Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Blog

Are you looking to save money on your energy bill each month? While heating and cooling costs can fluctuate depending on the season, there are a few steps you can follow year-round to cut down on your bill while still staying comfortable:

• Turn down your thermostat. Adjusting your thermostat is one of the easiest ways to save on your energy bills. When you leave your home for an extended period of time, like going to work or on vacation, turn down your thermostat a few degrees. You might be wasting energy if you keep your AC or heating on when no one is home.
• Use ceiling fans. Did you know that ceiling fans aren’t just for keeping you cool during summer? If you reverse the direction of your ceiling fan, it will redistribute warm air in your home, which is helpful during the winter season when heating bills tend to be higher.
• Insulate your home. Some of the largest sources of heat loss and gain in your home include your windows, doors, and any cracks where outside air can leak in. Curtains are a useful tool to help you regulate your indoor temperature. You can open your curtains to let the sun in during the colder months, but close them during the summer so the sun’s heat isn’t combating against your AC. Be sure to seal any areas where air might be leaking, including around your windows and underneath your door. While you don’t want outside air getting in, you don’t want your heated or cooled indoor air getting outside, either!
• Schedule a maintenance appointment. If you find that your energy bills are higher than normal, your home’s HVAC system might be working against you. Our technicians can inspect your system and recommend either repairing or replacing your unit. Older HVAC units are typically not energy efficient, meaning you are paying more to heat or cool your home.

Contact Gilman Heating, Cooling and Plumbing to learn more about how you can save on your energy bills! Give us a call at 804-329-1800 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment.

In recent years, mini-split AC units have become a popular alternative to traditional ducted HVAC units. While there are many benefits of mini-split AC units, one stands out among the rest: affordability. If you’re a homeowner looking to save money on heating and cooling your home, it might be time to consider a mini-split AC unit. Here are just a few ways that you can save money by switching to a mini-split unit:

Installation Costs

Mini-split units are not only smaller than regular HVAC units, they’re also ductless. This means they can often take less than a day to install, which helps you save on labor costs. You’ll also save on preventative maintenance since your technician won’t have to inspect ductwork.

Independent Control

Mini-splits are known for their ability to be independently controlled from your home’s main HVAC system. Unlike a traditional HVAC system which controls the temperature across your entire home, mini-splits can concentrate heated or cooled air into a smaller living space. This can result in major savings for your electric bill.

Energy Savings

Independent control isn’t the only way that mini-splits can help you save on energy. Mini-splits are one of the most energy efficient AC systems available according to their SEER rating. SEER, which stands for Season Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a rating for HVAC systems based on their energy efficiency. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the unit. Mini-slits are often rated between 17-25 SEER. Traditional units, on the other hand, are typically rated at 14 SEER. Since mini-splits use less energy over the life of the unit, you won’t pay as much in energy costs.

Want to learn more about how mini-split units can help you save money? Give us a call at (804) 329-1800! We are a proud partner of Daikin, the nation’s leading mini-split AC unit supplier.

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes family dinners, parties with friends and co-workers, and other large events. If you’re hosting guests this year, it’s important to keep their comfort top of mind. That means making sure your heating system is at peak performance. However, there are other small steps you can take to keep your home warm for the holidays:

• Schedule a routine maintenance appointment for your system. Before the weather gets too cold, call us to have one of our HVAC technicians inspect your system. They’ll perform regular maintenance (changing filters, cleaning coils, etc.) and making sure there aren’t any major issues.
• Keep the oven open. When you’re using the oven to cook a holiday meal or bake some seasonal treats, make sure to leave it open after you turn it off. The residual heat from the oven will radiate throughout your home. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your home warm!
• Change the setting on your ceiling fans. Did you know that your ceiling fan can help redistribute warm air in your home? Set your fan to turn clockwise in the winter months. This setting will push warm air down, helping you save on heating costs.
• Protect your windows. Windows are the single largest source of heat loss and gain in your home. Make sure your windows are properly caulked and sealed to avoid cold outside air leaking into your home. Curtains can also help protect your windows from the cold weather.

As always, Gilman is here to help with your heating needs! Give us a call at (804) 329-1800 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment.

Mini-split AC units are one of the most popular alternatives to traditional ducted HVAC systems, and for good reason. If you aren’t familiar with mini-split AC units, check out our blog post for an in-depth explanation. In short, these units are designed to deliver heated or cooled air into living spaces that your home’s main system can’t reach. Here are a few common benefits of installing a mini-split AC unit in your home:

1. Easier installation. Since these units are small, quiet and don’t require any ductwork, our technicians can install them in a day or less. That means you’ll save more money on labor costs compared to a traditional unit.
2. Higher energy efficiency. The HVAC industry uses SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) to rate the energy efficiency of HVAC systems. A higher SEER rating equates to higher energy efficiency. Traditional units, for example, are often rated around 14 SEER. Ductless mini-splits, since they can operate on less electricity, can range between 17-25 SEER. This can result in major energy cost savings.
3. Affordability. Aside from the savings on labor and energy costs, mini-split AC units are, by nature, less expensive than ducted units. It can be costly to extend your main HVAC system to certain areas of your home, like garages, sunrooms or sheds. You can potentially save thousands by switching to a mini-split AC unit.

If you’re considering installing a mini-split AC unit in your home, click here to learn more or give us a call at (804)-329-1800! Our technicians are trained to install Daikin mini-split units in traditional homes, river homes and more!

When was the last time you had your air conditioning unit inspected? If you’re having a hard time remembering, then it’s time to consider signing up for a preventative maintenance plan. Included in our Comfort Plan, preventative maintenance can help identify major problems and prolong the life of your system. So, what’s involved during a maintenance appointment?

It's best to schedule an appointment twice a year - once in the spring and fall. This will ensure that your unit will run efficiently when you need it most in summer and winter. During your inspection, our technicians will determine if any parts need to be repaired or replaced. They’ll also look for any leaks, and clean your air filter, which will help improve your indoor air quality. Regular maintenance can help prevent future system breakdowns and give you peace of mind. It can also save you hundreds or thousands of dollars that you would otherwise spend on repairs or a new system entirely. Most importantly, our Comfort Plan includes extra benefits like discounts and priority service.

For a full list of what our technicians will examine during your inspection, visit our Comfort Plan page. If you’re ready to schedule a maintenance appointment, give us a call at (804) 329-1800 or use our online scheduling tool!