Whether you’re trying to help the environment or save some money on your heating bills, an energy efficient furnace can be an investment that pays off environmentally and financially. There are many misconceptions about what energy-efficient heating sources mean and what different percentages in this industry mean. In this article, we’ll discuss the meaning of energy efficiency and how that relates to heating furnaces.
What does energy efficient mean?
Energy efficiency essentially means that a furnace or other appliance uses resources as efficiently as possible. For refrigerators, this might mean that the appliance uses electricity as efficiently as possible. For air conditioners, it might mean that they use coolant and electricity as efficiently as possible. When it comes to furnaces, energy efficiency refers to having a high degree of AFUE compared to other furnaces.
Energy efficiency essentially means that a furnace produces a higher percentage of annual fuel utilization efficiency (also known as AFUE) than a standard furnace. This leads to using a lower amount of fuel than a furnace that is less efficient in energy. Furnaces that use more fuel cost more money to run all winter long. Additionally, they have a larger impact on the environment since they use up limited resources at a faster and greater rate than energy-efficient furnaces.
A regular furnace typically produces about 80% AFUE. A furnace with higher energy efficiency would provide roughly 90%-95% of AFUE comparatively. While it might seem at face value that a furnace with 80% AFUE is automatically less efficient than one with 90% AFUE, there are other factors to consider beyond AFUE when determining energy efficiency.
The processes that different furnaces use range from vacuuming in air from the area around the furnace called open combustion to sealed combustion. Sealed combustion entails obtaining air from outside through a specific PVC pipe.
What should homeowners consider when upgrading to an energy-efficient furnace?
For many homeowners, cost is the largest determining factor in choosing a new appliance. While we all want to help the environment, some of us have less wiggle room in our budgets to do so. When one is replacing a furnace that has 80% AFUE in an area that is vented or small, it can be financially burdensome. After all, you are converting to an appliance that not only needs to be installed on its own but also needs pipes installed to allow for air to come into the unit. This increases the overall cost.
Another major factor that homeowners should consider when upgrading their furnaces for energy efficiency is potential safety risks. Open combustion can create problems related to safety in sealed spaces without proper ventilation. Between the expense of converting to a 95% furnace in a small space and the hazard to your well-being that an 80% furnace poses in the same kind of environment, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. It’s a call only you can make.
Your HVAC system has been designed to work well for many years. However, it’s crucial that you do the appropriate maintenance to keep it in its best condition. The following symptoms indicate that you need to have someone look at your system:
You Notice Unnatural Smells
Bad smells can have a number of causes, but you can be certain that something is wrong with your HVAC system when they hit your nose. You could have a dirty filter, a burnt wire, or even worse, a rodent’s carcass could be stuck in the unit. Fortunately, a professional HVAC technician can come to your home, find the problem, and remedy it for you.
Your AC Unit Makes Strange Sounds
Strange noises are also tell-tale signs your system has an issue. If you hear hissing sounds, it could mean that your system is leaking refrigerant. The hissing noise is likely coming from a puncture in the closed mechanism. Broken compressors and loose belts can cause loud banging noises, and rattling noises are more likely to come from bad blower fans and motors.
You don’t need to become a profound expert on AC system sounds. You can reach out to a trustworthy specialist and have that person come to your home and inspect your unit. The repair person will let you know what the issue is and propose a solution you can accept or reject.
Your Home Never Gets Cold or Warm Enough
Your AC system may not be cooling because of a refrigerant leak caused by a vulnerability. If your HVAC system isn’t warming for you, the problem could be related to a thermostat issue, a clogged filter, or a heat pump defect. It’s time to contact a professional when you stop getting the comfortable temperature you deserve.
Your Energy Bills Are Much Higher
Higher energy bills usually indicate that a component of your HVAC system is working very hard, causing it to burn through more energy than usual. It’s time to contact an outside provider to look at your system when your bills no longer seem to add up.
When to Schedule Maintenance for My Furnace?
