Crisafulli Bros. General Manager Alan Ayers was recently featured in the Times Union article “Natural Gas Switch is On – Relatively Low Prices Are Pushing Homeowners to Convert.” Read this article on the Times Union website.
Does your heating system, water heater or dryer use electric, oil or propane as it’s energy source ? Would you like to learn more about converting your home or appliances energy supply to natural gas? Contact Crisafulli Bros. to learn more about the benefits of natural gas and how it can help your family save on it’s energy bills.
We all look for ways to save money in our daily lives and if we manage to help the environment and be a little “greener” while we are at it, all the better. By decreasing your individual energy consumption you can reduce your monthly utility bills and become more eco-friendly at the same time.
Here are a few tips on how you can save valuable energy and put a little money back in your pocket.
Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can be installed for approximately $200 – $250 and can save up to $200 per year by automatically turning up your air conditioning and turning down your heat during certain times of the day and night. Using a programmable thermostat and adjusting the temperature in your home while you are at work or asleep, can save you up to 30% on energy.
Consider installing a tankless water heater. Although a tankless water heater requires a larger initial investment, the savings realized in the long run outweighs the upfront cost. Tankless water heaters are designed to heat water on demand, water is not stored and continuously heated as it is in traditional water heaters.
Be judicious when deciding what temperature to set your home at. According to the EPA, you can save up to 3% on your energy bills simply by adjusting your thermostat just one degree, either up or down depending on the season. You will notice the savings, but not the temperature difference.
Wash your clothes in cold water. By washing your clothing at colder temperatures (70-80°F) you will use approximately 40% less electricity than at higher temperatures. This could save as much as $100 per year. Additionally, conserve water by washing full loads, when necessary to wash a small load, use the economy setting if available.
Unplug appliances and invest in a load monitor. According to a recent IBM study, you can reduce your monthly electric bills by as much as 15% by knowing how much power you are actually using when your appliances are not in use, but still plugged in. Load monitors display how much energy any plugged in device is consuming and when it is using that energy. Monitors help determine which appliances should be turned off and unplugged when not in use. There are even programmable load monitors that are designed to cut power automatically.
Staying cool and comfortable during the summer can be both expensive and stressful on your Central Air Conditioning system. A taxed system performs less effectively, costs more to function, and can break down before its natural time. There are ways to stay cool and protect your air conditioning system from overwork
Did you know that without routine air conditioner maintenance your unit can lose up 5% of its efficiency annually over time? Your air conditioning system is much like an automobile; it is a tough piece of equipment prepared to withstand a good amount of use. However, much like an automobile, it requires a tune-up and scheduled maintenance.
Studies also indicate that regular AC tune-ups will maintain up to 95% of its original efficiency. In terms of finance, the cost of annual AC maintenance is recovered very quickly in savings on your monthly utility bill and reduced repair costs.
Here are some more benefits of routine AC maintenance: Read more »
Do you have plans to relax this summer, but it seems your central air conditioning system is taking time off too? You’re then left with a decision that plagues homeowners across the Albany area: Do I need a costly AC repair or a replacement?
Oftentimes, homeowners may spend thousands replacing a system when it only needs a simple repair. Don’t make the same mistake. Here are some ways to help you decide whether you should replace or repair your HVAC unit:
As a typical homeowner you may not fully understand the benefits of a S.E.E.R rating. The SEER rating is the most common way to measure your air conditioning unit’s energy-efficiency. SEER rating describes how well your unit converts electricity to cool power
The performance of your AC unit is largely dependent upon your HVAC unit’s operating efficiency. What does this mean for you as an Albany, New York homeowner? It means you can save thousands on energy costs when you fully understand how to enhance efficiency with a unit that has a higher SEER rating. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is a system that was developed by the federal government and equipment manufacturers. It’s a guideline that measures energy consumption so consumers can monitor the carbon footprint and energy output of their residential AC unit. Simply put, the more energy-efficient an air conditioner is, the higher its SEER rating will be.
As the summer months approach followed by rising temperatures, it’s almost impossible to live without air conditioning. However, with the costs of energy these days, it’s almost equally as difficult to watch our electric bills go up exponentially.
What’s a homeowner to do? While turning off the air conditioner might seem like the only option, anyone suffering from allergies and asthma will tell you that air conditioning can be a lifesaver – especially when the humidity increases. Therefore, before you switch off the A/C, below are a few tips to help you continue to keep your home comfortable in those hot months without draining your wallet.
When you own a home, it’s important to understand how to maintain your most important investments, including your air-conditioning system. In fact, the best time to service your system is before it’s actually needed. During the spring, routine Air Conditioning maintenance is most important as your air-conditioning system will be working overtime to keep your home cool in the upcoming months. Keeping up routine maintenance, could be the difference between relaxing in cool comfort and sweating a costly breakdown. Read more »
With summer quickly approaching, which means high temperatures and humidity, for some; central air conditioning is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Many people don’t realize that central air conditioning can promote a healthier environment – especially for those suffering with asthma.
Asthma is often triggered by inhalation of air particles that contain allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust mite droppings and animal dander. Unfortunately, breathing in these particles is often unavoidable. The good news is that air conditioners contain filters that collect and store these particles, keeping our intake to minimum. Air conditioning filters easily remove the majority of these allergens as well as fine pet hair from the air, helping to relieve asthma symptoms. Central air conditioning also helps eliminate humidity which enables mold and algae to grow much more rapidly then it could if it were living in dry air. Read more »
When you own a home, it’s important to understand how to maintain your most important investments, including your air-conditioning system. In fact, the best time to service your system is before it’s actually needed. During the spring, routine 
