Understanding Fresh Air Ventilation Systems

December 11th, 2012 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Modern residential construction seals a home tight to prevent the interior of the home from being negatively impacted by the weather conditions out of doors. Because homes are sealed and insulated so well, there is little natural ventilation or air exchange happening. To keep the air in our home from becoming stale, fresh air ventilation systems are installed as a part of our HVAC system. These systems bring in fresh air and circulate in through the house via our heating and cooling air ducts. There are a couple of different types of ventilation systems; they are heat recovery ventilation and energy recovery ventilation systems. 

Both ventilation systems do an air exchange, taking in an equal amount of fresh air to the amount of stale air being sent out of the home. During the exchange, the outside air is warmed during the heating season and cooled during the cooling season. The heat energy is actually transferred from the exhausting air to the incoming air, which means you aren’t loosing all that heat in the winter.

The energy recovery system goes a step further and also removes the humidity from the outside air, as well as adjusting the temperature. This second option saves additional energy over the first option by taking on another portion of the work your AC system would need to do otherwise.

 Different fresh air ventilation systems will have different efficiency ratings and pricing. Your HVAC contractor can give you professional guidance in choosing the right system for your home.

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Why Furnace Repair Is Not a DIY Job

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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Owning a home is a great investment and house payments can often be lower than monthly rent payments. However, a homeowner is responsible for the repair and maintenance costs associated with their home. There is no landlord or property manager to call when the furnace stops working. 

There are many home maintenance and repair jobs that homeowners can do themselves, but furnace repair is one that should always be left to the professionals. Your furnace, when operating properly, heats your home and keeps it a comfortable environment to live in. However, when it isn’t operating properly or parts are installed improperly, your furnace can become a dangerous liability. Home furnaces have been the source of many unfortunate accidents when they are improperly maintained. These accidents can range from carbon monoxide poisoning to explosions and home fires. 

When you own a home, either your own or rental property, place regular furnace maintenance into your annual budget. Having your furnace thoroughly inspected each year before the heating season by a heating professional can often prevent furnace malfunctions during the colder months of the year. If the furnace does quit working or doesn’t seem to be able to keep the home heated properly, don’t hesitate; call a furnace repair service. They will not only fix the problem properly, they’ll be sure to check the entire system for problems. They’ll do it safely and efficiently. Don’t put your furnace in the hands of amateurs; its not worth the risk.

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Duluth GA Residential Furnace Repair & Maintenance

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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When it comes to air filtration and purification, there are lots of options available to homeowners. There are portable single-room air purifiers, special air filters to replace your standard furnace filter and then the option of have a whole-house air cleaner installed in your HVAC system. 

Single Room Purifiers

If you do not have a forced air furnace system in your home, single-room air purifiers are your only real option. These can be moved from room to room or you can purchase multiple units to filter and clean the air throughout your home. You will find some of these air purifiers use a HEPA filter and some do not. The HEPA filter types are definitely the preferable models. The filters for most of these portable purifiers need to be replaced annually, though some can be cleaned. The cost of the replacement filters can be significant and should be taken into consideration if making a comparison between a portable model and a whole house system. 

Whole-house Air Filters

These are special filters to use in place of your standard furnace filters. They are considerably more expensive than a standard furnace filter. The filters must be replaced every few months, just as you would your standard furnace filter. Although they may provide some improvement to the air quality in your home, according to Consumer Reports, they are not near as affective as a built-in air cleaning unit or the portable room purifiers. 

Built-in Whole-house Air Cleaners

Although the most expensive option, this is also the most affective means of removing dust, smoke, pollen and other allergens from the air in your home. They must be installed in your home’s ductwork by a heating professional and also wired into your homes electrical system.

 

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Why Is Changing Your Furnace Filter So Important?

December 11th, 2012 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Any heating professional will tell you to faithfully change your furnace’s air filter on a regular schedule, all year round. If you look up heating or furnace maintenance advice, changing your furnace filters often will inevitably be on the list. Why is this small task given such importance? 

Many people have the mistaken impression that furnace filters are intended to filter the air coming from the furnace into the home. In actuality, the furnace filter’s primary purpose is to protect the furnace by filter the air that comes into the furnace. When you wait too long in between filter changes, the filters begin to get clogged with particles they have trapped from the air. The more particles that are trapped in your filter, the more difficult it is for air to flow through the filter. It is this obstruction of airflow that you want to avoid. 

