Power saved

One of the largest parts of most home energy bills is the power used for heating and cooling. A system of solar panels on your roof can allow you to eliminate this expense entirely from your monthly expenses. Once your system is in place, you will be getting totally free energy from the sun.

Power credits

Another way that your solar power system will offer lower lifetime costs is though the power you generate when you do not need it. Many power companies have a metering program in which they will offer partial or even full credit for any power you feed back into the grid when you are not using it. If you have a well-insulated home and an efficient heat pump, this may amount to a tidy sum.

Home appreciation

If you ever want to sell your home, you may find that the solar system you have installed will be a strong selling point. Many potential buyers will be interested in the energy savings they will get, and others will like the environmentally-friendly aspect of living in a home that generates a smaller carbon footprint.

While the costs of purchasing and installing a solar power system are not low, the lifetime costs savings you will get from the system will easily offset the expenditure. If you need any further details, please contact Bailey’s Appliance & Air. Our experienced team of trained professionals will be happy to help you.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about solar systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Solar Image via Shutterstock 

Floor cleaning equipment

A home’s carpet and flooring often harbor dust and debris which contribute to spring allergies. Purchase a steam mop and a vacuum with a HEPA filter for allergen reduction. Steam mops help sanitize wood and hard surfaces. Vacuums with HEPA filters remove dust, dust mites and other allergens from carpets.

Laundry

Clean out and replace dryer filters as part of your spring cleaning. Launder throw rugs, draperies and bedding in hot water to help kill dust mites.

Electronic air cleaner and Ionizers

Electronic air cleaners and air purifiers help remove dust and other allergens from the air, improving indoor air quality. Electronic air cleaners draw air and particles through a panel of charged ions, charging the particles, which are then trapped by a plate of the opposite charge.

Ionizers are another popular method for improving indoor air qualities. These machines release charged ions into the air, attracting dust and other allergens. The allergens then sink to the ground and can be removed with a vacuum.

Germicidal Light 

Adding a germicidal light to your home’s HVAC systems can help remove bacteria, viruses and allergens from the air. As air flows through the system, it is exposed to UV-C light. The ultraviolet light breaks down DNA component inside of organisms such as viruses and bacteria, causing them to become sterile. The result is cleaner air, which can reduce spring allergies, colds and other common aliments.

HVAC System

Add HVAC maintenance to your spring cleaning list. A spring tune-up helps prepare your system for the summer cooling season, and ensures that all components will be clean and free of allergen buildup. Spring maintenance also helps identify other issues including filters that require cleaning or replacement.

For more expert advice about alleviating spring allergies with household equipment, contact Bailey’s Appliance and Air. We serve Georgia’s Central Savannah River area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

• Check the filter in your air handler. A dirty filter increases your electric bill and is the single most common cause of system failure. This inexpensive item traps the dust, pollen and dander in your home before it enters the air handler. When dirt builds inside, it slows the passage of air, deposits dirt on the parts and can cause compressor failure when it builds to excessive levels.
• Remove any plant debris around the outdoor compressor and make sure that it’s clear on all sides, including the top. The compressor is the hardest working component of your air conditioner and it needs clearance to work most efficiently, removing heat from your home and chilling the refrigerant. Check the fins and coils for built-up dirt and hose them off if you can see any dirt on them. Use a light to medium spray from the hose. Too much pressure can damage the fins.

Ask an HVAC contractor to service your system for summer. An HVAC technician brings your system back to factory standards as much as possible by completing these tasks:

• Cleaning the electrical connections, indoors and out
• Measuring the refrigerant levels and looking for leaks if the levels are low
• Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coil
• Straightening any bent fins that slow the cooling process for the compressor
• Oiling the motor and checking the belt
• Measuring airflow and looking for duct leaks, which can waste 30 percent of your energy dollars
• Calibrating your thermostat

Bailey’s Appliance & Air can help you get your air conditioner in top condition this spring. We’ve been servicing the CSRA since 2005 for home appliances, heating and cooling. Contact us to schedule your spring maintenance visit.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

AC repair man image via Shutterstock 

Although some aspects of a spring HVAC tune-up are within the realm of homeowners, you’ll need an HVAC technician to work on the electrical components, the refrigerant and the internal parts. In order to get the most from your air conditioner before the professional services your unit, consider completing these tasks:

• Clean the filter for your air handler. Nothing wears your air conditioner and adds to your electric bills faster than a clogged filter. Dirt on the filter reduces the amount of airflow inside the air handler, which slows the cooling process of the air blowing over the evaporator coil. Eventually the coils become clogged and little cooling takes place. Ultimately, this can overheat the outdoor condenser, causing it to break.
• Remove any vegetation or blockages from the outdoor condenser. This part needs to have a free flow of air going into it. Anything blocking the sides or top makes the condenser run less efficiently.

