Keeping your Bay Area home cool and comfortable is at the top of most people’s minds this summer and beyond. Our temperatures remain pretty consistent throughout the summer months, but vary throughout the hours of a day; you may need AC by day and heat by night. We know, comfort isn’t always the only thing on people’s minds when it comes to cooling and heating their homes, the cost of keeping your home in the ideal temperature range can play a major role on it and its occupants.

We have all heard about energy efficient options to help save some money on heating and cooling our homes, but do they really work? Are they worth it? Let’s review if an energy efficient HVAC system can really save you money.

What is Energy Efficient HVAC and Why it Matters?

Before we review if an energy efficient HVAC system can really save you money, we wanted to provide a brief reminder as to what this type of system is and why you should even consider this option.

Let’s start with the “why”. The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of this going to heating and cooling costs (EnergyStar). Your HVAC system plays a major role in how much or how little you spend. If you have an older HVAC system, or one that is not energy efficient, if you switch to a high-efficiency HVAC system, you could reduce your energy use by 20% to 50% (Energy.gov). That large chunk of savings isn’t something to blink about.

An efficient HVAC system is cost-effective when the lifetime energy savings (from avoided energy costs over the life of the product, discounted to present value) exceed the additional up-front cost (if any) compared to a less efficient option (Energy.gov). To put this simply, compared to standard units, energy-efficient HVAC uses less energy and costs less to operate without affecting performance and comfort. An energy efficient HVAC system can be determined by two things: SEER and AFUE. You can read more about those here.

Can an Energy Efficient HVAC System Really Save You Money?

As we reviewed above, if you don’t have an energy efficient HVAC system in your home, chances are it is costing you by up to 50% more than it needs to be. A new HVAC system can help you enjoy more consistent heating and cooling throughout your home and lower your utility bills, yes, saving you money. Energy efficient HVAC systems have several other benefits as well:

• Increased comfort because energy efficient units produce more even heating and cooling, help maintain a constant temperature in every room in your home, provide consistent levels of airflow, and have superior humidity control.
• Lower noise level due to newer HVAC units being designed with sound-absorbing materials and technology.
• Better environmental impact because energy efficient systems use less electricity and burn less fuel than older systems. High efficiency systems use up to one-third less fuel than older models, which means they help conserve more of our natural resources.
• Rebates and incentive offers. In some states you may be able to get a rebate, tax break, or other financial incentive on a qualified energy-efficient ENERGY STAR HVAC unit. This will save you money right from the start of having your new HVAC system installed.

An energy efficient HVAC system can really save you money and comes with some other added benefits as well.

If you are looking for a heating or cooling system for your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County home, contact Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing. We are committed to providing fast, cost-effective HVAC solutions for homeowners throughout the North Bay area.

It’s summer and it’s hot. When you are looking for some relief from the heat, you likely turn to the inside of your home to find comfort. If your home doesn’t have central air conditioning, or there are rooms without vents or that never seem to cool down enough, you may turn to whatever solution you can find, to gain your home’s ideal temperatures. If you use window ac units to cool down your home, or even just a room or two, while there are other options available (i.e. ductless air conditioning, central ac, etc.), you may not see the need to change. Should you? Is that window AC unit costing you more than you even realize? Let’s review.

What are Window Air Conditioners?

In case you aren’t familiar with these cooling devices, a window air conditioner is the simplest type of AC unit. It’s a single unit with all the parts and components contained inside one box or casing. This type of air conditioning is usually mounted or installed in a window and plugs into an electrical outlet. Window units operate independently from a home HVAC system. Like other air conditioning units, window AC units use refrigeration properties to remove heat and humidity from a room while cooling air to circulate into the room.

While central air conditioning is a solution for whole home comfort, window AC units are used more for smaller areas, and multiple units may need to be used to keep your home feeling comfortable in the heat.

Many people turn to this type of cooling, when their home doesn’t have central AC or existing ductwork and they don’t want to face the cost of having that or ductless AC installed. The question is, is that window AC unit costing you more?

Is that Window AC Unit Costing You?

It’s rather difficult to compare window AC units versus central AC, because they serve different purposes. Central air conditioners move cool air through a system of supply and return ducts. Supply ducts and registers (i.e., openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills) carry cooled air from the air conditioner to the whole home. Window AC units typically only cool a limited space like a room or two (depending on the size of your unit).

When considering if window AC units cost you more than central air conditioning, you should compare the energy usage for your cooling system. A central air unit uses more energy to cool your home than other cooling choices; however, they are cooling a larger space and are typically more efficient. As Mr. Electricity states, a window unit uses anywhere from 500 to 1,440 watts to run, while a 2.5 ton central unit (about the size for a typical 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot home) uses about 3,500 watts.

