Energy Audits

For existing homes, energy audits can locate energy leaks, allowing you to identify and correct problem areas. We can help you keep your conditioned air inside and at an appropriate temperature while helping you save money. We realize that is today’s economy, everyone is becoming more energy and financially conscious. Elite can work with you for the design choices that are most cost-effective for you.

Walk-Through Energy Audit

The best way to determine how to cut your energy costs is to audit your home’s current energy use. A walk-through assessment is the easiest and least expensive means of identifying and evaluating energy use in your home. An energy audit’s purpose is to identify places n the home where energy is being wasted and prioritize the projects needed to fix them. The end result is intended to reduce the amount of energy the home needs to operate and keep occupants comfortable. While the word “audit” may sound ominous, a home energy audit is just the first step in the process of lowering energy bills by making a home more efficient.

If you own the home, there is a clearly defined benefit for your efforts. Many have found that conducting a walk-though energy audit results in significant benefits not only in occupant comfort, but with new ways to save energy by identifying energy problems. You’ll start saving money on your energy bills as soon as you identify and fix energy wasters.

Advanced Energy Audits

Advanced energy audits go on step further. We use sophisticated software to model your home and analyze how it uses energy. The software helps identify deficiencies in your home’s thermal envelope and makes recommendations on how to correct them. In addition it produces reports on current energy usage along with expected energy usage based on improvements done to the home.

An Advanced Energy Audit includes:

Duct Blaster Leakage Testing – Combines a small fan and a pressure gauge to pressurize a house’s duct system and accurately measure air leakage of the ductwork. This test will show how much of the conditioned air in the duct system is being lost to the outside and increasing the cost of operation.

Blower Door Testing – A diagnostic tool designed to measure the airtightness of buildings and to help locate air leakage sites. A blower door consists of a calibrated fan for measuring an airflow rate, and a pressure=sensing device to measure the air pressure created by the fan flow. The combination of pressure and fan-flow measurements is used to determine the building airtightness. Knowing the airtightness of a building is useful when trying to increase energy conservation or decrease indoor air pollution.

Infrared Thermal Imaging – A thermal imaging camera can show you exactly where your energy dollars are being wasted. At the same time, we will give you suggestions on how to reduce the amount of leakage in your home.

For more information, or to schedule an energy audit, call Elite Service at 918.610.7300.

Whole House Energy Efficiency

At Elite Service, we take a whole house approach to heating and air conditioning.  By using a whole house approach, we are able to assess the efficiency of the home's entire envelope rather than just the HVAC system.  By doing this, we can find areas of energy leakage in your home.  This allows us to properly size your equipment for maximum efficiency and energy reduction instead of installing a larger system that will simply cover up existing problems, resulting in higher energy bills.  

There are many ways your home can lose energy:

• Hot air coming in the windows makes the new HVAC system work harder to cool the house in summer.
• Heat loss through an un-insulated attic makes it work harder to heat the home in winter. 
• Gaps in the aging ductwork make the system work harder all year round.

However, that efficiency will not be as high as it could be unless you fix leaky windows, increase attic insulation, and make repairs to aging ductwork. 

How Does a Whole House Approach Benefit Me?

The whole house systems approach is important for many reasons:

• Knowing about and being able to correct the energy wasters in your home's envelope help to create a home that is comfortable year round.
• Higher efficiency means less energy usage, which saves money by lowering utility bills.
• With lower energy use, the home is drawing on less non-renewable resources, thus reducing your carbon footprint.
• Sealing areas of air infiltration and installing a more efficient HVAC system will dramatically lower the dust and allergens in your home, creating a healthier living environment for your family.

How the Whole House Approach Works

Each home is a unique combination of factors which influence the efficiency of the entire home. When taking a whole house approach, it is important to consider these factors in making decisions to increase your home's efficiency levels. The important factors include the home site, its orientation and the local climate. It also involves the home's current appliances, electronics, insulation levels, air sealing, lighting, HVAC systems, water heating and openings in the home's envelope.

