Ductless Mini-Split Systems - Informative Video from Lennox

Have rooms without traditional duct-work? A Ductless Mini-Split System may be just a thing to keep those rooms comfortable all year! Check out this informational video from the people at Lennox:

Check out the Lennox National Promo going on now until February 15th!

HSPF, AFUE and SEER Ratings: Explained.

AFUE, HSPF and SEER are all energy efficiency ratings given to heating and air conditioning units. While units may seem similar their SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) can vary quite a bit. The higher the SEER rating the more money you will ultimately save on electricity. The current minimum standard SEER rating according to the EPA is a 13, which uses 23% less energy than a 10 SEER unit, which was the standard prior to January 2006. While 13 is the minimum SEER rating available on new systems, the ratings go all the way up to 21.

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, ratings measure the heating efficiency in heat pumps and furnaces. Like SEER, the higher rating means higher energy savings. The current EPA scale range for HSPF is 7.5 to 13.

AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, measures how efficient the HVAC system is over the course of an entire year. Today's new high-efficiency units can save up to 50% in operating costs when compared to a ten-year-old furnace. Units prior to 1990 typically have an AFUE of 65% or less. As of May first this year all non-weatherized furnaces in the Northern U.S. states (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) will have a required AFUE rating of 90% or higher, for everyone else the requirements are as follows:

PRODUCT CLASS	MINIMUM AFUE RATING
Non-weatherized gas furnaces (not including mobile home furnaces)	80%
Mobile home gas furnaces	80%
Non-weatherized oil-fired furnaces (not including mobile home furnaces)	83%
Mobile Home oil-fired furnaces*	75%
Weatherized gas furnaces	81%
Weatherized oil-fired furnaces*	78%
Electric furnaces*	78%

We offer a wide range of heating unites for all levels of efficiency and cost, call today!

Heat Pump Maintenance Guide

Regular maintenance is a must for keeping your heat pump in pristine working condition for as long as possible, but do you know what it takes to keep your system up to snuff? There are quite a few things you, or we, can do to maximize the bang-per-buck of your heat pump; here's a few to start you off:

Check the Air Filter
This is the most vital thing you can do with any sort of forced air HVAC system, heat pump, air conditioner, or furnace alike. The air filter is designed to trap dust, dirt, hair, and other pollutants before they find their way into your system, your air, and ultimately your lungs. If the filter gets too clogged, there may be air flow restrictions that will lower the efficiency of your system, resulting in an increase in your energy bill and the eventual breakdown of your system.

Watch out for Refrigerant Leaks
Your heat pump is charged with refrigerant when it's first installed, and the refrigerant loop is a closed system, meaning it shouldn't need recharged unless there is a problem with the system. One of the main places refrigerant can leak is the coil in the condensing unit. If you suspect your system is leaking refrigerant we recommend having one of our service technicians take a look in the refrigerant line for leaks and recommend the appropriate course of action if any are found.

Lubricate the Fan Motor
Your heat pump works around the clock, all year long, and the fan gets a lot of use. Unfortunately one of the biggest things that can lower the efficiency of a system is the gradual deterioration of the fan. The fan bearings will need to be lubricated and the fan blades and belts need to be checked for good condition to guarantee a lasting performance.

Check the Drainage System
The drainage lines are some of the most important components of any heat pump system. These lines allow for proper evacuation of condensation buildup. When the heat pump is cooling, condensation will form on the coils and drip into a condensate pan below to drain out. If said pan is plugged clogged or otherwise damaged, it could leak and cause major damage and problems.

Don't let these issues get the best of you and your system! Regular maintenance is our fix-all solution, so call us today!

Top 5 Common Heating System Problems

We're half way through January but winter isn't done with us yet. Keep an eye out for these top 5 common problems with heating systems.

1. Thermostat Issues
Maybe your room temperature is totally off from what the thermometer is set at, or maybe the heat pump cycles on and off too often; thermostat problems are extremely common, and relatively inexpensive to remedy.

2. Air-Flow Problems
Do you have one room in your home that just seems to be more or less warm than the rest? You probably have an air-flow problem. Air-flow problems can be caused by dirty filters or coils. If you encounter this problem make sure to have your system maintained at least twice a year.

3. Carbon Monoxide Leaks
While new furnaces can have the issue as well, older furnaces have a significantly higher chance of leaking carbon monoxide making it even more vital to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Even the smallest, most un-noticeable leaks can be fatal. Have your furnace checked by a professional on a regular basis for this at the very least.

4. Drafts and Insulation Problems
Poor insulation, leaky windows and doors can cause major heating problems. Homeowners can annually spend hundreds of dollars unnecessarily to compensate for these problems, and at some point they'll have spent more than it would have cost to fix it.

5. Heating System Pilot Light or Ignition Control Issues
If your heat seems to randomly shut off, it's likely because of a malfunctioning pilot light or ignition control. This is an extremely dangerous problem to try to fix on your own, so if you suspect a busted pilot light or ignition control, call a professional right away.

If you have any of the aforementioned problems, or have any other questions or concerns with your HVAC system, call us today!

Gas Furnaces 101 - Informational Video

An in depth look at the bits and pieces that run a gas furnace. Good for troubleshooting or just better understanding of what goes on inside a furnace.

Furnaces and Indoor Air Quality - Things to Know.

A furnace is one of the most effective and energy efficient heating solutions you can buy for your home, but there is an inherent risk of reducing your homes indoor air quality. Clean, pure air is required for the utmost levels of comfort, so keep an eye out for these ways furnaces can affect your indoor air quality:

Backdrafting
Your furnace backdrafting exhaust is a potentially serious issue that can expose your home to dangerous gasses such as carbon monoxide. A professional installation, regular maintenance, and a quality CO detector you can expect a safe and reliable performance from your furnace. Any time you are working with fuels and combustion you have to keep in mind the potential problems. Make sure the ventilation is adequately installed and sufficient, and don't hesitate to contact a professional at the first sign of trouble when it comes to your furnace.

Forced Air Distribution
A more common negative influence to your indoor air quality would be a forced air distribution system as your home heating method. Forced air is fantastic for efficiently circulating heated air through your home evenly, however, since it's blowing air into all the different rooms in your home it can also stir up any number of pollutants from dirt or debris. This can aggravate allergies or asthma symptoms and make for a generally unpleasant breathing experience.

For more information on possible furnace problems or indoor air quality solutions, call us today!

Regular Heating and AC Maintenance Advantage #4

Lower monthly energy bills; what more could you need?

It's never too late to start, no matter how old or how new your system is. Start getting regular tune-ups and you'll see lower energy bills and higher system efficiency.

Call us and schedule today!

Regular Heating and AC Maintenance Advantage #3

Even new units of the highest performance levels lose efficiency over time and eventually could result in a bigger energy bill. Getting professional tune-ups on a regular basis keeps your machine in peak working condition for optimal energy efficiency.