Today, many HVAC systems are no longer manufactured with the older Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) motors, and instead use the new Electronically Commutated Motors, or ECMs. Motors are used in furnace fans, condensers, and air handlers, and HVAC systems with ECMs use less electricity and, therefore, get better energy savings.

The goal to save energy in your home is a worthwhile one that will surely result in lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Here are a few steps you can to take to draw up a strategic energy-savings plan.

Your “heating load” refers to how much energy your furnace has to create to keep your household warm. And there are many factors that influence the heat load. While you can’t control them all, you can certainly have a big effect. Here are a few ways to lower your heating load and save on energy costs this winter.

It’s easy to take charge of winter heating costs, even if rising gas prices are out of your control. Take advantage of many ways you can reduce your heating bills that cost little or nothing to implement:

Whether air is heated by your furnace, or cooled by your air conditioner, in most systems it passes through the furnace to cycle through the blower. The blower is the component that forces warm or cool air into your ducts, giving it the power to circulate throughout your house.

In the HVAC industry, the term "heat gain" is used to describe environmental conditions that raise the indoor temperature, thus forcing your air conditioner to work harder to cool down your home.

Are you looking for ways to lower your energy consumption? Before you can make energy-saving changes that will reduce your annual utility bills, you need to determine where the energy you're using actually goes. According to the federal Energy Star program, here's the energy bill breakdown for an average home:

When you're having a new furnace installed, consider adding supplemental furnace equipment at the same time. Doing this may save you money on additional service calls, and many types of additions make your furnace more energy efficient.

The school break is a time of high energy consumption for most families. Now that fall has arrived and the kids are in class again, you can make up for those big summer energy bills by taking these effective steps that promote back-to-school energy savings:

Most homeowners who have experienced a winter in Massachusetts understand the inconvenience of removing snow from their driveway. However, for some homeowners this problem is more than a minor inconvenience.