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

Thermostat Tips and Tricks for Lower Energy Bills in 2022

The past few years have been difficult, but the new year offers opportunities to turn that around! So in the spirit of making 2022 as excellent as possible, the experts at Bounds Heating & Air have curated this list of tips and tricks to ensure you can save some extra money this year.

Tips and Tricks

Use the Optimal Settings

One excellent way to keep your energy bill low in the new year is by optimizing your thermostat’s settings so that your HVAC system doesn’t have to work too hard during the hot and cold seasons.

Summer Settings

While it is tempting to crank the air conditioner during a hot Florida summer, you can keep a little extra cash in your pocket by setting your home’s cooling system to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you are home. If you and your family will be away from home for more than four hours or more, you can save even more by increasing your home’s temperature to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. While these settings won’t offer the same reprieve from the heat, they will still keep your home comfortable and your wallet fat.

Winter Settings

Florida’s moderate winters are not nearly as taxing on your HVAC system as the summer months, but you can still find some savings once the temperatures begin to cool. By setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime, you can reduce the energy consumption of your heating unit, saving you some extra money this winter.

If you can’t stand the cold, try slowly dropping your settings one degree at a time, this should allow you to acclimate to colder temperatures while still reaping the money-saving benefits.

Turn the Temperature Down When You Aren’t Home

If you often leave home without adjusting your thermostat, you are leaving potential savings on the table. If you are going to be away from your house for more than 4 hours or are going to sleep, you should consider dropping your settings. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat down by 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours a day can reduce your energy bill by as much as 15 percent annually.

Install a Smart Thermostat

If you often forget to adjust your thermostat’s temperature or find it to be a tedious task, a smart thermostat can be a worthwhile investment. Modern thermostats like the Nest learning thermostat can learn your schedule and save you money by automatically changing to a more energy-efficient temperature when you’re not home. According to a white paper from Nest, people saved an average of $131 to $145 a year by installing their learning thermostat.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a smart thermometer, the expert technicians at Bounds Heating & Air have you covered! Contact us online or give us a call at (352) 472-2761 to get your installation scheduled today!

6 Pro Tips for Troubleshooting Your Heater

While Florida’s winter is relatively moderate, it is still nice to have your heat available when you want it. Finding that your heater isn’t working well (or not running altogether) can be stressful, but you may not need to call an HVAC technician just yet.

First, try some of these tips to troubleshoot what may be happening — then give the pros at Bounds Heating & Air a call:

HEATER NOT WORKING

There can be a litany of reasons behind why your heater isn’t running, and not all necessitate you hiring a professional to handle the issue.

Check the Thermostat

The first move you should make is to check your thermostat. While you may assume that your thermostat’s settings are what they’re supposed to be, you should still make sure it is set to “heat.” For the heater to switch on, the temperature on your thermostat may need to be at least five degrees above room temperature.

Also, check to see if your thermostat is set to “auto” versus “on.” If it’s set to “auto,” the heater should start up automatically when your home’s temperature drops a few degrees below the temperature specified on the thermostat. If your thermostat is set to “on,” then your system’s fan will continue circulating air even if your heater isn’t heating it. This setting can make it feel like cold or room temperature air is coming from your air vents, so you may want to switch to “auto.”

It’s best to make sure your settings are correct to avoid the embarrassment of hiring a technician only to find out nothing was wrong.

Check the Circuit Breaker

If your thermostat settings are fine, you should check your home’s breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls your heater’s indoor unit. If you own a heat pump, also check the circuit associated with the outdoor unit. If you find that the breaker has been set to the “Off” position, or it’s in the middle, you should test your breaker by flipping it back and forth. After flipping the breaker, make sure that it is placed in the “On” position.

Flipping the switch will restart the circuit that controls the heater’s indoor unit. If it’s still not working despite resetting your circuit breaker, you might have an issue with the wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself. In that case, it’s better to hire an experienced professional to fix your problem.

Check the Furnace Door

As a safety precaution, some furnaces won’t run unless their door is closed securely. Double-check that the door is in place by opening it and firmly shutting it.

HEATER STRUGGLING TO WARM YOUR HOME

If you turned your heating system back on for the winter and found it struggling to warm your home effectively, the problem may not be as severe as you might think.

Replace Your Clogged Filter

If your furnace is struggling to produce the usual amount of heat, this could signify that your furnace’s filter is clogged. This common maintenance chore is a relatively easy fix and is an excellent way to improve your air quality.

Air filters typically last for up to 90 days, but heavy HVAC system use can clog a filter in as little as 30 to 60 days. Replace the filter with a new one but make sure your filter is pointed in the right direction because that could hurt its effectiveness.

Clear and Clean the Space Around Your Furnace

Did you know that heaters require proper airflow and ventilation to function well? If your heater isn’t working well, you might need to declutter and clean the surrounding area.

If the area around your furnace is surrounded by objects, it can hurt how effectively your home is heated. Not only can clutter around your furnace affect your heating, but it also represents a potential fire hazard.

Regularly cleaning the area surrounding your heater is a great way to maintain its health while removing the flammable items from the site. Dust and lint also pose a fire hazard and can cause clogs sooner than usual, which requires you to replace your filter more often.

Check Your Vents

Blocked vents could be hurting the heat flow in your home. It would be best if you walked through your home, checking all your ducts to make sure that they’re unblocked. You should remove any piece of furniture or debris blocking the openings of your vents to allow the heat to flow freely throughout your home.

If all your attempts to troubleshoot your heating system fail, call (352) 472-2761 to have the experienced professionals at Bounds Heating & Air handle all your HVAC issues.

Use Your Thermostat to Make Your Home Cozy

Depending on the weather, the air temperature inside your house can mean the difference between a home that’s warm and cozy and one in which it feels like you’re roasting in an oven. On the other hand, let it get too cold and it can feel like you’re in a walk-in freezer. The solution to this is, of course, the trusty thermostat, which is what your HVAC maintenance pros at Bounds Heating and Air discuss in this blog post.

The modern, high-tech thermostats available today make it easy to cozy up your home in an instant. With multiple temperature settings for different times of the day, programmable thermostats such as these eliminate the need to be hands-on in adjusting the thermostat yourself every time it gets a little too cold or too hot throughout the day.

Smart Thermostats

With the advent of smarter and more modern technology, you have the capability of adjusting your smart thermostat without having to physically be in your home. For instance, if you were on vacation and were to suddenly remember that you forgot to fix the thermostat temperature to avoid using up unnecessary energy, you could quickly adjust the settings using your smartphone. These types of thermostats can be installed by air conditioning repair companies.

The Cost of Smart Thermostats

Such modern technology doesn’t come cheap, so be forewarned when choosing your smart thermostat. They may be convenient, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t pricey to buy or maintain. On the bright side, however, smart thermostats can really help you save on your energy bills, and if you get a good brand that’s correctly installed by professionals, it’s not likely to need too much maintenance.

To learn more about our HVAC repair services, contact Bounds Heating & Air at 352-472-2761. You can also choose to fill out our contact form. We serve Newberry, FL, and other nearby Florida areas.

Can Heating Costs Be Lowered During a Florida Winter?

Freezing temperatures are virtually unheard of in Florida. West Palm Beach once experienced half an inch of snow in 1977, but it had already disappeared by the time afternoon rolled around. Regardless, the start of the winter season still brings with it a slight chill, and most homeowners in Florida begin revving up their furnaces in response.

While most homeowners don’t expect huge heating bills during these colder months, it still pays to learn a few tips on how to keep your energy bills to a minimum and your HVAC units running at peak efficiency. Our HVAC repair and maintenance experts at Bounds Heating & Air offer some practical advice on how to reduce heating costs while still enjoying a Floridian “winter”.

Programmable Thermostats

According to the Department of Energy, for every degree your thermostat is lowered (or raised in summer) for 8 hours, you can save up to 1% on annual heating costs. This means that setting your thermostat a few clicks below the desired temperature while you’re asleep or away from home can translate to hundreds of dollars in long-term savings.

Of course, this is all well and good on paper, but in our experience as HVAC maintenance providers, many homeowners admit to neglecting their thermostat settings most of the time. This is where programmable thermostats come into play. The ability of a thermostat to automatically change temperature settings has proven invaluable in lowering monthly heating bills for homeowners.

Clean Vents

Dust and debris are the usual suspects for clogging up vents and ducts in your HVAC system. Regularly keeping these components of your HVAC system clear of obstructions helps keep the air circulating freely and continually, allowing your vents to provide adequate heating without running into problems.

Using Windows

During the day, utilize your windows to help heat your home naturally. Opening blinds and curtains will let sunlight in and allow the natural heat from the sun’s rays to warm up your home. The colder outside temperature will have little effect on your own heating, and on some days you can actually forego turning on your furnace. The reverse is true for summer when air conditioning repair and use is more common. This is when you want to keep windows shut and covered, relying on your home’s insulation to help maintain a cooler indoor temperature level for as long as possible.

