Air & Water - Heating, Cooling, Purification, and More!

How Using a Thermostat Saves You Money Throughout the Year

2010-02-08T16:12:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I got my thermostat fixed - and I learned some valuable tips in the process. It turns out, I've been saving tons of money per year with my thermostat, during both summer and winter!

Thermostats are great for controlling heating and cooling while you're not home, which cuts down costs by approximately $100-180 per year! Additionally, you can adjust the temperature down to the degree, so turning it down 10-15% can end up saving you even more - 10% of your energy bill! And because many thermostats are Energy Star approved, you know that you're helping the environment while you yourself save some green.

Another great thing about thermostats is that there are different kinds for people of different lifestyles! You can use the thermostat model that best adjusts to your schedule. The 7-day model is perfect for people whose schedules change every day; the 5+2-day model for people who have different schedules for weekdays and weekends; and the 5-1-1-day model for people who have one schedule for weekdays, another for Saturdays, and an entirely different one for Sundays.

Customer Feedback

2010-02-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Have you recently purchased an appliance from Air & Water? Or maybe you've purchased a product that Air & Water carries. Either way, a great way to inform others of how well (or horribly) the products have turned out for you is to write a review for the product! Whenever you visit any specific product page, take a look at the right side - you'll see a link that says "Write a review" or "Read all _ reviews." Click on "Write a review" to tell us and everyone else how great the product worked out for you! Alternatively, you can read others' reviews to find out which product best suits you by clicking "Read all _ reviews." You can even rate others' reviews depending on how helpful you find them!

Lookin' Good

2010-02-01T16:26:00.000-08:00

Usually, when I get an appliance, I don't just make sure it's functional. I need it to look good, too! I mean, if I have to place these appliances somewhere, they need to add to my room's decor, right?

Anyway, I was looking through our fans today and came across these decorative electric fans from DecoBreeze. They're really great because they add complex or simple designs to your home - you know, whichever you prefer. My favorite is the DBF0368 tropical fish figuring fan - who knew you could have a fan shaped like a fish?! Not only are these fans inexpensive, but they're just what, I would imagine, every home wants. Some designs look rather antique - a look I'd want in my own home.

Water Dispensers

2010-01-29T14:07:00.000-08:00

We recently got some new water dispensers here at Air & Water. After taking a look at them, I realized that I've never seen water dispensers like these before. These water coolers that we got in were from Clover. The designs are pretty sleek and compact, but what stood out to me was the fact that they have water dispensers that don't need to use plastic water bottles! Units like the one pictured above (the D7A) are called point of use water dispensers. Because they don't use plastic water bottles, these water dispensers cost a lot less to maintain, they take up much less space, and they're healthier! I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a strange plastic taste when I drink from my water dispenser at home. But that could just be from overuse of the same plastic bottles... Maybe it's time I switch to one of these point of use water coolers!

Air & Water's Here to Help!

2010-01-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

As a kid, I always found visual details much more understandable and more appealing than regular details that are written or spoken. When doing arts and crafts, I found it much easier to learn how to make lanyards by watching someone else make it rather than by reading instructions on how to make this string go through that loop.

Even now, as an adult, I find it rather helpful to use visuals rather than text. And I know I can't be alone with this opinion - otherwise "How-to" videos on YouTube wouldn't be so popular! I tried learning how to curl my hair by reading a How-to article on WikiHow, but it just didn't help. As soon as I watched the video, however, I was able to pick it up fairly quickly (and not to mention a bunch of burn marks with it!).

So, to help you learn all you need to know about the benefits of a space heater, the results from using an air purifier, and even the different methods of venting portable air conditioners, Air & Water has been updating a page of How To Videos that you will probably find very useful when looking for that perfect appliance.

Great Home Construction Resource

2010-01-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

As a DIY-er myself, I love reading about home improvement projects. I’m also an avid HGTV viewer but I find their projects nearly impossible to complete without any written directions or guidance.

In any case, I recently looked into getting my kitchen cabinets replaced and found the Abacus Construction Index – a great online resource for home construction topics. I’m no contractor, but once in a while I get a good idea and like to do some research before I delve into any home improvement project.

This web directory is a no-frills site with tons information on almost construction topic you can think of. It even referred me to a few kitchen cabinet manufacturers. They’re definitely worth checking out if you’re a home improvement enthusiast!

Fireplace Heaters

2010-01-18T16:02:00.000-08:00

This morning, I woke up at my friend's house and the guest room was FREEZING. Naturally, I wore as many layers as I possibly could, but that didn't really help. Her house has no central heater, which is really inconvenient (well, at least for me). When I went into the living room, I found her dog on the floor next to an electric fireplace. I thought, what a great idea! So I turned it on and made myself a cup of hot cocoa as I watched the flames while reading Dracula.

