How To Lower The Cost Of Your Air Conditioning Bills

Most offices and homes today think of air-conditioning more as a necessity than a luxury. Is it because of the vagaries of the weather? Or is it because we’ve been accustomed to having a uniform temperature that we feel comfortable in? Whatever the reason, air-conditioning is an expensive proposition. To maintain it and pay the bills means a dent in most pockets every month. How can we keep the comfort and yet save on the running costs? Here are a few tips in that direction. Tips that could help you not just bring down your costs but bring them down a great deal.

The first thing to do is to choose right. Make sure that the
air-conditioning that you install is the right size for your
room or building. If your room is very small, why on earth would
you install a very large horsepower unit? You need expert advice
here. You need to know exactly what size of air-conditioning you
need given the area you have. Nothing more and nothing less –
it’s just got to be right.

We take our air-conditioning for granted and only think about
it when it’s not on and we’re uncomfortable. But do you realize
that it need not be on all the time? That you can be perfectly
comfortable even if it’s off for a while? Maybe you could turn
it on just after it turns hot. Or, if you have more than one
unit, you could use the ones you have in rotation. There may be
a case for using just a few out of the many you have. All you
need is that the building is comfortable and cool. You could
perhaps work out some kind of an air-conditioning on-off
schedule to maximize your savings.

To keep your air-conditioning units running well, you must
remember that they need to have regular maintenance. When you
maintain your machines well, you increase their performance.
Maybe you feel that regular maintenance is yet another recurring
cost that drains you but in the long run, it means savings
because if your units run efficiently, the cost of running them
reduces. Units that are badly maintained incur much more by way
of running costs than those that are kept in good running order.
Units that do not run at their peak efficiency tend to use more
power than they actually need so you end up paying more for
units that cool less.

Make a note to turn off the air-conditioning ½ an hour before
you stop work. Most people tend to turn them off as they are
leaving the building. But it makes more sense to turn it off 30
minutes before that. Why is that so? Because it takes as long
for the temperature to get to an uncomfortable level. So by the
time it gets to that level, you’re on your way home.

Just a little bit of thought and you could save big on your
bills. Pay a little attention to your air-conditioning and it
will serve you with more than just comfort on a hot day – it
will show you the way to savings.

Lower Utility Bills Fort Worth

HVAC Contractor Fort Worth

About the Author: Jackson Porter is a staff writer at
http://www.environmental-central.com and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://homeimprovementgazette.com.

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10 Big Steps to Improve Your Home's Efficiency

Add Insulation - One of the most cost effective ways to make your home more efficient is to add insulation. This can mean up to a 20% savings in heating and cooling costs. The easiest place to add insulation is in the attic. The recommended amount of insulation is R-38 (or about 12-15 inches). Cellulose blown-in insulation is more resistant to air flow than fiberglass insulation, is made of recycled material and is flame-retardant.

Upgrade HVAC Equipment- Heating and cooling accounts for half your household energy consumption. Upgrading to energy efficient heating and cooling equipment will save hundreds of dollars each year. Proper sizing and maintenance are also important. Use a contractor that will perform a load calculation on your home to accurately size your new HVAC equipment. Have a pre-season check on your system in the spring and fall each year to make sure your equipment is running properly.

Replace Windows - A Low-E dual or triple pane window will reduce heat loss or gain, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. Your climate will dictate the type of window that will provide the greatest efficiency. Options such as UV coatings, framing and gas-filling have specific benefits for different climates.

Heat pump water heater - Super efficient and eco-friendly! A heat pump water heater will provide $9 worth of heating for each dollar spent on the electricity to power it. It transfers heat from the air to the water instead of creating heat, making it twice as efficient as a standard electric water heater. Heat pump water heaters can qualify for tax credits and local utility rebates.

Solar water heater - Use free energy from the sun to heat your water! Certain systems can qualify for a 30% tax credit as well as rebates from your local utility company. Contact your local solar provider for options.

Radiant Barrier - Install a radiant barrier in your attic to reduce heat loss or heat gain. Radiant barrier can block up to 97% of radiant heat transfer providing a significant savings in your heating and cooling costs.

Attic Fan - Easy to install, a solar attic fan is a great choice to lower your attic temperature, which will reduce the load on your HVAC system. This will, in turn, save money on your cooling costs as well as extending the life of your HVAC equipment. Best of all, it operates on free solar power!

