If you're tired of getting higher than expected power bills in the mail each month, consider making a few home updates that will improve energy efficiency and help you keep more of your hard-earned money in the bank. Here are a few effective options to consider:
Replace Your Water Heater
Not only can you cut your water heating costs by about 50 percent depending on where you live, but installing a solar water heater will also reduce your household's carbon footprint because it releases less CO2 emissions than a conventional water heater.
Has your central air conditioner suddenly stopped putting out cold air? Check inside the air handler, which is typically inside your furnace, to see if the evaporator coils are iced over. This icing over is often referred to as the air conditioner "freezing up." Potential causes can vary depending on coexisting conditions, but if the unit seems to freeze up more often when the weather is humid, the problem could be in your refrigerant.
Many people don't see heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units (HVACs) as fire hazards. However, these systems can cause fires if not properly maintained. Here are some of the possible causes of HVAC fire:
Problems with Insulation or Connections
A typical HVAC unit has many electrical parts. Examples include the condenser fan, condenser coil, unit controls, and thermostat, among others. Loose connections or damaged insulation in these parts can lead to electrical fires.
The TPR (Temperature/Pressure Relief) valve usually helps to increase water heater safety by helping to prevent explosions that occur as a result of thermal expansion. It does this by providing an opening through which excess water can escape. This usually reduces the volume of water in the heating system, thus preventing excessive build-up of pressure. Here are some of the things that you should pay attention to when it comes to your water heater's TPR valve.
At some point, the air conditioning in your home is going to break down, especially in the summer when the unit is being used the most. For this reason, you are going to have to make some repairs. However, it's not always easy to tell what types of repairs are needed. Here are four tips to help you repair your air conditioner:
Ice Droplets Can Indicate a Motor Malfunction: At some point, you may notice ice droplets on the hoses of the air conditioning.