I never realized how realistic the flames are - sometimes I even think that the "embers" on the logs are real! I felt like I was part of those family movies - you know, the ones where the family gathers around the fireplace and someone tells a story? I don't have a real fireplace at home, but it seems like this electric fireplace heater would be a great replacement!

Help Haiti!

2010-01-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

Last night, as I was finishing last-minute accounting homework next to my Vornado TVH600 space heater, I stumbled upon the story about the earthquake in Haiti and its disastrous aftermath. I had school the whole day so I didn't even know the whole story about this situation for a while. Anyway, I realized that there are so many things we take for granted. Or, well, that I take for granted.

I really admire the fact that even though many peeople aren't doing very well economically, they can still donate money and time to those who are less fortunate and those who need the help.

For those of you tech-savvy people who want to help, there are also a few options:
Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti.
Text "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti Fund.

Appliance Replacements

2010-01-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

This morning, my vacuum broke. Is it just me, or do appliances just break or stop working one right after the other? We just fixed our refrigerator last month - and my space heater the month before that. Now, I have to find a good vacuum. But the good thing about appliances not working anymore is being able to buy replacements that are much more advanced and that have tons of new technologies. So of course I browsed through our website, trying to pick the best (and the cheapest, of course!) and I found some very interesting models. I came across some steam cleaners, which apparently use steam to gently clean carpets, stairs, etc. They sound really cool, and they're not too pricey. They actually kind of remind me of irons because of the way they work. Hm, I'm still not too sure which one I want. Well, at least I have a billion different varieties to choose from! I like having options.

Patio Heaters

2010-01-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I went out to eat dinner at night with my friends, who had just come back from U Penn and UOP. The weather is freezing here in SoCal at night, so I was a little worried about my inability to stand cold weather. However, when we got to the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually warm on the patio. It turns out, they had patio heaters on all around the restaurant - a great business move, I can tell you that. I enjoyed my meal and didn't even have to worry about the cold 50-degree weather. In fact, I only started to worry about the cold when I had to leave! If all businesses and restaurants were as considerate as Guppy Tea House, I'd probably consider going out more.

Dry, Cold Winters

2010-01-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

Even though the weather here in SoCal is about 70 degrees during the afternoon, the day starts and ends at approximately 40 degrees! Recently, I noticed that my hands have become extra dry and my eyes have become pretty dry, as well. Last night, I figured that I should turn on my humidifier to get rid of the dry air (at least in my room!). Turns out, I made the right decision. This morning, I woke up refreshed and moisturized. My lips weren't as chapped, and my skin didn't feel so...dead, I guess the word is.

And, it turns out, my humidifier also came with a cool air purifier! I slept so soundly because my allergies were in control. Thank goodness for all the people who invented these appliances! They were pretty smart.

Check out our editor's picks of humidifiers to see which units we recommend.

2009-12-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Air & Water!

2009 has been a fantastic year for us here - and it's all thanks to you! We wish all of you the best in 2010!

Start your year right by using a thermostat to help you save money throughout the year, no matter the temperature. Thermostats are very useful because they can adjust your heat or air to fit your schedule. As a result, they save you a lot of energy and even more money. Most people who use programmable thermostats end up saving up to 43% on their energy bill every year! Additionally, these thermostats have many different models to suit your needs. The 7-day model is perfect for people whose schedules change every day; the 5+2-day model for people who have different schedules for weekdays and weekends; and the 5-1-1-day model for people who have one schedule for weekdays, another for Saturdays, and an entirely different one for Sundays. Best of all, you know you're making the right choice by using a thermostat because many are Energy Star approved!

Ready for 2010!

2009-12-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

Whew! Now that Christmas is over, I'm awaiting the new year. Goodness, this year has gone by so quickly! Maybe it's true what they say: time flies faster as you get older! Well, I can't wait to see what 2010 holds in store for all of us!

If you still haven't gotten ready for the cold weather with a heater yet, you should probably start looking at the very least! I wouldn't be surprised if most of those who don't have a space heater live on the west coast because it still isn't very cold here! At least not here in Southern California. Although, I'd imagine that over on the east coast it's well below 20 degrees already! Anyway, I'd actually recommend getting a baseboard heater to place in your room if you don't already have supplemental heating. These units don't take up too much space because they are usually placed near or next to walls. They are also pretty quiet because they use convection instead of a fan motor. And because they're easy to clean and maintain, baseboard heaters are pretty popular with people all over the States.

