Save Energy in Your Home

Your Energy Bill Breakdown

Energy doesn't come cheap.
According to Maria Vargas, spokesperson for EnergyStar, a division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), energy bills can differ depending on the size and location on your home, but the average household spends $2,200 a year. The good news is these costs can be cut dramatically.

Energy Star, a program started in 1992 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs for consumers, offers suggestions for how to reduce your annual electric costs by a third. In other words, you can save about $700 a year on electricity. Last year, Vargas points out, Americans saved about $17 billion on energy bills and reduced green house gas emissions by nearly the equivalent of 30 million cars.

Using data compiled by EnergyStar, MainStreet breaks down your energy bill and identifies the biggest wasters to help you save money (and reduce greenhouse gas emissions!) this winter.

HVAC Systems
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"If you really want to cut back on your energy use, you need to focus on heating and cooling your home," Vargas says. That's because these two categories combined account for 46% of your overall electric bill. While most homeowners can't afford a complete overhaul of their homes' heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, some changes can increase energy efficiency and include:
• Installing a programmable thermostat, which lets you set temperatures for specific times of day. These devices can save about $180 each year on energy costs.
• Change air filters regularly. The harder your HVAC unit has to work, the more energy it eats away. Filters should really be changed out monthly, especially during the summer and winter months when the HVAC unit has a heavy workload. If you find this tedious, EnergyStar suggests changing filters a minimum of every three months.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts, especially those running through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement or garage, as that improves the efficiency of your HVAC unit by as much as 20%.

Water Heater

According to EnergyStar, your water heating system accounts for 14% of your energy bill. Monetarily speaking, the average household spends $400-$600 per year on water heating. To reduce this expense, lower standby losses, such as heat that escapes the water heater and seeps into the surrounding basement area, as well as the amount of hot water you use in your home.
When set too high, or at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, your water heater can waste anywhere from $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses, and more than $400 thanks to overall consumption. Lower that expense by bringing the heater's thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Lights Out

In EnergyStar's breakdown, lighting accounts for 12% of bill, but it also represents one of the easiest fixes. In fact, by simply replacing five of your standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can save $70 a year.




Hot Stuff

Appliances only account for 13% of electric bills, so naturally, most people don't upgrade to an energy efficient toaster. Still, if you are committed to reducing the amount of energy you use, you need to focus on larger appliances that use a heat coil, such as a refrigerator or washer and dryer. To do that, make sure that your fridge's filters are cleaned regularly, and consider using only cold water to wash laundry loads. That can save $30 to $40 each year.

But don't be too stingy, Vargas says. Replacing a major appliance, like a refrigerator that is 10 to 15 years old, may help you save in the long term as new technology is constantly subject to federal standards that adjust every year.
Energy Vampires

Any appliance or device that sucks up energy when it's plugged in, despite being turned off, is one of these money-draining culprits. According to EnergyStar, this includes most electronic devices, especially those that use some sort of display, like a television, laptop or DVD player.
Slaying energy vampires won't lower your energy bill significantly — electronics only account for about 4% of the total cost — but it's important to keep them in mind, as they consume 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics and appliances.
Powering Down

The best way to eliminate this phantom menace is not only to turn energy vampires off, but unplug them. This may be easier said than done, but unplugging a laptop in between uses isn't particularly problematic. However, doing so with your television would require you to wait for the cable to reboot every time you wanted to watch a program.
As an alternative, EnergyStar suggests plugging your television and/or DVD player into a power strip and then turning that off when your television is in stand-by mode. Put your computers on sleep mode, or manually turn off the monitor inbetween visits, as opposed to utilizing a screen saver, which, contrary to popular belief, does not reduce energy output. Also, make sure you unplug a battery charger of adapter as it continues to draw energy even when the product no longer needs it.
Put Stand By on Stand by

The final 11% of your electric bill comprises devices that don't exactly fit into any particular category. This includes dehumidifiers, external power adapters and video game consoles, which are all considered energy vampires.
An Xbox 360, for example, if left on the draws approximately 1,000 kWh/yr. The PS3 draws 1,300 kWh/yr. According to EnergyStar, these values drop dramatically when users routinely turn the device off after use, lowering annual energy levels down to 110 and 120 kWh/yr, respectively. Since it costs about 12 cents per kWh/yr in the average residential home in the U.S., it costs $120 if to leave your Xbox plugged in for the entire year.
To lower these costs, unplug the devices when you are not playing and only resort to stand-by mode as, well, a stand-by. Energy Star estimates that stand-by power accounts for more than 100 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of annual U.S. electricity consumption, and $11 billion in annual energy costs.

