Category: HVAC

As winter approaches, many of us turn up the thermostat to stay warm and comfortable. But what can you do to keep warm without running up your heating bills? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the quick and easy way to maintain an energy-efficient temperature at home is to set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. At this temperature, your heater doesn’t have to work as hard because the temperature indoors is close to the outdoor temperature. Sixty-eight degrees is warm enough for most people to stay comfortable while saving energy.

But there are also additional ways to keep warm while cutting costs. At Derek Sawyer’s Smart Energy Heating & Air Conditioning, we suggest using the following energy-saving tips for programming your thermostat in winter:

Take Advantage Of Your Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to pre-set varying temperatures at different times of the day. With a manual thermostat, however, you can only raise and lower the temperature on a moment-to-moment basis. Although manual adjustments work fine for some people, strategic programming saves time and money. So we recommend setting up an automatic schedule that maximizes savings and comfort for the winter.

Adjust Temperatures When You’re Away From Home

For example, consider lowering the temperature when nobody is at home. While you’re out of the house for work or activities, you don’t need the heater running at maximum output. Instead, program your thermostat to start heating before you wake up and get ready to leave, but set it to a lower temperature when you know you’ll be away from home. That way, you’ll feel warm by the time you awake but can save money while you’re gone.

You can even schedule your heater to start working a few minutes before you return so that it feels warm and cozy inside. Setting your thermostat back by 7-10 degrees, 8 hours a day, can result in significant monthly energy savings.

Sleep Better With Lower Temperatures

Some people know that things like blue light from our devices and eating late at night can impact our sleep. But did you know that the temperature in your bedroom can also make or break your sleep? Believe it or not, maintaining a cool environment at night is one of the best ways to achieve a good night’s rest. That’s because the drop in temperature signals our bodies to prepare for sleep.

So consider lowering the thermostat at night to fall asleep easier while saving money on heating. Of course, nobody will benefit from freezing temperatures, but you can experiment so that it’s cool enough without freezing your tail off. If you need additional warmth, get cozy under some extra blankets or layers. Once you’ve programmed a heating schedule that suits you just right, you can sleep better without wasting energy.

Lower The Temperature While On Vacation

Considering the above tips, you might try to turn off your heating system while on vacation. But turning it off altogether could put your pipes at risk of freezing. So we recommend adjusting your thermostat by 5 degrees or lower while you’re away (but no less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit). You can also keep the windows closed to prevent the cold temperature outside from making your heater work harder.

Contact Derek Sawyer’s Today

At Derek Sawyer’s Smart Energy Heating & Air Conditioning, our technicians can help with any of your thermostat or heating issues. So whether you need your thermostat calibrated or a new heater installed, contact us today for help. We even provide 24-hour emergency services for your urgent needs. So call today at (209) 266-8682 to get started!

We offer HVAC maintenance services in the following areas:

• • Modesto AC repair and maintenance
• • Escalon AC repair and maintenance
• • Chico AC repair and maintenance
• • Ceres AC repair and maintenance
• • Atwater AC repair and maintenance
• • Newman AC repair and maintenance
• • Discovery Bay AC repair and maintenance
• • Latrop AC repair and maintenance
• • Gustine AC repair and maintenance
• • Turlock AC repair and maintenance
• • Lodi AC repair and maintenance
• • Elk Grove AC repair and maintenance
• • Los Banos AC repair and maintenance
• • Tracy AC repair and maintenance
• • Stockton AC repair and maintenance
• • Oakdale AC repair and maintenance
• • Manteca AC repair and maintenance
• • Galt AC repair and maintenance

Please leave us a review or learn more about our Modesto AC repair services today!

Looking for help with Longmont AC repair? Well, then check out our friends over at TNT Home Services! They’d be happy to lend you a helping hand. They have offices in Longmont and Firestone, plus offer their services all over Colorado, including:

• • Longmont air conditioning & plumbing
• • Firestone air conditioning & plumbing
• • Frederick air conditioning & plumbing
• • Lafayette air conditioning & plumbing
• • Erie air conditioning & plumbing
• • Broomfield air conditioning & plumbing
• • Louisville air conditioning & plumbing

Summer is almost over. If your air conditioner needs repair more than once throughout the summer, it may be time to replace the unit. When the time comes to replace your air conditioner, you can choose whether you want another air conditioner or a heat pump. These units are very different, so understanding each product’s differences and advantages will help you decide.

What an Air Conditioner Does

An air conditioner removes heat from home and expels it into the yard. It does this by depressurizing the coolant in a coil until it is freezing. The coolant then absorbs heat from the air in the home.

Once the heat inside the home has been absorbed, it is moved along the coil until it reaches its exterior. The coolant is then pressurized until it becomes boiling. Next, the air conditioner unit blows warm air into the yard, and the cycle begins again. Air conditioners reduce both temperature and humidity in the home.

What a Heat Pump Does

A heat pump works like an air conditioner, pressurizing and depressurizing coolant to remove warm air inside the house and blast it outside. The difference between these two units is that the heat pump can be reversed to work like a furnace. To do this, the heat pump absorbs heat from the outside and blasts it inside.

Heat pumps are efficient in warm places like Modesto, where the season’s lowest temperatures are generally in the 40s. In colder climates, heat pumps work less efficiently than furnaces because they rely on warmth outside the home to heat the house’s interior. Therefore, the less heat air outside contains, the less efficiently the heat pump will operate.

Why You Should Choose a Heat Pump

Deciding between a heat pump and an air conditioner can be a challenge. Air conditioners are the traditional appliance for keeping a home cool in the summer. An appropriately sized air conditioner will do its job well. However, heat pumps have many advantages over air conditioners.

Heat Pumps Are Easy to Maintain

With a heat pump doing the job of the air conditioner and the heater, the homeowner has only one appliance to maintain instead of two. This can lead to lower repair bills and less yearly maintenance.

Heat Pumps Are Energy-Efficient

Heat pumps are known for their energy efficiency, especially in mild or warm-weather climates like Modesto. Heat pumps can heat a home using about 50% less electricity than an electric furnace.

Homeowners Are Likely to Have a Backup

People with an air conditioner and furnace combo will often keep their furnace, even when replacing their air conditioner with a heat pump. The stove can be a backup if the heat pump breaks down.

Heat Pumps Improve Home Value

Home buyers like to buy homes that have energy-efficient appliances and home systems. With a heat pump installed in your house, your home may enjoy a boost in value.

Heat Pumps Are Cost Efficient

Because heat pumps are so efficient, they often cost less than a furnace and air conditioner combination. As a result, using a heat pump year-round can help a homeowner save hundreds or thousands of dollars on their utility bill over time.

Heat Pumps Are Space Efficient

Heat pumps take up about half the space of an air conditioner and furnace combination. As a result, they’re an excellent product for tiny homes with little room to dedicate to the HVAC system.

When to Get an Air Conditioner

Of course, heat pumps aren’t for everyone. In addition, heat pumps can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than an air conditioner. This makes air conditioners an attractive option for homeowners on a budget.

How to Get Started

The first step is to contact a reputable HVAC contractor, whether replacing your air conditioner with another air conditioner or with a heat pump. Your HVAC contractor will assess your current system, tell you whether or not it’s a good idea to replace your air conditioner, and estimate what you will pay to make that replacement.

Get at least three bids from three professionals before making your final selection. Requests should be itemized and detailed so you know what to expect when the work is finished. Check contractors’ references and licensure to ensure that they’re certified and qualified to do the job. Then, when picking a professional, make sure you sign a contract.

Contact an HVAC professional in your area for more information about heat pumps and air conditioners. At Derek Sawyer’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re happy to answer any questions about which unit suits you. Contact us today for more information.

We offer HVAC maintenance services in the following areas:

• • Modesto AC repair and maintenance
• • Escalon AC repair and maintenance
• • Chico AC repair and maintenance
• • Ceres AC repair and maintenance
• • Atwater AC repair and maintenance
• • Newman AC repair and maintenance
• • Discovery Bay AC repair and maintenance
• • Latrop AC repair and maintenance
• • Gustine AC repair and maintenance
• • Turlock AC repair and maintenance
• • Lodi AC repair and maintenance
• • Elk Grove AC repair and maintenance
• • Los Banos AC repair and maintenance
• • Tracy AC repair and maintenance
• • Stockton AC repair and maintenance
• • Oakdale AC repair and maintenance
• • Manteca AC repair and maintenance
• • Galt AC repair and maintenance

Please leave us a review or learn more about our Modesto AC repair services today!

Looking for help with Longmont AC repair? Well, then check out our friends over at TNT Home Services! They’d be happy to lend you a helping hand. They have offices in Longmont and Firestone, plus offer their services all over Colorado, including:

• • Longmont air conditioning & plumbing
• • Firestone air conditioning & plumbing
• • Frederick air conditioning & plumbing
• • Lafayette air conditioning & plumbing
• • Erie air conditioning & plumbing
• • Broomfield air conditioning & plumbing
• • Louisville air conditioning & plumbing

Pet dander, pet hair, and even pet urine can significantly impact your home’s HVAC system. Without proper maintenance, your HVAC system could burn out faster than expected because of your pet. If you’re a pet owner and a homeowner, here’s what you must do to care for your HVAC system.

1. Replace the Air Filter Regularly

The air filter is one of the most valuable tools for cleaning the air that flows through your ducts. Your HVAC air filter can remove hair, dander, allergens, and other particles that impact your home’s indoor air quality. Failure to replace your HVAC air filter when the air filter is dirty can force your HVAC system to work harder than necessary to do its job.

Since you own pets, you might need to replace your HVAC filter more often than if you didn’t. So check on the air filter regularly, and replace it when it looks dirty.

2. Keep Your Dog Away From the Condenser

Dogs like to pick their favorite spots to urinate in the yard. Unfortunately, suppose your dog’s favorite spot is the air conditioner condenser. This could cause the condenser to become corroded and rusty because dog urine is slightly acidic.

The best way to ensure your dog does not urinate on the condenser is to keep your dog away from the unit. To do this, you can install a fence around your condenser. Keep the fence at least two feet away from the condenser to ensure that the condenser has proper airflow.

If the fence is closer to the condenser, install a chain-link fence that allows airflow around the condenser. Failure to allow airflow around the condenser could cause it to work too hard. It could ultimately lead to a prematurely broken air conditioner.

3. Clean Ducts Regularly

You’ve probably noticed that pet dander has a way of settling in your carpet, on your upholstery, and under the bed. But did you also know that pet dander can blanket the inside of your air ducts? This can have a serious impact on your indoor air quality. When your ducts are dirty, running your HVAC system will make your home dirty too.

In addition, dirty ducts can cause your air filter to become dirty faster than normal. Cleaning your ducts regularly can help you maintain an efficient HVAC system and prevent your HVAC’s air filter from getting prematurely dirty.

Not sure if your air ducts need to be cleaned? You can tell by removing the vent cover from a duct and peering inside. You’ll also know that your ducts are extra dirty if your home gets dusty when the HVAC system is running.

4. Bathe Your Pet and Clean Your House Often

Keeping a clean house will help keep the pet dander out of your home’s air ducts and, thus, out of the HVAC system. Dust regularly, vacuum, and sweep your floors often. Wash your pet’s bed covering when you notice it’s covered in hair.

Bathe your pet regularly to prevent dander and pet hair from floating around the air in your home. Comb or brush your pet’s hair and remove hair from your pet’s grooming brush regularly.

Too much bathing can dry out your pet’s skin. Talk to your pet’s veterinarian to determine how often you can bathe your pet without worry. If your pet has sensitive skin, cut back on baths and brush your pet’s fur more often.

5. Seal Your Ducts

Holes in your home’s ducts can lead to an unintentional exchange of air, which could make your ducts dirty on the inside. Sealing the ducts can prevent this from happening. You can seal minor duct leaks yourself using duct mastic. To do this task, inspect the ducts in your house’s attic and basement or crawl space. Install mastic in all places where the ducts are cracked and the inside is exposed.

Despite the name, do not use duct tape as it tends to fall apart quickly. If you don’t feel comfortable sealing your ducts, contact an HVAC professional to do it for you.

6. Get Regular Tune-Ups

Getting your HVAC system tuned up regularly can help ensure that pet hair and dander are periodically cleaned out from the system. In addition, your HVAC professional will check the system’s efficiency, remove any allergens and pet debris, and let you know if your HVAC system needs any repairs.

If you have questions about how you can maintain your HVAC system, contact Derek Sawyer’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll happily answer your questions or help you with any HVAC problems.

We offer HVAC maintenance services in the following areas:

• Modesto
• Escalon
• Chico
• Ceres
• Atwater
• Newman
• Discovery Bay
• Latrop
• Gustine
• Turlock
• Lodi
• Elk Grove
• Los Banos
• Tracy
• Stockton
• Oakdale
• Manteca
• Galt

If pollen, dust, insects, or other pests have invaded your home, it may be good to have your ducts cleaned.

Achoo! You can’t seem to eliminate your allergies, even in December, no matter what you do! The truth is that not all allergies come from plant pollen. It is more likely that dust is triggering your allergies. Specifically, your home’s HVAC ducts are probably circulating dust, dirt, or worse through your home. To know what is going on behind your vents, you must have your ducts cleaned by professionals. Here are a few of the best reasons to have your ducts cleaned.

