green Archives - Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Go Green With LED Lighting

Making the Switch

Green lights are an environmentally friendly way to light indoor and outdoor settings. Homeowners who opt for LED lights will also save on electric bills by using less overall energy. During the colder months, green lighting is popular when less natural light is available.

What Is “Retrofitting”?

Instead of buying all new appliances, retrofitting allows homeowners to use their existing light fixtures for environmentally friendly lighting options. The upgrade reduces monthly bills and improves the overall lighting levels.

Since an LED retrofit is designed for the entire household, homeowners can save up to 80% on energy costs per year. While this is a much higher savings than just one or two LED light fixtures, an electrician is crucial.

Instructions on how to rewire a lamp can technically be found online, but retrofitting is not the same type of job. Homeowners should never try to rewire their entire household lighting system independently.

A trained and licensed electrician can safely handle lighting installations while avoiding electrical code violations. Wisconsin’s electrical codes are different from those in other states, and if they are not adhered to, it can be difficult for homeowners to sell their homes. In addition to staying up-to-date on the rules and regulations, electricians often leave room for future renovations.

What Makes LED Lights Special?

Safety, energy efficiency, and cost are just a few of the benefits of LED lighting. Because these lights use diodes to emit power, they last an average of 11 years. They are also considered more safe.

Traditional bulbs that are left on for long periods generate excess heat. This is especially dangerous for indoor and string lighting. LED lights are designed for continuous use and are safe because of their lower wattage. Although they produce a slightly lower glow than traditional bulbs, it is challenging to notice the difference.

UV emissions are not a problem with light-emitting diodes because they produce a very small amount of infrared light. LED lights will help protect goods affected by temperature changes from heat.

Planning for the Switch

Changing from traditional bulbs to LED lighting is not difficult individually. It is easy to tell if specific lamps are compatible with LED bulbs simply by testing them. Retrofitting with LED dimmers and ceiling lights is a little more complicated.

Dimmers are known to be especially problematic when it comes to making alterations. Specialized dimmers may need to be used depending on how modern the fixtures are within the home. It is by no means impossible to switch traditional dimmer lights to LED dimmers, but an electrician should be consulted beforehand.

Although most of the newer LED light bulbs are designed to be compatible with standard fixtures, older lamps may also need to be exchanged. Luckily, homeowners can choose from multiple lighting fixtures, depending on their style.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning provides reliable service at competitive prices for Sun Prairie, WI residents. Call Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more about their one-day light installation services.

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The "Green" Energy Questions Homeowners Have

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Learn About Green Energy, Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is a fun and traditional holiday filled with vibrant green colors and pinching. Homeowners ready to celebrate this big day should be just as excited to participate in 'green' appliances, renewable energy, green and clean energy, and alternative energy sources!

The 'green' that residents can earn on this holiday is money! What homeowner doesn't want to conserve energy and save money on their home? Instead of pinching families, homeowners will be pinching their savings in excitement.

What Are Common Types of Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy sources are becoming more popular, and it is understandable why! They can save homeowners hundreds of dollars each year and are a long-term investment worth the risk.

Green energy comes in many forms, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal. However, the most commonly used sustainable energy sources are solar, wind, and hydroelectric.

Solar energy works by charging a small or large battery with the sunlight. This energy is clean and can be stored for long periods. It is still being researched and developed today, but residents will be an improvement with each year!

Wind energy utilizes wind turbines. This is only suitable for residents living in windy states and cities. The wind pushes the turbines, which then power a generator that one can use to power even more things! Hydroelectric energy is just as interesting since it uses the rush of water to push motors to create an energy source!

What Are the Benefits of Green and Clean Energy?

There are so many benefits to using green and clean energy that, surprisingly, not all homeowners are taking advantage of this clean energy! For example, there are monetary incentives. The government in some states will provide funding to families looking to use solar or wind energy in their homes.

Also, since the electricity comes from sustainable and natural resources, the cost is really low! Homeowners don't have to be afraid of large energy bills. Instead, one can likely cut the bills in half!

What Is the Best Kind of Alternative Energy?

Usually, residents use solar energy! However, it is important to understand that every family and household is different. Not everyone lives in a sunny area with enough warmth and sunlight to power a solar-powered battery.

Solar power is better for those living in warm states and cities where sunshine beats the cloudy overcast sky! Wind power is best in areas with more wind. These tend to be the midwestern states! The hard thing about wind power is how large the turbines have to work. It takes more energy and installation to make this type of energy plausible. There are also more states and research that uses solar energy.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Electricians servicing the Sun Prairie area with the family-owned and local Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning provide financing options and high-quality work to various clients. HVAC and electrical mean a lot to this company, and they are not afraid to go above and beyond. Residents should call them soon to schedule an electrical 'green' appointment!

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Green Your Home and Avoid Getting Pinched

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3 Tips To Make a Home More Green

St. Patrick isn’t known for being the patron saint of energy-efficiency. He is, however, known for wearing green. As the seasons begin to change and the green starts to return to the landscape, St. Patrick’s Day is a good reminder of another kind of green, namely being environmentally-friendly.

When it comes to becoming a better steward of the environment, there are many actions that a person can take. One of the areas where greening up a home will help the most is how it uses electrical power. This St. Patrick’s Day, homeowners can take advice from local Sun Prairie electricians about how to make a home greener.

Natural Lighting

Solar power is one of the fastest-growing energy sectors. However, few people realize how easily available solar power is to the average homeowner. No, it doesn’t involve mounting expensive solar panels or buying battery backups. It simply involves opening the curtains.

Opening the curtains and letting in natural light is the original solar power! There’s no need for lamps or overhead lighting during the day when homeowners can let in natural light. Some of the other benefits of natural lighting are:

Free energy!
Passive heating
Better ambiance
Vitamin D production
Better regulation of sleep cycles

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Appliances account for much of the energy usage around a home, so it only makes sense that installing energy-efficient appliances can not only help. Energy savings are everywhere when it comes to appliances. Water heaters are a great place to start. Up to 10% of a home’s energy bill can come from an inefficient water heater. Upgrading a water heater, or even just washing clothes in cold water, can lead to big savings and greater enjoyment of its hot water capabilities.

Another great way to green a home is by upgrading HVAC systems. HVAC accounts for around a quarter of a home’s energy budget. By upgrading to efficient electric heat pumps or high-efficiency models, homeowners can save money and protect the environment.

Unplug Unused Electronics

One of the easiest ways to save on energy costs and go green is to unplug unused electronics. Most electronics, like computers and TVs, keep drawing a small amount of power on standby. This is called a “vampire load” because it slowly sucks up energy. Vampire loads can account for as much as 20% of a home’s electricity bill.

While it may seem tedious to run around unplugging unused electronics, there are simpler alternatives. Power strips are a great way to manage vampire loads easily. For example, putting a computer and all of its hardware on a power strip can keep it from drawing power.

Another great example is bundling home theater equipment onto a power strip. With a power strip, all energy vampires can be turned off by the flick of a switch when they are not in use. Additionally, this will help protect them from power surges as well.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Sun Prairie, WI for 35 years. They excel at tailoring electrical solutions to fit budgets and expectations. Let them demonstrate why they have a reputation for a job done right the first time. Call now for expert electrical service!