Why should you invest in high-efficiency HVAC equipment? Savings!
Heating season will be here before you know it! Do you know what conditioner your gas furnace or heat pump is in? Older systems may not perform up to your comfort expectations, AND they could be costing you during the winter months as a result of inefficient performance.
In fact, if you have a system that is 10-years-old, or older, you could be dealing with a unit that has not only lost efficiency after years of operation, but one that started off less efficient than even the standard-efficiency units of today.
Heating and air conditioning units today feature:
- Multiple stages of operation
- Noise reduction features
- High-efficiency capabilities
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Proper airflow is critical for peak performance and efficiency.
Is your air conditioner located under a deck? Have you had your ductwork inspected recently? Have you changed your furnace filter recently? These are all great questions to ask if you are wondering about proper airflow.
Did you know that restricted airflow is horrible for your HVAC equipment? Restricted airflow can lead to hot and cold spots, inefficient performance, malfunctioning components, and even a shorter system lifespan! Your heating and air conditioning equipment is expensive both upfront and month-to-month (utility bills). So, it’s important that you do the little things to make sure that you get the most out of your equipment.
Here are some things you should do to make sure that your HVAC system has proper airflow.
- Have your ductwork inspected once-a-year to check for buildup and collapsed ducts.
- Make sure to change your furnace filter at least once-per-season. But, this all depends on your household. For example, if you have pets, you may want to consider replacing your filter once-a-month.
- Make sure you don’t plant within two feet of your air conditioner or heat pump.
- Make sure you have proper space between the top and sides of your air conditioner or heat pump. A good rule of thumb is about 18-24 inches.
- Have your condenser cleaned at least once-a-year to make sure dirt and debris is not restricting airflow.
- Keep your vents and registers open ALWAYS. Your heating and cooling system is designed to make a certain amount of square footage feel comfortable.
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Do you know why you may choose gas heat over electric heat?
As we head into the fall, it’s time to start thinking about maintaining or replacing your heating equipment. If you’re thinking about replacing an old unit, it’s important that you take some time and figure out which system is going to be best for your home. Do you need a gas furnace? Can you get by with a heat pump? Do you need to invest in a gas pack or a dual-fuel system? There are several options that you will want to keep in mind.
At the core of this decision is whether you need electric heat or gas heat. We’ve discussed the difference before – it really all comes down to which is the cheapest utility in your area. Lately, gas seems to be the more affordable energy choice. However, you may receive many benefits when you choose an electric heating method (like a heat pump) to work alongside a gas furnace.
Let’s dig a little deeper.
As we’ve discussed before, heat pumps have the ability to perform heat transfer – cooling a space in the summer and warming a space in the winter. Heat transfer is the more efficient electric heating method (when compared to heat creation). Heat creation (employed by equipment like back-up heat strips, space heaters, electric furnaces, etc.) consumes more electricity.
If you choose a heat pump over an air conditioner and pair it with a gas furnace, you can cool with electricity, heat with gas AND heat with electricity. Heat pumps today are more efficient and operate better than heat pumps in the past. If you experience weather where you need a little bit of heat, but not he power of a gas furnace, then a heat pump could be the right idea.
Need more advice? Make sure you contact your local heating and cooling expert. They can give you some insight into which type of heating method is used in homes in your area.
Do you have a heat pump or gas furnace? If you have a heat pump, have you noticed utility savings during the fall?
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It’s time to get your home ready for fall
Fall is creeping closer and closer. Falling leaves. Football season. Allergies. There are a host of both good and bad things that happen during the fall. So, it’s important that you take these last few weeks to get yourself (and your home) ready for this chillier season.
During the fall, you’ll have to deal with falling leaves and a host of other issues that can really bog down your home and your heating and cooling season. That’s why it is important to start with a clean slate. Many of these tasks have to do with your air conditioner, which may not make too much sense. But remember, your air conditioner is most likely going to be sitting unused for months. It’s better to have dealt with any problems BEFORE you have to kick it on again.
Here are a list of things you want to give attention to before the weather gets too chilly.
- Clean your gutters
- Seal any air leaks around your windows and doors (or in your attic).
- Invest in weather stripping.
- Change your furnace filter.
- Have your ductwork cleaned by a professional.
- Get your air conditioner cleaned by a professional.
Cross these items off before the weather gets too chilly, and you won’t regret it.
Remember, if you are having your air conditioner cleaned before you put it up for the season, always call an HVAC professional.
What else do you do to get ready for fall?
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Remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about fall furnace maintenance.
Fall may not be here for another couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start thinking about scheduling a maintenance appointment with your local heating and cooling contractor.
Do you want the most efficient performance possible? Do you want powerful heating in the winter? Is your furnace dirty after months of inactivity?
