Category: Energy Star

Saving Money On Heating With Programmable Thermostats

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Heating your home is a constant game. It is hard to save money, remain comfortable and be responsible to the environment at the same time. With rising energy costs and a green movement that is bringing everyone more in touch with their footprint on the Earth, homeowners are looking for reasonable solutions in heating and air conditioning their home.

Most heating options that are environmentally friendly are very costly to homeowners and can take weeks to install. One improvement you can make that is fairly cheap and very quick to install is programmable thermostats.

Programmable thermostats only range from $50 to $200, which is hardly anything considering the costs of replacing furnaces, installing new windows, or buying more efficient appliances. This small cost yields big savings, savings of about 15% a year.

Other than significantly lowering your energy bills, programmable thermostats are much more convenient to have in your home, and can save energy without you even remembering to turn the thermostat down. Most programmable thermostats can save more than six temperature settings for every single day, and you can override them without messing up the daily or weekly program that the thermostat is set to.

This can do wonders to save you money on heating during cold winter months. For example, your house can be a nippy 60 degrees while you are at work, and then–while you are in traffic on your commute back home–it can automatically move up to a toasty 68 degrees or 70 degrees. When you step in the door, the temperature is right where you want it.

Greening Up Your Home Starts With the Sensible Use of Air Conditioning

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

In the Charlotte area of North Carolina, summer is hot and humid with temperatures averaging in the mid to high 90s. Air conditioning in this part of the country is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. That said, however, it’s important to try and “green up” your home and save money by minimizing use of your air conditioner. Here are some ways to do this:

  • Dress lightly if it’s hot, and set the air conditioner to a little higher temperature.
  • Use an indoor fan along with your air conditioning unit to disperse the cooled air through your home more efficiently.
  • Never set the thermostat to a colder setting when first switching the air conditioning unit on. It’s not going to cool your home any quicker. In fact, it will increase energy consumption and could cause the air conditioning unit to freeze over.
  • When it’s cool in the morning and night, open the windows and doors. Your home will stay cool for a while, depending on how well it’s sealed and insulated. When it starts getting hot, turn on the air conditioning until after the sun has gone down. Then open the doors and windows again to let the cool air in.
  • To cut down on extra heat, close the blinds on the west, east and south-facing windows. Better still, install shade screens or exterior shades to block the heat before it even gets into your house.
  • If your air conditioning unit is old, consider purchasing an Energy Star rated model. You can save between 10 and 14 percent of your energy costs.

A Solar Heating System That Breaks New Ground in Home Comfort

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

The SunSource solar heating energy system from Lennox brings a new dimension to home comfort that goes way beyond obtaining power from the sun. Helped by roof-mounted modules, it converts sunlight into actual electricity, which can be used to run your air conditioner or heat pump while reducing your cooling and heating costs by up to half.

This solar heating system uses abundant, free solar energy to not only generate electricity to heat and cool your home, but it can even provide sufficient electricity to power your appliances, lights and more. The system is affordable, expandable and incredibly uncomplicated. This illustration shows how it works:

Innovative features of the SunSource solar heating system:

  • Select heat pumps and air conditioners from the Lennox collection can be modified with simple upgrades to act as platforms.
  • The condensing units meet or surpass the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for energy efficiency. When used in conjunction with just 4 solar panels in a whole-home energy system, they can lower cooling and heating bills by up to 82% percent.
  • Up to 15 solar heating modules can be added in the future or at the time of installation.
  • You can use your broadband connection to send online performance information for each module to a 3rd party website where you can see how the system is working.
  • You get 24/7 access to real time data that shows the system’s status, environmental benefits, energy production, and carbon offsets. This monitoring system is free for five yearsVisit our Solar Solutions page for in-depth information about the SunSource system. If you live in the Charlotte area of North Carolina and would like to find out more, contact us to speak with a solar specialist today.

Tips Versus Myths of Household Heating

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Heating your household (and the money it costs to do so) is a topic of much discussion between all sorts of people; as such, it is expected that some myths will arise through all the conversation. We know how myths work: what one person hears will be relayed to another, possibly even changing slightly, so on and so forth. So then how do we know which little tips to trust? Which are misleading?

One very common myth is that leaving the thermometer set at a constant, modest temperature will save money and energy. The reasoning is it takes more energy to heat or cool an area to a temperature than it does to maintain the temperature. This is generally not true; it is indeed better to set back your thermostat a few degrees when no one is home, for example.

A tip is to actually install a programmable thermostat, so it can regulate the activity of the heating and cooling systems depending on the time of day and whether someone is home or not.

Another myth (misconception may be a better word) is that using an electric heating system is more energy efficient than a fuel powered furnace and would save you money. Homes using electric heating are getting their power from fuel-burning power plants, which because of the size and distance are likely even less efficient than a household furnace.

