Archive for the ‘Comfort Team News’ Category
Friday, September 9th, 2011
Benefits of a Pentair IntelliFlo Variable Speed Pool Pump
Swimming pool pumps use a ton of electricity. It is estimated that standard pool pumps can consume as much energy as all other home appliances combined—often costing more than $1,00
0 per year!
A typical 1 1/2 HP single speed pool pump uses almost 5000kWh (392kWh per month, 8hr a day) of power a year or $1159. A two speed model uses 3431kWh to accomplish the same task at a cost of $789, saving $370. Variable speed pool pumps, which can run at many slower speeds, like the Intelliflo will use even less energy, resulting in savings from $620-1360 a year according to the company. This makes it the most efficient pool pump right now.
Variable Speed Pentair IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro® pumps can typically cut energy use up to 90%, generally saving $620 to $1,360 in utility costs annually. Pentair Pool has a Pool Pump Cost Savings Calculator to show variable speed pool pump savings and energy efficient design. Their Intelliflo VS-3050 variable speed pump costs $1100 plus installation. It uses permanent magnet motors like a Hybrid car, to save additional energy.
Features
- Energy savings up to 90% versus traditional pumps
- 8 programmable speed settings and built-in timer assure optimum speed and run times for maximum efficiency and savings
- Ultra-efficient permanent magnet motor design reduces noise and vibration for greater efficiency and longer pump life
- Dramatically quieter operation – as low as 45 decibels
- Totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) design and low average operating speed makes IntelliFlo the quietest pump on earth
- Fully compatible with IntelliTouch®, EasyTouch®, SunTouch® and other brands of digital pool/spa controls for managing pump, heating, lighting, spa jets and water features.
- Built in diagnostics protect the pump for longer service life
*Savings based on comparison pump running between 6 and 12 hours per day at the national average of $0.15/kWh in a 20,000 gallon pool. Savings may vary based on plumbing size and length, pump model, service factor, flow rates and other hydraulic factors.
Tags: APS, Efficiency, Pentair Pool Pumps, Pool Pumps, Save Money, Savings, SRP
Posted in Arizona Weather, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Pool Pump, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, September 8th, 2011
Tips for saving on heating and cooling bills
According to the federal government’s Energy Star heating and cooling guide, The average household spends more than $2,200.00 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of this going to heating and cooling costs.
Saving energy means saving money but does not mean that you have to sacrifice your normal day to day activities. It’s how and when you use your energy that could really help decrease the amount spent on energy consumption. Here are a few tips that you can use to lower your utility bill.
Setting and Programing your Thermostat
Setting your thermostat to 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter will save you money on your utility bills. If your household is empty during the week for any length of time you need to consider having a programmable thermostat installed. If you have a programmable thermostat you will want to program your thermostat 2 – 3 degrees higher (in the Summer) and lower (in the winter) than what you usually have your thermostat set at when you’re at home. By having a programmable thermostat installed and used properly you could save about $180.00 a year in energy costs.
Maintenance
If you are responsible for a car then you are familiar with how important maintaining your car is. You have to change your oil, check your tire pressure, check your break pads, ect. every so often. The same is for your air conditioner and heater. By having your equipment maintained every 6 month’s (before each season) durastically reduces the chance of a breakdown. Changing your filters is one of the most import tasks in maintaing your system and is is something that homeowners can typically do on their own. By keeping your filters fresh and clean you are lessening the debri that builds up on your coils. Keeping your coils clean ensures that the air flow is not restricted. If the coils are clogged not only are you doing damage to your system you are also increasing your utility bills. Maintenance is always a good idea just for the sake of peace of mind in knowing that you had a professional go over your system and that you took the appropriate measures in ensuring you get the maximum performance out of your system. Click here to read more about air conditioning and heating maintenance.
Duct Test and Sealing
If you are like most homeowners, as long as your cooling and heating system is keeping you comfortable, you dont give it much thought. But what you dont see could be costing you hundreds of dollars every year. Most duct systems are installed in attics or building cavities where they are hidden from view and rarely inspected. Fixing duct leaks could save you more than $200.0in your annual energy costs while improving the comfort in your home.
