All about heat pumps

A conventional heating unit generates heat using gas and moves it into the house through the duct system to heat your home.

Heat pumps, on the other hand, simply move heat from one area into another. This makes them very efficient to heat and cool your home.

During the winter, heat pumps move the air from the outside, compresses it to increase the temperature of the air and then pushes this hot air into your home.

And in the summer, they move the heat from your home to the outside.

Because a heat pump simply moves the heat around, the same unit can be used to heat and cool a place.

You could either buy a low-end equipment that will cost to more to operate in the short run or go with a high-efficiency unit that has a low cost to operate.

If you do not have solar, then you will be using electricity to heat the home. This will certainly add to your existing electric bills. If you have solar panels, you can offset the cost of electricity to heat your home.

Heat pumps take 220v to the outdoor unit. Depending on your indoor unit (fan coil), they might need 200v also. This might necessitate you to upgrade your electrical panel.

When installing any kind of equipment, remember to pay attention to the duct work. If the duct work has leaks, then all the money you have spent on the heat pump is wasted and it will be heating the attic or some other place other than your home.

Heat pumps help with CO emissions and are clean especially when connected with solar panels.

If you don’t have a duct system installed in your home, you can get a mini-split heat pump. This is particularly useful when you want to control the temperature of each room separately.

Give us a call to find out if heat pump is the right solution for you.

How to lower your PG&E bill

Recently PG&E bills have been skyrocketing. As the cost of natural gas goes up, so does our bill.

There are several ways you can reduce your PG&E bills. Below is a list of energy-saving tips from PG&E website and others.

Appliances: Use energy efficient appliances

Replacing old, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient ones can significantly reduce your energy usage and lower your PG&E bills. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.

Unplug that 2nd refrigerator: Many homes now have more than one refrigerator. More appliances means more energy use and that increases your bill.

Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature of your home based on your schedule, which can help you save on heating and cooling costs.

Lower the desired temperature in the winter and increase it in the summer. Ideally, health permitting, set your thermostat to 68°F in the winter and 78°F or higher in the summer.

Install efficient shower heads

Heating water accounts for a significant portion of residential energy use. By reducing the hot water consumption during showers, efficient shower heads can lead to substantial energy savings.

Take shorter showers

(From PG&E) The average American spends about 8 minutes taking a shower roughly once a day. Reducing average shower time by 1 minute can result in a 13% decrease in shower water use, which reduces the money you spend on water heating.

Run full loads on a dishwasher and washing machine

Run when the dishwasher is full. Instead of using the dishwasher’s feature of using heat to dry the dishes, air dry the dishes.

Insulate water heater

Insulating your water heater can reduce the standby heat losses by 25-45% and reduce water heating costs by 7-16%. (Source: PG&E)

Seal air leaks

Air leaks around doors, windows, and other areas of your home can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder than necessary, which can increase your energy bills. Sealing these leaks can help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Use LED light bulbs

LED light bulbs use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer, making them a great investment for reducing your energy usage and PG&E bills.

Use motion detectors for outdoor lights

Outdoor lights that are left on all night can consume more electricity than most of your other light fixtures. Motion sensors used on these outdoor lights can significantly reduce their energy use.

Consider installing solar panels

If you own your home, installing solar panels can help you generate your own electricity and reduce your reliance on PG&E. There are also state and federal incentives available to help offset the cost of solar panel installation.

Participate in PG&E programs

PG&E offers several programs that can help you save on your energy bills, such as the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which provides discounted rates for eligible low-income customers, and the Home Energy Analyzer, which provides personalized energy-saving tips based on your energy usage.

Get your HVAC system ready for winter

As the season turns, chilly mornings and mild days might have you reaching for the thermostat to take the edge off. You count on your HVAC system to heat and cool your home on demand, but if you find that some rooms aren’t comfortable, you might consider taking a closer look at your furnace and air conditioning systems to make sure they are running efficiently. You could do a few things listed in our previous blog post to eliminate simple issues.

Heating and cooling your home is responsible for much of your energy bill, and energy use contributes to your carbon footprint. RC Mechanical owner Sal Contreras can recommend cost effective, energy efficient HVAC upgrades that will make your home more comfortable while reducing your carbon footprint.

How’s the Temperature?

Your HVAC system needs to be able to keep up with the demands of making your home comfortable year round. If the dining room is warm but the temperature in the bedroom causes you to grab a sweater, your system might not be the right size for your home. RC Mechanical HVAC professionals can perform a home energy audit to see whether your HVAC system might be insufficient for the space.

If some rooms are cold while some are hot, you might have leaks in the HVAC system ductwork. More complicated to trace depending on the size of your home and the design of installation, RC Mechanical specializes in ductwork repair and replacement and can recommend the best solution for your situation.

Choosing A Heating Replacement

If your HVAC professional recommends upgrading your furnace, consider switching to something more energy efficient. Choose a furnace with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Appliances with the ENERGY STAR label meet strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Many furnaces run on fossil fuels such as natural gas. Going electric, especially if you have solar power, is a great option and moves you towards a zero carbon footprint.

Check Your Thermostats

Make sure the temperature settings aren’t overheating your home when you’re away. Try adjusting your thermostat just 2 degrees from what makes you comfortable. Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to upgrade to a smart thermostat. Both programmable and WiFi controlled thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home remotely, and a smart thermostat has the added benefit of analyzing your energy consumption and offers tips to help you be energy savvy.

The Difference of a Ductless System

A compact ductless split heating and cooling system uses one or more independently mounted units that distribute hot or cold air in “zones,” targeting specific rooms rather than the whole house. Ductless systems are more energy efficient, saving money and helping reduce your total carbon output.

Learn more by contacting RC Mechanical, Redwood City’s best HVAC contractor. Call us today and we will diagnose your home’s indoor air quality and provide intelligent guidance to make your home comfortable and eco-friendly. (650) 575-3915.