Posts Tagged :

smart thermostat

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Important Sensors for Your Home

As a homeowner, you probably understand how much maintenance is required just to keep everything up and running, but sometimes it can seem overwhelming – especially when it comes to utility bills and unexpected repairs. Luckily, with technology today, there are a number sensors you can invest in to make life just a little bit easier. Here are a few important sensors for your home that will allow you to keep tabs on everything:

Temperature Sensors & Smart Thermostats

Temperature sensors are ideal for saving on energy and ensuring every room is kept at a comfortable level. Investing in this type of sensor is also great for while you’re away from your home. You can set the settings to turn off the AC – or the heat – while you’re out for the day, and have them come back on before you arrive. It’s easy to see how this would be a huge energy-saver.

Light Sensors

We’re all guilty of forgetting to turn off lights when we leave the house, but with light sensors that no longer has to be a concern. Smart light sensors can turn off lights, and they can allow you to set lighting schedules. Devices that sync with a smart phone allow you to have total control over these settings no matter where you are.

Motion, Window & Door Sensors

If the security of your home is your primary concern then motion sensors are something worth investing in. You can set up motion sensors to monitor points of entry, such as doors and window, and send a signal to other devices like an alarm or cell phone.

Water Sensors

Water sensors are important when it comes to saving on bills and avoiding costly water damage. Place sensors where water leaks are a possibility and they will alert you when things are in need of repair. This is must for flood-prevention, especially if you are away from your home for long periods of time.

Smoke & CO Sensors

Another sensor to consider would be a smart smoke sensor, which will not only keep your home safe from potential fires, but ensure your air quality is top-notch as well. These sensors monitor the air quality for pollen, dust, and other particles that might be of concern.

If you’re hesitant to invest in sensors, don’t be. Many of them can save you money in the long run and give you peace of mind, which is priceless. Determine which ones you have the most need for and start there. If you have no problem turning lights off when you leave a room, but your pipes are prone to leaking, then perhaps you can pass on the light sensor but invest in a water one instead. A lot of these sensors can lighten your energy bill, but if you’re looking for more energy-saving tips visit our blog:  ‘Cheap Trick to Reduce Your Energy Bill This Winter’

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Energy Saving Tips for Pet Owners

 

If you own your own home, then you’re free to have any type of animal companion you like, including furry, four-legged friends like dogs and cats. But even when you’re ready to go to work, and the kids go off to school, your pets stay at home. Have you ever considered what that could mean for your energy bills? Having comfortable pets may be important to you, but there are things you need to keep in mind about how your home runs while you’re away. Look at these tips on how to save energy and have a pet-efficient home.

Use a Fountain Bowl, Not a Running Faucet

While it’s true that both dogs and cats generally prefer to drink running water, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a lower water bill in order to have comfortable pets. You can rack up some dramatically high bills if you just can’t stand the thought of your pet not drinking running water and use the faucet to address this need.

Instead, you should try a fountain bowl. These setups use electricity and circulate water in a bowl to simulate the running water effect. Much easier on your utility bills than leaving the tap on all day!

Make Animal Doors Efficient

You may have a doggy door, or something similar for your cat so that they can exit and re-enter your home without assistance. But these are essentially holes in your home and can be a huge source of heat leakage.

Look into making your animal door as energy efficient as possible. Check the integrity, improve the seal, and, if it’s an older, more basic door, upgrade it to a modern, energy-efficient model. That can have a significant impact on your heating or cooling bills.

Turn Off All Devices

Both cats and dogs are pretty self-sufficient. You don’t need to worry about keeping lights, televisions, or even fans on as ways to keep them company or comfortable. A pet-efficient home doesn’t need to cater to every amusement of a pet, especially since one of the greatest joys for a pet is simply sleeping!

So don’t worry about keeping fans on throughout the summer, and when it comes to lights and televisions, pets don’t really need these on to avoid loneliness or boredom either.

Mind Your Temperature Settings

Keep in mind that when it comes to temperatures, your pets can actually withstand fluctuations. You can afford to keep the thermostat in the home set to 25°C or even higher in the summer, and your pets will be fine. Further, the rich fur coats of most dogs and cats mean they stand up to colder temperatures as well, so keeping a thermostat at or just under 20°C when you’re not at home in the winter can save you on energy bills while also having comfortable pets.

Try out these pet efficient home tips and notice a difference on your next energy bill!

