With the approach of Earth Day on April 22nd, clean air, fresh water, and energy efficiency are hot topics. Homeowners not only focus on ways to make their homes more energy and environmentally conducive but also wallet-friendly. Blue Dot, a Topeka business around for more than 62 years, answered a few questions on ways to keep homes cool this summer, healthy, and on budget.
TL: When homeowners want to cut energy costs, what is the first thing they should consider?
BD: Using high-efficiency appliances and L.E.D. light bulbs. They should also check to make sure there is enough insulation in the house, and check their HVAC filter. If you have a standard one-inch filter, we advise changing it out every month to month and a half and using a MERV11 pleated filter. There are also filter upgrade options, like electromagnetic filters, that catch more dirt than normal filters, keeping more dirt out of the furnace for more efficiency, and more dust out of the air—less allergies. This type of filter only needs changing every three months, which means less trash in landfills.
TL: Is an HVAC A/C tune-up a good idea before cooling season hits?
BD: Having your air conditioner tuned-up before the heat of the summer is a great idea! Especially if you have an older unit. The inspection done can often identify components that are going bad, allowing homeowners to fix them before the system quits on the hottest day of the year. We also clean and lube components, making units run more efficiently and decreasing their chances of breaking. Plus, there are little things that customers can do themselves, such as make sure the thermostat has new batteries (Yes, most thermostats have batteries!), and change the air filter.
TL: What are some other ways to save on cooling costs this summer?
BD: Close the shades during the day. If you have a variable speed fan on your HVAC unit, leave the fan in “on” mode, not “auto”. Constant moving air will help decrease your A/C unit’s need to run constantly. Plus, wait until after dark to run appliances such as dishwashers and dryers.
TL: What should homeowners look for when considering air purifiers?
BD: There are a lot of air purifiers out there and some are nothing more than a gimmick. Watch out for ones that are hard to clean or require expensive maintenance all the time. And check the warranty. Look for a U.V.C with a catalyst for your best health benefits. We sell RGF Reme Halo air purifiers, which kill 99-percent of germs throughout the house and decrease odors and dust in the air
TL: What makes a good water purification system?
BD: Water filtration is a common home addition these days. Even city water can have minerals or contaminates picked up from pipes after leaving the water treatment plant. A water softener helps preserve your appliances, making them last longer and run better, decreases the amount of soap you need, and helps make your skin less dry. Another useful water purifier is a reverse osmosis system. This allows you to have bottle quality water in your home.
TL: Why should homeowners choose Blue Dot?
BD: We’re licensed, experienced, committed, and good neighbors. We give back and we shop locally. Also, we’re very careful about what we sell. If we sell it, we believe in it. We are often not the cheapest price because we do not want to sell equipment that you will be unhappy with. Plus, we are a 24-hour a day phone service. Anytime you call Blue Dot, you will talk to a real person.