Help Available to Fight Rising Electric Bills

Industry expert says homeowners can save most on soaring electric bills by tuning up central air conditioning system.

Southlake, TX (PRWEB) August 18, 2006 -- As the heat wave and higher electricity costs in North Texas combine to ring up record electric bills, an industry expert says help may be closer than most people think.

Bill Stevens, president of Southlake-based Berkey’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, cites two common problems that keep most homeowners from getting good performance from their cooling equipment: air flow and dirt. Insufficient air flow makes AC equipment cycle more often and run longer, and that makes for higher electric bills.

“It’s good to have proper insulation and well-sealed doors and windows, but the energy savings they offer are minuscule compared to the savings a well-tuned central air conditioning system provides,” Stevens said.

“New 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) equipment offers a 30 percent improvement over the old 10 SEER standard, but most people don’t come close to getting the performance they’re paying for because of inadequate air flow. People with older, 10-SEER or lower rated equipment may actually be getting only 4- or 5-SEER performance, and that makes for very high electric bills.”

Compounding the problem, when HVAC equipment runs more often than it should, it wears out sooner than the 8-to-12 years it should last in North Texas.

Stevens says home owners should have a qualified, factory-trained air conditioning specialist inspect their central air conditioners now because people still have several weeks of hot weather to endure. His company, and many others, offers an annual inspection and maintenance plan that helps home owners see if their equipment is performing efficiently, and if not, what it would take to boost its performance.

“Many home owners are pleased to find they don’t need to replace older equipment to save money; they just need to get the performance they’ve paid for,” Stevens said.

About Berkey’s
Berkey’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning has specialized in the needs of homeowners in Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville and Keller for more than 30 years. Our reputation for prompt, honest service from licensed and factory trained technicians assures our customers the best in professional service and equipment. To learn more, call Berkey’s at 817-481-5869.

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