D'mand System- "Are you waiting for hot water?" The D'mand System moves hot water to your most remote fixture in seconds. The cool water that would normally run down the drain while you wait for hot water is recirculated back to the water heater. The D'mand System is more energy efficient than standard recirculators. Save energy and water while adding the convenience of hot water on demand!

Duct Sealing & Insulating- Duct leakage can reduce your heating and cooling equipment's efficiency by 20%. Wrap ductwork in fsk insulation and seal any holes or cracks with duct sealant. Well sealed ductwork may also allow you to downsize your HVAC equipment and reduce energy consumption.

Install Tubular Skylights - For about the cost of a nice light fixture, you can install a tubular skylight. The Natural Light model is more efficient than standard skylights; it emits more light, has a sealed shaft to minimize hot or cold air from infiltrating your home, and can be installed in less than two hours.

Visit http://www.coolattix.com and http://iamenergysmart.com/Energy-Smart-Ideas/index.php for more information or to purchase items listed above!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Big-Steps-to-Improve-Your-Homes-Efficiency&id=3305964] 10 Big Steps to Improve Your Home's Efficiency

Attic Insulation - The Most Important Investment in Energy Conservation

If you're big on energy conservation, then your attic is probably well insulated. If it's not, then you need to understand that heat rises and it migrates through the ceiling and attic space quickly in cold weather if you don't have something up there to slow it down.

I installed R-25 insulation in my attic a few years back and it made an immediate and noticeable difference in indoor comfort. I have no regrets about spending roughly $1,000 to insulate the attic. It's a one-time cost that provides payback for the life of the house in reduced heating costs. It also reduces the amount of heat that is capable of migrating through the hot roof and into my living spaces via the ceilings.

Rolled insulation is a good investment. If you can install a second layer perpendicular to the first, it will help provide overlap where energy would otherwise be encouraged to migrate right through. You can also use blown-in insulation to supplement traditional rolled insulation or insulation batts. The advantage is that blown-in insulation can settle in small cracks and crevices where it isn't easy to insulate with traditional forms of insulating materials.

Your money is well spent when you insulate the attic. It works all year long to keep you warm and keep you cool. The cool attic space overhead should be your top priority for insulation because it represents a large surface area in your home that allows warmth in the winter to escape, and warmth in the summer to intrude.

COOL ATTIC HOUSTON
COOL ATTIC AUSTIN
COOL ATTIC SAN ANTONIO

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Learn 8 Easy Steps to Reduce Your Home Energy Bill And These Will Not Cost You a Dime

Before you think about adding renewable energy sources to your home, it may be a good idea to cut down on your home energy usage first. That sounds logical as not doing so is like leaving the windows open while the A/C is running! Maybe that is a stretch but I think you get the point. If you are thinking of adding solar or wind energy to your home, cutting down on your energy usage will only reduce your renewable energy investment.

Change Your Daily Habits: Sometimes the most difficult things to change lie between our two ears. Most of us probably did not arrive overnight at the bad habit of leaving the lights on while no one was in the room, or even worse...not even home. Yet, changing our daily habits can make a significant impact on home energy usage. And the best part, they do not cost us a dime.

1. Reduce Light Use - One of the easiest ways to cut energy costs is to live by the rule: one light on per person in the house. If that is a stretch for your family, challenge them by turning off unused lights until you get down to one light per person. Make a game out it and give a reward to the person who uses the least amount of lights. Sometimes, taking baby steps is the best way to go. And those small changes year-over-year will begin to add big dollars to your bank account.

2. Keep Unused Rooms Closed - There is no need to cool or heat rooms that are not in use such as the attic, basement or laundry room. Close doors and vents in unused rooms to keep the comfortable temperatures where your family is...and at a lower energy cost.

3. Close Garage Door - All day and night the house is either heating or cooling the garage so think twice before sending this stored energy to the wind...keep it! The garage is a form of insulation, and a good idea to keep in mind since heating and cooling costs can count for up to 25% of your energy bill.

4. Close Up Unused Fireplaces - since hot air rises, this is a more important rule in the wintertime. Opened fireplaces will create a natural vent for your hard earned heating dollars to escape.

5. Adjust Thermostat - adjusting the thermostat by 15 degrees for eight hours can reduce your electric bill by 15%. 15 degrees seem a bit extreme...try 5 degrees for a week then progress from there. And with programmable thermostats today that allow you to set your daily and weekly programs, this can make lowering your energy bill a simple chore.

