Tag: energy-efficiency

Save Electricity Using These Smart Home Systems

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save electricity using smart home systems

“Smart home system” is quickly becoming a popular term, due to the increased use of smartphones and smart home applications that automate many home appliances. With just a swipe of your finger, you can dim the lights, increase the cooling in your home or control your washer and dryer. Not only is smart home tech convenient, it is also energy efficient. If you’ve been looking to save electricity using smart home systems, look no further than this informative guide from Weeks Service Company. Here are some great smart home systems to add convenience and comfort to your home!

Smart Lighting

Lighting takes up 12 percent of your home’s energy consumption.  Out of the 10 main energy consumers in your home, lighting ranks 4th. So, it’s no surprise that one of the best ways to save energy is to turn off the lights in rooms that aren’t occupied. With smart lighting, you can do just that – and so much more! Enjoy remotely adjusting the lighting in your home from anywhere. In addition, you can automate your lights to turn on or off at certain times of the day.

Smart lighting will be a great choice if you’re a forgetful type. By automating your lights, you can ensure they are operating at a schedule that is convenient and energy efficient.

Smart Thermostats

You have probably already heard of smart thermostats. In a lot of ways, they’re like your programmable thermostat—they allow you to set a temperature schedule for every day. However, a smart thermostat offers many more options, as it is a device that can learn from your behaviors. Here are some interesting features included in smart thermostats:

  • Remote Climate Control

According to the Department of Energy, you can save 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat up 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. While you can do this with a programmable thermostat, you can also do this with a smart thermostat remotely.

  • Self-Adjustment

With the use of sensors, a smart thermostat will be able to identify when you and your family are home and adjust the temperature accordingly. This way, you won’t have to do any extensive programming.

  • Energy Consumption Reports

Your smart thermostat will also provide you with data about the energy your AC is consuming. In addition, using the energy saving tips that smart thermostats provide, you can create a schedule with the accurate temperature zones to save on energy bills.

  • Maintenance Reminders

Your smart thermostat can also send you reminders to change your AC filter to ensure your AC is well-maintained.

Smart Washers and Dryers

Your washer and dryer also take up a decent chunk of your home’s energy consumption. While it isn’t clear if using smart washers and dryers will bring down your energy bill, there is no harm in considering it. Smart washers and dryers have features that will provide increased convenience and ease. A smart washer allows you to connect your smart phone to the appliance, like most smart home technologies. Through your smart phone, you can remotely monitor wash cycles.

In addition, the smart washer has other features such as maintenance reminders, energy-consumption updates, and sensors to determine how dirty clothes are in order to select the right amount water and detergent.

Similarly, the smart dryer also offers features that will allow you to monitor and control the dryer remotely. In addition, it has moisture sensors that can adjust the time and temperature to dry clothes without over-drying them – and steam settings to remove wrinkles.

Pro tip when purchasing smart home systems: Look for models that have been certified by Energy-Star to ensure energy-efficiency.

Weeks Service Company is Here for You!

Not only will you save electricity using smart home systems, but you will also be able to live a more comfortable lifestyle. To learn how you can add these systems to your home, get in touch with the professionals at Weeks Service Company. Equipped with the industry’s latest education and training, our technicians will be able to address your air conditioning, heating and electrical concerns. Call us today at 281-738-1362 or schedule a service on our website!

 

 

5 Summer Energy Saving Tips

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summer energy saving tips

As the summer temperatures increase, so does your energy usage. You use the AC more often and relax frequently with some entertainment through your computers, TVs or other electronics. If you have kids who are home from school, they’re probably using up more energy and electricity too.

Everything is fine and dandy until the utility bill arrives and you’re shocked to see the spike in your bill. If you’re confused about what you should do to prevent that spike in the future, you’re in the right place! The team at Weeks Service Company has some easy summer energy saving tips for you.

1. Consider LED Lighting

One of the most common summer energy saving tips is to switch to LEDs. LEDs or light emitting diodes are the most energy-efficient lighting technologies. According to the Department of Energy, LEDs use  75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lights. Whether it’s for your kitchen, your living spaces or holiday lights, LEDs are a great option if you’re trying to save more energy.

2. Use Your Thermostat Wisely

With the overbearing Texas heat, it’s understandable if you’re inclined to bring the thermostat down to 60 degrees. However, it’s important you’re smart with your thermostat so you can be comfortable while saving energy and money. Here are some ways you can do that:

  • Set your thermostat at as high a temperature as comfortably possible. If it’s 90 degrees outside and your thermostat is set to 50 degrees, your home will not cool any faster. In fact, your AC might run overtime to provide the cooling necessary.
  • According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10 % a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. Leave your thermostat at a higher temperature when you are away so your AC isn’t cooling an empty home.
  • Consider a programmable thermostat so you can set up a schedule of temperature changes instead of constantly changing the thermostat setting manually.

