Tankless Water Heater Facts for Homeowners

Posted on November 30, 2010July 1, 2019 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

With an increasing interest in energy efficient appliances for the home, tankless water heaters are often viewed as an attractive, cost-saving option. While conventional water heaters utilize storage tanks to hold the heated water for use, energy loss can occur when these units are operating in standby mode. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, heat the water only as it is needed. This saves money by eliminating the potential for energy loss and the associated costs. In fact, ENERGY STAR® estimates that a typical family can save $100 or more per year with an ENERGY STAR qualified tankless water heater.

So, just how do tankless water heaters work? When the hot water tap is engaged, cold water flows into a heat exchanger located inside the tankless unit. If the unit is electric, an electric element heats the water. If it is a gas-fueled unit, a gas burner provides the energy to heat the water. It is because of this method that tankless water heaters are able to provide an almost continual supply of hot water.

Tankless water heaters typically provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons (7.6 to 15.2 liters) per minute. Therefore, it is important to first consider how hot water will be utilized before purchasing a tankless unit for your home or business. For example, point-of-use units, or even smaller tankless water heaters, may not be able to keep up with the demand of multiple appliances running at once. For this reason, you may wish to consider installing separate tankless water heaters, or even a whole-house unit to ensure the highest efficiency.

Tankless water heaters can cost more than conventional storage water heaters. You may find, however, that any initial cost increase is generally off-set by the energy savings tankless units can provide.

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.

How HVAC Zoning Systems Provide Home Comfort

Posted on November 26, 2010November 10, 2020 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

It seems like all of us have a different comfort zone when it comes to the heat and air conditioning system in our home. However, there is a way to solve this issue and it satisfies everyone’s needs. It is called zoning systems. Basically what this system does is allow you to heat or cool certain â€œzonesâ€ or areas in your home to different temperatures, based on your needs.

Zoning works with both forced air and hot water heating systems, and offers customized comfort for every area of your home.

Zoning operates through a group of components. The first of these is the motorized dampers. These open and close based on the requirements of the zone thermostats â€“ and zone thermostats are another component. Standard thermostats are used. When each zone is divided in the house it uses its own thermostat to control the temperature. for the individual zone.

The zone thermostats, along with the dampers, are wired into a central control panel. The panel is then connected to the thermostat connection on the HVAC unit. Where other systems use one thermostat the zoning systems has a master control panel. This allows the until to be operated by multiple thermostats.

When any of the thermostats make a request for heating or cooling the panel accepts the call from that zone. This zone will then be serviced while the other zones remain at their present temperature until their call is made to be serviced. Once the control panel receives the request it then services that next specific zone.

Most homes require either a two or a four zone system. If the home has two zones it is basically divided as follows: one zone covers the living room and kitchen; the second zone would include the bedrooms and bathrooms. There are optional ways of zoning and this depends basically on the size and configuration of the home or office.

Zoning systems are not only convenient, they also offer more efficiency. This efficiency equates to a major savings on future energy bills.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Air Filters: Change Regularly and Save Money

Posted on November 23, 2010May 14, 2024 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

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.

Homeowner Tips for Saving Energy and Money

Posted on November 19, 2010January 20, 2011 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

Now more than ever, a penny saved is a penny earned. Homeowners everywhere are doing everything they can to reduce unnecessary energy costs at home by finding ways to reduce energy use and get better energy savings.

Start with energy-saving water and light fixtures. Look for Energy Starcertification on light bulbs and water faucet filters/regulators. The U.S. Government has several websites available for searching all Energy Star products [www.energystar.gov], as well as in-depth home energy savers tips and renewable energy resources.

Remember, if you are not spending time in a room, turn off the lights! Check all of your electrical sockets, is there something plugged in and not being used? Unplug it! Wherever possible try to condense electrical equipment into a power strip. So when nobody is around and there’s no need for electricity running through my TV, DVD player, computer, cell phone charger, or stereo, it only takes one flip of the switch and you’re saving money.

Check all windows from inside and outside, be sure there’s a tight seal of caulk around the window casing and trim. If you haven’t upgraded your windows and live in an older home with single pane windows, one word, weatherize. During winter, you can heat seal plastic onto the windows and use insulated curtains, as well.

Energy savings in the envelope of your home may require assistance from a contractor, but there are two things to remember, air flow and insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy states that heating and cooling systems account for approximately 56% of our home energy costs. Insulation protects your interior air temperature, and is mandatory code on all exterior walls for homes, but adding on an initial layer of spray foam will guarantee to seal all the cracks.

Also never neglect your ventilation system, have it cleaned and inspected twice a year and replace air filters monthly. Dirt, dust, mold and other contaminants are the enemy and will deplete your finances and health in the long run.

If you want more information about ways that you can achieve greater energy savings, contact us. We can help you start saving today!

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Whole House Air Cleaners Improve Air Quality

Posted on November 17, 2010July 1, 2019 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

So how do whole house air cleaners improve air quality through out your home?

Have you ever noticed all of the particles that are floating around in the air when you see the sun rays beaming through a window? These are many of the impurities and dust particles that are airborne throughout your home. And, this only represents one percent of the impurities that you and your family are breathing in on a daily basis. The other 99% cannot be seen and have no detectable odor.

Poor indoor air quality can lead many respiratory problems and is very harmful to people with asthmatic conditions. Headaches, nausea, and irritable eyes are also signs of poor air quality in the home.

Whole house air cleaners improve air quality by having the air that circulates through out your home pass through filters that remove the dust mites and allergens from the air. Most of these whole house air cleaners are attached to your home’s central air conditioning / heating system, even though there are some portable devices available as well.

This means that every time that you run your central air or heat, the air will first pass through the latest in state of the art filters that will remove all of the harmful contaminants from every room in your home making your indoor air a lot healthier and safer to breathe.

Whole house air cleaners improve air quality for you and your family. It will definitely improve your quality of life at home by making sure that you are providing the best air within your home that you possibly can. And there is no greater comfort that knowing that you are doing what’s best for your family and helping to clean up the environment as well.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Proper Insulation is a Major Factor in Controlling Energy Costs

Posted on November 12, 2010April 15, 2021 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

You are paying just about half of your monthly utility bill to heat or cool your home. Given the tough economic times, all of us are looking for ways to cut our expenses, and significant savings may be found by better controlling your energy costs. Sealing up a home with additional home insulation is an excellent way to save money and make your home more comfortable.

It is especially critical going into the Long Island winter that you make sure your home has enough insulation. Insulation is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value. An R-value indicates the insulation’s resistance to heat flow. A higher R-value means greater insulating effectiveness.

The R-value depends on the type of insulation, and includes its material, thickness, and density. When calculating the R-value of a multilayered installation, add the R-values of the individual layers. Installing more insulation in your home increases the R-value and thus the resistance to heat flow.

Most local utility companies will perform free energy audits to determine if your home has the proper insulation. The attic is one of the first places to check to make sure that air is not escaping through the roof. Outside walls also need to be checked to make sure that air is not escaping to the outside.

It is also important to check around windows and outside vents which are common spots for air infiltration. Where there is a problem, small holes can be drilled in the wall and fine pieces of insulation can be blown into the gap to seal it up.

In addition to installing more home insulation, there are other energy saving tips that can cut costs. Ask your skilled T.F. O’Brien HVAC technician about installation of a programmable thermostat or have them perform an air infiltration inspection which will determine exactly how much cool air is coming into the home during the winter.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Bigger is Not Always Better When Purchasing HVAC Equipment

Posted on November 11, 2010November 12, 2020 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

When it is time to replace heating and air conditioning equipment, it is absolutely essential that you match the size of the unit to the needs of your home. Do not assume that just because a unit has more power it is the appropriate HVAC system for use in your house. Today’s hvac systems come in a variety of sizes for a reason, and you need to choose the one that will be the most efficient at heating and cooling your home.

The best way to determine which of the hvac systems on the market is best suited for your use is to have a home air infiltration inspection. Our skilled technicians have been trained to take the proper measurements to make sure that your system is operating as efficiently as possible when heating and cooling your home. They can also determine how remodeling projects that you have done since your current system was installed will effect how the new one operates.

An air infiltration inspection will determine how tightly your home is sealed. If there is a significant amount of outside air leaking in, the size of your HVAC system may need to be larger to insure proper heating and cooling. A typical 2 ton air conditioning unit will do a fine job cooling a 1200 square foot home but if that home is not sealed well you may need a 2.5 ton unit. Manufacturers recommend 1 ton per 600 square feet of living space but as we learned through our years of experience, one size does not fit all.

