10 Random HVAC Facts

10 Random HVAC Facts

  • Air Conditioning
  • Furnaces
  • Heating
HVAC Facts

10 Random HVAC Facts

You’ve probably heard many of the common energy saving recommendations, such as switching out old light bulbs for new energy saving options. However, by looking further into these 10 random HVAC facts, you’ll not only learn a bit more about your heating and cooling system, but also a few ways to trim down monthly energy consumption. 

Whether you own your own home or currently rent an apartment unit, monthly utility bills are often a big question. You never really know what it might cost when you open that envelope. Wouldn’t it be nice to no longer worry about the number looking back at you? By cutting down energy consumption, you can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars every single year. 

1. Where Does Most Energy Usage Come From?

Did you know the vast majority of your energy consumption comes from three different appliances in your home? That’s right. 75% of your home’s total energy usage stems from your water heater, air conditioner and heater/furnace. This means if you can improve the energy efficiency of these three appliances you’ll save a substantial amount throughout the year. But what options do you have? First, how old is your water heater? An old water heater bleeds energy. If it is time for an upgrade, consider a tankless water heater.

2. Almost Half of Homeowners Don’t Know What Their Monthly Electric Bill Is

Yes, 47% of homeowners don’t know what they’re spending on electricity. Would you do that for your mortgage, rent, car insurance or cell phone? Probably not. You need to know what you are paying and monitor changes in monthly bills. By doing this, you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re paying and how it changes throughout the year. This will allow you to make necessary changes to improve energy efficiency. 

3. Sleep Better With the Right Temperature

Struggling to sleep? Maybe it’s your home’s temperature. Optimal sleeping temperatures are between 65 and 72. Do different family members need varying room temperatures to sleep? Consider switching to a ductless multi-room system. This allows you to control each room’s temperature directly and can save you money along the way (as you’re no longer cooling or heating the guest bedroom or other areas of the house you rarely use). 

4. 10 Degrees is 14%

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, if you turn down your thermostat 10 degrees while out of the house and at night, you’ll save 14% on your energy bill. With a programmable thermostat you can easily make this change. A smart thermostat gives you even more control, allowing you to change the home temperature from your smartphone. 

5. Save With Cooler Water

Everyone loves a hot shower. But do you need it that hot? If you turn down the temperature on your water heater by 10 degrees, you can save up to 5% annually on energy costs. If your water heater is on the older side, replacing it can help boost energy efficiency even further. 

6. What Saving $75 Means

By transforming your house into an energy efficient home, you can save at least $75 a month. Over the span of 30 years, this equals a savings of $27,000. Think about what you can do with that sort of cash.  

7. Replace That Old Furnace

A furnace’s life expectancy is 20 years. However, as it ages, it becomes less efficient. This is why you need to have it annually inspected in order to maintain performance and reduce energy costs. Every year, newer furnaces are sold with improved energy efficiency ratings. 

8. The AFUE Rating

Did you know your heating system’s AFUE rating can tell you the percentage of fuel consumed for heat and what you’re losing. Stay on top of this to see if there is a change. It means you’re losing fuel in the transfer. Insulation options can help cut fuel loss and make your system more energy efficient. 

9. Beware the Power Vampire

There are tons of appliances that still draw power, even when turned off. These appliances are referred to as “Power Vampires.” Consider either unplugging unused appliances or connect everything into a power saving power strip. Throughout the United States, all the energy lost to power vampires annually is enough to power 7,387 homes a year. 

10. The Love of Central Air

According to the US Census Bureau of the American Housing Survey, 65% of households have central AC. Only 22% use a room or window unit. The rest either don’t have AC or use an alternative cooling method. AC units can kill your energy bill if you’re not careful. In fact, the amount of energy the United States uses annually to run AC units is the same amount of energy, in total, used by the entire  African continent. 

Have any questions about these HVAC facts? Call Mchales Today!

