Cosy fire.

Turn the thermostat down!

It’s that time of year again when nothing beats watching TV with the fire on and a big mug of hot chocolate. It’s all about staying warm and cosy, but energy costs can sneak up on you and you would be amazed at the savings that can be made by simply putting on a sweater (or cuddling up to your special someone under a blanket) and turning the heating down just a few degrees. Cool at night is naturally better for the human body. We sleep better when the room is cooler….your sleep will be deeper and the kids will get up less.

The best way to do all of this is a programmable thermostat, which will automatically warm your house just before you wake, and then turn the temperature down when everyone is out during the day. It can then be programmed to ensure you always come home to a warm house, and cool again for sleep time! Programmable thermostats are reasonably inexpensive and will pay for themselves very quickly in the middle of winter.

Caledonia Integrated Services is an Energy Management, HVAC and Electrical company, serving Vancouver and BC area.
We actively encourage feedback, comments and questions. You can leave a message here, or look us up on Facebook and Twitter. Of course, you can always e- mail us too!

Does your thermostat look like this?

Does your thermostat look like this?

It probably does if my experience is anything to go by! I can’t tell you how many businesses, offices, and even warehouses I have gone to and seen a thermostat like this photo. It starts simply enough….someone is cold and turns the thermostat up a bit, and then someone else is too hot and turns it down. Then a note gets added, and then another. Soon the boss is getting tired of this and sticks on a note saying “DO NOT TOUCH’, so then everyone starts sneaking in to change the stat!

In the end this does not lead to a happy work place, staff fighting staff and management against staff. One solution is that no-one touches the stat except management or the HVAC tech, which can work if the rules are followed (there are still the sneaky people though!). Other options are that the thermostat’s settings can be ‘locked’, or you can install a thermostat guard which is a clear plastic box that needs a key to open.

A better solution is an Energy Management system, which means the thermostat can be locked out or even removed all together. If, for any reason, a member of staff is unhappy with the setting they can e-mail their manager and ask for the temperature to be adjusted. The manager just needs to login on-line and change the stat if required. One thing we have noticed over the years is that by just removing the thermostat and replacing it with a sensor staff seem to be happier. With no number to see and fixate on people don’t seem to get so hot and cold! One more advantage to the Energy Management System.

Caledonia Integrated Services is an Energy Management, HVAC and Electrical company, serving Vancouver and BC area.
We actively encourage feedback, comments and questions. You can leave a message here, or look us up on Facebook and Twitter. Of course, you can always e- mail us too!

Mercury theremostat without cover

Mercury thermostat

Are Mercury Thermostats a thing of the Past?

In a word – yes! The old style mercury thermostats (with the little glass tube and the blob of mercury) have become outdated by modern technology and the digital thermostat.

These days the digital thermostats are mini computers that control your heating and cooling equipment (HVAC). The newer equipment is much more sophisticated than the older systems, so modern thermostats have safe guards built in to protect the equipment. New thermostats need to be programmed specifically for your equipment and needs, and this should be done by your HVAC provider when the equipment is being set up. Programming can be complicated and you will need the manual to do it properly. If you’re not sure of the controls it’s best not to attempt it yourself, you could end up damaging your equipment. A good energy management system is useful under these circumstances as all the settings can be checked over the internet, which will save you the cost of calling out an HVAC technician.

Finally, if you are still the proud owner of a mercury thermostat – it’s time for an upgrade! Mercury thermostats can damage newer equipment as they can turn on and off too fast, or be influenced by rapid temperature changes. Some manufacturers even warn that mercury thermostats can damage the control board of new equipment. It’s not terribly expensive to change to modern thermostats, and not only will it protect your equipment, but you can also program them to ensure you’re not wasting energy when the space is not used, saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Caledonia Integrated Services is an Energy Management, HVAC and  Electrical  company, serving Vancouver and BC area. Our focus is Energy  Management –  saving you money whilst saving the environment.

Sometimes the simple solutions are the best ones.

A small company were spending a fortune on heating and cooling, so they  came to us for advice. As they had the older style mercury thermostats on  their equipment, we advised that they update the equipment to  programmable stats. All that was required for the changeover was some  additional wire for the rooftop units so, after a little wire pulling, the new  system was installed.

Well, they were stunned with the difference this simple solution made to  their bills. The fans were not running all night, and the heating and  cooling came on only when it was needed. And, with the savings they  made on their energy bills, the new equipment was paid off in just a few  short months.

Sometimes small alterations equal big savings!

Caledonia Integrated Services is an Energy Management, HVAC and  Electrical company serving Vancouver and the BC area. Always putting  customer needs first, we constantly look for ways for you to save energy  and money.