Making a home more efficient involves making incremental changes while keeping the budget in mind. Here is a sample plan for improving your home's efficiency:

• You will need to address openings in the home's building envelope. Check your windows and doors for leaks. Use caulk and weatherstripping to close those gaps. Also check your home's exterior for places where pipes and wires enter the house. Make sure those have adequate insulation and covering.
• Check for problems with your HVAC ductwork. Older ducts can have gaps in the seams. They may have loose joints or not fit the vent openings properly.  They may be completely detached from the system.   
• Check the level of insulation you have in the attic, exterior walls and crawl space. If the insulation isn't at recommended levels, add more.
• Make sure to have the HVAC system checked and tuned once a year. This helps it work at a more efficient level.
•  As your old incandescent light bulbs burn out, replace them with more efficient compact fluorescent lamps or LED bulbs.
• Ceiling fans help the home feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Select Energy Star-rated fans for the most energy efficiency.
• Choose a double-pane window with a low-E value made from wood or vinyl-covered wood.
• As the water heater nears its end of life, replace the older unit with a higher efficiency model. Energy Star rated ones are best.
• As old appliances die off one by one, replace them with Energy Star-rated options.
• Upgrade your HVAC system. Over the past couple of decades, manufacturers have made incremental improvements to the efficiency levels of furnaces, heat pumps and other HVAC equipment. 

The list may seem overwhelming, but that's where Elite comes in.  If you are thinking of making energy improvements to your home, consider having one of Elite perform an energy audit for you.  One of our certified energy auditors will evaluate your home and provide you with a consultation based on his findings, taking all of the guesswork out of the process.  After the consultation, you will be provided with a report that will give you suggestions for energy improvements.  

For more information on improving your home's energy efficiency, contact Elite at 918.610.7300.

2014 PSO Whole House Energy Program

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22nd, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than by reducing your energy output!  

Did you know you can save up to $5,000 on energy efficient upgrades through PSO's Whole House Efficiency Program?  

If you've been thinking about upgrading your home's HVAC system, there has never been a better time!  

The PSO Whole House Efficiency Program offers incentives for the following energy saving measures:  Attic/Ceiling insulation, knee wall insulation, wall insulation, floor/crawlspace insulation, water heater replacement, air infiltration, duct sealing, duct replacement, solar screens, Energy Star windows and doors, ground source heat pumps and HVAC systems.  

Call Elite for details on how to participate!  918.610.7300

What will energy prices do?

After 2008’s run up in energy prices, oil and gas crashed along with Wall Street’s financial collapse.  Economists will debate the cause for years.  Was it the market, or manipulation?  More significantly, what will energy prices do next?

Robert Bryce, Managing Editor of the Energy Tribune, believed that the oil price run up reflected supply and demand.  He’s now changed, writing:

Today, with prices plunging to near $40 instead of the $145 level seen in mid-July, it’s abundantly obvious that speculators were a key driver, probably the main driver, of the surge in oil prices.

Could it have been as simple as speculation?  According to the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations’ 2006 report, “The Role of Market Speculation in Rising Oil and Gas Prices,” oil prices above $40 to $50 per barrel were caused by speculation and hedge funds, not supply and demand.  This report was issued before the 2008 price run up.

A growing body of evidence suggests that speculation played a significant role in the skyrocketing price of energy during 2008.  When the speculative bubble burst, energy prices crashed.

Could energy be subject to another speculative price run up?  Much of the speculation is suspected to have occurred in “dark markets,” not overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.  With the opening of commodities exchanges in India and Dubai, it will be harder than ever to stop worldwide speculation and market manipulation. 

A speculative frenzy could reoccur, but will it?  The answer, unfortunately, is, who knows?

For now, energy prices are likely to stay low until the global economy recovers when they begin rising.  Higher prices do not mean we are running out of oil, but that we’re running out of cheap oil, that’s easy to extract.   

The Green River Formation in parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, holds 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil by itself.  That’s triple the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia.  Additional oil is available off shore, in the Bakken Formation spanning parts of Montana, North Dakota, and Saskatchewan, in Alberta’s Athabasca Oil Sands, in ANWR, in the Arctic, and on unexplored federal lands in the U.S.

In short, North America has abundant oil, though much of it is unconventional and expensive to extract in an environmentally responsible manner.  So while we will not run out of energy for a long time, we will pay more.

Electricity differs from oil and natural gas.  In the U.S., coal generates 49% of electrical power, followed by natural gas (20%) and nuclear power (19%).  Excluding hydroelectricity, renewable energy accounts for just 2% of electrical power generation, and most of the 2% is biomass.

Coal is abundant and cheap.  Yet, environmental concerns impede the use of coal in favor of renewable energy for the future .  While no one opposes renewable energy, it’s simply not economically competitive with fossil fuel generation or nuclear power.  Reliability issues with solar and wind, for example, necessitate expensive standby capacity.  Utilities will simply pass the increased costs along in the form of higher prices. 

Heating and air conditioning accounts for the majority of home energy use.  Yet, dramatic improvements in heating and cooling technology, as well as improved installation practices can result in dramatic reductions in home utility bills through upgrades of older heating and air conditioning systems.  Since the financial return is based on physics, not the financial markets, it’s the safest investment you can make today.  It can generate an attractive return today and a hedge against higher prices in the future.  Plus, it’s a guaranteed investment.

Call us Elite for a free estimate today!  918.610.7300

© Service Roundtable

Control your thermostat with your iPhone...

Elite Service Co. specializes in creating your ideal home environment.  No we can also give you an unprecedented level of control and security thanks to the Trane Comfortlink™ Remote Thermostat energy management system and the Schlage LiNK™ web based interface.  One interface can control many aspects of your home, from Z-Wave® enabled lights and small appliances to your heating and air conditioning system.  It's total integration from one simple solution.

You can also add optional Schlage® wireless keypad locks that can be controlled remotely for greater peace of mind.

The Trane® ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat and Schlage LiNK® System.
The Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat complements and enhances the functionality of your Trane Comfort System and allows remote access through the Schlage LiNK™ interface.

With this system, you can:

• Adjust the temperature remotely from most web enabled cell phones or computers to arrive home to your ideal environment.
• Place your Trane Comfort System into an energy savings mode from anywhere in the world to reduce your utility costs while away.
• Receive text and email alerts when it's time to change the filter or clean your air cleaner collection cells, if applicable.
• Set your system to send text and email reminders when it's time for routine maintenance before heating or cooling season begins.
• Receive an alert message in the unlikely event the system does not maintain the temperature you have set.
• Reduce energy consumption up to 15% with an energy saving schedule.  

System components.

The Schlage® Bridge is the brain of the system 

• Enables communications among system components and between the system and you from the Schlage LiNK™ web interface. 
• Connects most in-home Z-Wave® enabled devices to the Schlage LiNK™ servers through encrypted communications and manages these communications on your Z-Wave® network.

The Appliance Module 

• Allows you to control Z-Wave® enabled lighting and small appliances from Schlage LiNK™ web interface.  
• Incorporate lighting into schedules while on vacation to make your home appear lived in.  
• Multiple Z-Wave® appliance modules can be added to the Schlage LiNK™ system as needed. 

The Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat 

• Uses Schlage LiNK™ web interface help you control the temperature settings of your home remotely by most web enabled cell phones or computers. 
• Sends text alerts for filter changes and maintenance reminders.  
• 7 day programmable thermostat with up to 4 settings per day.
• Multiple Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostats can be added to the Schlage LiNK™ as needed to control the temperature in different rooms of your home.

Z-Wave® Devices

• Expand the functionality of your Schlage LiNK™ system
• The ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat system, controlled through the Schlage LiNK™ interface, is based on a secure universal communication standard known as Z-Wave.®  This wireless radio frequency-based technology transforms a single device into  an intelligent network that can be securely monitored an controlled wirelessly.  You can customize with over 200 Z-Wave® enabled devices.

Add ons.

