Archive for the Save Energy category
5 Ways to Slash Your Heating Bill this Winter
By admin on October 1st, 2009
Consumer Reports Shows How to Reduce Your Heating Costs This Winter
Last year Consumer Reports published an article showing homeowners how to reduce their heating bill while increasing the value of their home. At Duct-911.com we don’t claim to be real estate appraisers, but we do know that all these things play a big role in making your house more sellable. More importantly we feel, is showing consumers how they can make slight changes in their lifestyle and still save substantial amounts on their annual heating bill.
Should I Install a Heat Pump?
By Dave Trosdahl on August 4th, 2009
Because of their energy savings, heat pumps are quickly gaining in popularity. Most homeowners are unaware of how a heat pump works and how it could add value to their home’s heating and cooling system by saving energy and money. This article, written in easy to understand terms, explains how a heat pump can find heat in the winter even in a northern climate like Minnesota.
Although our skin tells us differently, when it’s cold outside there is still heat which can be brought indoors. And, when it’s hot outside there is still cool air which can be used to cool your home. Here’s how heat pumps work in our four very distinct seasons in Minneapolis, St Paul, MN:
Secure Your Home Improvement Tax Rebate!
By Dave Trosdahl on July 16th, 2009
By now, most homeowners have heard of all the tax rebates for various home improvement products and services, but not all are aware of how substantial they are. If you install a qualifying high efficiency furnace, you can save 30% of the bill! While there are some stipulations, a qualified heating and cooling contractor will easily be able to help you out. Here is a link to the federal website to help you get started: Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency
Here are the federal guidelines:
- must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
- must be for taxpayer’s principal residence, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, and small wind energy systems (where second homes qualify)
A/C Spring Cleaning Air Conditioner Tune-up
By Dave Trosdahl on April 10th, 2008
At Duct-911.com, we would love nothing more than to be able to help you save energy and save money by lower your heating and cooling costs while still helping you maintain a cool climate inside your home this summer.
A/C Spring Cleaning
When thinking about your furnace or air conditioner it is important to under stand that most central air conditioners have three basic parts:
- Compressor/Condenser – This is the outdoor unit that sits next to your home
- Evaporator/A-coil – an indoor unit which is located in the plenum (the duct work above your furnace).
- Duct work and air vents
A Clean Dryer Vent Saves Money and Prevents Fires
By Dave Trosdahl on March 15th, 2008
A Clean Dryer Vent Provides Safety, Shortens Drying Time & Saves You Money!
You put your clothes in the dryer 2 hours ago and they’re still not dry! Sound familiar?If so, it might be time for you to have your dryer vent cleaned. If you can tell that your dryer is working properly (heating up and tumbling) most likely you have a plugged clothes dryer vent.
Benefits of a Clean Dryer Vent:
- Faster drying times – the damp air is vented outdoors instead of recirculating within the tumbler.
- A clean dryer vent saves you money – The longer it takes to dry your clothes, the more energy you consume. Most homeowners realize enough energy savings the first 3 months to pay for the service call.
Home Energy Saving Tips From Washington
By Dave Trosdahl on September 19th, 2007
Here are 5 energy saving tips from Energy Ideas Clearing House based in Washington. They have many tips from using the right light bulbs to refrigeration savings. We have published the ones directly related to Heating and cooling.
Home Energy Saving Tips.
Adjust Your A/C Temp – Save Energy and Help the Environment!
By Dave Trosdahl on April 26th, 2007
Here are 10 ways you can start doing your part to conserve energy and save money doing it. This was just posted on the homeakers.com website:
10 ways to save money — and the environment
Get a little greener with smart ways to fight global warming and fatten your wallet.
By Carlye Malchuk
…1. Use your furnace or air conditioner only when needed
Heating and cooling are the biggest sources of energy costs for Canadian families. The best way to save money is to turn the thermostat down one or two degrees in the winter, and up in the summer.
When heating your home, every degree you turn down your thermostat can save between two and four per cent on your energy bill. In the summer, every degree below 26C means a significant increase in energy needed to run your A/C, so stick to 24 or 25C. As well, keeping your air conditioning unit out of direct sunlight will save you five per cent of your cooling costs…
Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning
By Dave Trosdahl on April 21st, 2007
Welcome to our blog about furnace cleaning and air duct cleaning. We hope to provide quality information that will help you enjoy cleaner air in your home, as well as energy saving tips. In future posts we will provide information about things like:
- Air duct cleaning techniques
- Furnace maintenance
- air conditioner inspections
- Indoor air quality
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Chimney cleaning
- Allergy information/relief
We hope that you will participate in this blog and help us to create an awareness of the benefits of air duct cleaning. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to give us a call at 651-653-4704. Our knowledgeable staff will be more that willing to help you in anyway they can.
Is Your HVAC System Wasting Money? – Steps to Save Energy
By Dave Trosdahl on April 21st, 2007
Whether you are concerned about rising energy costs, or simply wanting to do your part in conserving energy, here are some tips that will help you conserve energy:
- Switch from incandescent bulbs to high efficiency and florescent bulb
- Clean your HVAC system – clean air ducts, a-coils, furnace filters, air conditioners and the furnace
- Adjust room temperature according to season
- Evaluate energy usage when no one is home
- Make sure all equipment is functioning as designed
- Install weather stripping around doors and windows
These are just a few pointers, some of which are discussed in the San Diego Source’s article ’30 Easy Ways to Save Energy’:
