energy efficiency Archives - Richmonds Air Houston

8 Free Ways to Lower Your Home’s Winter Heating Bill

February 27, 2019 by Richmond’s Air

Keeping your home warm in the winter can be expensive. Luckily, however, there are some tricks you can employ that can help save you money while getting the max efficiency out of your furnace or heating system.

Below are eight FREE ways you can lower your monthly winter heating bills. While they may seem like insignificant changes, these easy eight steps can gradually help lower your winter heating bill. The best part of all is you don’t even have to spend money!

1. Lower your thermostat

Simply lowering your thermostat can save you upward of 3 percent per degree per 24-hour period. Luckily, even if you can’t commit to lowering the temperature for a whole day, you’ll save 1 percent for every 8 hours.

2. Wear socks

If you’re on the fence about lowering your thermostat, remember that you can always stay warm and cozy by putting on a pair of fuzzy socks or a sweater to keep yourself warm.

3. Insulate your windows

A good deal of residential heat loss happens through windows. You can help reduce this loss by opening the curtains and shades of windows that face south during daylight hours to capitalize on the sun’s warmth. Don’t forget to close your blinds and curtains once the sun sets for better insulation during a chilly night.

4. When not in use, keep your chimney flue shut

Keeping your chimney flue open is the same as keeping a window cracked. Keeping it closed when you’re not using it will help keep warm air in. While you’re at it, make sure your dryer vent is properly closed, too.

5. Keep your doors shut

When not occupied, shut the doors to the rooms in your home. Why keep them warm if they’re not in use? When a room is occupied, a closed door will help capitalize on heat.

6. Don’t let clutter block vents or radiators

This also includes rugs or furniture. Your home’s vents work to keep warm air circulating in your home. Blocking the vents prevents warm air from reaching you and it’s unsafe for these objects to be too close to heat sources.

7. Utilize your ceiling fans

Keeping a fan on low and setting it to circulate the air upward (clockwise) will force rising warmer air downward.

8. Clean your vents and radiators

The dust in your home can act as a natural insulator. This means that if your vents or radiators are covered in dust, it will restrict warm air flow.

If your heating bill remains unusually high despite these tips, we recommend giving Richmond’s Air a call to see how we can improve your system’s efficiency. We serve the entire Houston area.

What is BTU & What Does it Mean for Your AC/Furnace?

November 2, 2018 by Richmond’s Air

In your search for a new air conditioning unit or furnace, you may have run across the acronym BTU, and if you are outside the world of heating and cooling jargon, you’re probably unfamiliar with it.

What is BTU?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. British Thermal Units are units of measurement for energy, and these units are used to measure the amount of energy that it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In other industries, the joule is used to determine these numbers; however, BTUs are often used when dealing with furnaces and AC units.

Why does this matter?

The amount of BTUs in a particular heating or cooling unit will directly correlate with the cooling and heating capacity of that unit. Using BTU as a measuring stick can help you differentiate the capacities of similar units. Buying a unit with an appropriate BTU for your home can help you maximize the unit’s power to fit your needs.

How many BTUs is right for me?

The amount of BTUs that is right for your home will depend on the size of your home, your insulation quality, your ceiling height, and numerous other factors. A professional HVAC inspection is a great place to start when figuring out which unit size is right for you.

If you’d like to see how your HVAC systems measure up, Richmond’s Air can help. We service all of Houston’s surrounding areas for A/C and heat installation and maintenance.

Call us today to schedule an appointment.

3 Secrets HVAC Repair Companies Don’t Want You to Know

October 23, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are not one-size-fits-all, but many companies may lead you to believe this is true. This can cause homeowners a huge headache and expense, especially during the times of the year when comfort is easily compromised by the weather outside.

How long since your heating unit was last checked?
Don’t get stuck out in the cold!

At Richmond’s Air, we’ve been doing heating and furnace repairs right since 2002. Our work is 100% guaranteed by a 1-year parts and labor warranty on repairs.

Houston Heating & Repair Service

Here are three secrets your HVAC company may not want you to know:

1. Keep size in mind

The size of your home should directly correlate with the size of the HVAC unit you buy. A unit that’s too large will not only be more expensive, but its cooling and heating pace may be too rapid for smaller homes. This can quickly cause issues like higher energy usage and more repairs.

