The Nest got people to look at formerly mundane appliances like a thermostat in a new way, as something that should be smarter and could stand to get better-looking too. We loved the last Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat that we tested, but dinged its design compared to the circular elegance of the Nest.

Now the company that invented the Round thermostat back in 1953 is back with a new line of smart home devices called Lyric. And first up is, you guessed it, a smart thermostat. It looks familiarwhich is to say, beautifulbut it takes a different approach to saving you money than the Nest. Instead of trying to learn your patterns over time, the Lyric thermostat doesnt worry about patterns. Instead, it uses your phones geolocation features to start conserving energy as soon as you leave your house.

The Lyric thermostat assumes that if your smartphone is at your house, so are you. You can register your familys phones with the app, and itll use the geofencing features in iOS and Android to tell when everybodys left for the day. Once you get within a few miles of your house, the thermostat springs back to life, heating or cooling your house so its at your preferred temperature (or at least getting there) as you stroll through the door.

Looks familiar, works a little differently.

The Fine Tune feature is pretty smart too. You know how sometimes the weather forecast has two temperatures: the real air temperature, and whatever it actually feels like, adjusted for the wind chill or the heat index? The Lyric is programmed to make those same adjustments inside your house. Fine Tune factors not just the indoor temperature, but also what its like outside, and the humidity (the Lyric houses its own humidity sensor), so it can make adjustments like running your systems fans more or bumping the temperature up or down a degree.

A proximity sensor lights up the Lyric when you walk up to it, showing you the temperature and status. LEDs around the outside of the Lyric cast a glowing ring on your wall: blue when its cooling, orange when its heating, and green if its in energy saving away status.

Glanceable weather on your way out the door? Nice touch.

You can twist the ring to make adjustments to the temperature, or press one of the touch buttons. One button sets the Lyric to away, which can be handy if youre leaving your phone behind on purpose. The other button shows you a brief glimpse at the weather forecast for the next 12 hoursenough to see if you should grab an umbrella on your way out.

The Lyric app is as smart as the thermostat. First, it walks you through every step of the installation process with videos and even interactive guides. For example, when you remove the front of your old thermostat, youll see different colored wires attached to lettered connections. Since most people dont have a lot of thermostat-installing experience, it can be intimidating.

Lyric's app for iOS and Android lets you set up profiles for various activities.

Read more from the original source:
Honeywell's Lyric brings geofencing to smart thermostats

NEWFANE -- When it comes to NewBrook Elementary School's energy future, voters sent a mixed message during a lengthy, sometimes-contentious meeting Thursday night.

Residents from Newfane and Brookline turned down a 250-kilowatt solar-panel system that would have been constructed on school property. But voters later approved a companion project, which calls for a loan of up to $330,000 to install a new "air-to-air" heating and cooling system at the school. That electric-powered system is expected to be installed in time for winter, with the school's aging, oil-fueled boilers relegated to backup duty on only the coldest days.

"The voters want to see a different source other than burning fuel in there, which is a good thing. It will reduce our carbon footprint," said Ken McFadden, chairman of the Brookline-Newfane Joint School Board.

At the same time, however, McFadden is hoping voters will eventually reconsider the solar project, which had been envisioned as a power source for the new heating/cooling system.

"I don't think the solar part of it is dead. I just think it needs to be revisited with some clarification," he said.

With the elementary school's boiler and ventilation system in need of an overhaul, officials have spent more than three years looking at options including wood-fired and geothermal systems.

"I came into a situation where boilers were on their way out," NewBrook Principal Chris Pratt said Thursday. "I felt the need to explore alternative options rather than just replacing the boilers we already have."

Former school board member Kim Friedman, who still serves on an Energy Committee investigating the issue, said a primary goal was to "go as green as possible, but in a fiscally responsible way."

Other goals, listed on a handout at Thursday night's meeting, included:

-- Reduce or eliminate the school's carbon footprint.

Go here to see the original:
NewBrook voters split on energy projects

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) June 10, 2014

Most of the older installed A/C and HP systems still use R-22 refrigerants. And the more age a unit accumulates, the greater becomes the cost of keeping it running. Summer is here. Residents of Scottsdale and other Arizona localities readily vouch the point. Repair prices are also increasing. And now, hundreds of worn-out home and business HVAC systems are crashing beneath the toll of ever-increasing heat.

This may well be the best possible time to install an energy-efficient cooling system. From the opening estimate, ACH offers phenomenally low pricing on heat pump installation and air conditioning installation. But now through July 1, management has declared that every Scottsdale residential customer is eligible to reap an automatic 13-SEER to 14-SEER upgrade on select heating and cooling units.

If your existing installed air conditioning system demands repetitive seasonal repairs, this American Cooling and Heating A/C sale is for you, Scot Morgan, ACH.

Arizona weather is merciless. Every Scottsdale, AZ air conditioning system battles the seasonal rise in temperatures, storms and dust. Maintaining a comfortable home or business environment is costly. But with modern HVAC technology, extremely sensitive thermostat controls, and a cooling system that is right-sized for the home, comfort can come with an energy-saving payback that makes sweat music out of the ACH 13-SEER to 14-SEER upgrade program.

