Added Benefits of a Wifi Enabled Programmable Thermostat

If you have a wifi network within the home, you can sync this thermostat with that network and access its settings from anywhere. Smart phones, tablets, and computers are all able to communicate with this device, so you could adjust the temperature from nearly anywhere. Instead of having to stick with one schedule every week, you can switch it up. Life is always changing from day to day, and these thermostats offer a new level of flexibility that simply could not be achieved with the old versions. For more information about these thermostats and to learn how you start saving more today, call Four Seasons!

Wifi Enabled Programmable Thermostats | Oakwood Hills, Palatine is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Is My Air Conditioner Broken or Not?

It is mid-June. The temperature outside is hovering around 90 degrees with 100% humidity levels in the air. You arrive home around 6pm after a hard days work, and flip on the air conditioner. You kept the unit off all day to save a few bucks when no one was home, but now the indoor temperature is 86 degrees. You allow an hour to pass and notice that the temperature has only dropped one or two degrees. Now be honest, would you be on the phone with Four Seasons in a state of panic? Hopefully not because there is a good chance you don’t actually have a problem with the system.

Humidity and Your A/C

What is causing the air conditioner to take such a long time to cool down the home? The humidity levels are the source of your pseudo-problem. Every air conditioner, no matter how old or new, must compensate for high moisture levels in the air. As the air passes over the cooled coils, the humidity condenses into water. This is how your air conditioner reduces humidity in the home as well as the temperature. However, when the humidity levels are very high, there is a lot of water condensing in the unit. This reduces the systems ability to get your home cool as fast as it normally could on a moderately humid day.

With time, the air conditioner will drop the humidity levels in the home, and it will begin to cool the home faster and faster until it reaches its maximum capability. When the temperature in the home is very high, this could take a few hours or more to get under control, but eventually your home will be cool and comfortable. When this happens, the only hope you can have is that you didn’t have a service technician tell you all of this before you realized there wasn’t a problem.

Patience and a Programmable Thermostat

All it takes is a little patience and maybe even the help of a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will help you get a head start on cooling the home. Instead of waiting till you come home after a long and frustrating day of work, you can set your thermostat to turn on a couple hours before you arrive. Once home you will be well on your way to comfort, and Four Seasons can help you get this convenient appliance installed in your home this summer! Don’t waste your time with guess work about how your a/c should function, and have Four Seasons install a programmable thermostat today!

To Schedule a Service or Not? That is the Question! | Naperville is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Tips To Keep Cool Without the A/C:

• Fans: Many homeowners may have a fan or two in the home, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have ceiling fans installed in every bedroom and living room in the home. Circulation is key to comfort and when you have low cost, energy efficient fans circulating the air in your home, you will not need to rely on the air conditioner as heavily on extra hot days.
• Programmable Thermostats: Programmable thermostats make it possible to use the air conditioner when you need it and still save money. How is this possible? Well, consider all of the time you spend outside your home during the summer season. Normally the air conditioner keeps pumping out cool air while you are gone, and this wastes money. A programmable thermostat can be set to turn up the temperature when you are away from the home. Every degree counts this summer, and a programmable thermostat install by Four Seasons can help you stay in control of your energy costs.
• Cool Clothes: Another way to keep your family cool this summer is to wear loose fitting, light colored clothes on hot days. Loose fitting clothes allow your skin to breath and circulated air to keep you cool. Light colored clothes do not attract the hot sun as much as black or dark colored clothes do. Walking around the home in jeans or sweat pants is going to force you to turn down the air conditioner and waste energy.
• Close the Curtains: Sunlight exposure inside your home during the day will increase the overall temperature in the home. The added heat will force the a/c to run for longer periods of time, and will waste energy. Keep the curtains closed tight during the day to keep out the sun’s hot rays.
• Boost Airflow: The final step is to boost air flow within the system HVAC system in any way that you can. This means that you need to go around the home and check for vents that are blocked by furniture, curtains, or any other object that could be obstructing the flow of air. Better air flow means cooler rooms and lower energy bills!

Implementing these tips in your home is easy to do, and as always if you need a little help, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning and Four Seasons Home Services is always there to help.

Minimizing Air Conditioner Use | Elmwood Park, Stickney, Rosemont is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Sources of Excess Heat

It is easy to overlook some the simplest mistakes that can throw off the thermostat reading. The most common mistakes involve exposing the thermostat to excess heat. Some of these extra heat sources include:

• Lamps
• External walls
• Sunlight exposure through a window
• Ovens and stove-tops
  
• Drafts from doors or windows

If your thermostat is installed too close to any of these, its temperature will not reflect the real temperature in the home. As a result, the thermostat will cause the air conditioner to run for a longer period of time to compensate for the extra heat. This will also cause uneven temperatures throughout the home. The end result is higher electricity bills all summer long.

Moving the Thermostat

If you suspect that your thermostat is being exposed to an extra source of heat, call Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning today to have your thermostat moved! Our servicemen will be able to find the perfect spot in your home for your thermostat, and eliminate any extra sources of heat that the thermostat may be exposed to. By finding the best placement for this unit, you will save money every month and increase the overall comfort in your home. So, if you cant afford to spend more on your energy bills this summer, get Four Seasons out to your home today!

Your Thermostat and Your Air Conditioner| Hickory Hills, Palos Heights is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Home Improvement Resolutions

• Replace the Furnace: The older the heating system is, the better the chances are that it is extremely inefficient. If you were to swap out that old unit with a high efficiency Lennox system from Four Seasons, you could save up to 30% or more on your energy bills every year!
• Improve the Efficiency of the Furnace You Have: If you unit is fairly new and rated at 80% AFUE or higher, you may want to just consider starting a maintenance routine this year. A seasonal tune-up from Four Seasons will keep that unit running at peak efficiency for years to come, and prevent problems that could shorten your system’s lifespan. This service will also help you get the most out of your heating system this year!
• Install a Programmable Thermostat: Another low cost improvement that can be made to your existing furnace is the replacement of the thermostat. Swapping out the thermostat with a programmable one will allow you to easily set back the temperature in the home while you are away. This will save you both time and money!
• Insulate the Attic: If your attic is lacking insulation, improving that situation could end up being the most beneficial improvement you make in your home. An attic that allows heated air to escape your home could be costing you hundreds extra every year. Any other improvements to the heating systems will not improve your home’s energy efficiency until this problem is taken care of. Luckily, Four Seasons has expertly trained attic insulation crews that can check this resolution off your list in a matter of a few hours.
• Replace the Old Water Heater: Many of us don’t even think about our water heater until we wake up one morning to a cold shower, but that old water heater could be costing you big time! Replace the old system with a new high efficiency water heater from Four Seasons, or at the very least, turn the temperature back to 120 degrees in order to conserve some energy.

The best part about committing to these resolutions is that they don’t take an entire year to complete! When you have Four Seasons lend you a hand, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency in no time at all. Give Four Seasons a call today, and stick to your resolutions in 2011!

Have an Energy Efficient 2011! | Justice, Brookfield, Joliet is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

• Maintenance: If you have not had your heating system cleaned by one of the servicemen at Four Seasons, that is your first step to more efficient heating this winter. Our 20 + point certified tune up will get your furnace or boiler running as efficiently and reliably as possible. So when your guests arrive you can focus your time on family and friends and not on your heating system and unwanted breakdowns.
• Thermostat Settings: Set the thermostat back two degrees all season long and you will increase the amount of savings that you will earn this winter. Also, when the holiday parties are in full swing, turn the thermostat back a little further. The added heat from cooking and extra bodies will keep the air in your home warm, and your normal setting may be too high to keep everyone comfortable.
• Temperature Wars: If you are having guests for an extended stay, you may end up in a thermostat war. You want your guests to be comfortable, but you don’t want to drive up your heating bills by setting the thermostat too high. Consider having Four Seasons install a zoning system on your heating system. This will allow everyone to adjust the temperature in their zone of the home to their desired level of comfort. This conserves energy because you don’t have to overheat the entire home to make one person comfortable.
• Install a Humidifier: Moist air feels warmer than dry air. A home set at 68 degrees with a humidifier running often feels warmer than a home set at 72 degrees with dry air. Increase comfort and decrease the amount of time the furnace has to run by installing a humidifier from Four Seasons today!
• Programmable Thermostat: With all of the extra time you will be spending outside of the home this season at parties and out shopping, take advantage of the opportunity to set the thermostat back to 65 degrees. Lowering the thermostat while you are away will conserve energy, and using a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature for you will ensure that you get the maximum savings this holiday season!

If any one of these tips sounds like something you want to do in your home, don’t hesitate! Call Four Seasons today, and we will get your home saving energy in no time at all. With all of the extra money saved, you will have more to spend on the things and the people that truly matter to you this holiday season.

Energy Saving Holiday Tips | Westchester, Maywood, Hinsdale is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Common Misconception #1

It uses more energy and therefore costs more to heat up a home after the temperature has been setback.

Wrong! Many people will turn down the thermostat to save money during times of the day when no one is home or when they go out of town for a period of time. It has been assumed for years that when you do decide to crank the heat back up, the furnace works harder than normal to heat the home, and therefore all energy that was saved is lost. This is simply not true. According the U.S Department of Energy, many studies have proven this idea to be false.

What they found was that the amount of energy to reheat the home to the high temperature was equal to the amount energy saved as the temperature dropped to the lower temperature. All of the time in between is pure energy savings. Once the temperature stabilizes at the lower setting, energy savings begin to accumulate. So, the longer you leave the thermostat set back, the more money you will save.

Four Seasons’ Recommendation:  During times of the day that the family is out of the home or asleep, set the thermostat back 10-15%. For example, if you set the thermostat at 68 degrees, try dropping it to 58 or 60 degrees when the home is vacant. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, do not set the thermostat lower than 55 degrees. You will be risking having your pipes freeze if you do so. A programmable thermostat will help making these adjustments easier.

Common Misconception #2

The home will heat up faster if the temperature on the thermostat is set higher.

Wrong again! Many people who set their thermostat manually think that cranking up the furnace to an extremely high setting will get the home to a comfortable temperature more quickly. Unfortunately this is simply not true. No matter what temperature the thermostat is set at, the furnace will still put out the same amount of heat. The only variable affected by setting the thermostat to a high setting is the duration that the furnace will run for.

For example, you come home from work and set the thermostat to 80 degrees in order to get the temperature up from the 60 degree setting that you left it at before you left the home. The furnace will run non-stop until the home reaches 80 degrees, and depending on the weather outside, it may not be possible to do so. All you are doing is wasting loads of energy and causing unnecessary strain on the furnace.

Four Seasons Recommendation: If you don’t have a programmable thermostat to do this for you, set the thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees at all times when the family is home and awake. The lower you can keep the thermostat set and still be comfortable, the more money you will save. If you had a programmable thermostat, you could get a head start of the reheating process before you arrived home.

Four Seasons wants you and your family to have a comfortable and energy efficient home this winter season. Keep these tips in mind and you will be sure to stay warm and cozy, and if you ever have a question, Four Seasons is just a phone call away, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Do not hesitate to ask.

Dispelling the Misconceptions| Streamwood, Markham, Hoffman Estates is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

***(As a side note, a programmable thermostat can save you a great deal of money in the long run as you can easily program the thermostat with a lower setpoint for all the hours that you know you will not be home. Why keep the house any warmer than you need to when no one is there? If you know that you usually arrive home from work at 6:00pm, for example, you can program the thermostat to warm your house up for you starting at 5:30 rather than keeping the house unnecessarily warm all day long).

On most recently manufactured furnace units, this causes an inducer fan to pull air through the unit establishing adequate combustion airflow. After proper airflow is established, the gas valve opens, which causes gas to flow through the burners where it is ignited by a spark or the heat from the ignitor. (Older units have a “standing pilot” which is a small flame that burns constantly to light the gas.)

After the furnace unit senses that the flame is lit, the spark or ignitor is disengaged. Normally, the gas will burn for approximately two minutes before the blower is started. This prevents blowing cold air out through your vents at the beginning of the operating cycle.

After the preset time or at a set temperature, the blower motor is energized and air is blown over the heat exchanger. The air is then heated and supplied to the duct system and begins flowing through your registers.

When the thermostat senses that no more heat is required, the gas valve is de-energized and no more gas is provided to the furnace. The blower motor will then run for a short period of time to cool off the heat exchanger. This process is controlled by a timer or a temperature switch. Want more info see www.fshac.com for more heating & cooling  information.

HVAC for Beginners- How A Furnace Works| Lynwood, Glenwood is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

The Good and the Bad

The bad news is that for a typical residential customer, they will see about a $230 increase over last year; the good news is that homeowners will still be paying less that they had been in years prior to the 2009-10 winter season. Unfortunately, many homeowners will still struggle to find the funds to make up this 79% increase. But, with the help of Four Seasons, you can save money on your heating costs this winter.

Saving Money this Winter

Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning has a few tips that can help your home become more energy efficient. The more energy efficient your home is, the more money you save! For starters, you need to have a look at that old furnace. If it is still in pretty good shape, Four Seasons would suggest that you have your yearly maintenance performed. A precision tune-up from Four Seasons is a low cost way of getting your furnace running as efficiently as possible. Our serviceman will expertly navigate your furnace and point out areas where improvement can be made.

Often times, our servicemen will suggest replacing your current thermostat with a programmable unit. You should consider having Four Seasons professionally install a programmable thermostat in your home regardless of the condition of your current thermostat. Programmable thermostats can save you money on your energy bills by reducing the use of the furnace automatically during times of the day when you don’t need as much heat in the home. When the family is sleeping or when everyone is outside of the home are perfect times to reduce the temperature. This reduces energy consumption which in turn reduces your energy bills. When used properly, a programmable thermostat can save you around $100 on your energy costs this winter!

If the furnace is old and broken down, your best bet may be to replace the system all together. Replacing an old inefficient unit with a new high efficiency unit can save you about 40% or more on your energy bills. If you act now, you can also take advantage of the tax rebates that the government has to offer. You could get up to a $1,500 rebate come tax season, when you purchase a qualifying furnace or air conditioner before January 1^st, 2011. Four Seasons offers several Lennox Home Comfort Systems that meet the requirements for the tax credit, and when you have the unit professionally installed by Four Seasons, you will experience the full benefits of your new system.

Any one of these improvements will impact your energy bill in a positive way this winter. Let Four Seasons help you save as much money as possible before it’s too late! Call today!

Energy Bill Increase! | Gary, Hammond, Merrillville is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

For the best in comfort as well as energy savings, you should raise the home’s usually temperature setting 7 degrees when away in the summer and 4 degrees when sleeping.  In winter do the opposite.  Be sure to use the vacation mode on the thermostat when on vacation or away for a long period of time.  Following these tips will greatly reduce your energy cost.

For more energy savings tips, check out our Go Green section.

Energy star programmable thermostat is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Choose a system with automatic, precision control.

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the new G71MPP gas furnace with innovated Precise Comfort technology to make automatic adjustments-in increments as small as 1%-for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72 degrees F while your at home-and lower while your asleep or away-can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.

Reduce your gas bill is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair