Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

3 Ways to Make Your Family More Energy-Conscious

Families in Newberry, Florida, are no stranger to high utility bills, especially during the hot summers. It’s frustrating to pay such high utility bills when small changes could make a big difference. Spend some time making your family more energy-conscious to help the environment and save money.

Discuss Your Utility Bills

Showing your family the utility bills is one way to help them become more energy-conscious. Even your spouse might not realize the cost of wasting energy if you pay the bills every month. You could even challenge your family to help lower the bills next month by implementing small changes in the home. By showing them the tangible results of their actions, they might be more conscious while they are home.

Switch It Off Sundays

Pick a day of the week to switch everything off. Although your family might gripe initially, it could turn into a fun way to spend time together instead of staring at screens all day. Try to keep as much electricity turned off during that chosen day. You might grill outside instead of using the stove. Buy board games or cards to fill the time that would be spent in front of the TV. Plan a picnic or head to a park to get some fresh air. You might be surprised how easy it is to switch off the electronics when you make an effort to do it.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

An old-school thermostat makes it easy to swing the temperatures dramatically without thinking twice. Upgrade your thermostat and teach your family how to program it. Keep the temperature lower at night in the winter and provide heavier blankets for your family. Ask your family not to change the thermostat more than two degrees without special permission. A digital, programmable thermostat makes it easier to keep the temperature in your house stable instead of creating large energy-draining swings.

If you are seeing high utility bills, a preventative maintenance agreement or updated system could help. Contact Bounds Heating and Air at 352-472-2761 to speak to an experienced professional today.

3 Types of Geothermal HVAC Systems

Geothermal HVAC systems work like conventional heat pumps, but they transfer heat to or from the ground or water instead of the air. This saves energy since temperatures several feet underground or underwater stay constant all year. While geothermal systems are more expensive to install, they tend to be more efficient, and many parts can last for over a decade. These units can also increase your Gainesville, Florida, home’s value. With that said, some of the most popular types of geothermal heat pumps are closed-loop, vertical, and pond or lake systems.

Closed-Loop Systems

Closed-loop systems circulate water or refrigerant through a closed loop of pipes in the ground or a body of water. A heat exchanger transfers heat between the water or refrigerant and the rest of the system, and the pipes are usually plastic or copper. Other open-loop systems always use water, and they return some of it to the ground or body of water often. Then, groundwater or lakewater refills the pipes, transferring heat quickly.

Vertical Systems

Horizontal geothermal systems use pipes in large trenches 4 to 8 feet deep, while the pipes in vertical systems run through a hole that’s just a few inches wide and hundreds of feet deep. Vertical systems won’t harm landscaping, and they’re more practical for people with small yards. However, they’re usually more expensive to install.

Pond or Lake Loops

If you have a lake or pond on your property, submerging the pipes for your geothermal system in a pond, lake, or water well is often more economical than digging into the ground. Many of these systems also work as water heaters, but they need special filters to keep algae, dirt, and other contaminants from getting into the pipes.

Bounds Heating & Air is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer with more than 20 years of experience. Our skilled technicians can help you install, maintain, and repair a variety of heating and air conditioning equipment. Call us anytime at 352-472-2761 for more information about geothermal HVAC systems.

How to Prepare Your Home Before You Take a Vacation

Before you travel, you should make a few changes to your Gainesville, Florida, home to keep the indoor air quality high and prevent expensive, inconvenient problems. Getting your home ready before you leave will also give you peace of mind, so you can enjoy your trip. Before your next vacation, you should adjust your thermostat, have your HVAC system inspected by a professional, and make your home look occupied.

Adjusting Your Thermostat

When you vacation in spring and summer, you won’t need to keep your home cool, so you can raise the thermostat temperature before you go to save energy. In winter, you should leave your HVAC system on to keep your indoor air quality high and make sure your pipes won’t freeze. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to return your home to a more comfortable temperature shortly before you get back.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

Before heading out, have a professional check your HVAC system for problems. That way, you won’t risk coming home to a breakdown, and you can save money on repairs and utility bills. Add a surge protector to protect your system from power surges and outages. You can also prevent malfunctions, improve efficiency, and keep dust from collecting in your home by changing your system’s air filter.