More information on HVAC can be found at http://www.campbellheatingandair.com/

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater

Produce more hot water using less energy than the most efficient storage tank style heater. Tankless is the environmentally responsible water heating solution. It saves energy, saves space and saves you money.

Endless Hot Water
Rinnai tankless water heaters heat the water you need, when you need it. Turning any water source into hot water on demand. You are not limited to the amount a storage tank heater can hold. Whether you are washing the dishes, washing your clothes, or drawing a hot bath, Rinnai's tankless water heater technology will supply endless hot water to your lifestyle demands-even if it demands you do them all at once.


Reduced Energy Costs

With Rinnai tankless water heaters, you will enjoy up to 40% energy savings. That’s because our units are designed to be highly efficient and only heat water when it is needed. When the demand for hot water ceases, the unit shuts down and uses almost no energy, a revolutionary advantage over inefficient tank-style heaters.

Longevity
Rinnai tankless water heaters have a typical life of up to 20 years, when installed in residential applications. This can be twice as long as a tank style unit.

Clean, Fresh Water
Traditional tank-style water heaters can build up rust and scale inside their tank, where the hot water you use for bathing and drinking is stored. With Rinnai tankless water heaters you will always experience fresh, clean water that is heated on demand, as it passes through the unit.

Space Saving

Traditional tank water heaters can take up to 16 square feet of valuable floor space. However, Rinnai tankless water heaters are about the size of a carry-on suitcase and can be installed on virtually any wall inside or outside of your home.

Greater Capacity
Meeting increased hot water demands can be a challenge for traditional tank-style heaters, however, with Rinnai’s innovative technology you’ll never run out of hot water.

Peace of Mind
With Rinnai tankless water heaters, there’s no tank to leak or break.

For More information contact us at http://www.campbellheatingandair.com/

Energy Efficient Heating Tax Credit

The average life expectancy of a furnace is 10 to 15 years. For homeowners who have heating systems that are 10 years or older, now is the time to invest in a high efficiency heating system and reap the savings, in the form of tax credits, before they expire. The 2009 Federal Stimulus Package stipulated that homeowners could get tax credits of 30 percent (up to $1,500) on the installed cost for purchasing qualifying energy-efficient systems through December 31, 2010. The tax credits apply to high efficiency gas, propane and oil furnaces and boilers. Homeowners who install a high efficiency heating system and take advantage of the tax credits before they expire will pay up to $1,500 LESS for their system AND see an immediate and significant reduction in their heating bills. With today’s advanced technologies, homeowners can obtain savings of up to 40 percent on their heating bills with the unsurpassed quality and comfort of an energy efficient furnace.

Energy Efficient Heating

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Change your air filter regularly Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure. Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Install a programmable thermostat A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs. Seal your heating and cooling ducts Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more. Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house. Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment. Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent — costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment's life.

Home Heating System Care

When filters become clogged with debris, they cut down on a heating system's efficiency and, over time, can cause parts to wear out faster. A permanent air screen or electronic air filter should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Disposable filters should be checked periodically—monthly during winter—and cleaned or changed as needed. Pleated fabric filters are a good, inexpensive choice for reducing dust and allergens. In addition to regularly inspecting your heating system's filter, brush and vacuum the heat exchanger surfaces every year if recommended by your owner's manual. Before heating season, clean the blower blades and seal any air leaks in ducts with several wraps of duct tape. Here's how to change or clean a filter: 1) Turn off the power to the unit. 2) Look for the door or panel that conceals the blower; sometimes this is marked "Filter." Lift this door or panel off its holding hooks, or unscrew its retaining screws to remove it. 3) Standard filters are mounted next to or under the blower motor. Slide the filter out along its tracks. Check to see whether it is a disposable filter or intended to be cleaned and replaced—this information should be marked on the filter's edge, along with directions for cleaning, if applicable. If it's a disposable filter, its size will be printed on the frame's edge. Make a note of it. 4) Buy a replacement, and slide it into place, noting that arrows stamped on the side indicate the proper direction of airflow; be sure you face these in the proper direction. 5) While you have the furnace open, vacuum out the area around the blower. If possible, slide out the fan unit, clean each fan blade with a toothbrush, and then vacuum with a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. 6) Look for oil ports on the motor, normally located near the motor shaft. If the motor has these, apply two to three drops of non-detergent motor oil into each port (you may have to remove a cover plate to do this). Most contemporary motors don't require lubrication, but motors with oil ports should be lubricated once a year. 7) Look for worn belts between the motor and pulleys. Ideally, you would want to have an expert inspect your heating system at least once a year.