You can get the answers to all of these questions during a preventative maintenance appointment with a local contractor. Yes, it may feel silly to start thinking about winter during the summer. However, those appointment slots can fill up quickly! And, you don’t want to be stuck with a gas furnace that doesn’t work properly when you go to fire it up in November or December.
Here are some of the things a contractor will do during a fall furnace maintenance appointment.
- Clean the burner and heat exchanger if necessary.
- Clean any other component of the furnace that needs it.
- Inspect the venting system.
- Verify that the venting system is operating correctly.
- Check for rust, soot, leaks, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires.
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Tricks for keeping cool in your home during the summer
Fall may be creeping closer and closer, but summer temperatures are still very much present. Has it been hotter than usual around your home this summer? There are a lot of things you can do around your home that can help keep things cool when temperatures soar.
Ultimately, you want your equipment to be running as efficiently as possible and operating smoothly. Here is a list of things you can do to make sure that you stay cool during the summer.
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Use blinds and curtains to block sunlight.
- Rearrange your furniture so that you aren’t blocking any vents or registers.
- Keep registers and vents open.
- Check to make sure your pets have not accidentally closed a vent while lying on it.
- Change your furnace filter regularly, particularly if you have pets.
- Shade your south-facing windows.
- Seal any air leaks around your windows and doors.
- Shade your air conditioning condenser (the box that sits outside).
- Have your ducts cleaned each year.
- Have preventable maintenance performed on your air conditioner each year.
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High humidity in your home could be affecting more than comfort.
Did you know that indoor humidity levels can heavily affect the comfort of your home? In fact, controlling the humidity in your home can make it feel warmer or cooler in your home, depending on how you adjust it.
But, did you know that high indoor humidity can have a slew of negative benefits that can affect comfort and even your health? Here are some things that humidity can affect.
Wood warping. Remember, extra humidity in the air is essentially more water in the air. This can cause doors to swell, floors to warp and a host of other problems. So, if it feels like your doors are sticking, you could have a humidity problem.
Feels too hot. A humid home is a hot home. Reasonably lowering the humidity levels in your home can actually make your home feel cooler (you may even be able to raise the temperature the thermostat is set at to save some dough on utilities).
Indoor air quality issues. Dust, mold, allergens…all things that thrive in a humid environment. These things may become problems in visible places. BUT, even more concerning, they can become a problem in the places you can’t see – like in your walls or in your ductwork!
Wood rot caused by window condensation. Condensation can form on your windows and drip down to your floors or windowsills, causing rot.
Lowering the humidity dramatically can also cause problems. We’ll address those during the winter.
In short, it’s important that you are able to effectively control humidity levels in your home. Make sure you have the proper dehumidification and humidifying products that your home needs. These products may even be a part of your heating and cooling system.
Make sure you ask your contractor about the dehumidification properties of your system (or your new system if you are in the market). They’ll be able to match you with the system with the right features for your home’s needs.
Have you ever had any of the problems mentioned above? Did it turn out to be a humidity problem?
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Take everything into consideration when you buy a new air conditioner
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times – your air conditioning system is made up of more than just the box that sits outside. There are components that help you run your equipment properly and distribute the air through your home in the most efficient way possible. These are all things that your contractor should bring up when they go to install a new system in your home.
Here are a couple of components that you should keep in mind.
Thermostat. Thermostats are the “brains behind the operations,” so to speak. Your thermostat is where you will set your desired comfort settings. You can use your thermostat to save on heating and cooling expenses. Set the thermostat at a higher temperature during the summer or a lower temperature during the winter and see savings without too many comfort sacrifices. Better yet, invest in a programmable model and set a temperature schedule based on your comfort needs throughout a day.
Zoning Systems. You can control your home comfort and energy usage even more with a zoning system. The function of a zoning system is to divide your home by room, or groups of rooms, (a.k.a. zones). Each zone will be controlled by its own thermostat. So, if you have a hotter room you can put it on its own separate zone. That way, your air conditioner can send cooling power to just that zone during the summer without having to waste energy cooling the remainder of the house that may be cooler/already at your desired temperature.
Ductwork. Your ductwork is your essential air distribution system. These are located in your ceiling or floors and move air from your unit to the rooms in your home. It’s important that you have your ductwork inspected and cleaned to make sure there aren’t any obstructions or indoor pollutants lurking inside.
Indoor Equipment. Again, your complete heating and air conditioning system is more than just the box that sits outside, especially if you have a split system. Split system equipment must be matched. That means that the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump must be compatible with your indoor air handler or furnace. Whether you choose an air handler or furnace will be determined by where you live.
