5 Reminders for Saving Energy During Tulsa's Hot Summer

5 Reminders for Saving Energy During Tulsa's Hot Summer

Rather than letting your utility bills skyrocket during hot weather, learn a few key tips for saving energy and money. Check your refrigerator, along with other appliances, and enjoy contributing to a greener planet in addition to keeping energy bills down. 

• Lightbulbs: Switch to more energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as LEDs and CFLs, both of which use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and generate a lot less heat. Energy-efficient bulbs also last longer and will save you about $6 per year in energy costs.

• Appliances: Unplug appliances, especially those you do not use frequently. Most appliances use energy when plugged in even if not in use, so be sure to unplug or use devices that will "power down" these items. Unplugging appliances and utilizing devices such as game consoles and set top boxes can save up to $100 a year in energy costs.

• Refrigerator: Prevent your refrigerator from working harder during heat and humidity waves by keeping coils and gaskets clean. Refrain from having the door open while deciding on food and drink as well. Cover food and drinks, which release moisture when left uncovered, as the unit's compressor works harder as a result. Ensure the fridge is not pushed up against the wall, which will prevent air from circulating and therefore dispersing heat from the condenser. Avoid overloading the unit as well, as this will make it work harder to stay cool.

• Air Conditioner: The right-sized air conditioner is important for removing humidity as well as heat. Research unit sizes for saving energy.

• Thermostat: Raise your thermostat a few degrees any time you are not at home to save energy and money. Programmable versions are best for keeping costs down, because you can set the thermostat for a higher temperature when you're away from home or sleeping.

For more expert advice on saving energy and keeping your Tulsa home comfortable, please contact us at Air Assurance. We have proudly served the Broken Arrow and Tulsa areas since 1985.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Appliance Use Drives Up Energy Costs: Here's a Method for Monitoring

Appliance Use Drives Up Energy Costs: Here's a Method for Monitoring

While the appliances and devices in our homes seem indispensable, appliance use does drive up energy costs. Any appliance that deals with heat, either creating it or removing it, uses more energy than others. The Department of Energy reports that these are the most energy-hungry appliances in your home in the order of the amount they consume:

• Heating and cooling system;

• Water heater;

• Range/oven

• Clothes dryer;

• Swimming pool pump;

• Refrigerator and freezer;

• Desktop computer;

• Television;

• Microwave;

• Dishwasher; and

• Clothes washer.

With the exception of the larger appliances, like your HVAC system, you can estimate appliance use by looking at the tag on the cord, examining the packaging or the appliance itself to find its consumption in watts. For example, a computer monitor may use 150 watts, which means that it will use a kilowatt (kW) in 6.7 hours. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts and likely how your power company notes usage on your bill.A cooling system can use many kWs per hour, since it requires a lot of electricity. Their energy use is measured in amps, but you can multiply the amps by the volts they use (typically 220) to find their kW consumption. For example, a 20 amp air conditioner using 220 volts consumes 4,400 watts, or 4.4 kW.It's difficult to monitor the precise amount of energy your appliances use to estimate costs because electric rates vary, but there are things you can do to reduce consumption, like keeping the HVAC system and water heater clean and professionally serviced at least once a year.Keeping the air filter for the air handler clean lowers the amount of energy your HVAC system uses, as does hosing off the outdoor condenser occasionally. Draining off a quart of water from the water heater every few months takes out the hard water sediments at the bottom, improving efficiency.If you'd like to learn more about how maintenance reduces energy consumption for appliance use, contact Air Assurance. We've provided outstanding HVAC services for the Broken Arrow area for nearly 30 years.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Landscape That Leads To Energy Savings: Why Strategically Placed Shade Makes Sense

Because cooling costs are high, homeowners are looking for solutions to lower their energy spending. It is true that there are a wide variety of energy-efficient air conditioners being manufactured today, however, there are other measures that you can take to help boost your system's efficiency and effectiveness even further. Though it may not have occurred to you previously, taking the time to strategically landscape around your home can go a long way in promoting energy savings.

Problem

As the sun beats down on your home, its heat can be radiated and absorbed through your home's windows and your roof, which increases the temperature inside your house. The warmer the air inside becomes, the higher of a demand will be placed on your air conditioner for cooling purposes. This will raise your utility bill while putting extra strain on your cooling equipment.

Solution

Utilizing your home's landscaping and shrubbery to your strategic advantage will increase your home comfort and improve your overall energy savings. You can handle this in a variety of ways including:

• Trees - The trees around your home can reduce surrounding air temperatures greatly. The shade and the ability of a tree to move and release water vapor can bring these temperatures down by as much as 9 degrees. Because cool air has a tendency to stay near to the ground, the temperature of the space located under a tree can be up to 25 degrees cooler! Planting the right kind of tree at a location where its shadow will prevent heat from radiating through large windows or your roof can greatly boost your energy savings.

