Buy an Energy Star Air Conditioner and Get a Federal Tax Credit

If there is one thing we can all agree on its finding the best way to spend our hard earned dollars. With the rising costs of energy weather its natural gas or electricity, advanced energy efficient air conditioning and heating units are becoming more widely used for residential use nationwide.

ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time. As for the tax credits consumers may take advantage of, they have changed recently but still offer savings to prospective buyers.

It is important to know that not all ENERGY STAR appliances qualify for tax credits so you will need to do some research to make sure you purchase the right air conditioning and heating equipment to take advantage of the savings. It is also good to know that the former credits that were 30% up to $1,500 expired on December 31, 2010 and new tax credits were passed, but at lower levels. These new levels still encourage energy efficient products and can save you 10% of cost up to $500 or a specific amount from $50 – $300. Here it must be an existing home & your principal residence, and new construction and rentals do not qualify.

There are additional tax credits that consumers can take advantage of that that cover other things like insulation, windows and doors, and geothermal heat pumps that will help keep your home not only energy efficient but the right temperature as well. Do yourself a favor and take all of the benefits the government has to offer and lower your power bills in the process.

How Heat Pumps Cool and Warm Your Home

When it comes to the heating and cooling systems available for residential use these days there are many options and it is important to make sure you get the right system for your home. One system that has gained popularity over the past few years is Heat Pumps but most people do not understand how they work.

As the name suggests, Heat Pumps move heat from one place to another and are able to perform both the heating and cooling of your home in the summer and winter months by simply collecting heat from one place and moving it to another.

So basically the Heat Pump works by taking the heated air from the outside environment in the winter and transfers it to inside of your home, and the warm air from the inside and moves it outside in the summer months. This part may sounds confusing as there is a seemingly short supply of warm air outside in the winter time but in all air except extremely cold air resides some heat.

The Heat Pump is an efficient unit when it comes to extracting even the smallest amount of heat from the air and collecting it and using it to warm interior spaces. In the same way it collects the warm air inside and extracts it in the summer time cooling your home as a result. There are some heat pumps that actually supplement the heat that is collected for areas that are colder and require a dramatic temperature increase for a comfortable environment.

A Heat Pump does work in conjunction with some standard elements you would find in a conventional air conditioning and heating systems like an Air Handler and you should really check with a qualified Air Conditioner Contractor in your area to make sure this type of system provides not only the best results for your environment but your energy bill as well.

Proper Ventilation is Vital to Good Air Quality

When it comes to achieving good air quality in your living or work space, proper ventilation is always important. Ventilation is the changing or replacing of fresh air into a given space and there are several positive things that result from this exchange of air. There are also two types of ventilation, natural and mechanical which are commonly used to keep the air nice and fresh while removing smells, excessive moisture, dust, and airborne bacteria.

Mechanical ventilation is the type your air conditioner will make sure takes place with assistance from your air handler by introducing a fresh air supply which dilutes the existing air in your room. If you have ever walked into a home where the power has been out for a while, you can immediately feel the stagnant air that has not been exchanged with new fresh air. The main problem here especially in some climates is the excessive humidity that can make smells and airborne dust seem more intense.

We often see additional ventilation for kitchens and bathrooms in the form of exhaust fans which can reduce odors and sometimes humidity. Here you want to make sure the flow rate, vent size and fan speed is adequate to move enough air. It is also important to make sure there is good insulation for the ducting if it passes through unheated spaces to prevent condensation. As always it is best to consult with your local HVAC expect to ensure your heating and cooling system is doing its job and keeping your air quality the best it can be.

Make the Switch to an Energy Efficient Programmable Thermostat

If you are one of those who still use the old style manual air conditioning thermostat to control the temperature in your home or business, it may be time to upgrade. Today’s programmable thermostats will not only enhance your heating and cooling performance, you may even save some energy in the process. There are several advantages to a programmable thermostat that make the decision to upgrade simple.

The biggest reason to make the switch to new thermostats is the ability to set the temperature to come on right before you get home from work and tapper down for bed time. This ability to maintain a comfortable temperature while you are not home allows you to quickly reach your desired interior temperature right before you get home without having to run the system for a long time. In addition your air conditioning unit will work less in the process of maintaining the constant temperature you desire.

Another reason is their accuracy when it comes to determining the real temperature of the surroundings. I recently had my air conditioner worked on and found out from the technician that the old style thermostats are as much as 4 degrees off from the actual room temperature. In the winter time, having your thermostat set to just one degree less can save you 3% on your power bill so you can see how the savings could stack up. According to the Department of Energy, having a programmable thermostat can save you up to 25% on your cooling costs and as much as 35% on your heating costs

Help Reduce Air Conditioning and Heating Loss with Weather Stripping

There are many helpful tips that may give you some insight to reduce your energy bill, but one that just about all of us could benefit from is properly weather stripping our doors and windows. As our air conditioners and heaters produce the cool and warm air we need to maintain the correct temperatures in our homes, much of it is lost to the spaces between door and window frames. A lack of proper weather stripping will inevitably lead to higher power bills as we continuously lose the conditioned air to the outside environment not to mention the cold and hot air that will enter your home. Not only will you save money on your bill, you may relieve some unnecessary work load from your air conditioner and heating units that will run less over the years.

There are many types of weather stripping out there including wood, rubber, metal, closed cell foam, felt, and vinyl and these can easily be purchased from your local hardware store. As for the installation, some are easier to install than others and you want to make sure you get the correct type for each area of concern. The adhesive foam type is the easiest type to install and costs very little but you want to make sure it is used in areas that are being compressed like door and window jambs. Other types of weather stripping such as felt and open cell foam are also inexpensive but may be susceptible to weather while the vinyl types are a little more costly but much more resilient to moisture.

To make sure you protect your home from heating and cooling loss, you should consider consulting a professional that will be able to properly assess the situation and help you get the best from your heating and cooling system.