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Action Plumbing, HVAC, & Electric

Tag: energy efficiency

Did you know that lighting accounts for about 15% of your home’s energy use? That’s a significant chunk of your energy bill! But what if there was a way to illuminate your space beautifully while saving money and reducing your environmental impact? Enter LED lighting – the energy-efficient champion of the modern world.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re passionate about helping homeowners make smart choices for their homes. Today, we’re diving into the world of LED lighting and exploring the numerous benefits it offers.

LEDs: A Technological Marvel

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are a type of solid-state lighting that uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs that waste a significant amount of energy as heat, LEDs are incredibly efficient, transforming most of the energy they consume into light.

Here are some fascinating facts about LED technology:

  • Lifespan: LED bulbs boast an incredible lifespan, lasting anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 hours – that’s up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs! This translates to fewer bulb changes and significant cost savings in the long run.
  • Energy Efficiency: LEDs are champions of energy efficiency, using up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 25% less than halogen bulbs to produce the same amount of light. This translates to lower energy bills and a reduced environmental footprint.
  • Durability: LEDs are built tough. They’re resistant to shock and vibration, making them ideal for areas prone to wear and tear, like workshops or garages.
  • Versatility: LEDs come in a wide range of colors, wattages, and styles, making them suitable for any lighting application in your home. From warm white for a cozy ambiance to cool white for task lighting, there’s an LED option to perfectly suit your needs.

Benefits of Upgrading to LED Lighting

Making the switch to LED lighting offers a multitude of advantages for your home:

  • Save Money on Energy Bills: The significant reduction in energy consumption translates to lower electricity costs. Over time, the savings on your energy bills can significantly outweigh the initial investment in LED bulbs.
  • Reduce Your Environmental Impact: By using less energy, LEDs contribute to a smaller carbon footprint. This allows you to make an eco-conscious choice for your home and the planet.
  • Minimize Maintenance Hassles: With their extended lifespan, LED bulbs require significantly fewer replacements compared to traditional bulbs. This translates to less time spent climbing ladders and changing bulbs, and more time enjoying the benefits of your beautiful lighting.
  • Enjoy Consistent Brightness: Unlike traditional bulbs that dim over time, LEDs maintain their brightness throughout their entire lifespan. This ensures consistent, reliable illumination for your home.
  • Enhance Your Home’s Aesthetics: LEDs come in a variety of styles and color temperatures, allowing you to create the perfect ambiance for each room. From warm white for a relaxing atmosphere to cool white for task lighting, LEDs offer the flexibility to personalize your home’s lighting scheme.
  • Improved Safety: LEDs don’t emit harmful UV rays, unlike some traditional bulbs. This makes them a safe choice for areas frequented by children and pets. Additionally, LEDs generate minimal heat, reducing the risk of burns.

Making the Switch to LEDs: Tips and Considerations

Ready to embrace the benefits of LED lighting? Here are some helpful tips:

  • Choose the Right Color Temperature: Color temperature refers to the “warmth” or “coolness” of the light. Opt for warm white LEDs (around 2,700 Kelvin) for living rooms and bedrooms, while cool white LEDs (around 4,000 Kelvin) can be ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Consider Lumens: Lumens measure the brightness of light. When choosing LED bulbs, look for lumens that are equivalent to the traditional bulbs you’re replacing.
  • Dimmability: Ensure the LED bulbs you choose are compatible with your dimmer switches if dimming capability is important to you.
  • Seek Expert Advice: For assistance in selecting the right LED bulbs for your specific needs, don’t hesitate to consult the friendly professionals at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. We can help you find the perfect LED solutions for your home.

LED Lighting: A Bright Future for Your Home

LED lighting represents a significant leap forward in lighting technology. By combining energy efficiency, long lifespans, and a wide range of styles, LEDs offer a compelling choice for homeowners seeking to illuminate their spaces while saving money and protecting the environment.

Contact Us Today for LED Lighting Installation

Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric is committed to helping you create a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Reach out and contact us for more information.

Showering without hot water? Washing dishes in a lukewarm abyss? The quest for the perfect home water heater ignites a fiery debate: gas or electric?

Both options heat your water, but understanding their key differences can help you crown the champion for your home:

Fueling the Flame:

  • Gas Water Heaters: These fiery warriors burn natural gas or propane to heat water directly. They offer faster heating rates and often come at a lower initial cost. However, installation can be more complex and gas lines require maintenance.
  • Electric Water Heaters: These clean titans utilize electricity to power heating elements submerged in the water tank. They’re more eco-friendly and easier to install, but typically have slower heating times and higher running costs depending on your electricity rates.

The Cost Conundrum:

  • Initial Cost: Gas water heaters generally have a lower upfront price, while electric models tend to be pricier.
  • Operating Cost: Gas water heaters usually boast lower running costs thanks to the efficiency of burning fuel. However, if electricity rates are low in your area, an electric model might be more economical.
  • Installation & Maintenance: Gas water heaters require professional installation and potential gas line maintenance. Electric models are easier to install but may require upgrades to your electrical system.

