Buying a New Air Conditioner: How Important Is the Size?

May 22, 2014

You may think that the size of an air conditioner does not matter when choosing a new HVAC system for your home. There are different reasons why you need to have a correctly sized air conditioner in your home. This is why it is important for you to work with an experienced HVAC contractor when you are thinking about getting a new HVAC system for your home. Sizes of Air Conditioners When it comes to making a choice of an air conditioner, there are several sizes available in the market. You may be able to tell the size of an air conditioning unit by checking the British Thermal Unit (BTU) ratings. The lower the ratings, the lower will be the cooling power. This means that an air conditioner that comes with a low BTU rating is best suited for small spaces. Air conditioning units with higher BTU ratings will work well in providing effective cooling for larger spaces. It is important to note that home or office spaces are not the only factor for determining the correct size of an air conditioning unit to buy. HVAC experts believe that other factors that could also play a role in determining the right size of air conditioner for your home including...

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Twenty Interesting Facts About Geothermal Energy

May 9, 2014

Geothermal heating and cooling systems can result in significant energy savings. Geothermal heat pumps use far less electricity and produce less noise compared to conventional HVAC systems. The best thing is that geothermal systems have a long lifespan of up to 20-25 years and require minimal maintenance. The Benefits of Geothermal Energy HVAC experts believe that geothermal systems may require a higher initial installation cost, but they pay themselves off in terms of lower energy bills, low maintenance, high durability, and high efficiency. Here are some interesting facts about geothermal energy and how it impacts our environment and our lives. Geothermal energy is generated by tapping heat stored under the earth’s surface. Geothermal energy provides less than 10% of the world’s energy. Geothermal energy is green energy as it poses no threat to the environment. Geothermal energy is cheap compared to conventional energy forms. Geothermal energy is a leading source of energy in Iceland. The country sources 18% of its electricity from geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is primarily used in electricity generation and heating. Geothermal energy is tapped from the earth using geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal energy use produces very low greenhouse emissions; it produces only 3% of the emissions of a fossil...

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Improving the Internal Air Quality In Your Home

May 6, 2014

We spend a large part of our day indoors, so it is important that we ensure that the air inside our homes is free from all allergens. Poor internal air quality can cause several health problems ranging from skin irritation, to severe respiratory problems such as asthma. The problem is that homeowners tend to underestimate the level of pollution inside their home. The fact is that dust, pet dander, pollen, and other pollutants can adversely affect the internal air quality and lead to a lot of health problems. The First Line of Defense The air filters in your HVAC system act as the first line of defense against air pollutants, however, it may not suffice if the level of pollution is reasonably high. In such cases, it is worthwhile to invest in an air purifier to keep the pollution under check. Before we proceed to understand how an air purifier can benefit your home, it is important that we have a look at the main source of pollutants, and how bad they are for your health and well being. Sources of Air Pollution Inside Your Home You might vacuum your home daily and keep it in a sparkling clean state,...

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How Can Zoning Systems Benefit Your Home?

April 30, 2014

Do you face a situation in your home where some rooms take longer than others to become cool? If you have a two-story home, then you may have faced this problem where the upper floor takes longer to get cold because the warm air from the lower floor rises up. By the time your upper floor becomes cold, the lower floor becomes too cold. This happens primarily because you are trying to cool the entire house using a single HVAC system and a single thermostat. Retrofitting ducts or a separate HVAC system can offer a good solution to the problem, but it may turn out to be quite expensive. However, there is another practical and cost-effective solution for such homes. It is known as a zoning system, where the existing HVAC system and ductwork are used to improve cooling and efficiency. The system is composed of dampers, multiple thermostats, and a control panel. You can adjust the temperature in a particular zone using the thermostat installed in that zone. So, you can regulate the temperature in a particular room without affecting the temperature in other rooms. Is a Zoning System the Right Choice For My Home? Zoning systems make good sense...

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Tips For Insulating Your Home For the Next Winter

April 15, 2014

The HVAC system cannot alone help you fight the bone chilling cold of the winter. It takes more than just a good heating system to keep you warm and comfortable during the winter. You need to have proper insulation in your home to ensure that the HVAC system works efficiently and effectively. Identifying Leaks It is important that you identify all leaks and block them appropriately in a way that heat is not able to escape from your home. A professional HVAC company can do a complete check of your home and evaluate the energy efficiency and insulation of your home. However, you can also do some preliminary investigation and plug the leaks to insulate your home. You can try some of these winter insulating tips. Common Problem Areas for Leaks Start by identifying all problem areas in your house. Evaluate every room of your house for possible air leaks. The biggest problem areas would be the windows, fireplace, and attic areas. There could be some small gaps along the baseboards. Remember, even the smallest of gaps can have an adverse effect on the energy efficiency of your home. Note all problem areas on a piece of paper, so that you...

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Save on Winter Bills: Efficient Heating Tips for St. Louis

April 2, 2014

Efficiency During The Winter During harsh winters, you cannot switch off your heating system even for a few hours as the cold becomes unbearable. This means that your energy bills can spiral up significantly especially if your HVAC system is not working efficiently. However, a few simple things can help you achieve heating efficiency, and your energy bills can come down considerably. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your heating system without burning a hole in your pocket. The Importance of Seasonal Maintenance The importance of periodic and seasonal maintenance of the HVAC system cannot be emphasized enough. A complete tune-up before the onset of the season can make a huge difference to the energy efficiency of your system, and will provide visible results as far as power bills are concerned. Investing in a Programmable Thermostat Another crucial step to achieving energy efficiency is investing in a programmable thermostat. The programmable thermostat gives you the freedom to set the temperature a little lower during the time when the outside temperature is reasonably high. This way, you can relieve the HVAC system of some burden, help extend the life of the system, and bring...

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Preparing Your Furnace for a Cold Winter

March 31, 2014

Every year we witness sub-zero temperatures in winter. Your HVAC system may find it hard to cope with the frigid temperatures. HVAC experts feel that most HVAC systems work best when the outside temperatures are around five degrees. But when the outside temperatures drop below this level, you may start to feel that the heating system is probably not working as well. However, this is not a sign of a faulty HVAC system, but that the outside temperature is too low for the HVAC system, and you may have to take some other steps to feel more comfortable inside your home.  Preparing Your Home for Sub-Zero Temperatures Here are some simple tips to help you prepare your house for sub-zero temperatures. They will help make your house warmer, and you will feel more comfortable. • To start with, you should get a complete HVAC maintenance done before the onset of winter. Proper system tune-ups will ensure that the heating system is prepared to work at its peak efficiency. You should also ask your HVAC company to clean or replace the filter if required. • During very cold weather, you must never set back the thermostat in order to save energy....

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Important Reasons to Install a Whole House Humidifier

March 21, 2014

The HVAC system of your house can take care of the cold in winters, but it can hardly do anything to beat the dry air. Dry air makes you feel uncomfortable and cold even if the HVAC system is maintaining a comfortable temperature. The only thing that can help you get rid of dry air in winter is a humidifier. If you often face problems such as dry skin, chapped lips, skin rashes, irritable nose, static shocks, or nose bleeds in winter, then it means you need a humidifier in your house. You can go for a room humidifier or a whole-house humidifier, depending on your HVAC system’s design, budget, and requirements. However, HVAC experts strongly recommend whole-house humidifiers because of the various benefits they offer. Here are just a few of them: Health Benefits In winter, there is little humidity in the air, and it causes a lot of discomfort and health problems. People suffering from respiratory problems such as allergies and asthma are particularly affected by dry air, and their condition worsens during winter months. Skin dryness, chapped lips, rashes, irritation, and nose bleeds are quite common during winter months. A whole-house humidifier can add moisture to the...

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Simple Ways to Rid Your House of Allergens

March 10, 2014

Many of us experience symptoms of allergies such as a stuffy or runny nose, skin rashes, breathing problems, or sneezing. However, we normally blame it on the allergens present in the air outside of our home. However, we never think that the culprit might be right inside our home. Yes, it is true. The air inside your home can be polluted and may contain allergens. You can do some simple things to ensure that the air inside your home is free from all allergens and pollutants. This can improve internal air quality and help you breathe easy. Air Conditioner and Furnace Filters The filters in your air conditioner and heating furnace are your first line of defense against the allergens and pollutants that can creep into the internal air. By checking them regularly and getting them replaced from an HVAC company can greatly reduce the allergens in the air. You can upgrade the filters and use more efficient ones that are capable of trapping smaller particles. Clogged filters do more damage than just spewing allergens in the air. They also increase energy consumption and may damage the equipment. Install an Air Purifier The best way to make your home allergen-free...

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Seven Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

March 4, 2014

Air inside your home may be infested with pollutants and allergens, and you might not realize it until you start feeling discomfort. Your HVAC system may not be enough to keep the allergens and pollutants at bay. Dust and pollutants may enter your house from unexpected sources and cause several health-related problems. Regular upkeep of your HVAC system by professionals can go a long way in improving the air quality of your house, but there are certain other measures that you can take to ensure that you breathe in only the freshest air possible. Here are some suggestions to improve the air quality in your home: Check For Any Leaks in the Duct Work The leaks in your HVAC ducts can offer a way for allergens and pollutants to enter your house. If you are suspecting any leaks in the ducts, call a professional HVAC company to get them sealed properly. Clean and Replace the Filters Regularly Over time, dust and grime tends to get accumulated in your HVAC filters. This happens when the system is not in use, and the moment you switch your air conditioner on, all the pollutants get circulated in your house playing havoc with the...

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