Tag Archives: energy star

Factoring EF Ratings Into Your Water Heater Decision

Historically, a storage-tank style water heater has had limited performance capabilities, due to energy losses through the tank’s walls. If you’re upgrading your water heater, you can use Energy Factor (EF) ratings, designed to show the efficiency of both storage-tank and tankless water heaters, to help lower water-heating costs, and reduce your overall energy bills. [...]

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Posted in Energy Savings, Water Heaters | Also tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Heat Pump: An Investment With A Continuing Return

When the time comes to replace your HVAC systems, one of the most energy-efficient choices available is a heat pump. A heat pump does the work of both a furnace and air conditioner, and generally saves you money on your utility bills in the process. Share and Enjoy:

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Your Furnace Barely Made It Through Heating Season? Why Spring Can Be The Ideal Time To Replace It

If your furnace barely made it through the last heating season, you deserve a tenacity award. And now you also deserve a new, energy-efficient furnace. But there’s good news: Spring can be the ideal time to make a such a purchase. Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in Furnaces | Also tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Passive Solar Energy: Use It To Your Advantage, Even When Ohio Skies Are Gray

Passive solar energy techniques use design principles and materials to reduce heating and cooling costs, collecting the sun’s energy to warm your home in the winter and prohibiting heat gain during summer — without the use of more active solar devices such as pumps, fans or photovoltaic panels.  Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in Solar Energy | Also tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Energy Star Yardstick: A Useful Tool To See How Your Home Measures Up

Various factors affect heating and cooling costs for an Ohio home, and the Energy Star Yardstick tool can help you effectively lock in savings. There are countless combinations of equipment, insulation levels, weather stripping, ductwork and air infiltration, all of which effect efficiency—or not. Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in Energy Evaluations | Also tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ductwork Leaks: Seal Them For Both Efficiency And Safety

If ductwork leaks occur in your Northeast Ohio home, and they’re left unchecked, they can have a negative impact on your utility bills. Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in Air ducts, IAQ – Indoor Air Quality | Also tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Programmable Thermostat: Setting It For Maximum Savings

One of the best ways to fight rising utility costs in Northeast Ohio is to install a programmable thermostat in your home. Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in IAQ – Indoor Air Quality, Thermostats | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Assessing The Efficiency Of Your Replacement Boiler

Understanding boiler efficiency is the best way to get an idea of how your new boiler will operate and how much it might save you in terms of energy costs. Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in Energy Savings, Heating | Also tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Federal Tax Credits Will Expire Soon — Now’s The Time To Make Those Upgrades You’ve Been Considering

If you have been considering upgrading your home’s HVAC system or making energy efficiency improvements, you might want to do so before the end of the year. Share and Enjoy:

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Posted in Tax Credits and Rebates | Also tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ask Good Questions, Get Good Answers When Interviewing An HVAC Contractor

Searching for a heating and cooling contractor is a monotonous task. There are so many listings that it can seem impossible to decide which company will work best for you. Start by asking for recommendations from your friends and family, a step that should narrow your search. Then, meet with each contractor individually to see [...]

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Service & Maintenance | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment