Category: Heating & Air Conditioning


Why Buy an Electric Fireplace – Two Reasons to Buy Electric Fireplaces

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Feb.24, 2010

Would winter be the right time to buy electric fireplaces? How about summer, when prices go down? Maybe the right time is when you actually need one?

To explain the title, I will tell you up front that the two reasons to buy an electric fireplace are for the functionality, namely the heat, and to improve your decor. As far as when is the right time, there is a story behind these questions.

We moved to Georgia from Florida a few years ago. We had been long time Florida residents. I’m talking 50 years long. That is enough time to get used to a climate.

We moved in July, so it was still pretty hot.. no, very hot. But being from Florida, we were used to it.

When November came around it started to get cooler. This was not unexpected. But when the temperature hit below twenty degrees, we were surprised at how cold that actually is. Fortunately, we had gas heat and a real fireplace.

I had been wanting an excuse to get some natural heat going like the early settlers, so I was excited. Put some logs in the pit and started the combustion. A few minutes later I heard my wife screaming something about the house burning down. I ran in to find the room full of smoke. Brilliant me had forgotten to open the flue. Once I did that, everything was fine… for a short time.

I took the dog out for a walk and when I looked up, I saw flames at the top of the chimney. I quickly doused the flames and called my neighbor to find out what my problem was. He told me that the flue had never been cleaned since he lived there.

A quick call to the chimney sweep solved that problem. But I was already thinking that I may buy an electric fireplace insert instead of the natural thing.

I did end up having to make a purchase, but it wasn’t for that problem. If you have ever moved after being at the same place for most of your life, you will know that there is a constant flow of friends and neighbors who come to visit you in your first and second years of residence. Sometimes they came in packs. I had to put up some of them in the basement.

It turns out that the basement is not on the heating system. It’s kind of chilly down there. That’s when I had to buy an electric fireplace. Ordered it online.

It took only a short time to put the thing together. What a nice surprise we got. Not only does it heat the basement quickly and cheaply, but it also has this realistic electronic flame. One of the cool features is that you can even turn it on without the heat just for the ambiance that it creates.

If you are at all thinking that you may buy an electric fireplace, do it. You won’t be disappointed. Buy yours online at at http://www.buyanelectricfireplace.com.

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How to Choose the Right Electric Space Heater

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Feb.23, 2010

Electric space heaters are very effective tools that keep you and your family warm inside your home. Aside from it being functional, it is also efficient as it avoids consuming too much electricity by heating only a specific area of your home. Central heat consumes a larger amount of energy then space heaters do because they are heating a much larger area. This strategy help you save money and be greener at the same time.

There are several types of electric space heaters available in the market. You can choose between a radiant and a convection type. Radiant electric space heaters warm up a specific area, and it can also focus on a specific person. Convection heaters, on the other hand, are intended to warm up whole rooms. It is also ideal to use this type when people are always moving around. The latter type has sub types, oil and water filled units being the most efficient.

Now, if you are deciding whether you are going to buy an electric space heater or not, you need to know all their pros and cons. The pros of choosing them are as follows:

  • These are practically priced. You can buy quality electric space heaters without really breaking the bank.
  • They are uncomplicated to install. You just have to follow the simple instruction included in the manual and you will be ready to use them in no time.
  • There are a variety of models in different sizes you can choose from. Having more choices will let your decide what really suits your need. For example, if you want to heat your spacious garage, you can opt to buy a larger model.
  • Unlike other space heaters, electric space heaters do not produce fumes such as carbon monoxide which can be harmful to your health.

The limited cons against electric space heaters are:

  • Some people claim that instructions included in larger models are a little vague.
  • Warranty for these products are short compared to the others.

