Pros and Cons of Duct Cleaning

November 25th, 2011 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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If the air ducts in your home are dirty, having them cleaned can lead to improved air quality and may also maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.  Air ducts that are clogged with dirt, dust and debris can cause your HVAC system to work harder.  Very dirty air ducts reduce the air flow through your ducts and can lead to uneven heating and cooling.  Removing all that dirt, dust and debris allows air to flow through your ducts as the system was initially designed.  Your HVAC system works more efficiently and your home is heated and cooled more evenly.

In addition, mold and mildew can grow in your ducts, especially if the ducts are dirty.  Every time your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump kicks on, airborne mold and mildew spores are blown into your home where they can aggravate allergies and increase the incidence of asthma attacks.

If you are considering having air duct service, there are a few precautions you should take.  First, make sure your ducts are actually the source of the problem.  You can check the condition of your ducts by removing an air register and inspecting the inside of the duct with a flashlight and mirror.  If the duct looks clean, you may not need duct cleaning. Your HVAC contractor can also inspect your ducts for you and let you know if cleaning is needed.

When choosing a duct cleaning service provider, be sure to use a reputable duct cleaning service or better yet, find a reputable local HVAC contractor who also offers duct cleaning.  They will be able to identify any other issue with your ducts.  For example, your ducts may need to be sealed.

After your ducts are cleaned, use a pleated high efficiency air filter and change it often.  This will keep your ducts clean for years, protect your HVAC system, and improve indoor air quality.

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Duct Cleaning

November 25th, 2011 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Many homeowners have their air ducts cleaned in an effort to improve their home’s indoor air quality.  The effectiveness of air duct cleaning is the subject of some debate, largely due to duct cleaning companies who make inflated claims about the dangers of dirty ducts and the improvement you can expect from clean air ducts.

Before you spend money on duct cleaning, you should know that not every home needs duct cleaning and most homes don’t need routine duct cleaning.  However, duct cleaning can improve the air quality in many homes and for some homes, air duct cleaning can lead to improved health, especially for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Anyone who has changed their furnace filter knows that a lot of dust, dirt, pet hair, and other airborne debris circulates through your heating and air conditioning ducts.  In many systems, all this dust, dirt and debris can accumulate on the inside of your ductwork.  If you use a high efficiency pleated filter and change it regularly, you may not have much accumulation in your ducts.

On the other hand, if your HVAC system is equipped with a standard flat filter and you often wait a little too long between filter changes, there may be buildup of dust and dirt in your ductwork.  Duct cleaning can remove this buildup and lower the amount of dust, dirt, pet dander, and other airborne contaminants that are re-circulated through your home via the HVAC system.

If moisture accumulates on this mat of material, it can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.  Mold and mildew spores are then distributed throughout your home every time your air conditioner, heat  pump, or furnace turns on.  If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, duct cleaning under these circumstances may offer improved air quality and reduce allergic reactions.

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Improve Air Quality With Air Duct Cleaning

November 22nd, 2011 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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If you have noticed that the air quality in your home isn’t what it used to be, or that your allergies have been causing you more trouble this year, the problem may be that you have dirty air ducts.  Dirt, dust, pet dander, and other airborne particles can collect in your air ducts and be distributed around your home by your heating and air conditioning system.

Even worse, if moisture enters your air ducts, it can create an excellent environment for mold and mildew growth.  Mold and mildew spores are then blown into the living areas of your home where they can cause serious health problems.

Not every home needs air duct cleaning.  In fact, if your air ducts were properly installed and you use a high efficiency pleated filter that you change regularly, your air ducts should stay clean for years.  On the other hand, improper installation, using standard flat fiberglass filters, or failing to change filters regularly can lead to dirty air ducts.

You can inspect your air ducts by removing an air register and examining the inside of the duct with a mirror and a good flashlight.  If you see a buildup of dust, dirt and other debris or mold and mildew growth, your ducts may need cleaning.  Better yet, ask your HVAC contractor to inspect your ducts during your routine HVAC maintenance visit.

Your HVAC contractor will not only be able to help you determine whether you need duct cleaning, but also will be able to identify leaky or improperly installed air ducts.  Many HVAC contractors can also handle your air duct service and cleaning if necessary.

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Heat Pump Negatives

November 10th, 2011 Posted in Heat Pumps
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Heat Pumps are an energy efficient way to heat and cool your home.  Heat pumps operate just like a central air conditioning system to cool you home and work in reverse to heat your heat.  Because a heat pump uses electricity to move heat instead of creating heat, it can operate more efficiently and less expensively than most furnaces.

