How Installing a Programmable Thermostat Can Save You Money on Your Energy Bill
05.25.2011 01:21 PM
The average homeowner spends nearly $2,000 on utility bills each year, approximately half of which goes toward their heating and cooling systems. Are you struggling to pay for your energy bill each month? You may want to ask your A/C or furnace repair company for energy saving tips. In the meantime, consider how installing a programmable thermostat can save you money on your energy bill.
Energy Efficiency
A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts to your home’s ambient temperature, allowing you to save up to 10% on your energy bill. With 4-6 different pre-programmed settings, programmable thermostats keep your home at a comfortable temperature without over-exerting your HVAC or air conditioner. Get the most out of your unit without spending a fortune!
Temperature Control
Unlike traditional thermostats, programmable units allow you to set a temperature schedule for an entire day. For example, let’s say it’s winter and you want your home to be 72 degrees when you wake up in the morning, 70 degrees when you get home from work, and then up to 75 degrees when you go to sleep. A programmable thermostat allows you to program accordingly so that your home is always at your ideal temperature. This also means less wear and tear on your unit, since it runs less during the day.
Away Settings
Programmable thermostats also come with Vacation or Away modes for ultimate energy efficiency. What’s the point in paying to heat or cool your home when no one is in it? Vacation modes allow you to temporarily turn off your unit for a substantial amount of time to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Whether you are interested in a programmable thermostat or are just looking for an air conditioning company in your area, professionals with F. H. Furr provide the plumbing and furnace repair services for your needs. For products, services, maintenance tips, locations, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website today!
Energy Efficiency
A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts to your home’s ambient temperature, allowing you to save up to 10% on your energy bill. With 4-6 different pre-programmed settings, programmable thermostats keep your home at a comfortable temperature without over-exerting your HVAC or air conditioner. Get the most out of your unit without spending a fortune!
Temperature Control
Unlike traditional thermostats, programmable units allow you to set a temperature schedule for an entire day. For example, let’s say it’s winter and you want your home to be 72 degrees when you wake up in the morning, 70 degrees when you get home from work, and then up to 75 degrees when you go to sleep. A programmable thermostat allows you to program accordingly so that your home is always at your ideal temperature. This also means less wear and tear on your unit, since it runs less during the day.
Away Settings
Programmable thermostats also come with Vacation or Away modes for ultimate energy efficiency. What’s the point in paying to heat or cool your home when no one is in it? Vacation modes allow you to temporarily turn off your unit for a substantial amount of time to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Whether you are interested in a programmable thermostat or are just looking for an air conditioning company in your area, professionals with F. H. Furr provide the plumbing and furnace repair services for your needs. For products, services, maintenance tips, locations, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website today!
Ask F.H. Furr - "How Do You Choose The Right Contractor For A Job?"
02.20.2011 12:57 PM
Hey guys! Welcome back to Ask F.H. Furr!
Jennifer L. in Fairfax asked on our Facebook Page, "With all of the contractors out there these days, how do you choose the right one? I have little ones, and I don't want just anyone in my house! Thanks!"
Well Jennifer, you are right and choosing the right contractor can mean the difference between having a horribly, expensive experience you’ll never forget and an experience you can’t wait to share with friends and family. Here are some steps to take to make sure you choose the right contractor for you:
You guys have a great day, and I look forward to hearing from each of you! And keep submitting those questions for your chance to have dinner on us, if you are chosen! – Steven Cox
Jennifer L. in Fairfax asked on our Facebook Page, "With all of the contractors out there these days, how do you choose the right one? I have little ones, and I don't want just anyone in my house! Thanks!"
Well Jennifer, you are right and choosing the right contractor can mean the difference between having a horribly, expensive experience you’ll never forget and an experience you can’t wait to share with friends and family. Here are some steps to take to make sure you choose the right contractor for you:
- Research. Doing a little homework on the work to be performed will set you up for success in choosing the right contractor for your job. You don’t need to become a technical expert, but a little research will help you ask the right questions and be able to assess the contractor’s answers and experience.
- Get 3 – 4 contractor referrals from people you know and trust. Referrals from the people you know and have had hands on experience from the contractor goes a lot further than references from people you don’t know. You are more likely to get both positive and negative feedback from people you know.