So, are electric space heaters safe? Of course they are, especially if you install and use them properly. Many of them only cause problems do to not being used correctly. Here are a few of the many tips to ensure your safety:

  • Look for models that have been approved by Underwriters Laboratories. This will ensure you that they safety standards have been met. Insurance companies have a vested interest in making sure products do not set fire to the homes their clients have home owners polices on.
  • Place your heater away from any combustible materials, preferably 3 feet away.
  • Do not place your heaters on areas with water unless it was specified that your model can be used in such areas. This present the possibility of electrocution.
  • Keep your heater away from the reach of small kids. Children are usually curious and this may lead to them to touch or adjust parts of the heater.
  • Plug your heaters directly into an outlet. Do not use extension cords.
  • When not in use, turn off and unplug your heater.

Following these guidelines will surely make you warm during the bitter cold of winter. Just make sure that what you buy suits your needs and that you are keep everyone safe! They are definitely worth the investment if they save you over your long term energy costs. Just bare in mind that if you set your house on fire or burn yourself you are working against what you originally meant to accomplish when you set out to purchase one.

Hoby B. is an advocate for helping consumers find deals online and make informed purchasing decisions like finding the best information on great products like a Delonghi space heater and great info on Honeywell space heaters as well.

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Boiler Replacement

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Feb.22, 2010

If your boiler is more than fifteen years old you may want to consider a boiler replacement as a home improvement project. With the increasing cost of fuel oil and gas you may be able to save a lot of money and have a more reliable boiler. There are government tax incentives available for installing an energy efficient heating system and a credit “cash for junkers” program is in the making to help you out. Replacing a boiler that is operating on old technology can also contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions. In addition to the federal government incentives for upgrading your heating system there are many states that offer incentives for green remodeling and improvement projects.

Increasing energy efficiency is the most important consideration when considering a boiler replacement. New boilers such as a System 2000, runs at 86% efficiency and is relatively maintenance free. That means that 86% of the fuel entering the boilers combustion chamber is converted into heat. Most 15- 20 year old boilers operate at roughly 60 percent efficiency, at best. This 21% difference adds up to a lot of fuel cost savings for you in a year. Putting it in dollars, if you are burning 800 gallons of fuel oil a year to heat your home and provide domestic hot water, you can save approximately 168 gallons of fuel oil a year. That comes to about $504 a year if you are paying $3.00 a gallon for your fuel oil.

For residential heating systems, boilers essentially heat hot water that is circulated to baseboard heating units or air handlers that convert the hot water heat to forced hot air heat. Many homes use a combination of both baseboard heating units and air handlers for forced hot air for heating. In addition, the boiler heats the domestic hot water by circulating the hot water from the boiler to a heating coil in a hot water tank to heat water. There are several very efficient boilers available on the market. However, I am partial to the System 2000 boiler because it is a very reliable system that incorporates the latest in digital technology control. It has a state of the art digital energy manager (computer) that controls the unit. The boiler uses less than 0.75 of a gallon of fuel oil per hour to heat a 2000 square foot home that is well insulated. The System 2000 comes in two different sizes depending upon your heating needs. The boiler can also operate on natural or LP gas.

Like all heating systems a boiler requires periodic maintenance to insure it is operating at peek proficiency and prolong its life. A system 200 only requires cleaning every two years as compared to other boilers that require cleaning every year. Such periodic maintenance and adjustments should be performed by a licensed boiler professional. A System 2000 boiler replacement or new installation cost approximately $4,500. This may seem expensive but the pay back can take as little as nine years in addition to giving you the assurance that you will have a reliable heating system and is certainly greener than any 15-20 year old boiler. If you’re heating system is due for a boiler replacement, consult with a heating professional to insure that you get the latest in boiler technology and what the state and federal incentives are for updating your heating system. Your home heating system upgrade will save you money.

Home Addition Plus Perks provides extensive suggestions on home improvements and decorating ideas to enhance your home and quality of life. Your home is a major financial investment and like all investments, it requires frequent attention to maintain its value as well as providing a comfortable place for your living enjoyment. Given the cost of home improvements by someone else, a contractor, it can be more cost effective to do things for yourself and by yourself. We will help you in that effort by providing suggestions and recommendation with detailed instruction as necessary. We also offer home decorating and gardening suggestions for enhancing the interior and exterior of your home. To help you stay healthy we offer suggestions on diet and exercise too. You can find us at http://www.homeimprovementplusperks.com

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Investing in a Geothermal Heating System

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Nov.21, 2009

Investing in a Geothermal Heat Pump System

You may or may not of heard of a geothermal heat pump system. If you have, than you have probably even though about installing a system and seeing how it works. I’ll give you all the details and the low down to what the system is, how it works and how much money save you save.

What is a geothermal heat pump system? : A Geothermal Heat Pump System (GHPS) is a system of pipes and tubes which run underneath a property and collect the warm air from the Earth and then transfer it to the home. No heat is created in the process; air is only transported from underground to above ground. This system can be used to cool or warm up the house depending on the needs of the consumer. The tubes collect the air from underground and then run parallel to your floors and release the free heat into the surrounding room.

How does it work? : A series of tubes, connected to a device called a heat pump, run underneath a home underground. These tubes are filled with a liquid, normally some sort of refrigerant, and the whole system works just like the tubes in a refrigerator. The tubes transport the liquid underground and then back up where they enter the heat pump. The pump then removes the heat from the liquid and the liquid enters the pipe system to once again receive the heat from the Earth. The heat removed from the pipes enters the house and warms it up. This process is reversed in the winter to cool down your home.

Why use a GHPS? : There are plenty of reasons why to use a geothermal heat pump system. In the long run it will save you money. The step up cost is large but after a few years, 2-10 on average, you will have saved much more money and evened up the costs of heating had you stayed with a conventional system. They provide a free source of constant heating that will never run out. They are quiet. It can be installed inside a home rather then having components built up in the outdoors, or having an air conditioner leaning out your window. The system is very clean and the average family can reduce their carbon footprint by 2.5 to 5 tons of CO2 per year. It quite low maintenance and the pipes don’t have to be cleaned out by any unnecessary means such as removal of the pipes. It has many uses such as heating up your floors, keeping your driveways and walkways snow free in the winter, hot water for appliances and hot water for any uses.

How much money can I save with a GHPS? : A system can save you 35-70% of your energy costs per year. From 400-1400$/Yr. As well as yearly savings, the resale value of a home can increase by over 20 000$ on average.

How much does a system cost? : For a typical 2000 sq. ft. home, a system can cost from 5000 to 12000$. On average, a typical geothermal system costs 10000$ to install for the first time. Many states and government programs offer incentives to buying and installing a system that will reduce the cost. As well as maintenance is rather cheap and rare in between. Systems typically last over 30 years before components need to be replaced.

Is a geothermal heating system a good investment? : Yes, if you can afford it. We don’t want anyone going into long-term debt with the massive initial cost of the system, however if you plan accordingly the amount of money you’ll get back by the system will be enormous. You’ll be doing yourself a good deed in saving a lot of money in the long run, and you’ll also be doing the Earth a good deed by reducing your carbon footprint. The initial cost of a system may be large, but the overall savings are greater.

Investing in a Geothermal Energy Heating System
Save Money at Home

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Heat Transfer Facts You Should Know To Save Energy

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Nov.20, 2009

We all know that water flows down hill. If you want water to move up hill you have to “do some work” to get it there. If you do not want water to flow down hill you have to “do some work” to stop it like building a dam. “Doing some work” is like paying your energy bill because it causes some discomfort.

The first thing you need to know is that heat naturally flows from a hot area to a cold area.

Heat moves in three ways

One way heat moves is radiation. We all know that if we are exposed to direct solar radiation we can feel the heat from the sun flowing directly to us. The sun is very hot so the heat flows from the sun to the earth. Sunburn is the result of solar radiation.

The second method of heat movement is called conduction. Conduction describes heat moving through a solid. The handle of an iron fry pan gets hot by conduction. We insulate our house walls and attic to slow down the conduction of heat through the structure of the building.

Convection is the last type of heat transfer. Convention refers to moving heat by moving either air or water that has been heated.

An example of convection that we use to heat our houses is a forced air furnace. The furnace heats air that is pushed through the house, by a blower, to heat up the house. This movement of warm air is an example of convection. Heat is carried, by the air, from the furnace to the house.

Convection can also work against us. An example is warm air flowing up a chimney that conveys heat out of a house in the winter.

In the summer, we have more heat than we want in our living spaces. We force heat to move the wrong way by taking heat out of our houses and putting it out in the hotter outdoors. This takes a large input of energy to accomplish because we are “doing some work” against the normal flow. It is like pushing water up hill, it takes a lot of energy.

In the summer our furnace fan, moves warm air to the cold coil inside the ductwork. This is convection, using air, to move the heat from hot to cold.

Energy Saving Action Items

Heat flows into our homes when it is hotter outdoors, than indoors. We can slow it down by shielding and insulating our house. Shielding and insulation is like building a dam to delay water from flowing down hill.

By shielding, I mean shade trees and radiant barriers like aluminum foil or special paint. Shielding that either blocks the sun or reflects radiant energy back where it was coming from stops the sun’s rays from heating our houses. Solar window screens act as partial sun blocks. Reflective radiant barrier materials act like a mirror and reflect or deflect radiant heat away from your house. Reflective film on windows works this way.

We want the solar radiation to hit our houses when it is cold outside in the winter. Planting trees that give summer shade and let the sun shine in during the winter are a natural way to have seasonal shielding.

The other way heat travels is by conduction through materials. Insulation acts like a speed bump slowing down the movement of heat through materials like roofs, ceilings, floors and walls. The more insulation you have the slower the heat moves. The R number rating on insulation materials indicates how well they resist the conductive flow of heat. The higher the R number the more it slows down the flow of heat. For more information on this read my article titles……..

We like convective heat transfer when warm air moves from the furnace through the house. We also like it when warm air moves from the house to the cold coil of the air conditioner. We do not like convection when it helps heat escape up the chimney, around windows, or under doors.

Saving energy means having high efficiency equipment to move heat only to where we want it to go. It also means doing the best possible job of blocking or slowing down the movement of heat where we do not want it to go.

Improving your home’s weather sealing, radiation shielding and insulation are some of the very best things you can do to reduce your energy bills.

You can save money on your energy bills at home at work by visiting the ENERGY BOOMER blog at http://energyboomer.com

I am a Baby Boom Vintage Energy Engineer with a mission to help folks save money on their energy bills.

I am building on my work experience, or rather trying to put it to work for my readers.

Trying to save the planet from global climate change or delaying the economic collapse that using peak oil is expected to cause are good motives. But, saving some cash right now is better.

I just want to help folks save a buck, both at home and at work.

If it helps promote energy independence, I can support that too.

When we each shave a little off our energy bills, it is good for the environment and good for our economy.

It is nice to have good side effects while keeping cash in your pocket.

I graduated from Michigan State University with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1971 and have had a long career saving energy in a variety of industries.

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Portable Air Conditioner Shopping – How to Keep Your Cool When Buying

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Nov.19, 2009

Summer and fall heat throughout the U.S. can be unbearable if you don’t have central air conditioning. A window conditioner is often a good alternative. But if you can’t use a window unit, or you want to air condition more than one room, then a portable air conditioning unit may be your best choice.

Before you shop, you should know the basics about buying a portable air conditioner, so that you can do more than just ‘kick the tires’.

Why Buy a Portable Air Conditioner?

Portable AC units are not mounted in a window or through a wall, so they are far easier to install than window units. Also, you can move them from one room to another, so they can be more useful. Portable air conditioning units, however, tend to be more expensive than window units and are not as efficient.

What Do I Need to Install a Portable Air Unit?

Portable air conditioners generally require three things:

1. the space for the unit;
2. an electric outlet rated at 15 amps or higher (some larger units require 20 amps and a special type of plug);
3. an external window or wall exhaust vent for the hot air exhaust.

What’s the biggest installation challenge?

The vent hose, or hoses. The vent hose is essentially an exhaust hose through which hot air is removed from the room being cooled. The hose runs from the unit to some place where the warm air can be released, such as a window, another room or a drop ceiling.

The vent hose is typically about 5 feet long. An exhaust hose kit designed to allow you to vent the hose through a window comes with most portable air conditioners. Portable air conditioners have either a single hose or dual hose system.

A single-hose system takes in the air from the room, cools it and puts it back into the room. A dual-hose system takes in air from the outside with one hose, cools it for the room, then expels the hot air out the other hose.

Using the window kit and installing the hoses can go smoothly – or not. It depends on your window type, the utility of the kit, and your personal prowess. The good news is, it’s not rocket science.

Don’t Air Conditioners Create Water?

Yes, they do. And where and how this water is expelled is another important issue to keep in mind when shopping. There are generally two ways the water removed. One type of portable air conditioning unit requires you empty the unit by hand (usually less expensive units). The other way water can be expelled is with an auto-evaporation or self-evaporating feature. These units discharge most of the water through the exhaust hose (usually more expensive units).

How Do I Pick the Right Size Portable Air Conditioner?

The power of a portable AC unit is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The larger the room you want to cool, the more BTUs you need.

Generally, you need 5,000 BTUs for a room as small as 150 square feet and 16,000 BTUs for a room as large at 400 square feet. You can look at a table of room sizes and BTU requirements at www.portableacguide.com/portable-air-unit-size.php.

One way to save money on energy is to buy an energy efficient unit. You can determine this by looking at the EER (energy efficiency ratio). The higher the EER the better. A unit with a EER of 10 uses half the energy of a unit with a EER of 5.

To aid in your search, look for a unit that has a government Energy Star. To receive an Energy Star, a unit must use at least 10% less energy than those rated at 8.0. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends you buy a unit with an EER of 10 or above.

So, stay cool by shopping smart. You can find a list of every portable air conditioner sold in the U.S. on http://www.portableacguide.com/models

PortableACguide.com is the net’s premier source for information on all portable air conditioners. You’ll a list of every model, including pictures, prices, features, descriptions, and user reviews. You’ll also find a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about portable air conditioners before you decide to buy.

http://www.PortableACguide.com

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Brighten Up Your Home – Ceiling Fans With Lights

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Aug.29, 2009

Everyone strives to achieve perfect lighting in his or her home. Whether you enjoy reading or watching movies, you want the optimum lighting in order to enjoy your pursuits in the comfort of your own home after a long hard day at work. The perfect lighting effects can ensure that the stress leaves your body as soon as you settle in your favourite chair! Ceiling fans with lights are in fact perfect to try and help you achieve the right effect.

Ceiling fans with lights can ventilate your room and light it at the same time, thus serving two essential functions in one go! You get cool or warm air, depending on your preferences, as well as a lovely ambience that can often be dimmed or raised to suit your wants at that specific time!

No matter what type of ceiling fan that you are looking for in regards your living room or bedroom, you can always find ceiling fans with lights to suit your needs. They come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, as well as a number of designs that come in all shapes and sizes. They are functional and hugely stylish at the same time, although they are designed for the latter and just happen to be the former!

Ceiling lights with fans can be found in a variety of furniture stores, but it may be hard to locate them. In some stores, ceiling fans with lights will be found in the lighting section but in other they can be found in the ventilation section. Obviously it depends on the store, but if in doubt ask.

If you do not want to walk around a furniture store for ceiling fans with lights, then you may be better off shopping for them on the Internet. You can find them using the search facility on websites and that will take you straight to them. It certainly saves you time and effort. There are also a number of online stores that specialize in ceiling fans with lights and they will have a huge range for you to choose from. All websites will give you more information about them than you may actually be able to get from a store assistant or guide. They will list the functions as well as the pros and cons and may actually also give a few customer reviews to help you to make your decision.

