Finances Archives - Action Heating & Conditioning

Important Considerations for Buying a Furnace

21 Mar 2016

Buying A Furnace

At Action Heating & Air Conditioning, we know that if you’re considering the buying a furnace for a heating system in your home that you could be looking at a major expense. The following are a few things you need to consider that will form the basis of your purchase decision in terms of selecting the one that is best in accordance with your needs and requirements. Following are a few things you should consider before purchasing a furnace:

Type of System

Central systems for cooling and heating are available in either a split or packaged form. Split heating and cooling systems are equipped with a coil and a condensing unit that are placed on top of your furnace. If your home does not include an attic or a basement, you can opt for a packaged system instead. These systems are equipped with the qualities of a split system without the need of placing a component indoors.

Costs Matter When Buying a Furnace

The major portion of your expenses will obviously be related to the actual furnace and costs associated with its installation. There are, however, a few other things you’ll need to count in when it comes to determining the budget you’ll require for this purchase.

You will first need to take into account the unit’s size and any other additional parts that you want to be installed. You will also need to consider the costs of the features you select for the indoor air quality, along with the labor costs for getting the system installed.

Determine Quality of Indoor Air

With a furnace, comes a furnace blower which is responsible for the distribution of conditioned and heated air all through your home. You will have the option of choosing indoor air quality systems that will be placed inside the ducts which are helpful in the generation of clear and clean air in your home. So furnace filters are another thing you should consider when buying a furnace for your home.

Type of Fuel

Another thing you’ll have to consider before purchasing a furnace is the source you will use as fuel. You have the option of choosing either oil heating, electric, or gas as the fuel. An oil fueled furnace will require a great deal of storage space and is more prone to getting dirty in comparison with the other two options. If oil prices are high, fueling your furnace with oil could lead to huge expenditures.

Electric furnaces are another expensive choice as they will be required to use electricity in order to generate original heat for your meter to function. Gas furnaces operate on gas and in terms of affordability, are the most economical of the three fuel options.

Give us a call at Action Heating & Air Conditioning at 251 281-2520 if you’d like to know more about the things you should consider before purchasing a furnace, our professional and friendly staff is available to help advise you through this major purchase. You can also visit our website at www.callaction.net to review interesting articles that may be of value to you.

Benefits of a Quarterly HVAC Maintenance Program

Action Heating & Air

15 Mar 2016

HVAC

Comments: 0

Finances, Maintenance

hvac maintenance

Mechanical systems such as your AC system perform better and save you money with regular HVAC maintenance, preferably on a quarterly basis. If not serviced in time, your HVAC system could lead to an increase in repair costs and add to in your utility bills. HVACs are prone to catching dust and dirt which can damage the quality of the equipment and can reduce its potential of working effectively. At Action Heating and Air Conditioning we would like to share some benefits of performing HVAC maintenance on a quarterly basis:

Smooth Functionality and Performance

When your air conditioning system is properly maintained and cleaned on a quarterly basis, you can be assured to witness less or no problems with its functionality. An AC that is filled with dirt and dust is definitely going to hinder it from performing to the best of its potential which will not allow you to fully experience the advantages it provides.

If you want to ensure the smooth functionality of your HVAC system so that you can relax in a comforting environment year round, without constant problems acting as everyday hurdles, you should consider a maintenance program for your HVAC system on a quarterly basis.

Utility Bill and Repair Cost Savings

When HVACs are maintained after regular intervals, service companies can help detect minor problems before they turn into huge issues which could greatly damage the equipment. When equipment is damaged, it naturally requires greater repairs and at times, replacement. This can become a major unexpected expense.

When you compare the cost of a quarterly HVAC maintenance program over time in comparison to purchasing a new system because your existing unit did not last its manufacturers suggested life span, you can easily calculate the cost saving in having a quarterly maintenance program.