Schlage® Wireless Locks

• Store up to 19 unique user codes and never lose your house keys again.
• Receive text message or email alerts when specific codes are entered at the door.
• Set 24 hour temporary codes from most web enabled cell phones.

Schlage® Camera

The Schlage® Camera lets you remotely see what's going on at home through most web enabled cell phones and computers.

Schalge® Light Module

Turn lights on, off or dim them remotely anywhere by phoen through the Schlage LiNK™ web interface.

What it takes to get started.

• An active broadband internet connection and router with at least one available port
• A computer with internet access and supported internet browser.
• A valid email address.
• A compatible cell phone with an internet data plan and a SMS (text message) plan for remote features.

The Schlage LiNK™ system requires a monthly subscription fee to enable remove access via most web enabled cell phones and computers.  A 6 month subscription trial period is included when purchased from a qualifying Trane dealer.  Subscription service is $8.99/month after the first 6 months.

Text "phone" to MyLink (695465) to see if your phone is compatible, and call Elite for an estimate on your Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat. 918.610.7300

©Trane Corporation

Winter Tip of the Day: Change Furnace Filters

Why is my home so dry?

Is your home so dry it’s affecting the health of your family?  One of the main reasons we get colds and flues in the winter is dry indoors air.  The mucus in our upper respiratory tract traps bacteria, viruses, and allergens as they enter our body and sweeps them into our stomachs before they can enter our bloodstream.  With excessively dry air, our mucus dries and thickens, effectively reducing our immunity.

Are you plagued by static electricity?  Static electricity as low as 500 volts can damage microchips in computers and electronics.  You cannot perceive static electricity until it reaches 1,500 volts.  Simply walking across a rug can produce static electricity of 12,000 volts.  While not harmful to people, static electricity can damage your home’s electronic equipment.  Proper humidity levels in your home will help control static electricity.

Does it feel cold even when the thermostat is set at comfortable level?  The air in your home may need moisture.  Your home may be drier than the Sahara in the winter.  If the air outside is 35OF with a 60% relative humidity, heating it to 72OF will drop the humidity to 15%!  By comparison, the average humidity in the Sahara is 25%.

Signs your home is too dry:

• Excessive static electricity
• Viral infections, such as colds and the flu
• Agitation of asthma and allergy problems
• Rashes, chapped lips, and dry skin
• Cracks in wood floors
• Shrinkage in wood furnishings
• Gaps in molding
• Wallpaper peeling at the corners
• Loose drawers
• Out of tune pianos
• Fortunately, we can correct these problems with an automatic central humidifier.

What can you do?

Your grandmother intuitively knew the answer to dry winter air.  She left a pot of water simmering on the stove to add moisture to the house.  While effective, this is not necessarily safe or economical.  Alternatively, hauling water to a series of room humidifiers is messy and inconvenient.  The best solution is to use an automatic furnace central humidifier that will maintain indoor humidity at the optimum level without the need to ever give it a thought.

What is the cost?

After the initial cost, a humidifier will pay for itself within a couple of seasons from the energy savings alone.  Though you may not notice it, your body is constantly perspiring.  When the air is dry, your perspiration evaporates instantly, creating a cooling effect.  This is why rubbing alcohol feels cool when applied to the skin, even though the rubbing alcohol is kept at room temperature.  Thus, proper levels of humidity result in a more comfortable home, at a lower thermostat setting.  Simply lowering your thermostat a degree or two will pay for the cost of the humidifier in a couple of seasons.  It doesn’t take much.

How do automatic humidifiers work?

We will mount a humidistat on the wall inside your home and a humidifier on your furnace or duct system.  You dial in your desired level of humidity (i.e. 30% to 40% is recommended), the humidistat measures the humidity in the surrounding air, and adds moisture if the humidity is low.  It’s simple, efficient, and automatic.

Call us today for an estimate on the installation of your automatic humidifier!  918.610.7300

©Service Roundtable

Mitsubishi Mini-Splits

There is a new type of HVAC system that is taking the industry by storm.  It is the mini-split ductless HVAC system.  The mini splits are small, quiet and unobtrusive while providing top of the line energy efficiency. 

