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Tag: energy savings

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.

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.

2013.03.11 12:00:00

Indoor air pollution is a growing and disturbing trend in many homes and businesses throughout Southeast Texas. As buildings are built more and more airtight for energy efficiency, your home loses natural ventilation and traps indoor pollutants inside your home. This leads to poor indoor air quality. Before shrugging this problem off, read the following indoor air quality facts.

You breathe in 15,000 quarts of air per day.

Clean water is extremely important to your health and well-being. However, the recommended amount of water you should consume each day is about two quarts. In contrast, you breathe in 7,500 times as much air. While many people understand the importance of clean water, they ignore or are unaware of the importance of breathing in clean, healthy air.

Your health is related to air quality.

In case you were not already convinced that the quality of the air you breathe affects your health, the American Lung Association lists air pollution as its leading cause of lung cancer. Also, the American Heart Association has linked poor air quality to heart problems and heart disease.

You spend 90% of your day inside.

The U.S. Government and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recognized the importance of clean air enough to implement rules and laws that guide processes for improving outdoor air quality in major cities. But, if you are like the average American, you spend very little time outside. In fact, in research done by the EPA, it is estimated that you spend 90% of your day indoors. So then, doesn’t it make sense to focus more energy and resources to improving indoor air, too?

Your home’s air quality may be up to 100 times worse than outside air.

Not only do you spend the majority of your time inside, but the air quality is usually much worse. The EPA found that most homes’ indoor air quality is 2-3 times worse than the worst outdoor air, with some homes’ pollution levels as much as 100 times worse. These findings were enough for the EPA to list indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental dangers facing the American public.

Fortunately, you are not doomed to poor indoor air quality and the health problems that come with it. There are a number of indoor air quality solutions that can purify and clean your home’s air.

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.

2013.03.04 12:00:00

As our mild winter gives way to our already-warm spring, you could be finding yourself with uncomfortable allergy symptoms. Because of such an uncharacteristically warm winter, pollen and dust levels are higher than normal, and those irritants could be making their way into your home. Here is a three-step plan to reduce your allergy symptoms and improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Identify the cause of your allergies

If you don’t already know what causes your allergies, seek advice from a medical professional. A doctor can help you figure out what causes your allergy symptoms and whether you need treatment.

Remove the source of the allergens

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the Environmental Protection Agency, the best way to improve your allergy symptoms is to remove the source of the allergens from your home. This could be your pet, houseplants or a dust mite-infested couch. Remove the offending object from your home and your indoor air quality will be immediately improved.

Reduce exposure to allergens

Unless you remove everything from your home and live in a concrete cell, you will likely still have some indoor air pollutants in your home that aggravate your symptoms. You can reduce your exposure to these indoor air pollutants in five ways.

* Clean – Keep the surfaces in your home clean and free of dust that can easily make its way back into the air. Regularly wash your bedding, pillows and stuffed toys in hot water to kill dust mites.

* Vacuum – Vacuum the carpets and upholstery in your home at least weekly. Most indoor air pollutants settle, living in the carpet, upholstery or other permeable materials.

* Ventilate – Use the ventilation fans in your bathroom and over your stove while cooking and showering. This will expel moisture (which causes mold and mildew) and other indoor air pollutants.

* Filter – The standard air filter in your home heating and cooling system doesn’t remove most allergy-causing indoor air pollutants. Upgrading your system to a more efficient filter can remove more airborne allergens.

* Sterilize – Mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria thrive in the cool damp environment created by your air conditioners coils. An ultraviolet lamp is designed to kill these indoor air pollutants, keeping them from circulating throughout your home.

* Seal – Many allergens and airborne pollutants enter your home through cracks, leaks or holes in your ductwork. Keep these harmful contaminants out of your home by getting your air ducts sealed.

Spring can be a beautiful time with blooming flowers, trees and great weather. But it can also be a major problem for allergy sufferers. Use this four-step plan to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

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