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The Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat

Written by rivaldigital on . Posted in Tips, Energy Efficiency, Installation. No Comments on The Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat

Tired of battling fluctuating temperatures and soaring energy bills in your Virginia Beach home? Manually adjusting your thermostat can waste energy and leave you uncomfortable. At Galactic Air Inc., we install programmable thermostats for homeowners across Virginia Beach. 

In this blog, we’ll break down how this smart upgrade can transform your comfort and efficiency.

Four Key Advantages of a Programmable Thermostat for Virginia Beach Homeowners

Switching to a programmable thermostat provides several benefits that can improve your daily life and home efficiency.

Energy Savings

Programmable thermostats allow you to set the temperature of your Virginia Beach home to align with your daily schedule. Adjusting the temperature when you’re away or asleep can reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills.

The savings from improved energy efficiency can be substantial throughout the year, especially during extreme summer and winter months when your HVAC system works hardest. Many homeowners find that their investment in a programmable thermostat pays for itself within the first year.

Enhanced Comfort

With a programmable thermostat, your home can be at the desired temperature when you arrive, ensuring comfort without constantly adjusting settings. With consistent indoor temperatures, you can enjoy a far more comfortable living environment throughout the day.

Temperature scheduling allows you to:

  • Wake up to a warm home on cold Virginia mornings
  • Return to perfect comfort after work without wasting energy
  • Create personalized comfort zones for different times of day
  • Maintain ideal sleeping temperatures automatically

Extended HVAC System Lifespan

Programmable thermostats help extend the lifespan of your equipment by optimizing temperature settings to reduce the HVAC system’s workload. This proactive approach reduces wear and tear, leading to fewer repairs and a longer-lasting system.

Your heating and cooling equipment benefits from:

  • Reduced runtime when your home is unoccupied
  • Less frequent cycling between on and off states
  • More consistent operation within optimal ranges
  • Decreased stress on mechanical components

Integration With Smart Home Systems

Many modern programmable thermostats are compatible with smart home systems, allowing you to control your home’s temperature from anywhere via smartphone apps. Features like GPS-enabled geofencing can adjust the thermostat based on your location, so it uses less power when you’re not home, and automatically adjusts to the perfect temperature just before you walk in the door.

Additional advanced smart thermostat features might include humidity monitoring, maintenance reminders, and integration with zoned heating and cooling systems to provide customized comfort throughout different areas of your home.

Ready To Upgrade Your Home’s Comfort and Efficiency?

A programmable thermostat is one of the smartest investments you can make for both comfort and savings. At Galactic Air, Inc., we offer expert guidance on selecting and installing the perfect temperature control solution.

Experience the benefits of a programmable thermostat by contacting Galactic Air, Inc., today in Virginia Beach at (757) 280-2609. 

Take advantage of Galactic Air, Inc.’s special offers—enjoy 10% off all repairs for local heroes and 10% off indoor air quality products today!

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality This Fall

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality This Fall

Written by rivaldigital on . Posted in Energy Efficiency, Tips. No Comments on How To Improve Indoor Air Quality This Fall

With winter right around the corner, the chances of you opening your windows and doors to let in fresh air is dwindling fast. Still, there’s hope for you to improve indoor air quality and ensure your household’s health by taking several proactive steps before the winter chill sets in. 

As one of Virginia Beach’s leading HVAC companies, we at Galactic Air, Inc. know what it takes to keep indoor air clean and comfortable. Below are several tips to add to your fall HVAC maintenance planning.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Fall

People are often surprised that indoor air can house more pollution than outside air. Don’t give up; take these steps to reduce allergens and airborne contaminants inside your home this fall:

Install UV Lights for Cleaner Air

Installing an air purifier is a great way to ensure your house has clean air free of pollutants. These systems help trap airborne particles like dust, dander, and mold spores. The purifiers work best in high-traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms.

You can also take your air purification efforts a step further by installing a system with UV lights. Ultraviolet rays kill lingering particles from indoor air, including bacteria, viruses, and mold, which could contribute to allergy-like symptoms and respiratory illnesses. UV lights can also eliminate foul odors, leaving your home’s air clean and fresh-smelling.

