The 90 degree days are upon us, and a cool house is a nice sanctuary to escape the heat. If your air conditioner is not providing this cool escape, then you may need to schedule an AC repair in Burlington, NC.  A service check up of your unit will ensure that your system is ready to tackle the hot days ahead and operate at top efficiency.  Instead of cranking up your AC unit, consider helping your home stay cooler with sun-blocking blinds.  This will not only save energy and money, but will also increase the comfort level in your home.

For Greater Insulation and Energy Efficiency, Use Honeycomb Shades

Once your HVAC system has been tuned up by Alamance Oil, consider ways to shade your windows to keep the sun and heat out to not only help with your electric bills, but also provide you with a cooler and comfortable environment.  There are various shades and curtains that can block the sun effectively and keep your house cooler, as noted on www.biggreenpurse.com:

“Curtains or shades add an extra layer of insulation and increase the energy efficiency of each window covered. The thicker the curtains, the more energy you’ll save, especially if you mount the curtains as close to the window as possible. Otherwise, hot air will end up escaping around the curtains and into your room – and vice versa with cold air. For energy-efficient shades, skip single louvered panels, whether made of aluminum or vinyl. Instead, aim for shades constructed in a cellular or honeycomb pattern.

Honeycomb shades work by creating an insulating pocket of air in each cell that separates the window air space from the room air space.  When not in use, the blinds fold up into a thin band at the top of my window. When down, they provide an effective barrier to the outside air, but still let enough light in that the room can be bright if I use them during the day.”

Using shades and curtains to block the sun takes the stress off your air conditioner, so it doesn’t have to run full blast on the hottest days to maintain comfortable temperatures in your home. Keeping your unit in top condition is also important, so don’t neglect to have your annual HVAC maintenance visit by Alamance Oil. 

For AC Unit Efficiency, Add Roller Shades to Windows to Seal Out Warm Window Temperatures

Roller shades are specifically designed to trap the hot air from the window, so it does not seep into the house. At  www.biggreenpurse.com, the effectiveness of this type of shade is described:

“Roller shades, made from heavy-duty fabric, can also reduce window energy loss. To get the most out of the shade, mount them on a track that runs inside the window frame. When the shade is down, very little energy will seep into or out that window.”

The Department of Energy states that utilizing window coverings properly can reduce heat gain by up to 77 percent.  If choosing drapes or curtains for your windows, studies show that medium-colored draperies with white backings can reduce heat gain by 33 percent.

If these tips don’t help you beat the heat, reduce air conditioning repair, and your utility bills are still skyrocketing then it may be time to consider a new, more energy-efficient air conditioner.  Your cooling system may be at the end of its service life and working overtime to produce comfortable temperatures.  Call the professionals at Alamance Oil to perform an evaluation of your HVAC system to see if a repair is needed, or a replacement is in order. 

Alamance Oil installs top brand heating and cooling systems that are designed with advanced technology to help you save money on your utility bills.  A high-efficient air conditioner, combined with energy saving techniques like using window coverings, will go a long way to reducing your energy bills and increasing your comfort this summer.

To get ready for the summer heat, contact Alamance Oil for AC repairs in Burlington, NC, maintenance and replacement systems. We want to restore the cool temperatures to your home, and help with cost savings on energy bills. Contact us today at 336-226-9371.

(Source: Now’s the Time to Consider Sun-Blocking Blinds to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer,biggreenpurse.com, 2015)

Air Conditioning systems are standard equipment in most homes today. However, it wasn’t so long ago that AC systems were criticized not only for their alarming amount of energy consumption, but also for the level of noise generated by the condenser units. New air conditioning installations in Burlington, NC provide cooler and cleaner air with smoother and quieter operation. Alamance Oil is pleased to offer AC units that provide quieter performance, greatly improved energy efficiency and greener solutions for the environment.

Reduced Noise and Increased Performance in New Air Conditioners

If you recently had an AC installation in Burlington, you are probably aware that your system is quieter and more efficient. Technological advancements are to thank for these improvements according to www.thisoldhouse.com:

“With improvements in fan-blade shape and compressor technology, some models make one-twentieth the noise of old units.”

One-twentieth of the noise is a huge improvement, and today’s air conditioning systems also provide efficient, continuous and cooling comfort.

