HVAC FAQs

When you choose a thermostat, you have to keep in mind your family’s habits. Typically, thermostats should be tools to increase your level of comfort and to help you save on your energy bill. In order to achieve the latter, a programmable thermostat is advisable. With such a device, you will be able to program the heating system to turn on right before you arrive home – you no longer need to keep it going all day to ensure the proper temperature. The right thermostat also depends on your heating system, so it is advisable to contact a specialist and ask for his advice so that you are sure that the two are compatible.

In order to better understand furnace ratings, think about them like the miles-per-gallon rating of your car. A furnace’s rating (that the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency establishes) reflects the percent of heat produced by your system for every dollar of fuel it consumed. Today’s furnaces need to reach at least a 78% ratio in order for their manufacturer to be able to sell them. However, if your furnace is older than 10 years, it is likely that it produces less than that and that you are wasting energy and money. Thus, changing your furnace to a newer model might prove to be a good investment.

Despite the name, a heat pump is a turnkey solution that can provide you with both cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. During warm weather, it extracts the hot air from inside your home and sends it outside. During cold weather, it collects outside heat (some heat exists in the air even in wintertime) and transfers it in your home. A heat pump can be an energy-efficient addition to your gas furnace, as they can both work in turns: the furnace takes over when there is need for more heat than the pump can provide.

If your current furnace is older than 5 years, then you can expect major differences. Technology in this area continues to advance and so does the efficiency of furnaces. One of the major recent improvements is the air flow (even though the air seems cooler than in your old furnace, it will flow better, ensuring the same temperature of the room). Thus, you can expect to spend less on your gas bill for the same comfort. Nonetheless, newer furnaces can be integrated with the air conditioning system in order to support each other in providing the optimal temperature with no additional costs.

The ideal size of your home equipment depends on several factors, such as: the square footage of the house, the insulation of your walls and that of your windows. However, these calculations are very hard to make by home owner. Besides, buying equipment that is too large means an unneeded expense, while, on the contrary, buying one that is too small will result in less comfort. This is why it is advisable to have a professional perform these measurements and advise you on the equipment that suits you best. This will ensure that you stay within budget without cutting down on your level of comfort.

Home is the place where we should feel safe and protected. Whatever alarm system you may have, if the quality of the air is poor, you run the risk of developing allergies and even asthma. This is why it is very important to have a duct cleaning perform regularly and even invest in an air purifier. No matter the insulation your walls and windows have, the polluted air from outdoor will still enter your home. Furthermore, the ducts of your AC system fill with bacteria over time. Invest in your health by having the quality of the air in your home tested regularly and perform the necessary maintenance work.

To put it simply, clean air keeps you safe from asthma and allergies. Even people who have suffered from one of these conditions for a long time found that they are alleviated if they breathe clean air. Furthermore, dust, smoke and airborne particles can reside in your furniture and drapes for ages, continuing to make you sick even if you make sure to air the house properly. This is why it is advisable to invest in the quality of the air in your home from the very beginning and not give dust, smoke and pollution an opportunity to creep into your house.

Each home is different, much like the family that resides there. The habits of your family members, their number, as well as the area where your house is situated, the pollution level nearby and the insulation of your home – all of these are factors that need to be taken into account when deciding on an air quality product. The best way to go is to have a professional evaluate your home and help you make the right decision. This way, you will make sure that the product you choose will keep your family healthy and the quality of the air in your home at optimal levels.

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