Why Do Air Conditioners and Furnaces Have Variable Speeds?

September 26, 2018

A growing number of business and homeowners are choosing AC units and furnaces with variable speeds and it’s not hard to see why. Variable speeds offer a number of important benefits that you won’t want to miss out on. Comfort Choosing an HVAC unit with variable speed settings makes it possible for you to choose the temperature that is just right for you personally. Instead of running a unit at full blast all the time, you can adjust the settings for days that are neither blazing hot nor freezing cold. Energy Efficiency Variable speed HVAC units are extremely energy efficient because they can be run at continually low speeds instead of going full blast, turning off when the room is at the right temperature and then turning back on again when the room gets too hot or too cold. Because HVAC units use a lot of power when switching on and off, homeowners who use a variable speed unit will typically have lower energy bills than those who stick with a single speed unit. Lowering Humidity Humidity not only makes a home uncomfortable but also affects the structural integrity of the house. Mold growth is a common yet serious problem...

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What is a SEER Rating?

August 30, 2018

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is the measurement used to define the energy-efficiency level of an HVAC unit. The higher the number is, the more efficient the unit is. Ratings range from 9 up to 25. Minimal SEER Requirements The United States government has set down minimal SEER rating requirements in an effort to promote energy efficiency and reduce pollution. Residential HVAC systems manufactured after 2006 must have a minimum SEER rating of 13; however, window units are still permitted to have a minimum SEER 10 rating. Air conditioning units with an ENERGY STAR rating must have a SEER rating of at least 14.5. Requirements for split system central air conditioners vary depending on geographical location. In Kentucky, split system central AC units must have a minimal SEER 14 rating. What are the Benefits of a High SEER Rating? An AC unit’s SEER rating is likely to have an impact on how much it costs; however, there are benefits of shelling out extra money for a unit with a high SEER rating. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that upgrading to a new unit can help you drastically lower your energy bills. It has been estimated that switching...

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What Does it Mean to be NATE Certified?

July 9, 2018

When you hire an air conditioning or heating company, you want to know you’re getting the best, most highly trained individuals to install or service your HVAC system. Contracting with NATE certified technicians lets you easily do this. North American Technician Excellence (NATE) The North American Technician Excellence (NATE), a non-profit organization for air conditioning, heating, refrigeration and ventilation, provides certification of skills. This independent organization located in Arlington, VA has provided testing and confirmation of knowledge and skills since 1997. NATE does not provide the training. HVACR technicians receive that from a variety of sources, including vocational-technical schools, business colleges or community colleges. NATE provides the testing of their work knowledge through multiple-choice standardized tests developed by a committee of industry experts. Technicians undergo rigorous testing on topics spanning HVACR topics relating to contractors, educators, manufacturers, and utilities. You can easily recognize a NATE certified individual by the patch on their uniform. Most companies also purchase decals for their vehicles denoting their trained technicians. NATE only provides these patches and decals to firms with at least one NATE certified technician in their employ. Areas of Knowledge Testing Your potential contractor won’t take a single test to cover all HVACR....

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How to Know When Your AC Needs Repairs

June 11, 2018

Over time, your AC will require repairs to keep it in peak condition. Similar to other mechanical systems, the AC is subject to wear, and you’ll notice its performance dwindle over time. Contracting a professional AC repair company to handle your AC repairs guarantees you of quality and timely repairs. Here are some indicators that your AC needs repairs: Limited Air Flow If your AC is not blowing adequate air, you’ll experience limited cooling. Over time, its ability to circulate air will fall significantly, and ultimately your indoor air quality will be compromised. This poses a health hazard to you and your loved ones. Various factors could cause the limited air flow, either the air filter is broken or clogged, or there is a refrigerant leak. Either way, it will cost you excessive money on energy bills if it goes unresolved. Short Cycling Over time, your AC system will get clunky due to failed electrical signaling or compressor components. In such a case, it will turn itself off and on for several minutes. It is hazardous and should be remedied without delay. Short cycling causes the AC to speed up the rate of the tear during use and prevents the...

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How to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

May 25, 2018

Your home’s indoor air quality can have a big impact on your health and comfort. While you might worry about air pollution when you’re outdoors, keep in mind that the air inside your Lexington home can be even more polluted. Poor indoor air quality can cause health issues for you and your family, such as respiratory problems and allergies. Find out more about how you can make the air in your home healthier. Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels The humidity levels in your home should not be too high or too low. High humidity levels, such as those over 60 percent, encourage the growth of mold and the presence of dust mites. Low humidity levels, such as those below 30 percent, cause too much dryness, which can irritate your skin and sinuses. Using a humidifier or a dehumidifier provides you with an effective way to control the humidity levels in your home. Change Air Filters The air filters in your HVAC system collect dust and other debris, especially when they’re left unchanged for months at a time. This lowers your indoor air quality and increases your risk of breathing these particles in. Replace the air filters in your HVAC system every...