A New Air Conditioning Installation in Burlington, NC Increases Energy Efficiency up to 250%

With government regulations and consumer’s demand for greener energy, new air conditioners are much more energy efficient than they were a decade ago. Some of the high-efficiency AC units receive Energy Star labels from the U.S. Dept. of Energy, indicating that they provide the highest efficiency in cooling your home. Alamance Oil has dependable and certified technicians who will install new cooling systems that are sized just right for your particular home. The new quieter, high performing, and efficient AC systems will also give you smaller utility bills. The significance of increased energy efficiency in air conditioners is explained in an article on www.thisoldhouse.com:

“Twenty years ago, a typical system might use 6,000 watts of electricity per hour to cool an average-size house. Today, that same house can be cooled with as little as 1,710 watts per hour, an astounding 250-percent increase in operating efficiency.”

Help the Environment with a New, High-Efficiency Air Conditioner

Refrigerants for new air conditioning systems have helped the environment as well. After an AC installation in Burlington, your new system uses a newer refrigerant that is healthier for the environment. The new refrigerant that is used in today’s new cooling systems is free of chlorine that eats away the ozone layer. Not only is the new refrigerant safe for the ozone layer, the compressors that utilize it are quieter than those using other refrigerants. Government regulations require AC system manufacturers to design systems that are more efficient and beneficial for the environment. With the new quieter air conditioning units, you can improve the comfort of your home while saving energy that saves you money and protects our climate from harmful carbon pollution and reducing other greenhouse gasses.

A noisy air conditioning system can be a nuisance. If you have an older system and are tired of the noise or you are experiencing inconsistent cooling in your home, it may be time to consider a new quieter and efficient AC unit. Contact Alamance Oil to come take a look at your system to see if it needs a repair or if it’s time for a replacement.When you need a new air conditioning system installation in Burlington, NC, contact Alamance Oil at 336-226-9371.

(Source: Air Conditioners Really Are Getting Better, thisoldhouse.com, 2015)

Want to concentrate better and alleviate watery, itchy eyes? By using your well-maintained Burlington air conditioner, you can reduce allergens and humidity levels, improving the indoor air quality. Studies have shown that students who are in schools with improved ventilation and air conditioners tend to have better test scores and higher concentration levels. If it makes a difference to the kids in school then certainly it’s important to children and adults at home and in the workplace.

Improve Performance Levels of Students with Air Conditioning

With high efficiency air conditioners, school children are healthier and able to concentrate better. The United States Environmental Protection Agency evaluated Indoor Air Quality & Student Performance among schools in the U.S., and found that schools with air conditioning showed fewer absentee rates as well:

“Early studies in schools have found that air conditioning is associated with lower absentee rates or improved performance, and that schools with humidification systems are also associated with lower absentee rates.”

Alamance Oil specializes in Burlington air conditioner maintenance, installation, and repairs for commercial and residential customers. The ventilation layout and efficiency is important not only for schools, where classrooms need adequate ventilation to maintain indoor air quality but also for businesses and homes.

HVAC Maintenance Can Positively Impact the Health of Students in Schools

Just as old carpeting needs to be replaced to help with reducing dust allergens, HVAC systems require annual maintenance to keep the air healthier and cleaner. At Alamance Oil, we provide AC system maintenance and expert repairs to keep the indoor air quality at a healthy level. In schools, this is a necessary part of general operation, to help children breathe clean air and stay healthy at school:

“A review of building investigation reports also suggests significant benefits to health and performance from good HVAC maintenance. Presumably, these benefits result because properly maintained HVAC systems can provide consistently good thermal and ventilation control while also reducing the risk of biological contamination. Overall, the evidence suggests that good housekeeping designed to control surface dust plus care and maintenance of the HVAC system, including provisions for good filtration performance, are important aspects of school operating protocols designed to improve student health and performance.”

Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Mental Function

Increase productivity, health and concentration with a high performance Burlington air conditioner at school, work and home. Studies have shown that efficient air conditioners will circulate cleaner air, reduce dust and improve ventilation at schools, allowing school children to learn in a healthy indoor environment. Poor indoor air quality has the opposite effect on student’s performance, as mentioned in the Indoor Air Quality & Student Performance report by the EPA:

“Evidence continues to emerge showing that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause illness requiring absence from school, and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at school. In addition, recent data suggest that poor IAQ may directly reduce a person’s ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation, or memory.”

Keep your indoor air quality healthy with regular maintenance and repairs. Contact Alamance Oil for all of your HVAC needs, including installations, Burlington air conditioner repairs, replacements systems and maintenance: 336-226-9371.

(Source: Indoor Air Quality & Student Performance, neisd.net, August 2003)