HVAC Maintenance Extends Unit Lifespan

As stated above when your HVAC systems receive their quarterly dose of maintenance, they perform better and for longer time periods. No matter how much the life expectancy of your HVAC system is suggested by the manufacturer, if its maintenance faces neglect, its life could drastically be reduced, leading to an early replacement.

Heightened Satisfaction

In addition to a life extension, you can also expect to live in a better atmosphere with your HVAC system functioning properly. When HVACs are properly maintained, their performance capacity is enhanced and you can rest assured you will receive cooling and heating as and when required.

Quarterly HVAC maintenance programs are essential and are especially helpful in saving you loads of dollars as well as saving you money on your utility bills. This should be reason enough for you to have a quarterly maintenance put in place starting this Spring.

For more details, call our friendly staff at Action Heating & Air Conditioning 251 281-2520 today and learn how affordable a quarter maintenance program can be.

Additional HVAC Cost Saving Tips in Winter

22 Feb 2016

In an effort to help our customers and future customers we at Action Heating and Air Conditioning want to continue sharing tips that may help you save on those expensive heating bills during the winter. If you need any inspections or repairs please call us at 251 281-2520 our friendly staff will be glad to schedule an appointment.

HVAC Cost Savings Tips For Anyone

Winter not only brings about a drop in temperature, but also your bank balance; making your pockets feel considerably lighter. During winters, half of your energy is utilized by heating systems. To increase your comfort as well as maintain a good financial standing, making smart decisions regarding your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is essential. It is recommended to all HVAC cost saving users to:

Install programmable thermostat
Tune up your HVAC equipment annually
Change your air filter regularly – every one to two months

Call us at Action Heating and Air Conditioning for installation and annual tuning. Replacing your air filter is fairly easy; you can do it on your own. A few more tips on how to save energy and some considerable bucks are as follows:

1. Thermostat Settings

Set your thermostat at 68? By setting at a comparatively lower temperature your heating system will use less energy. At nighttime or while leaving your home for short periods, turn down your thermostat 5 degrees to save more energy. This will add up to save you $70 each year. You might also consider to invest in a programmable thermostat which will set your temperatures automatically while you sleep or go out.

2. Utilize Sunlight

Sunlight not only provides warmth, but also helps our body to make Vitamin D. Soak up the sun right in your living room in winters by opening all window coverings during the day which face south. The natural light will warm your home and you will not need to increase the temperature on your thermostat. After nightfall, close your coverings to retain heat. Keep windows that receive no direct sunlight perfectly covered to prevent cold window drafts.

3. Cold Washing

If you have a washing machine, use cold water for washing clothes. Not only does this conserve energy, cold water is good for retaining the color of clothes and prevents fading of dyes. This will help you in saving about $30 to $40 a year.

4. Replacing Furnace Filters

Make it a habit to replace your furnace or heat pump filter regularly. Dirty filters clog the passage and make your heating system use more energy to work harder. Change your filters every one to two months (unless you have an efficient filter which lasts several months). By replacing your filters regularly you will end up saving $35 a year or about 5% of your energy costs.

5. Water Efficient Faucets

Installing water efficient faucets and showerheads will help in reducing hot water consumption. The 1.8 gallon per minute showerheads decrease your consumption by 10%, amounting to a $20 reduction in your energy bill.

6. Weatherize Your Home

If you properly weatherize your home, you might end up saving another 10% of your electricity costs. Seal your windows and weather-strip your doors to retain heat.

There is no reason HVAC Cost Savings is something you don’t do!

How Can I Control My Heating Costs During the Winter

19 Feb 2016

Controlling Your Heating Costs During the Winter

In an effort to help our customer’s save money on their energy bill during the cold winter months, we at Action Heating & Air Conditioning want to share the following tips with you.

Here are several tips to reduce energy consumption and maintain a comfortable temperature during the cold winter months.

