Brenmar heating and air conditioning values the relationships we have with all of our customers, and we are dedicated to providing year round comfort in your home. We have created some helpful tips to keep your air systems running efficiently all year long, however, if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact our office for further information.
10 Easy Ways to Save Energy
During a period of rising energy costs, every homeowner is looking for a way to save some money. Brenmar Heating and Air Conditioning has a few helpful tips to save money on your monthly energy bills this season.
- Do a home energy audit. This survey analyzes your home's structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family's lifestyle. Various companies throughout the GTA can provide home energy audits, with a full report and recommendations about how your family can save energy.
- Have your heating system inspected regularly - especially if it's natural gas. A preventative maintenance annual tune-up, courtesy of Brenmar, can help reduce your heating costs by up to five percent.
The cleaner and more efficient your heating and air conditioning equipment are, the more you'll enjoy energy savings. - Install a Programmable Thermostat
Why heat the house when nobody's home? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower and raise your home's air temperature when you're at work or heading to bed for a good nights sleep. For every 1°C (2°F) you lower your thermostat, you save two per cent on your heating bill. A reduction of 3°C (5°F) at night and when you’re away during the day provides optimal savings. If you don’t have a programmable thermostats, Brenmar has a wide range of products available to suit your needs.
(source: www.climatechange.gc.ca) - Turn on the Humidifier
Adding moisture to the air in your home will make it feel warmer. If your furnace doesn't have a built-in humidifier, you can place a portable unit in frequently used areas. Make sure the humidistat settings are appropriate for outdoor temperatures so that condensation doesn’t build up on windows. - Close Vents to Guest Rooms
By closing the vents to just one spare bedroom in your house, you'll likely see a difference in your heating bills. But don't put away your welcome mat; you can open the vents when guests stay over. Be sure to monitor closed-off rooms to ensure that moisture doesn't build up in corners or closets. - Change or clean your furnace filter once a month. Dust and dirt can quickly clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down.
- Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to let the sun warm the room.
- Set the fan on your central air conditioner to "on" rather than "auto." This will circulate air continuously, keeping the temperature more even throughout the house and aiding in dehumidification.
- Don't set the thermostat higher than you actually want it. It won't heat your home any faster, and it will keep your furnace running longer than necessary.
- Upgrade your heating and air conditioning products to energy star rated units. Units such as [LINK] Carriers Infinity 21 Series [LINK] can help reduce your energy bills (on A/C) by up to 52%.
Understanding Heating and Air Conditioning!
Brenmar has compiled a list of commonly used heating and air conditioning terms that will be useful for everyone who is interested in purchasing, repairing, or just inquiring about their home comfort needs.
Air Conditioner:
Assembly of equipment for the simultaneous control of air temperature, relative humidity, purity, and motion.
Air Diffuser:
Air distribution outlet or grille designed to direct airflow into desired patterns.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):
A rating that denotes the efficiency of gas heating equipment. It is the amount of heating your equipment delivers for every dollar spent on fuel. A higher rating indicates more efficient equipment. This rating is calculated in accordance with the Department of Energy test procedures.
Blower:
An air handling device for moving air in a distribution system.
BTU (British Thermal Unit):
The standard of measurement used for measuring the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree (Fahrenheit). BTUH - The number of BTUs in an hour.
Central Air Conditioner System:
System in which air is treated at a central location and carried to and from the rooms by one or more fans and a system of ducts.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute):
The abbreviation for cubic feet per minute, commonly used to measure the rate of air flow in an air conditioning system.
Condenser:
A device that transfers unwanted heat out of a refrigeration system to a medium (either air, water, or a combination of air and water) that absorbs the heat and transfers it to a disposal point. There are three types of condensers: air-cooled condensers, water-cooled condensers, and evaporative condensers. The evaporative condenser uses a combination of air and water as its condensing medium. Most residential systems have an air-cooled condenser.
Damper:
Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow. Dampers are used effectively in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms.
Duct:
A pipe or closed conduit made of sheet metal, fiberglass board, or other suitable material used for conducting air to and from an air handling unit.
Electronic Air Cleaner:
An electronic device that filters out large particles and contaminants in indoor air. It then electronically pulls out tiny particles that have been magnetized, such as viruses and bacteria, drawing them to a collector plate.
Evaporator:
Absorbs heat from the surrounding air or liquid and moves it outside the refrigerated area by means of a refrigerant. It is also known as a cooling coil, blower coil, chilling unit or indoor coil.
Filter:
A device used to remove dust and other particles from air for the purposes of reducing the load on the respiratory system and to protect the HVAC equipment. Filters vary greatly in particle arrestance; the higher the MERV rating, the better the filter.
Furnace:
That part of an environmental system which converts gas, oil, electricity or other fuel into heat for distribution within a structure.
Heat Exchanger:
A device for the transfer of heat energy from the source to the conveying medium.
Heat Gain:
The amount of heat gained, measured in BTU's, from a space to be conditioned, at the local summer outdoor design temperature and a specified indoor design condition.
Heat Loss:
The amount of heat lost, measured in BTU's from a space to be conditioned, at the local winter outdoor design temperature and a specified indoor design condition.
Heat Pump:
An air conditioner that contains a valve that allows it to alternate between heating and cooling.
Humidification:
The process of adding moisture to the air within a space.
Register:
Combination grille and damper assembly covering an air opening or end of an air duct.
Return Air:
Air drawn into a heating unit after having been circulated from the heater's output supply to a room.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio):
A rating that denotes the efficiency of air conditioning equipment. It is the amount of cooling your equipment delivers for every dollar spent on electricity. It is the ratio of cooling delivered by a system, measured in BTUs, to the dollar cost of the electricity to run the system, as measured in watt-hours. This ratio is determined using specified federal test procedures. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. The more efficient the unit, the lower the operating cost.
Split System:
A central air conditioner consisting of two or more major components. The system usually consists of a compressor-containing unit and condenser, installed outside the building and a non-compressor - containing air handling unit installed within the building. This is the most common type of system installed in a home.
Thermostat:
A temperature control device, typically found on a wall inside that consists of a series of sensors and relays that monitor and control the functions of a heating and cooling system.
Ventilation:
The process of supplying or removing air, by natural or mechanical means, to or from any space. Such air may or may not have been conditioned.
Zone System:
A method of dividing a home into zones and enabling you to control the amount of comfort provided to each.
Zoning:
The practice of providing independent heating and/or cooling to different areas in a structure. Zoning typically utilizes a system controller, zoning dampers controlled by a thermostat in each zone, and a bypass damper to regulate static pressure in the supply duct.