When airflow is restricted by a dirty furnace filter, your furnace has work harder. This means that the life of your furnace may be decreased and service calls may be more frequent, all because you didn’t change your inexpensive furnace filter as often as you should.

When choosing a furnace filter, you might assume that a more expensive furnace filter does not need to be changed as often as a less expensive one. In reality, the opposite can be true. Some furnace filters which advertise their ability to trap minute particles are more dense than the standard furnace filters. This means that these filters can also become clogged faster than your standard filters and should be changed more frequently, not less frequently. 

Protect your furnace and lengthen its life by frequent changes of the furnace filter.

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Installing Gas Appliances and Gas Grills

December 11th, 2012 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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Any serious cook will tell you that they prefer a gas range to an electric one. The temperature control with a gas flame is much more precise than you could ever achieve with any kind of electrical surface. Gas is a great choice for other appliances as well. You can find dryers that are gas operated instead of electric; gas water heaters are popular for their quick heating ability. If outdoor grilling is a popular cooking option for your family, having your grill connected to your natural gas line can be much more convenient and economical than using propane tanks. 

If you need gas appliances installed or want to convert from electrical appliances to gas, who do you call? When you think gas, think heat. Gas furnaces are installed by heating contractors and your heating contractor should be the person you call for the installation of any other gas appliance as well. 

HVAC contractors are the gas appliance experts. They can safely install new gas piping to a range, dryer, hot water heater or an outdoor grill. When they connect your appliance to the gas line, they will test the connections and burners to make sure there are no leaks and that the appliance is operating properly.

If you do not yet have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, your HVAC contractor will certainly recommend that you install one. Every home should have a CO detector, but homes with gas appliances of any type are particularly susceptible to dangerous CO levels developing due to a malfunction. Your HVAC contractor can install a carbon monoxide detector and other HVAC accessories. If you do have a CO detector installed, be sure that you have it tested to be sure that is working properly.

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Choosing A Heating System For Your Home

December 4th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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If you are considering updating your current heating system in your home, there are several factors that you will need to consider. Obviously the type of fuel you want to use will be paramount, along with other factors such as overall cost, efficiency and size. If you are just looking at updating your current system using the same energy source, then the last three factors will be what you want to focus on, especially efficiency.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

AFUE is the efficiency rating a furnace has and all new furnaces should have this rating. The higher the number, the more efficient a system will be. If your current heating source is older, there may be a large difference in the energy it uses compared to newer models. For example, furnaces being sold today must have an AFUE of 80% or higher, ranging up to 96%. This can translate into money saved. If your old heating system is only rated at a 65% AFUE and you install a new system at 95%, the difference, 30%, is what you may be able to save in heating costs.

Fan Motor

Another consideration in the efficiency factor is the type of fan motor that the furnace has. Electrically communicated motors are much more efficient than the standard motor. Fan motors blow the warmed air through the ductwork and the electrically communicated motors are much more efficient and can save hundreds of dollars in energy each year.

 While overall cost is always a factor, make sure you are calculating the savings of a more efficient, albeit more expensive system. It may mean a larger initial purchase but considering the lifespan of a quality furnace, it may be a better-cost option in the long run.

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Common HVAC Problems

December 4th, 2012 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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HVAC systems having many moving parts and it is usually just a matter of time before they will need some kind of residential HVAC service and repair. While having regular maintenance performed can eliminate many problems that can shut down your unit, there are some common issues that occur. Many common problems are a simple fix that you may be able to do yourself while others will need a skilled technician.

  • Filters. Clogged filters are a frequent problem for HVAC systems, especially ones that do not have regular maintenance performed on them. You can check a filter by removing it and holding it up to the light. If light cannot pass through it, it will need to be replaced before it shuts down the unit.
     
  • Fuses. If a motor begins to overheat, it can often blow or pop a fuse to protect the motor. This is one of the first things to check. However, if the fuse was blown due to overheating, there may be larger issues at hand that need professional service.
     
  • Contactor. Most units have a few different contactors, usually three, that supply the electrical current to start each motor or compressor in the unit. These can become worn over time and need replacement.
     
  • Thermostat. Sometimes a HVAC’s thermostat can get turned off and the unit is not working simply because the thermostat is not on. Always check to make sure it is on before wasting money on a service call.