Use ceiling fans to help. Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient year round. Ceiling Fans turning clockwise in the winter will trap heat inside and keep your rooms warmer. Turning your ceiling fans on a low setting will push hot air back down.
Use the Sun to your Advantage –Open your curtains and blinds on the south-facing windows during the winter to bring free heat into your home.
Adjust the thermostat at night- According to the U.S Department of Energy you could save up to 10% per year on your heating bill by turning the thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. Just add some flannel sheets and a warm comforter to your beds.
Do not heat the rooms you are not using. If you have rooms like a guest room or storage area that you never or very seldom use then close off the vents in those rooms to be more energy efficient. This way you will direct more air flow to the rooms you are using. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and set the thermostat to 62 degrees you could save up to $200 per year on your utility bill.
Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can become very dry. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you be comfortable when the thermostat is set at a lower temperature.
Be sure your furnace is clean and unblocked. When you keep your furnace and vents properly maintained you will reduce your energy consumption. Check your furnace filter monthly just as you do with your air condition filters.
Make sure your home is well insulated. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy cost are lost each year due to poor insulation.
Only use your exhaust fans when necessary. Exhaust fans pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling and out the home.
Decorate during the holidays both inside and outside with LED lighting. By using LED holiday lights which use 75 % less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, you will save energy. In addition, LED lights do not emit as much heat.

Heating Costs During the Winter Are Yours To Control!

What Questions Should I Ask When Buying A New Air Conditioning System?

Action Heating & Air

07 Feb 2016

HVAC

Comments: 0

Air Conditioning, Finances

First you should research by reading the company reviews. Then ask your friends for referrals. Then you need to be prepared to ask the right questions when meeting with the air conditioning professional. Below are important questions to ask that will help you during the process.

What size or capacity system do I needto properly cool my home? You can use the Manual J Load Calculation information to help use gain knowledge in this area.\

. Can the current installed ductwork be used? What is the condition of the existing ductwork? Should the ductwork be cleaned before the install?

Is your company licensed, bonded, and insured? Will your writing estimate have all of the terms and conditions we discuss? What kind if guarantee does your company offer? What is the warranty and guarantees on the new unit?

Is the new system energy efficient? Can I expect a reduction in my utility bills?

What Brands do you offer? And what are you recommendation this particular brand for my new system?

Does your work require permits and will you handle obtaining all required permits?

How can I pay you? What are your payment terms? Does the manufacturer offer any financing?

Are there any rebates available?

How long will the installation take? Is all old equipment taken away by you? Do you clean up after completion? And is all this included in my original replacement price?

Are there any new technologies I should consider?

A reputable air conditioning contractor will be glad to answer these and any other questions you may have. In addition, the company should be happy to furnish references from other homeowners, especially ones that live within your immediate area.

A high-quality, efficient system that is properly installed can provide years of comfort for your home, while keeping your utility bills in check. Be prepared with the right questions that will help you understand your home’s cooling needs and allow you to make the most informed decision when making your purchase.

Our Friendly Staff with be glad to help you when making your decision to purchase a new air conditioning unit. We know that this is a major purchase and insuring that you are well informed is critical to your decision. We are here to help.

Action Heating & Air Conditioning 251 281-2520

Will Attic Insulation Make a Difference?

