What Are Some Ways To Help Control My Heating And Cooling Costs?

Once the thermostat is set, it should be left alone. However, programmable thermostats are commonly installed on systems to setback the house temperatures while you are away from your home. The air filters inside the system need to be checked, cleaned, or changed each month. The outdoor fan should not be covered or obstructed, so it can receive proper air flow. Precision Tune Up checks should be performed which include refrigerant level checks, indoor/outdoor coil inspections (cleaning, if needed) and duct inspections. Duct inspections are very important. A poorly performing duct system can cause air comfort problems, high utility bills, and could become hazardous. We can measure your entire system's performance and show you how to get the most out of your heating and cooling system.

Is The Heat Pump An Economical Or Expensive Way Of Heating And Cooling, And How Does It Operate?

A heat pump may actually provide more than three units of heat for each unit of electricity used. If a kilowatt-hour of heat is needed for comfort, it can be supplied by a one thousand-watt electric heater. To provide the same amount of heat the heat pump might use as little as 330 watts in an hour. This is a ratio of three to one. The ratio is referred to as the Coefficient of Performance (COP). Electric resistance heaters have a COP of 1 because they are using electricity to create heat. A heat pump moves heat from the outside to the inside of the home and vice versa, not using energy to create heat. We recommend. a COP of at least 1.8 at standard test conditions of 17 ° F dry bulb and 15 ° F wet bulb.

I am sure that explanation was as clear as mud. Let's look at it this way. Gas and fuel oil prices are going through the roof. It looks like the heat pump is becoming a better option.

FAQ: What Are Some Ways To Help Control My Heating And Cooling Costs?

Once the thermostat is set, it should be left alone. However, programmable thermostats are commonly installed on systems to setback the house temperatures while you are away from your home. The air filters inside the system need to be checked, cleaned, or changed each month. The outdoor fan should not be covered or obstructed, so it can receive proper air flow.

Precision Tune Up checks should be performed which include refrigerant level checks, indoor/outdoor coil inspections (cleaning, if needed) and duct inspections. Duct inspections are very important. A poorly performing duct system can cause air comfort problems, high utility bills, and could become hazardous. We can measure your entire system's performance and show you how to get the most out of your heating and cooling system.

Ductless, Mini-Split Systems

Ductless, mini-split-systems, heat pumps and air conditioning only, make good retrofit add-ons to houses with "non-ducted" heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). They can also be a good choice for room additions, where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible.

Like standard air-source heat pumps, mini splits have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units.

Advantages
The main advantages of mini splits are their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Many models can have as many as four indoor air handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit. The number depends on how much heating or cooling is required for the building or each zone (which in turn is affected by how well the building is insulated). Since each of the zones will have its own thermostat, you only need to condition that place when someone is there. This will save energy and money.

Ductless mini-split systems are also often easier to install than other types of space conditioning systems. For example, the hook-up between the outdoor and indoor units generally requires only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit.

Also, most manufacturers of this type of system can provide a variety of lengths of connecting conduits. If necessary, you can locate the outdoor unit as far away as 50 feet from the indoor evaporator. This makes it possible to cool rooms on the front side of a building house with the compressor in a more advantageous or inconspicuous place on the outside of the building.

Since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.

In comparison to other add-on systems, mini splits offer more flexibility in interior design options. The indoor air handlers can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. Floor-standing models are also available. Most indoor units have profiles of about seven inches deep and usually come with sleek, high tech-looking jackets. Many also offer a remote control to make it easier to turn the system on and off when it's positioned high on a wall or suspended from a ceiling.

Split-systems can also help to keep your home safer since there is only a small hole in the wall. Through-the-wall and window mounted room air-conditioners can provide an easy entrance for intruders.

Call us today for more information: 1-800-358-(HVAC).

FAQ: What is This Thing Called H.S.P.F.?

H.S.P.F. = Heating Seasonal Performance Factor.

The heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) is a measure of heat pump heating performance. Like the SEER rating, it is similar to the miles per gallon (MPG) of your automobile: the higher, the better. The HSPF rating number is derived by taking an average of performance at many different outdoor temperatures. Because HSPF is the best way to judge how efficient a heat pump is, it is important to review this rating with your sales representative as you consider specifications on your new system.

How Your Gas Furnace Works

...no need to worry, it's safer than you think!

Your new Trane furnace creates heat by burning fuel (gas or propane). Upon a call for heat from your thermostat, your power vent motor will energize and prep the combustion area for ignition by inducing a draft through the flue pipe system. Following this, your Silicon Carbide Hot Surface Igniter (aka - "pilot light") will glow bright orange for approximately 20-30 seconds, at which point the gas valve will open and send the fuel to the combustion area and the active ignitor. The fuel will ignite and generate a nice blue flame.

When the fuel burns, it generates hot gasses which travel through curved metal tubing called a heat exchanger. Following a predetermined time limit encoded in the furnace control board, the indoor blower motor will energize, thus pulling the cooler air from inside the house through the system to be heated. As this cooler air passes over the heat exchanger, it absorbs heat from the hot metal surface. The heated air is then circulated throughout your duct system to warm your home.

Meanwhile, the gasses that are created by the burning fuel are released outside through a plastic vent pipe. This furnace is so efficient, you will only lose about 10% of your energy out the flue pipe, which is so much better than most furnaces out there today. And because of the little amount of heat that is released through the flue pipe, these gases will cool rapidly the further away from the system they get, thus creating condensation. These furnaces are commonly referred to as "condensing furnaces" for this reason. This condensation is then channeled away from the unit through an intricate piping system or pump. When your thermostat is satisfied, the furnace will then ramp down, awaiting your next call for heat.