The results of an APS study in Arizona found:
- In Arizona’s desert climate, on average 50% of your annual energy bill is spent on running your heating/cooling system.
- As much as 33% of a heating/cooling systems airflow could be leaking through ducts causing a loss of comfort and system capacity.
- The impact is most severe in ducts installed in attics where temperatures can exceed 140 degrees in the summer
- On average, almost 15% of cooling capacity is wasted due to duct leakage. While there will always be some leakage, homes with properly sealed ducts can often reduce leakage 3 to 5%.
For more information on this program Click Here to visit APS Rebate Program Site or Click Here to visit SRP Rebate Program site
Tags: Air Conditioning, APS, Asthma, Benefits, Comfort Living, Contracts, Customer Service, duct repair, duct test, Efficiency, Maintenance, Save Money, Savings, Tune ups
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Monthly Specials, Trane Air Conditioning, Trane Furnaces in Arizona, Uncategorized, York Air Conditioners | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
As we continue in the triple digits here in AZ the last thing we want to do is open our utility bill. We have a few tips that will keep your home comfortable while maintaining a reasonable utility bill.
One of the easiest and most affordable way to ensuring you stay comfortable is by changing your filters regularly. That means if you use 1″ filters change them monthly, 2″ filters change them every other month, 4″ filters every 6 months. Changing your filters regularly will keep the flow of air consistent across your coils. If you have clogged filters it restricts the air flow which will cause your system to freeze up in turn your air conditioning system will start to blow warm air. NOTE: Above are suggestions as to when to change your filters if you have construction going on around the house or have pets you might want to change them more often.
It is no surprise that 65% of our utility bill is the usage of our air conditioning system. That is why it is so important to maintain your A/C equipment regularly. By having your air conditioning system maintained regularly will ensure your system is running at maximum efficiency as well as keeping peace of mind that your system will not fail in the extreme heat. It is recommended that you maintain your system every 6 months or before each season (Summer and Winter) starts.
Keeping your air conditioning system thermostat set to a comfortable setting but not trying to freeze your home. If you leave your home on a daily basis for a few hours or more an important tip that we can give you is to raise the temperature of your thermostat about 2-4 degrees higher than what you usually keep your thermostat at. This helps your system run less when no one is home. If you raise the setting too high, say to 85 degrees and then come home and change it to 75 degrees, your unit will run for a very long time to try and catch up. In these extreme heat conditions, it may take 1 hour of run time to lower the temperature of your home. This increases your utility bill, and adds stress to your system. By keeping your setting 2 to 4 degrees higher when not home you will actually save money and not strain your system. If you have a memory like I do I would recommend you having a programmable thermostat installed. You can program your thermostat for the days you leave for long periods to warm up and set it for about an hour before you get home to cool the house.
Ceiling Fans keep the air moving in your home. It makes your home seem cooler since you are moving the stagnant air around. Ceiling fans also distribute the air throughout the home to make the temperature more even, eliminating hot and cold spots.
The most costly but one of the best investments you will make is replacing your inefficient old air conditioning system. I know people don’t like to hear it but what you could save in your electric bill by having a new air conditioning system installed will over time pay for the air conditioning replacement itself. Not only will it lower your utility bills but you will be more comfortable in your home and not to mention the nice warranty your receive with the system.
I have to share this last tip even though it is not related to your air conditioning system. This is something I found out myself when I bought my home that had a pool. My pool pump was approx 10years old and one of my co workers informed me that having an old pool pump running consistently in the summer is costing me money. I replaced my pool pump with a Pentair variable speed pool pump and my utility bill dropped that very next month. I strongly recommend you look into replacing your pool pump. Check with your utility company as well, they most likely have a rebate program for upgrading your pool pump.
I hope these tips help keep you cool and comfortable this summer.
Tags: Air Conditioning, APS, Benefits, Comfort Living, Efficiency, Investment, Maintenance, New Airconditioner, New Installation, rebates, Replacement, Save Money, Savings, SRP, Tune ups
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Carrier Air Conditioners, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Trane Air Conditioning, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
WARNING!!!!!
