Two main types of gas furnaces aused in homes today are conventional and high-efficiency condensing. The technologies used in each affects its AFUE efficiency rating, with only condensing furnaces achieving the highest efficiency ratings of over 90% AFUE.
All types of home heating units need maintenance each year before the winter season. This includes cleaning fans and filters, as well as replacing fluids.
There are various ways to heat an enclosed space. The first method, pumping air through ducts throughout the building, is slightly different from the second, which involves heating water in the boiler until it circulates steam through pipes leading to radiators on the walls.
Unfortunately, your heating system doesn’t care whether you’ve been too busy with work or family obligations to properly service it. When you lack the time to keep up with its maintenance requirements, we’re always here for you.
It is important to have a regular maintenance program for the heating system in your house. This is required as it is one of the most important systems in your building, especially during chilled winter months.
A variable speed heat pump will cut your energy costs by about 40 percent. You can also increase your home’s efficiency by about 30 percent by insulating your home, and sealing air leaks around your home’s doors and windows.
Are you looking for a quality space heater? The best space heaters have some type of guard covering the heating mechanism to prevent you from burning yourself. Ask an HVAC professional for suggestions on quality space heaters.
The capacity of a heating system is a measure of its ability to heat a given amount of space. This is usually expressed in BTUs, or British thermal units.
If your heating vents through a pre-existing chimney (most commonly found in older structures), blockages, poor insulation, or loose bricks can contribute to combustible gas spillage, a process that indicates poor ventilation of combustion gases.
You can help maintain your heating system by checking for air leaks from cracks and holes in your ductwork. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that good air duct maintenance, and insulating ducts that pass through cold areas of your home like the garage or basement, could increase the amount of warm air exiting your registers by 60 percent.
Tankless water heaters take up less space than conventional water heaters, and the amount of hot water available to your family is not limited by the size of the tank.
Many thermostats now have an option to connect to your phone so you can set your home’s temperature remotely. This lets you have a warm house.
Replacing your old heating equipment with a new, energy-efficient model is a great way to reduce your energy costs. Ensure that your new system is well installed as improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30%, which is not good for your wallet or your heating equipment.
We realize that your heating equipment likely won’t wait for a convenient time before it breaks down. Let’s talk about whether it’s possible to get your system running again while you save for the replacement equipment you really need.
In forced air furnaces, the ducts are more like the veins and arteries of the human body. Cooled air is brought to the furnace by the return ducts and once heated, this air is distributed to the building through supply ducts.
The difference between constant volume systems and variable volume systems is that the constant systems deliver a steady, constant stream of air, while in cases of variable systems we can adjust the volume of air flowing through the ducts.
Using solar energy to power your water heater will result in 50% more efficiency than using natural gas or electricity for power, but a back-up system may be required for cloudy days.
The fan that exhausts the heated air from your heating system does more than move heat; it also plays a role in venting combustion gases. Fan powered exhaust systems are usually found in newer construction designed for greater energy efficiency.
Are you using kerosene heaters in your home? If so, be sure to dispose of old and rusted models, and invest in a new heater. Also, always properly ventilate your heater and never leave it unattended for any reason.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration—SEER—is an efficiency measure that is used to rate both heating pumps and air conditioners. The greater the SEER number, the greater the efficiency, which leads to increasesd energy savings. All new products, under current United States regulations, must operate at a SEER rating of at least 13.0.
Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are expensive and difficult to install. However, the EPA estimates that a geothermal heat pump can cut your heating energy costs by anywhere from 30 to 70 percent.
If you need an estimate on new heating equipment, plan to set aside a chunk of time for the evaluation. It takes more than a few minutes to determine the exact requirements of a home.
Your HVAC system can only do so much to heat your home in extreme temperatures. Check your insulation for gaps and look into energy efficient windows.
One new type of heat pump on the market today is called a ductless or mini-split pump. These don’t rely on an existing duct system; rather multiple wall-mounted indoor units can be installed in individual rooms, which are all connected to a single outdoor unit.
