1. 1. Heating, AC, and Your Homes Air Quality The Money-Saving Survival Guide For The Every Day Homeowner
2. 2. Reality Check! No matter if it is because you dont see the need for spending money on a professional or if you just think you dont need it, the reality is that deferred maintenance on your AC and heating system will come back and haunt you when you least expect it. Furnace maintenance in particular is one of the most important functions in your home. An annual check-up ensures that your home heating and air conditioning system is safe for you, saving you money by improving your energy efficiency.
3. 3. Get Professional Help There are so many things that could go wrong right under your nose, but only a professional HVAC service technician could find the problem and fix it. Many savvy men and women out there think they can fix anything in their home blindfolded, but the truth is that doing your own furnace repair or installing devices on your own can be costly in the long-run and just plain dangerous.
4. 4. What Went Wrong? Blockage in the vent or drainage system- Your furnace will perform at its best and last much longer with proper drainage and vent piping care by a qualified technician and will also keep your energy bill low. Accumulation of dust and debris- Over time, dust and other particles can roam into your system and cause blockage and other damages. Also, air flow is compromised when dust gets in the way. A professional knows the right way to get around your system and clean it properly. Rust and corrosion- If a part needs to be replaced, dont wait to get it fixed before it does additional damage to your system. Metal can rust after not being properly cleaned and maintained for a long period of time, damaging parts of your system that are vital for proper working condition.
5. 5. What Went Wrong? (Cont.) Dirty flame sensors- If your flame sensors are dirty, your burner cannot turn on, causing your furnace to not produce heat. Physical condition- Even though the individual parts of your system are working, the physical condition of the furnace is important too. John Moore technicians will make sure that both the interior and exterior of your furnace meets the highest standards. Emission of dangerous, undetectable gases- HVAC service technicians always check the carbon monoxide levels, as well as other gases, in your system to ensure there are no leaks, which can be a huge threat to your safety and health.
6. 6. The Silent Killer Often called the Silent Killer, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and kills on average 169 individuals a year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In a 2012 study by the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 72,000 non-fire carbon monoxide incidents were reported between 2006 and 2010. Of those, 94 percent occurred in a home. If people would get regular checks on their furnace, the heart of the home heating system, this number could be significantly lower.
7. 7. Furnace Maintenance is Vital It should be something you know needs checking, like the oil in your car. You will save time and money, and in turn increase the energy efficiency of your home. You may not be eligible for coverage by your insurance if you havent had it checked. The more efficient your attic is, the more your home and HVAC system will be. For your home, energy efficiency is absolutely necessary. It correlates with the other systems in your home, making them all run smoothly.
8. 8. The 31-Point Check Large problems in your AC system almost always start with a small problem, like a leaky pipe that doesnt get fixed, and slowly ruin your whole system. In fact, there are 31 items in your air conditioner that should be checked every year to keep those big problems from happening at your house. Warning: lots of technical language ahead!
9. 9. Check Points 1. Inspect filters- Regularly changing your air filters is the easiest and most important part of air conditioner maintenance. Filters should be changed every 30 days. 2. Inspect blower wheel- The blower wheel is attached to the motor of your AC system and delivers airflow to your home. If the wheel is dirty, it will cause the motor to work extra hard, use up more energy, and cost you money. 3. Check condensate line drainage- During the air conditioning process, water is created through condensation and drained through a pipe connected to your homes plumbing system. If this drainage line is not properly cleaned and maintained, leaks could occur and cause damage to your home. 4. Inspect indoor coil- The indoor coil is often called the heat exchanger because it pulls out heat and moisture from the air. Over time, the coil can get clogged and can leak, causing extensive damage to your AC system.
10. 10. Check Points 5. Visually check for refrigerant leaks- Leaks in the refrigerant line can be harmful, causing damage to your AC system and your home. 6. Check/ Clean thermostat and test operation- Even the slightest bit of dirt or dust can affect your thermostats calibration and interfere with its operation. Many times, problems that we think have to do with our AC system itself are often due to a malfunctioning thermostat. 7. Check metering device- Metering devices are used to change the state of refrigerant from liquid to gas and back to liquid. Cooling would not be possible without this change occurring. 8. Return air temperature- The return side of the AC unit should be balanced with the supply side and its temperature should be close to the supply air temperature to ensure proper comfort levels, approximately 18- 22 degrees warmer than the supply air temperature.
