Homeowners in the Midwest must cope with hot, humid summers that keep air conditioners working hard from June until September. Fortunately, you can ease your cooling load this summer and lower your energy bills with a few basic tips: Keep outdoor heat where it belongs Summer heat can infiltrate your home in two ways: direct […]
Ease Your Cooling Load, And Lower Your Energy Bills Read More »
Many of the available federal energy tax credits expired at the end of 2011, with a few exceptions, including the geothermal heat pump (GHP) credit. When homeowners install a new GHP that meets the criteria for the credit, they’re eligible to receive a 30 percent credit on the purchase, the installation and the labor involved,
The Energy Tax Credit For A Geothermal Heat Pump Is Like Money In Your Pocket Read More »
Energy vampires in your home are plug-in electronics and devices that recharge with those box-style charging cords or have small lights that remain on even when the device is turned off. They are considered vampires because they continue to use energy whether charging or operating. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that American consumers
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You do not have to be an air conditioning expert to own one, or to enjoy the cool air it provides. However, understanding the inner workings of your A/C can come in handy at times. So, the air conditioning experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling have put together this little A/C 101 for our Metro-East customers.
A/C 101: It Keeps You Cool, But Can You Explain How It Works? Read More »
If you have made the decision to upgrade your heating or cooling equipment, you have likely been focusing on high-efficiency models. Though it may not have occurred to you, size actually does matter when it comes to your climate control systems. As you work with your HVAC contractor, make sure that he’s familiar with air
Manual J: The Key To Sizing Your New HVAC System Read More »
The Metro-East area is known for its hot, humid summers, where an air conditioner is a welcome, if not mandatory, feature of any home. While annual maintenance can help keep your cooling equipment in top form, you may still encounter problems from time to time. Here are some of the more common A/C problems to
Common A/C Problems To Watch For Read More »
If high summer temperatures have been giving your air conditioner a workout, but it seems your home has become difficult to cool and your energy bills are rising, you might be a victim of refrigerant huffing. Drug abusers, mainly teens, have started inhaling air conditioner refrigerant to get high. Not only is it hard on
Prevent Refrigerant Huffing With A Cap On Your A/C Service Valve Read More »
Out of sight, out of mind. The insulation in your attic works all year round, saving you money and increasing your family’s comfort, without requiring maintenance or repair. But could it be doing even more? Here in the Metro East area, with our cold winters and hot summers, insulation serves double duty: In the winter,
Attic Insulation: For More Of What You Want Downstairs, Boost What You Have Upstairs Read More »
You may have heard about the tax credits that were available for upgrading your home with energy-efficient improvements, such as new HVAC systems or insulation. You may have also heard that those energy tax credits expired at the end of 2011. Well, that’s only partly correct. Some of the energy tax credits have expired, such
Those Hefty Energy Tax Credits: You Can Still Get Them For Geothermal Read More »
As the summer heats up, take a load off your energy bill by lowering your home’s cooling load. Keeping heat and sunlight out of your home as much as possible is one of the simplest ways to reduce the load on your cooling system. Cut heat gain by a third through strategic planting of trees,
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