What Home Areas Need More Ventilation?

Today, modern building techniques have resulted in homes that are more energy-efficient than ever. However, this has resulted in modern homes requiring ventilation. In the past, houses didn’t require it because they were already leaky. Fresh air was able to move in and out of them easily. Also, older homes were constructed from mainly natural products that didn’t emit volatile organic compounds like the products of today do, making ventilation a needed feature. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces often need more ventilation, but you can get whole-house systems that ventilate every area. The Benefits of Ventilation Ventilation systems improve your home’s indoor air quality. They expel pollutants and control moisture, preventing mold from developing. A good ventilation system can maintain your home’s structural integrity and decrease maintenance costs. This type of system may also increase your home’s value. Energy Recovery Systems Energy recovery systems are helpful because they offer a managed way to ventilate your house while decreasing energy loss. This kind of system decreases the energy costs of heating ventilated air during the winter by shifting heat from the warm interior exhaust to the outside air supply. In the summer, an energy recovery system uses the inside air to...

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The Differences Between HVAC and Air Conditioning

People use the terms air conditioning (AC) and HVAC interchangeably in writing. While there are some similarities between the two, they are not exactly the same. Since these systems have different functions, they feature different capabilities. What the Acronyms Stand For To understand the differences, it’s important to know the terms. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. AC is just air conditioning. In the past, AC systems were the standard in the home climate industry. The use of the initials did not change even after the systems continued to evolve. This is why contractors and experts also use HVAC and AC as if they are the same. What the Individual Elements Mean HVAC includes two important components — heating and ventilation — missing from an air conditioning system. Heating systems include a furnace or a boiler and ducts or vents. Some HVAC systems don’t have ducts or vents. Instead, they use home insulation and pressure differentials. In an HVAC system, the vent system can carry hot or cold air. When the temperatures are below the set thermostat levels, the furnace kicks in. The warm air moves through the ventilation system into the room. Ventilation also involves air quality....

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An Ounce of Prevention

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. As a homeowner or business proprietor, you don’t have a landlord to call upon if things go awry. When it comes to proper temperature control in your home or office, it’s imperative that you keep on top of the maintenance. The conscientious technicians here at are prepared to help you work smarter instead of harder. It’s our goal to assist you in becoming more efficient in the area of proper HVAC upkeep. With the new year ahead, now’s the time to create your year-long HVAC checklist to keep you on track. Suggested HVAC Checklist As you sit down to prepare your checklist, it can be easy to overlook important components. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some valuable suggestions to get you started: Change air filters once every quarter. Adjust thermostat settings as the seasons change. Enlist HVAC professionals for fall heater maintenance. Replace batteries in carbon monoxide detectors in the fall. Visually inspect outdoor units to ensure they are free of debris. If they’re dirty, clean them with a microfiber cloth. Enlist HVAC professionals in spring to inspect and service cooling units. These maintenance items are...

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Can My Furnace Run Without a Filter?

Your furnace is one of the most important appliances in your home as it will help to keep your property warm during the cold winter months. One of the most important parts of routine maintenance is to replace your filter every few months. However, there could be a situation in which you may not have a filter. While you may be OK for a day without a filter, there are several reasons why it is extremely important to have a filter in your furnace at all times. Poor Efficiency Over time, not having a filter in your furnace will hurt the overall heating efficiency of your furnace. The main job that a filter has is to block debris from getting into your furnace. If this debris is not blocked, it will get into the furnace and will begin to affect the way that it operates. This will soon lead to poor heating outcomes, higher energy bills, and could also lead to many other expensive repairs. Air Quality Another important benefit of having a filter in your furnace is that it will help to improve overall air quality. The filter can help to block harmful allergens and debris from getting into...

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How to Save Money on Heating Bills this Winter

When the need to warm up the interior of your home for the winter season arrives, so does the need to start paying an increase in heating bills. If you are concerned about how much you are spending to effectively heat your home, try some of the following tips to keep the amount on the lower end. Make Sure Your Windows Are Not Allowing Air To Escape Many people find that their windows are drafty, allowing for heat to escape the interior of their homes. If you notice cool air coming into your home around your windows during the cooler months of the year, consider upgrading your windows to more efficient models. If new windows are not an option at the moment, use pieces of weather-stripping, expandable foam, or caulk around your window panes to help seal them effectively. In addition, use thermal-lined curtains or draperies to cover your windows so air loss is not as great. Use A Programmable Thermostat A programmable thermostat will allow you to select the temperature you would like in the interior of your home at any given time. Keep your thermostat at a lower level at times no one is home. Turning down your...

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When Should I Replace My Furnace?

After years of service, your furnace will be susceptible to wear and tear that will, in turn, reduce its efficiency. While minor damages can be resolved easily in some cases, a complete overhaul of the system may be necessary. If you are faced with any of these scenarios, then it is time to think about replacing your furnace actively. Your Furnace Becomes Old Most furnaces can serve for close to 20 years before they begin to lose their worth and efficiency. It will be pointless to continue paying for repairs when you can get a new furnace and reinvent your home’s comfort. Frequent Breakdowns At a particular point, you may notice that you are calling in a technician to assess the state of your furnace more frequently. The cost of repairs may also have gone up at this point, and it may be time to think about other alternatives. Increased Heating Bills A less efficient furnace usually translates to higher utility bills. If you notice that you’ve been progressively paying more for your energy bills, then it is time to consider replacing your furnace. Find out the cost implications of getting a new furnace and make your choice based on...

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Benefits of Financing Options for Your Heating System

The comfort of your home is not only in the indoor air quality but also in the state of your finances. Buying a new heating system is a major investment that a lot of people may not be able to afford to pay for at one go. No matter where you stay, having a reliable heating system is very important. Over time, these systems get run down and may require replacement. Fortunately, a great number of heating contractors understand that not everybody can be able to spend a lot of money in order to ensure that their in-home environment is superb. That is why there are many companies out there that offer convenient financing options to new and existing clients to assist them in their time of need. Flexible Financing Options Help to Lower Stress Levels Home improvement expenses can really cause stress on homeowners, especially since you have many other things to worry about, and it becomes hard to set aside some funds for an emergency furnace or heat pump replacement. By taking advantage of financing options offered by your heating contractor, you can be able to ensure that your home stays comfortable throughout the cold winter days. More...

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Geothermal Heat Pump vs. Furnace

In many places, it is traditional to get a forced air furnace, but that is not the only option one has when choosing a heating system for a new home, or replacing an old furnace for an existing home. Another option for heating and cooling your home is a geothermal heat pump. But what is the difference between a traditional furnace and a geothermal heat pump? Is a geothermal heat pump better? Let’s find out. Geothermal Heat Pumps Geothermal heat pumps draw heat from below the surface of the Earth and use that energy to heat or cool your home. It is a renewable energy source that will never run out. Geothermal heat pumps are more efficient than forced air traditional furnaces. Using a Geothermal heat pump can save you anywhere from 30-70% on heating costs and 20-50% on cooling costs. However, the drawback is that they are far more expensive to install. The system itself costs more, plus the installation is very expensive as well. The expensive upfront cost may not be suitable for some, but over time the savings with efficiency can more than pay for themselves. The pump also still needs electricity to run, so that is...

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4 Benefits of Having Your HVAC System Maintenance Done

One of the best things that Arizona homeowners can do to make sure that their heating and cooling units stay healthy is to conduct regular HVAC maintenance. You need to keep in mind that your HVAC system is the heart and soul of your home’s comfort. You can be in a quite predicament if your system isn’t functioning properly. The best time to conduct this maintenance is in fall for your heating equipment and spring for your air conditioning unit. Proper maintenance of your HVAC system is a worthwhile investment that you shouldn’t ignore. Here are the top four benefits of having your HVAC system maintenance done. Cut Your Energy Bills The US Department of Energy reports that heating and cooling accounts for more than 48 percent of your overall home’s energy bill. This is the primary reason why you need to make sure that your system is operating properly and optimally. Typically, your system will consume a lot of energy if it is overworking to achieve the desired results. Keeping your HVAC system in top-condition through proper maintenance will cut down your energy usage and make you save a lot of money on your monthly energy bills. Enhance Air...

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Does Rain Damage My Heating System Over Time?

During the coldest months of the year, we depend on our heaters to provide the comfort we need. But the unfortunate truth is, the hot and cold temperatures aren’t the only weathering you should worry about. While year-round extreme temperatures and soaring humidity levels can put more strain on your system, other types of weather can mean a poor-functioning unit and even a system breakdown. A Natural Cleaning Although it may be surprising, rainfall can actually be good for your furnace. As our heating system fans and coils get used on a daily basis during the summer, it can mean dirty parts and more friction on system components. During light to moderate rainstorms, the water seeps into your unit, causing a natural cleaning of important system components. Watch Out for Flooding In regards to our heating systems, rain only becomes a factor when it gets extreme. While our systems can withstand heavy amounts of rain, flooding can provide some serious worry — and for good reason. Given that our outdoor units are able to withstand heavy amounts of rain, our indoor units are at a greater risk. Whether flood waters reach your outdoor unit or indoor unit, it’s important to...

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