Don’t buy a new air conditioning or heating system from any home center such as Home Depot or Sears without knowing who the installing contractor is.
Most people don’t realize when you purchase a new heating or cooling system from a home center or chain store, the work is performed by subcontractors who are charged 10% for the job. This means they could be cutting corners to make a profit. Don’t get caught with a subcontracting nightmare!! Investing in a new energy efficient heating and cooling system isn’t just buying the “box”. You are depending on the installing contractor to do the install correctly so you can enjoy the efficiency promised, and a long system life. The most important day in an air conditioner’s life is the day it is installed. Proper equipment size, proper duct design and quality installation practices are crucial to performance and the longevity of your investment.
At Air Conditioning by Jay’s Comfort Team we never subcontract any of our installation work. All installations and service are done by our highly trained, certified technicians. 100% of our technicians are NATE certified ( North American Trade Excellence) 100% are certified master technicians by the Arizona Heat Pump Council. We are recommended by APS, SRP and Southwest Gas. All of the training and certifications are to assure that our clients receive the very best service when purchasing a new system, have a breakdown or just having routine maintenance done on their system.
The North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation a non-profit organization, examined Air Conditioning manufacturers’ efficiencies versus the actual efficiencies that result after installation; they found the following:
90% of the units tested exhibited some sort of energy-wasting, comfort-robbing problem!
Other significant HVAC industry comfort energy related surveys reveal that:
*93% of equipment installed have Duct Leakage resulting in poor indoor air quality, health and safety concerns, drafts and uneven temperatures and may DOUBLE HVAC portion of the energy bill
*54% of equipment installed have incorrect refrigerant charge resulting in increased failure rate, reduced moisture removal, equipment typically noisier, uneven temperatures and could add as much as 17% to operation costs. Reduce life of system and major components (Compressors) causing elimination of ROI.
*47% of equipment installed are over sized resulting in equipment not running enough to wring out moisture, air in sunlit & shade rooms does not mix, equipment typically noisier and shorter equipment life
*70% of equipment installed have incorrect air flow resulting in uneven temperatures, poor moisture control, noisy grilles and registers and could add as much as 10% to operating costs
When you measure every aspect of any business for results,
you are no longer are guessing!
Benefits YOU receive and are guaranteed when choosing
AIR CONDITIONING BY JAY to perform your system UPGRADE!
*Only HVAC contractor with Quality Control Division in the business!
*Guarantee that YOUR installation falls in the top 10%!
*Most Certified, Professional staff in the Valley
*100% Satisfaction Guarantee, IN WRITING!
*Best Performance on YOUR investment!
*Longest Life Expectancy on YOUR Investment!
*Fewest Break Downs over the life of YOUR system!
*Quietest Operation Possible!
*Highest Utility Rebates Available!
*24/7 Support and Assistance!
*Free Deluxe Comfort Club Membership!
*Lifetime Thermostat Warranty!
*Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty!
Tags: Home Depot, Home Depot air conditioning, new air conditioner, new heating system, retail home centers, Sears air conditioning, sub contractors, warning
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Carrier Air Conditioners, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Trane Air Conditioning, Trane Furnaces in Arizona, York Air Conditioners | No Comments »
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008
Air Conditioning by Jay is proud to announce that our founder, Bryce Johnson, has been selected as the NCT Contractor of the Month from a pool of thousands of the best contractors in the country. This is a huge honor for Bryce and the whole Air Conditioning by Jay team who, since 1983, have serviced over 30,000 Phoenix area homes.
The NCT Contractor of the Month award is given by the National Comfort Institute, one of the top national training organizations created to certify HVAC and Plumbing contractors. The NCI has certified over 6,000 contractors and continues to train and certify 1,000 to 1,500 professionals each year.
This award honors not only Air Conditioning by Jay’s top adherence to quality installations and repairs, but also its status as one of the fastest growing HVAC contractors in Arizona.
We would like to thank all of our customers for their support in helping us to become the contractor of the month.
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Comfort Team News | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
It’s no wonder that Arizona has the most air conditioner installation and repair companies in the USA. No where else in the nation is it as important, with summertime temperatures going as high as 115 degrees, sometimes even higher.
