Energy Savings

Did you know that as much as half of your energy consumption goes towards heating and cooling? There is a lot of potential for energy and financial savings within your HVAC system. Powell and Turner has a variety of recommendations for home owners and small business to save money and care for the environment through our seven Energy Savings strategies.  Let us help you "go green" with these great tips!

Strategy #1: Replace Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment. If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old, then replacing your equipment with a more energy efficient system could reduce your energy consumption by as much as 30%! That could mean big savings for your family's budget or your business! Powell and Turner sells a variety of HVAC units that have an ENERGY STAR rating. In fact, we have access to the most energy efficient technologies available. Our estimates can include an energy savings calculator upon request, so that you will understand the energy savings potential of all of the equipment that we install. Call us for more detail!  Attention!! Right now, BGE is offering a rebate and the Federal Government is offering a tax credit to residential customers who replace inefficient equipment with newer, Energy Star rated models. These incentives, combined with your projected savings on energy bills, could mean your new system pays for itself in a couple of years.*

Strategy #2: Take Control by Installing a Zoning System Many homes can save energy in energy costs by adding a Zoning system. A Zoning system allows     you to individually regulate the temperatures on the different floors or larger rooms of your home using separate thermostats. You can save energy by lowering or turning off the thermostat in rooms or floors that you don't use regularly such as attics and basements. Two-story homes often have an 8-12 degree difference in temperature between upstairs and downstairs. Most ranch-style homes have an 8-12 degree difference in temperature between one end of the home and the other.** Also, uneven heating and cooling can occur in rooms with fireplaces, ovens, large windows, vaulted ceilings or other temperature effecting circumstances. Zoning gives you complete control and eliminates these hot or cool spots in your home.

• Zoning often does not require upgrading or purchasing new HVAC units. Dampers and panels are installed in your duct work, which divides your home into the zones that you custom design. You can choose anywhere from 2 zones to 32 zones based on your needs. However, most homes benefit the most by being divided into 2, 3, or 4 equal parts. We will give you an estimate on installing a Zoning system for free. If you would like more information, we recommend reading this brochure from Honeywell Zoning. **

Strategy #3: Protect and Extend the Life of Your Electronics with PowerwoRx™

• Does your home have several expensive, high-tech devices such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, computers, televisions, jacuzzis, swimming pool filtration systems, and well pumps? These high tech devices, along with your HVAC units, can be damaged by power surges as well as spikes caused by lightning strikes internal wiring problems, loose connections and fluctuating demand from large motors such as vacuum cleaners, heating and cooling equipment, etc. PowerWoRx™ acts as a whole-house electrical surge protector. In fact, if your appliances are damaged by a power surge, the PowerWorRx™ guarantee will replace your equipment up to $25,000.

• PowerWorRx™ extends the life of your high-tech devices by reducing electrical "noise" along with eliminating surges and spikes. This allows the devices to run more efficiently and at lower temperatures, which can significantly extend the life of the motors in your devices.

• PowerWorRx™ also saves electricity by reducing the amount of kilowatts required to run your devices. It optimizes and corrects your homes Power Factor by reducing the amount of power drawn from your utility with the use of specially designed harmonic resistant capacitors. The PowerwoRx™ Power Factor Optimization significantly increases the efficiency of your motors and stores waste energy resulting in decreased demand and usage of electricity from your utility company.
  
  
  

Strategy #4: Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

• Why heat or cool your home when you are not at home? If there are regular periods of time when you and your family are away from your home, then installing a programmable thermostat can save you a significant amount of money. In fact, replacing your standard thermostat with a programmable thermostat is the simplest and cheapest way to reduce your energy costs. You can save up to 33% on heating and cooling bills with this simple upgrade.***

Strategy #5: Optimize the Efficiency of Your Hot Water Heater

• The water in your water heater tank is heated to 140°, but if it's located in your basement or garage, it is surrounded by air that is around 60°- 65°. Place your hand on your current water heater and see if it feels warm to your touch. If it does, you can save money by wrapping it in an insulating blanket. A insulating blanket can save you approximately 10% in energy costs, depending upon the efficiency of your unit. ****

• Save even more money by insulating your Hot Water Pipes. This reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF. You also won't have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or shower head, which helps conserve water. Call Powell and Turner today and let us insulate your Water Heating system.

• Also, you can save money by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10°F reduction in water temperature, you could save 3-5% in energycosts.****

• For optimal savings and efficiency, consider installing a Tankless Water Heater. Tankless Hot Water Heaters can reduce your water heating costs by as much as 50%! Plus, you get an endless supply of hot water that will not run out like the conventional tanks. Powell and Turner has the most efficient models available from Rinnai, and we will give you a free estimate on a Tankless Water Heater installation. For more information on how Tankless Water Heaters operate, please click here, or contact us today!

Strategy #6: Tune-up Your System Every Year with a Maintenance Contract.

According to the EPA, an annual HVAC tune-up and inspection is one of the most important strategies for reducing energy consumption in your HVAC system. Just like a car, even the newest, most efficient HVAC system will decline in performance without regular maintenance from a qualified professional. Just like a tune-up can improve your cars gas mileage, a HVAC tune-up can improve its efficiency. In addition, regular maintenance can extend the life of your system which will save you money on costly repairs in the future. Powell and Turner offers a variety of annual Maintenance Contracts to ensure your system is running at peak performance. Plus, our contracts are the most affordable in the area! We make it easy for you to maintain your HVAC equipment by performing a 10-point inspection and service following the EPA's recommendations, but we don't stop there! We clean coils and lines, make recommendations, adjust refrigerant and change your filter and water pumps as necessary. We will even provide you with additional replacement filters for your convenience upon request. Visit our Maintenance Contract page to find out more.

* Individual savings may vary depending upon the age of current system and efficiency rating of new units.
** Information taken from www.honeywell.com; Powell and Turner is an authorized Honeywell dealer.
*** Savings may vary depending on usage and  weather, must use as directed.
**** Information taken from www.greenandsave.com.