Ways to Lower Your Winter Heating Bills

Winter heating bills can be a strain on your budget even though they are a necessary expense. To save money on heating your home, your furnace needs to run less frequently and more efficiently. Here are some tips that will keep your house warm at a lower price. Upgrade Your Thermostat A modern thermostat can reduce your heating bill by as much as 20%. New smart thermostats can be programmed to keep your house comfortable when people are home and cooler when it is empty. Some thermostats can even learn your heating habits over time, giving you that much more control over your costs. When the furnace is off an extra 10 minutes each day, you will have over an hour of savings every week. Seal Your Home Cracks and gaps allow cold air to creep into your home, forcing your heating system to work harder. As the heating season begins, you will want to search your home for any drafty places. Fill the leaks you find around doors or windows. Use a draft stopper at the bottom of your doors, especially those that are not used frequently. If you are able to take on a larger project, adding insulation...

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Choosing the Best Heating Company

If you’ve moved into a new home or are seeking an alternative to your current HVAC contractor, then there are a lot of options out there. Choosing the best heating company for your circumstances may seem a bit daunting at times. With that in mind, here are some points to consider that can make this process simpler and more streamlined. Make Your Choice Based on Long-Term Results You’ll always need to keep your property comfortable. Therefore, it makes sense to find a company that can guarantee long-term satisfaction. At in San Antonio, we not only install heating equipment, but we can also service and maintain it. Our company can be there for you throughout the life of your heating system to ensure excellent value over the long-term. Our crew can also assist with energy efficiency and indoor air quality in order to help you maximize your heating investment. The Qualities of a Good Heating Company A company that wants to earn your business will: Come prepared Be respectful and professional Offer free estimates for installations Have the proper licenses and certifications The Value of Being Experienced and Established Look for an HVAC company that offers experience. How long a company...

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How Often Are Heating System Replacements Needed?

While you may have a good idea of when you are supposed to replace other equipment in your house, knowing when it’s time for a new heating system may be more difficult. This lack of information stems from the fact that these systems are complicated. In addition to that, they vary in quality and may have different lifespans depending on the specific unit. Usually, the manufacturer will tell you how long they will last, but that is based on their assessment and not the conditions in your house. Heating Equipment Reliability and Maintenance Regardless of the make or model, all heating systems require annual maintenance. During maintenance, all parts are checked to ensure that they are working optimally. Usually, a system that is functioning optimally will last longer than a unit that is working harder than it needs to. With annual maintenance, you can expect a quality heating system to last anywhere from 10-20 years. Handling Repair Needs Extends the Life of Your System Another factor that is likely to affect heating system durability is the usage. Some people do not repair their systems when they show signs of breaking down. For instance, as long as the house is warm,...

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Finding the Best Heating System for Your Home

Heating your house, especially during the coldest months of the year, is essential. To be sure of the best heating, you have to buy the right systems. There are many systems available, but you need to be sure of what they can do. If you have decided to replace your home heating unit, consider these factors when buying a new one. Choose an Energy-Efficient Heating System Getting a heating system is not only about making your home warm and cozy. It’s also important to ensure that as you enjoy the warmth, you also keep energy costs low. It will not be a good idea to spend more than you should on these systems when other options can help you pay less over time. Always check the energy rating to know if the system you are thinking about buying is the right fit for your home and budget. Compatibility With Your Home Connections Unless you are considering a total overhaul, you should look for a system that is compatible with your existing home connections. Maybe you want to use your old air duct with the new installation or you want to connect it to the old energy supply. If you do...

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Warning Signs You Need Furnace Repair

Typically, furnaces are able to last for many years and require only minimal maintenance. Nevertheless, there may come times when your furnace needs to be repaired in order for it to continue operating safely and efficiently. Below, we’ll take a look at a few warning signs to watch for that indicate your furnace needs repairs. Increased Heating Bills If you notice that your heating bill has increased by a significant amount for no explainable reason, it may be that your furnace is no longer operating efficiently and needs to be repaired or replaced. Having a furnace that drives up your heating bill is a sign that your furnace may have serious problems. Repairs may be able to fix it, but an abnormally high heating bill often indicates that your furnace needs to be replaced. Noises Coming From Your Furnace If your furnace is squeaking or making popping noises, it could be that the furnace is damaged and needs to be repaired. Pay careful attention to any unusual sounds that your furnace makes and be sure to have it checked out if it is making noises. The Furnace is Blowing Cold Air If you feel cold air coming off of your...

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How to Find the Best Furnace for My Home?

Finding the right furnace for your home can feel like a Herculean task at the best of times. Most people don’t know much about how their heating system operates, much less what they should be looking for in an ideal model! Fortunately, we are here today in order to provide you with some quality tips so that the process can be at least a little bit easier. Replacing your furnace is an important task, so you’ll want to keep on reading so that you can get the best furnace for your home. Select The Right Furnace With These Simple Tips As you no doubt know, replacing your furnace is important for a variety of different reasons. You need to find yourself the best furnace possible so that you can stay comfortable and safe during the winter without breaking your bank account. Unfortunately, you might not know where to even start. There are a few easy ways to begin hunting for your new furnace, so let’s outline them below. 1. Pay Attention To Efficiency We’ll want to start our furnace purchasing quest by looking at the different efficiency ratings of popular furnaces in our price range. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency...

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How to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

The HVAC system in your San Antonio home uses a considerable amount of energy to keep it comfortable. In fact, heating and cooling generally use the largest amount of electricity compared to appliances, lighting and other electrical items in homes. You can make your home more energy-efficient with some HVAC tips. Change Your Air Filter Regularly Leaving your air filter in your HVAC system for months at a time means that it gets dirty and affects airflow. This causes your HVAC system to come on more often and work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Replacing the air filter every few months or more often helps your HVAC system work more efficiently. You should check it once a month and change it if you have pets in your home since it’s likely to be covered with pet dander, along with dust and other debris. Install a New Thermostat If you still have a manual thermostat, you can make your home more energy-efficient by replacing it with a smart or programmable one. With these thermostats, you don’t have to remember to adjust the temperature settings, such as at night or before you leave the house for the day....

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Does Rain Damage My Heating System Over Time?

If you live in San Antonio, TX then you know it doesn’t rain that much. In fact, it rains less than half of what the rest of the nation experiences on average in precipitation. But like the saying goes: when it rains, it pours. Can that rain damage your heating system over time? Here’s what you should know about the rain and your heating system. The Impact of Rain on Your Heating System The rain comes and the rain goes in San Antonio, Texas. Averaging about 40 inches per year, can that rain over time negatively affect your HVAC system? Generally speaking: no. HVAC systems today are designed to withstand rain and other environmental conditions. Older units installed in older homes, however, were not as well-designed and as well-built to withstand rainfall over time. That said, if these heating systems are that old, it’s probably time to upgrade to a newer system anyway. On the other hand, rain can actually be good. The rain can cool the coils of the HVAC system and wash away the dirt that collects there. That said, rain is not unproblematic. The Impact of Rain-related Weather on Your Heating System Though the rain itself may...

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What Does it Mean to be a Factory Authorized Dealer?

For many professions, it is a necessity for corporations to obtain certification from a reputable organization. This reputable organization may be a major manufacturer, environmental protection agency, or even a government agency. Certification tells consumers that the organization is compliant with national standards. Accordingly, consumers tend to expect high-quality products and services from companies with a certification. In the HVAC industry, many businesses are striving to achieve the Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer designation. Dealers with this designation are permitted to use the “Authorized Dealer” logo on their websites and advertisements. Despite how difficult it is to achieve this designation, many consumers are not aware of what it means to be a factory authorized dealer. Here is some information about what it means to be a factory authorized dealer. Who Can Get this Certification? In the United States, there are thousands of HVAC companies. However, of these companies, only five percent are factory-authorized. In order to become factory-authorized, HVAC contractors and dealers who sell HVAC equipment need to meet the strict requirements established by Bryant Corporation, which is an industry leader in cooling and heating solutions. The requirements for the factory authorized dealer designation are as follows: Professional Competence The company...

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Do I Need an Air Cleaner?

If you have found yourself on this page, you are probably asking yourself questions like: Do I require an air cleaner? Is an air cleaner worth it? Do air purifiers actually work? Most people find themselves in a dilemma when it comes to purchasing an air cleaner. However, taking time to know its importance can help you make an informed decision. Does an Air Cleaner Work? Before buying an air cleaner for your home, it is best to know if air purifiers really work. Did you know that the air quality in most homes is five times more polluted compared to the air outside? Well, this is true, and the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States has even confirmed it. The common causes of this pollution are poor ventilation, bacteria, allergens, mold spores, and chemicals in household cleaners. Air cleaners/purifiers are usually fitted with a HEPA filter that sucks and traps 99.97% of particles that are as tiny as 0.3 microns (this includes many bacteria, most allergens, and some viruses). Other purifiers are fitted with an Ionic generator that emits negatively charged ions that can strike toxins from the air. No matter what kind of air cleaner you purchase,...

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