Heat pumps are unique in their ability to extract heat from the outside air—even in cold conditions—and transfer it indoors. This dual-function system ensures your home remains warm in the winter and cool in the summer, all while using less energy than conventional heating methods.
One of the most persuasive arguments for adopting heat pump technology is its energy efficiency. Heat pumps use significantly less electricity compared to traditional heating systems, leading to substantial savings on utility bills. This efficiency is not only kind to your wallet but also to the environment, reducing the carbon footprint of your home. Now is also a excellent time to invest in a heat pump as there are substantial tax credits available.
Unlike furnaces that may produce noticeable noise during operation, heat pumps are designed for quiet performance. This means you can enjoy a warm, comfortable environment without the intrusive sounds often associated with heating systems.
Heat pumps are known for their durability and require less maintenance than traditional heating systems. With proper care, a heat pump can serve your home efficiently for years, making it a wise investment for those looking for a reliable heating and cooling solution.
For homeowners in cold climates, heat pumps offer an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for heating and cooling needs. With advancements in technology, these systems now provide an ideal alternative to traditional heating methods, ensuring comfort throughout the year. Contact us at (952) 746-5200 to learn more!
]]>You might think bigger is better, but that isn’t necessarily true when it comes to furnace size. If you’re replacing your old furnace with a new one, you must make sure the new unit is sized correctly for your home. Learn how to select the right size furnace for your home and what could go wrong if you get a furnace that’s too large or too small for your home.
A furnace that’s too small for your home won’t be able to heat your home properly. In a best-case scenario, your small furnace will wear out quickly due to overuse. In a worst-case scenario, your furnace will wear out and you’ll be uncomfortably chilled in the meantime.
If your home furnace is too small, you may experience cold pockets or notice that you need frequent maintenance visits to keep things working.
If the furnace puts out 20 percent more heat than you need, you’ll pay more over the lifetime of the unit. In addition to the hefty upfront fees for the larger furnace, you’ll need routine maintenance. A large furnace will run through the stop-start cycle frequently, which means extra wear and tear. A large furnace will also lead to massive utility bills, because each time the furnace starts up, it eats a lot of power.
Now that you understand what happens when a furnace is too big or too small, what happens when a furnace is the right size?
When you have an ideal furnace for your home, you’ll be warm and comfortable no matter the weather. Your furnace will still need regular maintenance to operate efficiently, but the unit won’t get extra wear and tear. As a result, it will last as long as intended rather than require premature replacement due to overuse.
Once your existing furnace starts acting funny, you’ll need to think about replacing it. Furnaces come in increments of 15,000 to 20,000 BTU. Knowing the square footage of your home will help you select the right size furnace, but there are more variables to consider, too.
Have an HVAC technician perform a load calculation to evaluate the size furnace you need before you start shopping for a replacement furnace. A load calculation looks at things like your home’s size, direction, solar heat gain, windows, insulation, and climate to determine the best size furnace for your home.
By selecting the right size furnace, you can spend money efficiently while reducing wear and tear on the home system. As a result, your new furnace will last a long time and you’ll be comfortable no matter how cold it gets.
The first thing that you’ll want to do is ensure that your heating unit runs properly. Turn your heat up by a few degrees so that your heater clicks on. Then, let your heater run for a few minutes to ensure it’s not short-cycling and to make sure it’s running smoothly. This will give you confidence that your heater will perform properly when you need it.
It’s important to change the filter on your HVAC system on a yearly basis. Changing your filter before winter is a good way to prevent dust and debris from filtering through your home along with the heat. This is also a good time to clean your heating vents and make sure that you don’t have any furniture or other objects blocking heat from entering your home.
If your HVAC system includes an outdoor air conditioning condenser, it’s important to cover this portion of your HVAC before winter settles in. If you don’t cover your condenser, you run the risk of ice forming inside the condenser, which can ruin this portion of your HVAC.
The final step to preparing your heater for winter is to schedule yearly maintenance. Keeping a well-maintained HVAC is one of the best ways to ensure your system won’t break down on you in the middle of winter. Contact us to schedule yearly maintenance today.
Over the years, standard caulking begins to deteriorate, becoming weaker. As it does so, the caulking pulls away, allowing drafts. Make it a habit to check your home’s caulking around windows, doors, and pipes, and replace it when needed. You should also check weather-stripping and replace it whenever it begins to pull away from proper placement.
If the ducts in your home are loose or improperly sealed, your home may be losing some of the air heated or cooled by your HVAC system. To prevent this problem, have your ducts inspected and repaired at least once every five to ten years, depending on their age.
Today’s low-flow shower heads are much different than the earliest versions. Although they are designed to reduce your overall flow of water while showering, today’s low-flow shower heads produce enough water to deliver a refreshing shower.
The type of bulb you use determines how much money you spend annually to light your home. Incandescent bulbs typically last about 1,000 hours, while LED bulbs can last as long as 50,000 hours. Although you are going to spend more money on LED bulbs than incandescent ones, the financial savings more than make up the difference.
Replacing old windows with new ones can save lots of money on your utility bills. While it does take several years to recoup the cost of buying the windows, the savings you receive will continue for decades.
Heat rises to the uppermost floor in a home, which is typically the attic. Poor insulation allows heat to leak outside of the home. Properly insulating the attic prevents heated air from escaping, allowing you to save on the cost to warm your home. The overall cost of insulating a home depends on the type of insulation, the quantity needed, and whether or not you complete the installation yourself.
Saving money on the cost to heat and cool your home can be accomplished in several ways. It’s up to you to select the home improvements that you think will the biggest impact on your utility bills. The more options you incorporate into your home, the greater your energy savings will be.
If you want to keep your cool this summer, having some basic AC troubleshooting skills can help a lot. This DIY approach to air conditioner repair may not be a substitute for professional service, but it can help you point the tech in the right direction, so you can start enjoying a cool and comfortable home more quickly.
Home air conditioning units are complicated pieces of machinery, with interconnected parts and a wide variety of potential problems. When your AC stops working, it is important to work through the potential causes one by one. Here are some of the most common sources of home air conditioning problems.
Squealing Noises
It is normal for your HVAC unit to make some noise, but unusual sounds should always be cause for concern. If your AC unit is making a squealing sound, the problem is most likely a belt.
In some cases, the squealing noise means the belt has simply slipped out of alignment, and you may be able to fix it on your own. In other cases, however, the belt will need to be replaced – and that means it is time to call in the pros.
A Grinding Noise
Your AC unit should not produce a grinding sound – if it does, it is time to put your sleuthing skills to work. A grinding noise typically means there are issues with the bearings, and fixing it is definitely not a DIY repair.
If you notice a popping sound coming from the unit, you could have an issue with the ductwork, most likely a loose piece of metal. A rattling noise, on the other hand, may indicate that the panel covers have come loose, and all you need to fix it is a screwdriver.
The Fan is Not Running
Even when your AC unit is idling, you should hear a faint noise coming from the fan. If the fan is not working, start by checking the external parts of the HVAC system.
Find the reset button on the fan, then press it to restart the unit. If the fan still does not come on, turn the unit off completely, then try to spin the fan blades by hand. You should encounter some resistance – if the blades spin without resistance, you could have a problem with the capacitor – and you will need professional help to fix the issue.
The AC Unit Cycles On and Off
It is normal for the air conditioning unit in your home to go on and off, but constant cycling is a sign of trouble. If your AC is constantly turning off and back on, first check the condenser unit. A blocked or dirty condenser will cause the issue, so clean the unit thoroughly and see if the problem has been resolved.
If the AC unit still cycles on and off, the evaporator could be the problem. Once again, a buildup of dirt or a blockage could be to blame, so check for these issues and monitor the air conditioner’s function.
When the summer heat really gets going, you do not want to live without your air conditioner. If your AC does stop working, knowing how to troubleshoot and resolve simple issues can help you keep your cool now matter how high the mercury rises.
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Insufficient insulation and poor construction encourage variations in temperature. Improperly insulated attics allow heated and/or cooled air from the home’s interior to escape, making it harder for your HVAC system to properly balance the temperature throughout the home. Cracks, crevices, and the lack of caulking or weather-stripping around openings in the walls allow exterior air to enter the home, creating cold and/or hot spots.
In addition to these issues, the location of the room also makes a difference. For example, areas of the home that are farthest away from the HVAC system are more likely to stay hot or cold. Poor airflow due to blocked vents also encourages unpleasant temperature variations.
Another factor that influences how warm or cool a room feels is its size. Larger rooms are more difficult to heat or cool than smaller ones. Empty rooms are also more difficult to heat or cool than areas containing lots of furniture.
Rooms that are shaded by trees are typically harder to heat, but they are easier to keep cool. On the other hand, areas of the home that are located in direct sunlight are easier to heat but harder to keep cool. Using window treatments such as blinds and draperies can help to maintain even temperatures throughout your home.
Managing fluctuating temperatures in your home doesn’t need to be difficult or impossible. It can often be accomplished if you install a zoning system designed for just such a purpose. A zoning system allows you to control the temperature in different areas of your home using the dampers located in the ductwork, thermostats, and sensors. You get to customize your system to target certain areas to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, allowing each room to be comfortably heated or cooled.
To ensure your home is comfortably heated during the winter or cooled during the summer, you may need to inspect your home’s design as well as evaluate the efficiency of your HVAC system. Making improvements to your home’s insulation and weatherproofing its walls, windows, and doors can help you to maintain comfortable temperatures in each room.
If you find you need more assistance, you may want to invest in an HVAC zoning system. When you combine your use of a zoning system with a programmable thermostat, you should also be able to reduce your utility bills. To learn more about these options, simply contact your local HVAC company.
]]>The sticker shock of a significantly higher energy bill can come as a surprise to many people because we simply don’t realize how much energy we expend each day to perform what we see as normal routines or activities. The problem is that when you are now spending more or all of your time at home, your energy use now has to find a new “normal” that you didn’t expect.
Here are a few ideas and tips for keeping your energy consumption low when you are staying at home, voluntarily or involuntarily, and making sure your monthly utility bills stay as manageable as possible.
When and where you can, make the most of natural light from the sun each day. Direct sunlight can often cause an increase in the temperature of a room, but you can open the blinds or drapes for those windows that are not allowing direct bolts of sunlight to stream through. By using the sun’s natural lighting, you can forego the more costly usage of artificial indoor illumination provided by lamps and overhead lighting. Keep lamps and other lighting turned off unless it is truly needed, and use part of the next tip below to reduce the energy consumption for the lighting you do use.
You might not think of a low-flow shower head as much of an energy-saving feature, since the obvious savings is only in terms of the amount of water used when bathing, but this type of appliance modification has an additional benefit, as well. Low-flow shower heads (or any other type of fixture that uses household water sources) also reduce the amount of energy used to heat water because they reduce the overall volume of hot water used in the first place. You can also change your home’s light bulbs and power strips to more energy-efficient types and models, which help regulate and reduce the energy used when you have to stay plugged in and powered on.
With more electrical devices staying home with their owners, there will naturally be more things plugged in to power strips and wall outlets. Even when a device like a smartphone, laptop, or gaming device is not plugged in and powered on, these charging or power cords can still slowly seep energy. Make sure you unplug the cords and cables when you aren’t actively using or charging your energy-using items.
The way you store and prepare your meals and their respective ingredients can have an impact on energy use, even though it is one that is given less consideration than other tips for making your home more energy efficient. Over-stuffing a refrigerator or freezer makes the appliance work harder to keep everything cold, but you can change this by adding items to them over time instead of all at once. Additionally, the times of day and the methods chosen to prepare meals can raise the interior temperature of your home, which means your HVAC system must operate more often to maintain a comfortable interior climate. Whenever possible, use the microwave to warm foods, rather than an oven. If you do need to use the stove or oven to cook, try to do so in the late afternoon or early evening, during cooler parts of the day, so the temperature in your home does not rise to the point where the cooling system must activate.
With more people spending more time at home, your household laundry routines can go one of two ways. Either there will be more laundry being washed and dried because more attention is being paid to keeping your house orderly and organized, or less laundry will be done because everyone is going out less often, whether it is to work, out with friends, or to entertainment venues and retail stores. Rather than leaving the laundry to be done as it piles up, creating schedules for doing it and making small changes to the way it is done can make a difference with your household energy use. Washing clothes in warm or cold water, rather than hot, saves energy, as does drying your clothes outside on a clothes line if you have the option to do so. Drying smaller loads also saves energy, as the clothes get dry more quickly and less drying cycles need to be used.
As a final step, making sure your heating or cooling equipment is operating at peak performance is an often overlooked step you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home. This includes basic DIY tasks like changing the filter and making sure the ducts are clean and free of obstructions. You and your housemates or family members can also work together to keep the thermostat adjusted to a setting that keeps everyone as comfortable as possible without overworking the HVAC equipment to the point of failure.
If you are staying home with the rest of your family or a roommate, have a house meeting with those who share the bills and discuss the great ideas and options listed here for keeping your energy use and utility bill as low as possible. Make sure the energy efficiency plans are also shared with anyone in your household who may not contribute to bill-paying but does contribute to using the utilities, as well. Small changes to your regular habits can make significant differences in the amount of energy you use and the corresponding monthly cost that comes along for the ride.
]]>If it has been a while since you last upgraded your home’s HVAC system, it may be time to consider doing so soon. Here’s why:
Old heating and cooling systems are notorious for breaking down regularly. These stoppages tend to come at the most inconvenient times and can cost hundreds of dollars to fix. If you are tired of having your HVAC system shut off on you in the middle of summer, you should think about upgrading to a newer model.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far, you can also consider making some small improvements to your existing system. The addition of HEPA air filters and a copper evaporator can help keep things running smoothly for many years to come.
In recent years, huge strides have been made in the field of home heating and cooling. Modern HVAC systems are quite a bit more energy-efficient than those of yesteryear. If your home still runs on an old set-up, you may be wasting hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year on unnecessary energy bills. To cut your costs in a hurry, consider installing a geothermal heat pump or programmable thermostat.
If you and your family spend most of your time in the kitchen and living room, there is little reason to alter the temperature of the guest bedroom. Unfortunately, if your current system operates on a whole-house basis, there is no way to prevent this unnecessary waste. However, when you upgrade to a more modern HVAC system, you can target the warm or cold air exactly where you want it to go.
Modern HVAC systems don’t just heat and cool your house. They also make sure that your air is clean and easy to breathe. This function is particularly useful if a member of your family suffers from asthma or another respiratory disease. Of course, you don’t necessarily need to buy a whole new system to improve your air quality. Having UV light air cleaners or a humidifier added to your system can also work wonders.
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to upgrade your HVAC system. Whether you are trying to lower your energy bills or keep your family happy and healthy, the right improvements can make a huge difference.
]]>You do not have to take the cold weather lying down or resign yourself to months of high heating costs and soaring energy bills. If you want to keep more money in your pocket this winter, you can start by looking for hidden factors that could be costing you money. Here are some of the overlooked issues that could be causing your winter heating bills to spike.
Windows that are improperly installed are sieves for cold air, making your home less comfortable and causing you to crank up the thermostat.
If you cannot remember the last time you changed the filter in your furnace, chances are it is long overdue. A clogged or dirty filter will reduce the efficiency of your heating system and could send your utility bills soaring. Changing your filter often is the best thing you can do and in many cases you’re better off with less expensive filters as many of the the more expensive ones can actually prevent airflow leading to premature wear of your equipment. For more information about the filters we recommend or to buy them directly from us, give us a call.
Space heaters can be good auxiliary heat sources, allowing you to turn the thermostat down, but the wrong use could be costing you money. Plugging in multiple space heaters in your spare rooms is highly inefficient; closing those rooms off would be better.
It is easy to forget about the windows in your basement, especially if the space is not normally used. A crack in a basement window, or a window inadvertently left open, could cause your furnace to work harder than necessary and your winter heating costs to soar.\
The production of hot water is a major factor in your monthly utility cost, so check the setting carefully. The water heater should be set to the lowest comfortable setting.
Problems with your appliances could translate into higher utility costs this winter. Something as simple as an incomplete seal on the freezer compartment in your refrigerator could affect your utility costs and cost you money.
The winter season will be here before you know it, so now is the time to get ready. You may not be able to stop the cold weather from coming, but you can make sure those chillier temperatures do not cost you more money than they should.
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As stated, excess humidity is the main culprit. If you have low humidity, the condensation will not occur. In most heated homes in the winter, the humidity is fairly low, but if you live in a very humid climate or you have added a humidifier, then you may need to adjust this yourself. If it is from a humidifier, simply lower the setting slightly until you have achieved the desired results. If the air in your home is naturally humid, then purchase a dehumidifier. A less expensive but higher maintenance solution would be to purchase moisture-eliminating products, such as DampRid.
Run ceiling fans or move your furnace fan from auto to on so that air is constantly circulating. This can help the condensation from forming. Also, make sure you run fans any time you are cooking, showering, bathing or doing laundry. These activities increase the humidity in the air, so running a fan can help disperse the moisture throughout the house.
The sudden temperature change from the cold outside to the warm inside hitting a pane of glass is what causes the humidity to condense on the windows. Help mitigate the sudden change by protecting the windows inside and out. Outside, install storm windows or plastic sheathing. Inside, keep blinds, shutters and curtains closed. These actions will also reduce your heating bills and help stop cold drafts.
If it’s not too cold outside, just open a few windows. This will help regulate both the humidity and sudden temperature changes. This, in conjunction with running fans, is probably the quickest and easiest method of reducing the condensation, although it is only a temporary fix.
Being cooped up inside during the cold winter months is bad enough without being able to look outside. Improve your view and protect your home by using these four ways to fix window condensation.
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