This winter, turn to Bounds Heating & Air for all your heating needs. We’re the number one provider of HVAC products, repair, and maintenance. Give us a call at 352-472-2761 or fill out our contact form. We serve residents of Alachua, FL, and nearby areas in Florida.

Tips for Achieving a Cozy Home This Winter

Now that cooler weather has arrived and you’re going to be using your HVAC system more often, it will come as no surprise to see your energy bills start to go up over the next few months. This is not something any homeowner looks forward to, but fortunately, there are ways to achieve a cozy home while saving money and decreasing your dependence on your heating system.

The HVAC maintenance pros of Bounds Heating & Air discuss three of them.

Open the Curtains

An inexpensive way to warm the indoors is to utilize your windows. Switch out your light summer window coverings for heavier drapes or curtains, and draw them open when the sun is up to maximize the natural light and warmth entering your home. When night falls, close them to keep in the heat. The thermal insulating qualities of the windows themselves should help to retain the heat that was gained and keep cool air out. This only works, however, if your windows are in good condition, showing no signs of drafts or condensation.

Clear the Areas Around Your Vents

Keep the vents in your home free from all obstructions to ensure the warm air isn’t blocked as it comes out. If you have furniture situated over the air vents, move it away and rearrange it elsewhere, at least while the cold weather remains. Your HVAC repair pros recommend this to prevent any issues with air pressure, which may cause the whole system to work inefficiently, leading to a sudden malfunction.

Replace Your Thermostat With a Programmable One

Adjusting the temperature on your thermostat multiple times a day doesn’t help your HVAC system achieve peak performance and efficiency. Consider replacing your manually-operated thermostat with a programmable one to help ramp up energy savings whenever you use your heating system. Once you configure it to your desired temperature settings for certain times of the day or days of the week, it will adjust the temperature of your home accordingly.

Turn to Bounds Heating & Air for all your HVAC needs. We provide air conditioning repair, heating installations, and preventive maintenance, as well as offer products such as thermostats and a variety of HVAC systems. Learn more by calling 352-472-2761. You may also fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation quote or to schedule a service appointment. Our Florida service areas include Newberry.

A Brief History of Thermostats

A key component of HVAC maintenance is the thermostat. It controls how much the temperature of each home should be. Essential to keeping you cool (or warm), thermostats are often overlooked. To honor this revolutionary tool, we take a careful look at its history.

Invention: 1830

Back when people had to rely on their senses, regulating temperature was troublesome. Many had to rely on fireplaces and furnaces to warm themselves up. The problem was that it required a lot of physical effort, not to mention resources like firewood and coal.

Things changed in 1830 when a Scottish chemist named Andrew Ure patented the thermostat. He was made of bi-metallic materials and would bend according to the temperature. While it was a remarkable invention, it was considered hardly useful. This resulted in a long wait before it could become important to HVAC repair.

Rise to Popularity: 1883

The thermostat’s popularity rose once the American inventor Warren Johnson stepped in. Unhappy with the cold, he invented an electric thermostat. While it couldn’t directly change the temperature, it was used to signal janitors. This way, he could ask them to adjust the furnace without leaving the room.

Innovation: 1885

Two years later, a Swiss inventor named Albert Butz radically changed the use of thermostats. Ure’s could only detect temperature changes, while Johnson’s could only use it as a signal. Butz went a step further, by letting him adjust it on command.

His device was connected to a pulley system, which allowed one to open and close the furnace door. It was a rudimentary design, the first-ever operational thermostat. Since then, many homes have enjoyed a more advanced form.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we can help you monitor and regulate your own thermostats. We provide professional air conditioning repair and install different products for your HVAC system. This includes heaters, humidifiers, and cooling systems.

Call us at 352-472-2761 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We serve many areas in Florida, including Alachua, FL.

3 Reasons You Need a Smart Thermostat

If it’s been a while since you’ve upgraded your home’s thermostat, you’re missing out on all a smart thermostat has to offer. Whether it’s the perfect temperature at the touch of a button, lower energy bills, or reduced energy consumption, these state-of-the-art smart thermostats have it all. Here are a few reasons to consider one of these devices for your Gainesville, Florida, home.

Modernized Features

One of the most convenient features of today’s thermostats is that many works with WiFi, meaning that you can control temperature and humidity remotely simply by using an app. This allows you to adjust the temperature so that it’s perfect when you get home from work or vacation. In addition, many have room-to-room control, allowing you to set a comfortable temperature in one room while saving money in unoccupied areas.