During your spring HVAC tune-up, your technician will:

• Clean the fins and coils of the outdoor condenser
• Measure the refrigerant pressure and locate any leaks in need of repair.
• Inspect and clean the electrical connections
• Check the air pressure in the air handler
• Make sure the ductwork is tightly sealed.
• Oil the moving parts inside the air handler
• Check the belt for tightness
• Remove dust from the evaporator coil
• Verify that the drainpipe is clear

Bailey’s Appliance & Air provides HVAC services for the CSRA and can help you get your air conditioner ready for the hot cooling season ahead. We’ve been helping homeowners since 2005. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of a tuned-up air conditioner.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC tune-ups and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Designing your tankless system

Tankless water heaters have much more flexibility and options for installation than storage tank systems. That’s what gives them their great efficiency. Rather than having just one storage water heater for your home, you can divide the water heating demands between two or more tankless units of varying sizes. Sizes include a large whole-house tankless unit that may provide hot water for multiple or all outlets (depending on usage), a medium-size, multi point-of-use tankless unit that can be utilized to heat water for two applications, such as a kitchen sink and dishwasher, and a small single point-of-use system that is installed beneath the outlet, such as a remote bathroom sink.

Two primary factors

The two primary factors for sizing your tankless water heaters are flow rate and temperature rise. Flow rate is the gallons per minute of water that an outlet or appliance delivers. The flow rate for your household is the sum of flow rates for outlets in use simultaneously, such as during peak periods of hot water use. Temperature rise is the temperature difference of incoming water and your desired hot water temperature. A tankless unit’s flow rate is the gallons per minute of hot water provided factoring temperature rise.

Once flow rate and temperature rise have been determined for your household and each outlet, you may design your tankless system based on the most advantageous installation and energy efficiency by matching tankless water heaters (possibly of varying sizes) to your hot water needs.

For help in designing your tankless system, contact us at Bailey’s Appliance & Air. You’ll get exceptional quality and service at a fair and affordable price. We provide year-round HVAC service and care to CSRA residents.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about tankless water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Repair Decision image via Shutterstock

Dehumidifiers

Mold requires moisture in order to grow and even the tiniest amount of dampness in the air can lead to a serious mold infestation. Dehumidifiers remove the excess moisture in the air to keep your home dryer and more comfortable. Installing a whole-house dehumidifier on your HVAC system will help keep the humidity in your home to a comfortable level while reducing the chance of fungus growth and preventing mold problems.

Ventilation and circulation

Mold spores float through your home until they land on a surface that has their optimum growing condition. If your home has proper ventilation, it makes it harder for the fungus to spread since the ventilation system pushes old, contaminated air out. Furthermore, good ventilation and circulation will reduce the chance of stuffy and stagnant air. A whole-house ventilation system attached to your HVAC unit will keep your entire home protected.

Other ways to prevent mold problems include ensuring your home is as dry as possible by fixing leaky roofs and pipes as soon as possible. Also, regularly clean your home and inspect it for fungus growth. Areas such as bathrooms and basements tend to have a higher amount of fungus growth. If you find mold and mildew, remove it immediately to prevent it from spreading.

For more ways to preventing mold problems, contact Bailey’s Appliance & Air. We have been providing quality service and affordable rates to the Central Savannah River area since 2005.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about mold and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

1. Assess how much sun your roof gets. You can only reap the benefits of the sun if the sun can reach the solar panels. The ultimate exposure is to the south, with a roof that is free from large amounts of shade; trees, chimneys or other structures may limit your solar energy potential.
2. Measure your roof. Planning for solar means knowing how many solar panels you can have installed; to gauge how cost effective solar panels will be, you will first need to know how many you can fit on your roof.
3. Know the code. If you live in a gated community or a neighborhood with an homeowners’ association, there may be restrictions in place regarding solar installations. Be sure that everything is up to code before you begin the process.
4. Check for any rebates or incentive programs. Check with your utility company and your contractor to see if there are any tax credits or incentives you can take advantage of.
5. Use a solar calculator to estimate your savings. Because amounts will vary by location and product, a solar calculator is a great tool to use to see the potential in savings when planning for solar.