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Is Maintaining Proper Humidity Levels in Your Home Important?

April 17, 2018

Human beings spend close to 90% of their lives indoors. So why not start maintaining proper humidity levels to help keep your home comfortable? Relative indoor humidity is always higher than outdoors because of activities in the house such as cooking, washing, and bathing. The optimal humidity level in the house should be about 30% to 55%. If the humidity levels are higher or lower than this, there will be some negative effects. What happens when humidity levels are low? During winter in Louisville, moisture vanishes, and the air is left very dry. Low humidity levels can lead to difficulty breathing, bloody noses, sore throats, and cracked itchy, skin. Furniture and wood flooring also suffer in homes with low humidity. The lack of moisture can dry out the wood around the home causing it crack. Old homes tend to have relatively lower humidity levels compared to newer more energy efficient homes. What happens when humidity levels are too high? A high humidity level in the house creates an ideal atmosphere for growth of mold and bacteria in the house. It is common for the humidity level in the house to be higher in the summer. These can activate allergies and...

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What Is the Difference Between a Furnace and a Heat Pump?

March 22, 2018

Most homeowners are not sure whether to use a heat pump or a furnace to warm their homes when the cold season sets in. Knowing how each of the devices works could help in making the right choice. Here are the differences between the two as well as the best areas of application. A heat pump uses a refrigerant to transfer heat energy to the house. Therefore, it can be used for heating and lower the temperature at home. Heat pumps make use of electricity and have no other heat source that is used to condition air at home. The furnaces heat the home with energy drawn from fuel such as fuel oil, coal, wood, natural gas or electricity. Furnaces are only meant for heating the house but may share the vent system with the air conditioner. The source of fuel determines the efficiency and the cost of operating the furnace. Efficiency The old furnaces are known to be very inefficient and losing a high percentage of the energy they produce. However, with the new technologies in place, you can get furnaces which are up to 98 percent energy efficient. Any furnace of five years old is likely to be...

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How Do Heat Pumps Work?

February 8, 2018

Heat pumps give the most energy-efficient method to offer cooling and heating in many places since that consume heat sources that are renewable in the environment. They do function all temperatures to produce heat that is incessantly replaced by the sun. How Heat Pumps Operate Heat runs naturally from the higher to the lower temperature. Heat is also forced to flow to other areas by the pumps; this is through the use of a relatively small quantity of excellent quality motivation energy. Hence, there is the transfer of heat from the natural sources of heat, like the ground, air or water, or the synthetic sources. They can also be used as cooling systems. Here heat is transported to the reverse direction, from the submission, which is cooled, to the environment at a higher temperature. There are times when the excess heat that comes from the cooling will be used to meet an immediate heat ultimatum. The heat pump removes humidity and heat from the open-air during the heating process, the temperature is then transferred to the home. It is possible for the process to take place even when the outdoor degrees are at zero Fahrenheit; this is so because the...

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How to Keep Your Furnace Running Efficiently

January 18, 2018

There are two times per year a furnace runs the most: winter and summer. Given that we are currently in the middle of winter it’s a great time to learn about keeping a furnace running. No one wants a furnace to break down. Let’s talk about how to keep a furnace healthy at all times. Dirty filters, holes in an air duct, lack of maintenance — these are some of the reasons a furnace becomes less effective. Let’s break down each reason to learn about how to keep a furnace running more efficiently. Replace Your Air Filter Dust, grime, and other particles build up in an air filter over time. At some point, it becomes harder for air to flow through the filter. Once this happens, the furnace cannot distribute air as it would be able to with a clean air filter. Therefore, these filters should be checked for buildup every few months. Air filters are inexpensive and a vital component to the health of a furnace. Check for Holes Air leakage happens when there are holes present in an air duct. Homes shift over time. Therefore, air leakage can happen even if the air duct was properly installed originally....

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What Are Pros and Cons of Ductless Systems?

December 29, 2017

“To duct or not to duct? That is the question.” Deciding whether or not to use a ductless system is simple when you have the correct information to aid in your choice. Read on to find out the pros and cons regarding ductless systems. Discover when ductless systems are beneficial, and when they are less effective here. Pros of Ductless Systems Ductless system installation requires only the drilling of a small hole at the site of installation, which prohibits air leaks, which contributes to energy savings, which brings us to point two. Ductless systems are incredibly energy efficient. According to Energy Star, “about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.” This translates to higher energy bills for the homeowner. Ductless systems avoid this issue altogether, making them much more efficient. Installation of ductless systems may result in receipt of a federal tax credit and/or a local utilities incentive bonus as well. Ducted systems require duct maintenance, which adds expenses. They also require repairs eventually. These problems are avoided with ductless systems. Cons of Ductless Systems Cost – Ductless systems cost more on installation than do traditional ducted...

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