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Installing energy-efficient equipment at your home is a great way to save money and help the environment. Plus, you could save significantly on installation costs thanks to ENERGY STAR® tax credits. These federal tax credits are not income-dependent and allow you to save up to $3,200 annually on various energy-efficient appliances and home improvements. In many instances, these savings offer you even more than those you might qualify for under the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax rebates.

What Is ENERGY STAR?

The ENERGY STAR program was introduced in 1992 to identify the efficiency of computers and monitors, but has grown to measure the efficiencies of a wide range of products. Today, the program helps homeowners save money on multiple household products while also protecting the environment and lowering utility bills. The program’s familiar blue square label makes it easy for people to find and purchase energy-efficient appliances and equipment that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

When you invest in energy-efficient products, you could save thousands of dollars in utility costs over the equipment’s lifetime.

What Rebates Do You Qualify For?

ENERGY STAR’s federal income tax credits are available for equipment installed now through the end of 2032. Utilizing these credits could lower the cost of energy-efficient home upgrades by up to 30%. Provided you install ENERGY STAR-rated equipment at your primary residence, you can apply these credits to nearly all the HVAC installation and electrical panel upgrade work that Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical performs.

Examples of potential savings include:

• Central air conditioner tax credit of 30% of project cost up to $600
• Air source heat pump tax credit of 30% of project cost up to $2,000
• Natural gas and oil furnace tax credit of 30% of project cost up to $600
• Electric panel upgrade tax credit of 30% of project cost up to $600

In addition to limits on the total credit you can claim for a particular equipment installation or home improvement, there are annual aggregate limits:

1. As mentioned above, the overall total limit for an efficiency tax credit in a single year is $3,200.
2. The total limit for any combination of home envelope improvements like windows, doors, insulation, electrical, and skylights is $1,200. This limit also includes furnaces, boilers, and central air conditioners.
3. A combination of heat pump, heat pump water heater, and biomass stoves and boilers is subject to an annual total limit of $2,000.

One exception to these limitations is ENERGY STAR-certified geothermal heat pumps, which qualify for a separate tax credit.

Invest in Greater Energy Efficiency

Energy tax credits are valuable incentives the government offers to encourage consumers to invest in energy-efficient equipment. Whether you need a new furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump, these latest tax breaks can help you save substantial money while going green. And studies show that eco-friendly improvements can increase your home’s value and make it more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell.

Choose Acosta for Your HVAC & Electrical Services

Backed by more than 50 years of service, Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical provides our customers throughout the greater Charlotte area with superior HVAC and electrical services. Our team works hard to ensure your comfort and safety, and we’ll keep you informed of available cost-saving credits and rebates. 

Ready to upgrade your furnace, heat pump, AC, or electrical panel? Contact Acosta today at [phone] to get started.

When summer rolls around and occasional heat waves become daily obstacles, you might be tempted to leave your air conditioner running throughout the day. But before you decide to blast the AC and turn your home into a winter wonderland, it’s worth looking into what this could mean for your air conditioner.

Running your AC all day is bad because it leads to excessive energy consumption, resulting in higher utility bills and a greater carbon footprint. The continuous operation also puts strain on the AC unit, potentially leading to more frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. Additionally, it can create an overly conditioned indoor environment, causing discomfort and affecting your body’s natural ability to adapt to temperature variations.

Shortened Life Span

Most modern air conditioners have an average life span of 10 to 12 years. However, this will depend on various factors, like how often you schedule professional maintenance and how long you use your AC. Running your air conditioner 24/7 puts far more strain on your HVAC system than expected. This speeds up the wear and tear on your AC, effectively shortening its life span.

Wasted Energy

A common misconception about keeping an AC running all day is that it’ll use less energy overall from not needing to use as much power to cool down a room that’s already cold. The truth is, however, if the area of your space isn’t efficiently insulated or if it’s just too big an area for your AC to handle, your AC will use up energy if the room’s temperature remains higher than your AC’s coolest temperature setting. This not only leads to a considerable waste of energy but also harms the environment due to high levels of carbon emissions.

