HVAC Maintenance - ABC Home and Commercial Services of Texas

San Antonio Commercial HVAC Energy Saving Tips

January 13th, 2012

ABC Home and Commercial

San Antonio Commercial HVAC

A finely tuned commercial HVAC system works more efficiently and can save your San Antonio business from costly repairs. There are some free and low cost options for saving on energy and bills that you can implement easily into your business or facility. Some of those include:

If possible, adjust workplace schedules to reduce energy use during the hours when there is most demand for electricity. If employees start work earlier or have lunch during the hottest hour of the day, a company can save on air conditioning, lighting and other electricity use during the hours of peak electricity demand.
Prevent solar entry and air-conditioning loss during the summer. Use shades and blinds to keep the sun out. Close doors to the outside to keep in cooler air.
Add controls to the exhaust fan. These fans remove air you have already paid to cool. Ask your air conditioning contractor to install timers and switches to shut them off when they are not needed, such as when the building is unoccupied.
Install an energy-efficient attic fan or evaporative cooler. Attic fans or evaporative coolers help reduce or replace air conditioner use.
Perform regular maintenance on cooling equipment. Regularly clean condenser coils, change belts and filters and fix duct leaks. Also check for proper economizer operation and adequate refrigerant levels. Maintenance activities can save up to 30% of fan energy and up to 10% of space conditioning energy use.
Perform regular maintenance on heating equipment. Inspect and patch leaky heating ducts. Fix steam leaks. Clean blower coils and heat exchanger surfaces. Adjust belt drives, dampers, valves and linkages.
Perform regular maintenance to keep heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems running more efficiently. Maintenance activities can save up to 30% of fan energy and up to 10% of space conditioning energy use.
Reduce air conditioning and heating hours by installing a time clock to turn off the system when the building is unoccupied.

Source: http://www.fypower.org/com/tools/energy_tips_results.html?tips=hvac

ABC San Antonio’s Commercial HVAC Maintenance Program provides regular check-ups for all brands of AC and heating systems. Our Maintenance checklist includes items like:

Check refrigerant pressures
Test for proper voltage
Check & lubricate blowers & fan motors
Test for natural gas leaks and carbon monoxide levels
Inspect air ducts for leakage or damage
Inspection and replacement of filters

Slash Your Austin Heating Bills!

December 24th, 2011

ABC Home and Commercial

As energy bills rise, it’s tempting to look for the single solution that will shave off a large part of your heating bill, but there are numerous ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. With these simple and … Continued

Easy Ways to Avoid San Antonio HVAC Maintenance

December 17th, 2011

ABC Home and Commercial

As energy bills rise, it’s tempting to look for the single solution that will shave off a large part of your heating bill, but there are numerous ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. With these simple and inexpensive San Antonio HVAC maintenance solutions, you can keep those heating bills from rising – even in the cold holiday season!

ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT

The most obvious way to reduce your fuel use is to turn down the thermostat. Think of it as a valve between your fuel supplier and your wallet. For every degree you turn it down, you will use up to 3 percent less heating energy. A 10-degree setback overnight or while you’re at work will cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent. Keep in mind that it doesn’t take long to heat your home to a comfortable level – only about 15 minutes. Never adjust the thermostat above the desired temperature; doing so will not heat your home any faster.

REPAIR DRAFTY WINDOWS

Older windows are often big energy wasters. When you’re ready to invest in new windows, many energy-efficient options are available before you buy, you should know there are several inexpensive repairs that can improve the performance of your current windows.

EFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEMS

A typical heating system will last about 20 years, although some have been around much longer. If yours is 15 years old or more, then it is a good candidate for replacement: Efficiency can range from about 60 percent in older equipment to 95 percent or higher in modern systems. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a standardized test of a heating appliance’s overall efficiency and is listed on the yellow EnergyGuide tags found on heating equipment. But before you buy a new heating appliance, consider low-cost maintenance and relatively inexpensive upgrades, which offer significant energy savings.

HOME HEATING CHECKLIST

Open the curtains and shades on sunny days.
Design landscaping to allow sunlight to enter south-facing windows in the winter, and to provide shade in the summer and year-round wind blocks.
Dress warmly and keep the temperature as low as is comfortable.
Use a programmable thermostat to turn down the heat at night, and while you’re at work or out of town.
Seal and insulate your furnace ductwork.
Use insulating window curtains at night to reduce heat loss.
Install a ceiling fan to circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling, allowing you to turn down the thermostat a few degrees.
Use plastic window film, storm windows or insulating window panels if your home has single-pane windows.
Seal drafty areas where outside air enters the home, such as at doors and windows and anywhere air from the attic can penetrate the rest of the house, such as the chimney, plumbing chases and attic hatches.