There are several companies producing mini splits, but Mitsubishi is the leader, providing a powerhouse of energy efficiency with a 26 SEER ductless system. 

What does SEER stand for?

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating system was developed as a performance standard by the combined efforts between the U.S. government and equipment manufacturers with the intent to create a rating system that is easily understood by the public.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

The number that is associated with a SEER rating measures the British thermal units per hour of cooling or heating, per watt of electricity. The higher the number, the more efficiently a product will produce cool air compared to a product with a lower number.

Today, a standard system has a rating of 13 SEER.  Mitsubishi’s ductless mini-splits have up to a 26 SEER rating.  That’s double the efficiency of a standard unit. 

Some benefits of owning a Mitsubishi ductless system are:

Mitsubishi Mini Split units incorporate eco-comfort technology, dual and triple-allergen filtration, and are whisper-quiet.

Eco-comfort technology makes these systems smarter in how they use energy and minimizes their impact on the environment. Plus there are many advanced features like the i-see™ Sensor, that automatically detects room temperature differences and adjusts for greater comfort. Mitsubishi Electric's advanced multi-stage filtration systems dramatically reduce allergens and help eliminate odors. And our indoor units operate with sound levels starting as low as 19dB(A). That sound is even quieter than a human whisper.

New technology revolutionizes the heat pump.

Unlike older, inefficient heat pumps, there is no cold air delivery with Mitsubishi Electric's Cooling & Heating systems. Larger coils heat faster, and the Hot StartTM system doesn't activate the fan until the desired temperature is reached so it never blows cold air. What's more, select models use Hyper-Heating INVERTER (H2i®)technology that operates effectively down to -13º F. With this improvement these models give true year-round comfort from a single system. Even with this amazing cold weather performance, there are no energy consuming electric resistance heating elements to increase your utility bills.

These units provide easy installation, simple service and longer warranties.
Mitsubishi Electric's units are easy to install with little or no ductwork. They're also designed for easy servicing. Although, with our industry-leading reliability record, you won't have to worry much about that. Better yet, we've extended our warranties to seven years on compressors and five years on parts.

Some of the featured components of the systems include the following items:

INVERTER-driven compressor systems use only the exact amount of energy needed to cool or heat an area. So you can save energy and money while enjoying complete control over your comfort year-round.

Standard and enhanced filtration systems provide air filtration that utilizes washable filters that can last up to 10 years; this feature is good both for you and the environment. Hybrid Catechin and blue-enzyme filters contained in each indoor unit remove allergens; each room has its own filter, therefore preventing cross contamination of air from room to room. Select systems incorporate an additional Platinum Catalyst filter for additional odor elimination.

Mitsubishi Mini-Split systems are perfect for a home office addition or your home gym.

Call Elite to see if a Mitsubishi ductless HVAC system is right for you.  The estimate is FREE!  918.610.7300

How can you reduce your family's impact on the environment?

Annual Heating and Air Conditioning 

Maintenance
 Many people wait until something is wrong before they feel that they can justify the cost of service and repairs. Problem is, by neglecting to have your furnace and air conditioner serviced regularly, you will pay more in the long run; more in energy bills, more in preventative repairs, and face replacements sooner from reduced equipment life. And, you will most likely experience equipment failure in the middle of the summer or winter, times of heavy use when you need your systems the most.

Regular maintenance will catch small issues before they become large issues and prevent total system failure. Also, when your equipment is serviced annually and running at an optimal level you will have much lower utility bills. This is good for the environment and your pocketbook.

Upgrade old, inefficient appliances

Dishwashers, clothes washers, ovens, refrigerators, water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and other major appliances can all run up energy costs quickly if they are not energy efficient or not running at peak performance. It is important to have your major appliances inspected regularly. If you are considering a renovation or upgrade, explore your options. 

Fix refrigerant leaks

Refrigerant is expensive. The longer you put off fixing the leak, the more that’s evaporating (not to mention the harm to the environment). Not only that, if moisture enters  and reacts with the refrigerant, vital components like the compressor can be damaged and you may end up replacing your entire unit. Even if a total replacement is not required, the efficiency of your unit can be greatly compromised.

Seal air infiltration of your home

If your home is not sealed to today’s standards you could be spending 30% or more on your energy bill than necessary. Infiltration refers to airflow through gaps or cracks around windows, or in walls or flooring. Using caulk or other means to fill in the holes you can access will help to seal the building envelop so that less energy will be needed to maintain the temperature in your home. Having a home energy audit conducted will also give you more information about the most cost effective changes you can make to reduce costs.

Seal ducts located outside of the building envelope.

If you have ducts that run through your garage, attic, basement, or crawlspaces they may be susceptible to extreme temperature deviations from the portion of the home where the temperature is regulated. Sealing and insulating these ducts will result in a reduction of energy consumption.

Ceiling fans

A ceiling fan can increase evaporation of perspiration from an individual and create the sensation of a cooler environment. Ceiling fans also cost much less to operate than your comfort system. This allows you to set the thermostat higher and still enjoy a comfortable environment. Be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room.

Motion detector light switches

Are you tired of kids leaving the lights on and wasting money? Install motion activated light switches to automatically turn off lights and conserve energy. They are especially useful in rooms that have ceiling fans, as ceiling fans are only effective if there is someone present in the room to benefit from the air movement.

CFLs

Most people don’t pay a lot of attention to what kind of light bulbs they have in their home, as long they provide adequate lighting. What many don’t realize is that they are wasting money using conventional incandescent light bulbs. The light bulb with the spiral top is called a CLF or Compact Fluorescent Light bulb. The average life of a CFL is approximately 6-10 times that of an incandescent light bulb. Although CFLs are more expensive than compact fluorescent bulbs, they use less energy, providing a yearly savings of $40-60 or more.

Outlet insulators

It may be hard to believe, but if your outlet covers are not properly insulated, air could be entering your home around them. Use outlet insulators to help seal the space behind the outlet and lower your energy bills.

Low flow showerheads

Consumers worry that switching to a low flow showerhead will decrease their comfort in the shower.  In reality, most people using a low flow shower head can’t tell the difference between it and a regular showerhead.

Don’t do everything at once. Pick a few projects to tackle each year. By making just a few of these changes, you could be saving a great deal of money on utility payments. We can help you to prioritize. Elite Service Company is always ready to help with all of your heating and cooling needs.  Call Elite to see how we can help you improve your environmental footprint!  918.610.7300
© Service Roundtable

Tips on reducing your energy consumption (part 4)

Welcome to the final installment of Elite's energy tips!  We've discussed things you can do to reduce your energy usage at home and services you can schedule to correct energy leaks.  We've reached the end of the road.  What do you do when there are no other changes you can make, and your energy bills are still astronomical?

Upgrade your equipment

The biggest savings come from replacing old equipment.  Heating and air condition equipment is two to three times more efficient than a couple of decades ago, depending on the type of equipment.  This means that your can dramatically reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home, simply by upgrading equipment and making your home more comfortable in the process.
Upgrading your equipment does require an investment, but it is less than you might think.  The energy savings usually offset the monthly payments.  Depending upon the age and condition of your existing equipment, you could easily end up with more money in your pocket at the end of the month by upgrading.
You can either pay the utility, or you can invest in an upgrade.  The utility will keep wanting more and more with nothing tangible to show; on the other hand, upgrading your equipment will improve your home’s comfort and continue saving you money long after the equipment is paid off.

To schedule an estimate with Joel or Lowell, call 918.610.7300!

Tips to reduce energy consumption (part 3)

Here it is!  The long awaited third installment of our energy reduction tips!

Preventive maintenance

Your heating and cooling system needs regular maintenance to operate at peak performance.  Consider the benefits of a preventive maintenance agreement.

·        You’ll save money.  A poorly tuned a/c or heating unit wastes both energy and your money.  In fact, by having a system cleaned and maintained professionally, you can save an average of $32 a month on your summer cooling bills.

