Shutting off your home air conditioner and sleeping with the windows open seems like a great way to save energy. After all, doesn't it make sense to give your HVAC a break when the sun goes down and temperatures drop? Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sleeping with the windows open is just one of many HVAC mistakes that can unknowingly driving up your monthly utility bill. Keep reading to find out lesser-known mistakes that are costing you money.

Sleeping With Windows Open

Residents of the Pacific Northwest know the joy of cracking a window on summer nights. While people should enjoy a night of fresh air from time to time, it's essential to be aware of potentially higher energy costs.

When you leave your windows open all night, you essentially undo all the hard work air conditioning or heat pump system has done to cool your home. During the day, the air conditioning system works to remove heat and humidity from the indoor air. If the outside air is even one degree warmer than your home's internal temperature, the system will have to work harder to restore your desired temperature.

Additionally, outside air usually contains more humidity than the inside air, leaving your rooms feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. Humidity makes temperatures feel warmer than they actually are. If you let your home get too damp, you might feel inclined to compensate by setting your thermostat to an even lower temperature, increasing HVAC system workload, thus making it a major HVAC mistake.

Some research has revealed the optimal conditions for sleeping with open windows. If the outside temperature is about 70 degrees and humidity levels are low, you can crack a window overnight. However, try to shut them as early as possible in the morning to keep outside moisture and sunlight from increasing your internal temperatures.

Let Bob’s Heating take care of your system and keep your spaces comfortable all year round!

Climate control is an essential part of building a welcoming environment to enjoy with your family. Whether you are trying to create a cozy, comfortable  room on a cold winter’s night in the greater Seattle area or keeping your spaces cool on a hot summer day, a reliable and advanced HVAC system is essential.

To get the systems that satisfy your home's unique needs, reach out to a professional HVAC company that can walk you through the whole process. Bob's Heating has decades of experience and is ready to update your HVAC technology to ensure you always get the living experience you deserve. Keep reading our blog to learn three must-know details to keep in mind when updating an HVAC system.

At first thought, it may seem like you cannot go overboard with air conditioning. After all, the whole point of having an AC is to control the air temperature in your home and you can hardly have too much control now, can you? Well as it turns out, if you figure in the cost of installation and running the unit, there are situations where your AC is oversized for your home. To answer the question "How much AC do I need?" you need to factor in various aspects and understand the airflow in your home. So, to help you out, we will cover these aspects and help you determine the right amount of air conditioning for your household.

Understanding How Air Conditioners Work

For measuring the effectiveness of air conditioning, we use BTUs. A British Thermal Unit is a measurement that shows how much heat an AC unit can remove from the airspace within one hour. The recommended BTU per square foot is 20. With that in mind, there are a couple more factors to consider…

Room

To properly cool a room, you must consider its size and purpose. Take the square footage of the room and multiply it by 20. That is the recommended BTU for your AC. Before you opt for a unit, remember that it is usually better to go a bit above your recommended BTU than below. This is especially true if your room gets a lot of natural light or if it’s a common gathering area for your family. Kitchens and laundry rooms will also require stronger air conditioning, as the appliances in them will produce heat on their own.

House

If you plan on cooling the entire home with a single AC unit, you will have to consider the layout of your home. The more freely air can flow through your home, the easier it will be to cool it off. Just like with rooms, you can choose to multiply the size of your house by 20 to understand the amount of BTUs required to cool your whole home. Large-scale AC systems use “tons” for measurement, where one ton equals 12,000 BTUs.

Local Climate

Another critical aspect to consider is the local climate. Namely, if you live in a warmer climate, you may need a more powerful air conditioning unit. On the other hand, if you live in a cooler coastal climate, you might need to consider the unit’s specific protective coating to prevent sea air erosion.

The Bob’s Heating & Air Conditioning Team Wants to Help You Stay Safe & Energy-Efficient

It’s getting hot, hot, hot! There’s no need to struggle with being uncomfortable in your Seattle-area home this summer - or any season - when you’ve got Bob’s on your side. 

When it comes to cooling services, Bob’s Heating & Air Conditioning has you covered this summer and year-round! Keep reading below to discover what you can do when you experience an AC issue, need maintenance, or need to reassess your cooling needs.

Highly Efficient Ductless Units Bring Comfort Where You Need It

You want to experience cool rooms during the height of this summer’s heat. If your home can’t provide that relief, you’re stuck feeling uncomfortable and searching for cool air! And if your home or room additions don’t have ductwork, then you might consider central AC out of reach for your Woodinville, WA, property. However, ductless AC services from Bob’s Heating deliver the comfort you need for every area of your home.

Create an inviting space for your family and friends without the need for ductwork installation in rooms that would require air conditioning. Want to learn more about our services and support? Keep reading below. 

Who doesn't love home devices that make life comfortable, convenient, and conscientious? Smart thermostats provide all three by maintaining the ideal temperature for your home, offering access from anywhere, and reducing your carbon footprint. As you begin your search for the perfect smart thermostat, it’s important to arm yourself with the right information. There are a few lesser-known things you should keep in mind before upgrading, so read on to learn more.

Choose Your Upgrade Timing Wisely

Everyone loves saving energy, and it makes sense to swap to an energy-saving thermostat sooner rather than later to save the most energy. While it's tempting to make the switch to a more energy-efficient thermostat right before you'll most need it, like in the thick of summer or dead of winter or before you host a family gathering, that's not always the best time. If things go wrong during a DIY installation, you might be stuck without a functioning HVAC system until you can get it fixed. It might be better to wait for milder weather. If you've got any concerns about the installation, consider calling in a professional from Bob’s Heating & Air Conditioning.

Check For Compatibility Before Buying a Smart Thermostat

When shopping for a new thermostat, it's important to check for compatibility with your existing HVAC system. Most smart thermostats require "low voltage" 24-volt HVAC systems, often called "central heat" or "central air." You likely have this type of system if: