How to Save Money on Energy Bills This Holiday Season

3 Tips to Save Money on Energy Bills 

In the relentless cycle of paydays and bills, one may find it difficult to save money. Yet, there’s hope for those looking to save some money before the holidays and consistently. The following considerations can save money and reduce energy usage without sacrificing comfort as the temperatures dip. 

Get a Smart Home Thermostat 

smart thermostatSmart thermostats are like programmable thermostats with extra energy-saving features that can connect with homeowners’ smartphones, giving them ultimate control over their homes’ heating, cooling, and energy use. Big-name companies, like Honeywell and Nest, all have their own smart thermostats, each with its own features. But in general, these devices: 

  • Save energy and money: A smart thermostat has many features that save energy, like how it can automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings when people are asleep or away to conserve energy and reduce energy bills. 
  • Offer remote control: A homeowner can remotely control their home’s heating and cooling with a smart thermostat, regardless of whether they’re five minutes or 50 miles away because it’s Wi-Fi enabled. 
  • Offer more information: Smart thermostats also provide insights like equipment use and temperature data, allowing homeowners to track their energy use and make changes as necessary for more ways to save. 

Change Air Filters When Needed

air filterThe air filter does a lot of heavy lifting. It filters out airborne contaminants, improving the home’s indoor air quality. However, dirty air filters cause heating and cooling systems to run inefficiently, raising energy bills. Air filters must be replaced on time, typically once every three months, to keep the system running efficiently and prevent wasting money. 

Timely air filter replacement ensures the HVAC system isn’t running inefficiently and homeowners aren’t wasting money on their utility bills. Clogged air filters can also cause problems for the HVAC system, so not replacing them when needed can also cost homeowners money for repairs and dealing with overheating. 

Don’t Neglect HVAC Maintenance  

There’s nothing that beats having an HVAC specialist come by to inspect the heating and cooling systems regularly. They rely on their training and expertise to get to the bottom of problems and inefficiencies and fix them. While it may seem costly initially to schedule annual maintenance visits for the heater and air conditioner, in the long run, it can save a lot of money by preventing unexpected repair, early replacement, and unnecessary utility bill expenses. 

Some benefits of keeping the heater and AC system well-maintained include the following: 

  • Good indoor air quality 
  • Less money spent on repairs
  • Longer-lasting system
  • Lower energy bills 
  • Peace of mind and safety

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. 

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has been serving Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas since 2002. They offer transparent pricing, prompt and professional service, and a membership plan. Call them today for air conditioning and heating services in Daytona Beach, FL

Give the Best Tech Gift This Holiday Season

Give the Gift of a Wi-Fi Thermostat 

Smart thermostats aren’t fads. They’re revolutionary technology that cuts down on energy costs and gives homeowners total control over their home comfort and indoor air quality. One doesn’t have to spend hours scrolling through websites this holiday season looking for the perfect present. Instead, they can give the gift of a smart thermostat.  

When to Get a Thermostat Replacement thermostat

Once a thermostat reaches the 10-year mark, it’s time to consider a replacement. Over time, these devices may struggle to maintain the home’s indoor air quality or the correct temperature. They may also use more energy than necessary, wasting homeowners' money. 

Some additional signs that a thermostat needs replacing include: 

  • Uneven heating and cooling throughout the home 
  • Unexpected increase in the home’s energy bill. 
  • The thermostat constantly has incorrect readings–or no readings at all 
  • The HVAC system turns on and off without reaching the desired temperature. 

A professional can assess a thermostat to see if it needs repair or replacement and install a new, more energy-efficient smart thermostat. 

The Benefits of Smart Thermostats save

Installing a smart home thermostat comes with many benefits, such as: 

  • Lower energy bills: With a smart home thermostat, an HVAC system doesn’t have to work overtime to get to the correct temperatures. Homeowners can see these savings reflected in their monthly utility bills. EnergyStar notes that one can save, on average, fifty dollars yearly in heating and cooling costs. 
  • More control: Most wi-fi-enabled thermostats come with smartphone apps. This allows homeowners to change their home’s temperature from miles away. 
  • Saved energy: Everyone wants to do their part to cut down on their energy usage and protect the environment. One can save close to 10 percent on energy consumption by switching to a smart thermostat. 