Don't forget about Air & Water's holiday special: if you purchased anything from Dec. 8, 2009 to Dec. 24, 2009, you can return your purchase within 60 days with no restocking fees! The last day to return is Feb. 24, 2010, so don't wait until the last minute!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

This is it! It's finally time for Christmas here at Air & Water! Everyone is (hopefully) done with Christmas shopping and ready for the weekend to come. I know that we here at Air & Water are! This Christmas holiday has been so busy for us - what with all the last minute shoppers and all. If you still haven't been able to get a present yet and you live in the SoCal area, don't forget that we're open here until 5 PM PST, so you still have about an hour to get in a last-minute gift (we still have some heaters)! And you don't even have to pay for shipping! You'd be killing two birds with one stone. :)

Anyway, warm wishes to everyone and Merry Christmas!

Ice Ice Baby!

2009-12-21T15:39:00.000-08:00

Even though it's still wintertime (and it will continue to be for quite some time!), portable ice makers are in really high demand. I honestly didn't know that - I thought that ice makers were only popular during the spring and summer! It turns out, because portable ice makers are so easy to carry around, people need them all year round! No matter what time of year it is, people still put ice into their drinks.

I just realized that my family has actually taken our NewAir ice maker with us everywhere we go. Whether we're visiting my cousins in Big Bear or just relaxing in Las Vegas, our ice maker is with us. It's super helpful and efficient - not to mention lightweight! I think I will be sneaking it with me when I go back to school, even if the weather is freezing. Hopefully my family won't notice!

Company Party

2009-12-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I mentioned that we were going to celebrate the year at our company Christmas party. The party was actually really fun! We went to Memphis at the Santora in Santa Ana, California, which is only about 10-20 minutes away from our office here in the 92705. The food from Memphis was phenomenal - really, I mean it! I had a classic Caesar salad and some buttermilk fried chicken. I have literally never tasted fried chicken like that before. It came with mashed potatoes, collard greens, and Andouille country gravy - just thinking about it makes me hungry! Most of my co-workers chose gumbo (I still don't know what that is!) and meatloaf, which I heard was also quite delicious.

Besides eating, we also had speeches (congratulations to Adam and Arthur for getting Employees of the Year!), toasts, and of course karaoke. A lot of Air & Water's employees really do enjoy karaoke!

If you're in the SoCal area, you should definitely check out Memphis at the Santora. The address is:
201 North Broadway
Artists Village
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Christmas Is So Soon!

2009-12-14T16:20:00.000-08:00

I love Christmastime. Even though the weather in Southern California is less than desirable (I'm still used to our 80-degree summers - right now it's only in the 60s/70s!), everyone is just so happy! And that makes me happy. I already got my Christmas gift from my parents last night. I know, I know - it's still early. But I really needed it now! I was so excited to get a separate heater just for my room. It doesn't sound like the best gift ever, but I sure think it is! Now I can be warm all throughout this cold winter. I probably won't want to ever leave my room. I also got a pair of gorgeous boots, so I'm really happy about this Christmas! :)

Anyway, we're having our company Christmas party tomorrow! We're all excited because everyone knows that nothing beats a nice ol' Christmas feast.

P.S. If you have a twitter, don't hesitate to follow Air & Water's twitter! You can be the first to know about special giveaways and contests! Our username is, of course, airnwater.

Air & Water's Holiday Special

2009-12-11T12:13:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, gift giving doesn't work out the way we want it to, and then returning or exchanging becomes a big hassle. Air-N-Water.com makes it easy for you when a gift doesn't work out the way you want. Starting this past Monday (December 8), any order placed until Christmas Eve (December 24) of 2009 can be returned within 60 days until February 24, 2010 as long as the product is in resale condition. If you live in the Southern California area in or near Orange County, you can even stop by our office with the product you want to return and forget about the hassle of reshipping the product back to us!

Additionally, Air & Water won't charge any restocking fees on all of the returns of orders made from December 8 to December 23, 2009!

Good luck with your holiday shopping! :)

Keep Your Entire Home Feeling and Smelling Fresh!

2009-12-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

When people think of air purifiers, usually they think of the smaller units that purify only one or a few rooms at a time. However, there are air purifiers that can supply fresh air to and recirculate the air throughout your entire house. These purifiers, also known as central air purifiers, constantly filter the air in your home and removes allergens, viruses, bacteria, and even odors! They work even when your central system is turned off.

