Don’t Make These Air Conditioning Mistakes

The Department of Energy’s new efficiency standards for residential heating and air conditioning go into effect in 2023, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) . 2015 was the last time the DOE adjusted energy efficiency standards.  Energy efficiency performance ratings New standards require a cooling performance rating, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), of no less than 14 in the northern region of the United States. Previously, the standard was a SEER of 13. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the equipment. A system’s heating performance, called the heating seasonal performance factor (HSFP), will increase from 8.2 to 8.8. Manufacturers have begun shipping specific furnaces that meet the new standards, and we anticipate full product lines to be available mid-year. What this means for you is that if you wait until 2023 to upgrade your home heating and air conditioning system, the system you choose will be subject to the new requirements. There will also be a substantial price increase for HVAC products. HomePro specializes in providing energy-efficient heating and air conditioning, and we can offer suggestions on how to improve your system’s performance with a free consultation. HomePro also offers financing options such as zero interest with no monthly payments for six months (financing plans are subject to terms and conditions). HomePro also offers financing for our customers. Start your application now . If you’re not quite ready to replace your existing equipment, you may find these tips on lowering your home heating costs helpful. Call a professional. If your bills seem high even when your thermostat is low, you might need a furnace tune-up or a new energy-efficient furnace. HomePro has that covered, and we can also install a ductless heating system that warms a specific area in your home. Stay warm this winter with HomePro’s professional HVAC services. Contact us today at (317) 271-2665 .

Protect your property even when you’re far from home. If you’re heading out of town on a well-deserved vacation, the last thing you need is to be concerned about what’s happening at home. With a few simple preparation tips, you can make sure your trip is fun and worry-free. Find a petsitter or housesitter. Part of your initial planning should include making arrangements for someone to take care of your pets and your home while you’re away. Whether you choose to have someone stay over or just come in daily to take care of your pets and plants, make sure they’re either a trusted friend or family member or working with a well-vetted and insured company. Put a hold on mail delivery. For those without pets who aren’t using a housesitter, contact the post office to hold your mail for the dates you’ll be gone. It’ll keep the mail from piling up and prevent it from being apparent that no one’s home. Resume delivery for the day after you’re scheduled to get back to allow for travel delays and some time to unpack. Give a trusted neighbor your contact information. We believe neighbors should always look out for one another! If you have neighbors you know and trust, leave them your phone number before you depart, so they can let you know if something happens that you should be aware of. Consider bringing back a small souvenir as a thank you for being available and neighborly! Arrange for lawn care. The last thing you want to do is come home from a relaxing vacation to an overgrown yard. If you’ll be away for more than a week, hire a lawn service to cut the grass and trim back bushes, so it’s one less thing to worry about upon your return. Weatherproof Your Yard Spring weather can be unpredictable, so make sure your yard is ready for whatever Mother Nature may bring! Secure loose items or bring them inside in case of high winds, and make sure you don’t have any containers that water can accumulate in. Keep your energy costs down. You’ve planned and budgeted for your trip; don’t come home to a surprise energy bill! Minimizing the amount of energy used to cool your home means you won’t run up any big bills while you aren’t even home. Some tips to cut down on cooling costs: Close your shades. Keeping shades, blinds, and curtains closed will prevent the sun from heating up your home during the day and can prevent your AC system from turning on unnecessarily. Use a smart thermostat’s vacation mode to minimize the amount your AC runs while you’re gone, while making sure it runs frequently enough to avoid any unexpected problems with the system. No smart thermostat? Set your manual thermostat higher (77 to 80 degrees is a good temperature to aim for) to avoid cooling an empty house.  Get your AC tuned up. Before you leave, schedule your annual AC maintenance and beat the spring and summer rush. Regular maintenance helps prevent system failure during the peak season, keeps your AC system running efficiently, and can extend the life of your system. Scheduling your maintenance visit before your system is in regular use means that when the temperature starts rising, you’ll be ready without delay. With the HomePro Maintenance Plan, we’ll help you stay on schedule for all your regular maintenance. You don’t even have to remember to schedule—we'll call you when you’re due for service! Give our technicians a call at (317) 271-2655 to find out more.