The solution to your energy flux, and that of many other Cincinnati area homeowners, is a comprehensive energy audit.

Energy audits: DIY or professional?

An energy audit is the process of analyzing and measuring where energy is being wasted in a home. For DIY energy auditors, simple tools like an incense stick, caulk and weatherstripping can be used to reveal and seal air leaks.

Here’s the step-by-step DIY method:

• Close all windows and doors.
• Light an incense stick and hold it up to window and door seams, electrical outlets, the garage access door and the attic hatch or door.
• Any place where the smoke wavers is the location of an air leak.
• Use weatherstripping around doors, including the attic hatch or door.
• Use silicon caulk to seal cracks around windows.
• Install gaskets behind outlet plates.

A professional energy audit entails the use of specialized equipment by a qualified technician that accurately pinpoints and measures air leakage and implements infrared imaging to reveal areas lacking insulation. Energy-usage habits are analyzed, as well as other dynamics of the household, such as work schedules, areas unoccupied much of the time, average thermostat settings and the type of thermostat in use.

• A blower door test depressurizes your home, revealing air leaks as outside air is pulled inside. A calibrated test indicates the rate of leakage over a specified time.
• A thermal scan using infrared video reveals hot and cold spots around the exterior of your home, indicating areas that are lacking in insulation.

A professional energy audit is much more detailed than this brief description. You’ll receive a printout of the results and suggestions for useful measures you can take to make your home more efficient and comfortable, and to finally shrink those energy bills.

If you’d like more detailed information about a home energy audit, contact the professionals at Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve helped homeowners in greater Cincinnati with HVAC, plumbing and energy-efficiency issues for more than 100 years.

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Products that have the WaterSense label have been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program and meet the following requirements:

• They’re at least 20 percent more efficient than equivalent products and perform as well or better.
• WaterSense-approved plumbing fixtures provide measurable water savings on a national level.
• They achieve water savings with the latest technology options.
• An independent third party handles the certification process.

All companies that bear this label have also signed a partnership agreement that defines not only the responsibility of the EPA in certifications, but also how each partner company is permitted to use the label in their product promotions and communications to their consumers.

The WaterSense label currently covers a wide range of plumbing fixtures, including bathroom sink faucets, toilets, flushing urinals, showerheads and irrigation controllers. If you’re preparing for a bathroom remodel or know that your faucet needs replacing, WaterSense is the way to go.

For help selecting the appropriate plumbing fixtures for your home or for more information on the WaterSense label, contact the experts at Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout the greater Cincinnati area.

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Worse, every time your furnace or air conditioner kicks on, the dust and particles in your ducts get carried to every room in your home.

Specific issues and problems make duct cleaning a smart investment, including:

• If you have pets, whose dander can settle in your ducts
• If someone in your home smokes
• If someone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma or other respiratory infections. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cautions that clean ducts do not make health problems disappear, many physicians note that their patients feel some relief from their symptoms after a cleaning.
• If a remodeling or building project has just wrapped up at your home
• If the airflow in your home varies widely, from one level to the next or even room to room on the same floor
• If you suspect that mold is developing in your ducts, particularly after a flood or other water damage
• If you suspect that insects, rodents or even small animals have taken refuge in your ducts
• If piles of dust are found near the air registers

For more information about duct cleaning and to determine if your home could benefit, contact the experts at Apollo Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout greater Cincinnati.

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• Main water shutoff valve – One of the most valuable plumbing tips: Locate your home’s main water shutoff valve and understand how to turn it off in the event of a plumbing disaster. There is often a main shutoff valve in the home, but if that cannot be located, the water main is generally found at the curb with the sidewalk as an access point. Learning how to shut off this valve will prevent excess water from entering your home.
• Slow-draining/clogged sinks - Do the sinks in your home take forever to drain? Learn how to use a drain snake, also called an auger, to undo clogs in the piping. Procure a snake from a local rental company to clear out any slow-running drains/pipes. This action may require a good bit of strength and also involves snaking the drains at ground level. Should you feel uncomfortable performing the cleaning, hire a service professional.
• Flushing the toilet – Don’t flush any products down your toilet except for toilet paper. Feminine products and anything else thicker than toilet paper can result in severe clogs in the sewer pipe, and the toilet will cease to work properly.
• Showerheads and sink faucets - If the flow from your showerheads and sink faucets is slow or uneven, it’s likely due to calcium buildup from hard water. Gravel accumulation in the faucet head screen could also be the issue. Dissolve calcium deposits by removing the faucet and cleaning it with white vinegar. Remove gravel through screen cleaning. This is done by detaching the showerhead. If this is your first time performing this cleaning, use your phone to take photos for reassembling purposes.

For more plumbing tips and other issues relating to home comfort, please contact the pros at Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve been serving the greater Cincinnati area since 1910.

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To assist you with the decision, we’ve compiled 10 tips to follow:

1. Ask friends and family members – When you’re searching for a reputable contractor, who better to point you in the right direction than friends and family?
2. Contact references – Any good HVAC contractor is going to have a long list of satisfied customers. Have them provide you with a few names, and ask the customers about the service they received.
3. Do some research - It’s a good idea to know of local license and insurance requirements. Inquire about these when choosing a contractor.
4. Search for discounts - Many HVAC companies will offer special deals or online coupons to pull in new customers. This can be a great reason to try someone out.
5. Be prepared for a home evaluation - A reputable contractor will want to perform an evaluation of your home, so that he or she can get a feel for your needs.
6. Confirm Energy Star products - A good technician should only want to use products that are backed by the Energy Star logo to ensure that you get the best energy efficiency available.
7. Study the Energy Star guide - This online guide is all the information you’ll ever need to know about the program.
8. Use written proposals – Don’t allow a contractor to begin work until a contract has been signed that lays out every detail of the project.
9. Compare itemized estimates - When accepting bids on a job, compare them not only by the lowest cost, but also take into account details such as energy efficiency and warranties.
10. Spread the word - If you have a good experience with a contractor, be sure to let your friends and family know or write a positive review about them online.