11. 11. Check Points 9. Supply air temperature- The supply side takes the conditioned air from the unit into your home. The temperature of this air should be around the same as the return air, approximately 18-22 degrees cooler than the return air temperature. 10. Wet bulb temperature- The wet bulb temperature is used to indicate the total heat content of the air. The bulb itself is covered in a cloth sleeve which is saturated with distilled water. When air flow begins, the distilled water is evaporated and withdraws heat from the thermometer. 11. Temperature drop- The difference between the supply air temperature and the wet bulb temperature is calculated to determine if your system is running correctly. 12. Check disconnect box/ wire size/ tighten connections- The disconnect box is typically located outside the home and contains all necessary wires and switches used to run your AC system. These connections are checked to make sure they are tight enough to operate your system efficiently.
12. 12. Check Points 13. Inspect fan bearings- The motor of your AC system has bearings which are permanently lubricated to keep the motor quiet and efficient. Over time, the lubrication wears down causing the motor to become noisy. 14. Check operation of the service valves- The main purpose of your compressor is to circulate refrigerant in the system by using pressure which concentrates heat. This pressure buildup can only be accomplished by the use of valves. Your system has two valves which have to be properly sealed to prevent a gas leak or impaired cooling. 15. Check operation of the crankcase heater- The main purpose of the crankcase heater is to prevent refrigerant from moving around in your unit and mixing with the oil. To do this, it keeps the refrigerant at a very high temperature. A bad crankcase heater will spill refrigerant inside your system. 16. Check capacitor and start component- Capacitors and starting components help the motor of your compressor run, so these are checked for proper function.
13. 13. Check Points 17. Check compressor- Inside the compressor are series of passageways, valves, bearings, and pumps, all of which are checked for smooth operation. 18. Check contactor and relays- This switch activates your AC unit, so if it doesnt work, nothing does! 19. Check compressor and fan motor current- In order for your AC system to cool efficiently, the compressor has to convert refrigerant gas back to a liquid. It does this by putting the gas under high pressure, and uses a fan to do it. This is an important part of the cooling process. 20. Suction line temperature- A suction line is a pipe or tube that delivers refrigerant to the compressor. Temperatures that are too high or too low often indicate there is a problem somewhere inside the system.
14. 14. Check Points 21. Suction pressure- Suction pressure is used to describe the pressure of the refrigerant gas at the intake point of the compressor. 22. Superheat/Subcool- Superheat refers to the number of degrees a vapor is above its boiling point and indicates if the amount of refrigerant flowing into the evaporator coil is correct. It must be monitored from time to time to make sure your system is running correctly. Subcooling is the phase when the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas and occurs when refrigerant is colder than the lowest temperature required to keep the refrigerant from boiling. 23. Air entering outdoor coil- The outdoor coil takes out heat from refrigerant t0 cool your home. If the airflow across the coil is reduced, its ability to reject heat will be reduced and your system will start to break down. 24. Discharge pressure- Discharge pressure is similar to suction pressure except it is the pressure of the refrigerant gas at the output side of the compressor.
15. 15. Check Points 25. Check refrigerant charge- The refrigerant charge is the amount of refrigerant gas in your system. Leaks sometimes develop in your system causing your refrigerant to become depleted. 26. Inspect condenser coil- Cleaning the condenser coils on your unit help it cool more efficiently and will cut down the energy used in the overall system. A clean system means it will run better and last longer. 27. Evaluate the condition and the overall efficiency of the equipment- If your equipment is 10 years old or older or hasnt been properly maintained, it just wont operate as efficiently as it could. A skilled technician can assess overall operational efficiency and let you know if repairs or replacement would save you money in the long run.
16. 16. Check Points 28. Visually inspect insulation for the proper levels and condition- Having proper levels of insulation inside your home will add efficiency to your AC system. 29. Visually inspect the ductwork for the correct sizing or air leakage- Leaks in your ductwork cause your AC system to work harder than it has to and will cost you money. It is important to have ducts that are properly sized and free of leaks. 30. Inspect breaker panel for proper sizing of breaker to A/C system- Ensures that the correct amount of power is coming into your home to keep your AC system running efficiently. 31. Check panel for any hazards- Electrical fires make up a large percentage of fires in homes. Having your breaker panel checked for fire hazards is an important part of home maintenance.
17. 17. Radiant Barriers For a lot of us, the term radiant barrier sounds like it came straight out of Star trek! In fact, residential radiant barriers are created from the same technology that NASA used to protect astronauts, equipment and spacecraft from the temperature variations in space. Today, it is being used more and more in homes and can save you money on energy bills while at the same time prolonging the life of your roof and AC system.
18. 18. How They Work Radiant barriers are installed to reflect thermal heat away from your home that the sun generates. They reflect 80% of the heat away. Having such extreme temperatures in the attic around your AC system and duct work causes your air conditioner to run constantly to combat the heat. By reducing the heat in the attic, radiant barriers can save up to $150 per year on annual energy costs. Radiant barriers use aluminum to reflect the heat away, and by doing so, you will have a cooler attic. When you have a cooler attic your AC system will last longer. During the summer, the average temperature of any attic can reach up to 150 degrees. High temperatures like this can cause your homes systems to work harder than they should, wasting energy and money.
19. 19. Types of Radiant Barriers TechShield: This form is for new houses and can only be applied as the home is being built; it adheres to the underside of the roof decking. This shield is able to protect the whole roof without leaving any gaps for thermal heat to get inside. Foil: This form is basically the TechShield, only its for homes that are already built. It is stapled to the under part of a roof to reflect heat. The only downside to this form is that it leaves air pockets between the roof and the reflective sheets, meaning that the air pockets are able to heat up to extremely high temperatures and that heat will be able to seep into your attic and house. Radiant Barrier Spray: This consists of aluminum alloy particles that are sprayed under the decking of a roof, and its the aluminum particles that reflect the heat away. The spray is very efficient because it leaves no air pockets and covers every part of the roof.
20. 20. Protect Your AC AC systems are known to break down in the peak of summer. Often, they break down not because they are old, but because of the environment they are working in. Many people think their AC system needs to be replaced when in reality it broke down due to its location inside the home and heat.
21. 21. Benefits of Radiant Barriers According to the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International, installation of radiant barriers can: Reduce attic temperatures as much as 30 degrees. Reduce heat transfer from attic to living space up to 50%. Reduce heat loads on attic ducts and equipment up to 50%. Extend the life of the air-conditioning unit. Increase the comfort level of the home. Will keep the heat down and keep your roof in better condition for years.
22. 22. Meet The Standard, Gain The Benefits According to US Department of Energy, homes should have a radiant barrier and be equipped with a minimum of 15 inches of insulation in the attic. If your home meets these standards, you should be able to see a decrease on your summer electric bill of up to 30%.
23. 23. Green Is Now A Lifestyle For the past few years we have seen a spike in all things environmentally friendly. Terms like organic, going green and energy efficient have been added to our vocabulary and many of us have tried in some way to alter our daily lives in order to live better and healthier. Small changes like the food we put into our bodies to larger changes like the appliances and systems we have in our home can make huge impacts on our carbon footprint and help us live more efficiently.
24. 24. New Money-Saving Technology: AC Most of the changes that have been made to AC systems to make them more energy efficient have to do with upgrading the quality of the materials that the parts are made out of. They have gone from light contactors and manual parts to solid state circuitry. Solid state at the most basic level means no moving parts. A solid state contactor is an electronic component that switches power to a load circuit and enables your AC system to run. No moving parts makes it ideal for repetitive action like that of an AC unit. They also have low power consumption, and using less power means lower monthly power bills.
25. 25. Energy-Efficiency Changes For AC Systems Other efficiency-changes made to AC systems are with the compressor. The job of the compressor is to convert the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator into a high- pressure, high-temperature gas before it enters the condenser. There are three different types of compressors: single-stage, two-stage, and inverted.
26. 26. Single-Stage Compressor This is the older, less efficient type of compressor. It works by turning the unit on and off until the desired temperature is reached in the home. For example, if you set your thermostat to a degree of 75, the compressor will run non-stop at a rate of 100% until that temperature is reached. It will then turn off, only to turn back on again to get back to the set temperature. By stopping and starting over and over at full speed, it uses more energy and wears down its parts due to its constant use.
