Tag: air conditioning
| Green Options for Your Home HVAC System |
| 2013.04.22 12:00:00 | |
|
We believe in being good stewards of the earth and our resources. That’s why we are committed to
helping you reduce your carbon footprint and save money with our green air conditioning and
heating options for your home. (And no, we are not talking about the color of your system.) We
have broken down several of our key energy-saving products below and listed them in order of least
to most energy savings. All energy savings estimates come from the ENERGY STAR website.
Programmable Thermostat
Savings: 5-8% of your heating/cooling costs
You could save up to $180 a year on your annual heating and air conditioning costs by simply
installing and using a programmable thermostat. With a very low initial cost, a programmable
thermostat is a great green option that quickly pays for itself.
Air Duct Sealing & Insulating
Savings: up to 20% of your heating/cooling costs
We have found that many homes’ ducts are leaking air through holes, cracks and unsealed joints.
This greatly affects your air conditioning and heating system’s efficiency.
High Efficiency Air Conditioners and Heaters
Savings: up to 30% of your heating/cooling costs
The most obvious green option for your home is newer, more energy efficient equipment. If your
current system is 8-12 years old, you may save up to 30% on your energy costs by upgrading to
a high efficiency air conditioner, furnace or heat pump.
Other Green Heating and Air Conditioning Factors
* Air Filters – change them every 30-90 days for optimum system efficiency
* Installation – the installation of your system will affect its efficiency, so choose a company
you can trust to do it right.
* Size – a cooling and heating system that is too small or too big will not be energy efficient.
Make sure your unit is properly sized.
* Home’s “shell”– For maximum efficiency, your home’s “shell” should be as air tight as
possible.
According to ENERGY STAR, heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly 50% of your
energy use. By using these products and services correctly, you can significantly cut your own
energy consumption, helping preserve our planet for future generations while also saving yourself
some money.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific
to HVAC systems). Bradbury Brothers services most of southern Montgomery County
including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Pinehurst,
Shenandoah as well as northern Harris county including Cypress, Klein, Spring and
Tomball. Visit our website at www.BradburyBrothers.com and check out our special offers.
Tags: air conditioning | cooling | air conditioner | The Woodlands | Bradbury Brothers | Texas | AC repair | air conditioning repair | high efficiency AC | high efficiency air conditioner | residential AC | energy savings |
| What is SEER and Why Does It Matter? |
| 2013.04.15 12:00:00 | |
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If you have ever shopped for a new air conditioner or heat pump, you may have come across
SEER. While many homeowners know the SEER of the cooling system they purchase is significant,
they don’t fully understand what it is and why it’s important.
What is SEER?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It was developed by the U.S. Department of
Energy in order to give consumers a way to accurately compare the energy efficiency of different
heat pumps and air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the system is.
How is the SEER determined?
To calculate the SEER of an air conditioner or heat pump, the amount of cooling supplied during a
cooling season (measured in Btu’s per hour) is divided by the power consumed (measured in watts)
during the same period. The cooling equipment is tested in a laboratory setting where an exact set
of conditions is known to exist.
The U.S. Department of Energy specifies these precise conditions in order to provide an
environment where each air conditioner and heat pump can be evaluated under the same
circumstances. This allows the SEER to be used to accurately compare the efficiency of cooling
equipment from different manufacturers.
How much will you save?
Current U.S. law dictates that all air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured after 2006 must
have a minimum SEER of 13. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this
represents a 30% increase in efficiency from the previous minimum SEER of 10. In If your system is
over 10-years old, you could save as much as 30-40% on your cooling costs.
Other considerations that affect SEER
It is important to note that an air conditioner or heat pump’s SEER is measured under a specific set
of circumstances with ideal conditions. For example, if your home has significant air leaks or an
improperly sized duct system, it will greatly affect the efficiency of your air conditioner.
Also, while the SEER is a significant factor in the purchase of a new cooling system, it should not be
the only one. Other considerations include:
* Size of system – Air conditioners and heat pumps that are too big or too small for your home
waste energy.
* Installation company – Even if you purchase a high SEER system, the energy savings can
be negated by a poor installation.
* Additional features – Many cooling systems have additional features that both extend the
life of the unit and increase energy efficiency.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific
to HVAC systems). Bradbury Brothers services most of southern Montgomery County
including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Pinehurst,
Shenandoah as well as northern Harris county including Cypress, Klein, Spring and
Tomball. Visit our website at www.BradburyBrothers.com and check out our special offers.
Tags: air conditioning | cooling | air conditioner | The Woodlands | Bradbury Brothers | Texas | AC repair | residential AC repair | high efficiency air conditioner | high efficiency AC | residential AC |
| Selecting Your Air Conditioner: Single Stage Versus Two Stage |
| 2013.04.08 12:00:00 | |
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Air conditioners come in a variety of brands, capacities, and sizes. And while there are a number of
important choices to be made when selecting a new air conditioner for your home, deciding between
single-stage and two-stage can be the most confusing.
What are single-stage and two-stage air conditioners?
Until recently, most all air conditioners have been single-stage. In fact, if you are in the process of
replacing your current air conditioner, it is probably a single-stage. Single stage simply means the
air conditioner has only one operating speed. In contrast, two-stage air conditioners have two
separate operating modes that increase your cooling system’s efficiency and your home’s comfort.
How do they work?
Understanding how each of these types of air conditioners work will allow you to more easily decide
on which one is better for you and your home.
* Single-stage air conditioners - Like a light switch, a single-stage air conditioner is either on
or off. When your home’s temperature rises above your thermostat’s setting, it turns on 100%
until your comfort level is reached and then turns off completely.