If you are dissatisfied with the energy consumption of your home heating system, a tip would be either to convert to solar energy panels, or to a more modern, high-efficiency furnace, which can be up to 98% efficient. Call Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical today to learn how we can help with your home comfort needs.

9 Benefits of Converting to Solar Power Panels

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

As you can surely imagine, the benefits of converting to a system using energy produced by solar power panels can be enormous. If you are tired of relying on traditional power usage and being subject to the rising costs of traditional power, perhaps converting your house to solar energy panels is a viable option for you. Here is a short list of benefits you may experience.

  • Though there is an initial cost of converting to solar power, the net investment is relatively low.
  • The amount of money you pay for electricity in the long run will likely be greatly reduced.
  • Using solar power panels will give you independence and security from rising oil and fossil fuel prices.
  • Energy produced from solar power panels is coming from a renewable source; as long as you have the equipment to harness the energy, there is no end to it.
  • There may be federal and/or state tax incentives available to you for converting to solar energy. Talk to a professional technician in your area to find out details.
  • The system is expandable, so you may initially choose only to have some of your power system reliant on solar power panels. For example, you could set up your home power system, so only your heating and cooling is solar powered; heating and cooling can account for 70% or more of the average household energy usage.
  • With a grid-tie system, which most systems are, it is possible to produce more energy than you use, and the excess energy goes into the power grid. In such a case, your electric company may actually pay you or give you a credit on your bill.
  • The value of your home will be appreciated with the installation of a solar power system.
  • Energy produced through solar power panels emits no pollution.

Your New Air Conditioner: Pay Attention to the Seer Ratings, But Consider These Features, Too

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

No matter what brand of air conditioner you choose to buy, the unit should be as efficient as possible so that it provides good cooling at a reasonable price. An Energy Star certification will ensure you’re getting a model that has passed government tests for efficiency. The unit should have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 15 or higher, with higher SEER numbers indicating better efficiency.

Beyond SEER, however, there are several other features that will improve the performance of your new air conditioner while providing high levels of efficiency and ongoing savings on your monthly cooling bills.

  • Variable-speed air handler: Variable-speed blower motors in your air handling system are designed to operate at lower energy consumption while delivering the right amount of air circulation for your indoor comfort. They produce all the air you need without using excess energy.
  • Automatic delay fan switch: This feature shuts off the fan a few minutes after the unit’s compressor turns off. This ensures that all cooling left on your indoor coil is circulated before the fan is shut off.
  • Fan-only switch: This feature lets you run the fan in your system for ventilation only. It also circulates the air in your home cleaning it as it passes the filter and the air movement makes it feel cooler, keeping air circulating through your house without spending money on unnecessary cooling.
  • Filter reminder: Filter changes keep your air conditioner running efficiently and reliably. A filter reminder will let you know that it’s time to put a new filter in the system to keep it running at its best and without breakdowns.
  • Sound Rating: A noisy air conditioner can be a source of aggravation. Make sure the model air conditioner you choose has a low sound rating to reduce stress-causing background noise in your home.

For 40 years, Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical has been a trusted source of professional heating and air conditioning services for customers in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information and expert advice on air conditioners and the features that will work best for you.

Programmable Thermostats: How to Make the Smart Decision

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Investing in a programmable thermostat will quickly pay you back, as the average energy savings you can expect from using these devices approaches 10 percent. By selecting a model with “smart” capabilities, you can lock in the highest savings possible while providing the ultimate in convenience.

Programming options

Standard and smart programmable thermostats generally allow homeowners to set their devices for up to four daily schedules. But weekly scheduling options differ from one model thermostat to another.

You can choose:

  • 7-day programming, with a separate schedule for every day of the week
  • 5-1-1 settings, with one schedule for Monday through Friday, and one schedule for each weekend day
  • 5-2 programming, with one schedule for the weekdays and one for weekends
  • 1-week settings, with programming that extends the entirety of the seven-day week

Programmable thermostat features

You can also select various features for added convenience, including:

  • Touch screen capabilities
  • Backlighting
  • Reminders to change your HVAC air filters and the thermostat’s batteries
  • Vacation override button

Smart capabilities

A standard programmable thermostat will give you all of the features listed above, but a smart device offers an additional perk: web-based access. Remote access to a programmable thermostat can give a homeowner a multitude of options, including the ability to:

  • Change temperature settings from another location using a phone or computer
  • Adjust temperatures remotely when your schedule changes, so that by the time you return home the temperature will be comfortable
  • Change the time period of an existing setting, allowing you to adjust any of the four daily settings
  • Set a 365-day schedule, a feature available on some smart programmable thermostats
  • Lock out manual adjustments, ideal when you don’t want home occupants, like children, to manipulate the thermostat and make changes to the temperature or time settings
  • Receive a text or email when your smart thermostat senses that the home’s temperature is above or below the setting, allowing you to remotely respond
  • Receive alerts when humidity sensors read levels that are too high or too low

