Different Thermostat Settings and What They Mean

July 26, 2021

How your HVAC system works essentially depends on your thermostat settings. The thermostat usually tells your system whether to warm or cool your house. In addition, your thermostat will deactivate the system to attain the desired temperature levels. Understanding the right settings for a certain season will help you save on energy bills while making it so you can enjoy a refreshing homestay. Here are some of the thermostat modes and what they mean. Auto Setting When you set your thermostat to operate on auto mode, you can adjust the working of the compressor and fans. Once your home attains the desired temperature, the system will automatically stop. However, the fans adjust to run for a while to maintain the set temperature levels then stop. This helps you save some money since running the fans will consume less energy. On Mode Your air conditioning system is set to operate continuously to achieve the desired temperature levels in this setting. However, your fans will continue running as the compressor turns off. The fans will help you keep the conditioned air in circulation. This mode consumes considerable energy, though, as the fans run continuously 24/7. Eco Mode Modern HVAC systems have this...

View Article

Read More

How To Keep My Home Cool Without Air Conditioning?

June 21, 2021

If your house doesn’t have an air conditioner, there are steps you can take to cool it down in the summer. Some things you can do are free, while others will require you to spend some money. Use Ceiling Fans A ceiling fan will make the room it’s in feel about 4 degrees cooler. Make sure you set it to rotate counter-clockwise, as that will push the air straight down. Close Blinds and Curtains Sunlight shining through windows can dramatically increase the temperature in your home. Close blinds and curtains during the day to prevent this from happening. Turn on Kitchen and Bathroom Fans The fans in your kitchen and bathroom can pull hot air out of your house and expel it outside. If your kitchen doesn’t have a fan, you can install one if you’re handy with tools. Vent Your Attic Attics can get unbearably hot in the summer. You should have a roof-mounted fan to pull air out of your attic. This will help reduce the temperature in your entire house, not just in your attic. Use Box Fans in Windows You can use box fans in windows to cool your home. Point the fans toward the outside...

View Article

Read More

How Many Watts Does an Air Conditioner Use?

May 15, 2021

Determining how many watts an air conditioner uses per hour can be very helpful if you want to estimate what it will cost to operate it. This is also important if you want to have a backup generator. If you intend to employ your generator to run your air conditioner, you’ll need to know how many watts the AC uses. This measurement will vary depending on the efficiency, age and size of the unit. General Watt Usages Different sizes of AC units obviously have different wattages. Here is a general list of watt usage per hour: Central AC: 3500 watts Central AC with fan only: 750 watts Mid-sized portable AC unit: 2900 watts Large portable AC: up to 4100 watts Small window AC: 500 watts Medium window AC: 900 watts Large window AC: 1440 watts Factors That Determine Actual Power Consumption The actual amount of energy used depends on a number of factors. How often your air conditioner cycles on will affect the power usage and how much you pay. In cooler climates, your air conditioner may only turn on for 15 minutes every hour. A hotter climate will demand a greater power consumption. The efficiency of your unit will...

View Article

Read More

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

April 5, 2021

The average home has bad indoor air quality, according to the EPA. With people spending so much time in their homes because of the pandemic, they’re more exposed than ever to pollutants. There are thankfully many ways to improve the air quality in your home. Clean Your Floors You should vacuum carpets and mop floors at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to ensure what is sucked up doesn’t get blown out in the exhaust. Vacuum high traffic areas several times to remove as much as possible. Control Humidity Mold and dust mites thrive in moisture. You should keep humidity between 30-50% in your home to control these air pollutants. Depending on where you live, you need either a humidifier or dehumidifier. Other ways to reduce humidity include not over-watering plants and fixing any leaky plumbing. in Dayton, OH, can help improve your indoor air quality. We install Carrier bypass humidifiers, which use your furnace blower to bring moisture into your home. This can introduce up to 18 gallons of water vapor per day to your home. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by burning fossil fuels. It is...

View Article

Read More

What is a Variable Air Volume System?

March 18, 2021

The modern construction industry demands extreme comfort and energy efficiency. That is why engineers are continually developing new HVAC units to combat the disadvantages of older models. Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems are a new technology used for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. How Does a Variable Air Volume System Work? The primary variable air volume system comprises a supply duct, which distributes air that is about 550 degrees Fahrenheit when in cooling mode. Since the air supply in these units is constant, the flow rate varies to attain the desired temperatures. VAV boxes have a few simple parts, including the damper and a coil for heating and cooling. They also have zone controllers with built-in actuators to maintain area temperature by regulating the airflow. The damper never closes because you will need some fresh air to enter the area. If your house in the Dayton area experiences an abrupt heat gain and the temperature rises above the desired threshold, the damper opens up to permit more air into the room. It cools the room and forces out all hot air into the return duct. When it’s too hot, the damper opens completely to let in enough cold air. Since...

View Article

Read More

Can Too Much Rain Cause Plumbing Problems?