Upgrade to High-Efficiency Media Filters

One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is to change the air filter regularly. Though this task is simple, it significantly impacts both indoor air quality and HVAC performance. 

Fall is the perfect time to change air filters since it’ll help your furnace operate more efficiently (a dirty filter restricts airflow). For optimal effect, consider high-efficiency media filters, which trap particulates that regular filters may miss. They keep airborne allergens and particles from circulating through your house’s climate control system without negatively affecting the HVAC system itself. 

Consider Whole-House Humidification

It’s common for indoor air to become dry and stale due to a lack of moisture, exacerbating your respiratory problems, dry skin, or general discomfort. The good news is that whole-house humidification systems can fix that problem. 

Does your home feel too dry once you stop using your air conditioner daily? A whole-house humidifier can restore the balance. The ideal range for indoor humidity is from 30 to 50%.

Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance for Peak Performance

Even with these indoor air quality improvement tips, you shouldn’t overlook the benefits of professional HVAC maintenance. Skilled technicians can inspect, clean, calibrate, and repair your heating system to keep your indoor air quality in check. 

Expect the team to replace the filter, clean air ducts, and reduce dust levels to keep everything running smoothly.

Turn to Galactic Air, Inc. This Fall for the Best Indoor Air Quality Services!

Ready to improve indoor air quality in your home or business? Contact our team of HVAC experts at (757) 280-2609 or request service online.

Don’t miss out on our special 10% discount on IAQ products—let’s create a healthier living environment together! Get a 10% discount off IAQ products like a Reme Halo Purifier.

The Benefits of Dehumidifiers

The Benefits of Dehumidifiers

Written by rivaldigital on . Posted in Cooling, Energy Efficiency. No Comments on The Benefits of Dehumidifiers

The hot and humid Virginia weather makes indoor comfort challenging for HVAC systems. Dehumidifiers support air conditioning systems by pulling excess moisture from indoor air.

Galactic Air Inc. provides local clients with these systems. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, they also serve the surrounding communities, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. Read more to learn more about the benefits of dehumidifiers and discover how useful these systems are.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Dangerous mold and mildew require moisture and warmth to grow and spread. Dehumidifiers protect indoor air quality by removing the excess moisture mold needs to grow and spread spores. Ideal indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50% can effectively inhibit mold growth by starving spores of the water they need.

Proper humidity control also significantly reduces indoor allergens like dust mites. The tiny pests thrive and grow in damp conditions. Humidifiers are essential tools for protecting the young, the elderly, those with allergy sensitivities, and anyone with respiratory conditions. 

Enhanced Comfort

During hot and humid weather, indoor air with excess humidity feels uncomfortable and even as oppressive as outdoor summer air saturated with water. Dehumidifiers make indoor living more pleasant by moderating the sticky, thick feeling of warm air with high moisture content. 

Moisture removal also improves our perception of ambient temperature. The reports on weather forecasts about the heat index or “feels like” temperature outside in hot weather have the same application in indoor spaces. Lower humidity allows you to set your HVAC at a higher temperature and still feel significantly cooler. 

Of course, that means you’ll save on monthly utility bills, and your air conditioning system will last longer and perform better with less wear and tear. 

Protection for Your Home and Belongings

Excess humidity damages and prematurely ages your home’s construction materials. Moisture promotes wood rot and warping, peeling or discolored paint, and metal rusting and corrosion. Dehumidifiers help protect your home’s structural material and also deter pest infestation.

Humidity and condensation damage personal property like furniture, electronics, and books. Dehumidifiers especially protect storage spaces like attics, garages, and basements where excess moisture often accumulates because of lower airflow.

Energy Efficiency

Your home will have lower energy demands overall with a dehumidifier system in place. Lower humidity reduces the stress on your HVAC, as mentioned above. That means your system will have the capacity to better circulate and condition air when it carries the lower burden imposed by drier air. 

Dehumidified air is also much easier to keep at a constant temperature during the hottest parts of midday and late afternoons. As your air conditioning system can maintain your desired temperature with less cycling on and off, it will use less energy and last longer.