A Consumers Guide to Purchasing a New Heating System

Learn how to choose a high efficiency heating system that’s right for you. Efficiency Ratings The Efficiency Ratings standards are set by the U.S. Department of Energy under the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987, which became effective January 1, 1992. All natural gas heating systems have what's called an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The rating is expressed in percentages. Minimum Efficiency Standards Furnace 78% AFUE Gas-fired Boilers 80% AFUE Gas-fired Steam 75% AFUE The higher the AFUE rating – the more efficient the heating system – and the less energy needed to heat your home. For example, a new, high-efficiency furnace with a 94% efficiency rating provides 94 cents worth of heat from every energy dollar. By comparison, an older, standard efficiency furnace with an efficiency rating of 60%, provides 60 cents worth of energy for every dollar spent. Annual Savings: Simple Payback If you install a residential warm air furnace at 90% AFUE vs. 80% AFUE, the estimated annual savings in energy costs is $115 with a simple payback of approximately 3 years*. *Analysis of annual savings provided by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency, a national non-profit organization consisting of utilities, government agencies and energy efficiency groups. High-Efficiency Furnaces Furnaces with efficiencies over 90% are called condensing furnaces and offer the most energy savings. These furnaces achieve 90% AFUE rating by sending flue gases through a secondary heat exchanger. This device further extracts heat that is usable energy for your home. Remaining flue gases then exhaust outdoors through special plastic-type vent pipe inserted through the wall of the home. This "direct-vent" piping configuration also draws in outside air for combustion. Since indoor air is not used in the combustion process, cold air leakage (infiltration) is reduced – an added energy savings. High-Efficiency Boilers A boiler can last between 20-30 years, so it is important to choose an efficient model in order to reduce long-term costs. The most efficient boilers forced hot water boilers are considered to have an AFUE rating of 85% or higher. We recommend purchasing steam boilers with an 82% or higher AFUE rating. Venting Your Heating System Often times the installation of a high efficiency heating system requires changes to your venting system. It is recommended that you consult with your contractor for proper venting methods. Guarantees and Warranties A new heating system is a major investment, so make sure you understand the warranties that come with your new equipment. Parts and labor are usually covered by the manufacturer and installing contractor for the first year. Some brands also offer warranties of two to ten years. High-efficiency furnaces are generally the manufacturer's top-of-the-line products and have longer warranties. Sizing Your Heating System Sizing your heating system should always include the help of a qualified heating contractor. A system that is too large can be wasteful and a system that is too small can't provide proper comfort. A qualified heating contractor can help you estimate the heat-loss in your home by evaluating the insulation levels and the square footage of wall, roof and floor space exposed to the outside. Then, using the outdoor and desired indoor temperatures, they can calculate the appropriate capacity for your new heating system, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour. Choosing a Heating Contractor Reliable companies will send an estimator to provide a survey and provide a heat-loss calculation for your home. The contractor should also supply you with a written proposal clearly outlining the work to be done with the agreed upon price and many offer service after the installation is complete.

Reminders!

It was a great summer and the fall is now ramping up. I would like to remind all of you out there to replace your furnace filters. I also want to remind you of the impending cold and the issue of the set back thermostat. A set back thermostat is a thermostat which can automatically lower the temperature during desired hours. I personally believe that set back thermosats are great in the majority of the cold months but in the depths of the winter the set back thermostat is a potential disaster laying in the weeds. The thermostat should be set to a particular temperature and left there once December 15th shows up and left at the same temp until March 1st. The reasoning behind this theory is that the temperature outside is so cold and the thermostat being set back 10 to 15 degrees will leave the boiler idle for a long period of time, the water will not be moving. The fact that the water is not moving is the reason that the water in the piping could freeze if the conditions are just right. The outcome of a frozen pipe can be disasterous: flooding, furniture damage, building damage and equipment failure. I know the gas company tells all who will listen to set the thermostats back all season long but in my time as a service mechanic I have seen problems arise from this very scenario. Have a great fall season and remember to change your filters -Scott Campbell www.campbellheatingandair.com

Helpful Tip!

