At this time of year, you’ll do almost anything to cool down. The heat can be stifling and oppressive. But did you know that one of the easiest ways to stay cool is also one of the summer’s best ways to cut your energy costs? That’s right. Installing a ceiling fan can save you 25% on cooling costs this summer.
How is it that a fan can save so much energy? The circulation of the air evaporates moisture from the skin and makes you feel cooler. It also allows you to raise the temperature of your thermostat, which saves you 7%-10% for each degree raised.
To determine what size ceiling fan you need to effectively circulate air, measure the room where the ceiling fan will be placed. Typically, fans should be sized as follows:
• Rooms 9x12 – 36 inch fan
• Rooms 12x15 – 48 inch fan
• Rooms larger than 12x15 – 56 inch fan
Flex Your Power’s website, (www.fypower.org), offers these tips on purchasing an indoor ceiling fan:
When shopping for circulating fans, be sure to test the fan for noise. Listen to the different qualities of each fan's sound. Fans also will be marked with their rated noise level, measured in "sones." Very quiet fans are rated at 1.5 sones. Some are so quiet, they're rated as low as 0.5 to 1 sones. A more expensive fan that operates quietly and smoothly will probably offer more trouble-free service than cheaper units. Check the noise ratings and, if possible, listen to your fan in operation before you buy it.
Look for the ENERGY STAR®. If the fan comes with a lighting system, be sure the lamps are ENERGY STAR® qualified.
Use advanced blade designs. Curved blades will move more air per minute than flat blades, and they accomplish this at lower motor speeds.
Fans work best when blades are seven to nine feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. Fans should be installed so their blades are no closer than 8 inches from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls.
Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller fans. A 36- or 44-inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inches or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small- and medium-sized fans will provide efficient cooling in a 4- to 6-foot diameter area, while larger fans are effective up to 10 feet.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
How to Avoid 90% of All System Failures
Dirt. Five year olds love it, plants can’t live without it, and you’re breathing it in every day. Not just breathing it in – you’re paying to inhale the largest cause of your home’s dust and allergy problems.
You’re probably thinking that’s an exaggeration. But the simple truth is that you are paying to run your heating and cooling system, more and more as the weather heats up. And since dirt is the number one cause of system failure – 90% of all failures, in fact – chances are good that dirt is keeping your system from running at peak efficiency.
Before you invest in a family set of gas masks or prepare for a nomadic existence in the Sahara (hey, at least then you won’t be paying for the dirt), you might want to give your heating and cooling professional a call.
Your system works hard. It’s constantly circulating and cooling the air that keeps your family comfortable. Like anything else that works, it gets dirty and has to be cleaned. Scheduling the maintenance for your home’s heating and cooling system is as important as changing the oil in your car – if you don’t do it, eventually you’ll have a breakdown.
There are a few questions to ask yourself before having your system cleaned:
System failures caused by dirt, as well as expensive repairs, can be avoided with a little preventative maintenance. Most people don’t realize how much money they can save by making sure their system runs efficiently.
Learning the precautions are part of Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Company's effort to educate the public on how to save time, energy, and money. We want to show homeowners certain neglected maintenance items that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs or system replacements.
You can get your ventilation system inspected, plus receive other energy saving tips by calling us at (361) 668–1933 or visiting http://fourseasonsac.com/.
You’re probably thinking that’s an exaggeration. But the simple truth is that you are paying to run your heating and cooling system, more and more as the weather heats up. And since dirt is the number one cause of system failure – 90% of all failures, in fact – chances are good that dirt is keeping your system from running at peak efficiency.
Before you invest in a family set of gas masks or prepare for a nomadic existence in the Sahara (hey, at least then you won’t be paying for the dirt), you might want to give your heating and cooling professional a call.
Your system works hard. It’s constantly circulating and cooling the air that keeps your family comfortable. Like anything else that works, it gets dirty and has to be cleaned. Scheduling the maintenance for your home’s heating and cooling system is as important as changing the oil in your car – if you don’t do it, eventually you’ll have a breakdown.
There are a few questions to ask yourself before having your system cleaned:
- How long has it been since your HVAC system was cleaned? Systems should have regular tune-ups, which most companies can schedule for you with a Maintenance Agreement.
- Are there pets in the home?
- Do any family members experience burning in the eyes, nose, or throat while in the home?
- Does your climate have high humidity?
- Do any family members show symptoms of mild to severe allergies?
System failures caused by dirt, as well as expensive repairs, can be avoided with a little preventative maintenance. Most people don’t realize how much money they can save by making sure their system runs efficiently.
Learning the precautions are part of Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Company's effort to educate the public on how to save time, energy, and money. We want to show homeowners certain neglected maintenance items that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs or system replacements.
You can get your ventilation system inspected, plus receive other energy saving tips by calling us at (361) 668–1933 or visiting http://fourseasonsac.com/.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Choking on Air - Is Your Home a Health Risk?
I remember when we first started hearing the word “smog”. It was a cool-sounding word because it combined “smoke and fog”, except it wasn’t cool at all.
I remember images of brown haze looming over some city skyline - it was like an invitation to not breathe. But what were you to do? Go around in a gas mask? So the cities got smarter, the factories got cleaner, cars got cleaner, and we stayed inside a bit more. “A lot safer inside!” we all thought.
How wrong.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but the EPA reports that “indoor air” isn’t all that great. In fact, it’s WORSE than outdoor air if you can believe that. But what are you supposed to do about breathing?
Well, just like purified water came to rid us of nastiness in drinking water, there are clean air solutions. Worth taking a moment to read.
I remember images of brown haze looming over some city skyline - it was like an invitation to not breathe. But what were you to do? Go around in a gas mask? So the cities got smarter, the factories got cleaner, cars got cleaner, and we stayed inside a bit more. “A lot safer inside!” we all thought.
How wrong.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but the EPA reports that “indoor air” isn’t all that great. In fact, it’s WORSE than outdoor air if you can believe that. But what are you supposed to do about breathing?
Well, just like purified water came to rid us of nastiness in drinking water, there are clean air solutions. Worth taking a moment to read.
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