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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Tag: heating and cooling
Condensate Pumps are a Good Choice for High Efficiency Furnaces
When we talk about furnaces, which is apt to happen this time of year, you hear the word “coefficiency” a lot. The value of having and maintaining high efficiency furnaces is clear; they function longer and cost less.
However, even the highest efficiency furnace comes with the same potential issue many heating and cooling mechanisms have: how to manage the excess water that results from normal furnace operation. As water continues to rise and fill the pan, it doesn’t take long to realize this could really cause problems for the furnace, and the home.
A few options:
- Purchase a high efficiency furnace with a built-in condensate pump
- Continue using tubes and hoses to drain excess water
- Purchase and install a condensate pump
Purchasing a new furnace can be costly and unnecessary if excess water is your sole concern. Getting rid of the tubes and hoses is always a good idea, of course.
So, that leaves us with installing a condensate pump as the better option. Condensate pumps are used to effectively direct and remove excess water from high efficiency furnaces (as well as humidifiers and A/C units). The pump takes the place of hoses that can and do rupture, and seamlessly transfers water to the appropriate drainage pipe.
The decision is yours to make, but the professionals at T.F. O’Brien are happy to offer expert advice or answer questions. Ensuring proper water drainage for high efficiency furnaces is good for your furnace, and good for your home.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
House Not Comfortable? Improperly Sized Ductwork May Be the Problem.
Many homeowners don’t realize how much heated or cooled air escapes from duct systems before reaching the rest of the house. Some estimates say about 20 percent of the air in a typical home’s duct system is lost as a result of air leakage in the ducts themselves. Improperly sized ductwork is one cause of this problem.
Air does not flow smoothly when a home’s ducts are sized incorrectly, which can make your home too cool or too warm. In our part of New York, where we face both extremes of hot and cold weather, making sure air is flowing correctly makes a big difference in your comfort. The dust that can accumulate in ductwork that is improperly sized, when air flow is inhibited, will take a toll on your indoor air quality, as well.
Comfort and air quality are important, but just as important is the impact that inefficient ductwork has on your energy bills. Without the right flow, your home isn’t as energy efficient as possible and you’re really putting a strain on your heating and cooling systems.
If you suspect your air flow isn’t what it could be, consider an inspection by a certified professional. T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating can come up with strategies to you get your home back on track and all your heating and cooling systems flowing properly. We strive to educate our customers about their heating and cooling needs. For more information on ensuring your system is in proper working order and that your home is as efficient as possible, please see our free Home Comfort Resource Guide.
Download T.F. O’Brien’s Free Home Comfort Solutions Guide
We hope you’ve been following our blog each week, and getting your HVAC questions answered right here. Whether it’s how to change a filter, improve your indoor air quality or size your replacement HVAC equipment, we want to make sure that you get the facts you need to make informed decisions about your home comfort.
Another handy resource for homeowners is our Home Comfort Solutions Guide. This free download is available right here on our blog page, so be sure to check it out. Inside, you’ll find a wealth of information about how to get the most from your heating and cooling equipment.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics covered in our Guide:
- Your house as a system- Your HVAC equipment works in conjunction with many other factors in your home to ensure your comfort. Each piece of the puzzle is critical.
- HVAC controls- Programmable thermostats and zoned systems are two ways to gain control over your home comfort and your energy bills.
- Replacement options- Is it time for a replacement? Which system is right for you?
- Hiring an HVAC contractor- What to look for, questions to ask and signs that you’ve found the best contractor for you.
- Equipment installation- The best HVAC equipment available won’t function properly if it’s installed incorrectly. Find out how to tell if your contractor is doing the job right.
- Maintaining your equipment- Regular professional maintenance can prevent equipment failure and early system breakdown. Learn about how your contractor keeps your system running smoothly.
Our Home Comfort Solutions Guide also provides some important resources for homeowners, where you can get more information about maximizing the energy efficiency of your HVAC system to save money on your energy bills.
So take advantage of this free download today! And be sure to ask us how we can help you get more from your heating and cooling system, with products and services designed to give you ideal home comfort, clean, healthy indoor air and greater energy savings.
Air Filters: Change Regularly and Save Money
Performing the appropriate regular maintenance on air filters is vital to saving money and conserving energy. All of your heating, cooling, and ventilating (HVAC) systems need to have clean and functional air filters in order to run efficiently.
Your programmable thermostat might have an indicator that lets you know when it is time to change filters. Pay attention to this alert and take care of it promptly. If left unchecked, a dirty filter can block the air that is supposed to be coming though the ducts, heater, or air conditioner. You can save energy by making sure this does not happen.
Dust and dirt can easily build up in your HVAC systems if the air filters are soiled or damaged. Cleaning and changing them regularly can help you to save thousands of dollars on avoidable repairs.
Energy and money can be saved by regular HVAC system maintenance. Your monthly utility bills can be lowered if you tune-up your equipment and keep the filters working at maximum capacity. Dirty air conditioners, dusty ducts and clogged heating vents waste energy and increase usage costs. It is not enough that these systems are operational, but they must work efficiently in order to save energy, and therefore save you money.
Your contractor should show you where the air filters for your system are located, and how to clean and replace them. During the winter and summer months when your heating and cooling systems are used the most, check the filters on a monthly basis to ensure the most cost effective and environmentally friendly usage. And, don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help!
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.