I am always looking for ways to reduce the cost of heating and cooling. I’ve figured out that temperature control adds up to approximately fifty percent of the household energy usage. About a year ago, I read an article that provided a bunch of energy saving recommendations. According to that article, the majority of residential ductwork allows up to 30% of heated and cooled air to escape through gaps at the seams, poor installation and holes. I Googled to learn the warning signs of leaky ductwork and realized I was living with all of them. It said that flaws in the ductwork can be responsible for inconsistent temperature from one room to another. I’ve noticed that the kitchen often feels overheated while the living room is downright chilly. There is one bedroom upstairs that is always too warm. Once I started paying attention, the especially long run times of the furnace and air conditioner and gradually increasing energy bills had me concerned. Plus, there are issues with musty smells and an excessive amount of dust circulating in the air. I then began looking for a local HVAC contractor that offers duct sealing. Some companies provide manual sealing. They need to locate each hole or crack and physically patch it. I found a contractor that is licensed to provide Aeroseal ductwork sealing. This innovative process targets imperfections in the ductwork from the inside. It takes several hours to complete but causes no mess, damage or odors. It is guaranteed for ten years. The HVAC contractor first blocked off the supply and return registers. He then supplied pressurized air into the ductwork. The air was carrying adhesive polymer particles. As the air leaked from holes and gaps, those particles clung to the edges and steadily built up to form an airtight seal. The entire service was guided by a computer program that then verified the results.
Geothermal heat pump is environmentally responsible choice
My husband and I try to live as environmentally responsible as possible.
We are diligent about recycling.
We grow many of our own fruits and vegetables, using rainwater for irrigation and making our own compost for fertilizer. We use public transportation, walk or ride our bicycles whenever possible. We have installed solar panels to provide for our electrical needs. Our most expensive and worthwhile investment was a geothermal heat pump to handle year round temperature control. The cost of the underground loop and excavation to implement it made the project far more expensive than a conventional heating and cooling system. However, geothermal heat pumps are considered the most environmentally friendly option by the EPA. This is because the system makes use of the free, renewable energy source supplied by the sun. The underground temperature remains constant at all times, no matter the weather. There is heat energy available in our own backyard. The loop draws from this heat energy and transfers it to the heat pump and into the home. The process avoids burning fossil fuels. There are no greenhouse gas emissions, fumes or carbon monoxide to worry about. In the summer, the operation reverses to pull heat out of the indoor air and create a cooling effect. The geothermal heat pump achieves efficiency ratings of 400%. For every unit of energy needed to run the heat pump, it produces four units of energy. Because of our solar panels, operation is virtually free. We also added a vale that uses the heat pump to provide an especially energy efficient supply of hot water.
A ductless multi-split system solves comfort problems
I learned about ductless heat pumps last year, when I was looking for some way to improve the comfort of my home. The house was built in the early 1900s and has undergone a great deal of remodeling. There are insufficient supply and return vents in specific rooms to handle demand. The bedrooms upstairs tend to become overheated while the living room and kitchen are always chilly. With a single thermostat, there was no way to achieve ideal comfort. The ductwork is too old to accommodate zone control. I am unwilling to take on the huge project of tearing into walls and ceilings to reconfigure the entire heating and cooling system. For a while, we managed with box fans, window air conditioners and portable electric heaters. I wasn’t happy with the aesthetics, convenience or performance of the assortment of equipment. I wanted something permanently installed that would improve comfort. A ductless multi-split system was the ideal solution. The system consists of a single outdoor compressor that links by way of a conduit to eight indoor air handlers. The installation process was completed in a single day without any mess or damage. The air handlers are compact, lightweight and mounted up high on the wall. Each one features its own thermostat that provides zone control. Plus, the system handles both heating and cooling, operates quietly and effectively dehumidifies in the summer. The ductless system features inverter technology that automatically adapts output to the changing demands of the room. By supplying the precise amount of heating or cooling necessary, it maintains an ideal and consistent indoor temperature. The ductless system is wonderfully environmentally friendly and energy efficient. We can make adjustments by way of an app on our smartphones or a cordless remote. We can raise or lower temperature, switch between heating and cooling and even personalize the direction of airflow.
A whole-home humidifier is necessary
For the majority of the year, the weather in my local area is especially cold. We are not surprised by temperatures down to negative-twenty five degrees. The winter conditions require the heating system to operate for six to eight months straight. A whole-home humidifier is almost a necessity. Cold air doesn’t retain as much moisture as warmer air. The chilly weather results in concerns with insufficient humidity. Chapped lips, frizzy hair and static shock are signs of overly dry air. When the air is dry, it pulls moisture out of everything it touches, including hair, skin and home furnishings. There is the potential for hardwood floors, doors, moldings and furnishing to crack or split. Dried out nasal passages make family members more susceptible to cold and flu. It takes longer to recover from illness when there isn’t enough moisture in the air. Coughing, sneezing, headaches, difficulty sleeping and sore throat are consequences of improper humidity levels. Plus, the dry conditions aggravate symptoms of allergies, asthma, psoriasis and eczema. It can be tempting to crank the thermostat, but this just puts greater strain on the furnace and makes matters worse. A whole-home humidifier introduces necessary moisture into the air as it passes through the heating system. The device operates quietly, requires only annual upkeep and greatly improves the comfort and air quality of the living space. It allows for lower thermostat settings, reducing demands on the heating system and resulting in lower monthly energy bills. I recovered the investment into the humidifier through energy savings in under three years.
