Your thermostat controls about half of your energy bill – that’s as much as the refrigerator, lighting, TVs, stereos and computers combined. Problem is, a lot of that energy is wasted heating and cooling an empty home. A programmable thermostat is one of the most cost effective ways to maintain winter comfort and save energy.… Continue Reading
Alabama households spend the second highest percentage of income on home energy expenses even though electric rates are low. (ACEEE 2013) The AlabamaWISE community energy program is a trusted resource to help homeowners find the best HVAC, insulation and window contractors in north Alabama. AlabamaWISE has 3 easy steps to help you to take control… Continue Reading
The two most important factors for maintaining indoor comfort are air temperature and relative humidity. Southerners understand the impact of humidity on comfort and dehumidifiers are popular to control indoor humidity at any given temperature. Experts say indoor relative humidity should be maintained between 40% and 60%. Managing comfort with dehumidifiers come with costs –… Continue Reading
National Renewable Energy Lab recently developed this flow chart as a decision tool for replacing an existing central air conditioning system. If your current system was installed before 2006 or is less that 10 SEER, you will probably benefit from a replacement system. Participating AlabamaWISE contractors take a comprehensive approach to HVAC upgrades by evaluating… Continue Reading