What is a Smart Thermostat

Heating systems have not typically been associated with smart technology.

 

The past few years, however, have seen a real explosion in terms of smart heating or smart thermostat technology. Why is this? Well there are a number of reasons.

 

Firstly, the price of energy has skyrocketed by almost 170% in the past decade. Smart thermostats are an important step towards creating smart homes and helping consumers better manage their energy costs. About 60% of household energy is consumed through central heating.

 

Secondly, the popularity of smart devices, such as phones, tablets and desktops, has made home automation technology much more practical and affordable. Say you go on holiday and forget to turn the heating off. With a smart thermostat you can simply use your tablet to turn it off from wherever you are in the world.

 

We are here to answer any questions you may have about Smart Thermostats. Maybe your home needs a Smart Thermostat as a gift this holiday season! Give us a call.

Start the New Year off Right

During the December holiday season we tend to get lost in hustle and bustle of the season.  But with December’s celebrations the New Year looms. The New Year is the perfect time to check a few things around your house.

The first thing you should check is your furnace filters. A clogged or dirty air filter is a detriment to your heating and air conditioning system and your health; therefore it’s well worth what little time it takes to make sure the filter is clean all year round. With a little planning and forethought, you can keep your HVAC system working as efficiently as possible while decreasing your electric bill, reducing allergy and asthma symptoms, and keeping you cool and comfortable during those hot summer days and warm and cozy all winter long.

The second thing is your smoke detector batteries. In standard type battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once per year and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.

Next if you have a carbon monoxide detector, please press the test button to insure that it is working. Also replace the batteries in the unit as well. This may save your life.

The last thing you should replace is your water filters on your tap water and in your refrigerator.  There are quite a few benefits to changing your water filter. Changing your water filter more frequently will help avoid cloudy ice, a funny-taste, unpleasant odor, discoloration and floating particles. It can also save you from expensive repairs to water fixtures, because ineffective filters allow sediment build-up causing fittings to break, fixtures to leak and reduced water pressure. Not changing your filter frequently enough can also result in “filtered” water containing more bacteria than the original water source. Water contaminants can be trapped in the filter, resulting in bacteria growth.

Have a safe and Joyous holiday season and remember, if you need emergency service during the season, our staff is here and waiting to help you. A Blessed Holiday and a Happy New Year from our family to you and yours.