Use the power of “smart” programmable thermostat technology, and boost your overall energy savings and convenience. For help, contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical — serving the Greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

Designing and Retrofitting Your Home for Passive Solar

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Homeowners who take advantage of passive solar home design can boost energy savings by lowering the heating and cooling load of their homes. Passive solar design is most easily accomplished when building or remodeling a home, requiring a more manageable investment than investing in active solar equipment, like photovoltaic panels.
There are five basic concepts to using passive solar:

  • Solar collectors – Often called apertures or window expanses, solar collectors are used to access radiation from the sun, which is then used to heat the home. A large window should be positioned on the south-facing side of the home, unobstructed by shade from trees or buildings. This will allow your home to access heat in the winter season during peak sunlight hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Absorbers – Inside the home, an absorber is positioned to collect heat from the sun. It is typically a hard surface, made from a dark material—to absorb maximum heat—and can be either a water container, masonry wall or floor.
  • Thermal masses – Also designed to function like an absorber, a thermal mass differs in that it is not an exposed surface area; instead, the thermal mass rests under or behind another surface material, like a wall or floor.
  • Solar distribution – Three natural processes — conduction, radiation and convection — are utilized in passive solar design to distribute, or circulate through the home, the solar heat that is collected or absorbed through other passive solar factors, like absorbers and thermal masses.
  • Controls – While passive solar maximizes heat gain during winter, it is necessary to limit heat gain during summer. You can position roof overhangs or awnings to increase shading, install a sensing thermostat that will run a fan to limit heat gain, and install dampers or vents that alternatively allow or inhibit the movement of heat. Window blinds are also an effective passive solar tool that will reduce heat gain in the summer.

If you’re interested in passive solar design, contact your local solar experts at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical today! We’ve been serving the greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

Fresh Air Year Round – With an Energy Bonus

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

The indoor air quality of your home is important when trying to keep your family healthy, hence the need for ventilation. However, ventilation systems can be both practical and economical. Energy recovery ventilation systems vent the home while keeping energy loss to a minimum.

Benefits of home ventilation

Pumping a constant stream of fresh air into your home helps keep it healthy by pushing out stale, contaminated air. Things like dust, mold and bacteria are removed, thus reducing the chances of allergy aggravation and sickness.

There are two major types of home ventilation systems, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). The more economical of the two is the ERV because of its heat exchanger. While the HRV only transfers heat, the ERV transfers both heat and water vapor.

Since ERVs transfer moisture to less humid winter air, your home’s humidity is kept relatively constant. During the summer, the ERV also maintains humidity by transferring a portion of the incoming air’s water vapor to the drier air leaving your home. Coupled with homes featuring air conditioners, an ERV home has better humidity control than with a HRV. Some experts suggest turning off the ERV during high humidity weather to keep humidity levels low. The system can be programmed to work only when the air conditioner is on.

Energy bonus

ERVs reduce ventilating cost during winter by shifting heat from exhausted warm inside air to new, yet cold supply air. The reverse is done during the summer. ERVs can recover between 70 and 80 percent of the energy in the home’s air and deliver it to incoming air. They’re most economical in climates with extreme summers or winters and where fuel costs are high.

For assistance in deciding whether an energy recovery ventilation system is ideal for you home, contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical.

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

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

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 home occupants.

Once you enter that information, the program will formulate your score, and you can set a goal to reduce energy use by a specific percentage. In order to find out just how you can improve results, you’ll need to input the type of home systems (furnace, heat pump, central A/C, etc.) you use for the program to fine-tune the results.

Suggestions for improvement will include low-cost ideas, and projects that require a more significant investment, including:

  • Sealing air leaks and ductwork. These two factors can decrease the efficiency of a home by up to 30 percent, because leaks in the home’s exterior and the ducts allow conditioned air to escape through them.
  • Upgrading insulation throughout the home. The attic is usually a good location to begin with, as homes tend to lose the most energy through this space. Insulation is designed to prevent the movement of heat, so upgrading your home’s insulation to maximum efficiency levels will keep conditioned air inside your house.
  • Using a programmable thermostat. This allows you to program regular temperature setbacks to help avoid wasting energy by unnecessarily heating and cooling spaces when they are not in use.
  • Installing Energy Star-qualified HVAC systems. Though a larger investment initially, it’s an investment that will maximize energy savings and comfort over the long term.

The Energy Star Yardstick program includes detailed information and guides to go about upgrading your home’s efficiency. You can solicit the help of an HVAC professional to confirm the program’s results, or to conduct an independent energy evaluation of your home.
In the Greater Charlotte area, contact the area’s leading HVAC contractor, Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical – a local family-owned company since 1972.