Don’t forget to turn off the lights in a room before you leave it, as well as your electronic equipment at the end of the day. Also, try and make it a point to replace your incandescent lights with LED lights. They use about 60 percent less energy and that can definitely make a difference when it comes to the overall temperature in your home. Oh and one more thing: If you spoke with an air conditioning company such as WA Air Conditioning about ways to save money, they would probably tell you that using your ceiling fans more often would help. Just make sure that you set them to turn counterclockwise. That will help to keep the cool air circulating for cheaper than what it would cost to have the central air unit running all day (and night) long.

Image via: Margie Grace – Grace Design Associates

Install some awnings and plant some trees.

Although the suggestions that we already recommended address what you can do as it relates to the interior of your home, if the exterior is in the shade, then you will already feel a dramatic difference. So, don’t forget to also install some awnings over your windows and to also plant a few trees in front of the windows where you and your family spend the most time. These two tips will definitely play a significant role in cooling down your house and that can help to save you a few more dollars, each month, on your energy bill. That will make summertime (pardon the pun) even cooler.

For more energy efficient ideas on Stagetecture, click here.