Schedule circuit breaker replacement with a call to McHale’s today!

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5 Signs You Need to Replace a Circuit Breaker

5 Signs You Need to Replace a Circuit Breaker

  • Electrical
circuit breaker replacement

Circuit breaker replacement can be an economical investment in protecting your home while avoiding damage to your appliances and fixtures and protecting your family.  They are a valuable first line of defense in home safety, but are often overlooked as a solution to real problems.  Your electrical panel is likely hidden in the basement or in a utility closet, well out of sight and thought. However, if you continue to ignore the warning signs and resist checking and replacing a circuit breaker as needed you can experience:

  • Flickering Lights: How annoying is it when you’re eating dinner with the family and the lights keep raising and lowering like in a haunted house? While distracting, you figure you can live with it.  That could be a big mistake.
  • Poor Performance from Appliances: Your stove may bake unevenly or never seem to reach proper temperature.  The dryer might shut off in mid-cycle. You may be convinced that all your kitchen appliances need to be replaced due to strange and inconsistent performance. What a waste of cash if it is simply a circuit breaker that needs to be replaced.
  • Damage to Essential Lights and Appliances:   When circuit breakers fail to control the flow of electricity properly you may experience bulbs that constantly burn out or a microwave that barely lasted past its one year warranty. Overheating can occur, causing lasting damage to coils and computer boards.
  • Potential of Smoke, Fire and Water Damage: When too much power is drawn through a power cord, an electrical fire can result from overheating. Your home could be severely damaged by smoke, water and flame. The cost of failing to check your electrical panel for problems continues to skyrocket.
  • Lower Property Value: When you experience a fire, no matter how small, the integrity and value of the property is lowered. Failing to upgrade electrical service to your home can result in a potential buyer hesitating to put in an offer. They want to purchase a home that is safe and has been maintained.

5 Warning Signs of a Failing Circuit Breaker

  1. Burning Smell In The Electrical Panel: If you smell a burning odor coming from the panel that means wires and insulation have become overheated and are failing to protect your home from an electrical short elsewhere. Don’t wait! Shut off the main power to the house and call an electrician immediately for emergency service.
  2. Breakers Tripping Frequently: A circuit breaker is designed to trip when too much power is being drawn through it to protect your entire home. If a breaker is tripping every time you turn on a particular appliance like the microwave or vacuum cleaner, the breaker may be worn out and ready to fail. An electrician will be able to determine if it’s simply a bad breaker or if you need to add a circuit to your home
  3. Physical Damage: If you notice scorch marks around the breaker, at an outlet or appliances are failing due to melted wires, it’s a good bet that your electrical panel and breakers require immediate service. A melted wire is one step away from your entire house going up in flames. Place that emergency call to the electrician and unplug all fixtures from that circuit.
  4. Breaker Will Not Stay Reset: Probably after several months of resetting a breaker, it simply won’t stay on for any period of time.  The breaker has probably failed. However, your electrician will check the entire circuit to make sure further damage wasn’t done to the wiring.
  5. Old Age: Circuit breakers are designed to last for decades of use. However, if you have a home where the electrical panel has not been serviced in ten years or more, there’s a good chance that there are several breakers ready to fail. Having an electrician inspect your panel is a wise investment.

It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to have failed circuit breaker replacement service. When you invest in preventative maintenance on your electrical panel you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Peace of Mind: Your home is now a safe environment for your family. You will sleep better when you don’t worry about the house catching fire.
  • Extended Life of Appliances and Fixtures: You can now expect your new refrigerator and cooktop to last for years, until you are ready to renovate again.
  • Improved Convenience: You never realized how much easier life is when lights, appliances and electrical devices work each and every time–simply because you invested in a precautionary repair.
  • Maintains Value of Your Home: Updated service to your electrical panel gives a buyer confidence they are making a good investment.

 

Schedule circuit breaker replacement with a call to McHale’s today!

By McHales