Airpura provides a large variety of central air purification systems - each is extremely effective, but different models have slight changes in the features. All of them remove harmful microorganisms in your air so that you don't have to worry about breathing in allergens or bacteria that could harm your health. Central air purifiers are perfect for those who suffer from asthma and/or allergies because they don't need to be moved from room to room. Additionally, these units are great for keeping the air smelling fresh throughout the day by removing odors with their carbon filters. Best of all, these air purifiers can clean up air in areas up to 2000 square feet! That's extremely impressive, especially when compared to smaller purifiers that cover only around 400 square feet.

The different models of central air purifiers have special emphases on certain aspects of air purification. The V600-W features an enhanced carbon filter that helps reduce the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the air, including formaldehyde and ammonia. The UV600-W offers a UV lamp that easily sterilizes antigens, mold spores, pathogens, and other living microorganisms. The UV light makes it almost impossible for these bacteria and viruses to reproduce and grow. The C600-W comes with a special 26-pound carbon filter blend that traps and absorbs nasty gases and odors to leave your home feeling and smelling fresh all day.

Central air purification systems are perfect for all homes and extremely easy to install. Click here to learn how to install one of these systems!

Keep Your Water Clean with a UV Water Purifier!

2009-11-25T17:03:00.000-08:00

Many times, the water that you use to wash your hands is filled with microorganisms and you just end up washing your hands with polluted water. You might even be using this contaminated liquid as drinkable water! Proper installation of a UV water purifier can help you fix that problem.

Water purifiers are able to remove contaminants from your water to make sure the water that you drink or wash your body with is pure and clean. Most water purifiers provide the same function - however, UV water purifiers offer one special feature that makes them stand out from the rest of the water filtration systems: a UV light. With UV water purifiers, an effective UV light shines through the water to eliminate microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. As a result, the water comes through the purification system completely pure and safe to drink. These water purifiers can be used to treat just one faucet or the faucets of the entire house, so they are also very convenient.

The Wedeco M7 series UV water purifier is one of the top UV purifiers in the market. This unit can easily get rid of 99.9% of the infectious living organisms found in water such as E. coli, Giardia, and other viruses. It also features a 24-hour LED monitor that indicates the filter's operating status. This takes the guesswork out of changing the filter on a monthly or yearly basis and saves you more money in the long run! Similarly, the PurTest PURPG-8 UV purifier removes bacteria and microorganisms from your water without altering the chemical balance or the taste. This particular unit operates on only one penny for hundreds of gallons of water, making it economical and safe. Additionally, the water purifier features a 30-day replacement alarm that informs you exactly when you need to change the filter. Additionally, both of these units are made with stainless steel for durability.

Buy a UV water purification system today to keep your water pure and bacteria-free! For more information about installing your own water filtration system, read this previous post.

Electric Heaters Keep You Warm All Winter Long!

2009-11-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

We all know that most people prefer electric heaters because they are easy to use and energy-efficient. However, there are actually many different types of electric heaters to choose from, and if you choose the wrong one, you can actually end up wasting more energy than you intend to!

Space heaters are great for supplemental heating in smaller areas such as bedrooms and small offices. They don't cost very much to purchase, and they use very little energy compared to larger or central heating systems. Many space heaters can effectively spot heat, or heat certain people or objects right in front of them. Electric wall heaters are also great for saving space and heating smaller areas. For offices, there are also heaters that you can use under your desk. These heaters include feet mats that are perfect for cold, rainy days. For more information about the different styles of space heaters, take a look at the post from two weeks ago.

Infrared heaters are one of the best ways to save energy and money during the colder months. They warm objects and people, not the air - therefore, you don't have to spend money paying for wasted warmth. However, because most infrared heaters emit a faint red light, they may not be suitable for use in bedrooms at night. These heaters are great for your health, as well! They promote blood circulation and healing, making you feel refreshed after every use.

Baseboard heaters use convection (heating without the use of a fan) to remove the cold air from your room. They can be mounted, or you can just set them on the floor (make sure to clear the airflow intake path to prevent energy waste). These heaters are extremely easy to maintain because they only require minor cleaning that involves removing dust from the grill. They are also very quiet and safe to use.

Garage heaters are great for heating up areas that central heating systems don't cover, such as garages and workshop areas. They are excellent spot heaters and are able to provide high output heat and large blasts of warm air. Garage heaters have the ability to warm areas from 150 to 560 square feet, depending on the size and model that you purchase. These heaters, like baseboard heaters, can also be mounted or just placed on the floor.

Get Rid of Dry Air with a Humidifier!