Faster Air Filter Clogs

As your AC works to cool your home, it pulls in the hot air from within your home, which is then absorbed by your AC’s refrigerant, returning cold air back into your home. As this process happens, the constant airflow passes through your AC’s filter. With regular use, it’s recommended to change your air filters at least once a month. However, with constant use, your AC’s air filters are prone to get clogged faster than usual, leading to lower indoor air quality, more stress on your AC, and other issues.

Risk of AC Failure

Another consequence of running your AC all day is the risk of possible AC failure. That’s because when you run your AC all day, it’s in danger of having its evaporator coils freezing over. Frozen coils result in little to no airflow, which effectively means total AC failure. While it may still turn on, it won’t be able to cool your home. Frozen coils can also cause refrigerant to flood back into your AC’s compressor and cause damage to your unit.

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Home Still Not Cooling Down?

If you’re finding that there’s no way to keep your home cool unless you’re running your AC 24/7, this could mean a variety of underlying issues with your AC, including:

• Low refrigerant or leaks
• Incorrect size for the area
• Hasn’t been serviced for a while
• AC is over 10 years old
• Faulty or broken parts

While there are a few ways to troubleshoot issues with your air conditioner, it’s always recommended to have yours serviced by a professional. This ensures that if something is wrong with your AC, you’ll have the trusted help of experts who can get the job done right and avoid causing more damage to your unit.

If you suspect something’s wrong with your AC, our technicians at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical are here to help. Call 704.665.5998 to speak with a technician today!

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We’ve always known that HVAC systems were vital to the comfort of our homes and places of business. What we may not have been as aware of, until the global pandemic, was the role that heating and cooling systems play in our health and well-being. Your commercial HVAC units can play a critical role in making it safer for workers and customers to return when the various COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. For instance, HVAC systems can help with improved ventilation and filtration, which can help reduce the spread of the virus. There are also air cleaning devices that companies can invest in to better protect their employees and customers.

Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical is happy to consult with you on a preparedness plan for your commercial HVAC system. Give us a call at 704.665.5998 to discuss a personalized approach for your business.

Benefits of Proper Airflow and Ventilation

Ventilation in a building or business is important, not only for lowering the risk of COVID-19 but also for other health reasons. For instance, poor indoor airflow can cause the development and growth of mold. There are also indoor and outdoor air contaminants that can cause health problems without proper ventilation. These include appliances that burn gas, which can generate carbon monoxide and other particulates, or outdoor allergens and mold spores that are pulled inside via the HVAC system. That is why experts recommend the use of filters with a MERV rating of 6-8, although filters with a higher MERV level can capture even smaller particles when they’re paired with an appropriate HVAC system. MERV filters with ratings of 17 or higher are considered comparable to HEPA filters. However, most commercial buildings typically only have a MERV level of 12 or lower.

To promote the proper airflow in a building, be sure that all vents are open and not blocked by any items. Opening windows and doors when possible isn’t always the ideal solution, as this can introduce outdoor contaminants and the airflow may not reach all parts of the building, but for short periods of time, it can be helpful.

Regular HVAC system maintenance will help with airflow by eliminating any contamination in the duct lining or in the coil or filters. Bacteria or mold in these areas can be pulled indoors and spread throughout the building. Additionally, it is vital that your business have a properly sized HVAC system. A system that is too big or oversized can cause poor air distribution, as well as insufficient dehumidification. The result is stale air and the potential for mold growth.

Air Purifiers and Filters

One step in creating a safer environment at a business involves the effective use of air purifiers and filters. These devices should not be considered the sole line of defense, but some of them may be a good starting point. Other types of air cleaners, such as UV lights, can render some microorganisms harmless, though research is limited on how they affect the virus that causes COVID-19.

Air purifiers help to remove particles and other airborne contaminants when used properly. According to the EPA, they work best when paired with additional outdoor ventilation or as part of a larger air quality plan. To be considered effective at reducing airborne contaminants, including particles containing viruses, they should be able to remove minuscule airborne particles. Different manufacturers report this in different ways, typically mentioning the size range of the particles (between 0.1 and 1 microns). Others may indicate their product’s clean air delivery rate (CADR), which measures the rate at which smoke, pollen, and dust are removed from the air. Any filter labeled HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) must remove 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns or larger, per the U.S. rating system.

At Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we are familiar with all professional guidelines from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and we will be happy to review your specific building and HVAC system to determine the best options for your business.

How HVAC and IAQ Can Reduce Infection Risk in Commercial Spaces

Improving the air quality in your workplace can go a long way towards reducing individuals’ risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 or any other airborne virus.

One idea is to increase the rate of exchange between fresh air from the outside. Doing this will reduce recirculation of air. A technician can configure a ducted HVAC system to do this; another option is adjusting the systems’ settings to prevent the HVAC system from shutting down overnight or on weekends when a business may be closed. Having the HVAC system run without interruption increases air replacement, lowering the chance of airborne transmission of viruses like COVID-19.

If your business location has been vacant due to the pandemic, or only used sporadically, there are some things you should do before you reopen to ensure air safety for customers and staff. For instance, check the building for any hazards due to a long period of disuse, such as mold growth, that could impact the air quality. Likewise, make sure the HVAC system is operating properly. A maintenance check may be a good idea to verify that everything is in working order and to determine if any filters need to be replaced. Regular maintenance of your commercial HVAC unit plays a major role in improving the indoor air quality at your business and protecting your employees and customers.

Another option is to put more partitions or barriers in place to separate open spaces in a business. This also can help manage the airflow. Finally, open the windows and doors for a short period, if it is possible, to increase the circulation of outdoor air. For more suggestions, the EPA offers some guidance on what businesses should consider in evaluating their indoor air quality, as does the CDC.

Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical is your one-stop shop for all of your indoor comfort needs. We’ve been serving the Charlotte area for more than 50 years. No matter what your business’s HVAC needs, Acosta will always deliver. Contact us today at 704.665.5998 to see for yourself why Charlotte businesses depend on us for their HVAC service.

Did you know that carbon monoxide detectors are only good for 5 years? Replacing batteries is important, but the detector itself will need to be replaced. Acosta Heating Cooling & Electrical recommends performing a Heating Safety Check at the start of the heating season to ensure your home and heating system are safe and ready for the fall and winter. Check out our segment on Charlotte Today where we discuss the importance of scheduling your Heating Safety Check and how Phenomenal Aire can help clean the air in your home:

The diversity of the HVAC industry provides plenty of career opportunities. HVAC technicians are trained individuals who work in the heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems of commercial and residential buildings. Training in this field can open a wide range of career possibilities in a variety of areas because the demand for skilled and talented HVAC technicians keeps growing. Fast track programs that are specifically designed to have a significant impact in a short period will prepare you adequately for the task. A detailed insight into the activities related to the HVAC industry will help bring these potential career choices to light.

Field Operations

Field operations are the most visible HVAC position and include installations, repairs, and maintenance of HVAC systems in buildings, and these are the specialties for HVAC technicians. The job requires extensive training in all the workings of these systems. Moreover, technological advancements in this industry require technicians to keep updating their skills on how to install, repair, and maintain modern-day units. These innovations have also created new career opportunities in the field operations department of the HVAC industry such as indoor air quality inspectors, equipment performance testers, and energy monitors.

In-House Support

There is a team of staff in air conditioning and heating companies that support the field operations technicians from behind the scenes. For instance, managers, dispatchers or service personnel must keep field operations and the office running smoothly. On the other hand, the office personnel and accounting staff are responsible for handling the day-to-day operations of the business. The tech support team ensures that systems are running smoothly, while trainers and safety directors keep the workers safe.

Product Development and Manufacturing

Innovations in design have increased the nature of sophistication of various HVAC components hence demanding a blend of mechanical and electronic expertise in engineering. Designers and product development experts in manufacturing require advanced technology in reading blueprints and producing high-tech products. Therefore, new career opportunities are emerging in software development, training, graphics, and imaging. Also, there is a need for green technology product development and manufacturing due to the heated debate on ecological issues.

Your Go-To Charlotte AC Company

Apart from its wide spectrum of career opportunities, the HVAC industry offers room for career growth adaptation of skills from other fields. Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical has over 45 years in delivering unmatchable air conditioning services in the greater Charlotte area. We treat our customers like family when assessing their needs and executing projects on their buildings. If you are interested in joining a great team of dedicated professionals, contact us today.