6. Window and Blinds - although this may not have been high on your energy conservation list, opening or closing your windows, blinds or even curtains can have a positive effect on your energy bill. Instead of reaching for the A/C thermostat, try opening windows instead to vent hot air in the summertime, especially the upstairs windows if you have upper floors. Even using a fan near windows to blow hot air outside can be a lower energy usage choice than the A/C. If the A/C or heater is a must, closing the blinds and curtains can be a great way to help insulate your home from the weather. An exception to this rule is if your windows face the sun in the wintertime. In this case, open the blinds and curtains to let the solar energy in.

7. Bundle up or go naked - this one was probably not on your list, at least not on any energy conservation one. Instead of turning on the heater, throw on a sweater instead. And in no time, you will save enough money to buy a new sweater. For those hot summer days, go light on the cotton. How light is up to you, but keep the neighbors in mind if you leave the blinds and curtains open.

8. Cook Outside - instead of using the stove and heating the house, try cooking outside with your barbeque during the summer months. That way the stove, or secondary heater, will not be competing with your home cooling system.

With energy costs on the rise and renewable energy sources requiring an investment in time and money, changing your energy consumption habits to cut your energy bill is the best first step for most. And why not, it does not cost you a thing!

About The Author: Keith Garrett is a solar energy and wind power enthusiast for the home. His website at http://www.solarwind4homes.com offers knowledge and tips to the home owner on transitioning to renewable energy in the 21st century.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-8-Easy-Steps-to-Reduce-Your-Home-Energy-Bill-And-These-Will-Not-Cost-You-a-Dime&id=4051342] Learn 8 Easy Steps to Reduce Your Home Energy Bill And These Will Not Cost You a Dime

Increasing Attic Insulation Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Increasing attic insulation is very important for energy conservation and in helping to maintain a warm and comfortable home. The attic space helps prevent heat loss from the home in the colder months and to help keep the home cooler in the summer months. Insulation is a material that has millions of very tiny air pockets that trap heat. Most older homes have too little insulation. Modern homes are more likely to have adequate amounts of attic insulation. Insulation is rated using a measure called and R-value. In simple terms the more air pockets per square inch the higher the r-value of the insulation material.

The most common insulating material is fiberglass batt. These batts are manufactured in lengths of 8 feet. This type of insulation has a paper backing that aids in the blocking of moisture. If the insulation absorbs moisture the R-values will be reduced. To be most effective the insulation should not be compressed. The thicker the insulation the higher the R-value.

Double up to increase the R-value in an existing attic insulation can be. Bring the level of the insulation up to the level of the top of the floor joists. If the attic has a floor you may be able to raise the floor to provide more space for additional batts of insulation. To accomplish this the existing flooring has to be removed and then new joists have to be attached across the older ones using 2X2 wood members. Insulation batts then can be installed and the sections of the floor can be replaced.

The fiberglass batts can be easily cut with a pair of scissors or utility knife. It help to compress the insulation with a 2x4 then use the edge of the wood member as a guide. Cut the insulation along the vapor barrier. Tuck the material in between the attic floor joists and allow for four inches of clearance around high hat light fixtures and vents.

When working with fiberglass insulation you must wear protective clothing because the fibers are known to irritate lungs, skin and eyes. Always wear heavy work gloves and a long sleeve shirt and pants. Were a pair of goggles and a respirator suitable for the application of fiberglass insulation. Always wash after installing insulation in order to remove irritating fibers.

Insulating the attic ceiling is not recommended. Although done often this application can trap moisture behind the insulation and rot out the roof sheeting and can contribute to mold and mildew growth. This under the roof application can also lesson the life expectancy of the roof covering because it traps heat against the underside of the roof. Only insulate under the roof if the attic space is going to be finished. Install a vapor barrier and a separation between the insulation and the underside of the roof so moisture will not become trapped against the under side of the roof.

Insulation should not cover areas of attic ventilation such as soffit vents, roof vents, and gable vents. Air circulation is very important in the attic in order to help keep things dry and warm in the winter and cooler in the summer months.

If your attic is not properly insulated you will experience heat loss through the space. Adding insulation is a very economical way to help keep heat inside the home, lower utility bills and to help keep the attic space cooler in the warmer months.

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Under-Roof Insulation Houston


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What Can Radiant Barrier Foil Do For Your Home?

Author: Martin Applebaum

Homeowners commonly use radiant barrier foil in their attics to reduce the summer heat as well as the winter heat loss. Utilizing radiant barrier foil helps lower the heating and cooling cost. Fiberglass used to be the widely used form of insulation but as energy costs have been dramatically increasing, the demand for alternative insulation has continued to grow.

