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!

5 Tips for Reducing Airborne Allergens In Your Home

As the weather heats up, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens become more abundant in the air. Although these pollutants typically originate outdoors, they drift into homes or hitchhike on things like our clothes and bags. While taking prescribed medication can provide much-needed relief from allergic symptoms, there are also steps you can take to lower the concentration of allergies in your home.

HOW TO REDUCE ALLERGENS IN YOUR HOME

Use these tips to breathe easier at home this allergy season!

1. Upgrade your HVAC system’s air filter.

The higher your air filter’s efficiency rating is, the more effectively it will capture airborne particles. If you’re currently using a MERV 7 filter, consider upgrading to a MERV 11 or 13. Although these filters typically cost more, they do a much better job at filtering out tiny particles like pollen, and the rating isn’t so high that it will impede airflow through your system.

2. Take off your shoes at the front door.

We can bring all sorts of things into our homes on our shoes: dirt, dust, pollen, and lots of germs. Avoid this problem by taking your shoes off at your front or back door and placing them on a shoe rack in your entryway.

3. Replace carpeting with hard flooring.

Carpeting can harbor a lot of dust, dander, and other allergens, and every time you walk across it, those particles can get stirred up into the air. Wherever possible, replace your carpeting with materials that are easier to deep clean, like wood or vinyl.

4. Wash or dry your bedding in warm temperatures weekly.

Dust mites are a common allergen in comforters, sheets, and pillowcases, and unfortunately, cold water won’t get rid of them. To remove dust mites, you need to wash your bedding in water that’s at least 130°F or dry your bedding at 130°F if washing it in hot water will damage it.

5. Declutter and dust often.

The more clutter your home has, the harder it is to keep clean and dust-free. When you are dusting, don’t forget often-neglected areas such as:

Air vent and exhaust fan registers
Window treatments
Lampshades
Areas underneath furniture
Ceiling fans
Houseplants

Still feeling sneezy? At Bounds Heating & Air, we offer top-of-the-line indoor air quality solutions throughout Gainesville, including whole-home air purifiers and UV lamps. Contact us online or give us a call at (352) 472-2761 to learn more about how we can help you.

Infographic: HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners

The hair from your dog or cat can really impact the ability of your HVAC system to run properly and efficiently. Learn how to manage HVAC in a pet-friendly home.

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.

Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips

The fall season is approaching, and that means colder weather ahead. Even if it isn’t snowing, drastic temperature changes will affect your home. That means you need your HVAC unit to be in the best condition. As trained experts in HVAC units, we’ve come up with key tips for proper HVAC maintenance during this season.

Inspect Air Filters

Air filters are responsible for keeping dust out of your HVAC unit. They are why you can enjoy warm air with none of the pollutants. Over time, it will accumulate into a dirty blockade. Be ready to inspect and clean your filter. You might also need a backup, in case it needs to be replaced.

Check the Insulation

Proper insulation in the walls and roof keep the temperature stable. The last thing you want is for cold air to interrupt your sleep. That’s why you need to re-examine the insulation. With the right amount, you can avoid the need for future HVAC repair.

Clean the Vents and Grilles

During the fall season, leaves and dirt can create a solid wall of debris around the vents and grilles of your HVAC units. Make sure you inspect all the components before cleaning it. This way, you can make sure if there are blockages, and know how to clean them out properly. This can also lead to the discovery of other issues with the unit.

Get a Proper Inspection

The best way to prepare for the fall is to get an expert opinion. At Bounds Heating and Air, we can inspect your units and ascertain their current condition. We also provide professional air conditioning repair, in case the HVAC system is damaged.

With our help, you can get the best air quality and temperature in your home. Call us at 352-472-2761 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We serve many areas in Florida, including Lake City.

Stay Cool in Hot Weather With These HVAC Tips

The month of July saw news outlets report on temperatures reaching all-time highs in various locations around the world, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, for instance, a massive and intense heat dome has been hovering over two-thirds of the area comprising the eastern United States and southeast Canada. The heat, coupled with humidity, is too much for residents of these areas to bear.

Now that it is exceptionally hot this time of the year, it is imperative that you and your family members ensure indoor comfort. Certainly, you’ll be keeping your HVAC unit on high levels more than usual, but it pays to keep it from damages that may potentially occur when it’s overused. Indeed, HVAC maintenance is an important step to help the system run as smoothly as possible.

Inspection

Before it could get worse, make it a point to inspect your HVAC system for any problems that it may have. Debris clogging the outdoor unit or leaks in the system can spell disaster. Seeking the help of qualified professionals who can work on it and develop a scheduled preventive maintenance plan for your system is important in this regard.

Smart Thermostat

While HVAC repairs are possible, there are other ways you can do to keep your system efficient. You can install a smart thermostat, which effectively and intelligently controls cooling whenever you are indoors. Such a device can help you save about 10 percent a year on costs. You can also clean the filters in your system to ensure smooth airflow and prevent it from working too hard.

Seasoned HVAC Company

For the optimum health of your HVAC system, turn to Bounds Heating & Air. You can rely on us for installations, maintenance, and repairs of your cooling systems. When the summer heat is too much for you and your family members to bear, remember that we are a call away from providing you the best service you deserve.

Call (352) 278-9123 for more information about our HVAC services, including air conditioning repair. You may also fill out our contact form to schedule a repair or installation with us. We serve residents across Florida, particularly Gainesville, FL homeowners.

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.

Category: Tips