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Tips to Keep Your House Cool and Comfortable This Summer

Wow, what a May Run we just had! With the warm weather, many were already firing up their AC.  With that in mind, keeping your home cool and comfortable throughout the heat of the summer can be a challenge, even for high-efficiency central air conditioning units. Luckily, with professional service and maintenance, you can reduce the chances of your AC system failing unexpectedly.

Along with ensuring that your AC unit is in top-notch condition, there are other ways to keep your home safe, cool, and comfy all summer long, including:

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

The air filter in your central HVAC unit is responsible for trapping dust, dirt, and other airborne debris when clean. However, when the air filter becomes clogged with debris, the HVAC system must work overtime to force air through the filter, letting debris escape through while decreasing the efficiency of your HVAC unit.

The air filter in your HVAC system should ideally be changed at least twice per year at regular intervals. There are a variety of air filters available on the market, but discuss the ideal type of filter for your unique HVAC system and needs with a professional HVAC expert.

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats allow you to customize when your HVAC unit is in operation, meaning that you can create a system that is turned on during key times of the day, like when your family is home from work or school.

A smart thermostat can be programmed to turn on in the mornings, evenings, or during the night to cool and heat your home optimally. Additionally, some smart thermostats are equipped with motion sensors to tell when someone is home to optimize energy usage further. Not only will a smart thermostat keep your home cool and comfortable, but it will help you use your energy more efficiently as well, saving you money on your energy bills.

Keep Air Moving Freely Through Your Home

A well-rounded HVAC system sends cool or warm air through your home through a carefully planned ventilation system. To keep the air flowing freely through your home, make sure that all vents and doors are open. This practice allows airflow to balance itself out, making the HVAC system more efficient and keeping your whole home at your ideal temperature.

Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

With the help of an expert HVAC technician, you can avoid potential breakdowns and costly emergency repairs. When you schedule a regular HVAC maintenance service with a local HVAC professional, they will take time to make necessary tune-up’s, perform a full system inspection, and clean delicate components that require an expert touch.

If you’re looking for a Timmins HVAC expert, the professionals at RHMH Heating & Air Conditioning are ready to help you keep your house comfortable and cool all summer long. Call us today at (705) 531-3311 for a free home evaluation and quote.

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Is Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat Worth the Money?

With any consumer decision, you should always do your research before spending a large amount of money. One home investment that many experts recommend is installing a smart thermostat in your home. But what are these devices? How do they work, and are they even worth the hassle and money? Continue reading to learn everything about smart thermostats before you make the decision to upgrade:

What is a Smart Thermostat?

Everyone knows that the thermostat is the part of your heating system that controls the temperature of your home. Older thermostats use a mercury switch that triggers itself once the temperature in the home reached a certain level. Today’s smart thermostats are much more sophisticated.

A smart thermostat is essentially a unit that allows for extensive automation. This means the thermostat is programmable, in some cases, it can learn your habits, and it can also “communicate” with you by alerting homeowners to specific maintenance issues and more.

What do They Cost?

The cost of a smart thermostat is completely dependent on the model you choose, but most of them range in price from $150-$300. Some of the factors that contribute to the price include whether or not it’s a learning thermostat, if there is remote access, and more. However, one thing you should consider is that the upfront cost of the smart thermostat will most likely quickly pay for itself when it comes to energy efficiency and savings on your heating bill.

What is the Best Model to Choose?

The answer to this question depends entirely on your unique needs. Higher end smart thermostats will offer more features and include sophisticated automation, learning, and mobile access while more basic models will simply allow for extensive programming. Some of the best smart thermostats in a wide range of prices come from companies such as Nest, Honeywell, Ecobee3, and SensiSmart.

Can I Install it Myself?

As with most home projects, installing a smart thermostat on your own is completely doable. However, it’s not always advisable. Installing a new thermostat involves connecting it to the HVAC system. With this, come questions of compatibility, wiring, and more. Getting a professional to install your new smart thermostat is the best idea because then you know it is installed correctly and the work will probably be covered by a warranty. Many smart thermostats also connect your home’s Wifi, so it’s a good idea to work with an expert to select and unlock the full potential of the new thermostat.

What are the Potential Savings?

This is where upgrading to a smart thermostat gets interesting. Everyone wants to save, and the bottom line is that a smart thermostat can save you a lot of money. Almost all models, even the low-end smart thermostats, will come with upwards of 30 percent energy savings. This translates to more money in your pocket and less money wasted on inefficient heating.

To learn more about smart thermostats, contact the experts at RHMH Heating and Air Conditioning today.