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Tag: Texas

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.

What is SEER and Why Does It Matter?

2013.04.15 12:00:00

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.

2013.04.08 12:00:00

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

2013.04.01 12:00:00

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.

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.

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