Common Heating and Cooling Myths

Posted on: October 26th, 2016 by tcg_admin No Comments

If you are like us, you have probably heard plenty of do it yourself advice when it comes to effectively heating or cooling your space. While some tips are spot on, others are very misleading and can actually end up costing you money in the long term.

Check out these common heating and cooling myths, debunked!

Name: ACTION AIR
Address: 868 Kraft Street, Clarksville, TN, 37040
Telephone: (931) 647-8525

Myth 1: Closing off your vents will save you money on your heating bill.

We really aren’t sure where this folk tale came from, but no, blocking your vents will certainly not save you money. In fact, doing this can throw your system’s natural rhythm out of balance, which could even lead to damaging your heating equipment. The most energy efficient practice is to achieve even heat distribution throughout your home. This requires leaving all vents unobscured.

Myth 2: Leaving a ceiling fan on all the time will cool the room, even when you are not in it.

While the use of ceiling fans can have several benefits, lowering the temperature of a room no one is in is not one of them. Ceiling fans work to circulate the air in the room, which causes your skin to feel cool. While this does make you feel cooler, it does not actually lower the temperature of the room itself. Tricky!

Myth 3: The higher I set my thermostat, the more quickly my room will heat.

Even though it may ease your mind to crank the heat up when you come in from the cold, your furnace will deliver heat at the same rate consistently. The best thing to do is to set your thermostat to the desired temperature and be patient. Setting your thermostat higher than needed actually wastes more energy, because you will likely have to turn the heat down later once your body temperature comes up.

At Action Air, we pride ourselves on offering our customers honest, high quality service. Give us a call at 931-647-8525 today or visit us online to learn more about scheduling a service or routine maintenance appointment. One of our qualified technicians will be glad to address any of your heating & cooling needs!

Source:
Horizon Services Inc.

My cooling bill is out of control!

Posted on: July 12th, 2016 by tcg_admin No Comments

Cooling costs can really burn you in the summer.

Here are some tips to help keep your bill as low as the temperature inside!

As the summer wears on, temperatures continue to rise, especially in the south! Many people are left with the tough choice of picking which one is more comfortable: the state of your bank account, or the temperature inside your home/business. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce cooling costs in the summer. Check out this list of helpful tips!

1. Leave the sun outside

Everyone enjoys the extra hours of sunlight in the summer, but not when the sun’s rays are raising your cooling bill. Keep the sun outside where it belongs by covering your windows with blinds or curtains. This simple trick can help you save big time when cooling your home!

2. Cool down your cooking

Your oven puts off lots of heat! This can really heat up the place, especially in a small space. Opt for meals prepared in a crockpot or microwave in the summer. Try grilling out or even better, try some refreshingly cool and healthy summer salad options!

3. Switch on a fan

Air circulation is key to maintaining low temperatures inside your home or business. Using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner can help accomplish this, while also lowering your cooling costs! Using a ceiling fan can even allow you to raise the temperature on your thermostat a couple of degrees without leaving you uncomfortably warm.

4. Make sure your AC Unit is well maintained

You know what they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Stop AC problems before they start by making sure your hvac unit is properly maintained. Give us a call at Action Air and one of our experienced technicians would be glad to pay you a service visit!

Contact us at our office in Clarksville, TN for help keeping your home or office cool this summer. Schedule an appointment to have an Action Air professional visit you for maintenance and repairs alike. At Action Air we have certified service technicians, qualified installers, and a knowledgeable sales staff. When You Need Action, Call Action Air!

Sources:

US News & World Report

NEA Member Benefits

My AC isn’t cooling like it used to – help!

Posted on: June 15th, 2016 by tcg_admin 1 Comment

When your air conditioning isn’t cooling at its usual rate, it can be frustrating.

As temperatures continue to rise, it is important that your AC do its job by adequately keeping you cool. We all know how hot Tennessee summers can get! If your air conditioning isn’t keeping your home or office as cool as it used to, there are a couple of things that might be going wrong. Below you will find a list of common AC issues and what you can do to check them.

A) Check For Airflow Problems Inside

AC that isn’t running as it should is likely the result of a simple disruption to airflow. The best place to check for this issue is the return. Can you remember the last time you changed your air filters? A clogged filter could be the culprit.

B) Check for Airflow Problems Outside

If all is well inside your home, turn your attention outdoors. Your unit should ideally have about two feet of space around it. Do your best to clear any debris (including tall grass and weeds) that may have accumulated around your HVAC system that may be keeping your unit from functioning properly.