Boiler handles radiant flooring and snow melt system
My local area is well-known for our snowy conditions.
We experience lake-effect snow which accumulates from sometime in October until April or even May.
It’s not unusual for us to get several feet of snow in a single day. Along with snow flurries, snow showers, freezing rain and blizzard conditions, we also deal with extremely cold temperatures. We are accustomed to below-freezing and even negative readings for months at a time. The heating system is essential and a big part of the household budget. I am fortunate that my home is outfitted with a boiler. A hydronic heating system offers all sorts of unique perks. The boiler heats water and sends it through a network of pipes concealed beneath our floors. Because water heats up quicker and retains heat longer than air, the boiler doesn’t need to work as hard, run as long or use as much energy as a forced air furnace. Plus the heat is distributed at floor level and rises slowly upward. The more even temperature and absence of drafts allows for comfort at lower thermostat settings. There are no drafts or cold pockets. Our radiant flooring is set up for zone control. We have an independent thermostat in each room that allows customized temperature settings. We can answer room requirements, avoid heating empty spaces and cater to the preferences of family members. One of my favorite perks of the boiler is that it also links to an outdoor snowmelt system. Just like inside the house, there is a series of pipes installed under the pavement of the walkways and driveways. The snowmelt system reacts to temperature drop and moisture, automatically starting up and spreading heat across the pavement. Snow and ice melt away without any need for shoveling or plowing. There are no concerns over slipping and falling on icy pavement. We don’t need to figure out where to pile the huge amounts of snow.
Moving into a house with a heat pump
A couple of years ago, my husband and I retired from our jobs and headed south.
We’d lived our entire lives in the northeast.
We were tired of the extremely long and cold winters. We’d had enough of blizzard conditions, freezing rain, feet of snow accumulation and dangerous wind chills. Our goal was to move far enough south that we’d never need snow boots, wool coats, ice scrapers or snow shovels again. We didn’t want to travel so far south that we’d have year-round concerns with heat and humidity. When we began touring different houses for sale, we noticed that many were equipped with heat pumps. The real estate agent made sure to point this out as a major asset of the property. Since my husband and I had never heard of a heat pump before, we weren’t overly impressed. I then did some research and learned that this type of unit is quite expensive to purchase and install. A single system provides both heating and cooling capacity. A heat pump operates exactly like a central air conditioner in the summer. They tend to be especially effective at dehumidifying. When the weather cools off, the system reverses the flow of refrigerant, draws ambient heat from the outside air and transfers it inside. The operation of a heat pump is wonderfully environmentally friendly, safe, clean, quiet and energy efficient. We ended up buying a house with a heat pump, and we are very happy with it. We are delighted that the outdoor temperature never drops below freezing. The heat pump manages a very consistent and ideal comfort all year round.
Surprised by benefits of central air conditioning
I was reluctant to invest in a central air conditioner for my home. Living in the northeastern part of the country means especially long and brutal winters. We typically rely on the furnace for eight straight months. It’s necessary to keep the house sealed tight, and I pay huge heating bills. When the milder weather finally arrives, I look forward to welcoming in a fresh breeze. I am relieved to get out from under such costly utility bills and furnace maintenance requirements. While our local summers tend to be short, they can bring excessive heat and humidity. For a couple of months, the conditions get uncomfortable and sticky. I was fine with setting up window air conditioners in the bedroom. The portable units are lightweight, easy to install and don’t cost much. My wife hated the window air conditioners. She said that they ruined the curb appeal of the house and destroyed the view from the window. She was also unhappy that the kids tended to hide in their rooms in the evenings because of the cooler temperatures. I finally agreed to central air conditioning when we replaced the furnace. The contractor who handled the installation project recommended purchasing both systems at the same time. Plus, the HVAC company was offering a discount on buying both and the manufacturer provided a rebate. In the end, the cost of adding central cooling wasn’t all that much. The improvement to the enjoyment of the home is incredible. I had no idea that central air conditioning could make such a difference to how well I sleep at night or my level of energy during the day. The house stays cleaner and the air smells fresher. Even when the outside temperature isn’t all that high, we still run the fan of the air conditioner to circulate and filter the air.
Replacing my furnace
I replaced my furnace last summer.