·        Preventive maintenance can help prevent future emergencies.  Regular maintenance can detect minor heating and air conditioning problems before they turn into major system failures.  Since replacing a compressor can be costly, a small investment in regular tune-ups can mean big savings in the future.

·        Equipment lasts longer.  Operating your a/c during the summer months is like driving a car about 40,000 miles at 30mph.  Without regular maintenance and cleaning, your systems part and major components can break down under this heavy work load.  A well-maintained system lasts longer.

Humidification

Tight houses help conserve energy in the summer.  During the colder months, however, the savings can be counteracted by low humidity.  As the temperature rises, air can hold more moisture.  Heat your home in the winter and the air draws moisture like a sponge.  This causes the moisture on your skin to evaporate immediately, creating a cooling sensation.    By introducing supplemental moisture to the air, humidity is raised and comfort increases despite a lower winter thermostat setting.  Proper humidity saves energy because people feel comfortable with a lower thermostat setting. 
While tabletop humidifiers abound, the best solution an automatic whole-house duct mounted humidifier.  These products sense the humidity in the home and add moisture directly to the air stream as needed.  You can set it and forget it.

Helpful tips to reduce energy consumption (part 2)

In the spirit of being green, we have put together a list of ways to minimize your energy consumption.

The following are reliable ways to assess where your energy leaks are:

Get a blower door test

A blower door is a diagnostic tool that measures the airtightness of a building and helps to locate air leakage sites.  It consists of a frame and flexible panel that fit in a doorway, a variable-speed fan, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure differences inside and outside the home, and an airflow manometer and hoses for measuring airflow.  Knowing the airtightness of a building is useful when trying to increase energy conservation, decrease indoor air pollution and controlling building pressures.

Walk-through energy audits

The best way to determine how to cut your energy costs is to audit your home’s current energy use.  A walk-through assessment is the easiest and least expensive means of identifying and evaluating energy use in your home.  An energy audit’s purpose is to identify places in the home where energy is being wasted and prioritize the projects needed to fix them.  The end result is intended to reduce the amount of energy the home needs to operate and keep occupants comfortable.  While the word “audit” may sound ominous, a home energy audit is just the first step in the process of lowering energy bills by making a home more efficient. 
If you own the home, there is a clearly defined benefit for your efforts.  Many have found that conducting a walk-through energy audit results in significant benefits not only in occupant comfort, but with new ways to save energy by identifying energy inefficiencies.  You’ll start saving money on your energy bills as soon and you identify and fix energy wasters.

Helpful tips to reduce energy consumption (part 1)

Are your electric bills outrageous?  Many Americans want to cut their energy costs in as many ways as possible.  We’ve put together a list of things you can do to help reduce your energy consumption and ease the strain on your pocket book.  Some are inexpensive.  Other options require investments in your home, but the pay off is nearly immediate.

Here is the first installment in a series of energy saving home improvements:

Air infiltration

One of the simplest ways to reduce utilities is by reducing outside air infiltration into your home.  In other words, take your mother’s advice and stop air conditioning the whole neighborhood!

Air infiltration is a bigger problem with older homes than newer ones.  New homes are usually built tighter.  There is not a lot of leakage from the inside out in a newer home.  Older homes, however, were built to different standards in a time when energy usage was less of a concern. 

What to do:  Visually inspect weather stripping, look for cracks and gaps where airtightness might be compromised.  Use an incense stick to check for drafts and air leaks around windows, doors, recessed lighting fixtures, and attic hatches.  Replace old weather stripping and seal the leaks.

Infrared thermal imaging
We know everyone works hard for their money and would like to keep that money from flowing out the doors and windows.  You may not realize how much of your hard earned income is doing just that.  We also know that you would like to reduce your energy bills in the winter months and then again, in the summer months.  A good place to start would be a professional, infrared home-energy efficiency inspection.  Our infrared thermal inspection will physically show you where you are wasting your hard earned energy dollars and can help us to offer you solutions to put an end to needless energy wasting.