However, heat pumps do have a few drawbacks to consider before you make the investment in a new system.  The main concern about a heat pump is that its ability to heat efficiently is reduced at lower temperatures.  This used to be a bigger problem than it is today.  Advances in heat pump technology have made heat pumps effective and efficient in temperatures around freezing.

They can also heat your home in occasional periods of below freezing temperatures, but they lose some of their efficiency advantage. Supplemental electric heating elements can be added to a heat pump to help in these occasional low temperatures, but when operating in supplemental heat mode a heat pump loses most of its efficiency advantage.

If you live in an area that gets consistent and sustained temperatures below freezing, a heat pump may not be the best choice for winter home heating.  However, some homeowners use a heat pump for summer air conditioning and energy efficient spring and fall heating before turning on the furnace for heating during the coldest months.

Since heat pumps handle both heating and cooling, they run throughout the year which leads to concerns that they may wear out sooner than separate air conditioning and heating units.  This is probably true, however they last so long that the problem is negligible.  After 15 to 20 years of service, it is probably time to be shopping for a newer, more efficient system anyway.

A reputable local HVAC contractor who handles heat pump installation and repair can install a great new energy efficient heat pump in your home.

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Cool Climate Heat Pumps

November 10th, 2011 Posted in Heat Pumps
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A heat pump is an energy efficient home heating and cooling alternative.  A heat pump is essentially a central air conditioning system that is equipped to operate in reverse during the winter.  A heat pump’s efficiency is based on the fact that it moves heat from place to place rather than creating heat.  In the summer, it moves heat from inside your home to the outside and in the winter, it takes heat from outside your home and moves it inside.

It may sound counterintuitive, but a heat pump can extract heat from cold air although its efficiency suffers at temperatures below freezing.  For this reason, heat pumps have generally been considered best suited for moderate climates.

However, if you are replacing your heating or cooling system, talk to your HVAC contractor about whether a heat pump would be a good alternative for you.  Recent technological advances have made heat pumps more efficient at lower temperatures so they are suitable for more areas than in the past.

Also, heat pumps can be equipped with supplemental heating strips that improve heating ability at lower temperatures.  In addition, a heat pump can be combined with other heating methods such as a radiant floor heating system, geothermal heating system, solar heating or other alternative heating system.

Some homeowners use a heat pump to heat in the fall and spring before switching to a conventional gas or oil furnace for the coldest months.  Whether a heat pump makes sense for you will depend on your unique situation and the relative cost of electricity in your area.  A reputable HVAC contractor that handles heat pump installation and repair can help you decide if a heat pump is right for you.

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HVAC Contractor Insurance Considerations

November 10th, 2011 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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Whether you are looking for a great local HVAC contractor for air conditioning repair or to replace your heating and cooling system, one thing you want to make sure of is that the contractor has adequate insurance coverage.  Don’t be shy about asking any potential HVAC contractor to provide proof of liability insurance coverage and workman’s compensation insurance. A reputable contractor will have both of these types of insurance and will happy to provide you with proof of insurance.

Some HVAC contractors attempt to cut costs by going without insurance.  This questionable ethical practice means that they may be able to underbid other HVAC contractors, but it leave you the homeowner exposed to liability if anything should happen while the contractor is working on your property.

Liability insurance coverage pays for damage caused to property or people by the contractor.  Property damage or injury to another person is rare, but it does happen.  When it does, the contractor’s liability insurance kicks in and pays for the damage.  If the contractor does not have liability insurance, the homeowner is on the hook for damages caused by the contractor while working on your home.  Your homeowner’s insurance may cover you, but you will still be out of pocket for your deductible and have deal with the hassle of the claim.

Workman’s compensation insurance covers injuries and lost wages for the contractor’s employees.  HVAC work is hazardous and involves some heavy lifting and other physical exertion.  It is not at all unusual for an HVAC technician to be injured on the job.  Once again, you would be the one to pay for the employees lost wages and hospital bills if the technician was injured while working on your home and the contractor did not have workman’s compensation insurance.

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Humidify Your Home for Winter Comfort

November 10th, 2011 Posted in Humidifiers
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Using a humidifier in your home during the winter can be beneficial to you and your family’s health and comfort.  Even in areas of the country that have relatively high humidity throughout most of the year, a humidifier may be necessary indoors during the winter months to keep your home in the ideal humidity range.

According to most experts, the humidity in your home should be between 30 percent and 60 percent.  Low humidity can cause or aggravate many health problems including respiratory problems and can increase the risk of catching colds.  Low humidity causes dry, cracked skin, and chapped lips.  In addition, if the humidity in your home is too low it can cause problems with wood furniture, trim, and floors.  The wood can get too dry and crack or split.  Low humidity levels also increase the risk of static electricity that can harm computer and other electronics.