So how do you find one to work with you and your home’s system without worry? Both of the big power companies in the Phoenix Metro area, APS and SRP both recommend that you deal with certified contractors. With a normal central air conditioning system costing thousands of dollars, certified, licensed contractors have the expertise and experience to correctly diagnose problems and fix them right the first time.
If you are installing new equipment, certified Arizona air conditioning contractors know the size and tonnage that are the best fit for your home, and know about all the rebate plans, local, state, and federal, to save money on overall installation costs. This is no place to deal with amateurs!
Some Arizona HVAC contractors go way above the standard certification. Companies like Arizona’s Air Conditioning By Jay, that has lots of professional certifications and a sterling record with the Better Business Bureau.
Why all the certifications?
It ensures you that you get the best deal and the best installation and repair services on your Arizona air conditioning system.
Check it out for yourself. Tell Air Conditioning by Jay how we can help you.
Tags: Contracts, New Installation, Repair, Replace, Right Contractor
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Monthly Specials | No Comments »
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
Being in the air conditioning business as long as I have, I get asked that question a lot.
The truth is that with today’s high efficiency air conditioning systems, the correct answer is what ever is comfortable for you is the ideal setting.
When your new system is installed properly by a certified air conditioning contractor and running at peak efficiency, it won’t matter much at all one, two, or five degrees either way on your electric bill.
One of the benefits of having your old equipment replaced with new super high efficiency rated units is that you don’t have to watch the thermostat setting all summer long trying to save a few dollars by making your home uncomfortably warm for part of the day.
Let AC by Jay show you how to be comfortable all summer long. Go to www.acbyj.com or call Valley wide at 602-266-3678 to schedule an appointment today.
Tags: Efficiency, Maintenance, Repair, Repairs
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Carrier Air Conditioners, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Trane Air Conditioning, Trane Furnaces in Arizona, York Air Conditioners | No Comments »
Thursday, August 23rd, 2007
Installing an air conditioner in a customer’s home requires three groups of people. First, it requires a customer needing an air conditioner. Second, it needs a company such as Trane to build an air conditioner. Finally, it needs a comfort specialist, such as the technicians at AC By Jay, to install and help maintain that air conditioner.
With that in mind, Trane recently announced its Trane Dealer Connection software. This software is provided to comfort specialists to help ensure that all three parts of the puzzled customer, manufacturer, and technician can be connected in the most effective way. The software includes contact management software to help technicians keep track of their customers and is backed by a call center to help connect customers and technicians.
The Trane Dealer Connection is just one of the many ways that air conditioner manufacturers and comfort specialists are helping you meet your air conditioning needs. To find out how you can have a quality air conditioner installed in your home, contact the Comfort Team.
Tags: Customer Service, Maintenance, Repair, Repairs, Service
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Better Breathing, Carrier Air Conditioners, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Monthly Specials, Trane Air Conditioning, Trane Furnaces in Arizona, York Air Conditioners | No Comments »
Monday, June 4th, 2007
We all know that air conditioners are a necessity for dealing with the Phoenix area temperature and surviving in Phoenix weather. But sometimes such necessities are torn from us and we are stuck no longer in comfort living but in an oven powered by the heat of the desert. The power went out in my neighborhood a few days ago, for example, and my family, my pets and I were forced to make some quick decisions to survive the few hours of hot temperatures with no electricity to power our heat pump. A call to APS only made matters worse; we were told that it would be about four hours before the power came back on. Thankfully it was less than one, but in that time we had to change our dinner plans and arrange possible alternative plans if power stayed out for long. Living without an air conditioner for any period of time is not really possible. In addition to your own comfort and safety (you can always go to the mall or rent a hotel room) you have to consider your pets. For short periods of time both your pets and yourself will probably be okay, but if temperatures over 100 degrees are going to be experienced inside your house, accommodations for pets should be found as well. Ultimately, these sorts of adventures remind us just how dependent we are on our air conditioners to survive even short periods of time in Phoenix weather. Without them, there would be no comfort living.
Posted in Comfort Team News | No Comments »