27. 27. Two-Stage Compressor This type is more energy efficient than the single stage. It works the same way, only it has two different speeds. It works at a rate of 60% for 90% of the time until it reaches a temperature within 4 degrees of its set temperature. Once it reaches that 4 degree point, it works at 100%. This saves you energy because it is not running at 100% all the time.
28. 28. Inverted Compressor This type of compressor uses a variable speed motor, which enables the motor to adjust to different speeds and allows the motor to run more efficiently. It is able to dehumidify the air better and makes the coil surface run colder. By properly dehumidifying your home, you are able to feel more comfortable at a higher temperature which will save you money. This is the newest and most efficient type of compressor on the market.
29. 29. Programmable Thermostats A programmable thermostat is a useful tool for keeping your air temperature under control. It allows you to set the thermostat to a cooler temperature at certain times of the day, like at night and on the weekends when you are home, and at a warmer temperature when no one is home. The newest versions of these thermostats enable you to change the settings through the internet and through your smart phone. Learning thermostats take a week to register; these remember when you changed the temperature throughout the week and to what temperature you changed it to. That way, after the first week it will make the proper adjustments automatically without you having to do anything.
30. 30. Time For An Upgrade? As you can see, there are many new technologies available to help your AC system run more efficiently, but a tough thing to determine is exactly when the right time is to upgrade your system. Here are some things to look out for: The average lifespan of an AC unit is 10-12 years, more on the 12 year side if the unit has been properly maintained. If your bills are getting higher, chances are you need an upgrade. When you have a component failure that is going to be costly. If you are going to spend a lot of money fixing a part on an old system, its better to use that money towards a new, more efficient system.
31. 31. SEER Rating An important thing to look for when shopping around for energy efficient AC systems is their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER rating. According to the Department of Energy, SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have a SEER rating of 6 or less, but today the minimum rating a unit can have is 13. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system will be.
32. 32. Recommended AC Features A variable speed air handler for new ventilation system A thermal expansion valve and a high- temperature rating (EER) greater than 11.6, for high-efficiency operation when the weather is at its hottest A unit that operates quietly A fan-only switch, so you can use the unit for nighttime ventilation to substantially reduce air- conditioning costs A filter check light to remind you to check the filter after a predetermined number of operating hours An automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off The Department of Energy also recommends several other features to look for when buying a new AC system:
33. 33. Change Your Filters! When was the last time you had the oil changed in your car? You may not know the exact date, but you probably know if its about time to have it done. Continual maintenance on your car is absolutely necessary to keep it operating smoothly and running in optimal condition. But did you know that the AC system in your home needs just as much love and care as the car you drive? Not changing your air filters can result in a wide array of problems, the most important being you can burn up your entire AC system. According to the experts, a dirty air filter is the number one reason for HVAC failure.
34. 34. AC Problems Due To Dirty Filters Poor Indoor Air Quality: An air filters main purpose is to filter out all contaminants that are in the air so we do not continuously breathe them in. By not changing your air filter on a regular basis, pollutants such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroach parts, infectious bacteria, mold, mildew, and pollen are not able to be filtered out. The contaminated air gets cycled over and over again and can causing serious health issues, especially for those who suffer from asthma, allergies, COPD, or any other respiratory issue. Higher Monthly Bills: A dirty air filter does not allow air to pass through the coil of your AC unit as quickly as it should. Instead, the pollutants in the air clog the coil allowing little air to pass through and make your unit work that much harder to cool your home. The harder your AC unit is working, the more energy you are using, and the higher your monthly bills will be. Hotter Home: Dirty air filters prevent less cool air from passing through air ducts because the ducts too will become clogged with contaminants. Because less air is able to pass through your air vents, the rooms in your home will not be as cool as they should.
35. 35. Media Filters For those of us who dont want to have to think about our air filters every month, there is another option that only requires changing twice a year. Media Filters are a special, 5- inch thick filter that is attached to your AC system. They are thicker than regular wall filters and are able to clean more air for a longer period of time. Media filters are easy and work well for every type of home. After it has been retrofitted to your AC system, the filter itself is very easy to replace. It is able to clean five times as much air as the normal filters and will last about six months.
36. 36. Keep Your Condenser Coil Clean Have you ever had your AC system break down in the peak of summer? If you have, you know how rough that is. Condenser coils play a large role in your AC system. Their main purpose is to take the concentrated heat collected from the inside of your home and dump it outside. Without them, the inside of our home would be hot, humid, and unlivable. But just like everything else, they break down from time to time. If you know what causes them to fail, you can take preventative steps to maintain them so they will run more efficiently and last longer.
37. 37. Are Your Coils Dirty? Shortened life on your AC system: The dirtier your coils are, the harder your whole system has to run in order to cool your house. This causes stress on your system and this unnecessary stress decreases the life of your AC unit. A hotter home: As we mentioned before, one of the roles of condenser coils is to transfer hot air out of your home. Dirty coils have a hard time doing everything, especially moving heat from inside your house to the outside. This will cause your house to not get as cool as you would like it to be and will leave you and your family feeling very uncomfortable. Increased energy usage: Dirt covering your coils stresses your AC unit and causes it to work harder than it should. The harder your system is working, the more energy it is using, and the more you are paying monthly.
38. 38. Do Your Coils Have Leaks? Loose or old parts: A valve cap that needs to be replaced can cause leaks as well as loose fittings that may simply need to be adjusted. Corrosion: Do you have a pool in your backyard? If you do, the chlorine from the pool can deteriorate and corrode your coils. Water from sprinkler systems that spray on your unit can also corrode it. Animals have also been known to corrode coils by urinating on them. Aluminum parts: Some older systems may have coils that are made from aluminum, which will easily corrode overtime, causing leaks. A great alternative to aluminum is copper. Copper is a stronger, more durable material that can better withstand the elements and will last a long time.
39. 39. Do You Have Kids That Play Outside? Physical damage to condenser coils is another reason for failure. Balls or other toys get thrown at the unit and children bump into it. This repetitive hitting of the unit causes the coils to become loose and fail. You should also be careful when mowing your lawn because the impact of a lawn mower hitting your unit can cause the coils to rattle and become damaged. Showing your children the outdoor AC unit and explaining to them its importance is the best thing to do in these situations. Ask them to play on the other side of the yard, or put a protective fence around the unit to avoid any unnecessary damage.
40. 40. Air Balancing Have you ever noticed that some rooms in your home are hotter or cooler than others, or had to use additional heaters during the winter or fans during the summer? If you have, then you know how uncomfortable and inconvenient dealing with controlling the comfort level in your home can be. A great solution that will get you back to ideal comfort is getting your air balanced.
41. 41. How Do You Know You Need Air Balancing? The purpose of air balancing is to ensure that all components of your heating and coolingsystems are working in harmony and provide totalcomfort for everyone. Here are some situations that mean you should consider it: Odors are present inside the building or hot and cold spots exist The building is drafty or stuffy Doors stay open or slam closed when the air kicks in Excessive dirt or dust is present Flies and other bugs are a bother and always seem to be around Unusually high energy bills
42. 42. The Air Balancing Process The actual process that technicians take when it comes to air balancing begins with a series of tests that actually measure how your system is performing. Heres a list of the main tools and what exactly they do to help! Air Balancing Hood: these are used to measure the amount of air at each grille Manometers: devices that measure the system pressures Hygrometers: measure the systems temperature and humidity All these things are tested and compiled into a report that tells the tech how well (or, how poorly) your system is functioning.
43. 43. Drafts and Air Leaks Where better to seek sanctuary and guaranteed warmth in the winter than your own home, right? Wrong! Air leaks in the envelope of the home - windows, doors, ceilings - are a major cause of heat loss in most homes. According to Energy Star, if you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home's envelope, it would be the same as having a window open every single day of the year. Before you get It Will Never Happen to Me Syndrome, the fact is that most homes in the United States don't have enough insulation and have major air leaks.
44. 44. Common Causes For Air Leaks The most common reason for air leaking in a window is probably old caulking that gets worn away over time and comes out. The shim space in windows was left a bit too loose and open by your homes builders.
45. 45. Save Money By Sealing and Insulating According to Energy Star, a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs - or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill - by sealing and insulating. When checking your home windows and doors for air leaks, start with a detailed visual inspection from both the interior and exterior parts of your home.
46. 46. Where To Check: Outside Look for areas where the old caulking has failed, revealing the gap between the window or door frame and the side of your home. If your home has old single-paned windows, be on the lookout for damaged glazing, which is the hard putty that holds the individual panes of glass in place. If the entire perimeter of each window and door is not sealed tight against water and air infiltration, then your home is vulnerable to heat loss and expensive bills.