15 Jul 2013

Heating and cooling your home probably accounts for about half of your Mobile AL energy bill. As energy costs rise, homeowners in Mobile and across the U.S. search for ways to lower their energy bills. By reducing heating and cooling costs, you can cut your energy bills and save money. One way to reduce the amount of energy necessary to keep your home comfortable is to upgrade the insulation in your attic.
Most heat loss occurs through the attic and roof of homes. Homes that are not properly insulated can lose up to 20 percent of the conditioned air. Essentially, 20 percent of the cost of heating and cooling the home is simply lost through the attic in many homes. Attic insulation increase the effectiveness of your home’s envelope to retain cooled and heated air.
Evaluate the R-Value
The R-Value of insulation is an evaluation of the material’s ability to resist the transfer of heat. All insulation, including blown, foam and sheet material, is measured using this standard evaluation. If you would like to know if upgrading the insulation in your attic will make a difference in your energy costs, evaluate the R-Value of the insulation that is currently installed.
Using a yard stick or ruler, measure the depth of the insulation in your attic at several points. Multiple each measurement in inches by 3.6 to determine the R-Value of your insulation. Two inches of insulation would have an R-Value of 7.2. If the levels of insulating materials greatly vary, consider the smallest measurement as your guide. R-Value degrades when insulation is sparse or missing.
Recommended R-Value
HVAC experts and home builders recommend for attic insulation to have an R-Value of 30. To conserve energy and save money on heating and cooling costs, upgrade your existing attic insulation to an R-Value of 30. If you have blown insulation, this means that you should have at least 8.5 inches of insulating material covering 100 percent of the attic floor. You should also reinforce insulation around the attic door, windows and other openings. Seal points where wires enter the walls and make sure to wrap beams and joists.
To upgrade your insulation, you can install new material on top of the old. The R-Value is cumulative, meaning that if your existing blown insulation has a R-Value of 10 and you add 5 inches of additional material on top of the existing insulation, the R-Value will be 28.
Upgrading your attic insulation is definitely worth the time and effort if you find your existing insulation is well below an R-Value of 30. If you have adequate insulation, adding more might not produce a noticeable difference in your energy usage. However, the insulation in most attics is considerably less than R-30. Evaluate the insulation in your attic to determine if your home would benefit from an insulation upgrade.
If you would like additional information about how to reduce your home’s energy consumption and save money, contact Action Heating and Air Conditioning. We are Mobile’s first-class heating and air conditioning company.

Easy Ways to Reduce your Heating and Cooling Energy Consumption

Action AC

15 Jul 2013

HVAC

Comments: 0

Energy, Finances, Insulation, Ventilation

In most American homes, heating and cooling accounts for over half of the household’s energy consumption according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Cutting those costs down to a manageable level needn’t be difficult or expensive. There’s a variety of ways to make improvements without comprising the level of comfort in your Mobile AL home. Any step that you take that allows your AC and heater to run less often helps lower your monthly utility bills. Here are five easy ways to reduce costs for your heating and cooling in Mobile AL.

1. Seal Up the Envelope

The term “building envelope” describes the exterior walls, ceilings and floors that make up the outer shell of your home. Any feature that passes through that shell, such as window, doors, vents and utility fixtures, is a potential cause of energy waste. Armed with weather-stripping material, spray foam and caulking, you can easily seal up the gaps in your home’s building envelope and lower your energy costs.

2. Add Attic Insulation

According to the EPA, around 80 percent of homes constructed before the 1980s have inadequately insulated attics. Poor insulation lets heat escape from your home in the winter and allows heat indoors during the summer. Adding insulation to your attic allows your HVAC systems to run less frequently without compromising your comfort.

3. Landscape Strategically

With some strategic plantings, your landscaping can reduce the length of time that your heating and cooling systems operate. In wind-prone areas, densely planted shrubs and trees help keep breezes at bay. Deciduous trees planted near the south and southwest sides of your home offer shade in the summer while letting winter sun filter through.

4. Schedule HVAC Maintenance

Heating and cooling systems are designed to deliver years of performance when properly maintained. A neglected system typically needs to run longer to deliver the same degree of comfort. HVAC experts and consumer advocates agree that scheduling seasonal maintenance for your HVAC systems pays off in better efficiency, fewer repairs and a longer service life.

5. Install Energy-Efficient HVAC Equipment

The heating and cooling equipment manufactured today is up to 40 percent more energy efficient than those produced just a decade ago. If your HVAC equipment is more than ten years old, you’ll likely save more money over the long run with a modern replacement. The variety of features included in newer models means that you’ll enjoy an enhanced level of comfort too.