- After identifying a few prospects, make sure has a physical address. Then, call the Better Business Bureau to verify the company information.
- Interview contractors. Make sure you take time to meet with each contractor and go through your list of questions.
- How long has the company been in business?
- What type of employee screening process does the company have in place? Do they perform background checks? Do they require drug screening? (You should know who is going to be in your home)
- Does the company have a license to do work in your area?
- Do they have dedicated customer and technical support employees? (you want to make sure you can talk to a live person when you need to)
- How many employees does the company have?
- Does the company have a web site? Does it look professional?
- Does the company provide their field personnel continuous education/training?
- What kind of warranty is offered with the service and/or parts you need? Do they offer a written guarantee?
- If permits are needed for the job, does the company manage this process?
- Take your time. Make sure to get a few different bids and NEVER take the first bid or a door-to-door solicitation.
- Get all estimates in writing.
- Never pay in cash or make a full payment before work is performed.
- If you get a bid that is significantly lower than the others, it’s probably too good to be true. It’s good to remember that sometimes, you get what you pay for.
You guys have a great day, and I look forward to hearing from each of you! And keep submitting those questions for your chance to have dinner on us, if you are chosen! – Steven Cox
Routine Maintenance is the Best Way to Prevent the Need for Heating and Air Conditioning Repairs
02.11.2011 01:34 PM
Although you may not have noticed, living in your home causes slow but steady deterioration. From the furniture to the plumbing, everything in your home faces a certain lifespan. However, if small and frequent maintenance measures are taken, a homeowner can put off the need for professional repair for a long time.
Heating and air conditioning are two systems which can break down during an inconvenient time—such as during a freezing snowstorm. In order to prevent costly AC or furnace repairs, take a look at these following steps:
Heating and air conditioning are two systems which can break down during an inconvenient time—such as during a freezing snowstorm. In order to prevent costly AC or furnace repairs, take a look at these following steps:
- Air Filters: Once a month, be sure to inspect the air filter for your furnace and air conditioning system. Because a dirty air filter reduces efficiency and causes your system to work harder, it is important to clean or replace your air filter on a monthly basis.
- Lubrication: Because a heating and air conditioning system utilizes a motor with moving parts, it is important to lubricate necessary parts. If parts of your system are not lubricated, then friction will eventually wear down the motor—leaving you with an unnecessary bill.
- Check Your Connections: If your heater has poor connections to the gas or oil, you may be posing a fire hazard to your home—not to mention inefficient operation. Be sure to inspect connections between your heater and energy source, for both your heating system and your health.
Springing Forward towards a New HVAC System?
01.06.2011 01:11 PM
Hello, and welcome back! I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely feeling that loss of an hour from Sunday! But instead of focusing on that, I’ll happily answer a question that came from Tanya P. in Lorton, VA. She asks, “Steve, what does HVAC stand for? I keep hearing the term used, and now my husband is telling me we’re going to have to upgrade our ‘HVAC’ system! What does this mean…another expense?? Please help!”
Well, Tanya, you’ve chosen the right person to ask! While I can’t decide for you whether you’ll need to upgrade your system, I can explain the term HVAC and help you understand where your husband is coming from.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. It refers to technology of indoor environmental comfort, and it allows for the regulation of temperature and humidity, as well as fresh air from outdoors, for inside your home. This allows you to have more comfort and better health!
Now let’s be clear before we go any further, when we’re talking about your HVAC system, we’re not just referring to one unit. We’re talking about your heating unit, your air conditioning unit, your air filtration unit, and anything else (fans, windows, etc.) you may use to help keep the air flowing and energy costs low.
That said, the reason why your husband may be thinking he has to upgrade his HVAC system may be for several reasons.
He may be thinking about…
• The Life Expectancy of Your Current System Maybe your system is old and just broke down for the umpteenth time. You may be tempted to continue to go the immediate, least expensive route of repairing. However, should your equipment be up there in age, it may actually be more cost efficient in the long run to replace the equipment instead of paying for many repairs…and then paying for the replacement.
• The Operating Cost As equipment ages, it becomes less and less efficient. Even six-year old heat pumps and air conditioners are considered grossly inefficient by today’s energy standards. Repairing your equipment may fix the immediate problem, but it does not address energy efficiency; that needs to be factored into overall costs. Installing a new heating and cooling system can actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.