Indoor Air Quality Products. Your HVAC system is also responsible for cleaning the air that you and your family breathe. It’s shocking how polluted your indoor air can be. In fact, indoor air can oftentimes be more polluted than outdoor air! Make sure you change your furnace filters regularly, and that you ask your contractor about the right indoor air quality products to meet your family’s needs. For example, if you have an allergy sufferer living in your home, you may want to ask about having a high-intensity air cleaner installed in your home.
Getting the right combination of all of these systems leads to a truly comfortable, energy-efficient home. Make sure you talk to your local HVAC contractor about the other parts of your heating and cooling system.
Did you invest in any of the above systems when you bough your new air conditioner?
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Buying an air conditioner 101
Buying a new air conditioner is an investment. An investment in comfort. An investment in your budget. An investment in the environment. That is why it is important that you are up-to-speed on some basic things about air conditioners before you go to make a purchase.
Here are the things we think are important for you to know before you go to buy a new air conditioner.
Contractor selection is key. If you think hiring a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur. Make sure you do your research and the person you hire is up-to-date on licenses, permits and training. Someone who offers you a rock-bottom price may also be offering rock-bottom quality. Read reviews. Get recommendations. Ask questions.
Investing in efficiency is the best way to lower monthly heating and cooling expenses. Efficiency is not an investment you are going to regret down the road. A high-efficiency air conditioner may cost more upfront, but you may be able to recoup those costs in efficient performance over the life of that system. Plus, an efficient system may qualify for local rebates, a manufacturer rebate or be included under a national tax break. A little digging can get you more information as to what you are entitled to as a high-efficiency air conditioner owner.
The purchase doesn’t stop at the air conditioner. Have your contractor inspect your ductwork, recommend IAQ products, and make sure that your indoor and outdoor equipment is properly matched. For example, you may get a great system installed, but your ductwork is the incorrect size to deliver the capacity of the air conditioner. Also, you want to make sure that you take a look into your thermostat options. Do you want a programmable model? Programmable thermostats can help you save additional money through a set comfort schedule.
Your air conditioner will need yearly attention. Like your car, air conditioners need regular check-ups to make sure they are running properly. Yearly preventative maintenance can also aid in helping your system last as long as possible. Plus, a good cleaning can help improve airflow and maximize the efficiency of your equipment.
Start the process by finding a high-quality local HVAC contractor. Ask questions. Get quotes. Enjoy your new air conditioner.
What else do you want to know about buying an air conditioner? Did you check out your heat pump options before choosing an air conditioner?
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Take the time to hire the best contractor for the job.
It doesn’t matter if you are repairing or maintaining your current unit, or replacing an old unit – hiring the right contractor is the ticket to long-term system satisfaction. But, knowing where to start the contractor search can be confusing. The person you find through an internet search for “hvac contractor” obviously is a professional with a business, so they should have all of the skills necessary to do the job, right?
Well, although they are in the minority, there are contractors who present themselves are professionals, but do not use best practices. That is why it is important that you know what to look for in a contractor. Remember, it’s important to get several quotes when you are dealing with heating and air conditioning – especially if there is a new system installation involved.
Here are some ways to spot the very best HVAC contractors.
They look around your house before offering you a quote. If a contractor offers you a quote over the phone, or just jots a quote on the back of a business card without inspecting your home – run! How do they know the scope of the job? How do they really know the size of the equipment you need? How do they know which features will benefit your home? The list goes on and on.
They perform a load calculation before recommending the size of equipment. There are many things that go into calculating the right HVAC equipment size – not just your square footage. Plus, best practices for calculating how much heating and cooling power you need have changed over the years. They’ve gotten more involved, but better! So, simply basing requirements based on existing equipment may not be best practice. Remember, HVAC systems that are too small will constantly run, never reach your desired comfort levels and result in staggering utility bills. And, HVAC systems that are too large won’t run long enough, will not properly dehumdify your home and could result in less-than-ideal comfort levels.
They ask a lot of questions about what YOU are expecting from your home comfort system. How is a contractor going to know what you expect from your home comfort system without asking you? they should ask you what your main goal is – is it to get the most efficiency, reduce indoor allergens, increase comfort, etc?
They don’t just offer a rock-bottom price to land the sale. If a contractor offers a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. There are a lot of costs that are involved with running and maintaining a successful heating and cooling business. These costs may be reflected in the cost of your system. You don’t want your contractor cutting corners when it comes to training, licenses, permits, and more!
They have a positive reputation with past clients. Listen to recommendations from family and friends. Check online reviews. Remember, it is hard to run from a negative reputation with past clients!
Remember, take the time to find the right HVAC contractor. There can be a temptation to rush the process, especially if you are stick in one of the peak heating or cooling seasons without HVAC. But, you won’t regret the time you take to hire the right contractor.