February 5, 2021

When your area has heavy rain, it can cause many problems. It can do extensive damage to your home’s plumbing system in a few ways, especially if you haven’t taken any precautions. Flooding If you don’t have adequate outdoor drainage, heavy rain can cause flooding. If water doesn’t have a way to drain, it pools in low places. This can easily result in large amounts of water entering your home’s crawlspace or basement. It can also damage your driveway and deck. Shifted Underground Pipes Heavy rain can soften the ground and cause it to shift. Shifting ground can crack underground pipes, especially if they’re old or made of galvanized steel. While modern plumbing systems are durable, heavy rain can still damage them. If your pipes crack, debris like dirt, sticks, and leaves can get into them. Signs this has happened include discoloration and debris in the water coming out of your faucets. You need to turn your water main off and have a plumber perform an emergency repair if this happens. in Dayton, OH, fixes cracked pipes. We have highly experienced plumbers and offer free estimates for plumbing repairs. Sewage Backup Heavy rainfall can negatively impact your sewer line. Debris...

View Article

Read More

What Temperature Should The Thermostat Be Set At During Winter?

January 5, 2021

Who doesn’t enjoy a comfortable home interior temperature during the winter? Making a few adjustments to the thermostat allows for setting the perfect temperature. But what is the right temperature for the winter season? Some may say the answer is a matter of preference, but homeowners should also look at their energy costs and expenditures before choosing a temperature setting. A Recommended Temperature Setting Several different sources suggest a temperature of 68 degrees. This temperature figure refers to a recommended temperature when people are home. Personal preferences often factor into a thermostat and temperature setting, though. Someone in your household may want the temperature to be 71 degrees. While a homeowner has the choice to set a higher temperature, this higher temperature setting could mean higher energy expenses. If 65 degrees or lower provides an appealing climate, why not go with that level? Of course, a furnace has to work efficiently to deliver any temperature setting. Dayton residents could turn to Butler for temperature advice, heating maintenance, and repair service. We also install new heating systems. Lower Temperatures When Away From Home Keeping the temperature too high while no one is home wastes energy. Monthly heating bills may skyrocket. Maintaining...

View Article

Read More

How to Choose A Heating System for Your Home

December 4, 2020

When it comes to heating systems, you have several options. It’s important to get this decision right as heating your home makes up over 40% of your energy bills. You also need to consider the cost of installing the system. Central Heating System Most homes in the United States and Canada have central heating systems. Furnaces are the most common central heating system, although heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. While all heat pumps run on electricity, you can buy electric and gas furnaces. In these systems, warm air is blown through ductwork throughout your home. Gas furnaces are less expensive to operate than electric furnaces, although they cost a bit more to install. Heat pumps are more expensive than furnaces, but they are highly energy efficient. Boiler A boiler is a special-purpose water heater that heats your home. It distributes heated water through pipes and radiators. Heated water flows through your home and returns to the boiler, where it’s reheated. Most use natural gas as their fuel. They tend to be a little more expensive than furnaces. in Dayton, OH, installs furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and air conditioning units. We’re proud to be a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer that...

View Article

Read More

Kill Coronavirus at Home With an Air Purifier

November 20, 2020

There are numerous ways to kill coronavirus in the home and help prevent its associated spread and potential reinfection. One of the best ways to do this is through the regular use of a home air purifier. Air purifiers are effective at capturing COVID-19 as well as many other types of viruses, bacteria, and other unhealthy particulate matter in your indoor air. Air Purifiers Mean Healthy Indoor Air Air purifiers are a proven solution for many types of viruses and bacteria and can achieve a highly effective kill rate of 99.97%. Because of this high efficacy rate, air purifiers are highly recommended by doctors, government health agencies, and all other pros in the know. Not having an air purifier could mean that all viruses and bacteria will remain floating around in your indoor air. Types of Air Purifiers There are many types of air purifiers on the market today. One type is the kind available at most home improvement stores. These portable models can be set on a table or other surface and moved throughout your house. The most effective kinds of air purifiers, however, are whole-house air purifiers that install directly in line with your residence’s current heating and...

View Article

Read More

Tips for Changing Your Furnace Filter

October 21, 2020

The transition into autumn means that it’s time to start thinking about furnace maintenance for your Dayton, OH, area home. Your furnace filter requires a monthly check. Our technicians at offer these tips on how to change your furnace filter so that you can enjoy a comfortable and healthy home this fall and winter. Locate the Filter’s Housing Before changing your furnace filter, turn off the power to the furnace. You can do this at the circuit breaker or with the power switch on the furnace. It’s best to wait for a heating cycle to end before cutting the power. The air filter typically has its own housing. The filter chamber typically has a screw, magnet or clamp holding the housing door shut. You may need a screwdriver to open the housing door. If you’re not sure where the air filter’s housing is located, your furnace’s owner’s manual should show a diagram of where it is. Our technicians can also show you where the filter is during your furnace tune-up. Remove the Old Filter Put on a dust mask before removing the old filter. Jostling the filter could release some dust particles. After opening the housing door, observe the filter’s...

View Article

Read More