Blog - Bill's Heating & Air Conditioning

Save Energy

5 Energy Saving Tips that Don’t Cost a Dime

Posted on October 5, 2022October 5, 2022 by Renee Huepper

Saving money on your energy bill is something everyone would like to do. We want our homes to be comfortable but don’t want to pay high air conditioning and heating bills in the summer and winter. Many energy-saving ideas for the home can mean big upgrades, which translate into big expenses. These major updates might not fit into your current budget. The good news is that many small changes can be made to your routine to help save on your energy bottom line.

Save Energy with Small Changes

Some big changes like upgrading major appliances to newer, high-rated energy star models, replacing windows with double-pane insulated types, or adding additional insulation to your attic space can drive down energy waste. All these options provide great energy-saving benefits, yet they can be very expensive. The small, no-cost things you can do in your home can also positively impact your energy bills. Here are five easy fixes you can do in five minutes with no out-of-pocket expense.

Window Drapes – Heavy drapery around windows can help prevent drafts, especially if windows are older. Keeping drapes or blinds closed in the summer can keep sunlight and heat from entering your home. In the winter, open those blinds up and let the sunshine provide heat.

Unplug – Most homes have outlets cluttered with plugs and power adapters filled with appliances, electronics, and charging devices.

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Air Conditioning

Extend the Life of your Air Conditioner

Posted on August 18, 2022August 18, 2022 by Renee Huepper

Many of us never think about our air conditioner until something goes wrong and the inside of the house is hotter and more humid than it is outside. All of a sudden, all you think about fixing your AC unit. Like any large appliance with many moving parts, air conditioners require maintenance. You can do things throughout the year to help extend the life of your unit. Replacement can be a heavy burden on your checkbook, so extending your unit’s lifespan is smart.

Outdoor Air Conditioner Tips

Keeping your outdoor unit running in top shape is important to the overall function of your HVAC system. Keeping your unit in a cool, shady spot is a good idea. Planting trees, bushes, or shrubs nearby that can shield the unit from the direct sun will often help with its overall efficiency. The more efficient your system works, the longer it can last. Be careful about how close the greenery is. It’s important that nothing touches or blocks your unit from drawing air. When something blocks the air from flowing in freely, the air conditioner will have to work twice as hard to pull in enough air to cool, reducing efficiency.
Also, periodically checking your outside air conditioner is a good way to ensure grass, branches, or any other debris hasn’t entered the unit.… Read More

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Ductless HVAC

Mitsubishi Ductless HVAC – The Perfect Solution

Posted on January 13, 2020July 14, 2021 by Renee Huepper

Since the dawn of HVAC, traditional duct systems were the only way to go when it came to heating and cooling. Over the years, HVAC equipment has become better and better, improving in efficiency and power. New options like heat pumps and geothermal units sprang to the scene, but Americans still relied on ducted systems. Now that ductless HVAC has started to become more popular with quality systems available, many folks are changing the way they think about HVAC.

What is Ductless HVAC?

Well, ductless HVAC is just as it sounds; it requires no ducts. It is the perfect solution for home or business situations where there is no ductwork behind the walls. This could include a room addition, converting a garage into a living space, or outfitting a very old or historic home or building. An outdoor unit connects to a small indoor unit in each room or area, requiring no ducts to force the air. The exciting news is that many people are finding ductless HVAC is the solution they want, even if they currently have a traditional ducted setup. Time and time again, ductless systems prove to be more energy efficient as customers can control temperatures in individual rooms and areas. And in a space that would require ducts to be added, they are saving big by avoiding extra labor costs.… Read More

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Air Conditioning

Should You Repair or Replace your Air Conditioner?

Posted on May 24, 2018May 24, 2018 by Renee Huepper

Trying to determine whether you should repair or replace your air conditioner can be difficult. There are different points of view to consider and factors to assess. Repair and replacement can both be expensive endeavors making it an important decision. Almost any air conditioner can be repaired; it’s a matter of deciding if replacement is wiser financially, just like an older car. Taking out the potential sentimental value of a vehicle, at some point, the age and mileage on a car make it more expensive to repair than to replace. Most of us are not sentimental about our air conditioners and simply want to have consistent cooling power that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

How old is your Air Conditioner?

The typical lifespan of the average air conditioner is 10-15 years. As a rule of thumb, an AC unit under ten years old should be repaired, of course, depending on the scope of the repairs needed. After around 15 years, air conditioners tend to break down. Their components and parts are worn and reaching the end of their lifespan. If your AC is over 15 years old and the repair calls are more frequent, it may be time to consider replacement.

Repair Costs

Depending on what is ailing your air conditioner, the cost of repairs can be significant. Factoring in the age and if the current repair needed is astronomical, replacement may be the better option.… Read More

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