Smart Thermostats Come With Exciting Features 

Smart home thermostats do more than help the HVAC system function. Because they pair with homeowners’ smartphones, this allows them to: 

  • Predict monthly energy bills: Many smart thermostats anticipate how much a homeowner will spend on heating and cooling costs. This allows homeowners to make energy-saving changes as necessary. 
  • Set schedules: Homeowners can set heating or cooling schedules, letting the house automatically get hotter or colder during certain periods. They can also make changes at any time. 
  • Track their energy savings: As noted, a homeowner can use the app to see how much money they spend on energy bills and determine whether their current energy consumption makes sense. They can also track how specific habit changes positively or negatively affect energy costs.  

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. 

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has 20 years of experience serving Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide true transparency pricing, financing, and a membership plan. Call them today for smart home thermostat services in Daytona Beach, FL.

How to Save Money on Heating Costs This Holiday Season

Three Ways Homeowners Can Save Money on Heating Costs

Homeowners looking for ways to make the most of holiday savings this year can cut back on their heating costs with the following tips from HVAC experts. 

  1. Upgrade to a smart thermostat: Smart thermostats use the latest technology to keep energy bills low. 
  2. Change the air filter: Furnace and central air systems need to change their air filters every 1-3 months.
  3. Keep a maintenance log: Making a schedule for maintenance and sticking to it will keep the unit running efficiently for longer. 

Installing a Programmable Thermostatthermostat

Calling an HVAC technician for smart thermostat installation can help homeowners maximize their heating and cooling savings. Smart thermostats, also called WiFi thermostats, use the latest technological advancements in heating and cooling technology to detect the temperature and climate and make the most accurate adjustments to save energy. 

This reduces the environmental impact of the heating system and saves the homeowner money. Because thermostats control the function of the HVAC unit, replacing outdated models can have a huge impact on reducing heating costs.

 

Replace Air Filter a Minimum of Every Three Months filter

Most central air systems use air filters to remove particles from the air. Furnace heating systems 

with draft work can get dust and animal hair in the ductwork, making the system run inefficiently. Using the right size and type of filter is essential for keeping the air system in good working order. 

The filter usually needs to be replaced every three months, but in homes with many people, large homes, and ones with pets or smokers, the frequency may increase to monthly. Not only does replacing the air filter regularly help keep the heating system running efficiently for cost-effectiveness and longevity, but it also helps prevent the spread of airborne allergens. Pet dander, dust, and other allergens can be circulated in the air without filtration if the air filter is not installed properly or changed frequently enough. 

Keeping a Log of Maintenance 

Doing regular HVAC maintenance saves homeowners money by preventing small problems from getting worse and ensuring that the system runs efficiently. To keep track of maintenance, homeowners should keep a written or digital log of maintenance appointments. Adding maintenance reminders to calendars can help with scheduling. 

When the heating system is running properly, it will use the least amount of energy. Broken, outdated, and dirty components can affect the efficiency of the system. Doing regular maintenance is a powerful tool in preventing avoidable HVAC disasters in time for the holidays. Some homeowners like to schedule maintenance far in advance, such as cold-weather maintenance while it is still hot outside. 

Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance Services:

  1. Lowers utility bills
  2. Keeps repairs less expensive and less frequent 
  3. Increases the longevity of the unit 
  4. Talk to an experienced HVAC specialist for tips 

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. 

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. is dedicated to serving the health, safety, and comfort of the community of Daytona Beach, FL with affordable HVAC services. Their dependable, experienced repairmen and installers are available for appointments now. Call today for HVAC services

Best Air Conditioning Filters for This Year's Allergy Season

Keep Allergies at Bay With These HVAC Filters

With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, this is prime time allergy season. Pollen is everywhere, and the sneezing seems to be endless. This is when properly functioning air conditioning filters are an absolute must for homeowners. Air conditioning filters function by removing airborne contaminants like dust, spores, and, most importantly, pollen! 

There are several different AC filters, each with unique ways to achieve the same outcome. Understanding the various options will allow homeowners to choose which is right for them.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass AC filters are disposable filters made of spun glass. These are designed for short-term use and typically available in stores for a few dollars each. Their low cost is probably their biggest advantage, but homeowners should also be aware of their limitations:fibreglass filters
  • Short lifespan – one must change these every month, which can be a huge hassle for homeowners to remember.
  • Efficiency considerations – if homeowners do not adequately replace fiberglass filters every month, they can get bad clogs, requiring AC systems to work much harder to cool the air.
  • Limited particle removal – the structure is such that it can only trap large particles, though some better versions can trap small particles.