It's a great idea to test out your heating system before the real cold weather of winter hits. If you’re like many people you probably don’t give much thought to your home’s furnace … until winter comes and the snow flies. But if you wait until that first real cold spell you could find that local heating and cooling contractors are too busy to visit your home, so why not plan ahead a little and take care of your furnace now? We will visit your home and perform a 20 point inspection. Especially if you have not had such an inspection done in the last 12 months, call for an appointment now! It’s a small investment compared to the cost of running your heater all winter in less-than-optimal condition or having to make major repairs to your heating system down the road. www.campbellheatingandair.com - (877)410-3752

High Efficiency Boilers

High efficiency boilers are furnaces that operate by taking advantage of condensing to lower energy consumption and energy bills. This type of boiler is favored by many for its financial and environmental benefits. How High Efficiency Boilers Work High efficiency boilers save energy by recovering heat that would normally by removed through the flue system of an older model, non-condensing boiler. High efficiency gas boilers have large heat exchange mechanisms that enable them to maximize the transfer of heat from the burner. In the condensing mode, high efficiency boilers simply limit the loss of flue gases. This enables high efficiency boilers to take better advantage of heat produced. Efficiency Ratings Boiler models have efficiency ratings that rank from A to G. High efficiency boilers, which are always condensation models, have an A rating. A boiler's efficiency is a concern for those who want to keep energy bills as low as possible. Boilers Efficiency has Several Impacts High efficiency boilers are considered the superior models for a few advantageous reasons over non-condensing models. High efficiency gas boilers not only save money, but they reduce the use of natural gasses, as well. This makes high efficiency boilers the more environmentally friendly choice.

HVAC Acton, MA - Campbell Heating and Air

HVAC Acton, MA - Campbell Heating and Air

AC Reminder

Just a reminder to have the filtering apparatus changed on your AC because of the heavy airflow due to the extremely hot summer. Also listen for any loud noises coming from the condenser as the unit may be operating improperly with non condensibles.

How Air Conditioning Works

Campbell Heating and Air provides quality air conditioning installation and service for Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire including: Westford, Acton, Sudbury, Chelmsford, Concord, Lincoln, Carlisle, Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, Weston, Needham, Dover, Sherborn, Wayland, and surrounding areas in MA.

Is your AC ready for the Summer?

When winter ends and the temperature begins to rise, many people begin the annual ritual of spring cleaning. Dusting away winter cobwebs and cleaning the insides of windowsills are usually performed to keep the home in good condition. But many people overlook the maintenance on one household item that is relied on all summer long: the air conditioner. You should make sure your air conditioner is in proper working condition before the summer hits, just as you would make sure your furnace is in proper working condition before the winter. Your HVAC system as a whole functions to keep you and your family comfortable, so an inspection by a professional HVAC contractor should be done at least once a year (usually before the winter season). Before the summer, however, you should check over your air conditioning unit to identify any potential problems. By far, the most important maintenance task you can perform is changing the air filters on a regular basis. Failing to replace the air filters once per month (or two months, depending on the type of air filter) is a mistake that could cost you a lot of money in energy bills and will significantly reduce the lifespan of the entire system. Make sure you purchase air filters that allow for proper airflow and are recommended by the HVAC system manufacturer. Purchasing expensive air filters may not always be your best option, as these filters reduce airflow and make the air conditioner work extra hard to cool your home, costing you more money in energy bills. Another thing you can do before you turn your air conditioning unit on for the summer is clean your registers and air returns. Make sure the vents and registers are free of dust and opened properly to allow clean air to enter and exit the cooling system. Also check the sealing around the ductwork, as you can loose a lot of cool air through unsealed ductwork, which will dramatically raise your cooling costs. You may want to inspect the evaporator coil for dirt and dust. There are special cleaners available that are designed for use on refrigerant coils. However, this may not be an easy task and accessing the evaporator coil may be difficult. You may want to contact a professional HVAC contractor to perform this maintenance, as certain lines may need to be cut and reinstalled for proper cleaning and use. Your outdoor air conditioning unit should be free from debris. Remove leaves and overgrowth around your outdoor unit to ensure it has enough space to maintain proper airflow. Try to keep water away from the unit, as this can cause premature rusting and corrosion. A licensed HVAC contractor can inspect and clean the inside of system for any signs of potential problems and make sure it is ready for summer, as well as check the refrigerant levels to ensure there is enough to keep your house cool all season long. Taking these steps to clean and maintain your air conditioning system will ensure that it lasts a long time and runs at a very high efficiency. You'll save money in the long run and your family will stay cool and comfortable during those hot summer days.

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