How Can I Save on My Heating Bills?

Simply put, the biggest savings you can get is from replacing your old equipment with new, more energy efficient equipment and here’s why.

Depending on the type of equipment you choose, heating and air conditioning equipment is two to three times more efficient than a couple of decades ago. What does that mean? Simply by upgrading your equipment, you reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home and at the same time, make you home more comfortable, too.

So What’s this Going to Cost Me?

Upgrading your equipment does require an investment, but it’s less than you might think. The energy savings will offset most of the monthly payments.  Depending upon the age and condition of your existing equipment, you could easily end up with more money in your pocket at the end of the month by upgrading.

You can either pay the utility or you can invest in an upgrade. We all know, the utility company will continue to want more and more money, with nothing tangible to show for it.  By upgrading your equipment, you will improve your home’s comfort and continue saving long after the equipment is paid off.

Other Than New Equipment, What Else Can I Do?

There are four basic steps to help keep your heating costs down. The main points include:

• Air filtration
• Annual Maintenance
• Humidification, and
• Upgraded equipment

If you want to find out how much you can save, call Emerald Heating and Cooling at 716-681-0100.  We will set up an appointment at your convenience and provide a complimentary analysis of your home’s comfort system.

This is your last chance.  The National Fuel Conservation Incentive Program, which offers residential and small non-residential customers money-saving rebates, ends tomorrow,  November 30, 2010.

If you have been thinking about purchasing an Energy Star rated programmable thermostat or replacing specific appliances with new, energy-efficient models, our Buffalo heating experts can help you. 

Act now and save. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these new units can pay for themselves.

Emerald Heating and Cooling wants to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

With the weather forecast predicting lake effect snow, we wanted to remind you that your home does not have to be cool and drafty this winter – no matter how cold it gets.  There are a number of steps you can take to keep your home more comfortable this winter and Buffalo heating ready!

Start with a full-system inspection. Ask us to examine your entire heating system, including your furnace or heat pump plus duct work, registers, and insulation.

Use your fireplace carefully. When you’re not using the fireplace, keep the chimney damper tightly closed.  Leaving the damper open is like leaving a small window open.  It lets your precious heated air slip quietly up the chimney.

Plant more pine trees.  Plant pine trees, cedar trees and other evergreens on the north and west sides of your house.  Since they do not have leaves to lose in the autumn, evergreens help block cold winds all winter long.

Plug those plugs.  Electrical outlets on outside walls can allow cold winter aid into your house.  Seal them off with easy-to-install insulating kits available at most hardware and home-supply stores.  Also, seal and insulate around attic doors, vents, water pipes and other openings.

Close the door.  Keep your outside doors closed, or at least try to minimize the number of times the doors are opened and closed.  Each time you open a door, warm air rushes out and cold air blows in.

Step up to a two-stage gas furnace. Most furnaces have one speed – full blast, even on mild days when you need just a little heat.  However, some newer furnaces use a two-stage ignition system that provides just the right amount of heating output to achieve maximum comfort.  They operate on a lower heating output setting most of the time, then power up to full capacity when the weather turns really cold.  The result is smoother, more even heating throughout your home.