• The Big Picture Although you may be tempted to only address the broken down component, it’s important to realize that there are many components to any one system and they all work together to boost efficiency and reliability. If you only focus on one, you may be missing out on making the other parts efficient as well. For example, should you replace your furnace with a new model but leave the old thermostat, you are missing out on efficiencies of the newer furnace, like being able to regulate the temperature during different parts of the day. In addition, you can save on installation costs if you upgrade several components all at once. So Tanya, I hope this helps in your understanding of where your husband is coming from. If by now you’ve decided upgrading your HVAC system is the best choice, then here are two more bits of advice:
• Get energy efficient There are many systems out on the market that are environmentally friendly and can help you reduce cost. For more information, I recommend browsing under the Products tab on www.fhfurr.com.
• Look for ENERGY STAR You can receive rebates on your Federal Tax Return if you buy products endorsed with the Energy STAR. For more info, see this previous post.
These are just some things to think about regarding your HVAC System. For more information, or for product ideas to upgrade to, click on www.fhfurr.com or call us at any one of our locations listed on our website.
Thanks for reading! Until next time, be well!
Keep checking our blog for more information on HVAC systems.
Well, Tanya, you’ve chosen the right person to ask! While I can’t decide for you whether you’ll need to upgrade your system, I can explain the term HVAC and help you understand where your husband is coming from.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. It refers to technology of indoor environmental comfort, and it allows for the regulation of temperature and humidity, as well as fresh air from outdoors, for inside your home. This allows you to have more comfort and better health!
Now let’s be clear before we go any further, when we’re talking about your HVAC system, we’re not just referring to one unit. We’re talking about your heating unit, your air conditioning unit, your air filtration unit, and anything else (fans, windows, etc.) you may use to help keep the air flowing and energy costs low.
That said, the reason why your husband may be thinking he has to upgrade his HVAC system may be for several reasons.
He may be thinking about…
• The Life Expectancy of Your Current System Maybe your system is old and just broke down for the umpteenth time. You may be tempted to continue to go the immediate, least expensive route of repairing. However, should your equipment be up there in age, it may actually be more cost efficient in the long run to replace the equipment instead of paying for many repairs…and then paying for the replacement.
• The Operating Cost As equipment ages, it becomes less and less efficient. Even six-year old heat pumps and air conditioners are considered grossly inefficient by today’s energy standards. Repairing your equipment may fix the immediate problem, but it does not address energy efficiency; that needs to be factored into overall costs. Installing a new heating and cooling system can actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.
• The Big Picture Although you may be tempted to only address the broken down component, it’s important to realize that there are many components to any one system and they all work together to boost efficiency and reliability. If you only focus on one, you may be missing out on making the other parts efficient as well. For example, should you replace your furnace with a new model but leave the old thermostat, you are missing out on efficiencies of the newer furnace, like being able to regulate the temperature during different parts of the day. In addition, you can save on installation costs if you upgrade several components all at once. So Tanya, I hope this helps in your understanding of where your husband is coming from. If by now you’ve decided upgrading your HVAC system is the best choice, then here are two more bits of advice:
• Get energy efficient There are many systems out on the market that are environmentally friendly and can help you reduce cost. For more information, I recommend browsing under the Products tab on www.fhfurr.com.
• Look for ENERGY STAR You can receive rebates on your Federal Tax Return if you buy products endorsed with the Energy STAR. For more info, see this previous post.
These are just some things to think about regarding your HVAC System. For more information, or for product ideas to upgrade to, click on www.fhfurr.com or call us at any one of our locations listed on our website.
Thanks for reading! Until next time, be well!
Keep checking our blog for more information on HVAC systems.
ENERGY STAR REBATES for 2011: Where do YOU stand?
01.03.2011 01:50 PM
It’s not too late for those New Year’s Resolutions! We at F.H.Furr are big fans of turning a home energy efficient. Save money and protect the environment this year by switching to Energy Star Plumbing and HVAC (Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning) equipment. Earning the ENERGY STAR means products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
What is included in the 2011 Federal Tax Credit?
- Tax Credit: 10% of cost up to $500 or a specific amount from $50 - $300
- Expires: December 31, 2011
- Details: Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.