Furnace maintenance is most effective when someone does it in the fall. Typically, you should have someone come out to your home once every year to check for issues and perform regular maintenance tasks. That way, you can be fully certain that your unit will be ready to handle the aggressive seasons.
When to Schedule Maintenance for My AC?
AC maintenance should be done annually as well. However, it’s most beneficial to have someone come to inspect and maintain it in the spring. The idea is to beat the season by getting your unit ready before the undesirable weather begins.
Keep up with the periodic maintenance of your HVAC system, and you can avoid unexpected breakdowns and malfunctions. Take your time and find an established company to do the maintenance you need on your unit, and don’t hesitate to schedule a service visit if you notice any strange issues.
HVAC devices are an excellent addition to your home’s equipment. These devices offer multiple benefits, from enhancing comfort and safety to improving indoor air quality. A functional HVAC system will also cushion you against numerous health issues, including allergies. The biggest question is how to alleviate allergies using this HVAC system. Here are a few insights into how.
Filter Household Air
Various households rely on HVAC systems to remove impurities from the air. Each device comes with a high-quality filter that traps dust, dirt, and allergens. Removing these impurities from the air translates to better indoor air quality. This HVAC will temperature-treat the air before cycling back into the house.
Most experts suggest premium-quality filters, which you can check for the MERV rating. An excellent filter has a high MERV rating, meaning it can trap even minor allergens. Any MERV rating above eight will assure you of exceptional abilities. Frequent filter replacement will assure you of excellent air purification. Yet, it would be best if you focused on high-quality filters.
Clean the House Ductwork
Functional ductwork in the house ensures seamless airflow within the home. A well-designed duct system will help distribute forced air throughout the residence effortlessly. Fortunately, you can rely on the HVAC system to clean the duct system. This way, the HVAC system will circulate purified air, ensuring minimal exposure to allergens in the long run. Remember, purified air has minimal chances of affecting your health in the long run.
Humidity Control
Controlling humidity within the house is vital for reducing molds and other allergens within your home. An excellent HVAC system has an evaporator coil that condenses water vapor from the air, eliminating moisture in the environment. Moisture elimination is vital for mold prevention and controlling allergens in the long run.
However, the humidity control element is not available in some HVAC systems. You might need to check before relying on your device.
In-Line Filtration and Air Purification
Air purification is the most critical element in the fight against allergens. Usually, it would be best to install in-line purifiers and air scrubbing devices, preferably in-line with the system. This move treats your air and removes pollutants and pathogens that could irritate the immune system. In most cases, this happens before the air reaches the vents.
At the same time, you can rely on this HVAC service to dust your vents. Various devices have a vacuum pump to help suck dirt and allergens from the vents. Reducing the number of contaminants will cushion you against different health conditions, including asthma. You could also consider cleaning these vents yourself, removing dust and impurities in the ducts and registers.
You do not need to expose yourself to allergens anymore. Today, various skilled technicians will help keep your HVAC system functional and reliable. Talk to Ashley Brothers Heating and Cooling and book an HVAC inspection and maintenance appointment. Our experienced and friendly professionals will be at your service, including during emergencies.
By the beginning of spring, everyone is ready to say goodbye to the frigid winter and prepare for warmer days. HVAC maintenance becomes crucial at this time of year if you want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your heating and cooling system. Making sure your air conditioning is working properly before the hot summer is especially important for any homeowner. It’s also important to put together and follow an HVAC checklist for spring so your home is the most comfortable it can be.
Here are a few spring HVAC tips to help you with the process of inspecting your heating and cooling system.
Inspecting the outdoor unit
Checking the outdoor unit of your heating and cooling system is one of the first steps in spring HVAC maintenance. Oftentimes, debris builds up around the external unit over the wintertime, so it’s important to wipe away leaves, dirt and dust in and around the unit.
