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Brand Highlight: Tappan

The History of Tappan

You may take it for granted, and most days you likely don’t even notice it; but there are few things more important to your comfort than having efficient, reliable temperature control at home.

From air conditioning that works silently to refresh the hot, humid air in your space, to furnaces and heat pumps that keep your rooms warm during winter — the right temperatures keep us happy and healthy.

For the environmentally conscious and budget-minded consumer, Tappan Heating and Cooling products provide the extra boost their customers need in terms of innovation, creativity, and durability. Driven by a desire to pursue the most energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and trustworthy temperature control products on the market, Tappan has earned a reputation for providing complete peace of mind.

The Tappan company was initially founded in 1881 by W.J. Tappan. It was originally called the “Ohio Foundry Company,” and Mr. Tappan’s company distributed cast-iron stoves from door-to-door — ensuring homeowners could cook hot, healthy meals for their families. A few years later, after moving from Bellaire, to Mansfield, Ohio, the company went through a rebranding and settled on the name “Tappan Stove Company.”

Tappan’s insight and innovation decades ago helped shape the world we know today. During the World Wars, the company was responsible for providing cooking equipment to the armed forces of the U.S. By 1955, they had come up with a revolutionary new method for cooking: the microwave. Only five years later, Tappan invented the system for electronic ignition in stoves — irrevocably changing the world of modern convenience.

Over more than a century, the innovative, imaginative, and durable Tappan products have truly defined this brand. Today, the company continues to offer the same attention-to-detail in each of its products, from clever solutions for indoor air quality problems, to air conditioners built for efficiency.

Tappan Products

The Tappan brand offers a wide collection of home comfort products, designed for comprehensive climate control. Easy to maintain and inherently durable, Tappan has something for every home, including:

  • Air Conditioning — Capable of up to 25.5 SEER ratings.
  • Heat Pumps — Available with up to 19 SEER.
  • Air Handlers and Coils — Designed for long-standing durability.
  • Furnaces — Capable of up to 97% AFUE ratings.
  • Indoor Air Quality Systems — Everything from UV light purifiers to full home comfort products.
  • Thermostats — Programmable to your specifications.
  • Zoning Control Systems — Available for multi-zone home comfort.

Each product in their line uses the highest possible quality standards, though the most interesting products may be in the “Tappan Green Collection.” Using the latest technology for efficiency and energy performance, Tappan Green gas furnaces produce up to 97% AFUE ratings, with whisper-quiet motors. Tappan’s high-performing air conditioners can achieve up to 25.5 SEER ratings, with sound levels as low as 59 decibels. The green collection includes:

  • Ecologic products — Compatible with the latest smart control systems.
  • iSEER products — Created to boost cooling efficiency, provide greater humidity control, and more.
  • iHybrid products — A heating and cooling packaged system that features high efficiency for lower prices.
  • The iQ Drive — Designed to save users money on their energy bills by only using the “right” amount of energy at any given moment.

Why Choose Tappan?

Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the Tappan brand is the ability to access energy-efficient new technology. Tappan takes its devotion to quality a step further, by ensuring long-lasting durability in each product. In 2014, the company received a “Dealer Design” award, and was voted as the top choice by a consumer magazine for premium heat pumps.

Tappan is the only brand in the industry to use the “Demand Flow Technology” process to stringently test each product for optimum performance. Each air conditioner endures around 144 tests, while gas furnaces receive around 234 checks. Not only does this examination work to offer customers peace of mind, but it also gives Tappan the confidence required to offer their “Tough Quality Pledge” and long-term warranty.

Every Tappan product offers a ten-year warranty on all parts. The 10-year Tappan Tough Quality Pledge also dictates that if the heat exchanger or compressor in a product fails within a decade of purchase, the product will be completely replaced.

Brand Highlight: Comfortmaker

The History of Comfortmaker

When it comes to accessing absolute comfort at home, there’s no space for compromise. Maintaining the perfect climate for you (and your family) requires a temperature control system that is reliable, effective, and efficient.