If you are ready to take the steps towards energy savings, a cleaner source of power and greater environmental responsibility by planning for solar, call us at Bailey’s Appliance & Air for a consultation. Since 2005, we have been proud to serve the CSRA.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about solar and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Solar image via Shutterstock

The best solution to high humidity is a whole-house dehumidifier integrated into your HVAC system. Other methods of dealing with humidity, such as opening windows and using fans, don’t work well in very humid areas, and portable dehumidifiers are noisy and either require you to have a portable unit in each room or to go room by room to dehumidify. With a whole-house dehumidifier, you choose the humidity level, and the dehumidifier quietly removes the moisture from the air.

The ideal humidity level you’ll want to maintain is between 30 and 50 percent.

In addition to helping your family avoid allergies to mold and helping maintain your family’s health, keeping the humidity level within this range should help prevent structural damage to your home, keep you comfortable and allow you to maintain the appropriate temperature during the summer. Since you won’t feel a need to keep your home excessively cool just to deal with the humidity, you can save energy dollars at the thermostat.

For more information on dehumidifiers, contact Bailey’s Appliance & Air. We’ve been serving the CSRA since 2005.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dehumidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Here are five surefire ways to keep that efficiency at peak levels all year long:

1. Invest in insulation. Today’s insulation is far superior to the old. Consider upgrading what’s in your attic to keep your home more comfortable. A properly-insulated attic keeps the heat where it belongs – in the attic in the summer, and in your living space in the winter.
2. Stop air leaks. Take the time to caulk or place weatherstripping around all the doors and windows in your home. Home energy efficiency depends on keeping conditioned air inside and outdoor air outside.
3. Upgrade your thermostat. Invest in a programmable thermostat and reap the rewards. Adjust the temperature of your home for times you will be away or asleep, and remember that even a few degrees can make a big difference when you are home. In the winter, lower the temperature and put on a sweater, and, in the summer, raise it slightly. You may not even notice the difference, but it will be reflected on your energy bills.
4. Take advantage of window treatments. Keep out the hot rays of the sun in the hot CSRA summers with insulated drapes or blinds; keep the heat in the same way in the winter.
5. Replace your light bulbs. Today’s compact fluorescent bulbs not only last longer than the incandescent bulbs you grew up with, they use less energy as well. Replace the old with the new as they burn out to realize the savings each time you turn on a light.

For more ideas on how to achieve peak home energy efficiency, give us a call at Bailey’s Appliance & Air, and put our years of experience in the Central Savannah River Area to work for you.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Energy Savings image via Shutterstock 

• Place a water heater jacket around the tank. These are available at home improvement stores and will lower the standby losses in the tank. Before purchasing a blanket or jacket, measure the height and width of your heater and note how many gallons it holds. Follow the instructions for applying the blanket, especially if you have a gas water heater, or ask for assistance from a professional. The insulating jacket should never be installed over the top of a gas heater, its flue or near the burner. Turn down the thermostat to 120 degrees to keep the wiring cooler for both gas and electric heaters..
• Drain a quart of water from your heater a few times each year. By removing the salty buildup at the bottom of your tank, you allow your water heater to run much more efficiently. This not only saves you on your energy bill, but also extends the life of your water heater.
• Consider a installing a timer that shuts the water heater off while you’re away and resumes operation shortly before you come home. Water heaters have ratings called FHR (first hour rating), which describes how many gallons the water heater can bring to temperature within the first hour of operation. Check the owner’s manual or your tank to learn your FHR, and set the timer to turn on based on this rating. You can also set the timer to turn the water heater off at night and to turn back on shortly before you get up.

We at Bailey’s Appliance & Air can give you more water-heating tips to lower your utility expenses. We’ve been providing HVAC and plumbing services in the Augusta area since 2005.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water heating and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bailey’s Appliance & Air services Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!