A Cleaning Will Improve Your Air Quality

If you’ve ever looked at a dusty bookshelf and wondered how it got that way, it was probably because of a nearby air duct. Your HVAC ducts are full of dust from pollen, dirt, and other nasty substances. In small amounts, it isn’t noticeable, but as your HVAC system moves air around, things will get dusty.

Imagine the same dust that settled onto your bookshelf settled onto your lungs. It’s not a pretty picture. But with dirty HVAC vents, your lungs process this same dust as you breathe. Worse, if you have mold in your vents, you could inhale mold spores and mycotoxins! However, a duct cleaning will remove dust and mildew from your HVAC ducts and leave you with fresh air.

You May Have Pests In Your HVAC Ducts

Dust is full of surprises, with animal feces being among them. Yup, that’s right. There is a good chance that your home has rodents or other pests in your HVAC vents, and their excrement becomes a part of your home’s dust. Try not to think about it. Forget about it because cleaning your HVAC ducts will eliminate any pests you have.

Clean HVAC Ducts Are Efficient HVAC Vents

If you find your HVAC ducts clogged with dust and trash, you can be sure they’re not working as well as they could be. Not only can blocked vents damage your HVAC system, but they also make it work much harder to do its job. An HVAC system that works harder uses far more energy than usual. Avoid the high heating and cooling costs by having professionals keep your ducts in perfect working condition.

Derek Sawyer Keeps Your HVAC Ducts Clean

Suppose you suddenly realize that you have your worst allergies after using your air conditioner. In that case, you should contact Derek Sawyer at (209)266-8682. We specialize in making sure that our customers are healthy and satisfied. The last thing we want is for one of our loyal customers to suffer from poor air quality in their home. So don’t wait any longer! We specialize in home service and are too happy to help you get your HVAC ducts squeaky clean.

We offer duct cleaning and other types of HVAC maintenance in the following areas:

• • Modesto
• • Manteca
• • Tracy
• • Stockton
• • Oakdale
• • Los Banos
• • Elk Grove
• • Lodi
• • Turlock
• • Newman
• • Gustine
• • Lathrop
• • Discovery Bay
• • Atwater
• • Ceres
• • Chico
• • Escalon
• • Galt

You may need to change your filter more often than you realize!

Air filters are a crucial component of your HVAC system. Air filters not only keep your air clean, but they also improve the efficiency of your system.
Many people don’t realize that air filters also protect the inner workings of their HVAC system. Filthy filters make it easier for dust and dirt to settle on components that must stay clean to work correctly. Your HVAC system’s filter must be replaced regularly to ensure optimum performance. However, several factors may affect how regularly replacements need to be made.

What Are Air Filters?

Air filters can be made of many materials, such as fiberglass and polyester, but their primary purpose is always the same. Air filters prevent dirt, dust, pollen, and other debris from entering your HVAC system. Depending on your system and filter’s rating, your filter may even capture bacteria and viruses. Check your unit’s requirements when choosing new filters to ensure they are made of adequate material and have sufficient filtering capacity.

How Should Air Filters Be Replaced?

Air filters should be replaced at least once every six months, but most must be replaced sooner. The regularity with which you should replace your air filter depends on several factors, including:

• How often do you use your HVAC system
• Whether or not you have pets
• The air quality in your neighborhood
• The size of your home
• Allergies in your home

If you have a fiberglass filter, you may need to replace it as often as every month. On the other hand, air filters made from higher-quality materials often last much longer.

How Do Air Filters Affect Efficiency

A dirty air filter forces your HVAC system to work much harder than it should to move air around. Dirty filters also tend to release some of the debris they have picked up if left in your system for longer than they should be. However, certain HEPA filters may also cause your HVAC system to work harder even while clean. This is because HEPA filters provide superior filtration at the cost of making it harder for air to move through them. When choosing a replacement air filter, select a level of filtration for your home and budget.

Professional Maintenance Services Will Take Care Of Your Filters

The easiest way to replace your air filter will be to have a professional do it for you. Most HVAC companies will regularly clean or replace your air filter as part of their HVAC maintenance services. They will know what filter is best for your system and when its next cleaning or replacement should occur. Of course, you may not need a full maintenance service on your HVAC every month. Still, an occasional check-in with a local HVAC company like Derek Sawyer’s Heating & Air Conditioning will set you up for continued performance from your HVAC system.

Save Money And Improve Performance While Keeping Cool

We’re all happy to run our AC full blast as soon as the temperature hits 90°F, and for a good reason. Hot temperatures are not only uncomfortable, but they can also threaten the well-being of our family! However, that doesn’t mean we must push our HVAC systems to the limit 24/7. Instead, we can program our thermostat to respond to the changes in the temperature of our home so that it only works hard when it has to. Doing this can save on your utility bill and keep your air conditioner in excellent working condition.

