A whole-house humidifier can make dry, indoor heat feel so much more comfortable. The humidity level in a home also helps keep the thermostat set a degree or two lower which helps on energy costs. Although the humidifier demands relatively little attention, there are a few things that the homeowner should occasionally check to make sure everything is in good working order. Continue reading “Humidifier Cleaning and Maintenance Tips”
Tag: ductwork
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.
What is a Heat Recovery Ventilator?
Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) are among the most energy-efficient ventilation systems available. They pull fresh air inside, filtering it while expelling stale air. They also essentially “recapture” the energy of the outgoing, stale air and “give” it to the incoming air. Typical heat recovery ventilators can recycle about 85 percent of this warm or cool energy, taking strain off your HVAC system. There are a plenty of HRV models that attach to pre-existing ductwork.
Heat recovery ventilators accomplish the heat exchange inside the heat exchanger core, where the currents of incoming fresh air and outgoing stale air both pass. This is where the energy is collected and saved. The two different air flows, however, do not cross.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association recommend HRVs as some of the best ventilation systems on the market to improve indoor air quality and health. If you achieve energy savings with a tightly sealed home, your indoor air is probably not well circulated, leading to indoor pollution.
Heat recovery ventilators reduce indoor pollution from common factors including:
- Off-gassing and fumes from building materials and carpets.
- Fumes from household cleaners.
- Excess humidity.
- Mold, allergens, dust, and airborne bacteria and viruses.
- Carbon dioxide exhaled by residents (each person exhales about 1 kg per day).
Fresh, filtered air can lead to vast improvements for many individuals plagued by recurring issues such as respiratory problems, headaches, allergies, lethargy and more.
Pre-installed ventilation systems in houses such as bathroom fans and stovetop fans can only go so far. These expel some heat, humidity and fumes, but also pull in pollutants from outside, dust particles from the attic, humidity, and radon, the second cause of lung cancer in the US after cigarettes. Opening windows won’t filter the air or maintain your indoor temperature, but will strain your HVAC system
In the ongoing quest for energy efficiency, heat recovery ventilators are good investments, and can extend the life span of your HVAC system. If you’re thinking about improving your indoor air quality and want expert advice, feel free to call 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 heat recovery ventilators and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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.
Furnace and Boiler Energy Saving Tips to Avoid Late Winter Surprises
This has been a brutal winter already on Long Island, but we have some simple tips to maximize your energy savings and skip that nasty surprise when you open your LIPA bill.
Ideas to keep hot air in and cold air out are often common sense and simple, but easily overlooked. Dedicate just a little bit of time and you’ll be surprised just how much energy savings result. And it doesn’t matter whether you have a furnace, which heats air to heat your home, or a boiler, which heats water and distributes it throughout your house to get the temperature up when the thermometer drops.
First off, many houses in Nassau County are now aging, so it’s important to check your house for air leaks, and seal them. Check around doors and windows for that telltale breeze, and break out the caulking gun. And don’t forget there may be hidden holes in your attic and your basement. For a comprehensive survey of where those hidden leaks might be, give us a call.
Next on the list of energy savings tips is keeping an eye on your home’s ductwork. Leaky or dirty ducts and poor connections will keep your furnace working overtime to try to heat your home. And leaky pipes in a boiler system can end up costing you thousands in repairs due to water damage!
So you’ve patched the leaks, and your ducts are clean? An older system may be burning excess energy due to outdated technology, or simply because it’s starting to get worn out. It may be time to upgrade to a new system.
But, finally, the simplest remedy is often the best one. Save money and energy by turning your thermostat down.
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.
Dryer Vents Need Periodic Cleaning to Prevent Risks to Your Home
Your clothes dryer is an appliance that makes life easier, but it can also be a hazard in your home if not maintained properly. When dryer vents become clogged or blocked, it presents a potential fire hazard. You may also notice that it takes your clothes dryer longer to dry your clothes; this is due to inefficient air flow.
Each year, there are thousands of house fires associated with clothes dryers. It is essential that you periodically perform certain tasks to ensure that your clothes dryer runs efficiently, and that your home and family are not in danger of a potential fire.
Dryer vents may become clogged with lint, dirt and other materials. They may also be crushed or restricted, meaning that the hot air cannot escape through the exhaust properly. Always avoid placing rugs or other objects underneath your dryer, as this can block air flow. It is also important that you do not place your clothes dryer too close to the wall, as it may cause the exhaust hose to become crimped, which prohibits lint and warm air from escaping.
How can you clean dryer vents yourself? At least one time per year, disconnect the hose and inspect it for a buildup of lint both inside and out. A vacuum cleaner or stiff-bristled brush is usually sufficient to remove the lint that may have accumulated. Also check the area where the vent hose connects to the dryer to make sure it is clean and free of dirt and lint.
The build-up of lint is the most common cause of house fires related to clothes dryers, so you may want to have a professional clean your dryer vents and ductwork. If you do decide to do it yourself, always be sure to unplug your dryer to prevent the possibility of electrocution. Clean lint filters each time you dry a load of clothes to help prevent the build-up of lint.
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.
Heat Pump Essentials for Homeowners
If you’re a Long Island homeowner using a heat pump to heat and cool your home, you may already know that this equipment offers energy-efficient comfort. We’d like to go over some heat pump essentials for anyone who’d like more information about this type of HVAC system, or just wants to better understand how their system works.
A heat pump is an efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioning systems. It’s a reliable way to keep your home comfortable, and it offers significant energy savings for homeowners. As many of our customers know, heat pumps are an ideal solution because they work well in almost any climate (often as part of a hybrid system for cold climates like ours) and cost a lot less to run than conventional fuel-burning systems.
More good news for your energy budget–a heat pump uses 30-40% less electricity than other types of heating and cooling!
So how does it work? A heat pump uses a refrigerant to draw heat from outside air and compress it, making it even hotter. Coils then send the heated air to the blower to be distributed through your home’s ductwork.
This cycle is repeated over and over as the refrigerant cools down and goes back to get more outside air. The system runs efficiently on electricity so no fossil fuels are burned. In our opinion, this combination of energy cost savings and fuel conservation is one of the biggest advantages of heat pumps.
A hybrid heat pump allows you to use a fossil-fuel burning furnace as a backup heat source, when outside temperatures go below 30 degrees. One consideration here is your home’s electrical capacity.
When it comes to heat pumps, there are a few things you should know about how to buy and operate your system for maximum energy efficiency. Ask us about ratings for energy efficiency, sizing your unit and other factors that will determine which system is right for your home.
Heat pumps offer big energy savings both now and later on down the line. Get the most comfort at the least cost by choosing the one that’s best for your home, and operate it properly to ensure long life and even better savings. Contact us for more information about heat pumps, and how to maximize your energy savings and home comfort with this energy-efficient heating system.
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.