With a focus on comfort right in its name, Comfortmaker provides energy-efficient, value-based heating and cooling solutions. With a reputation for designing durable, high-tech options for residential temperature control, Comfortmaker is a great brand to consider when updating your system, or installing something new.

Originally, Comfortmaker began life as a brand within the American Furnace Co. organization in St. Louis. By the time 1968 rolled around, the company had expanded to become a division of the Singer Co. climate control division – a move that marked their rapid expansion over the years.

In 1982, Singer transformed into a unit of SynderGeneral Corp, and in 1991, Inter-City Products, known today as “ICP,” obtained the entire business for the price of $72 million – a sale that included both the internal Arcoaire, and Comfortmaker brands. Finally, the pair of corporations, renamed to the “ACO” division, were sold on to United Technologies Corp. in 1999.

Despite transitioning through various parent companies, Comfortmaker has continued to be well regarded in the industry, continually gaining popularity and delivering customer satisfaction.

Comfortmaker Products

From its conception, Comfortmaker devoted its business to developing temperature control solutions with reliability, energy efficiency, and durability. Today, they’ve gained the respect of customers by implementing top-of-the-range technology into a variety of their already-impressive products; to provide a customized heating solution for any home.

The Comfortmaker product line includes:

Air conditioners – including the SoftSound Deluxe variable-speed air conditioner, with SmartSense technology for high-efficiency cooling and heating.

Gas and Oil furnaces – which can combine with the “Observer” communicating wall controls for high-tech home comfort.

Air purifiers – designed for optimum efficiency and 100% air treatment, giving the cleanest possible air.

Ductless systems – the quietest and most efficient models they’ve ever made, with up to 30.5 SEER ratings, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Geothermal solutions – which can save homeowners up to 70% on heating and cooling bills, while reducing a home’s overall carbon footprint.

Thermostats – made with the latest technology, including touchscreen surfaces and seamless connectivity across devices using “SoftSound.”

Using the latest in communication-based technology, Comfortmaker provides consumers with a complete system for overall house temperature management. Beyond their high-tech pieces, they also offer entry-level systems for heating and cooling – they’ve got a system to suit almost anyone.

Why Choose Comfortmaker Products?

The reliable operation of their energy-efficient machinery, combined with advanced technology and stellar customer support, has made Comfortmaker a brand worth praising for many happy consumers.

Through superior engineering and top-quality manufacturing, the brand’s products offer unbeatable comfort. In fact, Comfortmaker is so sure of its ability to provide excellence that it offers an amazing warranty time: up to 10-years no hassle replacement. On top of that, customers can expect:

  • Exceptional and immediate customer service solutions
  • Reliable and effective heating and cooling systems
  • Energy efficiency in most of the Comfortmaker products
  • Quiet operation for a better home atmosphere

Brand Highlight: Bryant

The History of Bryant

The ability to control the temperature of your property at any given time is essential to optimum comfort and convenience. Not only do heating and air conditioning systems allow you to combat the impact of the seasons; they can also make a positive difference to your health, by filtering out unwanted toxins, helping you to function at an optimum level, and allowing those suffering from debilitating conditions to access a better standard of living.

The Bryant name in air conditioning solutions has become synonymous with superior quality and dependability. In fact, many regard Bryant as the premier manufacturer in the HVAC industry; and after more than a century of providing incredible service, the company shows no signs of slowing down.

In the world of temperature control, the early twentieth century represented a time of significant technological advancement. Approaches to HVAC solutions were just emerging for the first time; as bold entrepreneurs and innovators stepped in, to take advantage of a market desperate for reliable heating and cooling products. One of the most enterprising individuals during this time was a man from Cleveland, Ohio known as Charles Bryant — founder of the Bryant company.

In an effort to join the HVAC revolution, Bryant opened a small business in 1904, called the “National Gas Regulator Company” — starting his journey by manufacturing gas-powered water heaters. As his work became universally associated with unbeatable quality, Bryant’s growing confidence prompted him to rename his business “Bryant Heating, and Manufacturing.” By the 1930s, the brand had become the leading manufacturer of gas boilers in the nation.