For more information about hiring an HVAC contractor, or for home comfort questions, please contact the professionals at Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of the greater Cincinnati area since 1910.

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Think of the exercise as an opportunity, because today’s energy-efficient air conditioners can operate at 90 percent efficiency levels or more. This means that even if your central air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save between 20 and 40 percent on your cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Those savings, however, can literally go right out the window if your new air conditioner is improperly installed or placed in the wrong spot.

Take a proactive role during your A/C replacement and make sure that your contractor:

• Situates the condensing unit in a place free of obstructions, which can block airflow to your A/C.
• Situates the condensing unit where it stands the least chance of distracting you or your neighbors. In most cases, this means that it should be located away from bedroom windows.
• Allows plenty of room around the unit so that it can be easily accessed for repairs.
• Installs the thermostat far away from potentially interfering sources of hot and cold air, especially windows and registers.
• Refers to a reputable duct-sizing tool, such as the one provided by Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
• Installs ductwork in conditioned spaces only and not in the attic, if it can be avoided.
• Checks that there are adequate supply registers in your home to deliver cool air, as well as an adequate number of return air registers to carry warm indoor air back to the air conditioner.
• Seals all ducts with duct mastic and amply insulates attic ductwork.
• Installs an access door leading to the evaporator coil.
• Checks that your new A/C has a proper refrigerant charge and airflow rate, as outlined by the A/C manufacturer.

For more information about A/C replacement for your home, contact the pros at Apollo Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.

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Hot water waste and overuse drives up energy costs for many families, but thankfully there’s an easy solution. Take a few small steps to use your water heater less and save money on heating expenses.

Opt for cold water when possible

Most people don’t realize that cold water is just fine for a lot of laundering, especially for rinsing.

• Switch to cold washes for most loads. Clothes still get clean, but you save money.
• For heavily soiled clothing or items that recommend a warm wash, go ahead and follow the instructions on the label, but rinse in cold water for savings.

Low-flow fixtures

If your home is older, you’ve likely got older fixtures in your bathrooms. Showerheads and faucets today are designed to reduce the flow of water and eliminate waste. The difference is surprising; today’s showerheads are designed with a flow rate of no more than 2.5 gpm, while those from 1992 and before can have a flow rate of up to 5.5 gpm.

Thankfully, it doesn’t cost a fortune to fix this water waster. Newer, efficient showerheads are affordable and easy to install. Updating faucets is also easy, since you can simply change out the aerator on the faucet.  Aerators are inexpensive, easy to replace and save you money. Choose one with a flow of 1.0 gpm or less for the most savings.

Energy-efficient appliances

Today’s clothes washers and dishwashers are more efficient than older counterparts. Some newer dishwashers utilize a booster heater that heats the water internally, so your water heater doesn’t have to work as hard. They also use less water in general, so they are better for the environment, too.

If you’d like to know more about saving money with your water heater, contact Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve been helping greater Cincinnati area homeowners with their water and heating needs since 1910, and we’d love to help you, too.

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• Conduct a home energy audit: Have a professional inspect your home to determine the major areas of energy loss and provide ways to remedy them. While some fixes might make for good DIY projects, other home energy upgrade options may require a professional contractor. Your energy auditor should be able to help you determine which tasks you can do and which require a pro.
• Increase your insulation: Energy loss doesn’t always occur through leaky windows and door frames, but often through the walls themselves. Increasing the insulation in your exterior walls and in your home’s attic can greatly reduce the energy loss associated with heat transference.
• Update your appliances: Many older appliances consume significantly more energy than their more modern counterparts. By simply replacing your outdated appliances with Energy Star brand products, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars each year in energy savings. Some products may even qualify for tax incentives of up to 30 percent of the purchase price to save you even more.

By conducting a home energy upgrade, you can ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible, saving you money while keeping you comfortable in your home all year long. For more ways to save energy in your home, contact Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing for all of your home comfort needs.

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Addressing these seven issues before installation will help you cover the major factors that can impact the long-term conditioning costs:

1. Make your home as energy efficient as possible. Some projects, such as adding insulation to the attic and sealing air leaks, are inexpensive and contribute to better efficiency for years to come. A home that’s as efficient as possible may not need as large a heat pump, which means you’ll save money on its purchase and ongoing conditioning bills.
2. Ask the HVAC contractor to carefully assess your ductwork. It should be installed inside the insulated area of your home to minimize thermal losses.
3. Verify that the contractor will test the ductwork for air leaks. The leakage should be no more than 10 percent of the system’s airflow. The ductwork is a significant part of the heat pump installation, helping to keep energy bills lower.
4. Be certain that the contractor will fasten the ductwork joints with mastic. Duct tape should never be used because its adhesive doesn’t last long enough and the joints can separate quickly, driving up energy bills and lowering your indoor air quality.
5. Wrap the ductwork with insulation that has a value of R-8 if it has to run through unconditioned spaces like the basement or the attic.
6. Request a return register in each room of your home to boost airflow through the heat pump’s indoor blower.
7. Choose a space for the outdoor condenser for the heat pump that receives little or no sunshine. It will make a difference in the cooling efficiency in the summer. Make sure that there is plenty of space on all four sides for adequate ventilation. Placing it away from vegetation that creates a lot of litter will help keep the area cleaner, increasing the efficiency of the heat pump.

If you would like to learn more about heat pump installation, contact Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve provided HVAC services for the greater Cincinnati area since 1910.

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