As winter approaches in Bellingham, Washington, residents brace for cold, blustery weather, which often means a rise in utility costs and a strain on your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Keeping your heating and air conditioning system well-maintained and making use of the heat of the sun are effective methods to lower the load on your furnace or heat pump. Also, checking the condition and amount of insulation in your home will help keep winter fuel costs from soaring.
The trained technicians at Marr's Heating and Air Conditioning offer tips to protect your system during the cold months, improve energy efficiency and keep equipment running reliably. Our quick response to calls for service ensures your comfort and safety.
Schedule a Tune-Up
According to the Department of Energy, almost half of the energy used in an average U.S. household goes to heating and cooling. Well-maintained HVAC systems run efficiently and reliably, which lowers energy usage and provides peace of mind. Professionals recommend tuning up the furnace before first use in the fall and the air conditioner before first use in the spring.
During a professional tune-up, our technicians examine each component of the system, calibrate the thermostat, clean the filter and check ducts for leaks and poor joins to grilles and registers. For furnaces and other heating systems that use fossil fuels to operate, we inspect and clean the heat exchanger, gas piping, burners and ignition system. We ensure that the system vents properly to prevent backdrafting. Checking these components ensures the system does not leak dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide.
Keeping filters clean can reduce the energy the system uses to operate by as much as 15%. Cleaning or changing filters is a simple task that homeowners can do. If you do not know how, our technicians can show you. We also recommend upgrading filters to help keep your indoor air clean. Dirty filters impede airflow, which makes equipment work harder to produce conditioned air. In addition, repairing small problems found during a tune-up keeps equipment running at optimum efficiency.
Maintenance has many benefits, including:
- Keeps warranties valid
- Reduces energy usage
- Prolongs the life of the system
- Lowers the incidence of repairs
- Improves comfort
- Contributes to good indoor air quality
Check Insulation Levels
Insulation provides a thermal barrier between warm and cool areas. During the winter, cool, moist air can enter the living space through holes and gaps in walls, attics and flooring. During the summer, warm air infiltrates through the building envelope, which increases indoor humidity and temperatures. Poorly insulated living spaces are uncomfortable and drafty and make your HVAC system work harder to maintain consistent temperatures. Insulating attics, walls and foundations provides a thermal envelope around the building, which prevents the exchange of cool and warm air. Insulating to or above recommended levels enhances comfort and reduces the load on your heating and cooling equipment.
The Department of Energy recommends minimum insulation levels for each climate zone of the United States. The Bellingham area falls within the Cool Marine Climate Zone of coastal Washington state, a subzone with unique weather patterns. The Washington State Energy Code builds on these specifications, defining insulation levels for ceilings, walls, foundations, windows and ducts. Insulation in ceilings should be at least R-60 and R-8 for ducts greater than three inches in diameter.
Insulate and Seal Ducts
Air is distributed through ducts in a forced-air heating and air conditioning system. Over time, ducts may develop small holes or separate from grilles and registers. Leaks in ducts can result in losing 20% to 30% of the conditioned air flowing through them. Your HVAC system must run longer to maintain set temperatures, which can strain the compressor and fans. Longer run times result in more energy usage, which can increase your utility bills. In addition, leaks allow airborne particulates, such as dust, pollen and biological pollutants, into the system, which are then blown into the living space.
According to ENERGY STAR, repairing, insulating and sealing ducts can improve energy efficiency by 20%. Ducts are made of materials that transfer heat, such as sheet metal and fiberglass. Insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces, such as attics and basements, prevents loss of conditioned air. Insulating ducts also helps control formation of condensation.
If you are building a new house or installing new ducts, consider placing them inside the living space. By doing so, any leakage keeps conditioned air inside, which increases energy efficiency and reduces the load on your system.
Sealing ducts has many advantages, including reducing the load on your HVAC system, saving energy, improving indoor air quality and enhancing safety. Reducing the load results in shorter run times and less wear and tear on components. Sealing ducts also prevents backdrafts.
Let the Sunshine In
When the sun shines during the cool winter months in the Bellingham area, open window coverings to let the heat of the sun heat your living space. During warmer summer weather, adjust window coverings to prevent solar gain. At night, close curtains and blinds to keep conditioned air in. Closing curtains at night during the winter can reduce heat loss by 10%, improving comfort, saving energy and lowering the demand on your heating system. During the summer, closing draperies can reduce heat gain by as much as 33% depending on the type of curtain and intensity of the sun. Other effective window coverings include louvered blinds and insulated cellular shades that reduce the transfer of heat through windows.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats let you control the temperature of your home from wherever you are via a Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone, tablet or computer. Using a smart thermostat correctly reduces the load on your HVAC system, which can lengthen the service life of the equipment and reduce wear and tear.
Instead of having to remember to change settings manually, you can program temperature settings for different days, times of day and unusual events, such as vacations or changes in schedule. You can monitor energy usage in real time, monitor outdoor temperatures and weather patterns and adjust indoor temperatures to accommodate your indoor comfort needs or schedule.
Smart thermostats increase comfort by automatically keeping indoor temperatures and humidity at desired levels. You can set the thermostat to cool down your home during the winter when you sleep and warm it up before you get out of bed. In warmer months, you can set temperatures so that the air conditioner does not come on as often at night but kicks in to cool the house before you get up.
Contact Us Today
Marr's Heating and Air Conditioning has provided heating and air conditioning services to residents of Bellingham and nearby communities since 1965. Our company believes in providing a satisfying customer experience through excellent craftsmanship and innovative solutions. We back all our work with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. We provide free estimates for repairs and installations.
We install, repair and maintain heat pumps, ducted HVAC systems, ductless mini-split systems and gas fireplaces. In addition to HVAC services, we install and maintain water heaters. Our indoor air quality services help keep the air in your home fresh and clean. Our comprehensive maintenance services ensure your heating and cooling system operates efficiently. Ask us about the Marr’s Advantage Plan that includes discounts on annual maintenance, repairs and diagnostic sessions and no extra charges for overtime or after-hours visits. Our duct services include duct fabrication and placement, duct cleaning and duct sealing. For more information about maintaining and protecting your HVAC system, call Marr's Heating and Air Conditioning today. Our experienced technicians are always ready to answer questions.
