Welcome to Class is in Session!

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:52:00 -0500

Our business provides annual checkups on air-conditioning and refrigeration systems as part of a preventive maintenance program. However, preventive maintenance is a year-round necessity to maximize energy savings. Class is in Session is a learning tool that home, business and automobile owners can access to learn the preventive maintenance they can do to keep their repair costs at a minimum and extend the life of their equipment in between checkups.

Utilize these tips to maximize energy efficiency.

Change or clean the furnace filter once a month. This is especially
important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate.
Clean the outside compressor by spraying it with a hose.
Keep landscaping plants at least one foot from the air-conditioner
on all sides to allow for adequate airflow.
Keep furniture and drapery away from registers.
Vacuum air vents and registers regularly.
Have your ductwork professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.
During the winter, keep the compressor covered and remove window units

Also, while working around your air conditioner, always shut off the power at the service panel before you start.

Take Advantage of Green Technology

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:02:00 -0500

Trying to be more Green? Here are some great tips...

Install a water filter at the tap. By installing a $50 faucet water filter, you and your family can enjoy the benefit of better-tasting water without the expense of buying bottled water (which costs anywhere from 240 to 10,000 times more per gallon than tap water!). Plus, you'll be helping to reduce the stress on our environment from plastic waste, as well as saving on the energy used to make and distribute bottled water.
Look for ENERGY STAR?labeled products. The international standard for consumer products makes it easy to shop for energy-efficient appliances. ENERGY STAR appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than nonqualified models.
Invest in efficient lightbulbs. One of the easiest and most profitable green technology investments you can make right now is to replace any existing incandescent lights with highly efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs, or CFL bulbs. CFLs can save $100 a year on energy bills and last 10 times longer than incandescents. The increasingly popular light-emitting diode (LED) lamps offer another alternative to conventional incandescents. LEDs are more expensive than CFLs and aren't appropriate for all lighting needs, but they last 5 times longer than CFLs and are more energy efficient than both traditional bulbs and CFLs.
Install an energy-use monitor. Measure energy consumption throughout your home, or the consumption of specific appliances, with one of these handy gadgets. Monitors such as the Kill A Watt and the Energy Detective make it easy to find out which appliances are pulling more than their fair share of energy and help guide you toward more efficient habits. The monitors range in price from $40 to $140, and can potentially save you as much as 20 percent on your utility bill.
Go solar. Although expensive and not necessarily appropriate in all parts of the country, solar energy can provide major savings. Photovoltaic panels installed on a home's roof can meet and even exceed that home's energy needs and permit some residents to actually sell energy back to their utility. Alternatively, you can spend less money but still take advantage of the sun's energy by installing smaller solar units to power water heaters, outdoor lights, and small appliances.

For more information and more helpful hints, visit the website below:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/water-health/save-money-go-green.aspx