 Although there are many other parts in an HVAC unit that can need repair, checking these items first may help you narrow down the problem. As with most motorized equipment, preventive maintenance will generally save you many repair bills down the road so make sure you stick to your manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule.

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Low Cooling And Heating Costs Help Sell Homes

December 4th, 2012 Posted in Central Air Conditioning
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When looking to buy a new home, one the points a potential buyer is going to consider is how efficient the home is to cool and heat. Monthly utilities are an ongoing cost to living in any home and if all other factors are equal, a buyer will most likely choose a home with an efficient heating and air conditioning system to control interior climate. Updating the heating or cooling system can help your home sell faster and it could also increase the value.

Although replacing an old heating or cooling system is not cheap, it can be worth every penny. Whether you plan on living in the home for some time or are going to sell it in the near future, having a home that is expensive to heat or cool is not to your benefit. There are many energy efficient alternatives available that will reduce the amount you spend in cooling and heating each year, often by hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. This will save you money while you still live in the home as well as make it more desirable when it comes time to sell.

If you are in the market to sell your home soon, talk with a realtor on the difference in value your home will have if you add an updated, energy efficient system. The value difference may pay for the system and more, as well as increase the speed of the sale. It may be the difference between waiting a year or more to sell your home versus a few months. Make your home the better value and “greener” choice by having an energy system in place.

 

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Selecting The Correct Sized HVAC System For Your Business

December 4th, 2012 Posted in Commercial HVAC Service & Repair
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Providing a comfortable environment that is properly climate controlled is part of the cost of owning a business. The heating, cooling and ventilation of your business can attribute up to 40% of your energy usage, so choosing the right system is important. To make sure you are not spending more than you need to, both for the original installation and on monthly energy bills, selecting the correct size HVAC system is crucial.

Evaluating Your Load

Before purchasing a new HVAC system the first step is to know exactly what load you currently need and use to cool and heat your facility. There is several factors that affect how much energy is being used to either cool or heat a building, many of them not related to the HVAC system at. Some energy conserving techniques to consider that can reduce your loads are:

  • Better insulation. If you are losing heat through poorly insulated windows or leakage in your outer structure, getting new windows or adding tighter insulation can reduce your heating needs. The same will apply to keeping the building cool.
     
  • Lighting and equipment. Computers, lights and other equipment can contribute to heating the facility, which can cost you more if cooling is your primary concern. Energy efficient equipment and lighting can reduce the heat produced.
     
  • Sunlight factor. Sunlight can help or hinder your energy efficiency. To reduce cooling cost, reduce sunlight heat with tinted windows or shades, while using the sun to add warmth can reduce heating costs.

By using techniques to reduce your load before you buy, you can then request an evaluation of your load use after the improvements. The smaller the load need, the smaller size unit you will need, saving you money on the purchase, installation, and commercial HVAC maintenance in addition to your ongoing energy costs.

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Why Install A Whole House Humidifier

December 4th, 2012 Posted in Humidifiers
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Keeping adequate and even moisture level in the air in your home is important for both health and comfort. Too much moisture can lead to mold and other spore growth while too little can cause irritation to health conditions and even can be hard on surfaces within the home. A whole house humidifier helps homeowners adjust and control the moisture in the air, creating a healthy, warm environment.

How Whole House Humidifiers Work

When the weather turns colder and homes need to be heated to stay warm, devices such as furnaces can remove the moisture from the interior air. When air is dry, there is increased static electricity, wood surfaces can dry out and crack and it can become drying on nasal passages and sinuses. While smaller humidifiers may help bring moisture into one area, whole house humidifiers work with the heating system to maintain an even humidity throughout the home.

Most of these large humidifiers are connected in with the furnace or heat source and add moisture to the warm air being distributed through the home. The water they use can be in a large reservoir or hooked into the homes water supply system. The type used can often be determined by the quality of the tap water in a home, as some tap water can cause build up in the system as the water evaporates and leaves minerals and other residue.

Improved Air Quality

Adding a whole house humidifier can improve the air quality in your home, especially for those who sufferer from sinus and respiratory ailments. It can also stop skin and wood surfaces from becoming dried out during the winter months. Consult with a professional to determine what type is best for your home and to understand what maintenance is involved.

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