Heating And Air Conditioning Systems

Is your home comfortable

Temperature control is a common frustration many homeowners share. It is not surprising that most homes have heating and cooling systems that are fundamentally the same as they were 50 years ago. Now homes distribution systems are better engineered and perform more efficiently in overall operation, efficiency and effectiveness. Homes today are larger, with more open space. Many are multi-level and feature large walls of windows. Features like this create challenges with existing traditional heating and cooling systems relying on one or two thermostats for temperature control. Rooms with direct sun exposure or on upper levels get too warm or even hot. Rooms that are located further from the thermostat are cooler than desired. Keeping a relatively consistent temperature in every room can be an elusive task.

Everyone would like to have different temperatures in different rooms so you can be comfortable during the activity in that room.

An exercise room in a home would have different temperature and humidity needs than say a home office, where a person would be sitting, sedentary at a desk working on a computer.

A home laundry area would have different temperature and humidity needs for example than the family room watching TV. Ideal temperature is a very comforting thing. Being able to tailor the temperature specific to the need of activity or occupation in that particular room can make you more comfortable and save you big money.

Controlling the Humidity

Humidity is a problem in many areas around your home. The best way to control excessive humidity during summer months is to have a system that runs longer at lower speeds.

Variable speed air-handling equipment runs at very low speeds, which keeps the air circulating against the cooling coil and removes much more moisture than conventional systems. At these low speeds, the variable-speed motor uses much less electricity than conventional motors.

Constructing a balance between Conservation and Comfort

You want to reduce your household energy use and cost and have your family be healthy and comfortable at the same time. You can make your home more energy efficient while still providing superior temperature control all though out the home. A little engineering comes into play. Considering the areas, rooms or levels in a home along with the structural and service currently available in these areas, system ventilation leaks and air quality issues, you can come up with the right plan to provide the results you want. Inspection to find the problems and remediation to address discovered issues and fix any deficiencies or air quality issues that may exist.

Most homes have a heating and cooling system controlled by a single thermostat. Unfortunately the temperature at the thermostat is seldom representative of the temperature throughout the home or the required temperature in any selected part of the house.

In most homes there is a 20 degree difference in temperature from the thermostat to another routinely populated part of the home, like a kitchen or family room.

Most homes, even those built recently, waste huge amounts of energy

But it doesn’t have to be that way and we can help.

Why should your house be inspected and your HVAC System cleaned:

Excessive accumulations of dust, debris and biological contaminants are removed by our experienced technicians from your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with the assistance of our quality equipment and truck.

When applied by our technicians, you are assured of a complete and thorough cleaning. The air you breathe is an important component affecting your everyday life.

We offer on-site inspections, surveys and system reviews. Our inspector will take the time to show you how your system works, determine how dirty it is and explain how our procedure works. A detailed checklist and proposal will be provided immediately.

Our experience has shown that most problems are a result of a homes poor thermal integrity. The ability to keep warm air inside in the winter and cool air inside in the summer. Issues like the following are all results of poor thermal integrity:

• Musty odors
• Mildew
• Damp basements
• Drafty rooms
• Dust
• Ice dams
• Peeling paint

Considering a New HVAC System

If you are in the market for a new high efficiency heating and cooling system? Authorities say, be careful. Many homeowners who have invested in new high efficiency heating and cooling equipment did not get nearly the comfort or energy efficiency and cost savings that they paid for.

This article draws on current research conducted by:

• the federal
• the Environmental Protection Agency
• and electric and gas utilities nationwide

There are three common reasons new heating and cooling systems do not work as well as they should or as advertized. By avoiding the common mistakes made when purchasing or upgrading a HVAC system you will save a huge amout of time and energy both on your improved heating costs and aggravation.

Best to do this kind of undertaking with the right knowledge and research that a program of this scope requires.

The combined costs of owning a system always far exceed the initial cost of buying it.

If a new system is not properly engineered where the requirements for handeling the total heating and cooling a house; it may not provide the comfort you expect from it.

Truth About Energy Savings

Save 25% to 50% on utility bills after buying a new system?

The reality is that most people see only some savings. Why?

Because:

• The air duct system may leak and have major hidden deficiencies
• The new system may be installed improperly

That is a fact more often than not, in most cases.

Sized Right

That’s right, Sized right. Considering the load, balancing, filtering, etc..

Many things to consider in engineering a proper system for a home.

Oversizing is NOT the answer.

Oversizing a system will give you the perception that you have done all you could have done, however, an oversized system will cycle on and off more often which will cause additional wear and tear.

On the obvious side, an oversized system will cause noticable temperature swings.

A larger unit usually worsens existing uneven temperature problems.

The best solution is to fix issues with installed air ducts or house insulation. Not by installing a larger unit.
An oversized system cycles on, runs for only a few minutes and then will shut down.
It won`t evenly cool or heat all the rooms, and will wear out much sooner.

An oversized air conditioner will cool a space quickly, then shut off before it has completed the real work of removing and reducing humidity.

Bottom Line

We will thoroughly evaluate your home to determine the right size a new system should be.

We will carefully measure and inspect your home, its insulation levels and which direction the windows face. Armed with this information, a properly engineered plan can be produced that will consider all the right elements needed to come up with the right plan of action to provide you energy savings, comfort, and a healthy environment for you and your family.

Hidden Problems In Existing Ductwork

The network of hollow ductwork that carries the air to and from your furnace or air handler through ductwork to vents to distribute into the home.

A Department of Energy study recenty stated:

“Typical duct systems lose 25 to 40 percent of the energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump or air conditioner.”

That waste appears on your monthly utility bill, every month.

Until you decide to knuckle down and do something about it. /

The study further pointed out that: /

• Residential ductwork systems are not engineered, installed or adjusted to properly distribute the air in the home
• Duct systems have design errors and hidden restrictions that choke air flow through ductwork reducing overall efficiency
• Over two thirds of residential systems have restricted airflow

Installed ductwork that crosses unconditioned spaces in crawlspaces, attics, basements or garages does not have enough insulation to keep air warm in the winter, and thus, cool air in the summer, again, serious loss of efficiency due to inadaquate ductwork engineering.

The biggest problem with existing ductwork is: they leak an incredible amount of air, throwing your money away.

Installed ductwork leaks also bring in moldy, dusty, potentially contaminated air from places like your crawlspaces, attics, basements or garages.

A Department of Energy lab discovered the reason for this leakage: gray duct tape quickly dries out and is virtually worthless for sealing ductwork. Ninety-nine percent of all installed duckwork uses standard duct tape.

The Department Of Energy states: “Duct repairs could be the most important energy improvement measure you can do.”

Correct Installation

Poor and or inexperienced workmanship creates duct leakage where your HVAC equipment is connected to your existing ductwork and throughout the ductwork network in a home.

A recent study by a major electrical utility found that 79% of newly installed systems had either significantly too much or too little refrigerant gas. This causes an ineffective system operation, which translates to higher energy costs.

Very few residential contractors have the training and know how to do it properly.

We precisely weigh in the proper charge, or adjust it based on careful temperature, relative humidity and refrigerant gas pressure measurements. For total comfort and real energy savings.