Too many Scottsdale homeowners are giving up sleep, play and even work due to inefficient home cooling. American Cooling and Heating provides a reliable and cost-effective solution.

Make It A Heat Pump Solution

Due to the dual purpose use, heat pumps cost a bit more than standard central air conditioning systems. However, the year-round savings of a system that provides heat as well as cooling, typically make buying a heat pump the best option for most Scottsdale homes.

Consider the advantages of heat pump technology:

** Heat Pumps eliminate most if not all of the expense of heating with fossil fuelsThermostats and controllers at ACH

See original here:
Scottsdale Arizona Air Conditioning Company Announces 13-SEER to 14-SEER AC Upgrade on Select Company Installed Units

We all know that sweaty, drippy 90-degree, 100-percent humidity feeling. While we havent had that hot, sticky kind of weather yet, we know its coming this summer, and it pays to be prepared.

Even if you have air conditioning at home like almost 90 percent of Americans, there are still ways to maximize the cool during the hottest days of summer.

Leave your air conditioning units fan in the on position all the time, advised Mike Fields, service technician at Dave Lamb Heating & Cooling in Fenton. Also, maintain a constant temperature in your home, especially if its humid outdoors. Dont turn off the air when you leave your house, then turn it on when you get home, and expect it to be cool right away.

When running your air conditioner, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer try it at 78 degrees or higher. Each degree setting below 78 degrees will increase energy consumption by about 8 percent. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the less your overall cooling bill will be.

Fields also suggests that you size your air conditioner based on the size of your home. Some people buy an air conditioner thats too large, thinking it will provide better cooling. However, an oversized air conditioner is actually less effective and an energy waster.

For every 600 square feet of house, you need a ton of air conditioning, he said. In BTUs per hour, an area that is 1,400 to 1,500 square feet needs 24,000 BTUs. Have your house properly sized for air conditioning. There are so many variables, such as the age of your house, how large your ducts are, etc.

All homeowners with air conditioning also need to be aware of the phasing out of the ozone-depleting refrigerant R22 in 2015, a staple in most systems.

Customers need to check their units now, because R22 and its replacement 410A are not compatible, said Fields. He suggests that homeowners check with a heating and cooling professional to see how this environmental change will affect their system.

Other ways to stay cool at home this summer

Install programmable thermostat to automatically reduce the temperatures during low-occupancy hours.

View post:
Maximize the cool during summers heat

LITTLE ROCK (Arkansas Attorney General's Office) - As temperatures rise, so do utility bills for many Arkansans who rely on air conditioning to keep them cool during the hot summer months.

The cost of cooling a home is one of the single largest utility expenses. In Arkansas, a survey of residential electricity consumption determined that cooling a home accounted for about one-fourth of annual costs.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways that Arkansas consumers can stay cool and save money on their utility bills. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer alert today with advice on how Arkansans can lower utility bills during the hot summer months.

Its almost as difficult to handle the triple-digit utility bills as it is the triple-digit temperatures we experience during a typical Arkansas summer, McDaniel said. Obviously, utility costs will be higher than normal during periods of extreme heat, but there are some effective and inexpensive ways to save money and keep the house at a comfortable temperature, too.

Think about buying reflective window coatings to help keep sunlight from adding heat to the home, since more than 40 percent of the heat that builds up in a home enters through the windows.

Set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees while at home. When away from home, set it at least five degrees warmer. (Consumers reduce cooling costs an average of 3 to 5 percent for every degree higher on the thermostat).

View original post here:
Consumer Alert: Don't Sweat Summer Utility Bills

Also consider the installation of heating and air conditioning vents. Improperly designed systems may have ducts too small for the amount of air blowing out, or an overly large duct in one room may siphon off air that should be going to another part of the house. The heating and cooling system may be either undersized or too large for the duct system, providing too little or much more pressure than the system was designed to handle. A contractor can do a mathematical calculation as to what size HVAC system your home needs based on the type of materials you are using, the indoor air quality desired and the size of your home. The placing of your vents and ducts are crucial in keeping your house at a comfortable temperature year-round. If vents are placed where you plan to put down furniture or in the largest room of your home, there are going to be issues. All of these situations will add to the total cost of your installations.

You might also want to check your home for thermal insulation if you live in extreme heat or freezing temperatures. Insulation keeps the heat and cool air in your home, which means a lower electric bill than if it leaks out and turns your system on more often. There are various types of insulation that you can install in your home, and a home energy auditor can point out the best places for it in your house.

Read more:
HVAC Cost Guides | Average Heating & Air Conditioning Prices

Niagara This Week - Welland

Being able to escape the cold in the dead of winter or the hot, hot heat in the summer is something we often take for granted. The heating and cooling systems in place inside our home are what keep us comfortable, something that is very important!

Since 1989, Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling has been serving the Welland and Niagara region, ensuring every home is properly heated or cooled for ultimate comfort.

Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling is your trusted heating and cooling contractor your source for all your home heating and cooling needs!

Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling is a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, proving to be a trusted home heating and cooling partner.