3. Don’t Let the Cool Air Out

If you want your home at comfortable temperature, it’s important you don’t let the cool air out and keep your home well sealed and insulated.  Make sure your windows are sealed shut and use weather-stripping on your doors and windows to ensure there are no air leaks. To avoid any extra heat, draw the blinds and curtains in the hottest parts of your home.

 4. Make Use of Your Ceiling Fan

Try increasing your AC’s temperature a few degrees more than usual and turn the ceiling fan on.  Fans create a wind chill effect by circulating air in the room, making it more comfortable for occupants, even if the AC is on a slightly higher setting. Just remember to turn off the fans when you leave the room!

 5. Unplug Items Not in Use

Unplug all electronic devices not in use such as an extra television you don’t use or a fully charged phone and laptop. According to the Department of Energy, a fully charged phone that is still plugged in can use up to 2.24 watts. Doing this with many appliances can increase your energy bill by up to 10 %. Remember to unplug, especially when you leave the house for prolonged periods.

 

Weeks Service Company: Providing League City with Quality HVAC and Electrical Service

Consider these energy saving tips so you can spend these months relaxing, without worrying about your utility bill. The team at Weeks Service Company is here to ensure you are comfortable this summer by catering to your HVAC and electrical needs. With our dedicated professionals, you will be in the hands of friendly and experienced technicians who can give you effective solutions to your problems. Call us at 281-331-9555 or schedule a service on our website!

Benefits of an Energy Audit

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benefits of an energy audit

Have you ever wondered just how much energy your home is actually using? We might assume that our homes are airtight fortresses of energy consumption and don’t need any adjustment at all. But oftentimes, that’s not the case. Your home might be wasting much more energy than you first thought!

With an energy audit, you can know for certain where your energy consumption stands. A professional will conduct a thorough inspection to measure all the points where you’re not being as energy-efficient as you could be, and they’ll recommend strategies and solutions to fix that. Here are a few more benefits of an energy audit from the experts at Weeks Service Co!

It Gives You An Idea of How to Improve

The first step in any type of improvement is figuring out where your current baseline is at. That is, without understanding how your current situation looks, you won’t be able to figure out how to fix it. And that applies to anything, not just an energy audit.

But it also works here. An energy audit lets you know how efficient your home is at generating energy, and once you have an accurate reading in hand, you can then begin to take steps toward improving your home’s energy efficiency.

You’ll Save Money

First and foremost in the minds of homeowners who invest in an energy audit is figuring out how you’ll be able to lower your bills. And by understanding how your home is performing, you’ll be able to tailor your usage to help cut down on excess. Once you’ve adjusted your energy behavior, bills will logically begin to get cheaper.

The Home Gets More Comfortable

 After an expert performs an energy audit, you’ll know where the weak spots are in your home, so to speak. The areas that need attention will be glaringly obvious — perhaps there’s a leaky duct or a drafty window that is hurting your home’s energy efficiency?

Once you’ve fixed these things, then you’ll know what areas need more immediate attention to get your home’s comfort level back to normal.

Increases Your Home’s Resale Value 

Everyone, whether they admit it or not, is thinking about the potential of reselling their home eventually. And if your home is suffering from drastically low energy efficiency, then you might have a tough time getting someone to take a chance on your newly listed home.

But with an energy audit, that won’t be a problem. You’ll identify the trouble spots before a potential buyer can discover them, and you can nip the issue in the bud before anyone else gets a chance to notice them.

Weeks Service Company: Here for You! 

Whether you are in the market for an energy audit or just want to learn more about how one can help you and your family live better in a myriad of different ways, let Weeks Service Company handle it for you!

With our team of expert technicians, you’ll be in the hands of friendly professionals you can trust. Give us a call at 281-738-1362 for more information!

Adjust Cooling System for Spring

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adjusting your cooling system for spring

It’s about that time of year again. Spring is just around the corner, and that means you’ve got a lot of spring-related tasks to check off on your list. Other than a spring cleaning around the home, what could be more important than making sure your HVAC unit is ready for the changing seasons?