The heating system was already in place when we moved into the house and had never been properly serviced. There was no record of maintenance and no owner’s manual. When I looked up the serial number, I learned that the heating unit was nearly twenty-five years old. While it still started up and provided heat, I didn’t trust it. My family endured three winters with the old furnace before I decided a new system was worth the big investment. The outdated heater struggled to maintain ideal comfort on especially cold days and nights. Since our local winters are especially long and cold, often delivering sub-zero temperatures, a powerful furnace is a necessity. Plus, the former heater made a great deal of noise, caused issues with overly dry air and spewed contaminants from the vents. I blame that furnace for the need to vacuum every couple of days as well as my constant headaches. I was also unhappy with the high cost of our utility bills. Rather than wait for the furnace to fail in the middle of a January cold snap, I scheduled replacement in August. I had plenty of time to research furnace brands, models and features. I also read reviews before choosing an HVAC company to handle the job. Our new furnace is wonderfully quiet and energy efficient. The savings on running costs will quickly help to recover the expense. Plus, my family enjoys the benefits of healthier air quality and more consistent comfort. I added a smart thermostat that automatically adjusts temperature according to whether the house is empty or occupied.
A renovation project to incorporate hydronic heating system installation
I recently started working at a shop downtown, and I like it.
Though the work is a lot, and the task can be demanding, I still prefer working there.
In addition, I have just gotten into a current relationship. A few weekends ago, I was scheduled to have my electric heat pump updated. It has been problemsome for the past months, and I have heating contractors at my home every week for boiler repair. I was living in a friend’s house. I helped babysit her baby since she had gone back to work. However, her shifts were four hours long. Though I had kept up with the bi-annual furnace maintenance, the boiler was outdated and was in its final lap. In the meantime, I helped my friend with her baby and enjoyed every minute of it. I finally booked an appointment with the heating business to remove the system. Some time ago, the contractor had recommended updating to a hybrid heating system, but I took too long to make up my mind. The corporation scheduled boiler/heater installation for the weekend when I was available. The main reason I moved to my friend’s venue was that the entire condo was being renovated, and now it was the contractor’s turn to install the hydronic heating system, and then the corporation would continue with the renovation. We called the heating dealership for HVAC maintenance on the other side of my friend’s home. Her HVAC equipment was fairly new, so it only needed routine servicing. The work at my home took a month, and my friend had increased her working hours to six hours by then. When I left, she had family come to help her with the baby.
A boiler malfunction that brought toil at the packaging section to a standstill
One great morning I found the workers in the packaging section in the lobby.
After inquiry, I discovered the current heating component was not working. Even with all machines working, it could get frigid in the winter without a heater. I immediately called the heating business and explained the issue best I could. The building hosting the supplier initially had a heat pump however later included a boiler to update to a hybrid heating system. I was present during the boiler/heater installation. The heating dealership had suggested the unit, and my buddy and I have enjoyed it so far. A certified expert did furnace maintenance. An hour later, I saw the HVAC supplier truck and let out a sigh of relief. The professional worked on the product, and proceeded with a boiler repair. After some time, the serviceman finished the repair, and my buddy and I could finally return to work. Our maintenance team also needed to learn more about the boiler, however later, I passed by a friend’s venue and found the same technician there. She looked so adorable in her Christmas sweater, barefoot and pregnant. It also helped that they had a hydronic heating system in their home. I enjoyed going to their condo for lunch or whenever they invited me because it felt like I was with my family, which was oceans away. That morning she made Kheer for me because she knew I enjoyed it. I gave her a cheesecake I had been making often, since she craved it the most!
Exemplary services from a heating dealership
I have dealt with multiple heating dealers in my adulthood, and multiple have almost the same strategies.
I have also met some absolutely talented HVAC professionals who went above and beyond to give quality heating service.
When I was living with my friend Kara, the boiler, at one point, just stopped working, and kara, who knew more about heaters, had not noticed any signs or symptoms of an issue with the heat pump. The system shut down when my buddy and I hosted some of our friends for lunch. My worst fear was being told to purchase another HVAC system. It was an embarrassing experience. We called the heating dealership and booked an appointment for an HVAC repairman to do furnace maintenance. One of us had to be in the condo while the experts were working on the heater installation. I opted to work remotely that day, as I worked on the heating dealer’s progress. The techs were absolutely efficient, and they explained the steps to me. They showed me the components of what I discovered was a hybrid heating system. The entire service process took more time than they had anticipated. Finally, help with indoor comfort! One of them suggested that my buddy and I get a smart temperature control that would help us save energy and make our unit more efficient. After the workers were done, they cleaned up. They later shared some critical and helpful homeowner solutions directions. Even with the multiple companies I worked with, this was the first that gave terrific after-sale services. I have stuck with this dealer. I schedule regular HVAC maintenance with them. I even recommended them to a friend who wanted her home fitted with a hydronic heating system and another for boiler repair.