Archive for January, 2012

« Older Entries

Is Geothermal Energy Renewable for Beaumont Residents?

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Geothermal heating systems can take heat from the ground and transfer it to any Beaumont resident’s home. But how does this heat get into the ground in the first place? Conventional heating systems like furnaces use energy sources like oil or natural gas to generate heat. These energy sources are not renewable, and neither is electricity which is typically generated by burning coal or another non-renewable resource.

The renewable resources we usually think of first are solar and wind power. The sun, of course, will continue to shine and provide heat year in and year out whether we make use of it or not. Similarly, we cannot use up the wind. It will continue to blow no matter how many times it has blown before.

But what category does geothermal energy fit into exactly? Well, it is actually a renewable resource just like solar or wind energy. In fact, geothermal energy is a direct result of the sun’s heat relentlessly pounding the ground. The ground actually absorbs a considerable amount of the heat from the sun that reaches the earth every day, and that is the heat that your geothermal heating system is using to heat your home.

Of course, a geothermal heating system cannot run on geothermal energy alone. The indoor components of this heating system that keep the air flowing throughout your house must be powered by electricity. But the amount of energy needed to do this is much less than what you would need to use to run a furnace or other type of more conventional home heating system.

Over all, geothermal energy is an excellent and renewable source of energy. And once you have the heating system in place, you will need to spend very little to keep it up and running. It is an excellent option for many people, and can help to keep your home cool in the summer as well.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Energy Savings, furnace, Geothermal | Comments Off

5 Reasons to Replace the Furnace in Your Beaumont Home

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Many Beaumont homes are heated with furnaces, since they generally provide safe and efficient heat.  Furnaces have also improved dramatically over the years as manufacturers find ways to make them more efficient. Even if your furnace has been reliable for many years, it may be worth the money to replace your old furnace with a newer, more efficient model.

Here are five major benefits to upgrading your furnace.

1. Lowering Your Utility Bills

Whether you realize it or not, your current furnace could be costing you more than it should in heating bills. If your furnace is 15-20 years old, it’s probably not heating your home as efficiently as the newer models with higher AFUE ratings. Even if your heating system has been replaced within the last ten years, the technology has advanced enough to consider an upgrade.

2. Fewer Repairs

Repair costs can add up if you are constantly repairing your furnace. Routine maintenance for your furnace can help reduce the need for repairs, but as furnaces age, they tend to need more repairs and replacement parts. If you need frequent repairs for your furnace, it may be time to replace it with a newer one.

3. More Consistent Heat

While maintaining consistent temperatures throughout your home involves several factors, such as insulation and thermostat control, your furnace could also be the reason you aren’t getting enough heat to all parts of the house. If some rooms are colder than others, or if your heating bills have recently gone up, it may be time for a furnace replacement.

4. Reduce the Chances of a Breakdown

When a furnace breaks down, it not only leaves you without heat, but it is also a major expense. Budgeting for a new furnace before it breaks down will put less financial burden on you than needing an emergency furnace replacement. Newer model furnaces are also more reliable and less likely to give you problems if maintained properly.

5. Safety

There’s higher potential for safety concerns with older or poorly maintained furnaces. In addition to fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning is another serious threat. When the heat exchanger stops working because it’s corroded or faulty, carbon monoxide can leak into the home. If you’ve had your furnace for more than 20 years, it could create safety hazards that you may be unaware of.

No matter how long you’ve had the furnace in your Beaumont home, it’s always wise to speak with a qualified HVAC technician about furnace upgrades, particularly if you have expensive heating costs. Call Efficient Systems today to talk with one of our heating experts about furnace upgrades.

Tags: , ,
Posted in furnace replacement, Heating, Heating System | Comments Off

Evadale HVAC Tips: Why AFUE Ratings Matter

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Why AFUE Ratings Matter When Installing a New Furnace in Your Evadale Home.

When you are shopping for a new furnace or a furnace replacement for your Evadale home, there are a number of reasons the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating is a very important number. Now model furnaces recieve an AFUE percentage, which measures how much fuel a particular model converts into heat. Efficient furnaces are given higher AFUE ratings, but shoppers should also consider the size and type of furnace when debating how much money to spend on a new furnace.

Understanding the AFUE Ratio

78% is the lowest AFUE rating for new furnaces. This means that 78 percent of the fuel is turned into heat, and the remaining percentage is lost either through poor insulation, air leaks, or the ventilation system in the home. Because there’s no heat loss through a chimney flue, some all-electric furnaces can have an AFUE rating as high as 98%. However, if the cost of electricity used to meet your normal heating needs is higher than the efficiency savings, you may want to consider other options. Talk to a qualified HVAC contractor for advice about the most cost-efficient heater for your home.

Furnace Efficiency Features

Furnaces manufactured 15-20 years ago have significantly lower AFUE ratings (between 55%-70% for most older models) because they are typically single-stage, or single-speed systems. Single-stage furnaces are less efficient because they are designed to cycle on at full capacity and shut off when the desired temperature is met.  Newer, two-speed models have a second setting that runs consistently at a lower speed, which saves energy by burning less fuel. Multispeed furnaces that have variable-speed blowers are the most efficient because they operate at various levels and automatically adjust to the thermostat to maintain a constant temperature.

If you look at the AFUE ratings for multispeed and variable-speed furnaces, the ratios should be above 80%. Keep in mind that this only determines the efficiency levels for the furnace itself. You’ll need to factor in whether or not your home has proper insulation and other upgrades, such as double-paned windows and doors.

Call Efficient Systems Heating & Air Conditioning to speak with one of our qualified HVAC technicians about a furnace upgrade for your Evadale home.

Tags: , ,
Posted in furnace replacement, Heating, Heating System | Comments Off

Advice from Vintage Mills HVAC Experts on Preventative Maintenance for Heating Systems

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

A great man once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” These famous words from Ben Franklin can apply to many facets of life, including the heating system in your home. While heating systems in Ben Franklin’s era were composed of wood burning stoves and fireplaces requiring little maintenance, today’s improved furnaces and building controls need a large amount of preventative maintenance in order to remain in proper working order.

One way to increase the functionality and life of your furnace is to maintain a regular schedule of filter maintenance or replacement. A dirty or clogged filter can decrease airflow from the furnace into your home’s purification system and force the furnace to work harder, putting more pressure on it and taking months, if not years, away from its useful life. If your furnace uses disposable filters, look at them monthly and replacement them  when required. Pay attention to the change of seasons because extra pollutants in the air like pollens, cottonwood, and ragweed can be present. Debris like this can often nestle into filters and lead to unhealthy indoor environments.

Also consider performing a simple visual inspection of working components inside your furnace by taking out the access cover and checking, with proper light, for loose fan belts, electrical wires, frayed electrical wires, or a build-up of dirt and dust. Quick remedies include repairing wiring, tightening or replacing belts, and vacuuming out dust particles with a hose attachment. All of these methods will prevent future failures and ensure your furnace works better for longer.

Also consider a looking over your home’s ventilation system, and be attentive to any cracks in duct seams or holes in flex ductwork. Utilize sealing cement or duct tape to fix these problems and allow for increased, unrestricted air flow. Remember, all of these tasks will enable your furnace to work more efficiently and correct premature failures.

Perhaps the optimal advice for avoiding heating system failures is to have a regular maintenance schedule with a local certified heating contractor. Most contractors can set you up with yearly furnace and ventilation system check ups. Having a service agreement typically gives you priority for emergency repairs and lowered prices on parts and services. In addition to that, planned maintenance is also preventative maintenance, which is something that will earn you peace of mind for years to come.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Heat Pump Systems, Heating | Comments Off

Lumberton Heating Contractor Tip: Troubleshooting Furnace Air Flow Problems

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Whenever you notice furnace air flow problems in your Lumberton home, you can usually do a little troubleshooting and solve the issue on your own. Most air flow problems can be fixed easily and quickly. Here are a few guidelines to get you started, but if you need help or notice other problems with your furnace, call a qualified Efficient Systems heating technician.

Furnace Filters:

Checking the furnace filter is the first step you should take when there are any issues with your furnace, but especially with air flow problems. If a filter is dirty enough, the furnace will not come on at all. Ultimately, a clogged or dirty filter restricts the air flow, and this is the source of air flow problems ninety percent of the time.

Supply Registars and Cold Air Returns:

Once you’ve replaced or cleaned the filter, check your cold air returns, which are the vents that draw in the cold air in forced air systems. When a cold air return is blocked  by furniture or other obstructions, they cannot draw in enough air to allow the furnace to put out an adequate amount of hot air. Make sure they are open if nothing is blocking them.

Next, check your supply registers, which are the vents that supply the warm air, and make sure they are open as well. Whenever your heat is on, all of your supply registers should be open. Closing some vents will not increase the air flow in other vents in the house. Closing off one or two in areas where heat is not always needed will not hurt your system; however, when you close too many supply registers, it can cause problems with the ductwork and eventually damage the furnace if the air pressure is not correct.

If you continue to experience air flow problems, call a certified Lumberton heating technician. There could be a more serious issue, or if you have a newer furnace, your original ductwork could be the wrong size for that furnace model.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off

Winnie Heating Maintenance Guide: Different Types of Furnace Maintenance

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Everyone in Winnie knows that there are different types of maintenance tasks associated with keeping your automobile in tip top shape. Did you also know there are tasks that can be performed at various intervals to keep your home’s furnace in peak running condition?

For example, the most frequent maintenance task is checking the filters in your air handling unit. These are often called furnace filters but in reality, they serve the same function to filter air to and from your air conditioner, too. It might be easiest to just call them air filters. The frequency of replacing or cleaning air filters usually depends on the type of indoor environment you live in – like humidity levels, number of household pets or occupants, etc. In general, filter maintenance should occur every one to three months.

A less frequent maintenance task is cleaning the moving parts of the internal mechanism. You may only need to have your furnace cleaned every six months to a year, depending on its use. In some cases you can perform the cleaning yourself or it is included in an annual cleaning as part of a service agreement with a qualified heating and cooling contractor. A furnace can typically run at peak efficiency when it is cleaned on an annual basis.

You can also make it a regular habit of checking the motor bearings and fan belt, too. You can lubricate the bearings and tighten or replace the fan belt on a same schedule as cleaning the moving parts.

Other maintenance tasks related to your furnace, which may require longer interval times include ventilation system cleaning, or more commonly known as duct cleaning. Some homes don’t require this type of maintenance more than every five to ten years – perhaps longer. Unless there are unusually high levels of dust, allergens, or contaminants in the air, most ventilation systems can remain clean for several years.

Of course, you can turn all of your maintenance tasks over to a heating and cooling contractor – and have the most peace of mind.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off

Happy Martin Luther King Day from Your Beaumont-Port Arthur Area HVAC Contractors!

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Happy Martin Luther King Day! Many people consider this day a call to service, and there are so different many ways you can help your community, from lending a hand to a neighbor to donating food. Take a moment to think about how you make a difference in someone’s life today; even a small act of kindness can have a big effect. Help us make our community a better place!

Tags:
Posted in Holiday | Comments Off

Devers Heating Replacement Guide: High Efficiency Furnaces and Chimney Concerns

Friday, January 13th, 2012

When upgrading to a high efficiency gas furnace in Devers, you may need to make some upgrades to your chimney. Older chimneys built for standard furnaces with normal exhaust needs are not built to the specifications needed by today’s high efficiency models. Not only is it unsafe to leave it as is, but the cost of repairs if you don’t have it upgraded can be substantial.

Down-Sizing

A common concern when upgrading to a high efficiency gas furnace is the issue of condensation and draft. Because the amount of exhaust being vented is reduced by a high efficiency furnace, your current setup is not sufficient for the new model. So, it needs to be reduced in size by a professional to avoid backup of exhaust. Proper chimney sizing is a complex process that requires professional guidelines and careful measurements of all appliances in your home.

Because the chimney often isn’t used at all for a high efficiency furnace (often PVC pipe used instead), the extra airflow in the chimney can become a major issue.

Chimney Condensation

The biggest concern for the chimney when changing the furnace efficiency is condensation. Specifically, acidic condensation droplets can build up in the chimney if not properly stopped. A new chimney liner must be placed in the chimney to avoid excessive corrosion due to the acid droplets. Keep in mind that the efficiency of your new furnace will determine whether you will use the traditional chimney for exhaust or if a new line will be installed to vent your furnace.

When to Take Action

If you have your furnace replaced, your technician will likely discuss the chimney situation in your home with you. Keep in mind that this might be necessary and that there might be an added cost involved because of it. Modern furnaces are not designed to accommodate aging chimneys and your safety and the integrity of your house are at risk if you don’t retrofit the chimney if necessary.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off

Fannett Heat Pump Repair Tip: What to do if Your Heat Pump is Blowing Cold Air in the Winter

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

One of the most impressive things about a heat pump is that it can both cool and heat your Fannett home. But, if something goes wrong and your heat pump is suddenly trying to cool your home in the middle of the winter, you have a problem. Here are some possible causes of the issue and what you can do about them.

Defective Reversing Valve

The reversing valve is responsible for changing the flow of refrigerant between seasons so your heat pump can both heat and cool your home. So, if it breaks, you can imagine what happens next – you won’t switch into heating mode and your heat pump will try to air condition your home.

Defective reversing valves are hard to diagnose because the symptoms are largely the same as those of a defective compressor or condenser valve. However, because of how they are installed and where they are located, you will need a professional to inspect this problem no matter what.

Low on Refrigerant

Your heat pump should never run low on refrigerant because it shouldn’t leak, but if it does and the refrigerant gets low or if your device is simply very old, this may be a problem. Low refrigerant means that the device cannot transfer enough heat between the outdoor air and the inside air and the air that gets blown through your ducts by the air handler isn’t heated as much as is necessary to warm your house.

The problem is relatively easy to fix, though you should also have your Fannett repairman check for leaks and a possible cause of the refrigerant being low in the first place.

Not Running at All

The final problem is one you should be able to notice quite easily. If the heat pump isn’t working at all but the air handler and blower are working fine, then the device will simply blow cold air from outside or possibly even just recycled cold air from inside. In either case, the heat pump isn’t running to heat the air and therefore, you’re getting whatever temperature it is outside.

This can be caused by a number of problems so it’s important to call for a Fannett professional to inspect it immediately.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Heat Pumps | Comments Off

Raywood Heat Pump Installation Question: Do I Need to Supplement a Heat Pump with Another Heating System?

Monday, January 9th, 2012

People often turn to heat pumps as a solution for their Raywood home heating and cooling needs because they want a single, all-inclusive system that covers all the bases. The convenience and simplicity is part of the allure of choosing a heat pump to begin with.

However, it’s not always that simple. There are situations where a heat pump is not enough to handle the needs of the whole home. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole idea goes out the window, but the heat pump may need some help in the form of a supplementary heating supply.

Here are some reasons/situations that may call for a supplemental heat source in addition to a heat pump:

  1. A Cold Climate – Although heat pumps can serve as the primary heating system when temperatures drop as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, they have trouble keeping up when the cold snap lasts longer than a few days. In any climate where temperatures dip below this mark for a length of time, a supplemental heating system is recommended.
  2. A Large Home – Heat pumps come in many different sizes, but if yours does not have the capacity to match the size of your home, then it won’t be able to heat the whole house. It’s as simple as that. If you are installing a new heat pump, be sure to get one that is properly sized. But, if you have an existing heat pump that is overmatched by your home’s size, simply supplementing it may be the easiest solution.
  3. The Power Goes Out – A heat pumps’ use of electricity is a benefit in most situations, but unfortunately it means they are helpless when the power goes out. To avoid suffering in the winter chill when a storm takes out a local power line, have a backup/supplemental heat source on hand to use until the power comes back on.

Those are a few situations you may encounter in which supplementing a heat pump is a good idea. Remember, though, that each situation is different. When installing a new heat pump, consult with the professional installer beforehand to see if you should also have a supplemental heat system in addition to the heat pump in your Raywood home.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Heat Pumps | Comments Off

« Older Entries