When it comes to HVAC general maintenance, how you maintain the areas surrounding your equipment can be just as important as the maintenance of the actual systems. Poor maintenance in the immediate areas surrounding your air conditioner or furnace could decrease system efficiency, damage components and even put your family in danger. Home comfort experts suggest that you follow these HVAC general maintenance tips to protect your heating and cooling equipment and help avoid common air conditioner problems.

First, keep the exterior condenser unit or heat pump clear of items. You should leave a clearance of at least two feet surrounding the unit. This will facilitate proper airflow, and allow access to the unit should repairs be required.

Never install an enclosure directly against the unit. Outdoor items should never be stored surrounding the unit. Additionally, never store items directly next to your furnace. This can limit airflow to the unit, which … Read Full Post »

When it’s blazing hot outside, the temptation to crank your air conditioner down to Arctic settings to make your home cool and comfortable is strong. What temperature to set your thermostat in summer depends a lot on your goals. Do you want to conserve energy, thereby saving money on your monthly electricity bills? Or do you prioritize personal comfort, regardless of cost? Either way, the smartest summer thermostat settings are probably a little higher than you think, for several good reasons.

Smart Summer Thermostat Settings

Average air conditioner temperature settings vary from season to season. Even within a given season, you might adjust your thermostat in response to days when the weather is hotter, cooler, or more or less humid than normal.

Regardless of those factors, when determining the best summer thermostat settings for our homes, many of us place a priority on both personal comfort and conserving energy (costs), and will … Read Full Post »

You may be wondering what’s the best temperature for a heater in winter? You might be surprised to hear that an experienced air conditioning technician may tell you that most homeowners keep their thermostat set too high in the winter. Some families realize on their own that turning the thermostat down a few degrees not only feels more comfortable but also saves a lot on heating costs.

When you are just lying around, you may find that it feels a little cool in your home. If you are active in any way, you will probably warm up in no time. Besides, you can always put on a sweatshirt or a pair of socks, or you can get cozy under a blanket during the winter months.

Experts say that the best temperature at which to set your thermostat during the winter is 68 degrees. This setting is warm enough for most people, no matter … Read Full Post »

You can set the thermostat in your home or office at the perfect temperature—whatever that means to you personally—but how do you guarantee that the thermostat is reading the room’s temperature correctly?

If the thermostat isn’t calibrated correctly, you could find yourself looking for a better night’s rest because you’re uncomfortable with the indoor temperature. Even more alarming, you could be leaving your air conditioner running constantly and driving your cooling costs way up trying to find the perfect temperature to set the thermostat.

Your thermostat can lose its calibration if dirt gets inside it or if it gets bumped. The result is that you may set it on 75 degrees, but it will only cool the room to 78 degrees. Constantly readjusting the thermostat can raise your utility bill by up to 10 percent. The same is true for an incorrectly calibrated thermostat that “thinks” it’s running at a lower temperature … Read Full Post »

City Public Service (CPS), based in San Antonio, is the largest municipally-owned energy company in the United States. CPS offers a wide variety of options to heat and cool a San Antonio home or business, and their programs reward residents who are environmentally conscious. The company offers clean energy and serves as a regional leader in solar power, LED lighting, clean coal and smart grid design.

City Public Service actively seeks ways to improve their services and the value of those services. One way the company accomplishes this goal is through the SaveNow energy savings programs and rebates.

Many San Antonio residents are looking for more efficient energy sources that balance a concern for the environment with a desire to save money. Buying a new AC unit that has a high energy rating is a good place to start if you are looking for ways to save on heating costs and how to … Read Full Post »

Ah, summer. The season of cookouts, BBQ, fireworks, splashing in the pool, days at the beach, long nights and family vacations.

It’s also the time of year when you begin to crank up the air conditioning in your home, battling the scorching sun and blistering summer days. We all know the feeling: walking in the front door in the middle of July, only to find the refreshing feeling of cool air spilling out of your AC unit. While we all love that blast of chilled air, we all also love saving money—and in this case, saving money means saving energy. In addition to using your air conditioner this summer, there’s plenty of other ways to help keep your home cool. As you prepare for the hot days ahead, take a look at our summer tips and learn how to keep a room cool that faces the sun.

Utilize Ceiling And Exhaust Fans

Many … Read Full Post »