by Cooper Climate Control
2
The hardest part of the month for any homeowner is when the bills start coming in. From mortgage payments, to homeowners insurance, to electric and gas bills, it can start to feel overwhelming. But what if there was a way to save 30 to 40% on every electric bill from now on? Cooper Climate Control Heating & Air Conditioning has thought of a way, and all it takes is one call. A certified energy efficiency evaluation technician will come to your home, perform several tests to determine how to operate your home’s system more efficiently, and recommend some changes that could save you thousands of dollars a year.
We tell our customers that an energy efficiency evaluation is similar to a report card. Just like you want to know how your children are doing in school, you want to know if you have an energy efficient home, and what you can do to improve it.
Each energy efficiency evaluation begins in the attic. Not only is most equipment located in the attic, but 80% of heat loss or heat coming into the home enters through the attic. Once inside, the technician focuses on three important issues:
Attic Insulation Depth- Most homes are not built with the proper amount of insulation. Insulation is rated by standards set by the Department of Energy, which states that a home must have a minimum of 15 inches of insulation. However, most home are built with only 3-8 inches, and automatically fail that portion of the evaluation. Insulation is a vital part of a home’s efficiency because it provides resistance to heat flow, and the more heat flow resistance your attic insulation provides, the more cost effective and efficient your home will be.
Radiant Heat- The technician will perform a visual inspection to determine the radiant heat that is coming into your home. Radiant heat is the energy of the sun’s heat that enters the home and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy. This excessive heat causes your AC system to work double-time. If the home isn’t equipped with some sort of radiant heat blocker, your home will be less energy efficient and your monthly energy bills will be sky-high. Several types of radiant barrier are available in the form of aluminum alloy sheets or spray. These barriers are made up of highly reflective materials that reflect radiant heat rather than absorbing it. By reflecting the heat, your AC system won’t have to work as hard and won’t cost you as much money.
Ventilation- Proper attic ventilation is important if you want reduced energy bills and want to maintain a safe and healthy home. The technician first checks to see if there is enough air circulating in and out of the attic. Proper ventilation helps to keep the attic air from becoming stagnant and keeps the temperature of the air from becoming too extreme. Extreme temperatures cause condensation which produces mold and mildew, and can be harmful for the whole family. Attic ventilation must reach proper standards which are made by HUD, Housing and Urban Development.
After the energy side of the evaluation, an indoor air quality test is completed. This test checks the air flow inside duct lines and makes sure there are no contaminants which can be harmful to anyone inside the home. Air flow problems are caused by a number of things such as carpeting, pollen, and dust particles. These contaminants get stuck inside air duct lines and are constantly being circulated throughout the house. Over time, dust particles turn into mold and can be very hazardous if not addressed.
Identifying mold in air ducts and cleaning air ducts are the most important part of the evaluation.
Some customers are amazed at how many particles are in the house. It starts in the form of dust and spores, but over years starts turning into bio-growth, which turns into mold. We recommend air duct cleaning to clean the duct line and kill all organisms, bacteria, and odor inside.
Once all testing is complete, the technician analyzes all the results and gives your home a grade. Cooper Climate Control has certified Energy Efficiency technicians and has reported that about 90% of the homes we evaluate do not pass the test.
Whether your home fails or not, the important thing is to get it checked and to get it fixed. Cooper Climate Control Heating & Air Conditioning have determined their Energy Efficiency Evaluations can save you up to 30 to 40% on your electric bill.
The AC system consumes up to 60% of your electric bill, and when you have a better working environment the AC system will run 50% less, saving you money. The best part about it is you only need to have your home evaluated once. When you know what is wrong with your home, you can fix it, maintain it, and save money.
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