Do you know that it is significant to keep your furnace or boiler in top working condition? Yes, it is very important for you to keep your furnace or boiler in a good working condition for it to adequately heat your home. Not just that, keeping your furnace in a good condition will let you avoid encountering any comfort and health issue. Furnace repair and service isn’t just about maintaining its good condition. It is also about maintaining a healthy life. Is it something that sounds surprising? In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised with that information because in the first place you have to be aware that furnace issues can make your home to be less comfortable.

What are the furnace issues that can affect your health?

A defective furnace can lead to humidity issues.

Humidity imbalances can affect your personal comfort as well as your home comfort. It is not good to have too much humidity inside your home because it fosters mold growth and may even cause for woodwork to swell. On the other hand, too little humidity can cause eye irritation, sore throats, dry skin and even nose bleed. If these problems arise, you have to immediately contact your local furnace repair to immediately correct the problem.

A faulty furnace can cause indoor air pollution

If cleaning your furnace is not on a regular manner, it is possible for it to circulate allergens and pollutants like dust and pollen all around your home. This instance can cause for someone in your family member to have an allergy. So before you get into that situation, better schedule a cleaning time for your furnace and it has to be on a regular basis.

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During winter season, a home furnace is very helpful to keep the house warm, snug and comfortable. This lets the family relax and be comfortable even when it is freezing outside. That is why a home furnace should be properly & regularly maintained.

Actually, maintaining a home furnace is really easy. There are just few simple measures to be considered to keep the furnace in good working condition. Below are some basic yet effective guidelines on how to maintain the good condition of your home furnace.

Before the weather gets cold, check on your furnace and ensure that no parts are malfunctioning. Doing so will prevent you from being stuck with a dysfunctional furnace and uncomfortable feeling during cold nights. Also, don’t forget to pay attention to the moving parts of the furnace such as chains and pulleys because they are the ones that easily get rust. It is essential to check all the parts and replace those that are faulty to avoid malfunction from occurring.

You must be aware that external particles like dust can have a major effect to your home furnace function. Dust particles can obstruct the pathway of smoke going outside likewise the path for the warm which is supposed to be sent inside your home. That is why keeping your home furnace clean is really important. Even at winter time, home furnace cleaning should be done on a regular basis. Another important reminder, when you are cleaning your furnace, make sure that your mouth and nose are covered. Also, your furnace must be switched off before your cleaning starts.

Different parts of your home furnace should be cleaned separately and thoroughly. On a monthly basis, the filter should be cleaned and the water which is settled in the pipe from snow and melted ice should be removed. Another thing to be given an attention is the opening for air supply because it is considered as one of the critical parts of a furnace. After cleaning all the furnace parts, all filth and grime that are collected should be removed to prevent them from re-entering the furnace.

High priority of maintenance should be given to the filter because an unclean filter can severely alter the function of the furnace. Also, if it is too dirty then it would be better to replace it with a new one.

Seeking help of a professional is also a good option for the purpose of cleaning and maintaining your furnace. Experts on this kind of device have tools to look after the more intricate details. At least once a year, involving the help of a professional is advisable.

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To ensure that your furnace will continue to heat your home all winter, you need to clean the sensor on your oil furnace motor on a monthly basis. You have to be aware that the sensor is designed to shut down your furnace motor if your stack has become too dirty or if the burner does not ignite. Also, you need to check first your fuel tank if needs to be refilled before taking your sensor assembly apart. Another important thing to keep in mind after cleaning the sensor is to press the reset button on the stack sensor control.

Below are the tools and material you will need in cleaning:

• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Bucket
• Bottle Brush
• Dish Soap
• Warm Water
• Work Gloves
• Soft Cloth
• Refractory Cement
• Newspaper

Step 1 – Remove Stack Control

First, you should turn off the power in the oil furnace motor. For the dirt to be easily collected, place newspaper under the surface you are working. Use wrench or screwdriver to remove the bolts which connects the stack control to the venting chimney. Then, you need to remove the sensor together with the housing from the vent.

Step 2 – Clean Sensor

Scrub the soot from the sensor with the use of a bottle brush and warm soapy water. Be sure that you are able to clean all of the soot from the sensor. Then, dry the control sensor with a soft cloth.

Step 3 – Clean Stack

It’s time to wear your gloves. Remove now the venting stack in sections. While holding the stack over newspaper, hit it firmly on the floor. Repeat it for a couple of times for every section to remove soot as much as possible. After that, reconstruct the venting stack.

Step 4 – Reinstall Stack Control

Put back the sensor and its housing in the vent stack. Also, reattach the bolts to secure the stack control to the vent. To reseal the joint between the stack control and the chimney, use refractory cement.

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How many energy-efficiency experts does it take to change a light bulb?

For Donna and Randall Johnson, the number was two green-uniformed workers from the Neighborhood Energy Connection (NEC). The workers and a supervisor showed up at the St. Paul couple’s 1925 colonial in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood last week to help them save a little money by making their house more energy efficient.

The workers not only swapped out incandescent light bulbs for the curly-cue compact fluorescents, they also installed a better programmable thermostat, laid down weather stripping, pressurized the house to look for air leaks, inspected the water heater, peeked at the attic and advised the Johnsons their aging furnace might need an upgrade.

It was a no-brainer to sign up for the $30 service, the couple said.

“They have the expertise we can draw on,” said Randall, 63, a dentist. “Whatever they do is a benefit.”

The Johnson house is just one of hundreds of thousands of little battlefields in a statewide war on energy waste. Conservation — an important but dull staple of utility energy programs — is surging this year.

It has gotten a boost by the massive economic recovery package, which funded programs such as cash for inefficient appliances and low-income weatherization, and by a president who calls insulation “sexy.”

There’s a nudge coming from the 2007 Minnesota Legislature, too.

Three years ago, lawmakers told Minnesota utilities to reduce
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their energy demand by 1 percent to 1.5 percent per year, starting in 2010.

This is the year the caulk hits the crack.

Historically, Minnesota utilities have reduced demand by only .8 percent per year, or little more than half the new target. So utilities ranging from giant Xcel Energy down to rural cooperatives are rolling out new tactics and technologies to persuade customers to reduce their energy usage, even if that means paying workers to screw in light bulbs.

In essence, the utilities are on a diet this spring, hoping to lose that last 10 pounds of flab. The hardest pounds to shed? Residential usage. Because so many homes must participate to move the needle, it is the bulge at the utilities’ waistline and hips.

FULL-COURT PRESS

Electricity usage dropped last year, but analysts disagree over whether it will bounce back once the economy recovers.

But everyone agrees that real reduction will require a shift in behavior. Environmentalists think that’s possible.

Linda Taylor, clean energy director at the nonprofit Fresh Energy, an advocacy group in St. Paul, compares energy efficiency to recycling decades ago.

“We didn’t require people to recycle; we just required counties to provide opportunities to recycle with curbside pickup,” she said. About two-thirds of residents now recycle as a habit.

The surprising rush on Minnesota’s cash for appliances program, which lasted only a day, as well as the availability of tax credits for everything from windows to furnaces is whetting an appetite for energy efficiency, said Bill Grant, associate executive director of the Izaak Walton League of America.

“The consumer is beginning to realize now is the time to make these investments,” he said.

New opportunities are emerging.

For example, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy teamed up with the NEC in St. Paul and the Center for Energy and the Environment in Minneapolis to co-sponsor the Home Energy Squad visits.

Started as a pilot last year, the program is sweeping through St. Paul neighborhood by neighborhood. They do the little jobs people always say they’ll do but somehow never get around to actually performing, Chris Duffrin, NEC’s executive director, said.

After hitting 230 homes in St. Anthony, the Midway, Hamline and now Mac-Groveland so far, the NEC expects to tune up 3,700 homes by the end of the year, Duffrin said.

Homeowners might enjoy the convenience, but Xcel and CenterPoint appreciate the certainty that they will see actual energy reductions from each home, however small.

Xcel is also issuing monthly written energy report cards to 50,000 homeowners that compare them to their neighbors’ average usage. They hope the feedback will prod people to cut back their usage.

But even with this kind of full-court press, Xcel expects to reduce its energy demand only by 1.1 percent this year, up from 1 percent last year, said Deb Sundin, the utility’s director of demand-side management and renewable strategy and planning.

Minneapolis-based Xcel expects to increase that percentage by only a tenth of a percent per year for the next two years.

It probably won’t reach the targeted 1.5 percent goal until 2014, she said. The utility will file a three-year plan for 2013-15 later.

Although the legislative goal carries no penalty if it isn’t met, utility officials say they are serious about meeting it.

There’s an unspoken implication that state regulators and environmentalists will oppose requests to build power plants to meet future demand — and increase the burden on ratepayers — if the utilities can’t show they’ve tried to control demand for electricity and natural gas.

Meanwhile, Sundin said Xcel gets about 80 percent of its energy reductions from its business customers.

It’s not hard to understand why, because those savings go to the bottom line. Utility rebates help by shrinking the payback time, too.

A single business customer can institute changes that erase more energy load from a utility’s waistline than hundreds of homes can.

BOILERS, CHILLERS AND PIPES

Not far from the Johnsons is St. Catherine University, with 1 million square feet of building space to heat and cool.

Over the past six years, working with Xcel, maintenance crews have changed out thousands of less-efficient light bulbs, repaired boilers, cleaned steam traps and generally tightened and tweaked.

The utility bill dropped from nearly $2 million a year to $1.2 million last year, the university says.

“When I started here,” said Joe Pallansch, the trades manager who joined the campus in 2005, “we ran one and a half boilers, or 900 horsepower worth of energy. Now we run one boiler, saving 300 horsepower.

“That’s equivalent to 24,500 pounds of steam, which is 24,500 pounds of water we didn’t have to heat,” he said.

The college last week cleaned a chiller beneath O’Shaughnessy Auditorium for the first time since its 1964 installation, which should improve its efficiency.

But Pallansch and his boss, Jim Manship, director of facilities management, are studying an idea to bore an underground pipe from a more energy efficient chiller beneath the new student center to O’Shaughnessy and use the old cooler only as backup.

It’s a $200,000 project with a six-year payback, but St. Kate’s, which celebrated its 100th anniversary not long ago, can be patient , Pallansch said.

“We’re going to be here for another 100 years, so we’re not looking for short-term gains,” Pallansch said.

LIFE WITH TED

Xcel home customers Adam White and Cassie Gariepy don’t have professionals like Pallansch or the home squads.

The couple, who are getting married in July, are relying on TED to help them save energy.

TED — or The Energy Detective — is a home-energy monitor that attaches to the wires at the circuit box in their basement.

It sends a wireless signal to a monitor that shows in real time how much electricity they are using — turn on the lights or a stove burner and a few seconds later, TED shows a jump in electricity usage.

If that sounds too geeky, think of TED as your new Mom or Dad asking why the stove’s on.

The couple keeps TED in the kitchen and since TED arrived in the mail from Xcel a couple of months ago, the pair have cut their monthly power bill by one-fifth, or $50.

“It was something as simple as — when I went to toast a few buns, I’d turn on the oven and I’d notice I was using 5 kilowatts,” said White, a 26-year-old IT support technician at Medtronic.

“So now I use the toaster oven, which is one kilowatt,” he said.

Gariepy said TED is her ally in reducing the power usage that shows up on their home-energy report. “I’m very competitive,” she said. “So now I look at my house and I wonder who’s using less energy than us.”

THE NEW NORMAL?

Not all utilities are equal. And because they don’t have the same mixture of residential and business customers, they’re approaching conservation differently.

Minnesota Power in Duluth has 12 industrial customers — taconite mines, paper mills and oil pipelines — but they consumed more than a third of its electricity last year.

Due to their size, these customers are allowed to opt out of the utility’s energy efficiency efforts. They do their own efficiency programs to stay competitive, said Amy Rutledge, the utility’s spokeswoman.

That leaves mainly residential customers, and Minnesota Power is attacking that market with informational campaigns. Its developed a “pyramid of conservation” on its Web site that works like the old food pyramid to teach people how they can save energy.

Natural gas utilities have a special challenge, too. While electricity has many uses, from stoves and ovens to flat-screen TVs, lighting and video games, natural gas is used primarily for heating. There are far fewer opportunities to make changes.

CenterPoint Energy filed a plan with the state to let it get to a 1 percent reduction by 2014, spokeswoman Becca Virden said. The utility also has gotten approval to be part of a pilot program to make sure it doesn’t lose money on its rates if it succeeds in reducing usage.

Rural cooperatives may have fewer commercial customers than an Xcel and practically no industrial ones, unless you count farmers.

The co-ops are tackling conservation house by house with everything from new-fangled monitors to the old familiar rebates. Great River Energy, a Maple Plain utility whose member co-ops serve 65 percent of Minnesota geographically, expects to reduce its demand by 1 percent this year.

To get an additional one-third of a percent point, the co-op will target efficiency at the plant, said Gary Connett, director of demand-side management.

He’s one of experts who doesn’t think demand will spring back when the recession ends.

“As forecasters, we’ve got to get our hands around the new normal,” Connett said. “Never say never, but I think it’s going to be a long time” before demand returns.

Leslie Brooks Suzukamo can be reached at 651-228-5475.

source: www.twincities.com

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The energy auditors from New Jersey Natural Gas Co. who pored over Frank Triolo’s Point Pleasant Beach home last week will pay green dividends.

Auditors Jerry Ryan and John D. Chussler checked out the attic’s insulation and looked for nooks that can be sealed to prevent heat loss. They made sure there were no gas leaks and that the furnace was operating properly, among other tests.

In return, Triolo will get a $900 rebate from the utility, money that will help pay for the high-efficiency furnace he and his wife purchased last October.

“We’re both retired, my wife and I,” Triolo said. “We’re on fixed incomes, so anything back is always a help.”

New Jersey Natural Gas started The SaveGreen Project in September, hiring 22 people, including 10 energy auditors. The goal: promote and educate consumers about energy efficiency and stimulate economic activity and job growth.

The program provides $900 rebates to help offset the increased cost of a new high-efficiency furnace or natural gas boiler. But homeowners must first agree to an energy audit, which can recommend steps to make the house more energy efficient, such as air sealing or increased insulation.

Coupled with a $300 rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy program, a homeowner can save $1,200.

“Having the audit is really the key to making good decisions about what steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and chief executive officer of New Jersey Resources, the Wall-based utility’s parent company. “We have gone after this aggressively.”

Since September, the utility has performed more than 1,500 home energy audits and handed out more than $1.2 million in rebates, said Bob Kudrick, manager of the energy-efficiency program at New Jersey Natural Gas. “We are in 18 houses every day, doing these audits and geting people to understand the opportunities in their house.”

The SaveGreen Project is among various measures New Jersey Resources is taking to promote energy conservation and efficiency.

source: www.app.com

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• EarthTalk: Cogeneration As A Means Of Generating Power. EarthTalk is a weekly installment from E/The Environmental Magazine. Dear EarthTalk: What is “cogeneration” as a means of providing heat and power? Cogeneration—also known as combined heat and power, distributed generation, or recycled energy—is the...
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With oil and natural gas prices rocketing, stoking terror of long, cold and and expensive winters, a renewed interest in keeping heating costs under control has has been sparked. Homeowner’s have an ignited passion in understanding energy saving methods. If you’re in this boat, stuck in cold waters, here are some tips for energy saving tricks of the trade.

If you’re living in a home with a furnace that’s more than 20 years old, you may have already attempted the “buy a sweater” method of keeping warm. This is certainly one approach, but these days upgrading your home’s conditioning system is a much better option, and will bode well for you in the here and now, and in the long term, should you decide sell your home.

More and more, homebuyers are looking for homes with energy efficient systems already in place. So, think of these upgrades as a long term investment in the resale value of your home, as well a cost efficient and green alternative to your current conditioning system.

Now, with that old choker of a furnace huffin’ and puffin’ away, guaranteed it’s not as efficient as it could be, no matter what fuel type it uses. The newer gas furnaces are mid-efficiency (78-82%) or high efficiency (89-96%).

Although the higher efficiency products can cost up to $1000 more than the mid-efficiency products, extra costs will be re-couped in a couple years, as they will burn less fuel. And, you’ll be the greenest frog on the block, sending less harmful emissions out into the atmosphere. “It’s so easy being green”, murmured Kermit, once he upgraded his furnace.

With oil furnaces, there are again, much more efficient products on the market as of late. But, a oil furnace does need to partner with a good chimney, and so this may be an additional cost to keep in mind

Take note, it’s still the case that electric heat is more expensive than oil and gas, although a smart combination of central woodstove heat, supplemented by electric heat can be cost efficient.

Let it Flow: Change Your Filters!

Whether disposable or washable, all forced-air heating/cooling systems use filters. And, these filters need to be maintained and changed. Some filters require monthly changes while other last up to three months, and much depends on the conditions within your home.

A dirty filter will restrict air flow and with clogged filters you’re blocking heat that would otherwise be keeping you toasty warm. Do yourself a favor and keep on top of the regular changing of your heat filters. This is a pretty easy way to boost your energy efficiency and cut costs.

Pump it up: Install a Heat Pump

Air source heat pumps are the most common and they are generally used with a back-up heating system. In terms of function a heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside and bringing it in, (in heat mode), and by removing heat from the inside of the house and releasing it outside. ( in cooling mode).

The king of heat pumps, though, are ground and watersource, or geothermal. And while the initial investment may be great, the saving will be substantial in the long run. These pumps will use 25-50% less energy than conventional conditioning systems.

At the end of the day, another simple method to help with soaring heat bills, is to keep an eye on the set temperature levels in your house, What is normally described as room temperature is around 68 Fahrenheit (20 degrees celsius).

Of course, only you can decide where to set the dial. But, if you’d rather avoid the ” put on a sweater” method of winter energy conservation, you might consider investing in an improved conditioning system that’ll bring you warmth today, and will be a smart investment in the re-sale value of your home.

source: www.home-mortgages-explained.com

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Choosing the suitable furnace for your home is not hard like what others believe. However, it is important to know basic information about the kinds and purposes of furnaces that is well known today.

Gas Furnace vs. Electric Furnace

If you are much aware of the cost, go and choose gas furnace which is most likely affordable than electric furnace. However, gas furnace needs an available gas source to work and it may generate fuel fumes which is not good to our health. Gas furnace must be maintained properly to avoid fumes using an enclosed exchanger that exits the fumes to the exhaust vent.

Bear in mind that gas furnace must be regularly check by certified professional once a year for holes, leaks and cracks to avoid accident such as fire.

Unlike with gas furnace, electric furnace has a higher cost. Electric furnace does not use flames and it does not generated carbon monoxide. It is cleaner and safer compare to gas furnace.

Furnace Quality

Quality is important on every tools and services we purchase. The brand of furnace with a history of quality and reliability is preferred. Do not just purchase a furnace of the same brand used by your neighbor. Make a research on your preferred furnace before purchasing. It is better to know more about the product to know if it suits your choice, as well as your budget.

The Efficiency of the Furnace

The amount of fuel consumed is determined by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The higher AFUE rating means lesser fuel was used to heat your home. So, gas furnace with higher ratings help furnace owners to save money.

Here are the types of furnaces of different efficiency:

A. The Mid-Efficiency Furnaces – also known as induces draft furnaces or non-condensing furnaces. It has an AFUE rating of 78% – 80% efficiency.

B. The High-Efficiency Furnaces – also known as condensing furnaces or sealed combustion furnaces. It has an AFUE rating as high as 96%.

Be wise on choosing the best furnace for your home. It is important to consider primarily your budget, as well as you housing needs. You also need to consider the size of your house.

Always remember that having a furnace is a lifetime duty. Make sure that your furnace has a regular maintenance performed by certified professionals. It may add some cost on your family’s budget but it will extend life of your furnace, thus, you have save more money.

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• Some Green Energy Tax Credits and Breaks to Consider for 2010 As more people become aware of environmental issues and strive to reduce their carbon footprint, “green living” is becoming more common. The expense of becoming more green is almost always higher than other, less “green”...

The air conditioning filter is one of the most important air conditioning parts in the air conditioning system. Without it, your air conditioning system would be dirty and the air you breathe would be filled with pollutants. All air conditioning parts, from the ductwork to the air conditioning refrigerant, need the air conditioning filter to be clean and replaced to ensure you’re getting the very best in central air conditioning.

If an air conditioning filter is left dirty, over time, it can lead to higher energy costs and short

equipment life due to all the air conditioning parts relying on each other. One can not work without the other. Overall, your heating and cooling will not be as effective and you will need to invest in more air conditioning repair and air conditioning maintenance.

An air conditioning filter should be changed every month or every two months for home air conditioning systems and every couple of weeks for certain commercial or industrial air conditioning since it’s running almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Doing this as a routine in your monthly chores and not waiting until you see dust matted on the air conditioning filter will ensure you and your family the very best health as well as a smooth running air conditioning system . Dust particles can not always be seen so even if you see a little dust on the air filter , clean it as you normally would.

Since there are a variety of air conditioning filters , how quickly one gets blocked versus another depends on the brand – most air conditioning filters are sized 1 ½ to 2 square feet for each ton of capacity for a home or commercial property.

You can judge a filter’s ability to clean by using MERV ratings – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value – which is a rating of how efficient an air conditioning filter is from 1-12. The higher the rating, the more effective it is at removing particles such as animal dander, pollen, dust, mold and other allergens, and the better the protection for your air conditioning equipment . Most air conditioning filters screen out particles measuring from 3 to 10 microns in size.

The common types of air conditioning filters are:

Conventional fiberglass disposable filters (1? and 2?): These are common in most homes and small industrial air conditioners and commercial air conditioning systems. Since they are disposable and have an adhesive coating that traps the dust, you should not clean the filters . This may damage the filter’s ability to remove particles by damaging the adhesive coating and/or the underlying mesh work. They are both not as effective as other types of filters even though they are lower in cost.

Pleated fiberglass disposable filters (1? and 2?): The 1? are generally used in many residential and commercial settings and are made of materials that can vary in the effectiveness. Usually, they are more densely woven to increase the efficiency of removing dirt. These have a larger surface area to lead to increased trapping of particles as compared to conventional filters. They must be specified for your air conditioning system or this can lead to increased demand on your air conditioning components. Thereby, a mismatch can be counterproductive on the health of the air conditioning system and possibly lead to higher air conditioning maintenance and service cost. You should check with the air conditioning manufacturer as to the appropriate type of pleated filter for your system. A filter spray can also be applied after the cleaning and drying of the air conditioning air filter .

Electrostatic filters: Different in design and performance, since there are so many varieties, it is rather difficult to determine which is the most efficient. They are commonly advertised as allergy-free air conditioning filters. These filters also come in the 1? and 2? sizes. Air that moves through the filter creates a static charge that collects any dust in the filter. They may require more cleaning and more blower power.

Electronic filters : Connected to an electrical power source and usually wall mounted, electronic filters come with a pre-filter that can collect larger particles and only need to be cleaned every six months.

Carbon filters : These filters contain carbon that can control any odor problems you might have within the air conditioning system . They can also be useful in homes with pets.

Air Conditioning Filter Installation

When placing the appropriate air conditioning filter in to the system, the filter should be placed in the correct direction as indicated by the arrow located on the side or face of the filter. Air should flow in the proper direction which is in the same direction as the arrows. This allows the filter to work appropriately, as the air exits the filter in the most reinforced part of the filter.

The air conditioning filter should fit tightly. A perfect seal is necessary to prevent unfiltered air from entering and damaging your air conditioning system. Without a perfect seal and appropriate sizing, the filter is useless. Additionally, the non-conventional filters may have a higher efficiency and may not fit your system. This should be checked with an air conditioning company, contractor, or air conditioning supply company.

Furnasman One Hour Heating

Furnasman

http://www.furnaceman.com

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Purchasing a new home heating and air conditioning system is often more important than people recognize.   Not only does your HVAC system need to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the hot Richmond summer months, it needs to run at high efficiency to save you money, have noise reduction features for quiet operations and both balance air flow and keep it at the right moisture level.

In this way, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home all year long and for many years to come.  It is truly an investment in your home that you should not rush into purchasing, just like any other investment.  Take your time, check the facts and ask questions of your HVAC contractor.

To help you make the best decisions in purchasing your new HVAC system, here are 7 things to consider:

1. Reliability.  Chances are, your heating and cooling system is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you will purchase for your home.  That’s why it’s important to choose proven products from a reputable manufacturer.
2. Efficiency. A new ENERGY STAR®-labeled system, when properly sized and installed, can save you up to 20% on your annual heating and cooling costs. Plus, it may qualify you for utility rebates and tax credits.*
3. Quiet operation. The sound of a standard furnace can be as loud as 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a kitchen garbage disposal! Air conditioners can produce sounds as high as 80 decibels. Look for technologies and features that help keep operating sound at a comfortable level.
4. Consistent temperatures.  With a typical furnace or single-speed air conditioner, indoor temperature can vary as much as seven degrees from the thermostat setting. Variable speed and/or two-stage systems give you the assurance of precise temperature control.
5. Balanced humidity.  To maintain proper moisture levels in your home, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity. You might also consider a variable speed and/or two-stage comfort system and dehumidifier.
6. Proper Airflow. A typical furnace motor runs at one speed and circulates a constant volume of air, so it responds to changing comfort demands by repeatedly cycling on and off. This frequent cycling increases air stratification and stagnation. For optimal air circulation, choose a variable speed model.
7. Healthy air. One of the best ways to combat indoor pollution is to attach an air cleaner to your furnace or air handler. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.

Here at Marshall Mechanical, we partner with Lennox because of their superior heating and air conditioning equipment and because they are the innovation leaders in high efficiency technology.  Their products are superior in many ways.  But we will always talk with our customers to find out exactly how they use their HVAC system and take into consideration their home specifications to make the best choice for each individual family and home.

For a free consultation on what heating and air conditioning system is the best choice for you and your Richmond-area home, please call the HVAC professionals at Marshall Mechanical at 804.323.0189 today.

Furnasman One Hour Heating

Furnasman

http://www.furnaceman.com

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The majority of people do not know that indoor air pollution can often have much higher levels than outside. This is not good for  people who suffer from allergies or asthma as these pollutants are the direct cause.

Indoor Air Pollutants

Your home could be harboring any number of common indoor allergens such as:

• Mold
• Pet dander (skin flakes), saliva, and urine
• Dust mites
• Cockroach droppings
• Pollen

Once airborne, these particles enter your body through breath and cause a reaction internally, which results in sneezing, coughing, runny nose, or worse symptoms.

How Your Home Harbors Pollutants

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in your home can both harbor and spread mold and other allergens. Old HVAC units circulate indoor air. With the old units, you can be breathing in the same mold over and over again while your body continues to react to it. The modern day solution is to purchase HVAC systems that bring outside air in that is constantly filtered.

Always Use Fresh HVAC Filters

There are multiple different types of filters you should be aware of when replacing your old used ones.

• Flat panel filters- Are designed to protect the furnace, not improve indoor air quality.
• Medium efficiency filters. -Have a higher surface area so they filter more particles out of the air.
• High efficiency filters.-Remove even smaller particles than pleated filters.
• HEPA filters. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters use high energy

Since higher efficiency and HEPA filters tend to put so much stress on your HVAC system, you may want to use a medium efficiency filters since they still work really well and they are cheaper.

The best HVAC experts can help you pick out which filter fits your needs and install it for you any time.

Furnasman One Hour Heating

Furnasman

http://www.furnaceman.com

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