The team at Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling are experienced and knowledgeable technicians who are more than happy to serve you.

From the right products, to a plan, to installation and even after service, Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling is here now and forever to take care of your heating and cooling!

Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling offers the following products and services:

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration Carbon Monoxide Alarms Control Systems Air Purification Furnaces and more!

Whats great about Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling is that they not only are your source for the products needed to heat or cool your home, but the friendly team will also install your new system, and are available for any service or repairs needed in the future!

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Brian Nagy Heating & Cooling

Renovations began last month and should be finished by Sept. 1. Crews are replacing the limestone steps and will install a heating loop underneath the steps and nearby sidewalks to melt ice during the winter.

The steps are a popular spot for photos among tourists, wedding parties and others. Matt White, assistant director of Capitol facility operations, said the heating system will eliminate the need for chemical de-icers that can damage the limestone.

"They were cracked and broken up," White said. "We were going to replace them anyway, so we got the idea to put the heat circle in to preserve it."

The steps will last longer without the use of chemical de-icers, officials said. Overall, the project is expected to cost $90,000. Steve Benkovsky, Capitol facilities director, said the money is part of $3.1 million the Legislature allocated to the building this fiscal year.

With this year's funding, crews also have renovated the building's air conditioning system and its heating and cooling controls. They also plan to make some roof repairs, Benkovsky said.

Excerpt from:
Steps at state Capitol building getting overhaul

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SAN JOSE (CBS SF) In a low-turnout primary election in Santa Clara County Tuesday, the races for mayor of San Jose and three of five San Jose city councilmembers are headed for runoff elections this fall, Sheriff Laurie Smith was re-elected, and all eight ballot measures passed, according to unofficial results.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese and San Jose Councilman Sam Liccardo, neither of whom received a majority of votes for mayor, will face each other in a runoff election on Nov. 4. Six candidates who finished first and second in the balloting for the open seats in City Council Districts 1, 3, and 7 will also face off that day.

Meanwhile, in the hotly contested race for council District 5, which includes East San Jose, Magdalena Carrasco received more than 53 percent of the votes, a majority and enough to unseat San Jose City Councilman Xavier Campos, who received a little more than 33 percent.

Cortese garnered more than 33 percent of city voters for mayor to Liccardos 25 percent. After them, the other top vote-getters for mayor were San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen with 21 percent, San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio at almost 10 percent and Councilwoman Rose Herrera with a bit above 6 percent.

Cortese, a former San Jose councilman and vice mayor who has two years remaining in his second term as supervisor, has pitched a three point plan to beef-up the citys police patrols, suppress street gangs and bring residents, businesses and schools together to resolve problems. He also advocates city-run homework centers and reading programs.

Liccardo, a one-time county deputy district attorney who relinquished his District 3 seat to run for mayor, said he wants to cut wasteful spending, reform city employee pensions, hire 200 more police officers, improve response times to medical emergencies, repair roads, reduce homelessness and have longer school days in San Jose.

Vice Mayor Nguyen gave up her District 7 seat to be a mayoral candidate.

Oliverio, who represents District 6, and Herrera, of District 8, are not up for re-election and will remain on the council. In city council District 1, which attracted seven hopefuls, Paul Fong, topped the list with nearly 29 percent of the vote and will face Charles Chappie Jones, who received more than 23 percent, in November.

Originally posted here:
Liccardo, Cortese Headed For Runoff In San Jose Mayors Race

SAN JOSE, Calif.

In a low-turnout primary election in Santa Clara County Tuesday, the races for mayor of San Jose and three of five San Jose city councilmembers are headed for runoff elections this fall.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Laurie Smith was re-elected, and all eight ballot measures passed, according to unofficial results.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese and San Jose Councilman Sam Liccardo, neither of whom received a majority of votes for mayor, will face each other in a runoff election on Nov. 4.

Six candidates who finished first and second in the balloting for the open seats in City Council Districts 1, 3, and 7 will also face off that day.

Meanwhile, in the hotly contested race for council District 5, which includes East San Jose, Magdalena Carrasco received more than 53 percent of the votes, a majority and enough to unseat San Jose City Councilman Xavier Campos, who received a little more than 33 percent.

Cortese garnered more than 33 percent of city voters for mayor to Liccardo's 25 percent. After them, the other top vote-getters for mayor were San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen with 21 percent, San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio at almost 10 percent and Councilwoman Rose Herrera with a bit above 6 percent.

Cortese, a former San Jose councilman and vice mayor who has two years remaining in his second term as supervisor, has pitched a "three point plan" to beef-up the city's police patrols, suppress street gangs and bring residents, businesses and schools together to resolve problems. He also advocates city-run homework centers and reading programs.

Liccardo, a one-time county deputy district attorney who relinquished his District 3 seat to run for mayor, said he wants to cut wasteful spending, reform city employee pensions, hire 200 more police officers, improve response times to medical emergencies, repair roads, reduce homelessness and have longer school days in San Jose.

Vice Mayor Nguyen gave up her District 7 seat to be a mayoral candidate.

Read more:
Cortese, Liccardo in runoff for San Jose mayor