Is it time for a new home comfort system?

Replacing your home’s HVAC system may seem like a daunting task, but it’s easy if you know what features to look for. We’ve compiled the ultimate “things to consider” checklist to help you take the plunge:

Some of your rooms are too hot or cold

Duct problems, inadequate air sealing or insulation could be the cause. No matter how efficient your heating and cooling system is, if your home is not properly sealed and insulated against air leakage, you will not be as comfortable and your system will have to work harder.

Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust

Poorly operating or improperly sized equipment could be to blame. Leaky ductwork can also cause these problems, so having it sealed may be a solution. Monthly maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment’s filters may also help.

Your cooling system is noisy

Your duct system could be improperly sized or there may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up

In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient.

Your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 12 years old

Consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment. And, remember, high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old

Consider replacing it with ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment. ENERGY STAR has set high efficiency guidelines for both types of heating systems.

You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature

You could be missing a great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home’s temperature at times when you’re regularly away or sleeping.

Source: “A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

5 Thanksgiving Entertaining Reminders

5 Thanksgiving Entertaining Reminders

When prepping for Thanksgiving guests, you’re probably focused on making sure your fridge and pantry are stocked, and the table is set. But making your home clean and comfortable is just as important.

And, good gravy, there are no shortage of options here. For your convenience, we carved the list down to these 5 items:

Have Your Home Comfort System Serviced and Inspected

Before winter weather hits, call a licensed heating and cooling professional to service and inspect your furnace. This not only helps prevent any unexpected heating emergencies, but also prolongs the life of your system. Plus, a well-maintained comfort system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your home – which means you’ll save energy and money every month. Click Here to schedule a service appointment with Betlem Residential today.

Deep-Clean Your Home, Including the Air

Make your home neat and your guests happy by giving your home a thorough cleaning. Mop the floors, wash the windows and clean all drapery and bedding. You may also want to have your carpets professionally cleaned, especially if you have pets.

To ensure the air inside your home is just as clean as your fabrics and furnishings, consider investing in a PureAir™ air purification system. It works with your heating and cooling system to remove all three classes of contaminants, including volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and harsh odors, from your home’s air.

Keep a Lid on Kitchen Odors

There’s nothing like the aroma of a roasted turkey, but that doesn’t mean you want the smell lingering around your home for hours. Make sure your kitchen’s exhaust fan is clean and replace the filter if necessary. It’s also a good idea to take out the trash frequently, especially if it contains animal products like eggshells and turkey bones.

Create a Perfectly Comfortable Gathering Space

Whether it’s a living room, family room or den, it’s important to provide a welcoming place for guests to relax before and after the big meal. Stash remote controls, toys and other clutter in attractive baskets, and stock up on throw pillows and blankets for extra warmth and comfort. If your home has a fireplace, you’ll want to have it cleaned and inspected in advance so it’s ready to add to the cozy atmosphere.

Don’t Forget to Relax!

Planning and hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work, even when your guest list is on the modest side. Give yourself a break if everything doesn’t come out exactly the way you planned. Your guests won’t remember if the turkey was a little dry or the green beans were slightly salty. But they will remember the stories that were told and the memories that were created. So relax – and enjoy!

Perfection: You can feel it in the air!

It starts with pure, clean freshness that lets you breathe easier. Then, there’s the silent flow of precisely heated air to every room.

Yes, perfect air may sound like a dream, but it doesn’t have to be. Discover the secrets behind perfect air, right here.

Look for variable capacity to ensure steady performance

Unlike single-stage units that can only operate all the way on or off, furnaces with Precise Comfort™ variable-capacity technology have the ability to make incremental adjustments in heat and airflow. That means more even temperatures and virtually silent operation.

Choose systems that turn serious comfort into serious energy savings

Perfect air shouldn’t require uncomfortably high utility bills, so look for home heating and cooling systems that make smart use of energy. Precise Comfort™ technology built into select units from the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection delivers exactly the right amount of heating, using energy only when it’s absolutely needed.

Dual-fuel systems are another smart option. When a gas furnace is paired with an electric heat pump, the Lennox system automatically determines the most efficient fuel source for the conditions at hand.

Take smart control of your home’s heating

Gone are the days of leaving a soft bed to adjust the thermostat, or coming home to find stuffy rooms. New advances in heating and cooling controls allow you to enhance your home comfort and save energy from anywhere. With Lennox’ iComfort Wi-Fi thermostat, temperature settings can be adjusted using a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Tap into the power of zoning

Perhaps you have one area in your house that’s always drafty, or a seldom-used guest room that needs little heating. With iHarmony™ zoning, you can direct air to specific areas in your home and reduce airflow to others—with just a few taps of your thermostat or even your phone. You can keep your family perfectly comfortable, while keeping your home energy efficient.

Fill your home with air that feels good – and is good for you

There’s nothing like the comfort that comes with knowing the air you breathe inside your home is clean, healthy and free of contaminants. Lennox’ PureAir™ air purification system works with your heating and cooling system to clean the air in your home better than any other single system you can buy.

Bring it all together in one perfect system

Any one Lennox® product can make your home feel cozier. Put them all together in a Lennox® system, and you can enjoy exceptional comfort and efficiency. And with Ultimate Comfort System, Lennox’ most advanced system, perfection is achieved.

When the sun comes up, your energy costs can go down.

With energy costs ever on the rise, you’re probably looking for ways to use less energy without compromising your lifestyle.

One of the most efficient and effective ways you can save energy also happens to be one of the most abundant: solar energy.

Home heating and cooling: your biggest chance at savings.

Perhaps the greatest impact that solar energy can have on your home will be felt in heating and air conditioning. As your home’s biggest consumer of energy, the heating and cooling system can produce substantial savings when integrated with solar energy.

Adding solar energy can be easier than you think.

Adding a solar energy source to your home heating and cooling system used to require a complicated, costly custom installation. However, with the introduction of SunSource, adding solar energy is much simpler and more cost-effective. 

Solar energy blends in perfectly with the rest of your home.

A typical solar installation will make a big difference in your energy savings. But it won’t make a big difference in the appearance of your home. Most of the time, the solar modules in a solar energy system are installed on the roof where they’ll gather the most light, and be the least intrusive on your landscaping and home décor.

Solar modules stand up to the elements and more.

While solar modules may look fragile, they’re actually extremely robust. Premium materials like those used in the SunSource Home Energy System can withstand even the most brutal weather conditions, including heavy rain, hail and snow.

Solar heating and cooling does more than heat and cool.

With a solar-enabled heating and cooling system in place, you will certainly enjoy a reduction in the amount of energy you use to stay comfortable. But the savings may very well be felt throughout your home as well, because energy systems such as SunSource can actually route extra power away from the heating and cooling system and use it to power small appliances in the home.

Too much electricity? Sell it back.

On days when solar panels produce more electricity than you’ll actually need for heating, cooling and small appliances, many local utilities may let you sell that excess electricity back to them, which means you’re actually making money on the energy your panels produce.

See your savings in a different light.

While it’s easy to understand the benefits of solar energy, it’s even more impactful when you can see just how much you can save, right there in front of you. Visit the Lennox Solar Calculator for an interactive example of how the savings can add up in your home. You’ll see just how good the sun can make you feel.

Stay warm and save!

Want to get better heating performance while lowering monthly energy costs? Follow these tips below to increase your home’s heating efficiency:

Choose a system with automatic, precision control

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the SLP98V gas furnace with innovative Precise Comfort™ technology to make automatic adjustments—in increments as small as 1%—for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72°F while you’re at home—and lower while you’re asleep or away—can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.