C) Check Your Thermostat Settings

Many thermostats offer both an “auto” and an “on” setting. Depending on which you are used to, accidentally switching the thermostat to a different setting can make it seem as though your AC is not working correctly. The “auto” setting typically turns your blower off and on automatically based on the observed temperature of the room. “On” will allow your fan to run constantly. An “on” setting is typically reserved for spaces with special filtration systems installed as part of their HVAC system.

D) Consider Ductwork Issues

Airflow can also be disrupted by an issue with your ductwork. If your ductwork is bent, cracked, etc. it cannot properly deliver and distribute air into your home, thus keeping it cool. An inspection may be needed to determine any ductwork issues and resolve the problem you are experiencing with your HVAC.

These are just a few of the common reasons that your AC might not be working the way you are accustomed to. If you can’t find the issue, or think something more serious may be going on, contact us at our office in Clarksville, TN. We can set up an appointment to have an Action Air professional visit your home. They will be able to perform routine maintenance in order to keep your system running efficiently and also advise on other areas where your HVAC system may be having an issue. At Action Air we have certified service technicians, qualified installers, and a knowledgeable sales staff. When You Need Action, Call Action Air!

Sources:

Enlighten Me

Cool Today

How can my business become more energy efficient?

Posted on: May 26th, 2016 by tcg_admin No Comments

With hot weather coming, saving on energy costs can be a challenge.

Making a business energy efficient can present challenges that you wouldn’t experience in your home. Most businesses are located in much larger spaces than a typical home. Businesses also have to think about the comfort of a wide range of employees and clients or customers. Not to worry, Action Air has some great advice on keeping everyone comfortable, while reducing your energy use over the summer!

Routine Maintenance

Tune up your HVAC system on a regular basis. This will ensure maximum performance and add years to the life of your equipment.
Change Filters

Change your filters regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.
Treat your Windows

Consider using blinds, awnings, solar film on windows, and natural vegetation to manage heat and light. Let light and heat in during the winter and keep it out during the summer.
Keep Air Moving

Use fans to keep air moving and maintain a comfortable level of humidity.
Plug Leaks

Use weather stripping and caulking to seal any areas where air may be escaping. You will then be able to better manage your ventilation and keep the air that has been cooled (or heated) inside.
Temperature Control

During summer months, adjusting your thermostat up one degree typically can save 2-3% on cooling costs. Adjust thermostats higher when cooling and lower when heating unoccupied areas within a building (e.g. during weekends and non-working hours).
Prevent Thermostat Changes

Consider installing locking devices on thermostats to maintain ideal temperature settings.

If you would like more information, contact us at our office in Clarksville, TN. We can set up an appointment to have an Action Air professional visit your business. They will be able to perform routine maintenance in order to keep your system running efficiently and also advise on more areas for you to save energy. At Action Air we have certified service technicians, qualified installers, and a knowledgeable sales staff. When You Need Action, Call Action Air!

Sources:
SBA
Ambit Energy
SRP

Cabin Fever Can Save You Energy

Posted on: February 29th, 2016 by tcg_admin No Comments

As winter weather drags on, people tend to develop cabin fever.

Knowing that spring is approaching can get you down when you are stuck inside on a dreary winter day. Don’t let the crummy weather get you down! Action Air has some great ideas for projects to keep you busy until warmer days arrive!

1) Keep the heat inside your home:

There are some easy diy projects that you can do to help you keep the heat inside your house. Just a few simple but effective projects are…

Seal Air Leaks With Caulk – Air leaks can waste a lot of your energy dollars. One of the quickest energy and money-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weatherstrip all cracks and large openings to the outside.
Optimize Vents – Close off vents in rooms that are unused or that you don’t go into often. Unblock any vents that are obstructed by furniture. Close the door to rooms you won’t be using.
Switch the Direction of Your Fans – Instead of leaving your ceiling fan dormant during the winter months, you can switch the direction. When you switch from counterclockwise to clockwise, you start moving the hot air that rises back down into your room.

2) Plant an indoor garden:

It may be a while before your garden outside is thriving, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying fresh flowers and beautiful plants. There are indoor-friendly plants for all levels of gardeners, and even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can find a plant that will work for you. We especially love to pick plants that help purify the air inside your home and make your house a greener, happier place!

3) Build a fort:

Let’s be honest, a day at home is not the worst thing that could happen. We suggest gathering all of your pillows and blankets and getting to work. Once you build an epic fort, snuggle up, get a fire going and start a movie to have fun and stay warm! We can’t think of a better way to save energy than that!

If you want to learn more about keeping your house energy efficient you can visit our website, or call us for more information. We’ve been providing the Clarksville area with heating, cooling, sales, and service since 1979. When it comes to any of your air conditioning or heating needs the choice is simple. When you need action, call Action Air.

