Serving Long Island Since 1934 516.488.1800
Serving Long Island Since 1934
516.488.1800
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.
Continue reading “Sealing Air Ducts for Savings” →
The HVAC industry has become more complex in recent years. The pricing of electricity and other fuels, along with government standards has motivated manufacturers to produce better and more efficient equipment. Along with the manufacturing side, contractors have had to become better trained to keep up with industry changes.
There are terms used in heating and air conditioning that define the higher standards. The average homeowner needs to know a few basic ones in order to be better informed.There are three, in particular, about which every person should be aware. These terms are SEER, AFUE and NATE.
SEER, in the HVAC world, is a simple acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. By understanding this term, the consumer can make better decisions on electrically powered heat pumps and air conditioners. The common SEER rating currently ranges from 13 to 25. The higher the number, the more efficient the cooling or heating.
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This rating applies to HVAC equipment that burns propane and other fossil fuels. The rating applies to how efficient the furnace, for instance, is at using fuel. An older gas furnace may only have a 65 or 70 percent AFUE rating. That means at 70 percent, the other 30 percent of fuel used is going out your flue or vent as waste. Newer models have ratings of 80 up to 95 percent. A 90 percent gas or oil furnace burns less fuel for an equal amount of heat and reduces waste and environmental impact.
NATE is a term for those who work in the HVAC industry. It represents North American Technical Excellence. A NATE Certified technician has undergone rigid testing of their skills and knowledge. Only by passing the test can an HVAC technician or contractor earn certification. When you have a NATE technician in your home, you have an assurance that they know how to deal with your problems.
At T.F. O’Brien, we want the public to be well-informed. Call on us or click here with any questions you have about terminology or your heating and cooling system. One of our own NATE-certified specialists, or anyone on our friendly staff will be 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 other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Home zoning systems have gained in popularity as a method of moderating room-to-room temperature fluctuations. It’s not uncommon to see zoning systems incorporated into new residential construction as it is being built. Existing homes can also use zoning to maximize home comfort. The system can be retrofitted.
Zoning is simply a method to maintain a comfortable level of heating and cooling consistent throughout the home. Leaving one room to move to another can mean a change of several degrees in temperature. This problem can especially exist in two or three story homes. Upstairs rooms can get uncomfortably warm due to downstairs heat rising. Zoning systems can control the heating and cooling differences.
A heating and air specialist can consult best determine how to retrofit an existing home. Usually, the home is divided into two, three or four zones. Separate thermostats are installed in the zones. These work in conjunction with a central control unit. This unit can intelligently control the amount of air required in each zone, keeping a consistent comfort level in the living spaces of the home. Hot and/or cold spots are eliminated.
Rooms, wings or sections of a home that see little use can be controlled to reduce the amount of heat or cool air going in. This can result in a substantial savings in energy costs. Savings of up to 30 percent are not uncommon in homes with a zoning retrofit.
Over time, zoning systems can pay for themselves in fuel and energy costs. The added benefit of a consistent temperature in all living spaces makes zoning quite attractive to families who have had to endure rooms that are too cold in winter and too hot in summer.
The experts at T.F. O’Brien Cooling and Heating are familiar with all the latest information in maintaining peak comfort at the lowest possible cost. Call us if we can help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about xoning systems and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Programmable thermostats may be the most intelligent household devices you can purchase for your home. They pay dividends the first day you use them and features on newer devices go far beyond just temperature settings. Prices vary, but the choice to switch to programmable is not difficult once you know about the features and energy savings possible with these units.
So, what does a programmable thermostat do?
A programmable thermostat raises and lowers the temperature in your home all based on your energy requirements. For example, in the winter, we recommend you set your programmable thermostat on the low side after midnight because you’re in bed anyway.
Thermostats use different rules on different days so that the temperatures fit your daily activities. Here are three common programs:
7-day: You program each separate day of the week.
5+2 day: This has a Monday through Friday program , plus a weekend program.
5+1+1-day: Monday through Friday, plus separate Saturday and Sunday programs.
Lots of features are available in newer models, such as controls for humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilation systems, and the ability to set the thermostat remotely. You can get reminders for filter changes, your UV filters and just about any issue connected to your heating, cooling and humidification systems.
Carrier®’s Infinity Control programmable thermostat, which we consider our best thermostat, can adjust temperatures in up to eight different zones. That makes it easy to save money by cutting back on heating and air conditioning in sections of your home that aren’t used as much or seem to naturally be warmer or cooler on their own. Bonus rooms built above a garage to serve as an office, but are hard to heat and cool, are perfect for this precise programming.
Of course, you want to choose a programmable thermostat that fits your system. The professionals at T.F. O’Brien are happy to discuss the options and offer expert advice. Call us if we can help.
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.
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.
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.