• Shrubbery - Smaller plants and shrubbery can also help promote energy savings. When planted near your front or back patios, these plants can provide shading that will lower the temperatures of the asphalt or concrete surfaces around your home. The cooler temperatures surrounding your home will prevent excess heat from being absorbed inside.

For more expert advice on utilizing your landscaping to boost energy savings, contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving Broken Arrow since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Energy-Saving Tips That Help Keep Summer Bills Low

Summertime brings allergies, high temperatures, A/C running on full-blast and, unfortunately, higher energy bills. As you're trying to keep yourself cool, we don't want your summer energy bills burning a hole in your pocket. With a few simple energy-saving tips, you can keep your home cool while saving money.Here are a few inexpensive and easy solutions to stay cool this summer:

• Make sure your HVAC equipment and air filters are well-maintained. Replace or clean your air filters as needed. Don't forget to have your air conditioner unit serviced before the hot weather hits every year to make sure it runs more efficiently.

• Don't let cool air escape. If your A/C is running all day, but your home doesn't feel much cooler, there could be air leaks in your home. You should add weatherstripping to your doors and windows, and caulk any cracks in the walls to keep cool air from escaping.

• Properly insulate your attic. If your home has an attic, you should install modern insulation to help lower cooling costs in the summer. On warm days, temperatures in the attic can rise upwards of 140 degrees. Proper insulation and ventilation can help lower your attic temperatures.

• Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use. Something as simple as turning off your electronics when they're not in use can help lower your energy bills. Keep in mind that electronics such as computers also give off heat, so it's a double-whammy in the summer.

• Buy Energy Star products. From air conditioners to refrigerators, the federal Energy Star program ensures that products meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines that help protect the environment and save you money.

These energy-saving tips are just a start to help keep your home cool and your summer energy bills low. For more expert advice on energy-saving tips and other HVAC topics, contact Air Assurance Heating, Cooling & Air Quality today!  We proudly service residents of Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Yellow EnergyGuide Labels And How To Read Them

As we get into the dog days of summer and temperatures creep toward that 100-degree mark in the Tulsa area, there's nothing better than the release of getting indoors and cranking up the A/C. But with that relief comes worry: What is this going to do to my energy bill? Energy usage is highly dependent on the efficiency of your A/C unit, and EnergyGuide labels make that information readily accessible, whether you are checking on how much your old unit is costing you or shopping for a new one.The first step to reading your EnergyGuide label is finding it. That's not too hard; it's bright yellow. Once you've found the label, one quick thing you can look for is the Energy Star symbol in the bottom right hand corner. If present, this symbol indicates that this product has been certified to be more energy efficient than standard models by the federal Energy Star program.The next thing you might notice is the "Estimated Yearly Operating Cost." The key word here is "estimated." Although this will give you a decent idea of how much the unit will cost you, the cost will vary with usage and local energy prices. This is a good tool, however, for comparing similar models.Just below the estimated cost, you'll find the "Estimated Yearly Electricity Use." Again, usage varies from area to area and person to person, but if you multiply this number of kWh by the local rate, you can get a better idea of the yearly costs you can expect from the unit.So, whether you are shopping for a new appliance or just checking on your old one, it's a good idea to look for the yellow EnergyGuide label. If you want to learn more about EnergyGuide labels, or anything else about home comfort, don't hesitate to contact us here at Air Assurance, serving the Tulsa metropolitan area since 1985.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     

Energy Savings Tips For When You're Away From Home

It is finally time for a much needed vacation. You have planned your trip to the last detail, and you cannot wait to get out the door and on the road to your vacation destination. But wait, you might not realize your electronics and appliances need a vacation, too. Here are some energy-saving tips that can ease your mind and lower your energy bills while you are away from home:

• Turn off your air conditioning unit or set the thermostat on 85 degrees. You can save approximately one percent per degree you raise the temperature, provided that temperature change lasts for eight hours or more. This tip can save you beyond your vacation, as you can use these energy-saving settings while you're at work each day, or even while you're asleep. Install a programmable thermostat, and you won't have to lift a finger to save energy.

• If your trip will last longer than three days, turn off your hot water heater. Just set a reminder to turn it back on when you return. It should only take a few hours to reheat the water. Consider lowering the temperature on your hot water heater to save energy all the time. Chances are you won't even notice the difference.

• Turn off all the lights. Security lights can be set on a timer if necessary.

• Unplug all of your electronic devices. Televisions, DVD players, computers and most coffee makers suck up to 10 percent of your total electric usage by using energy when plugged in but not turned on; this is known as phantom energy. Many gadgets like cell phone chargers and most appliances are also culprits.

• Close curtains to keep the heat of the sun out.

• Fill your refrigerator with full bottles of water. Refrigerators are more efficient when full.

• Turn off the hot tub, as well as water fountains and outdoor pumps.