A humidifier can help you keep your home at a comfortable humidity level throughout the winter.  Portable humidifiers can do a good job, but most are only designed to humidify one room at a time.  You will need to move the humidifier frequently to keep the humidity in your home even from room to room.  Portable humidifiers also need frequent attention.  They have to be kept filled with water and also have to be cleaned carefully.  Mold, mildew, or any other organic growth in the water tank can aggravate allergies.

Whole house humidifiers are an excellent alternative.  These work in conjunction with your HVAC system to automatically regulate the humidity level throughout your home.  A reputable local HVAC contractor that handles residential HVAC replacement and installation can help you select and install a properly sized whole house humidifier that works well with your HVAC system.

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Save Heating and Cooling Costs With Ceiling Fans

November 6th, 2011 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Homeowners looking for a way to save money on their heating and cooling costs should consider installing ceiling fans.  Properly used, a ceiling fan can work in conjunction with your heating and air conditioning system to help you stay comfortable at temperatures a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter.  A few degrees may not sound like much, but the energy savings can add up quickly.

If you are installing a ceiling fan, be sure to get a fan that is reversible.  You will want to reverse the direction of the fan in the winter.  A competent handyman can install a typical ceiling fan, but if you have any doubt about your ability you should hire a home improvement contractor or electrician to do the installation.  Ceiling fans are heavy and can fall if improperly installed.  Further, the electrical connections are not completed properly there is a risk of fire.

Using the fan properly is the key to energy savings.  In the summer, the fan should be set so that you feel a breeze standing underneath it.  This breeze makes you feel cooler and allows you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher.

In the winter, turn the fan on low and reverse the direction.  This will create a flow of warm air from the ceiling where it accumulates down to the lower area of the room where it will help keep temperatures a few degrees warmer.

If you are considering a ceiling fan because your air conditioner or heating system can’t keep you and your family comfortable, you may need residential HVAC maintenance.  Have your HVAC system serviced by a reputable HVAC contractor.

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Programmable Thermostat Installation

November 5th, 2011 Posted in HVAC Equipment
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Programmable thermostats are a great way to save energy and do your part for the environment.  Lower energy use for heating and air conditioning means more money in your pocket and few greenhouse gas emissions.  If used properly the thermostat should pay for itself in less than two years according to EPA estimates.  After that, you will enjoy year after year of energy cost savings.

It is relatively easy to replace most existing thermostats with a programmable thermostat, but proper installation is important for the thermostat to work properly.  If you have any doubt about your mechanical skills or how to install your programmable thermostat, it is well worth the small cost of having the thermostat installed by an HVAC professional. Most reputable HVAC contractors will be happy to help you select and install the right thermostat for your home.

It is important to install the thermostat in a location that accurately reflects the temperature inside your home.  Install it on an inside wall away from sources of hot or cold air such as heating and air conditioning vents, doors, and windows.  You should also avoid placing the thermostat in a location that receives direct sunlight or near a fireplace or woodstove.

If you are handling the installation yourself, turn off the power to the thermostat before you start work.  Thermostats use low voltage, but they can still give you a shock.  If the job involves more than just a straight replacement of your existing thermostat, you should have an HVAC contractor handle it.  Also, if you have a heat pump, make sure the thermostat was designed to work properly with heat pumps.

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Install a Programmable Thermostat to Save on Your Energy Bills

November 5th, 2011 Posted in HVAC Equipment
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If you are still reeling from your electricity bills for your summer air conditioning, you are probably not looking forward to the onset of winter and the associated heating bills.  One great way to save money on your energy bills throughout the year while doing your part for the environment is to install a programmable thermostat.

A programmable thermostat can reduce your energy usage for heating and cooling while increasing your comfort level. Less energy used means fewer fossil fuels burned to create electricity and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

A programmable thermostat can be programmed to adjust the heat or cool setting in your home depending on your lifestyle.  In the winter, the thermostat can be programmed to turn down the temperature after you go to bed and turn it back up in the morning before your alarm goes off.  It can do the same thing while you are at work during the day.

In the summer the thermostat is programmed to keep your home cooler while you are awake and at home.  Most of these thermostats allow for a separate program to handle weekends

You can achieve similar results by turning the thermostat up or down manually, but a programmable thermostat frees you from having to remember to adjust the thermostat every time you wake up, go to bed, go to work, and arrive at home.  In addition, the thermostat can be set to adjust the temperature before you get out of bed or home from work and after you go to bed or leave the house for the day.  No more waiting for the house to cool down or heat up to a comfortable temperature.

A reputable HVAC contractor who sells and installs HVAC accessories and optional components can help you choose a programmable thermostat that’s right for you.

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