The takeaway: Make sure your HVAC company measures your home accurately.

2. Second opinions are a smart idea

If your HVAC technician tells you that one or more parts of your HVAC unit need to be replaced, you don’t have to take their word for it right away. In fact, it may pay off to seek a second opinion when it comes to dropping some serious cash on replacement parts that may or may not be needed.

The takeaway: Go with your gut, do your research, and never feel pressured to accept repairs or maintenance immediately.

3. Free HVAC services are rarely worth it

If you see advertisements offering free HVAC service deals, don’t simply jump at the chance. It’s still important to research various HVAC companies before deciding which is best for you and your needs. Read online reviews or ask friends and family which companies they’ve had success with in the past.

The takeaway: Even if the offer isn’t free, it may be worth it in the end to go with a company you can trust.

Bonus tip!

Always make sure that any repairs or maintenance done to your HVAC is put in writing or you’re given a receipt that clearly shows you all charges and procedures.

Richmond’s Air continues to provide the Houston area with reliable, trustworthy HVAC services. Give our experienced HVAC contractors a call to schedule a professional visit.

We also invite you to check out our blog to learn more about saving energy and actively maintaining your HVAC system.

Forget to Change Your Air Filter? Try an Electronic Filter Monitor

October 2, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Air filters are vital parts of your home air conditioning system. They serve to trap dirt, dust and other allergens as air circulates through your system.

Like most technology components, air filters need to be replaced with time; otherwise, the buildup of dirt and allergens can actually slow your system’s efficiency.

If you’re like most, you probably forget about your air filter until it’s so dirty that your system suffers. As an answer to this common issue, the electronic filter monitor was born.

What’s an electronic filter monitor?

An electronic filter monitor tracks the status of your air filter continuously. It keeps track of how well your air filter is working at any given time and lets you know the minute your air filter stops filtering as optimally as it should.

Depending on the specific model you choose, your electronic air filter may have the capability to send email or text alerts letting you know your filter should be changed. Real-time status reports may also be available to help you take control of your air quality.

How does an electronic filter monitor help?

With the use of an electronic filter monitor, you can keep a close watch on your system, allowing you to address potential filter problems before they even arise. This saves you from losing your cold air in the middle of summer or unintentionally breathing in harsh allergens.

A clogged air filter prevents your system from running optimally, forcing your system to work harder and causing your energy bills to go up. Being able to monitor your air filter status will help you stay on top of the efficiency of your system.

Richmond’s Air provides professional HVAC services and products to all of Houston and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about how you can maintain your home’s air in comfort.

4 Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids About Saving Energy

December 19, 2016 by Richmond’s Air

Kids today are surrounded by “smart” things—from phones to thermostats—and most of them can’t fathom that at one time electricity didn’t exist. Even as adults we tend to forget how convenient and technology-reliant our lives have become. However, it’s important for us to teach our kids about conserving energy and taking care of the environment.

Here are some fun and creative ways to teach your kids about energy conservation:

1. Make it a game

Learning is always more fun when you turn it into a game. Talk to you kids about the importance of conserving water, and then race to see who can take the fastest shower. Discuss the importance of saving electricity, and then have the kids take turns being the “electricity police” for the day. They can dress up in a costume and go around turning lights off and unplugging unused appliances.

2. Cozy up

You can save a lot of energy (and money) if you turn your thermostat down five degrees during the winter. Grab hats, scarves, blankets and a cup of hot chocolate and spend some time reading together or playing a game as a family (something energy-free, like a board game). Meanwhile, remind your kids that heating your home takes a lot of energy.

3. Go to the library

Your local library should have a great selection of books on energy, where it comes from and how we can be good stewards of it. The first step to understanding why we need to conserve energy is learning how it works.

4.Get Your Craft On

Did you know a lot of heat and air can escape from cracks around your doors and windows? You can lose about 20% of your heat or air this way. In addition to making sure your weather stripping is intact around all of your doors, you and your kids can make these fun door draft stoppers.

At Richmond’s Air, we want to make sure we’re doing our part to help you save energy, save money and save the environment, which is why we strive to make sure your residential HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible and that it meets or exceeds government standards.

If you live in Katy, Bellaire, Spring or elsewhere in the metro area, contact a Houston HVAC technician today at Richmond’s Air to have yours inspected.