Soon, the Bryant company branched out into gas air conditioning — introducing an innovative system for heating and cooling in 1937, known as the “Dualator.” Ever since then, the company has been producing ever more advanced solutions for temperature control, while maintaining the unlimited trust and loyalty of its customers across the country.

Bryant Products

Over more than a century, the Bryant range has grown significantly — it now includes oil and gas furnaces, fan coils, heat pumps, boilers, air conditioners, humidifiers, packed products, and more. These products are manufactured in sites across the United States, and sold by reliable dealers with a devotion to quality service. The Bryant plants are some of the largest facilities in the world, and incorporate some of the most advanced technology; maintaining incredible standards in the production, design, and testing of equipment.

With products designed to adapt to an ever-changing market (like the 80% efficiency boiler), Bryant’s range of impressive smart products includes:

Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps: The incredible “Evolution” system offers the highest efficiency home cooling solutions in the country — earning the Consumer Digest Best Buy Status. The premium air conditioner offered by Bryant today is the 180B; with a SEER rating of 21, and a two-stage compressor.

Thermostats and Controls: Using the latest technology (including Wi-Fi) for interconnected control, Bryant thermostat and control solutions provide everything from basic heat management, to zoning control, and more.

Evaporator and Fan Coils: Dependable Bryant coils can improve an existing system’s SEER ratings by up to two points — a boost to your savings in energy costs.

Ductless Systems: A flexible solution to cooling and heating needs, ductless systems are perfect for areas where ductwork may be challenging. There are several multi-zone and single styles to choose from — with capacities of up to 56K for multi, and 30k for single zone.

Furnaces: The best-in-class Legacy line of Bryant furnaces includes the incredible Evolution 987m — designed to offer unbeatable efficiency, and comfort within any property.

Why Choose Bryant Products?

The long history of the Bryant brand draws attention to the many advantages the company offers its customers. For instance, their commitment to innovation has allowed them to adapt to the evolutions of the HVAC industry in impeccable style — adopting sustainability and green technology, even before the law required manufacturers to use environmentally-friendly solutions. In fact, Bryant has helped to establish some of the industry standards for energy efficiency, through highlights such as their heat pump/air conditioner combos, and ground/air-source heat pumps — which act as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional units.

The standard for quality in Bryant products has remained steady throughout the years, and the brand continues to focus on delivering dependable systems to people across the country. Every product undergoes rigorous testing for reliability, and Bryant engineers are constantly searching for new ways to improve the solutions they offer.

Does Office Temperature Impact Employee Productivity?

Can a Comfortable Temp Produce More Work?

If the temperatures in your office have employees donning parkas and wool hats, or stripping down to the bare necessities, it may be time to consider turning the dial on that thermostat. In fact, according to a study from Cornell University, employees are more productive and less distracted when the temperatures in their working environments are better controlled. Overall, it was estimated that a company could save over 10% of their wage costs per worker by simply adjusting their offices’ heating and cooling system. Not only does productivity and communication fail in the face of a poorly regulated environment, but employees make more errors when office temperatures start to dip.

Keep Your Employees Comfortable

Studies show that changes in temperature lead to changes in our perceptions, and even our choices in the words we use. Our exposure to warmth leads us to experience a difference in our social proximity to others and changes the way we interact and regard each other. If the temperature in the office is cold, the chances are good that your employees’ interactions with each other are turning frosty as well.

But alas, we don’t have to turn to studies to tell us that the temperature can have an impact on our emotions. Anyone who has been too hot or too cold can attest to the fact that it can quickly begin to cause notable irritability and impair our ability to interact with our environment in a positive manner. A survey conducted by CareerBuilder also found that 22% of workers that found their environment too hot expressed difficulty concentrating, and 11 percent mirrored that remark in workplaces that were too cold.

