Archive for 'Energy Evaluations'

How To Boost The Efficiency Of Heat Pumps

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How To Boost The Efficiency Of Heat Pumps

The efficiency and capacity of central heat pumps depend on sufficient airflow. There should be between 400 and 500 cfm (cubic feet per minute) airflow for every ton of a heat pump’s air conditioning capacity. Performance and efficiency deteriorate if the airflow is less.

According to studies conducted by Energy Star, 50% of all heat pumps have major problems with incorrect refrigerant pressure, inadequate airflow and leaky air ducts. These factors influence the performance of the whole heat pump system, forcing ...

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Decided To Install Solar Power Panels? Here Are Some “How To Get Started” Tips

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Decided To Install Solar Power Panels? Here Are Some “How To Get Started” Tips

Do you know that, in Charlotte, the sun shines for 60 percent of the year? If so, you’re probably ready to go for solar power panels. So, in order to get you prepared to meet your renewable energy requirements, here are a few easy tips to get started.

The Roof

Your roof is an ideal place to install solar power panels. If it faces south, it gets the most sun but, if it doesn’t, you can still benefit from renewable solar energy. ...

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The Energy Star: Why It Matters When You’re Making A Cooling Or Heating Investment

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The Energy Star: Why It Matters When You’re Making A Cooling Or Heating Investment

Any wise investment strategy involves doing your homework before you buy. Your HVAC system is an investment and deserves the same consideration. Fortunately, Energy Star makes it easier to make a wise purchase when it comes to heating and cooling equipment.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced Energy Star in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program for identifying energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products. When the program began it was used mainly for computers and monitors, but eventually expanded to heating and ...

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Elements Of A Well-Designed Duct System

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Elements Of A Well-Designed Duct System

As a homeowner, you’re likely to think that your duct system is not as important as your heating and cooling equipment. But it is. That’s because a well-designed duct system can boost the efficiency and comfort potential of your HVAC equipment—significantly.

You see, your HVAC equipment relies heavily on your ductwork to deliver the heated and cooled air that it generates. If your duct system’s design is under par, your comfort and efficiency can be greatly hindered—no matter how efficient ...

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Manual J: Why The Contractor Who Sizes Your Air Conditioner Should Know It Inside Out

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Manual J: Why The Contractor Who Sizes Your Air Conditioner Should Know It Inside Out

The purchase of a new or replacement air conditioner for your home is not simply a matter of choosing a cooling unit and having it installed. Among the more important of the additional considerations is determining what size cooling system you need. The amount of cooling required to keep your home at desired levels is your home’s “load,” and each home has a different one. The air conditioner you choose must be correctly sized—big enough to meet the load, but ...

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The Home Energy Audit That You Can Do Yourself

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The Home Energy Audit That You Can Do Yourself

If you could access a map that would show you the most inefficient locations throughout your home, would you want it? Well, you can create your own home map with a home energy audit. And once you know where your home is losing energy, you can make low-cost improvements that will significantly boost your energy-savings potential all year long.

You’ll need to perform a two-step process to locate air leaks, because some leaks will be clearly visible, while others are ...

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You’ve Hired A NATE-Certified Technician – Job Done!

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You’ve Hired A NATE-Certified Technician – Job Done!

Hiring a NATE-certified technician is a big deal. After all, your home comfort and savings depend on it. That’s why you can trust that the job will be well done, whether it’s a repair, maintenance or replacement job.

You can rest assured that a NATE-certified technician is the best possible designation to utilize when comparing technicians, because:

With the value that NATE-certified technicians offer through NATE’s rigorous, comprehensive testing process, it just doesn’t make sense to use any other certification as ...

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The Energy Star Yardstick: Pull It Out To See How Your Home Measures Up

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The Energy Star Yardstick: Pull It Out To See How Your Home Measures Up

Energy Star is a government-sponsored website that helps homeowners reduce energy consumption. It features the Home Energy Yardstick, a program designed to compare your home to similar homes in your area in terms of energy efficiency, and then offer tailored suggestions to bring energy consumption down.

Here’s how it works:

On the homepage, you will need to enter information about your home, including its square footage, annual energy use, and fuel sources, along with your zip code and number of ...

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An Energy-Savings Strategy That Will Serve You For The Long Term

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An Energy-Savings Strategy That Will Serve You For The Long Term

Have you ever wondered if your home was as energy efficient as it could be? It’s easier than you think to determine if you’re conserving energy and saving money. The U.S. Department of Energy has put together some helpful information for homeowners so they can assess where improvements can be made immediately, and plan for other improvements in the future. The most important thing you can do as a homeowner is to make a start; doing nothing is ...

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Lower Your Heating Bill — See Some Savings Now And Even More When You Upgrade Your System

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If you are looking for a way to cut your heating costs before winter rolls in, lowering your heating load can do just that. Not only that, but when you are ready to upgrade your heating system, the improvements you have made to your home can help you save even more.

Your heating load refers to the amount of energy needed to properly warm your home. The more energy efficient your home is, the lower your heating load will be. When energy ...

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