Radiant Barrier foil is another solution that consists of the same highly reflective material that reflects the radiant heat rather than absorbing it but is not as expensive as the fiberglass. As the heat travels from a warm area to a cool one through conduction, convection and radiation, it absorbs the heat and slows down the transfer.

During the convection, a liquid or gas is heated by a surface and becomes less dense. Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from any surface and will then heat anything solid that absorbs the energy. The more heat transfer occurs, the cooler the surface will then be.

Let's take a look at how the heat travels form the sun and we'll have a better understanding on how the radiant barrier foil works. When the sun heats a roof, a large portion of the heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials up to the attic side of the house.

The radiant barrier foil protects and radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler side of the attic surface including the air ducts and the attic floor. It reduces the radiant heat transfer from the under side of the roof as well as that of the other surfaces in the attic. There are there factors that determine its performance namely emissitivity, reflectivity and the angle that strikes the surface.

A radiant barrier foil comes in a variety of forms and can be applied over loose-fill insulation. It can be installed between the roof sheeting and attic floor insulation, in the cavity walls, water heaters, pipes and around door openings. With this cheaper solution, you no longer need expensive fiberglass as a barrier to slow down the heat during summer or to trap it during winter.

Your guide to all things related to home insulation. This includes spray foam insulation and blown attic insulation. Visit our site for more information today! http://www.homeinsulationsite.com
By M. Applebaum

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Building Insulation

Author: John Mahoney

Building insulation is done for a variety of reasons. Primarily we associate it with thermal insulation but the fact is there are other reasons such as for example blocking sound and vibration transmission, fire protection and impact damages etc. why different types of insulations are used. Out of all these, weaknesses in thermal insulation hit everyone harder because it affects their home economy consistently.

What Insulation is best for my home?

All buildings are not the same. Neither are they located in a particular single geographical region. Their needs too may differ, for example whether it's heating or cooling that you require or whether it's both. (In which case which requirement prevails longer).The following information gives a better idea to plan this out.

- Climate prevailing at the site
- Space temperature you would be happy with.(low temperature setting will cause lesser loss of heat)
- Suitability, acceptability (by local regulations etc) and the convenience to insulate.
- Life span and durability (some are susceptible to moisture, material may settle soon and loose profile, may deteriorate faster etc.)
- Mode of heat transfer (whether conduction , convection or radiation is prevailing more)
- Building architectural design, orientation, use of glass in the building envelope etc. (for example whether outsulation is possible, air tightness, vapour permeability, forced or passive ventilation, possibility to use low-e insulated glass etc).
- Toxicity of the material (short term or long term)
- Sustainability, Carbon foot print, environmental friendliness and ability to recycle.

Insulation options

The types of building insulation may be broadly divided as;
Structural
and, Non-structural

Non Structural Building Insulations
The following is a cross section of the types of insulation material available for retrofitters and new builders.
- Blankets and rigid boards with or without kraft paper/aluminium foil vapor barriers- (e.g. Fibreglass wool, rock wool, slag wool etc)
- Batts of Insulation -(e.g. Fibreglass, mineral wools etc)
- Loose Fill insulation – (e.g. Fibreglass wool, slag wool, rock wool, cellulosic material such as recycled paper, cotton wool, vermiculite etc.)
- Sprayed foams – (e.g, Polyurethane foams, expanded polystyrene foam etc.) Reflective Insulation and radiant barriers– (e.g. stand alone kraft paper backed aluminium foil or plain aluminium foil etc.)

Structural Building Insulations
- Rigid Panels – (e.g. composite Outsulation of EPS with finishes, dry walls etc.)
- Structured Panels (e.g. compressed straw panels etc.)
- Straw bales (e.g. tightly bundled straw finished with masonry plaster)

When you are thinking of building insulation (whether a new construction or a retrofit job) paying careful attention may not be a wasteful exercise. After all proper building insulation may be the difference of up to 30% of your home heating bill. Avoiding thermal bridges (continuous direct paths for heat transfer from indoor to out door) in the building envelope is equally important. As the currently effective HES scheme of SEI reimburses significant amounts against retrofit thermal insulation expenditure it is best to look in to this as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/building-insulation-880017.html

About the Author:
John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology
realated subjects. For more information about John visit his website
www.techstore.ie .