If you are looking for a little something extra to finish off your room then you may actually want to invest in ceiling fans with lights. The benefits that you get from them are well worth the expense!

You can also find more information on Lighted Ceiling Fans and Remote Controlled Ceiling Fans.Ceilingfanshelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about ceiling fans.

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Baseboard Radiator Heat Failures

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Aug.28, 2009

While it does not happen regularly, you might find that your baseboard radiator heat system could experience pump failure. There are a number of pumps in the system, so the likelihood of one of them eventually failing is great. So, how would you know which pump it is? When a pump fails it is usually not the whole pump, normally the bearings in the pump fail and the pump becomes noisy. So, if your pump starts making lots of noise you could probably assume the bearings are beginning to fail, and need to be replaced. Replacement is usually a fairly simple task since most systems have isolation valves on both sides of the pump so that it can be removed with little loss of water from the system.

Another relatively simple pump problem that could cause pump failure is that pump seals also develop leaks. This is not common, but it is a possibility. If this occurs you need to reseal the pump.

Another possible problem with your baseboard radiator heat system could be boiler failure. This is similar to a water heater failure; the boiler can also develop leaks, so if your boiler seems to be a problem check for the heating element first, and then for leaks. The likelihood of a heating failure is slim, water heaters fail much more often, but in a baseboard radiator heat system the water generally enclosed and is not replenished on a regular basis, therefore, there is not a significant build-up of calcium in the tank as there is in your hot water tank which continually brings calcium into the water heater. That calcium which your system brings in will settle in the bottom of a water heater and causes hot spots and eventual failure of the water tank, this is not usually the case with the baseboard radiator heating system’s tank.

Another problem you might incur, and often comes as a result of decorating are leaks in the system. Sometimes when people decorate they nail or screw things into the walls, and if the contractor did not protect your system well, you may puncture some of the pipes. If you have a leak in your system it is normally obvious because you will see wet floors or carpets underneath the baseboard units.

Other problems include air being trapped in the system, this causes a gurgling sound in the system when the circulator is pumping water. If you hear this noise do not worry too much, often times systems have a small valve, much like a tire valve, at the high points in the system; this valve can be “bled” until all the air is removed and water starts flowing from the valve.

Problems like the overpressure valve blowing off can be caused by the air being removed from the expansion tank, but are not a normal failures. This really can’t happen, or won’t happen unless there is a leak at the top of the expansion tank. If this problem does occur however, the leak must be repaired and the system drained until the air is replaced in the expansion tank.

The radiator units in the baseboard radiator systems are typically made up of copper tubes with fine sheet metal fins attached. Occasionally these fins get clogged by dust and the only way to take care of the problem is to clean the tubes with a vacuum cleaner.

Really, a baseboard heating system is a great idea and you won’t likely run into many or any of the above problems. They are a great option, but one of the major shortfalls of a baseboard heating system is that there is no way to install central air conditioning systems, air filtering system or whole house humidifiers. The really good things is that they are quiet, and clean because they don’t blow air all over the house

HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality home building, remodeling and home decorating information. For free articles delivered daily by email, visit HomeBuildingRemodeling.com and enter your name and email under the Free Home Building and Remodeling Updates section.

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How To Ensure A Long Lasting And Constant Flow Of How Water From Your Water Heater

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Aug.27, 2009

There is little more frustrating than jumping in the shower and finding no hot water, especially if it is a very cold day. You need to keep your hot water tank running efficiently, and this can be easily achieved with regular water heater services.

Most of the heater manufacturers ship the new water tanks with the temperature set fairly high. So reducing the thermostat that controls the water temperature to about 115 degrees will certainly help keep your water heater services running longer as well as provide comfortable hot water throughout your house.

About once every month or so you should drain the water from the bottom of the tank to remove or reduce the amount of build-up. A method to reduce the the water heater service operating cost is to drain the water till it runs clear. Over time, as materials build up in the tank, it not only reduces the amount of space for water, but it will also take longer to heat the water – this consume more power.

A little mechanical aptitude can go a long way in water heater services as some of the tips involve fixing the leaking faucets and using low-flow shower heads. This will help reduce the amount of work the heater tank has to do to keep the water hot. The less the tank needs to work, the longer it should last.

Condition Determines The Need For Replacement

There are many things that can go wrong with a hot water tank, so it is important to know what to look for to spot trouble before it happens. All hot water tanks, be it gas or electric, are fitted with a pressure relief valve. If you find this valve leaking, it is a sign of potential serious problems and signals a need for water heater services.

On gas hot water tanks type, the typical fault that require water heater services is a faulty thermocouple. This piece of metal is what makes sure the pilot light stays turned on and bringing up the main burner when the thermostat indicates the water temperature in the tank needs to be heated. if the thermocouple fails, the pilot light will not stay on.

On electric hot water tanks type, the fault is usually thermostat failure. When the thermostat goes faulty, either the water will not be heated or it will be over heated, and thus causing the pressure valve to bleed off the excess pressure.

While most minor water heater services can be performed by the homeowner themselves, those who are uncomfortable with performing this type of service work, or if the water heater services involves plumbing, gas or electric connections, it may be wise to call in a licensed service professional.

Tango Pang runs an informational website dedicated to providing unbiased advises on Home related matters.

Please click on http://www.guidetoheaters.com to read more.

More Tips and Guide in Heater Guide For All

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How to Save Energy and Cash With an HVAC Installation

Filed Under: Heating & Air Conditioning
Aug.09, 2009

If you’ve been thinking about some home improvement options, undoubtedly you’ve considered an upgrade to your heating and air conditioning units. For homes not equipped with HVAC systems, it will be a major upgrade, but for comfort and the amount of energy (and money) you will save over time, there’s no better place to start with a home renovation project.

The benefits of a central heating and air conditioning system are well known. The differences in control and comfort are far superior to old models, especially the ozone-depleting air conditioners that were in use for so long. These days, you will fix the thermometer with an ideal temperature and let the technology take over from there. Of course, there is little use in upgrading your ventilation system unless you are planning to back it up with energy-efficient windows.

As with most cases of energy-saving projects, there is going to be a considerable up-front expense. The savings will trickle down over time and continue to make sense for you. Immediately, you will need less heat and less cooling power from your system, so the first energy bill you get will be lower. Just multiply by the month, then by several years, and it’s a no-brainer. Of course, your property’s value will increase significantly, so if you are thinking of a change of scenery, or need to move because of work or family events, you can see your investment increase exponentially.

Recently, there have been new developments in HVAC installation. As the years go by, the scientists and researchers always find a way to make a good thing better. It has been proven that HVAC ductwork, which is usually placed in attics or the garage, would actually work much more efficiently if it were placed in what is called a “conditioned space.” You won’t have to turn your home into a laboratory: a conditioned space is merely a fully insulated little room which is sealed from outside air.

It is said that over 30% of the energy from ductwork is lost when located in a typical crawl space or other spot in the house. Besides, studies have proven that there is a risk of harmful chemical components staying inside the home as a result of the conduction process. Utilizing a conditioned space will make your energy bills significantly lower and actually upgrade the air quality in the home. If you’re planning on an upgrade to an HVAC system, this way is ideal.

As mentioned earlier, once you have a superior heating and cooling system, it’s time to say goodbye to your old windows. The drafts you have experienced will be reduced, if not eliminated, and the amount of energy you need to keep out the cold (or the heat) will drop along with it. That means good things for our environment, and for your wallet, too.

There’s no better upgrade in your home than an HVAC Installation. Installing your system in a conditioned space along with energy-efficient windows, you will save money and help the environment in the process.

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