A programmable thermostat can help keep your cooling costs low, even on hot days. All you need to do is follow these few simple steps when programming your thermostat.

Reduce The Number Of Temperature Fluctuations

Your AC works hardest when it has to change the overall temperature of your home. Suppose you constantly have to change the temperature of your home. In that case, your air conditioner will have to work much harder to meet your demands. We recommend you find your ideal temperature and stick to it to avoid these constant temperature fluctuations. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, temperatures near 78°F are the most pleasant and energy-efficient for your home. You may want to start at 78°F and slowly tweak your thermostat until you find the right temperature for you.

A Routine Helps Keep The Ideal Temperature

There is no reason to keep your AC blasting all day. Instead, it is best to teach your thermostat to adjust itself to work hard when it needs to and rest when you’re not around. It is best to schedule your thermostat around the day’s events, such as:

Early Morning

Rather than keep the air conditioning running through the night, have it turn on around ten minutes before you plan on waking up. This early start allows your home to reach a pleasant temperature before you start your day. The temperature change may even help to wake you gently!

While Away

You won’t need to run your air conditioning if you are away from home for work. However, you shouldn’t turn your thermostat off. Instead, please set it to maintain a slightly elevated temperature that would typically be comfortable for you. At 85-90°F, your AC won’t work as hard to maintain the weather but will keep your home cooler than the air outside. Keeping this temperature will make your home much easier to cool later.

Returning Home

Around half an hour before you expect to be home, set your thermometer to begin cooling your home back to your desired temperature. When you arrive at your house, the temperature should be perfect. Because the place was allowed to cool slowly, it cost you less than a sudden and sharp drop in temperature.

Nighttime

When it comes time for bed, don’t leave your AC running. Set your thermostat to operate normally until the time you expect to be asleep. It should either stop working until morning or only work enough to keep the house from becoming unbearably hot. It shouldn’t be difficult for your home to stay cool at night.

While this schedule will work for most people, you may have to adjust it to your specific needs.

Leave Your AC Off If No One Will Be Home

A piece of simple but helpful advice is to turn off your thermostat while you are away from home. No matter how efficient your thermostat programming may be, there is no point in cooling an empty house.

Ensure Your Home Is Sealed

While your thermostat can’t control your doors or windows, an air conditioner can only work correctly if your doors and windows are closed. Homeowners who don’t follow this advice will be unable to cool their house no matter how hard they try, as their cool air will rush out of their homes.

A Good Routine For Your Programmable Thermostat Saves Money

A proper routine for your programmable thermostat is the best way to save money on your cooling costs. Knowing these tips will allow you to not only rein in your energy costs but still maintain a cool home. However, if you find that following these tips does not lower your utility bill, you may have a more severe problem. Not to worry, the AC repair experts at Derek Sawyer’s Smart Energy Heating & Air Conditioning are prepared to tackle your most challenging repair needs.

Don’t let your air conditioning rack up a colossal bill! Instead, contact a friendly service representative at 209-266-8682 to get started.

Rheem named us here at Derek Sawyer’s Heating & Air Conditioning, one of their Top Pros of 2020! But that begs the question: What are the Rheem Top Pros and Pro Partner programs? Well, all the elite professionals who’ve earned the honor are a cut above the competition. They’re more knowledgeable about all aspects of installing, repairing, and maintaining Rheem plumbing and HVAC systems. Rheem holds these pros to the highest standards of customer service, training, and expertise. To maintain eligibility in the program, Pro Partners must achieve a minimum 4-star customer service rating each yea (based on verified Rheem online reviews).

Moreover, all Top Pros and Pro Partners provide the following:

• Expertise. Every year, Pro Partners complete advanced technical and professional training, so they become experts in providing you with the best service and advice on all Rheem Technologies and solutions.
• Value. With exclusive Pro Partner financing options and promotional offers, Pro Partners can offer you a better value on Rheem equipment and installations—making it easier to afford the solution that’s best for you.

Additionally, you can expect the following from all Rheem Top Pros:

• Accountability. Dependable, safe, and satisfactory installation and service of high performing Rheem products is so important to your experience that Rheem holds Pro Partners accountable for everything they do
• Authentication. Providing trusted, customer recommended service is one of the hallmarks of the Pro Partner program, so Rheem authenticates online ratings & reviews
• Evaluation. Pro Partners must continually deliver exceptional customer service and meet the highest program standards, so Rheem evaluates our pros each year