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Archive for February, 2010
February 25th, 2010 by Melissa Doyle
Now that winter is finally almost over and spring is on its way, it is time to think about getting your air conditioner serviced. Here are some signs that could signal that it’s time to replace your HVAC system.
1. You set your thermostat at a temperature that should be comfortable, but you have rooms that are not comfortable. There could be a number of problems: improper duct sealing, insufficient insulation, or inadequate air sealing. It does not matter how efficient your HVAC unit is if any of these is the problem.
2. You have problems controlling humidity or dust. Again, leaky ducts could be the problem, but it could also be an improperly sized unit. Changing your air filter monthly can help solve the problem, but even if you don’t have a problem you should make sure to change your filter monthly.
3. Your system is noisy. Your system could be improperly sized or there could be a problem with the indoor coil.
4. Your energy bills are increasing despite constant repairs. As your system ages, it becomes less efficient. As the efficiency of your system decreases, your energy bills increase.
5. Your A/C or heat pump is more than12 years old. At this point, it is time to consider replacing your unit.
6. Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old. The good news is you don’t usually have to replace both your heater and your A/C at the same time. The bad news is, at 15 years, it’s time to replace your furnace or boiler.
7. Your thermostat is always set to one constant temperature. Consider getting a programmable thermostat. It can be programmed to control the temperature when you are not home or you are asleep. This is better for your system and for your wallet.
8. Your home scores below 5 on the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yard Stick. Your score is inversely proportional to your energy usage. So, a low score means high energy usage and that you are probably paying more than you should be. You can find the Home Energy Yardstick at www.energystar.gov.
If any or all of these sound like your home, contact your AC Doctor certified contractor to discuss servicing or replacing your unit.
Posted in AC Doctor News
February 18th, 2010 by Melissa Doyle
Energy efficient homes are great for the environment and reduce monthly utility bills, but they can be built so tightly that they cannot breathe! A home must be able to breathe in order to prevent unhealthy living conditions. There are some things you can do to improve your indoor air quality.
First off, control indoor pollution. This may seem like common sense, but there are some pollutants that you may not even be aware of. New carpeting can emit chemicals for years after installation. Cleaning products also pollute the air. The scents are not natural, they are created with chemicals. Natural, unscented cleaning products are healthier for your home and for you.
You can also improve ventilation by opening windows to let in fresh air and turn on ceiling fans to keep the air circulating. Remember that your HVAC system does not bring in outside air to circulate through your home. Opening windows will also let odor from pets and garbage cans leave your house.
Replacing your old vacuum with one with a HEPA filter is another way you can keep your air clean. They more effectively remove dust and particles from your floors than older vacuums which can blow these particles back into the air.
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Posted in AC Doctor News, Indoor Air Quality
February 15th, 2010 by Melissa Doyle
Green building reaches a new high with the i-house. A trailer at heart, the i-house is the latest in pre fab housing. There are several two basic layouts to choose from, one bedroom and two bedrooms, with optional flex space. The flex space can add up to two more bedrooms and one more bathroom. The i-house comes standard with high levels of insulation, energy efficient windows, water saving dual flush toilets, and all are labeled energy star ready! You can also choose from a list of energy efficient optional features such as solar panels, digital programmable thermostat, and GE stackable washer and dryer. These houses are on the pricey side, seeing as they technically are trailers. To have one built and shipped to Cypress, TX I would pay over $103,000! And that’s just for a standard 2 bedroom with no extra features! For $100,000 I can buy a standard 3-4 bedroom home with a garage and an average of 5 times more space, but no one said going green was cheap. Another downside, these houses are all identical. The only difference between any two is where the flex space is positioned. The biggest problem that I can see is the flex space is not attached to the main house. It would be great to use as office space or a ‘mother in law house’, but I couldn’t see allowing children or teenagers to use it for bedroom space. All in all, the i-house is a great idea, for it is truly green, but I don’t see it being practical for families with more than one or two children. This is a step in the right direction though! As it gets easier to go green, more and more people are doing it.
Posted in AC Doctor News, Energy Efficiency
February 11th, 2010 by Melissa Doyle
The real estate market is a buyer’s market right now. But how do you know if your future home is efficient? Here are some things to consider when looking for a more efficient home.
1. How big is it?
Today’s home are much larger than need be, and the bigger the home the more energy it uses. In general, a one bedroom home doesn’t need to be any bigger than 900 square feet, 1,400 square feet for a 2 bedroom, 1,900 for a 3 bedroom, and so on.
2. Where is it?
The closer your house is to sidewalks, stores, public transportation, etc, the less you drive and the less you add to the air pollution.
3. How is it oriented?
South facing windows can let in heat during the winter. Nice, big shade trees will help keep the heat out during the summer.
4. Is it well insulated and are doors and windows sealed tightly against air leaks?
You will want to have your HVAC contractor check to make sure you have enough insulation for your area. You can also have a ‘door blower test’ performed to find any leaks and find any drafts.
5. Had the indoor air quality been tested?
Homes are being built sealed tighter than they used to be so that they can hold in the hot or cold air, depending on season, but they can also hold in toxins such as mold, asbestos, and lead. You can also ask if the home was built of renovated with low and zero-emission paints and sealants, strawboard for the subfloor, and other non-toxic materials.
6. How efficient is the water usage?
Look for a water-conserving irrigation system and rainwater collection and storage systems as well as check the kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixtures for their efficiency.
7. What’s on the roof?
Lighter colored roofs reflect sunlight and therefore keep homes cooler in the summer months. Live up north? Look for a darker roof to attract sunlight in the winter to help heat your home.
8. Has it been certified as green?
The U.S. Green Building Council, the EPA, and other agencies rate homes based on their efficiency. The highest rated homes are certified green homes.
Posted in AC Doctor News, Energy Efficiency
February 5th, 2010 by Melissa Doyle
According to Punxsutawney Phil, we still have 6 more weeks of winter. That means at least 6 more weeks of running your furnace. If you remembered to get your furnace serviced at the beginning of the heating season, then you’re in good shape. If not, then you may want to do so. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when your home is heated by a furnace and your yearly maintenance check up looks for cracks where it is likely to leak from. Carbon Monoxide is completely odorless and tasteless so it is undetectable by the human body. It is also heavier than oxygen so it displaces the oxygen in the air you breathe and causes your red blood cells to become unable to absorb oxygen. If you did not get your winter check up, any of our certified AC Doctor contractors would be happy to set up an appointment to do so.
Posted in AC Doctor News
February 2nd, 2010 by Melissa Doyle
American’s spent less on construction in 2009, $900 billion less in fact. The money that was spent, however, was directed toward energy efficiency. There were 4 times more LEED certified projects in 2009 than in 2007! With state and federal mandates to increase efficiency and incentives to go green, clients are pushing contractors to make their houses and office buildings more efficient, more green.
People are starting to see efficiency as the right thing to do, but that are also being forced to build efficiently due to increasingly strict building codes. Some communities take the mandates that are already set and make them stricter with stretch codes. These are codes that the state sets that are minimum levels of efficiency but cities are given room to increase these levels.
Some clients are leery about getting LEED certified. There is a 3-6% increase in cost to get certified, so a lot of people are building greener but they don’t pay the extra amount for the LEED certification. While we are at an all-time high for LEED certified projects, there may be many more that are LEED quality that just do not have the certification. Contractors are blaming the poor economy for clients not wanting to pay the 3-6% increase. When the economy rises again, we should expect to see even more LEED certified homes and businesses.
Posted in Energy Efficiency
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