Along with that, checking for any damage in the outdoor unit is also a good idea, since something like a damaged condenser could lead to problems with air conditioning performance. If anything looks like it’s damaged, giving an HVAC technician a call is the way to go.
Replacing the filter
An old HVAC filter is a common cause of restricted airflow and poor air conditioning performance. Oftentimes, these filters can grow mold or accumulate debris, which means the AC system ends up using more energy when it’s running. That’s why it’s recommended that homeowners change their filter around every 90 days (about three months). However, you may need to change yours more often if you have allergies or have pets in your household.
If you want to take it a step further, we recommend upgrading to a more advanced and efficient pleated filter. A pleaded filter can trap the particles of bacteria and debris inside the filter, making your HVAC system more effective in cooling your home.
Temporarily shutting down the HVAC system
Another spring HVAC tip is to temporarily turn off your system for a few weeks, ideally during a time when it’s not too hot and not too cold. This can improve the air quality in your home and air everything out a bit more. During this time, you can open your windows and make use of your home’s ceiling fans to improve air circulation.
Prioritizing annual HVAC maintenance
Finally, scheduling an HVAC checkup with a professional at least once a year is an important but often forgotten step on everyone’s HVAC checklist for spring. A technician can check your airflow and look for signs of wear in your AC unit. If any parts of your unit need repair or replacement, they can easily help with that. This allows your HVAC system to continue to work efficiently and effectively for as long as possible.
Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can help you with spring HVAC maintenance and more. Our company offers heating and air conditioning services to keep your energy-efficient unit functioning the best it can. Contact us today for more information.
HVAC zoning offers a great way to save energy and money by controlling the temperatures in specific areas or zones. But what is HVAC zoning?
Below, we cover the basics of HVAC zoning as well as its many benefits. Read on if you’re considering HVAC zoning and would like to know more.
What is HVAC zoning?
As mentioned above, HVAC zoning allows one to control the temperature of certain areas of the home. This can help increase comfort and energy efficiency throughout the home by creating customized temperature zones. Many homes have one centralized thermostat that controls the temperature for the entire space, though this can sometimes make things uncomfortable.
Two-story homes, for example, may experience cooler temperatures upstairs, and turning up the heat could make it unbearably warm downstairs. An HVAC zoning system uses dampeners to redirect air in the home, thus preventing uncomfortable temperatures. In a zoning system, each zone of the home has its own dampener and thermostat.
Why should I invest in HVAC zoning?
There are many benefits of HVAC zoning. As we’ve already mentioned, it’ll make your home much more comfortable. Controlling the temperature throughout your entire home (especially during winter and summer) can be extremely difficult. With HVAC zoning, however, you can easily control the temperature in each separate zone.
One of the best things about HVAC zoning is that it helps save energy. Do you plan on spending all day in bed? Then there’s no point in wasting energy by heating or cooling your entire home. Simply adjust the thermostat for the zone with your bedroom, and enjoy comfort all day. This can help drastically lower energy bills. Plus, it’s better for the environment.
How much does HVAC zoning cost?
One of the first things people wonder when considering HVAC zoning is the cost of installation. The cost of installation can vary based on many different factors, including the number of zones in your home; however, the average cost of installation is usually somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000. If your home has four zones or more, the price could increase a little past $3,000.
Some people avoid installing an HVAC zoning system because of the initial costs; however, a good HVAC zoning system can help you save plenty of money in the long run by lowering energy costs. Working with a reputable HVAC contractor will ensure you get a good price for the system.
Have your HVAC zoning system installed professionally
While it’s possible to install an HVAC zoning system on your own, this is never a good idea. Improperly installing the zoning system could result in major usage issues. Even if you’re trying to save money, it’s best to contact a professional to install your HVAC zoning system. Trying to install one on your own could result in a mistake that requires professional repairs anyway.
If you’re still wondering, “What is HVAC zoning?” contact the experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We offer HVAC repair and maintenance services to commercial and residential properties. We even offer 24-hour emergency service.