Action Heating & Air Conditioning is pleased to offer a broad range of HVAC products that operate at high energy efficiency, saving you money through reduced monthly energy costs. As experts in heating and cooling in Mobile AL, our NATE-certified technicians are well-acquainted with the types, makes and models that work best in the community. A commitment to excellence means that you can depend on our skilled techs to provide expert service and repairs as well. Please contact us for all your HVAC needs.

When I leave my house, what temperature should I set my thermostat? – Wilmer, AL

28 Jun 2013

We recommend that you set your thermostat, no more than 5 degrees warmer or cooler from what you normally keep your temperature. If you are going to be away for more than 3 days, you can set the temperature on your thermostat at a greater difference. Here is why: In this day and age of 2 income households, most homes are not occupied during most of the day. So adjusting the thermostat to allow the temperature in the home to rise or fall beyond your normal setting can save you money.

Keep in mind however that on the hottest or coldest days your heating and ac system may not be able to overcome the outside temperature and make up the temperature difference in your home when you return your thermostat to the usual setting. When we allow our home’s temperature to rise or fall beyond the normal setting, not only does the air in our home change temperature, but so does everything in our home like furniture, clothing, appliances and even the walls. When the thermostat is reset, the stored heat or cold in the items in our home cause our home’s heating and cooling system to work to remove it all at once, rather than maintaining the temperature throughout the day. A programmable thermostat is designed to adjust the temperature in your home four times a day and have your home at a comfortable level when you wake up or arrive home. Most people regain the cost of replacing a wall thermostat with a programmable thermostat in energy savings in less than a year, making it a very good investment. For more information about installing a programmable thermostat, call Action at 272-5900.

Payback Versus Return on Investment – Foley, AL

28 Jun 2013

When we propose a replacement heating and air conditioning system we will offer 3 options; Best, Better and Good. The biggest differences between the options are energy efficiency. Each of these systems will heat and cool the home well, but the better systems do it using less electricity. And, as you have likely guessed, as you go up in efficiency of the system, the cost of the equipment goes up as well. So we are often asked, how long it will take for the dollars in energy savings to pay back the difference in the cost of the higher efficiency system. Sometimes the payback can be more than 5 years. But there is another way to look at it. Let’s say the higher efficiency system costs an additional $1000 over the lower efficiency model, but the higher efficiency system will save on average an additional $20 per month on the utility bill. In this case the payback would be just over 4 years. The $1000 additional investment brings a 24% return on the investment per year ($20 savings X 12 months = $240 / $1000 investment = 24%).

We believe purchasing a higher efficiency heating and air conditioning system should always be your first choice because the system will last longer, typically 15 to 20 years and with the cost of electricity going up during those 15 – 20 years, a higher efficiency system is a smart long-term decision. The return on the original investment over 15 years would be over 360%. Don’t you wish you could find a CD at your local bank that would get that kind of return? If you have any questions or would like to learn more about high efficiency home heating and air conditioning systems, please call Action at 517-3050.

What is the secret to low utility bills? – Theodore, AL

28 Jun 2013

The single greatest user of energy in your home is your home heating and cooling system. Keeping your home comfortable represents about half of your total utility bill. So how do you determine what portion of your utility bill is heating and cooling cost? There are 4 months out of the year when very little heating and cooling is needed – March, April, October, and November. If you look back on your utility bills and average those 4 months, you can use this number to represent your “base” utility. Base utility is the cost of all the other things in your home like washing and drying clothes, cooking, heating water, televisions, lights and etc. By subtracting that base average from any other month and you can get a pretty good idea what you are spending on heating or cooling. For instance if your base average is $95 and you have a July bill that is $350, you’ll know the cooling cost is about $255. If you live in a large home that may be acceptable, but if you live in a small home, that would be considered a very high utility bill. For example, we provide service on a 2512 sq. ft home with all electric appliances that has an average power bill of $131 per month. If you suspect your heating and cooling system is costing too much and would like to know how you can reduce your utility bills, call us today at 517-3050.