Products that qualify:
- Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan: This is an efficient fan, or blower motor, which blows the air that your furnace heats up through the duct system.
- Air Source Heat Pumps: Good for moderate climates. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. Because they move heat rather than generate it, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they consume.
- Central Air Conditioning (CAC): Not all units are eligible. To verify tax credit eligibility, ask our HVAC specialist to provide the Manufacturer’s Certificate Statement for the equipment you plan to purchase.
- Gas, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler: These units use water circulated throughout the home in a system of baseboard heating units, radiators, and/or in-floor radiant tubing.
- Natural Gas, Propane, or Oil Furnace: This uses the combustion of fuel and air to create heat.
- Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater: Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home.
- Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: Hope this gives you some ideas for motivating you to turn energy efficient and save money! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Keep visiting our blog for more information on how to save money and make your home energy efficient!
For more information on Energy Star products, visit their website at www.energystar.gov
Like Our Recent Blog topics? Here Are More Great Resources for You to Check Out
11.27.2010 01:30 PM
Are you concerned about your home’s pipes freezing and bursting? Would you like to find out about trustworthy air conditioning contractors? Looking to find ways to fix your air conditioning and plumbing problems by yourself? Be sure to take a look at these websites, for more information on these subjects:
- Want to learn about quick plumbing fixes? This article provided by eHow addresses various plumbing problems, as well as their solutions.
- If you are in need of a solution for common plumbing problems, be sure to take a look at this associated content article.
- Busted faucet? Be sure to take a look at this article, which teaches solutions to faucet problems.
- Are you concerned that your pipes are going to burst? This article by The Weather Channel provides great information about how to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
- Take a look at this article for advice on frozen pipes—from the words of a plumber.
- Be sure to check out this article provided by the city of Cincinnati about how to prevent your pipes from bursting.
- Looking for ways to maintain your air conditioning system? Stay safe with this article on air conditioning safety and maintenance.
- If you would like some brief tips on keeping your air conditioning up to snuff, be sure to take a look at this article provided by Energy Star.
- Considering an air conditioning contractor? Take a look at this article about what to research and consider before the work starts.
- If you would like to learn how to go about hiring a heating and air conditioning contractor, be sure to check out this Energy Star article.
Blog Archives
Service Areas
N . Virginia · (703) 690-1133
Manassas · (703) 361-4100
Stafford · (540) 659-3900
Sterling · (703) 690-1342
Woodbridge · (703) 491-1234
Fredericksburg · (540) 371-9133
Warrenton · (540) 349-5951
Winchester · (540) 667-3335
Bathroom Remodeling
Energy Savings
Green
HVAC
Tankless Water Heater
Air Conditioning
Bathroom Remodeling
Carbon Monoxide
Charity
Dehumidifiers
Drain Cleaning
Energy Savings
Garbage Disposal
Green
Hard Water
Health
Heating
Heating Experts
Heating Tune-up
Heatwave
How-To
Humidifiers
HVAC
Indoor Air Quality
Knowledge
Maintenance
Plumbing
Products
Safety Inspection
Tankless Water Heaters
Technology
Tips
Tune-Up
Vent Pipes
Water Heater
Zoning
Energy Savings
Green
HVAC
Tankless Water Heater
Air Conditioning
Bathroom Remodeling
Carbon Monoxide
Charity
Dehumidifiers
Drain Cleaning
Energy Savings
Garbage Disposal
Green
Hard Water
Health
Heating
Heating Experts
Heating Tune-up
Heatwave
How-To
Humidifiers
HVAC
Indoor Air Quality
Knowledge
Maintenance
Plumbing
Products
Safety Inspection
Tankless Water Heaters
Technology
Tips
Tune-Up
Vent Pipes
Water Heater
Zoning
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
Dec 2010
Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
Dec 2010
Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
- AC repair Fairfax
- Air Conditioning Repair Fairfax
- Air conditioning repair McLean
- Air Filter Replacement Fairfax
- Air Filters Fairfax
- Cooling Systems Fairfax
- Ductless Systems
- F.H. Furr
- Heating Systems
- Heating Systems Fairfax
- How to Replace Your Air Filter
- HVAC Systems Fairfax
- Plumber Fairfax
- Tankless Water Heaters
- Water Heaters Fairfax