Should I Use My Gas Fireplace?

Posted on: November 30th, 2015 by tcg_admin No Comments

Gas fireplaces can help efficiently heat your home, so it’s time to fire it up!

There’s nothing better than a roaring fire on a wintry night, except a roaring fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and doesn’t leave the rest of the house freezing cold.

Gas fireplaces have come a long way from anemic blue flames and unconvincing “logs.” These fires now burn more realistically, with glowing red ember flames that caress realistic logs, molded from ceramic.

There are currently 3 types of gas fireplaces available:

Class B Vent (Natural Vent) Fireplaces: This is a conventional gas fireplace. They require a through-the-roof flue, or conventional chimney, to carry away hot combustion gases and typically feature operable doors. These are the least efficient models, but still effective.
Direct-Vent Fireplaces: These are the most popular type of gas fireplace used today. The air to feed the flame enters from the outside and they have an exhaust vent to direct the products of combustion back outdoors. These have a high efficiency; 70 percent of the heat they generate remains in your home.
Vent-Free or Ventless Fireplaces: Air from inside the house is taken into the firebox, where it is used for the fire. The byproducts are then exhausted back into the house. The recycling of air allows ventless fireplaces, which do not need chimneys or an exhaust, to achieve efficiency ratings of more than 99 percent. The gasses that are vented into the house are completely safe and ensure that no warmth is escaping to the outside.

When it comes time to light the fire, there are a few different ways that can happen, depending on your fireplace unit. The easiest is a switch, similar to a light switch, that is installed with your fireplace unit. On some models, there will be a pilot light and an ignition. If you are having trouble starting a fire with your ignition, the pilot light may be out and you will need to relight the pilot light. The safest way to figure out how to light your fireplace is to read the manual at home, or look up a copy of your manual online.

The reasons to use your gas fireplace are numerous. Energy-conscious consumers can use gas fireplaces to optimize their heating efficiency. Utility bills are lower when you turn down the thermostat on a central furnace and use the gas fireplace as a supplemental heat source. Highly efficient gas fireplaces can heat up to 1,000 square feet of living space at low cost.

Call Action Air to set up an appointment, we can help keep your furnace running efficiently and our technicians can help answer all of the questions you have concerning your gas fireplace. They know when to use it, and how to optimize your fireplace’s efficiency. Remember, when you need action call Action Air!

Sources:
New York Times
This Old House
HGTV
Angie’s List

What Type of Furnace is Right for You?

Posted on: September 30th, 2015 by tcg_admin 1 Comment

Your furnace keeps you warm at night and helps you out of bed in the morning.

While being comfortable is important, you should also consider energy efficiency and cost when you are thinking about a new furnace.

So, what are your options when you need a new furnace? At Action Air we have several types of furnaces available. There are many price and efficiency ranges available for you to consider. We are going to compare a few different furnace options that Action Air offers to the Clarksville area, and share a little about how each kind works.

Today’s furnaces pollute less and boost comfort by producing heat more steadily than older furnaces. Although electric and oil furnaces are still available, gas is the most common fuel used in furnaces today and the type of furnace we want to discuss. A forced air furnace utilizes propane or natural gas, and is generally the most efficient and economical method of heating. There are several types of forced air furnaces available and they have various energy ratings.

Single Stage Furnace – This type of furnace is the most common furnace, utilizing a simple operation. There is only one fan speed and the gas flame is either on or off. These furnaces will wait for the temperature in a building to get to the coldest possible setting before firing on. Once the furnace starts, it will fill the house full of heat until the thermostat registers the temperature being the same as its setting. The temperature within a house will vary greatly, which makes this type of furnace the most wasteful in terms of energy. A single stage furnace will also be the loudest during operation. They are, however, the most affordable during the initial investment.
Dual Stage Furnace – The dual stage furnace is more sophisticated than the single stage furnace. Rather than simply being on or off, its flame can be firing at a high setting, low setting, or off. The additional flame setting makes a dramatic difference in energy costs. In addition, a dual stage furnace is much quieter than single stage furnaces. The initial cost will be higher, but the difference will be made up over time because of the increase in energy efficiency.
Modulating Furnace – A modulating furnace will adjust its flame in increments. This helps to ensure that the true temperature of a building will never vary more than 1 or 2 degrees from the thermostat’s target temperature. This type of furnace regulates the temperature more thoroughly and will eliminate the long, cold periods that occur while a room cools to the temperature where the furnace restarts (a common occurrence in single and two stage furnaces). It also eliminates the buildup of heat that happens when a single stage furnace is on in full force. In addition to having variable flame settings, the blower settings on a modulation furnace are also variable. These will adjust according to the demand on the furnace. Modulating gas furnaces are among the most energy efficient furnaces and are rated at 98% efficiency. The initial cost will be the highest with modulating furnaces; however, this price will quickly be recouped because of the energy efficiency created.