The answer, to put it simply, is not much. The (official) switch from winter to spring can wreak havoc on your heating and cooling system. If you’re not prepared, you could damage your HVAC unit, or at least see a spike in energy bills as your efficiency decreases. Make sure that doesn’t happen and prepare your cooling system for spring with these tips from Weeks Service Company!

Clean the Debris Around Your Outdoor Unit

The condenser, which probably sits outside on a concrete slab next to your home, is an integral part of the cooling system. To operate effectively, that outdoor unit needs to be clear of debris and free of obstruction.

Take some time to clear anything that might get stuck or clog the condenser, like branches, rocks or random pieces of debris. It won’t take long, and it’ll actually provide quite a nice effect on your cooling system’s performance.

Inspect Your Refrigerant Lines

Periodically, you should take a quick look at the refrigerant lines behind your condenser. Feel them see if they’re cold – as they should be – and to check for any potential leaks. Leaky refrigerant is a serious problem, as your cooling system has to work overtime to work effectively.

And if you ignore it for too long, then you could be forced to pay for a refrigerant charge, which is costly and could be even more expensive depending on the type of refrigerant your unit uses. It’s better to catch these things ahead of time to implement a much less costly solution rather than a full-scale replacement!

Change Your Air Filter

We harp on this a lot, and it seems like one of our most common suggestions is to replace your air filter on time. But there’s a reason we mention it so often – it’s important! When your air filter is fresh, your cooling system can operate efficiently and effectively. When it’s not, though, your energy bill will slowly increase the longer you neglect the dirty air filter.

You should change your filter every 30 days — potentially a little sooner or later depending on what filter you have.

Schedule Maintenance

The best way to ensure your cooling system is ready for spring is to let a professional look at it. An expert’s eye will catch smaller, seemingly insignificant problems you might not think much of. They’ll recommend effective strategies to help your cooling system operate more efficiently.

 

Get in touch with the cooling experts at Weeks Service Company to find out how we can get your cooling system back in tip-top shape for the upcoming spring season. Give us a call at 281-738-1362 for more information!

Get Your Furnace Ready for Winter

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Since we’re in Texas, we don’t have to endure the harsher winters that our neighbors in other parts of the country do. However, the temperatures are still going to drop significantly compared to the sweltering summers, so it makes sense to do your due diligence and prepare your furnace for the colder months ahead.

But what exactly does that look like? “Preparing your furnace” is a vague and imprecise phrase, so that doesn’t give you a whole lot of direction. Well, have no fear! We’ve taken a few of our most reliable and time-tested furnace-preparation tips and compiled them here for you. Take the time to perform a few of them, and you and your family will be cozy and comfortable all winter long!

Flip That Filter

One of the most essential components of your HVAC system isn’t a complicated mechanical part or a flimsy metal duct. Although those are indeed important, your air filter is just as integral. While you should be replacing your air filter every 30 days, we recommend going ahead and switching it out again before beginning to use your furnace.

The sudden change in airflow (from AC to furnace) can play tricks on your HVAC system, so it make sense to start with a clean slate, so to speak. That way, this brand-new filter will only be screening air that has been heated.

Test it First

Similarly, we highly suggest testing your furnace ahead of time to make sure it’s all working properly. We’d hate for the temperatures to drop and have you flip on your furnace, only to discover that some part has gotten jarred loose or a faulty pilot light won’t ignite correctly.

Just take a few minutes to test your furnace now while you can still afford to live comfortably without running it. That way, you’ll be able to schedule an inspection or appointment with a technician who will fix your issue before it gets too cold.

Have It Inspected

This piggybacks off the previous tip, but it’s arguably more important. You can do all the home-DIY jobs in the world to safeguard your furnace from leakage and breaks, but only the eye of a trained professional will catch everything.

That’s why it’s critical to schedule a comprehensive inspection when winter rolls around. An expert will notice things you’d never dream of seeing, and they’ll be able to tell you which problems need fixing now — and which ones can wait.

In fact, a lot of manufacturer’s warranties and maintenance clubs require yearly inspections around this time of year for that exact reason. We recommend the same, because we think you’ll be better off for it.

Weeks Service Company: Handling All Your Furnace-Related Requests and Concerns

When you’re in the market for a service provider that won’t nickel and dime you for a smidgen of profit, one that will treat you with respect and professionalism, but one that will still take care of everything you need, we’ve got you covered.

Weeks Service Company is your trusted furnace service provider. Whether you’ve sprung a leak, need a prompt repair or anything in-between, just give us a shout!

We’re always willing to work with you to find out what needs fixing. Give us a call at 281-738-1362 for more information!