Finding the Right Temperature Balance

Although no perfect temperature for the office has yet to be identified, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends temperatures ranging from 68 degrees to 76 degrees Fahrenheit to satisfy the comfort of employees wearing a normal amount of clothing. But the inherent challenge in obtaining a prime office environment can also be attributed to the physical differences between men and women. Current calibrations to determine the standard temperature for offices is only based on the heat production of men. Because the average metabolic rate of women is significantly lower, offices are often regarded by the female workforce as being too cold for comfort.

Although finding the perfect temperature for all employees can be a challenge, identifying a middle ground is in the best interest of every employer in their attempt to bring out prime productivity in their employees. It’s important to talk openly and candidly to employees about the temperature and to try to find a solution together. Have your office HVAC system serviced on a regular schedule to be sure it is working at peak efficiency. Encourage employees to assist in the matter by dressing appropriately for office conditions.

Comfortable Temperatures Keep Employees Productive

Building a good, productive, communicative, and positive office environment requires more than fair work, satisfactory wages, and good policies. It also requires a pleasant physical environment that helps promote our natural instinct to trust each other and share resources when we’re physically comfortable. Just as we keep our homes at comfortable temperatures and stay inside on days that are too cold or too hot, it’s no wonder that we are at our best in an office environment that meets our comfort needs. Bring out the best in your workers and promote productivity by keeping that temperature at an optimal level for employee productivity.

Is A Gas Furnace Better Than Electric?

Gas vs Electric, which to choose?

Choosing the right type of furnace for your home can positively impact the flow of the air in your home and the money of you spend on utility bills. If you find yourself in need of a new furnace for your home, deciding between gas and electric is one of the first choices you will make in the buying process.

So which are better—gas furnaces or electric?

A Look at Electric Furnaces

Price

The first thing you may notice about electric furnaces is that they are less expensive upfront. If you have not budgeted to replace your furnace, the lower price of an electric unit will seem attractive. But in most cases, the long-term cost of operating an electric furnace is higher than a gas one.

Safety

Electric furnaces also have the reputation for being safer than gas ones because they do not emit any carbon monoxide. Homeowners do not have to actively check the unit to see if it is operating safely; when something is going wrong with the unit, it is fairly obvious through interrupted service and rarely poses a danger to the people living in the home.

Installation

The installation process is easier with an electric furnace, done quickly by a certified professional without disrupting your household too much. Since the lifespan of most electric furnaces is 20 to 30 years, once it is installed it doesn’t need much. There are certainly some maintenance tasks like changing filters and scheduling regular tune-up appointments with a certified HVAC specialist, but altogether, an electric furnace is not difficult to own, have installed, or maintain.

Efficiency

For homeowners who are environmentally conscious, an electric furnace may not be an ideal choice because it is considered the least efficient way to heat a home. Most electricity is created through the burning of coal, which is a known cause of ozone depletion and other negative effects on human health.

A Look at Gas Furnaces

Price

You will spend more on a gas furnace unit, but lower utility bills will make up for that over the 10 to 20 years you own it. Energy obtained through natural gas is cheaper than electricity. This is a fact that is expected to remain true in the coming decades, with the cost gap likely widening too. Gas furnaces also work more quickly than their electric counterparts and operate with higher efficiency in extreme temperatures.

Safety

Any type of gas-powered appliance relies on combustion to operate, and combustion creates carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. Exposure to it causes flu-like symptoms, dizziness, and confusion, and prolonged exposure causes death. Even though this is a scary thought, gas-powered appliances are safe when well-maintained and carbon monoxide is carried away from the home properly. Always have your gas furnace maintained 3-4 times per year, including changing filters, checking for leaks, and making sure the unit is in good overall condition. It is also important to keep all items cleared away from the furnace to prevent obstruction and fires. Contact a professional for help.

Installation

Unlike electric furnaces, the installation of gas ones is more complicated and requires the professional eye of a certified HVAC technician.