Now you are ready for that much needed and anticipated vacation. You deserve it. Contact us at Air Assurance today for more expert advice about energy savings in the Broken Arrow area.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     

Want To Save Energy Dollars? From DIY Projects To HVAC Upgrades, We've Got Some Tips For You

Because your home is comprised of a series of systems that work together, when one system fails, it can affect the energy efficiency of the others. If you want to save energy dollars, there’s a host of projects you can do to upgrade your home’s overall energy efficiency potential.Consider which of these projects will help you to save energy dollars:

• Use a programmable thermostat – A programmable device helps save energy dollars because you can use it to preset energy-saving temperatures in your home that match how you use it. And you won’t waste energy cooling your home when you’re not present.

• Become energy conscious – Turn off appliances and electronics when you’re not using them. These devices draw energy even when they're not in use. So unplug your toaster, and shut off the lights when you leave a room.

• Find creative ways to reduce energy consumption – Choosing to air dry your dishes instead of running them through the system’s energy-consuming drying cycle helps to save energy. Air drying your clothes will accomplish the same goal. Additionally, only run your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer when their loads are full.

• Find the right settings – Most water heaters, for instance, are preset to an unnecessarily high temperature. You can save energy dollars by dialing it back to 120 degrees.

• Use less hot water – Take shorter showers, and consider using low-flow showerheads and faucets.

• Seal your home – Reducing air leaks will keep more conditioned air inside and allow less outside air to infiltrate your home. You can use caulk to seal around windows and electrical wiring outlets, and apply weatherstripping around doors

• Upgrade your equipment – Possibly one the most effective actions that will save energy dollars, swapping out your old, inefficient water heater, furnace or air conditioner for a high-efficiency model can result in significantly higher energy savings.

If you’re not sure where to start, but you want to save energy dollars, contact the experts at Air Assurance Heating, Cooling & Air Quality today for advice. We've been serving homeowners in the greater Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     

Tracking Your Energy Savings Is Easy If You Know How To Read Your Electric Meter

There are many changes that you can make in your home to save on your monthly energy costs, such as replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models. The key to tracking your energy savings for efficiency-enhancing changes and repairs lies in the ability to read your electric meter. To best determine the savings of  efficiency-enhancing improvements:

• Read your meter prior to making the changes.

• Make the improvements.

• Read the meter again one month after making the changes.

Older-style electric meters have a series of four or five dials on the face, which you will read from right to left as follows:

• Observe the right dial and its hand position.

• If the hand is directly on a number, write that number down for the first dial position. If the first dial is between two numbers, write down the lower number.

• Observe the next dial to the left.

• When the hand is directly on a number, look at the previous dial to the right. If this hand has not passed zero, write down the lower number. If the hand has already passed zero, record the higher number.

• Continue to read each additional dial in this manner.

Newer electric meters are digital and you simply read the numbers from left to right. If a number is partially in the window, use the smaller number for your reading.The majority of your energy bill is allocated to your heating and cooling system in your home. If your HVAC unit is older, you will find your greatest energy savings in an energy-efficient replacement unit. Often, the long-term energy savings of such an upgrade can make up for the initial costs over time, allowing the unit to essentially pay for itself.For more information on improving the energy efficiency of your Broken Arrow-area home, contact us at Air Assurance today.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Energy Savings: No-Cost And Low-Cost Tips That Will Keep Your Heating Costs In Line

Want to get a better handle on your heating costs this winter? Oklahoma’s long and often harsh winters can mean much higher energy bills just to maintain home comfort. However, it’s possible to lock in energy savings without investing significant amounts of money by following a few of the tips below. Here’s what you can do:

• If you have a manual thermostat, choose a lower indoor temperature for the day time. Energy Savers estimates that most homeowners can save 1 percent on their energy bills if they lower the home’s temperature by just one degree. Higher setbacks reap higher savings!

• Install a programmable thermostat to guarantee savings from setbacks. Most models allow you to choose several temperatures throughout the day, and pre-programming this type of device ensures that your home temperature stays within an energy savings range at all times.

• If you have exhaust fans, use them sparingly. If left on for just one hour, these fans can draw out a lot of warm air from your home.

• Use a lower temperature on your water heater. You’ll still get comfortably hot water and ensure energy savings by lowering the dial to 115 degrees.

• Check vents regularly. Your home’s duct supply and return vents were designed to distribute the conditioned air that your furnace generates. If these vents are blocked, you’ll inhibit a balanced flow of air, and perhaps cause your furnace to work harder.

• Curtains on windows that face South can be used to your advantage. Open them to let the sun assist daytime heating. During the night, every curtain should be closed to keep as much heated air inside as possible.

Keep your heating bills in check this winter, and ensure energy savings by following these tips. The more tips you implement, the higher your energy savings. If you’d like expert help to assess your home’s overall efficiency, contact Air Assurance Heating, Cooling & Air Qualitytoday! We’ve been serving homeowners in the Greater Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years, and we know how to get the kind of results you want and deserve. Just give us a call!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     Energy Savings image via Shutterstock