Basically, to answer if that window AC unit is costing you, it really comes down to its main purpose. If you are looking to cool only a small area, a window AC unit may be okay; however, as a whole home solution, if you have multiple window units running, the energy usage and cost can really add up.

With window units there is a lot more risk of hot air entering and cool air escaping than with central AC or ductless cooling. That too can cost you and make your window air conditioning have to continuously run to keep up with the desired temperature and humidity levels. While installation of a window unit is simple and less expensive than other options, is it worth it?

Are Window AC Units Right for Your Home?

Is that window AC unit costing you? Like we said above, this really comes down to what you are using the cooling device for. If you plan to cool more than three rooms and have more than one or two window AC units, the energy consumption will likely cost you more than that of a central air conditioning unit.

A central AC unit adds resale value to your home, so you can recoup more of your investment, if you sell your home. Central AC allows you to cool more of your home at once and maintain more balanced temperatures than window units. Central air units should connect to your thermostat giving you more control over your home’s comfort, than a window AC unit allows. Also, central air units are also more efficient and let less cool air escape.

If you are looking for new AC Installation in Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County, Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing can help. We offer whole home air conditioning options as well as ductless AC installation.

Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is a full service HVAC company that is licensed to solve all your air conditioner related problems, including repair, replacement, maintenance and safety inspection. Ready to get started? Contact us today.

Being comfortable in your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa County home is important, but your family’s comfort levels can come with increased energy bills. There is a delicate balance between your family’s preferred indoor temperatures and the money you are paying to keep up with them. If you are trying to find the right place to land, when it comes to your home’s air conditioning temperatures, you are not alone. What temperature should you keep your home at during the summer? Let’s review.

What Temperature Should you Keep Your Home at During the Summer?

Having your air conditioning set to a very low temperature can not only cost you more, it can put extra strain on your system, leading to an increase in breakdowns and shortening its life. As the summer sets in and the warmer temperatures stick around, you and your family of course want to escape the heat from the outside, inside of your home; you can do so, without blasting the air.

To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F (26°C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill. We know, that may seem much too high for most people; however, the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.

Turning your thermostat up seven to 10° F higher while you are away at work, or any time you're out of the house for more than two hours, can help you save as much as 10 percent on cooling costs. With that being said, what temperature you should keep your home at during the summer, depends on if you are there are not. To save money and energy while you're away, set your thermostat to 88°F. The higher interior temperature actually slows the flow of heat into your home, so it won't take as much energy to cool things back down when you return home.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Comfortable While Saving Money

If you are looking to still maintain comfort levels in your home, while following the above temperature recommendations, there are some things you can do to avoid needing to turn the temperature setting down. These include:

• Utilizing a programmable thermostat to change temperature settings when you are home and away
• Using window coverings (i.e. curtains and blinds) that keep sunlight out and prevent heat from entering through the windows
• Keeping weather-stripping and caulk around doors and windows to maintain your home’s seal
• When possible, try to grill and cook outside to limit the use of appliances that generate heat
• Installing and using ceiling fans to increase cooling efficiency
• Investing in a dehumidifiers to help eliminate any access moisture that may come with the higher temperatures

As we said, when it comes to what temperature you should keep your home at during the summer, we know that there is a balance between comfort and costs. At Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, our goal is to ensure that you are comfortable in your home all year long. We can help you find the right HVAC unit for your home and family, repair AC issues you may be facing, tune up your cooling system so it works at its best, and more. When it comes to your comfort, you deserve the best solutions at the best value. All of our technicians and installers are Bragg employees dedicated to providing you with personalized solutions that meet your goals and budget.

Contact us today.

The warmer weather is setting in. Lots of people are likely jumping for joy, but others are probably thinking about how it can impact the money in their piggy bank. Keeping your Marin, Sonoma, or Napa county home cool during the spring and summer, can really put a dent in your pocketbook. We are going to review some tips for how to keep cooling costs down this spring and summer while not impacting your home and family’s comfort.

How to Keep Cooling Costs Down this Spring and Summer

Let’s be honest, when it comes to cooling your home, one of the most undesired parts about it, is the cost. There are things you can do to try and elevate some of the expense and most of those things are free or cost very little. What are those things? Keep reading to find out.

