What to look for when upgrading your home's heating and cooling system!
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If your home’s heating and cooling system is getting on in years and it’s time to replace your furnace or air conditioner here are a few things to consider when it comes to new systems.
RELIABILITY: The reliability of your furnace or air conditioner is a major investment. Do your research and go with a proven brand and you will reduce the chances of having problems down the road. EFFICIENCY: By choosing an EnergyStar rating system you’ll save up to 30% on your annual heating and cooling costs. PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION: The most important day in the life of your air conditioner or furnace is that the day it is installed. Proper sizing and correct installation is critical. Choose a heating and cooling company with experience and one that stands behind their work now and down the road. AIR QUALITY: To reduce indoor pollution consider attaching a whole house air cleaner to your furnace or air handler. You can at peace of mind knowing your new system is capturing small contaminants that can cause health problems. |
The problem of CLOSED DOORS in Home HVAC Systems
It sounds like a minor problem, but researchers have found that simply closing bedroom doors can create comfort and health problems in the home! Why? It’s important to remember that your furnace air conditioner and air ducts are a system. Fans move large volumes of air - as much as 1000 and 2000 cubic feet per minute - creating a lot of air pressure. When you close off part of the space by closing doors, you are effectively blocking air flow to large chunks of the system. As pressure builds up in the closed room, the conditioned air is forced out through any gap it can find. This lost air volume must be replaced by outside air. Depending on the number of doors that are shut, hot or cold outside air enters the home at an increased rate. As a result, energy is wasted, comfort deteriorates, and health problems can increase. Because the air travels the path of least resistance, the danger is that air can be drawn in from chimneys, the water heater flue and other ventilation sources designed to exhaust dirty air from the home. This reverse air flow can bring outdoor pollution, and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. So keep the doors open and you’ll actually save energy and keep the air in your home cleaner and healthier! |