Choosing Your Champion:

Consider these factors to find your perfect water heater match:

  • Budget: Can you afford a potentially higher initial cost for an electric model or are you looking for a lower upfront price tag?
  • Energy Efficiency: Are you prioritizing eco-friendliness and potentially lower running costs with an electric option, or are you comfortable with natural gas or propane?
  • Availability: Is there a readily available gas line to your home, or are you limited to electricity?
  • Space & Installation: Do you have space for a larger tank that comes with a gas heater, or is the more compact size of an electric model preferable?

Need Back-Up?

Still unsure which water heater to choose? Don’t let this hot debate leave you in the cold! 

Our skilled technicians can assess your needs. They can also discuss the pros and cons of each option. Additionally, they can recommend the perfect water heater for a comfortable home and enjoyable showers.

Remember, choosing the right water heater is an investment in your comfort and home’s value. With the help of Action Plumbing, you can navigate the Great Water Heater Debate and crown the ideal champion for your needs. Let our expertise flow seamlessly into your home and ensure you never face a lukewarm future!

Contact Action Plumbing Heating, Air, & Electrical today and turn up the heat on your water heater happiness!

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common mistakes made by homeowners during the winter as they look to heat their homes. While many of these are well-intentioned or based on understandable gaps in knowledge, they can lead to issues ranging from spiking heating bills up to long-term stress and damage to your HVAC system.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help not only provide your home with proper HVAC equipment like furnace installation and repair, but also offer expertise on the use and maintenance of these components. What are some of the other common mistakes we help our clients avoid as they look to heat their home both affordably and comfortably this winter? Here are a few to keep in mind.

Curtains and Window Concerns

Curtains and window dressings are an area where homeowners should be proceeding in the opposite manner from the summer period. During warm season, keeping blinds or curtains closed during the heat of the day is a great way to limit the home’s interior temperature – during the winter, on the other hand, these should be opened during the day to allow the sun to assist in warming the home. This is free heat you should not avoid.

In addition, always ensure windows are properly closed and locked. You might be shocked how much harder your furnace and HVAC system will have to work to heat the home if even a small gap is present in certain windows, allowing air out when it should be kept in.

Vent Closing

Some homeowners assume that closing all vents in rooms that aren’t being used is a way to save on heating costs. This is not true – ducts in your home are meant to heat the entire area evenly, and will stop working correctly if you close vents unevenly. HVAC professionals recommend keeping all vents in the home open even if you aren’t using certain areas or rooms.

Leaks or Drafts

If you notice any drafts of cold air where there shouldn’t be, or especially if you find leaks, gaps or full-on cracks in your entryways, door areas or similar locations, these should be attended to right away. Leaving them alone will only cause them to worsen, and as we noted above, even small gaps leading to air loss will cause enormous strain on the furnace – and a rise in your heating bill simultaneously.

Regular Maintenance

Finally, perhaps the single largest mistake you can make this season is putting off annual HVAC maintenance. Best done twice a year, during the fall and spring, this maintenance allows us to ensure your system is in good shape headed into a new season – we’ll inspect the entire setup, ensure there are no minor issues that require repair and set you up for the season ahead.

For more on avoiding common heating mistakes during the winter, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

The long Utah winter has ended, and for anyone who knows this local climate well, you’re well aware that the heat of summer will soon be upon us. This means homeowners across the state are looking for ways to stay cool during the heat, and they’re attempting to do so without taking a major hike in their utility bill each month

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re here to help with everything from air conditioner maintenance to electrical, air quality and several other areas. One sneaky area we often remind our clients about when they’re looking to help keep the home cool during spring and summer without increasing the bill: Utilizing your landscaping in intelligent ways. Here are a few basic areas to show you what we mean.

Trees and Shade

One massive area that not enough homeowners take advantage of when it comes to cooling is shade. The sun’s heat is incredibly strong, and providing the home with respite periods and areas from this heat can go a very long way.

Generally, you want trees that are tall enough to reach to the windows and even the roof of your home. The less sun exposure your entire structure has, the cooler it will remain in general. Deciduous trees here are often a great first choice; they shade the home very well during the summer but then lose their leaves during the winter, allowing for the sun to heat the home and assist with warming areas. Our only additional tip here is to plant trees far enough away from the home that they and their roots don’t risk any structural damage when they grow.

Shrubs and Bushes

Down similar lines you can keep lower areas of the home and property shaded using the right shrubs and bushes. One important area to use these in is on sidewalks, driveways and other paved areas – particularly if there’s asphalt involved, these areas can reflect light up and onto your home, increasing its temperature slowly over the course of a day. Well-placed shrubs, however, will block this light.

Trellis or Pergola

If trees and shrubs are not an option or a preference for some reason, or if you don’t want to wait for them to grow, a trellis or a pergola can help instead. Place it on the sunnier side of your home, and consider vines or leaves to provide additional cover.

Water Features

Finally, consider a water feature in your back yard. You may not think this will have a direct impact on the indoor temperature, but you’d be surprised – a small pond or fountain can actually cool the entire yard by several degrees, and this is much of the same air that moves in and out of your home as well.

For more on how to use landscaping to your advantage when it comes to heating your home, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC maintenance services speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.