Efficiency

From an environmental perspective, natural gas furnaces are better for the earth because the fuel needed to create the energy burns much cleaner than the coal used for electricity. Some areas may not have as much access to gas energy, though electric furnaces will work in nearly every home.

The Final Decision

The decision to buy an electric or gas furnace comes down to preference on upfront costs, long-term utility costs, amount of maintenance required, and environmental concerns. You will own your furnace for at least a decade, so really weigh the options before making a purchase.
When you do decide on the unit you want, be sure to purchase it from a reputable HVAC company that will also provide professional installation and maintenance services to increase its lifespan.

How Regular Maintenance Keeps Your Furnace Working Efficiently

Why Maintain Your Furnace?

The furnace is a big ticket item in most homes across the nation. Furnaces are responsible for heating air and distributing it throughout the home, creating a consistent environment that is so crucial for comfortable living, especially during winter months. This means that furnace maintenance and efficiency can make a big impact on the comfort of the home and the utility bill.

How to Measure Efficiency

Furnace efficiency is measured by examining annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). The AFUE rating is a measurement of how efficient the furnace is at converting energy to heat over the course of a year. This number is measured as a percentage of the fuel used by the system versus the heat produced. For example, an AFUE rating of 90% demonstrates that 90% of the fuel used by the system was converted to heat, and that 10% of that energy was lost, or inefficient in its conversion. This heat loss does not factor in the location of the heat ducts in the home or any other environmental factors.

The AFUE measurement is required to be displayed on modern furnaces so that the buyer can take the AFUE of each model into consideration during the purchasing process. The minimum AFUE rating for a furnace is 75-78% depending on the type of furnace and its intended home use. The overall efficiencies of a furnace can also be determined by factoring in additional features, including whether or not the system has a continuous pilot light, is sized correctly for the home, and whether the system is sealed or relies on natural draft combustion.

How to Maintain Efficiency

The key to an efficiently running system within the home is properly conducting routine maintenance. A properly maintained system will save money and extend the life of its parts. Along with many other home systems, yearly maintenance of a furnace is a must. Proper care and prevention can come at a much cheaper price than repair.

Maintaining

All systems should be checked routinely for signs of needed repair, including the following areas:

  • The condition of vent connection pipes and chimneys should be checked.
  • Heat exchangers should be checked for leaks.
  • Controls should be adjusted to ensure proper water and air temperature settings are configured for ideal efficiency.

Retrofitting

Many older systems can also be retrofitted to help increase the efficiency and grant the system additional life. It’s important to weigh the cost of replacing a furnace against the cost to retrofit, especially if the system is already near the end of its life. Retrofitting can improve a system through the installation of programmable thermostats, upgraded ductwork, or zone control.

Replacing

If retrofitting is not the ideal solution, replacing the system entirely with an updated model can greatly increase the efficiency of the furnace, helping it begin to pay for itself immediately. It can also decrease a home’s environmental impact by reducing its carbon emissions.

If the existing furnace is aged, oversized (as many older furnaces are), or in disrepair, replacing it with a high efficiency model is a great next step. This can be paired with an overall home energy efficiency overhaul, oftentimes allowing a homeowner to purchase a smaller unit and receive the same level of performance and output.

Regular maintenance of a furnace is critical for keeping it running efficiently, prolonging its life, lowering a home’s environmental impact, and maintaining a pleasant home environment. Efficiency of a replacement system can be preserved by taking note of the furnace’s AFUE rating, and also ensuring that the remainder of the home has been evaluated for efficiency prior to new system implementation.

6 Tricks To Stay Warm Without Cranking Up The Heat

How to Stay Warm When Things are Tight

If you’re looking at energy bill with disdain during the winter months and shivering at the same time, you’re probably wishing your home was warmer and your bill was lower. As energy prices rise, adjusting your thermostat comes with more impactful consequences. Fortunately there are other tricks to keep you warm during the winter outside of simply hiking up the heat.

Programmable Thermostats

This can be one of the most impactful changes you make. A programmable thermostat can make the most of your energy by keeping temperatures high during the evenings while you are home and cool during the night while you are tucked into bed, or during the day while you are off at work. Simply cycling your heat can work wonders for your electric bill while keeping you toasty warm when it matters.

Heavy Curtains and Natural Heat

Thick curtains can help prevent heat loss through windows. Swap out those thin panels and replace them with dark, heavy options. You can even opt for curtains with a thermal lining that helps retain heat. Curtains can be used anywhere that is drafty or cold, including in front of doors or to block off areas of the home that are not often used.
But wait! It’s also important to let natural heat in during the day. Move aside curtains during the day while the natural heat can permeate the home and them place curtains back once the sun goes down.

Turn on the Fans

This may seem counterintuitive, but it works! Ceiling fans do not actually cool air, they simply move it around and the breeze is what makes you feel cooler in the summer time. Check your ceiling fan for a switch—that switch will change the direction your fan rotates. Most likely, your fan is set to run in a counterclockwise direction. But if you set your fan to run clockwise, the fan blades work to push warm air that’s hanging out near the ceiling down toward your living space. Just run the fan on low so that you circulate warm air—running it higher than this could create a chilly breeze effect.

Bake Away the Cold

Using your oven can keep your home warm. Move socializing into the kitchen and bake away the colder days near the warmth of the oven. Warm food and a warm room can work wonders for keeping the family toasty warm on those chilly nights.

Cover Up Floorboards

Wooden floors can spell trouble for preventing heat loss. Add runners, carpets, and rugs to floors to help feet stay warm and keep heat from leaching into poorly insulated floors. And it keeps those toes warm and snuggly while you walk throughout the home, too.

Close Doors to Unused Rooms

One of the best tricks to keep the home warm without breaking the bank is to section off areas that you don’t use often. Laundry rooms, guest bedrooms, and the like can be closed to help you retain the most heat in the common living areas. If you have multiple thermostats in the home, consider lowering those in the far reaches of the house. This not only helps the active parts of the home stay consistently warm, but it decreases the energy needed to heat the whole home.

The most important part of staying warm during the colder months is taking steps to keep your body warm. That means snuggling up, putting on warm clothes, putting heavy blankets on the bed, and keeping throws handy. Just making a few changes such as adding flannel sheets, donning cozy pajamas, and brewing some warm tea can make as much difference as cranking that thermostat. So before you reach for that dial, reach for those fuzzy slippers first. Your springtime budget will thank you!

Why Winter Is The Perfect Time To Insulate!

Why Insulate Your Home?

You don’t often think much about insulation until you are in the throes of the colder months, when you desperately need it. That’s why it’s the perfect time to insulate the home: it’s on your mind, and during the winter you are able to reap immediate rewards for your efforts in the form of a warmer home and a lower heating bill.

Energy Efficiency:

One of the most important reasons to insulate your home in the winter is to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Insulation helps impede the flow of heat. This means that it keeps your heat from seeking out cooler areas both within and outside your home—think unused attics or drafty doors that lead outside. Good insulation allows you to hold onto more of your precious heat.

Sound Buffering:

Insulation also provides sound buffering to help reduce noise throughout the home. Noise control can help create a more enjoyable atmosphere, especially if there are children or roommates about.

Value:

Insulation can also increase the value of a home. If you’re planning on putting your home on the market in the spring, insulation is a great way to include value that you can also enjoy during the months you need it most.

Temperature:

Insulation helps prevent temperature swings. This keeps a home predictably comfortable, and keeps your other appliances and home systems from having to run in overdrive.

Moisture Barrier:

Insulation also helps keep the dampness of the outdoors outside where it belongs.

Where to Insulate Your Home

Proper insulation from the roof on down to the ground is important, and it is most important in those areas where heat is most at risk for being lost. This includes unfinished spaces such as attics, areas around floor joists, and access doors to attics, garages, and basements.

Anywhere that air flows between walls, floors, and ceilings are important places to install insulation to help keep heat from being lost. Exterior walls and areas around doors and windows are also incredibly important areas to insulate. Sealing and insulating ducts can also go a long way toward saving heat.

