Archive for the ‘HVAC’ Category
6 Ways to shrink your heating bill
Leave a CommentCNNMoney reports on ways to save on your heating bill
- Clean your furnace filter
- Get a programmable thermostat
- Take advantage of the sun
- Turn down the hot water
- Insulate and seal
- Upgrade your windows
Handing over control on your climate control
Would you give up control of your thermostat in exchange for cash? A couple of companies focused on “clean technology” are finding out that for some people, the answer is yes. Read more…
DEP offers money saving advice
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is offering homeowners advice on how to save energy (and money). Here’s their short list:
- Turn down your thermostat
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Turn down your hot water heater
- Open your drapes on sunny days
- Clean your vents and make sure they are not obstructed
- Insulate and seal your duct work
Buying a thermostat
When purchasing a thermostat for a heat pump, it is important that thermostat is for a heat pump. Just any ole’ thermostat won’t work.
I recently came across a system that was running with a standard thermostat. Everytime the heat turned on, the lights dimmed. I mentioned this to the owner and he immediately complained about his high energy bills. When I examined the heat pump, I noticed that it wasn’t turning on. I jumped the connection from the thermostat to test it and found that the unit was operational, so I asked about the thermostat. The owner told me he put in a new thermostat when he moved in (5 years ago).
He has been running on his auxiliary heating coils for years! Furthermore, two of the three coils were burnt out. I replaced the coils and installed a new heat pump thermostat. I expect that he will make his money back the first month.
The Fed Tax Credit
Pay less taxes and make your home more efficient. Sound great? Get more info
How it works
How does my air conditioner cool the air?
An air conditioner works similar to a refrigerator. It removes the heat from one area and transfers it to another. This heating and cooling cycle actually happens on a chemical mixture or refrigerant. These chemicals are specially formulated to change from a gas to liquid and back. In order for the cycle to work, the refrigerant must be in a gaseous form when it was at room temperature.
The cycle begins when the thermometer sends a signal to turn on the system. The refrigerant in gaseous form is compressed to a high pressure. This causes the refrigerant to heat up. While it is in this state, it enters a condenser which is usually outside. Air is blown over the hot tubes containing the refrigerant, warming the air and cooling the refrigerant. The refrigerant then moves into the house and the evaporator where it changes from a liquid back into a gas. As it changes state, the temperature of the refrigerant cools. In the evaporator, air from the home is blown over the cool tubes. This makes the air colder and warms the refrigerant.
The air blown through the evaporator is then blown through air ducts and delivered through the home. The air will eventually drop the temperature of the thermometer. When the temperature drops below the set point, the system turns off.
From my web site
Look for signs
What are signs of poor air quality in my home
1.) Does the air in your home feel clammy or wet?
2.) Does your home overheat or get too cold?
3.) Does your home get stuffy?
4.) Do you suffer from indoor allergies?
5.) Do odors linger in the kitchen and other rooms?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have problems. Perhaps you need extra dehumidification to reduce moisture or sensitive filtration systems to clean mold spores from the air. Identifying air problems is the first step to finding a residential HVAC system that meets your needs.
Sizing your system
What Size Heating and Air Conditioning System Do I Need?
It is extremely important that your system be properly sized.
A system that is too small will not get the job done during extreme temperatures. This means your house may not cool on the warmest summers days or your heat may be on constantly during those cold winter days.
A system that is too large can attain the proper temperature, but you may not feel as comfortable as you would with a properly sized system. Units with excessive capacity cool quickly. This satisfies the thermostat but does not allow enough time for the unit to remove the humidity from the air. This could lead to moisture and mold.
Properly sized system take into account many factors including the type of house, the windows, insulation, basement and attic condition, house orientation, trees and more. A review of these factors by a B&H Mechanical will assure proper sizing of your new equipment.
Why have ducts cleaned?
For Your Health
Contaminants in your heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system can aggravate asthma and allergies. Duct cleaning can reduce bacteria and fungus to improve the air quality in your home. Cleaning air ducts can protect everyone in your home from breathing contaminated air.
For A Cleaner Environment
Less dust and dirt means a cleaner environment. Cleaning air duct systems can help maintain a cleaner home, requiring less dusting.
For Increased Efficiency
Cleaning an air duct system helps HVAC systems run more efficiently, resulting in less run time and lower heating and cooling bills. Cleaning your air duct system can also extend equipment life.
New Homes & Renovation Work…
New home may not be as clean as you think. During construction, air duct system are open allowing wood shavings, drywall dust, dirt, trash, and carpet fibers to settle or be swept into your system. Cleaning your air duct system is the only way to thoroughly remove these contaminates.
From my web site (link)