If you choose a unit that is too big for your home, you could be wasting your hard-earned energy dollars because your equipment is short-cycling. This also wears out your system’s components more quickly. Ask us about how to get the HVAC system that is the right size for you.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

What Homeowners Need to Know About SEER Ratings

Posted on November 5, 2010October 16, 2024 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

SEER is an acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. In basic terms, it is a measurement of how much energy an air conditioner, furnace or hot water heater uses during operation. The higher the SEER rating, the less electric that is required to power the unit. The government is trying to reduce the use of electricity across the country and is offering tax rebates for the purchase of equipment with high SEER ratings.

There is a technical formula that is used to determine the SEER rating but all the typical homeowner really needs to know is the higher the rating the less you will be paying to run the equipment. Air conditioners and water heaters will eventually pay for themselves if you purchase the models with the highest SEER ratings but be prepared to pay a premium for the unit. The most energy efficient equipment is also generally the most expensive.

A good SEER rating for an air conditioning unit is 15 or higher, which will qualify you for a $400 rebate from utility companies in New York plus a tax rebate from the federal government of up to 30% of the cost of the unit. Your skilled technician here at T.F. O’Brien can help you find an Energy Star unit that will qualify for the savings.

Our technicians will also make sure that your unit lives up to its SEER rating. Too often, poor installation will compromise the energy efficiency of the unit and wipe out the savings you should be seeing. We will make sure this does not happen to you.

The U.S. Department of Energy has a buyer’s guide to help you understand the SEER Ratings and the tax rebates available for purchasing energy saving equipment. When you are shopping for any appliance be sure to look for the Energy Star label which guarantees that you are buying a product which was designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Last year alone, through the use of Energy Star products, Americans saved $17 billion dollars on their utility bills.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

How to Control Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Posted on November 3, 2010April 15, 2024 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

More and more people are being treated for allergy and asthma symptoms, and experts suspect that poor indoor air quality is one of the reasons. Some studies show that the average person spends as much as 90% of their time inside and that could be contributing to health problems.

Homes today are being built tight to conserve energy. But, by sealing up the house there is very little fresh air coming in. Improving ventilation and installing air cleaners are practical ways that you can control the quality of your home’s indoor air.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been studying the problem of indoor air pollution and has issued a number of recommendations on how to keep your home safe. Running the vacuum regularly and dusting are practical ways to eliminate potential threats. Proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens is also recommended to vent excess moisture from showering and cooking. The EPA also advises not to permit smoking in your home and to store paints and pesticides outside of your living quarters.

Sometimes installing an exhaust fan is not sufficient to improve ventilation in the home. You may need an exchange unit which brings in clean air from the outside as it forces the stale air out. Some of these units can also retain hot or cool air and act as a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture. A T.F. O’Brien technician can determine what size unit would be appropriate for your home. This is also an excellent time to consider installing an electronic air cleaner which will do a much better job of removing contaminants from the air than the typical furnace filter.

If you are concerned about the indoor air quality in your home, take the EPA’s Care for Your Air Tour which goes room by room through the typical house identifying hidden dangers. Here’s a document the EPA put out on caring for your home air.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Good Ventilation Systems Provide Good Indoor Air Quality

Posted on October 28, 2010October 16, 2024 by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating

There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. You would like to think that in the confines of your home, you would have nothing to fear. However, the is a potential danger lurking right inside your house. Indoor air pollution is more of a threat to most of us than the smog of polluted cities and the only way to protect your loved ones is through proper ventilation systems.

Houses today are built â€œtightâ€ to keep the air inside from leaking out. The pursuit of energy efficiency, though, has put at risk from stale air that does not circulate properly. The newer homes being built today are more susceptible to mold and mildew and dangerous gases like carbon monoxide or radon.

The telltale signs of poor ventilation are moisture that gathers on the windows, mildew on walls and foul odors which linger. A temporary solution can be just opening windows to air the home out. However, this does not provide conditioned air at the proper humidity, and can actually cause additional problems for your indoor air quality.

A better solution is installation of one of a number of good ventilation systems. Our skilled technicians can evaluate your home and recommend which of the available state-of-the-art ventilation systems will work best in your home. Quality ventilation systems start out at about $500 and will only cost $10-15 per month to operate.

Some of the best ventilation systems on the market today include energy saving features which can capture the warm air before it leaves your home and recycle it into the fresh air coming back in. The new models also have features which can remove moisture from the air which is perfect for New York’s humid summers.

These exchange units usually pay for themselves in a short time because your current heating and air conditioning units will be running less. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has some excellent guides for home ventilation solutions.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.