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

5 Smart Ways to Shrink Your Energy Bills This

There are numerous ways to lower your monthly energy bills, but knowing where to start can be a little overwhelming. The smart place to focus for most people are costs associated with heating and cooling. Why? In a typical household, about 33% of the year’s total energy spending goes to heating and cooling costs, accounting for more energy spending than lighting and appliances combined.

Here are five ways to start shrinking your heating and cooling-related energy costs today.

1. Hang Up Energy-Efficient Window Coverings

If some rooms in your home are always much colder or hotter than others, invest in some window treatments that can help even out the temperature, like cellular shades, Roman shades, or thermal curtains. These window treatments act like a layer of insulation that blocks out heat during summer (when you don’t want it) and keeps heat in during winter (when you do want it).

2. Seal Gaps Around Your Doors and Windows

Have you ever wondered why certain rooms or particular places in rooms are so much warmer or cooler than others? The most likely reason is heat loss and gain through air leaks around doors, windows, or both. Take some time this year to weatherseal your windows and exterior doors to lower your energy bills (and help keep the roaches out)!

Pro Tip: If you’re having trouble determining where air leaks are occurring throughout your home, conduct a home energy audit. During a home energy audit, a professional auditor will look at your energy bills, inspect your home’s walls, windows, doors, and insulation, and analyze the main sources of energy loss to help you come up with the best energy-saving solutions to lower your bills.

3. Skip the Heat Settings On Your Clothes Washer and Dishwasher

The last thing we need in our corner of the U.S. is more humidity. Humid air is not only uncomfortable, but it takes longer for your AC to cool. Cut your energy costs year round by washing your laundry in cold water and switching your dishwasher to the no-heat dry cycle. This will reduce the humidity these appliances release into your indoor air.

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to “set it and forget it”–but what if you aren’t sure how best to program the thermostat for the biggest energy savings? That’s where smart thermostats like the Nest come in, with settings and apps that teach you how to program your thermostat to get maximum energy savings. If that sounds too complicated, the Nest can actually program itself after about one week of learning your household routine.

5. Get Your HVAC System Maintained Annually

Without routine maintenance, your heating and cooling system will suffer more and more from problems like dust buildup, loosening parts, and lack of lubrication. This wear and tear takes a toll on the system’s performance, increasing its energy consumption–as well as the chance of it breaking down during periods of heavy use. Repair costs and high energy bills are problems that can cost much more in the long run than routine maintenance appointments.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we provide a wide range of residential HVAC services throughout Gainesville and beyond. Whether it’s preventative maintenance, a repair, or a home energy audit, contact us today online or by phone: (352) 472-2761.

5 Effects of Not Cleaning Your Air Ducts

HVAC maintenance can be a tricky thing to figure out if you’re not familiar with your unit. It’s important to know which parts need cleaning and which ones don’t and to retain the information for the next time your unit needs attention. Unfortunately, when it comes to HVAC maintenance, there’s one particular part of the unit some people make the mistake of overlooking: the air ducts. Whether from ignorance or a lack of desire to do the work–or hire someone else to do it–these individuals often choose to forego cleaning their air ducts entirely.

Prioritizing air duct cleaning is as important as cleaning the rest of your air conditioning unit, not just because of the numerous health hazards that can be brought about by dirty air ducts, but also because of the potential damage dirt and debris can cause. Keeping your air ducts clean is not only beneficial to your health, but it will also save you money by helping you avoid premature maintenance or replacement of your HVAC unit.

Failing to clean your air ducts can wreak havoc on both your health and your home. So what exactly are the problems that can arise due to a lack of HVAC repair and cleaning? At Bounds Heating & Air, we’re prepared to help you learn more about the dangers of poor air duct cleaning.

Indoor Air Pollution – Air ducts become dirty when dirt and debris collect in them over time. Filthy air ducts will negatively affect the air quality in your home or building; failing to get them cleaned will pollute the air and severely decrease the purity of your indoor air.

Sickness – Poor air duct maintenance can easily bring about sickness; not cleaning your air ducts is basically an invitation for viruses to come into your home. Dirty air ducts can also cause asthma and allergies among household members, especially children and the elderly.

Rodents and Insects – It’s no secret that most vermin are drawn to dirt, and failing to clean your air ducts could potentially attract some nasty visitors into your homes such as rats, cockroaches, spiders, and other pests. If your air ducts are dirty, it’s in your best interest to call an air conditioning repair crew to your residence immediately.

Odors – Mold and mildew can form in dirty air ducts. Not only are these health hazards, but they can also bring foul odors into your home.

Broken HVAC – Air ducts become grimy when dirt and debris is allowed to build up in them, and if you don’t get them cleaned the debris could eventually stop the system from functioning entirely. A broken HVAC is expensive to replace, so regular maintenance and a little cleaning could go a long way in preventing this expense.

To learn more about the services of Bounds Heating & Air, contact us at 352-472-2761 or fill out our contact form. We serve Gainesville, FL, and other nearby areas in Florida.

Category: Home Improvement

1. Hang Up Energy-Efficient Window Coverings

2. Seal Gaps Around Your Doors and Windows

3. Skip the Heat Settings On Your Clothes Washer and Dishwasher

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

5. Get Your HVAC System Maintained Annually