Energy Star
The Geothermal Heat Pump: An Energy Gem Buried In Your Backyard
We live in the Edwardsville region, which as you know means it gets down to freezing in the winter while we swelter through the summer. What it costs to heat and cool our homes is always on our minds. Installing a geothermal heat pump for your home might just be your ticket to lower utility bills…
Read MoreUpgrading Your Equipment? Let The Energy Star Guide You
When upgrading your home heating and cooling equipment it can be difficult to know where to start. Like most consumers, you probably want to find the highest-efficiency products that fit within your budget. One way to narrow your options is to shop for equipment that carries the Energy Star label. Energy Star is a program…
Read MoreThe Energy Star Logo Helps Southwest Illinois Homeowners Locate Efficient HVAC Equipment
In our society today, being as “green” as possible is a worthwhile goal. It ‘s better for the planet, and also in most cases can save you money on energy costs. One of the best ways to work toward this goal is to use as many Energy Star qualified appliances as possible. According to the…
Read MoreHow the Energy Star Most Efficient Label Can Benefit Your Alton Area Home
If you’re looking to upgrade your air conditioner, furnace or another appliance, the Energy Star Most Efficient designation is worth watching for. Whether you’re up in Alton or down south by Carbon Glen, Maryville, and Troy, it takes quality heating and cooling systems to deal with the highly variable Southwest Illinois climate. By looking for…
Read MoreBuyer’s Guide to Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners
When facing a hot and humid Illinois summer, you need a reliable air conditioner that can ensure your home is cool no matter the temperatures outside. Without one, you may find yourself sweating in places you never thought possible! (Gross—we know!) Don’t swelter in this heat any longer than you need to. What would you…
Read MoreMeasure Your Energy Savings With A “Yardstick”
The concept of using a so-called “yardstick” to measure a home’s energy use was devised by Energy Star, a program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. This measuring device was designed to reduce our nation’s consumption of nonrenewable energy sources, and while it’s not an actual yardstick, a lot…
Read MorePriority Steps You Can Take So Home Comfort And Savings Come First
You want to be comfortable in your home, but you want to save on your energy bill as well. The average home spends nearly $2,000 a year on energy costs, but you can lower this amount by making use of these tips for energy savings without sacrificing home comfort: Use the microwave. Not only does…
Read MorePremier Contractor Ernst’s GeoComfort Geothermal Systems Shine
Geothermal heat pumps can be used to both heat and cool your home. The efficiency at which this occurs is measured in two primary ways. For heating, efficiency is indicated by the coefficient of performance, or COP, which declares the relationship between the heat provided and energy input required to produce the heat. For cooling,…
Read MoreWhy Upgrading To High-Efficiency Air Conditioning Makes Sense, Even If Your Present System Isn’t All That Old
If you’re using an air conditioning system that is not that old, replacing it may be the last thing on your mind. However, even if your present system is fairly new, purchasing a high-efficiency air conditioner may be the smart thing to do. The efficiency of air conditioning systems have improved considerably in the past…
Read MoreInsulation: Know The Magic Number?
Warm air naturally flows to cool places, and it’s up to your hard-working HVAC system to get that warm air out of the house in the summer and bring it in during the winter. Insulation impedes air flow and takes a lot of the work load off your furnace or heat pump. R-value is a…
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