Although this is good general guide, there are an even greater number of choices and variables available within these types of furnaces. To learn more about which furnace will be the best furnace for you, consult with one of the experts at Action Air today. You can call us at (931) 647-8525 or contact us online. Located in Clarksville, we have certified service technicians, qualified installers, and a knowledgeable sales staff serving Montgomery County and all of the surrounding areas. When You Need Action, Call Action Air!

Saving Money with a Digital Thermostat

Posted on: August 28th, 2015 by tcg_admin No Comments

Let’s face it, digital thermostats can be intimidating.

But, used properly, they can save you lots of money!

Are you wondering how can a digital thermostat save you money? It’s all in the way you program them. The basic principle is to lower or raise the temperature of your house during the times you aren’t home.

Digital thermostats offer lots of features in terms of multiple setback settings, overrides, and adjustments for daylight savings time. In order to save money with a digital thermostat you need to take advantage of these features. When programming your thermostat, consider when you normally go to sleep and wake up. Also, think about the schedules of everyone in the household. If there is a time during the day when the house is unoccupied for four hours or more, if so it makes sense to adjust the temperature during those periods.

Some general rules for the timing of your thermostat program are:

Reduce the heat or air conditioning 20 to 30 minutes before you leave home
Adjust the temperature back to your comfort level 20 to 30 minutes before you come home each day.
Reduce the heat or air conditioning around 60 minutes before you go to sleep each night.
Increase heating or cooling approximately 30 minutes before you wake up each morning.
Schedule weekend settings that will be different from your mid-week thermostat settings.

Energy.gov provided a great example of what this sort of schedule might look like for an average family during the winter:

6:45 a.m.: The family wakes up to get ready for the day. The temperature of the house is 68°F; the heat automatically turned on a bit earlier so it would hit this temperature by 6:30.
7:45 a.m.: The family leaves the house and the thermostat is set to 63°F. By turning their thermostat back 5° or 6° for 8 hours, the family can save 5% to 15% a year on their heating bill — a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.
4:30 p.m.: The family starts returning home from work and school. The heat turned back on a bit before this so the house would again be 68°F for their return.
10:30 p.m.: The whole family has gone to bed (bundled in warm pajamas and snuggled under blankets), and the thermostat is again set to 63°F.

The same principles apply during the warmer months of the year, only in reverse. A cooler temperature can be set for the hours when your family is home while allowing the temperature to be higher when your home is unoccupied. Digital thermostats will have override functions for times when you are home unexpectedly, or if you need to change the settings while you are out of town.

Programming a digital thermostat can be intimidating. This online tool is a great way to practice and get a better idea of what you are working with. Although it may not be your exact thermostat, it will help you get a general idea of how programming a thermostat will work. If you don’t have a digital thermostat and are looking to upgrade, or just need a little bit of TLC in order to get yours programmed, contact us at Action Air today. Give us a call at 931-647-8525 or send us a general inquiry. And remember when you need action, call Action Air!

SourceLinks:

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/program-your-thermostat-fall-and-winter-savings

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.progThermostat

4 Easy Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for the Cold Weather

Posted on: November 13th, 2014 by tcg_admin No Comments

Can you feel it… coming in the air tonight? Hold on! Because these 4 easy ways to prepare your HVAC for cold weather will keep you warm while lowering your heating bill!

Change the filter. A dirty filter can make your furnace work harder and can waste money on electricity.

Have your furnace serviced. Action Air in Clarksville, TN provides a low-cost annual maintenance program that you can take advantage of. Having your furnace serviced will make sure your system is working at optimal level and that all parts are in good working order.

Install a programmable thermostat. This is one of the best ways to keep your house comfortable and save you money at the same time. Programmable thermostats allow you to turn the heat down lower when you are sleeping or at work, and have your home warm and toasty when you get up or return from work. Action Air can install a programmable thermostat ranging from simple to advanced. Some thermostats can even learn your patterns and can be accessed from your smartphone.

Seal up leaks. Take a look at all doors and windows and inspect for worn weather stripping or cracks.

Let Action Air of Clarksville, TN keep your home and family warm and cozy this winter season, while helping you save big on heating costs! Call us today to schedule your annual maintenance appointment!

Action Air – Serving Tennessee & Kentucky - Action Air specializes in residential, commercial and industrial HVAC repairs and installations. Serving the Clarksville & Hopkinsville area since 1979.

Posts Tagged ‘Thermostat’