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.