Welcome to the Comfort Zone Blog

Keeping Energy Costs On The Lower Side

If you want to lower your air conditioning and heating energy costs it will mean your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) — must be working as efficiently as possible. That means any defects in the system must be fixed as soon as they occur.

It is false economy not to spend money on air conditioning and heating repairs because a defective system will only see your energy expenditure rocket. Further delays might even see the air conditioner and heater becoming totally unusable, leading to it having to be replaced and you having to spend a huge sum of money.

Have Your Heating System Serviced Regularly

One of the best ways to ensure that your air conditioning and heating continues to work efficiently is to have it regularly serviced, at least once a year. Of course that will incur added costs, but it need not be as expensive as repairs. What is more, you will be ensuring your property’s


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Can You Really Save Energy By Closing Bedroom Doors?

Everyone wants to save on energy costs. One of the most popular ways to save energy in the home is to close doors and vents, especially in rooms which are not occupied. The only problem is this will not save a cent. Energy cannot be saved by closing bedroom doors, or any other door in the home..

Keep Your Home Cool In The Summer And Warm In Winter

To keep your home cool during the summer and warm in the winter, you need to have an efficient HVAC system. This is the system which provides air conditioning and heating. In order for it to work efficiently, air has to be able to circulate within the property. If doors are kept closed, even in unoccupied rooms, the air is not able to circulate freely. This, in turn, will lead to the HVAC system not being able to work efficiently, meaning that energy will be wasted instead of being saved.

Even if doors are closed the air does not even remain within


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Preventative Maintenance Isn’t An Option; It’s A Must

You should never neglect your HVAC. It plays an important part in ensuring your home stays comfortable. In fact, if you neglect your HVAC system it could be potentially dangerous for both your home and family.

At Horizon we offer a wide range of services for your HVAC system all geared towards ensuring it operates efficiently and safely. We offer planned annual maintenance, routine repairs and our skilled technicians will even come out for emergencies. Our rates are affordable and our aim is to provide the best service for our customers.

Planned HVAC maintenance is a smart investment and here are five reasons why.

1. It’s Inexpensive

Planning to have your HVAC regularly maintained will not cost you the earth. It is far cheaper than having to pay for costly repairs should the system break down. Planned maintenance will also ensure your system works efficiently. An HVAC system which


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Check Out Your HVAC System Regularly For Sings of Potential Problems

You can expect some noise from heating and air conditioning vents, but it can prove to be very annoying when you hear popping and banging or high-pitched tuning fork type sounds. When that occurs it could be a sign that something is amiss with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

The Return Or Supply Air Flow

One reason for the irritating sounds emanating from the vents could be a problem with the return or supply air flow. An air filter that is clogged, dirty blower wheels, closed supply vents or duct dampers can result in the HVAC system having to work much harder, thereby producing much more noise than it has to. Ignoring these causes can also result in the possibility of damaging your heater or air conditioning system. Other causes of excess noise may be debris or other small items that have fallen into the ducts. That particular problem can be solved by having


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Avoid Costly Repairs By Taking Precautionary Steps

Dust build-up and dirt can be very harmful to HVAC equipment. Remodeling can cause many problems due to the large amount of waste and dust in the air. Without taking the relevant precautions, people could end up having to shell out on very costly repair bills. There are a number of steps that you can take in order to prevent this from happening. Many of these steps are very simple and will not require funding in order for them to be effective.

Consult Your HVAC Contractor Prior To Start

It is always a good idea for your HVAC contractor to check over your plans prior to beginning any project. It can be very frustrating when you discover that things should have been done a different way after the project is complete and the damage has been done.

Avoid Running HVAC While Dusty Work is Being Done

You should try to avoid using your furnace or air conditioning whilst the work is being done.


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Deciding To Replace Your HVAC Equipment

Are you frustrated with the performance of your current heating and air-conditioning system? Have you held off on getting your system repaired because it needs extensive work? Are your energy bills consistently high, no matter how much you try to conserve? If so, it may be time to upgrade to an entirely new HVAC system, but how can you tell when your home needs a new heating and air-conditioning system? Are there specific features you should look for when choosing your new model?

Is It Time To Replace Your System?

Generally, you should replace your home’s air-conditioner if your current system is at least twelve years old. The federal government recommends this rule of thumb so that homeowners will purchase a system that features the most recent energy efficient technology. The same rule applies to heat pumps and also to furnaces and boilers. According to the government, homeowners should consider replacing all


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What Makes My Air Conditioner Work?

Air conditioning is a relatively new technological invention that many homeowners take for granted. Many of us do not even consider how our systems work until they need repairing or replacing. Understanding what makes an air-conditioning system work and how the various parts function, however, is an excellent way to spot potential problems before they become too serious.

What Makes an Air Conditioning System Work?

First important thing to note is that Air Conditioning is a component of your Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The system absorbs heat from the inside of your home through the evaporator (box generally attached to the top of your heater) and disposes of that same heat outside of your home through the condenser (box that blows hot air outside of your home).

How Cool Air is Produced

While air conditioning systems work through evaporation, there are


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Remain Cool Through Summer Heat Waves

It is no surprise that air-conditioning bills are at their highest during the summer. While most of these charges are due to soaring outdoor temperatures, several other factors can result in a higher energy bill during the warm months. The best way to keep your cool during the summer is to keep your air-conditioning system operating at a high level. Follow these ten tips to help your air conditioning system keep you cool.

1. Have Your System Tuned-Up

Have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned at least once a year. Be sure to hire a qualified professional to perform the inspection. You will need a trained eye to spot any potential issues that if left unattended could cost you thousands in avoidable repair bills.

2. Weatherproof Your Home to Avoid Heat Loss

Your air conditioning system works hard during summer heat waves to keep your cool. Return the favor by checking your windows and doorframes for gaps


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The Birth of Modern Air Conditioning

Willis H. Carrier

While not quite a national holiday, many homeowners would agree that it almost should be. July 17 is the day air conditioning was invented and this year marks its 110th anniversary.

Willis H. Carrier is credited for inventing the air conditioner which he utilized at a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York to keep ink impressions on paper on very hot days. Since that historical day he obtained over 80 patents on devices that controlled air temperature, ventilation, indoor air and humidity.

History of the Modern Air Conditioner

  • July 17, 1902: Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first modern air-conditioning system.
  • 1915: Carrier Engineering Corp. was started by seven men with $32,600 in capital. They would pioneer the new industry which would provide manufactured


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Keep Your Home Cool In Summer And Warm In Winter

With a brand new HVAC system you can cool your home in the heat of the summer, ventilate it properly all year and provide efficient heat in the cold of the winter..

When looking at upgrading your HVAC system you will have to weigh up the cost of maintaining your current system against the cost and benefits of a new installation. The potential benefits include a reduction in energy use and an improvement in reliability and comfort. Remember that as your HVAC system gets older it will need more maintenance – this can prove to be expensive. It may not even be possible to get the parts you need for a very old system. So even if your system is still working, it probably isn’t working efficiently or doing the job it is supposed to.

If your electric and/or gas bills are high, a new energy efficient heat pump could greatly reduce your utility costs. A heat pump is a great piece of equipment as it can keep your home


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