Count on Galactic Air Inc. for Complete Indoor Comfort in the Virginia Beach Region

The experts at Galactic Air Inc. will help you choose the right dehumidifiers for your property’s needs. Keep high humidity from damaging your comfort and indoor air quality by working with our expert advice and installation service. 

Contact us online or call (757) 280-2609 to discuss your needs and to schedule service.

Air conditioner

Is My Air Conditioner Energy Efficient?

Written by rivaldigital on . Posted in Energy Efficiency, Cooling. No Comments on Is My Air Conditioner Energy Efficient?

From basking on the stunning sandy beaches to savoring the delicious coastal cuisine, the area offers a myriad of activities to enjoy in Norfolk, VA. However, with the summer season heating up, the comfort of your home becomes paramount since there’s nothing quite like taking a break in an air-conditioned room. But how energy-efficient is your AC system, and how can it contribute to an eco-friendly home? Galactic Air can help you both understand and improve the efficiency of your AC system in Norfolk and surrounding areas.

What Is Energy Efficiency?

Energy efficiency pertains to how well a system, like an air conditioner, uses energy. An energy-efficient AC consumes less power to deliver its function: cooling your home. Although a lower energy bill is a huge perk to an efficient HVAC system, it also helps you to reduce your environmental impact. Energy-efficient air conditioners are designed to maximize cooling performance while minimizing energy consumption. This is often reflected in a unit’s SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, a critical marker of an AC’s energy efficiency.

How To Tell If My Air Conditioner Is Energy Efficient

Identifying the energy efficiency of your air conditioner isn’t as complex as you might think. Here are some things to look out for:

  • SEER Rating: As mentioned earlier, the SEER rating of an AC unit is a good indicator of its efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the AC.
  • Energy Star Label: Air conditioners certified by Energy Star meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Energy Guide Label: This yellow label provides an estimate of the unit’s annual energy cost and allows you to compare it with other models.

Benefits Of An Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

An efficient air conditioner can provide various benefits for homeowners in Norfolk, such as:

  • Lower Energy Costs: Energy-efficient ACs consume less electricity, leading to substantial savings on your energy bills.
  • Environmental Impact: Reduced energy consumption also means less carbon emissions, contributing to a healthier environment.
  • Enhanced Comfort: These units often come with better technology for more consistent cooling and improved humidity control.
  • Increased Property Value: Homes with energy-efficient systems often command higher market values.
  • Rebates and Incentives: Various federal, state, and local incentives might be available for upgrading to an energy-efficient AC.

Improving Energy Efficiency With Galactic Air

If your air conditioner is newer and lacking in efficiency, call Galactic Air for professional AC maintenance in Norfolk, VA! Our experts will perform a variety of preventative tasks to help your air conditioner function optimally, while also avoiding premature replacements and AC repair.

However, it may be time to consider AC replacement in Norfolk, VA and surrounding areas. Galactic Air provides premier AC replacement and installation services to enhance a homeowner’s home’s comfort while reducing their energy footprint. Our experienced technicians can guide you in selecting an AC that matches your home’s cooling requirements and budget. We’ll take care of the complete installation process, ensuring your new AC performs at its peak efficiency.

Call Galactic Air Inc For AC Services!

By understanding your AC’s efficiency and making smart decisions, you can enjoy the summer while saving on your energy bills. If you’re considering AC replacement in Norfolk, VA, trust the experts at Galactic Air Inc to provide top-notch service. Call us today, and let’s make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient!

4 Ways To Save On Air Conditioning Costs In Summer

Written by rivaldigital on . Posted in Energy Efficiency, Cooling. 1 Comment on 4 Ways To Save On Air Conditioning Costs In Summer

Beat The Heat This Summer With Galactic Air!

As we enter the month of May, we can anticipate much warmer days in the near future. In Coastal Virginia, it’s common for us to have an average temperature of 90+ degrees during the summer, so having a well working air conditioning system is a must. However, if you aren’t mindful of these tips, you could run the risk of running up your energy bill all summer.

Below, you will find 4 easy ways to save on your air conditioning costs this year.

1. Change Your Filter Regularly

Did you know that by replacing your air filter, “you can save anywhere from 10% to 15% on your energy consumption costs”? When air filters are not changed at the appropriate time, they can become clogged with dust, dirt, and other particles that cause the airflow to be blocked from flowing throughout the house.

