Buying new HVAC equipment, appliances, electronic devices and other products can be an expensive undertaking. As you are comparing and selecting possible purchases, you can find valuable guidance on the product's EnergyGuide label. This label will tell you about the item's estimated energy usage and give you a good baseline for calculating long-term costs of operation and potential savings.
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When the temperature soars, the relief from your air conditioner is much appreciated. Air conditioners work very much like large refrigerators, cooling the inside of your home the way a refrigeration system cools a fridge's inner compartments. By knowing how air conditioning works, you'll be better able to understand how it supplies that welcome cooling and will be more informed when the time comes for system maintenance or repair.
Every home has a cooling load, the amount of cooling required to keep the interior at the temperature its occupants prefer. Characteristics of your home such as size, directional orientation and number of windows, as well as local climate, will determine the cooling load. Decreasing the cooling load will also decrease the amount your air conditioner or heat pump has to work, which will lower your overall energy bills. Here are some ways to get a lower cooling load:
Improving the efficiency of your home cooling will not only make you and your family more comfortable, it will also reduce your monthly energy bills. Using a ceiling fan in combination with your air conditioner creates a home comfort system that is much more effective than either fan or air conditioner working alone.
If you've been considering buying a heat pump for your home heating and cooling needs, you've probably already found out how efficient these systems can be. As heat pump technology improves, new features get added to these systems. Here are some of the advanced functions and features you can look for when choosing among available heap pumps.
Installing a geothermal heat pump in your home is a high-quality investment in energy efficiency. For homeowners who want to make the switch to geothermal heating and cooling, there are substantial energy tax credits available from the federal government to help fund the purchase of a geothermal system.
When you shut off your appliances, electronics or other energy-consuming devices, you might think they're no longer using power. Turning off lights and equipment you aren't using is definitely a good energy-conservation measure, but even when switched off, if they're plugged in, computers, televisions, refrigerators and other electric devices are still consuming a small bit of energy, known as standby power.
Air conditioners are sturdy pieces of equipment designed to provide years of reliable service. Over time, your air conditioner can develop problems that cause it to malfunction or fail to operate. Here are four of the more common issues that can shut down your air conditioning system:
Keeping your air conditioner safe from theft and tampering is an ongoing concern, especially for homeowners with large outdoor cooling units. Copper and valuable metal has often been stolen from cooling systems, but current trends suggest a new target for thieves: the refrigerant in the system.
Preventive maintenance plans have numerous benefits. Foremost, you don't have to worry about scheduling annual maintenance, your heating and cooling system will operate more efficiently, and your warranty won't be voided due to lack of maintenance. You also get the peace of mind that your equipment is operating properly and safely. In addition, regular maintenance lengthens equipment life, so your small investment today will help protect your larger investment in the long run.
If you had high energy costs last summer, they may be even higher this year, especially if you didn't 
With our warm spring, you've probably already turned on your air conditioner this year. Did it perform as well as you expected it to? If not, it may be time to repair or replace your old equipment. Buying a new air conditioner is certainly a big investment, so you want to make sure you get the most from your existing system. However, that old air conditioner could be costing you more money than you know. Ask yourself the following questions when deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner:
A lot of factors go into the decision to purchase home comfort equipment and select a provider to install it; HVAC warranties should be on your list of features to compare. Most HVAC equipment manufacturers have a warranty policy, but they are not all the same. HVAC contractors may also offer a separate warranty program, but not all companies do this, so if it's important to you, be sure to ask your contractor what type of warranty they offer and what equipment it includes.
Whether you upgrade to a high-efficiency heating and cooling system or invest in 
Purchasing an air conditioner doesn't happen very often, which is one reason it's such a big decision for homeowners. If you have never installed a new cooling system, it helps to start by learning a few A/C basics. Knowing how an 
You have a lot of decisions to make when upgrading your air conditioner. What size should you get? How do you strike the balance between energy efficiency and the initial cost of equipment? What 
When installing a 
Another hot, humid Indiana summer is just around the corner. Is your wallet ready for higher cooling bills? Implementing just a few A/C operating tips can help you improve energy efficiency and control your cooling budget. You don't have to sacrifice comfort to save a few bucks; you just have to be smart about how you run your cooling system.
Maintaining good indoor air quality is important for your family's health, especially if you have a tightly sealed home. 
In many homes, the thermostat can become a miniature, wall-mounted battlefield. One person will turn the temperature up, and minutes later a spouse or sibling will turn the temperature down – causing your HVAC system to work overtime, while leaving nobody truly comfortable.