The particle removal limitation is perhaps the most important to consider. This dramatically limits the ability of fiberglass filters to curtail allergy symptoms, so homeowners should be sure to find higher-quality fiberglass filters that can do this.

Washable / Reusable

These types of filters, unlike fiberglass filters, can be used multiple times. While the cost of washable filters is significantly higher ($60+ for a single one), this more than pays itself off because they can last 5-10 years. Similar to fiberglass filters, washable filters generally remove larger particles, so homeowners need to take this into account depending on the severity of their allergies.

Homeowners need to check these filters at the ~30-day mark, but unlike fiberglass filters requiring replacement, washable filters require washing. Homeowners should clean the filters under running water and allow them to dry thoroughly before returning them to the HVAC system.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)

HEPA filtersHEPA filters are one of the best filters for removing allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pollen. These are mechanical air filters that trap pollutants by forcing air through a fine mesh. While these tend to be expensive (a few hundred dollars at times), they can last for several months and potentially years, depending on AC use. Plus, the extent to which they can impact air quality has a great deal of value in itself.

These filters are often placed in air purifiers, so homeowners will benefit most by placing units in rooms where there are concentrated amounts of allergens and where they plan to spend the majority of their time in the house. One can also use these filters in vacuums, which can significantly help to control allergy symptoms.

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. of Daytona Beach, FL, believes in “delivering safe, healthy, efficient comfort.” Their team of skilled, friendly, and professional technicians prioritizes quality work, honest advice, and complete customer education for any job. Give them a call for HVAC service today!

Come Out Breathing Clear This Allergy Season

Keep Spring Allergies at Bay With These Tips

The eyes water, blurring vision. Sinus headaches make everyday activities an exercise in pain. A constantly dripping nose is more than just annoying. Allergies are no joke, and for many people, springtime is a time to dread instead of a time to celebrate. This is because allergens seem to get into the home and stick to every available surface. Luckily, HVAC experts know just how to keep a home’s allergens down to keep homeowners comfortable. Read on to find out three tips for keeping allergies at bay this allergy season. 

Clean Dusty Surfaces Regularly

It’s impossible to prevent dust from gathering in a home. Every time a door is opened or someone comes in from outside, dust and other allergens sneak into the house. As gross as it may sound, the people living in the house also create dust. So, since it’s impossible to prevent dust from gathering in the home, the next best thing is to clean up the dust regularly. 

The more often dust is cleaned up, the cleaner the home’s air is. And when one gets rid of dust, they also get rid of the allergens that like to cling to dust particles. For cleaning surfaces, using a feather duster or a cloth rag is a no-no. These methods only spread dust around. Instead, the best duster is a microfiber cloth. These microfiber cloths are effective at dust pickup, whether they’re used wet or dry. It’s also a good idea to vacuum and change bedding regularly to keep dust levels low. 

Circulate Air on Breezy Days by Opening Windows

window open Those suffering from allergies may think this tip is a little crazy. After all, won’t opening the windows bring more allergens inside the home? Not necessarily. Studies of indoor air quality show that there are generally more allergens and volatile organic compounds inside most homes than outside. This is why opening the windows on breezy days can help clear the air inside the house

For best results, open windows on both sides of the house to create a cross breeze. This will help prevent an accumulation of allergens since the air is allowed to flow through the house instead of becoming stagnant. Plus, it’s nice to have a little bit of fresh air in the home from time to time. 

Clean or Replace Air Filters On-Time

ac filters The third and final tip for keeping allergies at bay has to do with the almighty air filters. When homeowners clean dust regularly, open the windows on breezy days, and clean their filters on time, they will experience lower levels of allergens inside the home. But what does on-time mean for filter changes?

The general rule of thumb is every three months. Some filter types just need to be cleaned, while others need to be replaced with a new one. For homes that have pets, the recommended filter change is every two months. Hiring an HVAC service company for regular maintenance can ensure that the filters get changed on time all year round, helping keep the air inside the home clean and the HVAC system operating efficiently. 

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham AC & Heat have been serving Daytona Beach, FL, with pride for years. They offer up-front pricing and professional service. Their techs are expertly trained and consistently provide top-notch workmanship. Give them a call today for air quality services in Daytona Beach.