Month: April 2021

Going green is all the rage in 2021.

And it’s understandable why that is! We are all responsible for the well-being of our planet, not only for ourselves but for future generations too. According to the U.S Department of Energy, heating and cooling homes across America account for 56% of energy use in the average American home. And while that number may shock you, commercial buildings make up 73% of energy use just to heat or cool their establishments.

 

The average American household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills! What if you could reduce that amount for your household?

What are the benefits of going green with my HVAC or heating system?

There are several benefits of going green at home! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the resources available to help you make smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. These resources can help many homeowners save on energy costs, improve your overall comfort level while at home, and help in the fight against global warming. 

• Save energy 

• Reduce utility costs

• Reduce carbon emissions

• Conserve water

• Create a healthier environment for your community 

• Easier to maintain 

The U.S. EPA has phased out the use of R22, which was once a common standard in air conditioning and heat pump systems. R22 is an ozone-depleting refrigerant, and it is now illegal to manufacture in the United States. 

Can I enhance my current HVAC system to be economically friendly? 

In short, yes! There are several green HVAC options available to homeowners or business owners who aren’t quite ready to replace their current HVAC system. So if you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your current HVAC system, see below! 

• Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats will allow homeowners to control your HVAC systems temperature and settings anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re using your smart app on your phone, tablet, or laptop, you have full control even from a remote location. This is a quick, easy, and affordable way to enhance your current HVAC system.

 

• Zoned HVAC systems

Zoning HVAC systems will allow you to divide your space into multiple heating or cooling zones while controlling each zone according to your comfort preferences. Zoning works well with traditional ducted split HVAC systems, VRF systems, and ductless mini-split systems. Allowing you to keep occupied spaces comfortable, while shutting off or simply adjusting unused areas. Watch your energy bill drop! 

• HVAC economizer 

An HVAC economizer will pull cooler air in your indoor space to provide what many would say is, “free cooling”. This green HVAC technology reduces the run time of your AC unit, reducing the amount of mechanical cooling needed by up to 75%! Be sure to ask your certified HVAC technician if your current unit has an economizer installed. If they find you do not, one can be installed without much structural or mechanical changes to your current setup.  

You can make a difference for future generations to come. 

By going green with an energy-efficient system, we can build a healthier environment for all living creatures, both for our current inhabitants and future generations yet to come. Did you know that the energy used in the average household is responsible for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the average car? By using less energy, you can help reduce emissions responsible for their contribution to global warming. Always be sure to ask your certified HVAC technician about the SEER rating of your system. 

Energy rebates are available through your local electricity provider! Give us a call to find out how!

Contact JD’s AC for your Green HVAC Solutions 

Our team would be happy to share with you all of our other available green HVAC options. We proudly serve those in East Texas and surrounding areas such as Longview, Marshall, Gilmer, Gladewater, Tyler, Hallsville, just to name a few.

Are you ready to save as much as 10% on your annual heating and cooling costs, all while getting quality rest? 

If you answered yes, then this blog is for you. 

Many homeowners are making the switch from traditional thermostats, to the next best thing, programmable thermostats. This gives homeowners the ability to control their homes comfortability levels, and their energy bills simultaneously. By adding a programmable thermostat to your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning unit you can sleep better knowing you are saving money while keeping your family comfortable. 

 

Smart Thermostats – Saving You Money and Electricity.

You can save up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling bill just by turning your thermostat down an average of 7-10° for an average of 8 hours per day. Most households will do this while the family is away such as at work or school. To save energy during the Winter months, it is recommended by the Department of Energy that you set the thermostat to 68° while you are at home and awake, and even lower while you are sleeping or away from your residence. During the hot, East Texas Summer months, the Department of Energy recommends a setting of 78° and even higher when you are away from home. You will want to avoid adjusting your temperature abruptly once you do arrive home. Doing this will not cool your home any faster, and actually may in fact cause your unit to overwork to cool the same amount of space. With a programmable thermostat, your home can be controlled remotely, and can have temperatures returned to your liking before you even come home! 

Note from the pros: The smaller the difference between your indoor and outdoor air temperature the lower you can expect your utility bills to be! The lower the interior temperature, the less heat loss your home will experience, in turn saving you more energy and reducing your bill. The higher the temperature, the more energy your home creates, causing your bill to increase. 

Benefits of Programmable Thermostats

• Saves money
• A consistent temperature
• Less time adjusting 
• Increase the efficiency of your home 
• Keep your HVAC unit optimized 
• Take advantage of time 
• Maximize your zoned heating and cooling

Note from the pros: It’s important to have your smart thermostat professionally installed by a licensed HVAC technician to avoid “ghost readings”. Ghost readings are often caused by exposure to heat, drafts, doors, skylights, windows and other sources of direct sunlight and can cause your system to overwork.   

Now, let’s talk sleep.

According to The National Sleep Foundation, it is recommended that you set your thermostat to 65° at night while sleeping. This temperature may vary based on your personal preferences, however most doctors will recommend keeping your thermostat set between 60-70° for the most comfortable sleep. Naturally, our bodies are programmed to reduce our core temperature in the evening time. And by turning your thermostat down, you help your body regulate its temperature and signal to your body that it’s time for sleep. 

Dancing to the circadian rhythm

The circadian rhythm is a system based on the light and dark cycles of the sun and moon. This cycle is controlled by a part of your brain called the ‘suprachiasmatic nucleus’ which is essentially your body’s clock. This clock will receive cues from numerous sources, such as environmental factors, personal factors, the amount of light exposure, exercise and temperature. 

Tips for keeping your bedroom cool during our Texas summers

Higher temperatures at night can cause not only discomfort, but a disruption in your REM sleep, as well as blood pressure! 

• Keep your blinds closed. This will reduce heat build up within your home during the day. 
• Turn down your thermostat at night to the recommended temperature.  
• Use a fan or a portable air conditioning unit to help circulate air throughout the room.  
• Keep your humidity under control.
• Use breathable bedding materials, and light comforters. 
• Take a warm bath an hour or two before bedtime to help encourage a natural “cool down”.  

If you are ready to optimize your home, and decrease your monthly electricity bill, it’s time to give the pros at JD’s a call! We have a highly trained team of certified HVAC technicians who are ready to help you achieve your maximum level of comfortability. Proudly serving those in Longview, Marshall, Gilmer, Tyler, Gladewater, Hallsville, Harleton, White Oak, Lakeport, and surrounding areas.