My heating bill is what?! Please tell me that’s a phone number and not how much I owe… With the kids at college, their rooms sit unused. Maybe If I close the vents in their rooms I can save on my bill?
Why you shouldn’t close vents:
Closing vents will waste energy- As the warm air from the furnace tries to come out of the closed vents, it is stopped by the vent cover. Instead, it will leak out back into floor cavities or into the basement. Your energy cost will be the same, but you’ll be heating your attic or crawlspace. The buildup of pressure can also cause a leaky piece of ductwork to burst completely. The average homeowner loses 20-30% of the heat they pay for because of duct leakage. By covering a vent you’ll increase the pressure in the HVAC system and lose more heat through these common leaks.
It can damage your home- Furnaces are installed based on square footage. If you begin taking away from the square footage your furnace is heating the furnace will need to work harder to pump heat.
What you should do instead:
Change your filter often- A filter that is dirty doesn’t allow for optimal airflow. Take out the filter and look for signs of dirt and debris. If you can’t see light through it, it should be replaced. A typical filter lasts 60-90 days but can last up to one year depending on the conditions of the home.
Clean registers- vacuum out any debris that accumulates in your registers. This debris can obstruct the airflow.
Replace with high-efficiency equipment- Any system with ENERGY STAR will be most efficient. If your system is more than a decade old, it may be time to replace. Though the upfront cost may be a bit much, the new HVAC system will pay for itself in just a few Washington winters.
When it comes time to service your Heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system, trust the professionals at Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving the Spokane, Washington and Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and surrounding areas since 1945. We service all brands, but we specialize in Trane, Amanda, Mitsubishi, Rheem, Ruud, Daikin, and Honeywell. To set an appointment, give us a call at (509) 325-4505.
In Spokane, a heat pump ranges in price from $4700 to $7000. The price of your heat pump will depend on a number of factors including size of your home, level of energy efficiency, installation variances and quality. The quality would be determined by a good-better-best offering and the variances would depend on the difficulty of the install. While this may be a hefty price tag, there is good news. Energy.Gov states that a heat pump can operate at about one quarter of the cost of a conventional heating/cooling appliance. That means big savings in the long run!
Additionally, there are often rebates available both from the manufacturers and/or your local utility company. Our experts are happy to help you determine what rebates may be available for you.
What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is installed outside of a home and connects to your current system. This system draws air from outside of your home and circulates hot or cool air throughout your home. When it’s cold outside, the heat pump extracts outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm out, the air will reverse and remove heat from your home.
A heat pump is an energy efficient alternative that takes the place of both furnace and air conditioning units. Smart technology has brought heat pumps to the forefront of the heating/cooling industry for their superior efficiency and eco-friendly operating system.
Benefits of a Heat Pump
There are plenty of benefits to owning a heat pump versus a traditional HVAC system. While heat pumps may seem expensive upfront, they save money by running more efficiently. Heat pumps are more efficient because they move heat instead of generating heat. They are also easier to maintain because they play double duty for both heating and cooling needs.
If you’re tired of a malfunctioning AC unit or a furnace that doesn’t heat or cool your home properly, it might be time to invest in a heat pump. For more information on the year-round performance of a heat pump, contact Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning! We work hard to provide residents of the Spokane area with superior home comfort through a range of products and services. Whether it’s the hottest day of the summer or coldest day of winter, a heat pump will provide you and your family with ultimate comfort. To schedule your appointment with a Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning technician, please call (509) 325-4505.
With the summer months upon us here in the Spokane, WA area, now is the perfect time to think about your air conditioning. But before you flip the switch on for the first time this season, there are three things you must do to ensure that is ready to go when the heat of summer hits.
Uncover your outdoor air conditioning unit – While this might seem like a very logical statement, at Sturm Heating and Air Conditioning, we regularly get calls for an A/C unit that is not working properly, only to find that it was not uncovered. If your unit is not uncovered, it will not have proper air flow to function efficiently, and you could risk serious damage to your A/C.
Schedule a tune up – During the months that your air conditioner is not in use, it is subject to a lot of different environmental factors. Bugs and other pests can get into the plugs and wires, which can cause them to stop working properly. Additionally, condenser could can become clogged with grease, dust and other debris. The coolant lines are also subject to wear and tear. An experienced A/C technician should examine the lines to ensure that there are no leaks or kinks. Additionally they should check to make sure the lines are properly insulated. Damage coolant lines must be replaced or your A/C unit will not function properly.
Check the fan – Turn your A/C on and walk outside to observe how it is running. The condenser fan should be free form obstructions and operate smoothly. If the fan is not running at peak performance, turn it off and call your technician. For safety reasons, Sturm Heating & Air does not recommend that you do any work around the fan. They'll safely unplug the unit from its power source and check for and clean debris and any other cause that would hinder its performance. A fan that is not operating properly can cause the motor to burn out and render the unit unusable.
If you have questions about your air conditioning using, would like to schedule a tune-up or are having HVAC issues, contact the professionals at Sturm Heating and Air Conditioning! We will provide you with the very best in air conditioning repair, furnace repair and HVAC installation. For more information, please visit our website or call (509) 325-4505.
Warmer months probably have you thinking about outdoor fun and enjoyment but don't forget to take a moment to consider your home's air conditioner performance and quality. Summer is the time when air conditioning units get the most use. Changing your unit's filter regularly ensures your system will run more efficiently and maintain better air quality.
Energy Star recommends that you check your unit's air filter monthly and change it every 1-3 months. A filter clogged with dust or pet dander make the unit work harder to heat and cool your home. Having a clean filter allows air to circulate more freely through the system, saving you energy costs and extending the life of your unit.
Because and air filter affects indoor air quality, it is also important from a health standpoint to inspect heating and air conditioning filters regularly. Replace it if it looks brown, dirty, or clogged. Always replace a filter that feels damp, to prevent mold growth. Indoor air quality is important for everyone, but if someone in the home suffers from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems, it is especially important to make sure the unit is running with a clean filter. Those who run their units year-round, own pets, smoke, or have had construction or a wildfire in the area should also change the filter more frequently.
Replacing your heating and air conditioning filter regularly is a simple and cost-effective way to avoid costly repairs and replacements. It is also and easy step to take towards lowering your energy bill, reducing carbon emissions, and maintaining a clean indoor air environment. Avoiding an overworked, inefficient unit will help keep your heating and air conditioning unit in operation and cut down on allergens and pollutants in your home.
If your heater or air conditioner isn't working, save some time and money by first checking and changing your air filter. This simple step can save you a service call and get your system running in no time!
Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning is an employee-owned, leading heating and air conditioning contractor serving the greater Spokane, WA area. Servicing all brands, our goal is to help with all of your heating and air conditioning needs, including furnace repair, air conditioning repair, and tune-ups. For more information, please visit our website or call (509) 325-4505.