Ducts that run through unconditioned spaces can cause heat to be lost on its way to its destination. Floors above unheated garages are also key areas to insulate, along with your foundation. A properly insulated foundation can help prevent more than heat loss: foundation insulation can also help prevent unwanted moisture from seeping into the house and can deter insects.

How to Choose the Best Insulation

There are many types of insulation products, including: cellulose, fiberglass, cotton, wool, foam, polyurethane, and polystyrene. It’s always important to read product labels and ensure that the product is indicated for your intended installation.

One of the most important factors in choosing insulation is the R-value of the product. The R-value is an indication of a product’s thermal resistance. The higher the R-value of a product, the better it is at its designated job.

But the R-value is not the only factor that you should pay attention to when installing insulation. Insulation must be installed correctly as well. Ensure that in addition to choosing quality products, you also choose quality installers who are familiar with your type of home and have a great reputation. Your installers should be able to provide product details and indications before installation and also be able to answer any questions you may have about the product and its eco-friendliness, effectiveness, and cost.

3 Tips For Keeping Your Heating Bills Low in Winter

How to keep warm and save money

When it comes to colder months, those ominous heating bills can really sneak up on you—sometimes even doubling during the winter. Heating bills account for over 50% of the energy used in the average home. That means that personal finances can really take a punch during this time. Fortunately, with a little strategizing and some simple tips that have been gathered over time, you can keep that heating bill from becoming a burden.

1. Make Little Changes for Large Results

Just a few small changes can make a big difference in your bill. Making these minimal adjustments can help you see a big difference over the course of the season.

Turn down your thermostat. Although you may be hesitant to do so, you’ll save money on every degree you can spare. So pull out those festive sweaters and bury yourself underneath a warm blanket. Set your thermostat back during the night as well—you won’t miss those degrees as much when you’re sleeping.

Turn down your hot water heater. Heating water costs more than you think. So take a few degrees off the heat dial and shorten those showers.

Turn on the fan! Ceiling fans are conventionally used to cool down, but they actually do not change the temperature of the air. Their cooling effect can be contributed to the breeze they create. But during warmer months, you can mix warmer air near the ceiling with cooler air near the floor and help the entire room feel warmer.

2. Make Maintenance a Priority

A lot of energy can be saved simply by ensuring that the maintenance of major appliances is up to snuff. Clogged furnaces can prevent proper airflow and lower efficiency. Replacing furnace filters and tuning up your furnace so that it runs efficiently can save you up to 5 percent in heating costs.
Replace old appliances with ENERGY STAR® versions to increase efficiency, lower your environmental impact, and save you money.

3. Close Up Shop

It may already seem intuitive, but we often forget that we can keep out the cold by simply making sure it never gets into the home in the first place. There are even small changes that can help us stay warmer.

Rearrange. Rearrange rooms to put furniture near interior walls that stay warmer. Cover windows with heavy drapes, and try to block drafts with some carefully crafted Feng Shui.

Check for drafts. Leaks around windows and drafts under doors can do more to lower your efficiency than you would think. Caulk leaks around windows and check door jambs to ensure you aren’t letting your heat leak out. Window film can also help. This film is translucent and helps reduce heat loss—especially if you have older windows.

Use the fireplace. A fireplace is another area where you can lose heat. Close your fireplace dampers when there is no fire going. If you do have a fireplace, use it! This is a great, low-cost way to help heat your home.

Seal leaks. Seal up any leaks around pipes, vents, air conditioners, or any electrics that run from the inside of your home out.

Close off areas. If you still find that your bill is unwieldy, consider keeping closets closed and closing the doors of rooms you don’t need to heat. Note: this doesn’t mean you should close central air vents in rooms you don’t need to heat.

Keeping heating costs down can take nothing more than a little bit of mindful direction and some routine home maintenance. If you’re in the San Diego area, call Bob Jenson for routine maintenance and repairs to keep your systems working efficiently.

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