Save On Energy Bills

The summer and winter months can wreak havoc on your energy bills, especially as you try to find the best way to keep comfortable despite fluctuating or extreme temperatures. Smart thermostats solve this problem by allowing you to program temperatures in advance and make adjustments when necessary. Using a simple interface, you can set the temperature at an economical temperature when you’re at work or on the go, as well as when you’re at home. This capability allows you to maximize comfort and still save energy. At the end of the month, you’ll get to see how much money you saved with this convenient and efficient technology.

Other Considerations

Not only will a smart thermostat offer more comfort and savings, but it also gives you plenty of handy features. Some of these include an air filter change reminder, stylish looks, energy usage tracking, customizable faceplates, and system diagnostics. With these assets, these modern thermostats easily surpass traditionally thermostats with regard to usefulness and functionality.

Bounds Heating & Air carries an impressive stock of user-friendly smart thermostats. Once you decide which thermostat is right for you, we also provide professional installation services. Call the expert technicians at Bounds Heating & Air today at 352-472-2761. We look forward to satisfying your air conditioning needs.

Moving Your Thermostat Could Increase Your Home Comfort

If your thermostat is positioned incorrectly, you could be leaving money on the table. Certain conditions can cause your thermostat to malfunction, in which case your HVAC system will consume energy unnecessarily. To maximize the performance of the air conditioning system in your Gainesville home, the condition, use, and location of your thermostat are very important.

Your Thermostat Sits Opposite a Window

Windows are a major source of heat gain, and this could impact your thermostat if you’ve positioned it across from a window. As solar energy streams in during the heat of the day, it will trick your thermostat into believing that your home is warmer than it actually is. This could reduce your furnace’s effectiveness as it might not cycle on as it should.

Your Thermostat Is Next to an HVAC Vent

Your HVAC vents deliver warm or cool air to your home, depending on the season. Move your thermostat away from these vents because it will sense the air coming through and communicate with your HVAC system accordingly.

Your Thermostat Is Located in the Kitchen

The kitchen produces more heat than any other room in the house. Whether you are baking a casserole in the oven or heating up a pot of soup on the stove, you don’t want your thermostat to sense that heat. Moving it into a cooler room will make it more effective.

Your Thermostat Is on an Exterior Wall

Exterior walls can absorb heat from outside. Interior walls offer the best placement options for thermostats because they more accurately reflect the actual temperature inside your home.

An Object Gets in the Way of Your Thermostat

Don’t let objects block your thermostat’s access to the rest of your space. Curtains, bookshelves, furniture, artwork, and decor can all reduce your thermostat’s effectiveness. Keep it on an open wall with nothing blocking the face of the thermostat.

Never attempt to move your thermostat yourself. You might accidentally cause damage to its electrical system. Instead, hire a professional HVAC technician to handle the job. For thermostat assistance and preventative HVAC maintenance, contact Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. at 352-472-2761

Upgrading a Thermostat: Time to Replace That Manual Model

Upgrading a thermostat may seem like something that only needs to be done when the old one goes bad. However, anybody with an old mercury-filled thermostat should upgrade regardless of its condition or age. Those manual types lose precision over time, which means your HVAC system will begin to become less efficient as the thermostat wears out. But you can improve the comfort of your home just by upgrading a thermostat to a modern programmable model.

Programmable Thermostats Are the Way to Go

Since a programmable thermostat is all electronic, it should never lose its precision. That means your HVAC system will be as efficient as possible when it’s called on to either cool or heat your home. Plus, a programmable thermostat can be set to adjust temperatures whenever you choose, giving you total control of the exact times and degrees of heating or cooling your living space.

For example, during the day when everyone is at work or school, you don’t have to keep the interior space at a comfortable temperature. Depending on the season, you can set it for 5-10 degrees lower or higher, which saves energy that would be wasted heating or cooling a space that isn’t occupied. Those savings alone can equate to between 10 and 30 percent on your energy bill, depending on the time of year. You also can program energy-saving settings for when you’re asleep or on vacation.

Easy Hook-Up

The HVAC industry uses wires that are all color-coded, making do-it-yourself upgrading to a programmable thermostat relatively simple for a DIY-er. Every programmable thermostat should have this color coding located at the connection points inside of the unit.

Using the diagram provided with each programmable unit, simply connect the color-coded wires to the connectors that are labeled with letters, like “G” for green, “Y” for yellow, “R” for red, and so on. This simplicity makes changing to a programmable thermostat an easy project for virtually any DIY-adept person.

With more than 20 years of experience providing heating and cooling in the Gainesville area, Bounds Heating and Air is here to help you. Contact us today with any questions or concerns.

Category: Thermostats