• Keep your Air Filters Clean: Dirty AC filters block airflow and make units work harder to cool your home, in turn, costing you money. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one, can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15% (Energy.gov). Not to mention, regularly replacing your home’s air filters can prolong the life of your HVAC system and make the air you are breathing cleaner, saving you even more in the long run.
• Set your Thermostat Effectively: Having the right and a functional thermostat, can save you around 10% a year on heating and cooling costs, and if you program your thermostat to stay within the ideal temperature range, it can save you even more. The key to finding the right temperature is being comfortable, not chilled. Setting your AC as high as is comfortably possible and using a programmable thermostat to increase temperature when you’re out, or asleep, could easily decrease your summer cooling bill by 10% or more.
• Utilize Fans and Ventilation Systems: As we recently reviewed, using your home’s ceiling fans with your HVAC system can save you money. If you are looking to keep cooling costs down this spring and summer, turning on your fans can help. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting by about 3-5°F with no reduction in comfort. On average, for every degree you can move the air conditioner thermostat up, you reduce the duration of “on” cycles of the air conditioner compressor by 10%, cutting energy consumption, prolonging the life of your air conditioner, and increasing comfort in your home. When you take a shower or bath, use the bathroom vent to remove heat and humidity from your home, this can also save money on trying to cool down the space.
• Avoid Allowing Heat into Your Home: When it is warm outside, do whatever you can do to try and prevent that heat from coming inside your home. Close curtains and blinds to block out the rays during the day. Keeping sun out of your home, means you are reducing the heat that enters. Don’t run heat producing appliances during hot peaks. Things like using a stove or oven, doing laundry, or running the dishwasher can be saved until nighttime, or when the temperatures are a little cooler. Seal any cracks around windows or doors to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.

When it comes to keeping cooling costs down this spring and summer, there are many things you can do without really impacting the comfort level of your home. While we have reviewed a few tips above, for more, you can check out Energy.gov’s Energy Saver 101 infographic, covering everything you need to know about home cooling.

In Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is here for all of your Bay Area cooling needs. Whether you are looking for new AC installation, repair, or a tune-up, we have got you covered. Contact us today.

Do you have areas in your home that seem to never be cool enough? What about an outdoor space that you spend a lot of time in, but tend to avoid when it is too hot outside? Is your home lacking central air all together? Whatever the cause, you are reading this because you are thinking about adding ductless AC to your home. We are going to review what this type of cooling is, and dig into if ductless AC could be the solution to keeping your home cool during the warmer months of the year.

What is Ductless Air Conditioning?

Ductless HVAC systems, also referred to as mini-split systems or ductless split systems, are a type of air conditioning and heating unit that does not require ductwork for installation to transport heated or cooled air. These systems have two main components connected by a refrigerant line: an outdoor condenser and an indoor blower.

Multiple indoor units can be connected to a single outdoor unit; that’s where the “split” part of the name comes from. These units, typically wall-mounted, blow cooled or heated air into the room they’re in, cooling or warming it. This type of air conditioning does not go in a window or, as mentioned above, need any ductwork.

Ductless mini-split air conditioners offer a more energy efficient and comfortable alternative to standard AC units. Ductless systems feature more flexible indoor climate control, which allows you and your household members to achieve your comfort goals without hassle. Also, you don’t have to worry about air escaping through leaking ductwork and driving up your energy bill. Ductless air conditioners come with zoned cooling benefits to help promote more flexible and efficient cooling throughout your home.

Could Ductless AC be the Solution to Keeping Your Home Cool During the Warmer Months?

Most homeowners who are considering ductless AC either don’t have central air conditioning at all, have rooms or spaces that aren’t connected to their current ductwork, or have rooms or spaces that just aren’t cool enough. Regardless the reason, ductless AC has many benefits and could be just what you are looking for to elevate the comfort level in your home.

Below we review some of the most common spaces of homes that many people add these units to.

• Bonus Room or Space in an Outdoor Area: If you have a garage area in your home, or some other outdoor enclosed space that you spend a lot of time in, ductless AC could be the solution to keeping that area, and you, cool. Spaces like this usually make it hard to get ductwork too and may not have windows where a window unit can go, so ductless AC can be the perfect solution.
• Home Addition: Often times when an addition is added to the home, it can be very difficult and costly to connect existing ductwork and central cooling to the space. Not to mention, the added space could be too large for your current HVAC system, which can cause issues. For these reasons, ductless HVAC systems may be your best solution.
• Three Season Room: As the name, “Three Season Room”, suggests, these rooms are designed to be used when the weather and temperatures allow. One of the biggest things that makes them different from a four season room, is their lack of temperature control. If you want to turn your three season room into a livable space that can be used all year round, a ductless system may be the best way to do so.
• A Large Open Space (Great Room): If you have a large space in your home, such as a great room, that never seems to be cool enough, it could be causing your current HVAC system to work harder to keep up with your desired temperatures, which can shorten it’s lifespan. This can also make the space not as comfortable as you would like. Many people add additional cooling systems to these larger areas of their homes to ensure the space remains within desired temperatures.

There are many other areas of your home that ductless AC can be the solution to keeping them cool during the warmer months: master bedrooms, offices, etc. When you are trying to determine if ductless AC is right for your home, you should consider its benefits: independent comfort, efficiency, dual cooling and heating, space flexibility, easy installation, and more.

Our experts at Bragg Cooling, Heating & Plumbing offer professional ductless AC solutions that will help you meet your indoor comfort goals more efficiently. Whether you need to install a new system or have your current one serviced or repaired, our experts are prepared to deliver the quality solutions you deserve.

We serve customers in Marion, Napa, and Sonoma, California. Contact us today.

June 30, 2022

When it comes to keeping your North Bay Area home cool, you have lots of options. From window AC units, to central air, and even ductless air conditioning, in this day and age, you should not have to worry about having a home that is warmer than you prefer. If you are trying to decide on what type of air conditioning is right for your Novato home, you may be considering if your home would benefit from ductless AC. This form of cooling has become more and more popular recently, but if you haven’t heard of it, we have got you covered. We will help you answer the question, “What is ductless AC and is it right for your home”? Keep reading to find out.

What is Ductless AC?

Before you can decide if ductless AC is right for you and your family, you need to have a good understanding as to what it is.

Ductless HVAC systems, also referred to as mini-split systems or ductless split systems, are a type of air conditioning and heating unit that does not require ductwork for installation to transport heated or cooled air. These systems have two main components connected by a refrigerant line: an outdoor condenser and an indoor blower.

Multiple indoor units can be connected to single outdoor unit; that’s where the “split” part of the name comes from. These units, typically wall-mounted, blow cooled or heated air into the room they’re in, cooling or warming it. This type of air conditioning does not go in a window or, as mentioned above, need any ductwork.

Is Ductless AC Right for Your Home?

Now that we have covered what ductless AC is, it’s time to review the benefits of these types of systems, so you can decide if this cooling solution is right for your home.

Ductless mini-split air conditioners offer a more energy efficient and comfortable alternative to standard AC units. Ductless systems feature more flexible indoor climate control, which allows you and your household members to achieve your comfort goals without hassle. Also, you don’t have to worry about air escaping through leaking ductwork and driving up your energy bill. Ductless air conditioners come with zoned cooling benefits to help promote more flexible and efficient cooling throughout your home.

Below we review the benefits of this type of AC further:

Independent Comfort: A ductless split system is capable of heating and cooling rooms of your home independently of one another, providing zoned heating and cooling. Many ductless models can provide you with up to five different zones, allowing individual household members to set their room temperature to their desired comfort level. No more arguing over the thermostat – everyone at home can finally enjoy greater comfort with the zoned cooling benefits of a ductless mini split AC system. Not to mention, this can save you money.

Efficiency: While this may not be at the top of your mind when you are trying to escape the heat, efficiency typically always comes into play when people are looking for a new cooling solution. Ductless mini-split systems are more efficient than traditional air conditioners or furnaces. Since the blower is located right in the room, and there is no energy lost in the home’s ductwork. Ductless systems can cut cooling costs by 30%, compared to conventional room air conditioners. They can also cut heating costs in half, compared to conventional heating systems.

Cooling and Heating: You may only be thinking about air conditioning right now, but ductless mini-split systems, can provide year-round relief. Ductless systems are heat pumps, which means they are capable of providing both cooling and heating to your home. Because installing this type of system in your home can also provide heat, when the nights get chilly, you can still utilize the zoned comfort.

Flexibility: As referenced above, these units are flexible in regards to location. They are relatively small and they can go where ducts and window units can’t. They can be installed mostly anywhere on a wall, suspended from the ceiling, or mounted into a drop ceiling. They usually have a remote control that makes it easy to turn them on and off, regardless of where they are located. These units are typically thought to be less of an eyesore than window AC systems.

Easy Installation and Expansion: Ductless systems are easy to install. Ductless installation doesn’t require any ductwork, and can be completed in a short amount of time, making the installation less expensive than a traditional HVAC system. As mentioned, one outdoor condenser unit can be connected to several indoor blower units, this means that more rooms can be connected to the system as needed.

Ductless Mini Split AC Installation in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Counties

Now that we have reviewed what ductless AC is and if it is right for your home, if you are ready to install one, or more, of these systems in your home, the team at Bragg Plumbing & Heating is here.

Our experts at Bragg Plumbing Heating & Cooling offer professional ductless AC solutions that will help you meet your indoor comfort goals more efficiently. Whether you need to install a new system or have your current one serviced or repaired, our experts are prepared to deliver the quality solutions you deserve. Whether you are installing a ductless mini split system for the first time, or you are planning on replacing an existing unit, our trained employees will take the time to guide you through the setup process and make sure you know what to expect before they begin the job.

Our team will discuss your needs and concerns, recommend the appropriate system size for your household, and go over the products that will best meet your goals and budget. You will receive an upfront estimate and honest recommendations to help you make the best decision for your home.

The Bragg Plumbing Heating & Cooling technicians can install split systems of all makes and models, including equipment from Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and LG. We can also provide you with specific products upon request. Reach out to us today to discuss your needs and let us help you find the perfect cooling system for your family.