Forced-air heating and cooling systems are useless without ductwork. After all, ducts distribute the heated and cooled air throughout your home. However, if your ducts are improperly sealed you could be losing much of that air through gaps and cracks. And that means your family is living in rooms that aren’t as comfortable as they could be. Continue Reading…
Sealing Air Ducts for Savings
You may have the newest, most energy efficient heating and air equipment, or maybe your system getting on in years but still performing well. Whichever is your situation, a sure way to get the most out of either is to check your air ducts.
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Faced with “Repair or Replace” Decision? Some Tips…
Homeowners often face the decision of whether to repair or replace their furnace. Before making this important decision, answer the following questions:
- Is your system in overall good condition? If so, it might be more cost- effective to repair it.
- How long are you planning to live in your home? If you are moving within a couple of years, evaluate whether a new system will increase the value of your home. If the cost outweighs the investment value, consider repair. If you are planning on living in your home for many more years, consider the benefits of a more energy efficient system.
- Have you addressed insulation and duct work? Proper insulation and seals can save up to 20 percent on your energy costs.
- Are you using a programmable thermostat? A programmable thermostat can save up to 30 percent in energy costs.
- Have you performed the Home Energy Yardstick? Use this tool to score your home’s energy efficiency.
Consider repairing if:
- Your system is less than 15 years old.
- The repair is under $500.
- The overall condition of your system is good.
- Your energy bills are reasonable and not concerning.
- Your Home Energy Yardstick score is 5 or above.
Consider replacing if:
- Your system is over 15 years old.
- Your system needs frequent repairs.
- Your Home Energy Yardstick score is less than 5. If the energy savings of a more efficient unit will cover all or part of your investment, consider replacing it.
- Your utilities costs are constantly rising.
- You are concerned about air quality. Consider replacement with an energy-efficient system that can reduce the potential for air contaminants like mold, bacteria, and dust.
A general rule of thumb that can be helpful in deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace is to add up your energy costs for the past winter and multiply by 20 percent. Divide that number into the cost of buying and installing. This is an estimate of how many years it will take to recoup your investment.
Of course, you can also count on T.F. O’Brien for expert advice on repairing vs. replacing your furnace. We can walk you through the options and help you make an educated decision. Call us if we can help.
Trying to Heat or Cool an Added Space? Ductless Options Exist.
The idea that a home heating and cooling system is most efficient as a whole, seamless system is important to consider when contemplating modifications to the way you control your house’s climate. There are alternatives to add-on ductwork that do not necessarily detract from your home’s comfort and efficiency. Additions can be heated and cooled very effectively with ductless heating and cooling, so long as the heating system continues to function as a harmonious unit.
There are a number of factors to consider when thinking about ductless heating and cooling, such as climate, room size and location, and energy use. Numerous ductless options exist that match the efficiency, control, and unobtrusiveness of a duct system. For maximizing space, cassette systems are ideal as they fit inside the ceiling of a room. Slightly more powerful under-ceiling units are both quiet and inconspicuous and can increase the comfort level of any room in which they are used. When ceiling space is unavailable, high-wall units can be installed discreetly and without the annoying noise output of window-based units. All of these options can be easily and precisely controlled remotely and exemplify the ultra-efficiency found in duct systems. Multi-split units are capable of delivering climate control to up to four rooms with only one outdoor unit, no ductwork required!
For ductless heating and cooling, single unit split systems like the ones above are often the most efficient option. Alternatives, such as radiant heaters, space heaters, wood and pellet stoves, evaporative coolers, and room-specific air conditioners can be useful in the right sized space and the right climate, but none offer heating and cooling together. Large windows and skylights can, when implemented correctly and combined with insulation, warm a room efficiently. Likewise, passive and active ventilation can be used to cool an area. These methods, however are less controllable than duct-free split systems and are therefore less reliable. When contemplating ductless heating and cooling, explore all options, but control and comfort are best combined in duct-free split systems.
The decision is yours to make, but for expert advice on all your options, feel free to call on the professionals at T.F. O’Brien. We’re happy to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductless heating and cooling and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