When the airflow is blocked, it caused the system to work harder than it needs to! Changing your filter regularly will allow the air to flow with ease. When your HVAC system works properly, it will help you reduce power bill costs, and provide greater comfort for your home. Get in touch with Galactic today and stay cool in the summer!

2. Utilize Ceiling Fans

No only to ceiling fans help you stay cool in your home, but they can help you save on your bills! By moving the air in the room, you will feel more comfortable, which can help prevent the need to constantly be cranking the thermostat down.

3. Use Programmable Thermostat

Smart thermostats, or programmable thermostats are a great investment to make in your home energy-efficiency and overall comfort. By programming the thermostat to work when you need it to, it allows the system to only work hard when needed, and not constantly throughout the day when no-one is home.

Smart thermostats have gotten so advanced, that you can even control them from your phone or tablet, and some even learn your usage behaviors – meaning that it will learn when you utilize the air conditioning and set a schedule for you. Don’t worry though! If something changes, you can always adjust the schedule. Some studies have even suggested that you could save up to 10% on your energy costs by switching to a programmable thermostat.

4. Get An Annual Tune-Up Service

Just like how you take your car to the dealership or auto shop for routine tune-ups and maintenance, you should also get your AC system tuned-up! Annual AC tune-ups are essential to keep your system clean and operating at it’s best. Check out our local reviews by happy residents in the 757!

Contact The Pros At Galactic Air!

If you are looking for ways to save on your energy bills this summer and maximize your home’s energy efficiency – call Galactic Air Inc! We specialize in ac repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance. We can help you beat the heat this summer and stay cool.

The Importance Of Routine HVAC Maintenance

Written by rivaldigital on . Posted in Energy Efficiency, Maintenance. No Comments on The Importance Of Routine HVAC Maintenance

Proper maintenance saves you money and keeps you comfortable!

Our maintenance agreement is once a year. We will inspect your equipment from top to bottom. We test and inspect electrical components, check the equipment operation, and clean the coils when needed. Clean equipment equals more efficiency. Galactic Air Inc. does more to keep your system running properly than most other companies! Also, you get a 10% discount on all repairs as long as you are a maintenance member!

Maintaining HVAC equipment is essential to ensure peak performance at all times. Manufacturers advise that your HVAC system is efficiently maintained or serviced by professional techs at least once yearly. Occasionally, equipment warranties may be declined or voided if you fail to maintain or service the equipment. Having your HVAC system examined routinely also reduces the number of breakdowns experienced.

Underlying Issues

The HVAC system works more during scorching or freezing temperatures. For this reason, if there are any hidden problems with your system, it might not pop-up until the system is working its hardest for a long period. By maintaining your HVAC system on a regular basis, problems or underlying issues can be discovered and resolved instantly. This will avert any additional problems.
It is vital that you have your HVAC system serviced regularly to make sure that it is working properly. It is best to service the system before extensive use mounts pressure on it throughout the season.

Below are reasons why it is important to maintain your HVAC system regularly:

HVAC Maintenance Saves You Money

Changing the air filter is among the essential parts of preserving or maintaining HVAC systems. If your HVAC system can not take in or release air freely (breathe) it can stop working, freeze and leak water, or lead to a complete system breakdown.
HVAC coil cleaning and changing your system’s air filter is advisable by the supplier and will also help to keep your HVAC system working at peak performance and extend the life of the equipment.

Keeps you Comfortable Longer by Extending Service Life

Proper maintenance of your system on a regular basis will extend system service life. When your system gets professional yearly maintenance, it will cut down wear and tear and possible problems before they cause breakdowns.

Enhances the Efficiency

System maintenance ensures your system is working at its best, enhancing its performance. When your air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump is consuming less energy, you’ll see a savings in your utility bills.

Reduces Repair Needs

Another benefit of regular yearly maintenance is less time without heating or air conditioning. We check electrical components for wear and tear and can see when they are working harder than they should and need to be replaced before they break down. This we do during the maintenance so there is no need for a diagnostic fee. Saving you money and keeping you comfortable.