Your furnace is equipped with a control board. This is the place in your furnace where the control wiring from your thermostat and the power wiring from the breaker meet. This control board allows for the above operation to work flawlessly. But, what you don't know is that it does this, as well as provide you the security that your system is running safely. There are numerous safety devices and switches built in to your furnace, and the control board is constantly monitoring these safeties to insure that the system operates safely. If at any time during the start-up of the system, or during its operation, that any of these safety devices "trip", then the control board automatically turns the gas valve off to insure your health and safety, but also so that the unit does not sustain any further damage.

So, here is your new Trane Gas Furnace. I trust that you both will have a long and warm relationship.

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FAQ: Suggested Temperature Settings for a Heat Pump

In the winter, we recommend a temperature setting that is comfortable for your household. Once your thermostat is set, the best policy is to leave it alone. Raising the thermostat as little as 2° F may cause the supplementary heat to come on, thereby increasing your energy usage.

In the summer, a setting of 78° F or higher is recommended for cooling. For each degree you set the temperature below 78° F, you will increase your cooling energy usage approximately three percent.

Raising the temperature when you are away from home during the day is recommended to save energy. If you will be away for several days, turn the system off during the cooling season. Frequent changing of the thermostat setting reduces the economical operation of the heat pump and tends to shorten the life of the compressor.

Product Feature: Mitsubishi H2i Hyper-Heating INVERTER Systems Heat Pumps

Bringing Year-Round Comfort Solutions to Extreme Climates

Heat Pump System: 34200 to 36000 Btu/h Capacity

The cooling and heating success of Mitsubishi Electric’s INVERTER heat pump systems is well documented. Our Hyper-Heating INVERTER (H2i) P-Series technology advances the process a step further with the added benefit of year-round comfort with a single system even on the coldest days of the year in most areas. The 2.5- and 3-ton wall-mounted, ceiling-suspended, ceilingcassette and ducted indoor units connected to the H2i P-Series outdoor units are flexible enough to satisfy almost any light commercial or institutional renovation or new construction project.

• Specifications are subject to change without notice.
• Limited warranty: Seven-year warranty on compressor. Five-year warranty on parts.

Indoor Unit Item No.	Item Name	Outdoor Unit	Cooling Rated Capacity	Cooling Capacity Range	Cooling Total Input	Cooling Energy Efficiency
PKA-A30KA	Heat Pump System - Wall-mounted models - Wired Controller	PUZ-HA30NHA2	30000 Btu/hr	18000-30000 Btu/hr	2500 W	16.5 SEER
PKA-A36KA	Heat Pump System- Wall-mounted models - Wired Controller	PUZ-HA36NHA2	33500 Btu/hr	18000-34200 Btu/hr	2790 W	16.2 SEER
PKA-A30KAL	Heat Pump System- Wall-mounted models - Wireless Controller	PUZ-HA30NHA2	30000 Btu/hr	18000-30000 Btu/hr	2500 W	16.5 SEER
PKA-A36KAL	Heat Pump System - Wall-mounted models - Wireless Controller	PUZ-HA36NHA2	33500 Btu/hr	18000-34200 Btu/hr	2790 W	16.2 SEER
PLA-A30BA	Heat Pump System - Ceiling-casset te models	PUZ-HA30NHA2	30000 Btu/hr	18000-30000 Btu/hr	2450 W	15.6 SEER
PLA-A36BA	Heat Pump System - Ceiling-casset te models	PUZ-HA36NHA2	34000 Btu/hr	18000-36000 Btu/hr	2690 W	17.0 SEER
PCA-A30KA	Heat Pump System - Ceiling-suspended models	PUZ-HA30NHA2	30000 Btu/hr	18000-30000 Btu/hr	2480 W	16.1 SEER
PCA-A36KA	Heat Pump System - Ceiling-suspended models	PUZ-HA36NHA2	34000 Btu/hr	18000-36000 Btu/hr	2810 W	16.6 SEER
PEAD-A30AA	Heat Pump System - Horizontal ducted models	PUZ-HA30NHA2	30000 Btu/hr	18000-30000 Btu/hr	2500 W	16.5 SEER
PEAD-A36AA	Heat Pump System - Horizontal ducted models	PUZ-HA36NHA2	34000 Btu/hr	18000-36000 Btu/hr	2800 W	16.8 SEER

Winter Heating Bills Go Sky-High This Year

While some of the situation is out of our hands – the price of crude oil, for instance – there are many things we can do to keep a rein on our winter heating bills. 

Your heating system is the one element that should get the closest look during this cold, costly winter.  Now is a great time to have a service tech give your system a thorough evaluation to make sure it’s running properly and as efficiently as possible.

Additionally, the federal government’s ENERGY STAR program makes several recommendations about how you can heat your home smartly this winter, including: 

§  Replace the air filter in your furnace regularly.  Dirty filters reduce air flow, which makes getting the warm air to the registers a lot tougher. 

§  Install a programmable thermostat.  Why heat the home while you’re away?  Setting back the temperature in your household when you’re asleep or at work is another opportunity for energy savings – as much as $100 each year on energy costs. 

§  Seal up your home.  Sealing holes, cracks and openings and then adding insulation is one of the most cost-effective means of improving comfort and reducing energy use.  Cracks in windows and doors can be plugged through weather-stripping and caulking. 

Here are some more helpful Heating & Air Conditioning Tips for you to look over.