* Two-stage air conditioners – A two-stage air conditioner is more like a fan switch: it can be
off, on, or at a medium speed. When your air conditioner only needs to cool your home a few
degrees, it uses its “lower gear” to accomplish the task more efficiently. And when the cooling
load is more strenuous, it uses its higher speed to cool your home quickly.
Which one is better for me?
Everyone has different needs, budgets and requirements, so it is difficult to say whether a two-stage
air conditioner will serve you better. There are pros and cons to both.
Two-Stage Air Conditioner
* More energy efficient
* Lower setting allows for quieter operation
* Greater savings on energy bills
* Cools your home much more quickly
* Helps with de-humidification
* Purchase price is more expensive
Single-Stage Air Conditioner
* Still very energy efficient
* Sufficient in many smaller homes
* More affordable
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific
to HVAC systems). Bradbury Brothers services most of southern Montgomery County
including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Pinehurst,
Shenandoah as well as northern Harris county including Cypress, Klein, Spring and
Tomball. Visit our website at www.BradburyBrothers.com and check out our special offers.
Tags: air conditioning | cooling | air conditioner | The Woodlands | Bradbury Brothers | Texas | AC repair | residential AC repair | high efficiency AC | high efficiency air conditioner | residential AC | energy savings |
| When To Replace: Interpreting Your Air Conditioner's Message |
| 2013.04.01 12:00:00 | |
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As air conditioning experts, we have maintained, serviced, repaired, and installed countless air
conditioning units. This extensive experience has given us an unfair advantage over other
companies when it comes to being able to know what your air conditioner needs. (You could almost
say we are “air conditioner whisperers”.)
With that in mind, we thought we would share our expertise with you on one of the most difficult
cooling decisions homeowners have to make: replacing your air conditioner. Although your air
conditioner does not really talk, it does communicate with you. Here are several circumstances
where your air conditioner may be telling you, “It is time to replace me.”
After 10 years of age
“Sure, if I was a human I would still be a ‘spring chicken’. Alas, I am not. We had a great run, you
and I, but all good things must come to an end. My newer brothers and sisters can offer you much
better reliability and energy efficiency. In fact, according to ENERGY STAR, by replacing me with a
newer air conditioning unit, you could save on your cooling costs by up to 40%.”
When energy bills spike
“So, you just opened your summer cooling bill and it is much higher than last year? Sorry about
that. I wish I could help it, but I just cannot. My parts are beginning to wear out so my energy
efficiency is suffering. I was never as efficient as newer air conditioners, but now it is just
embarrassing. Do us both a favor and upgrade me to a newer unit.”
Once repairs become constant
“I do all I can for you, I really do. But there is a time limit to my usefulness. I have had so
many repairs that I feel like I am not even completely myself. I really hate to say this, but maybe it is
time you and I parted ways. After all, you clearly want more from this relationship. You need
someone you can rely on and I just cannot cool your home consistently anymore.”
Even if you cannot hear it, your air conditioner is letting you know when it’s time for a new one, are
you listening? If you need help interpreting your air conditioners signs or selecting a new efficient
air conditioner, schedule an appointment online – we would be happy to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific
to HVAC systems). Bradbury Brothers services most of southern Montgomery County
including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Pinehurst,
Shenandoah as well as northern Harris county including Cypress, Klein, Spring and
Tomball. Visit our website at www.BradburyBrothers.com and check out our special offers.
Tags: air conditioning | cooling | air conditioner | The Woodlands | Bradbury Brothers | Texas | air conditioning repair | residential AC repair | high efficiency air conditioner | AC installation | residential AC | energy savings |
| How To Keep Your Air Conditioner Repairman Away |
| 2013.03.25 12:00:00 | |
|
You’ve likely heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but do you know what to do
to keep the air conditioning repairman away? While eating fruit won’t do the trick, there are several
things you can do that will help you avoid costly and inconvenient air conditioning breakdowns.
Protect Your Air Conditioner from Electrical Failure
We have had a large number of thunderstorms in The Woodlands. Each summer we repair many
air conditioners that were damaged as a result of electrical failure. These problems could have been
easily prevented with whole-house surge protection. If lightning strikes near your home (or there is
a power surge to your electrical lines for other reasons), the increased amount of power can
damage anything plugged in to your outlets. This includes your furnace, air conditioner, refrigerator,
microwave, television, and computers. A whole home surge protector grounds the excess power
and keeps your home’s electronics safe.
Maintain, Maintain, Maintain
The best way to prevent costly breakdowns and keep the air conditioning repairman away from your
home is to regularly maintain your equipment. Maintenance keeps your equipment running at peak
performance and can help you catch any small issues before they become larger repairs. To
adequately maintain your air conditioner, you should:
* Get an annual air conditioning tune-up
* Regularly clean or change your air filters
* Make sure your air conditioners drain line is clear
* Keep the area around your air conditioner free of debris
Upgrade Your Equipment
Sometimes even when you do everything else right your air conditioner may break down. Most of
the time breakdowns occur because your air conditioner is older. After a certain point, the internal
parts in your air conditioner will reach their expected lifespan (in hot, humid Texas between 8-12
years) and begin to require replacement. This could be a sign you need to replace your air
conditioner.
Another common culprit of air conditioning breakdowns is a faulty thermostat. If your system
continues to operate ineffectively, talk to your heating and air conditioning company and find out if a
new thermostat could solve the problem.
Air conditioning repairs don’t have to be frustrating. With these tips, you can keep the air
conditioning repairman away
.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific
to HVAC systems). Bradbury Brothers services most of southern Montgomery County
including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Pinehurst,
Shenandoah as well as northern Harris county including Cypress, Klein, Spring and
Tomball. Visit our website at www.BradburyBrothers.com and check out our special offers.
Tags: air conditioning | cooling | air conditioner | The Woodlands | Bradbury Brothers | Texas | air conditioning repair | AC repair |