Making Your Home Look Occupied

Keep your home safe while you’re gone by making it look like someone is there. Take out the trash before you go and have your mail forwarded or ask a neighbor to check it. Keep your lawn green with automatic sprinklers and leave one car parked in the driveway. Save energy while also making your home appear occupied by leaving lights on automatic timers and closing blinds and curtains.

Bounds Heating & Air has more than 20 years of experience. We’re a Carrier factory-authorized dealer, and we can help you install, maintain, and repair your HVAC system. Call us anytime at 3352-472-2761 for expert service.

The Difference an Energy Audit Can Make in Savings and Comfort

Your home should be a refuge where you can kick back and relax in a pleasant environment. If you and your family are uncomfortable despite the high fuel bill you pay each month, your home isn’t the haven you want it to be. Here’s how an energy audit can make a difference in savings and comfort for your home.

Relief from Cold and Hot Spots

Air leaks are a prime source of discomfort for Alachua County homeowners. Leaky doors, windows, and ductwork cause cold spots and overheated rooms. An energy assessment by Bounds Heating & Air pinpoints areas where air enters and exits your home. Fixing these problem areas eliminates air pockets and drafts and makes your family much more comfortable.

Smart Savings

In addition to increasing comfort, assessing your home’s energy efficiency saves you money. First, it identifies the home improvement projects you need to complete, and in what order, to lower your energy bills up to 30 percent. Adding insulation to the crawl space won’t save much on fuel bills if you haven’t first sealed the air leaks in your home’s foundation.

Just as important, an energy audit lets you know what you don’t have to do and helps you avoid unnecessary, costly mistakes. There’s no sense spending money upgrading to a larger HVAC system when your current system will do the job with a little help from home energy improvements. You’ll save in other ways, too:

Eliminating hot and cold spots saves wear and tear on your HVAC unit and extends its lifespan.
It will take less time to heat or cool your home, which means your energy costs will go down.
You can recoup some home improvement costs through tax credits and rebates.

You’ll love the savings you get when you take a whole-home approach to comfort. To learn more about what’s involved in a home energy assessment from Bounds Heating & Air, check out our energy audit page or call 352-472-2761.

3 Winter Allergens to Watch out for Indoors

If you thought allergies weren’t a year-round topic, think again. Although pollen allergies often decrease during winter, you won’t get any relief from indoor allergies. Here are three winter allergens to watch out for in Newberry, Florida — and what you can do about them.

Molds and Mildew

Molds and mildew can be found inside and outside the home and make you sick — even during winter. If there is any water damage in your home — whether, from flooding, roofing or plumbing leaks, molds can thrive. You may also find mold or mildew lurking in poorly-ventilated bathrooms, damp basements, and stored holiday decorations.

To prevent mold growth, make sure your home maintains a humidity level below 50 percent. A UV lamp can keep your HVAC system mold-free, while a whole-home dehumidifier reduces the humidity throughout your entire home. Note too, that a humidity level below 30 percent can lead to problems with dry air.

Pet Dander

For those who suffer from pet allergies, winter can actually make matters worse if your pet spends more time indoors than usual during this season. Vacuuming more often may help, but keep in mind that most people with pet allergies are often allergic to the protein found in pet dander, saliva, and urine. With that in mind, consider upgrading to a vacuum with a HEPA filter that will trap smaller particles in addition to picking up fur.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are another ever-present indoor pollutant. You can minimize their presence, however, by washing your bedding once a week and dusting, sweeping, and mopping often. For even better protection, add a whole-home air purifier to your HVAC system. Check any filters in your home (on vacuums, dehumidifiers, your HVAC system, and so on) often, and change them as needed so that these devices function at their best.

If your family suffers from winter allergies, you may need professional help to improve your indoor air quality. Bounds Heating & Air can help you to find the best solutions for your home, so give us a call today at 352-472-2761.

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