2009-11-12T13:07:00.000-08:00

Dry air is extremely common during the cold winter months. As a result of low humidity, you can experience dry eyes, dry skin, chapped lips, respiratory problems, and even a scratchy throat. Additionally, dry air damages electronics and cracks paint and furniture. To prevent (or solve) these health and furnishing problems, you should use a humidifier. These convenient units add moisture into your air for additional comfort by emitting water vapor or mist into the air. There are two main types of humidifiers:

Warm mist humidifiers like the Coway MHS-E5010X produce warm mist by heating water in the tank, significantly reducing bacteria growth. The warm steam adds moisture into your air and is extremely effective in particularly cool, dry areas. However, because these units can become quite hot to the touch, they should not be used around small children.

Cool mist humidifiers like the Essick Air 697500 produce cool mist without using as much energy as warm mist humidifiers. They cover larger areas: the Air King 9929 can maintain a comfortable humidity level in areas up to 3200 square feet! These units are definitely safer to use than warm mist humidifiers, but they are actually much more noisy and they need to have their filters changed often.

Some humidifiers also come as additional features on other types of appliances. For instance, the Sharp KC-C150U is an air purifier and humidifier! This unit is great for those who have breathing problems such as asthma or allergies because it can remove the allergens from your air while providing extra moisture. The Soleus HC4-15-20, on the other hand, is a heater and humidifier in one! This convenient space heater is perfect for the winter months because it will keep you warm and comfortable at all times by providing heat and moisture.

If you need more help when deciding which humidifier to pick, take a look at this informative humidifier buying guide!

The Many Different Types of Space Heaters

2009-11-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

There are many choices when it comes to efficient heating: space vs. garage heaters, electric vs. fuel heaters, and so on. Even when you choose to use an electric space heater, you are forced to choose between the different types of space heaters. Here's a run down of the 5 different types you can choose from:

Fireplace heaters: These heaters are the next best type of warmth for those of you who want the beauty and aesthetics of a real wood-burning fireplace without having to worry about the mess it makes. They use 90% less energy than fuel heaters, and they only cost a few cents per hour to operate! To read more about fireplace heaters, take a look at one of our previous posts.
Reflective or radiant heaters: These heaters only heat objects and people right in front of them, so they don't waste any energy when keeping you warm. Units like the NewAir AH-320E produce warmth that replicates the sun's rays for healthy heating!
Oil-filled heaters: These radiator heaters heat up a reservoir of oil to keep you feeling warm in the coldest of winters. The oil never needs to be replaced or refilled, so maintanence is a breeze! Radiator heaters like the NewAir AH-450 space heater are excellent spot heaters that keep objects and people around them warm and comfortable.
Ceramic heaters: This type of space heater is the most popular because a ceramic heater always stays cool and provides focused heating on areas that need it the most. Units like the Honeywell HZ-315 operate quietly and efficiently to bring warmth into areas with an insufficient heat source.
Micathermic heaters: These heaters combine radiant and convection heating to provide safe heat. Micathermic heaters prevent energy loss by warming up almost immediately. Units like the Soleus HM2-15R-32 don't overheat easily while providing instantaneous warmth.

Air & Water's Twitter Contest!

2009-11-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

Air & Water is giving away 4 Lasko 754200 portable electric space heaters! This heater eliminates the winter chill. It only weighs 4 pounds which makes it ideal for use any place it is needed such as homes and offices. Features on this heater include 3 selectable settings and an adjustable thermostat.

For your chance to win one of the 4 heaters, follow @airnwater and tweet Air-N-Water.com on Twitter by November 30, 2009. Open to the continental United States (excludes Hawaii and Alaska).

Electric vs. Fuel Heaters

2009-10-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

When purchasing a heater, is it rather difficult to decide which features are the most important. One of the most common questions surrounding heaters is the one concerning the different types of heaters: heaters that run on electricity and heaters that run on fuel. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages:

Electric heaters:

are much less expensive.
are easy to maintain.
don’t emit pollutants or chemicals into the air.
can be costly when used very often.
have all passed rigid safety tests.
feature many different safety features, including tip-over safety switches and overheat shut-off features.
usually have lower surface temperatures.
are relatively silent.
can feature fans to speed up airflow.

Propane heaters:

are perfect for instantaneous heat in large, well-ventilated areas.
operate efficiently by using combustion to directly heat areas.
don’t waste energy “heating up.”
provide much more heat than electric heaters.
are much more cost-effective for larger areas such as warehouses and construction sites.
are not suitable for areas that are closed off, as they may emit carbon monoxide.

If you are still having a difficult time deciding which type of heater to use, you can even settle for the middle ground: kerosene heaters. These heaters run on fuel as well as electricity. They burn cleaner than propane heaters and warm more area than electric heaters. Kerosene heaters, like those that run on propane, should be used in well-ventilated areas such as patios and backyards, as they also emit carbon monoxide.