47. 47. Where To Check: Inside Inspect the sill under each door, looking for daylight or other obvious signs of an opening that is too big and needs to be sealed. Make sure that the weather stripping around the windows and doors is in good condition, making note of any damaged weather stripping that needs to be replaced. Holding your hand by possible leaky areas and feeling a draft will tell you if there is a leak, but that isnt always so easy and obvious.
48. 48. Where To Check: Smoke Test On a very cool day, depressurize your home by closing all windows and doors, turn off the furnace, and turn on all fans that blow air outside, such as bathroom fans or stove vents. Then, hold a lit candle or incense stick (something long-burning) close to the spaces around the edges of your homes windows and doors, looking for a noticeable change in the smoke rising from the lit incense stick. If there is an air leak, the smoke will waiver and be drawn inwards by the outside air that is finding its way into your home. If the smoke remains undisturbed, then you can assume that there are no air leaks in that specific spot.
49. 49. Sealing Air Leaks Up Sealing leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills. In some cases, an experienced energy technician will have to carefully pry off your interior trim to reveal the shim space. In other cases, the tech may be able to drill holes through the window jambs and inject spray foam into the shim space through the holes using a special spray foam applicator. In addition to plugging air leaks, caulking can also prevent water damage inside and outside of the home when applied around faucets, ceiling fixtures, water pipes, drains, bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures, so its a great, inexpensive tool to have on hand at home.
50. 50. Reap The Benefits Sealing leaks and adding insulation can improve the overall comfort of your home and help to fix many of these common problems: Reduced the amount of outside noise Less pollen, dust and insects (or pests) getting into your home Better humidity control; keeps things from rotting and molding which pollute your homes air Keep your home warm during the winter Lower your energy bills
51. 51. Attic Insulation Insulation is the coat for your home. And according to the Department of Energy, one of the most cost effective ways to make your home comfortable year-round is to add insulation to your attic, including the attic trap and access door. The main purpose of insulation is to keep either the warm or cold air, depending on the season, inside your home. A home without a sufficient amount of insulation will allow the outside air to penetrate the living area of your home, which will in turn making everyone inside uncomfortable and will also make the HVAC system less efficient because it will have to work harder to produce warm or cool air.
52. 52. Insulation Because insulation plays such an important role in the home, there are strict codes that must be followed to ensure every home is equipped with the proper amount. because of climate different cities have different codes But just because your home has the minimum amount in place, doesnt mean that it is enough to keep your home running as efficiently as it could. A lot of homes want to be labeled an Energy Star Home, and this means that parts of the home are extremely efficient. But 80% of homes, even new homes, are not built with enough insulation to be labeled Energy Efficient.
53. 53. Batt Insulation Batt insulation comes in large pink roles, and its typically made of fiberglass, but can also be made of wool and other natural fibers. It is not that difficult to install, but is labor intensive because it has to be rolled in and cut to fit the desired area. It is best suited in areas of the attic that are free from obstructions, and can also be placed in-between walls. The down side is that because it comes in rolls, it is hard to place in tight spaces and tiny crevasses that are notoriously found in attics. Batt insulation will shrink over time and will lose its efficiency altogether if not reapplied.
54. 54. Blown-in Insulation Blown-in insulation can be made from a variety of different materials, the two most common being fiberglass and cellulose, which is plant fiber. It is easier to install and also makes the home more efficient because instead of being rolled in, it is blown in and is able to get to every tiny crevasse inside the attic. It will also last longer. When blown-in insulation is first installed it has a settling point, if you install 15-inches it will settle down to 12. But once it reaches 12 inches, it will stay that way. The only time there are issues with blown-in insulation losing its efficiency is if the house has rodent or pest problems.
55. 55. Want Even More Savings? For extra savings, an attic evaluation is recommended. Technicians go in and check the attic insulation, the ventilation, and the radiant barrier and give your home a grade based on HUD recommendations. These are things that can bring the efficiency of your attic up, and will lower your energy bill. If you do all three things properly you can save up to 30% on your bill and extend the life of your HVAC system because it wont have to work as hard to heat and cool your home.
56. 56. Add a Heat Pump Did you know there is a way to heat up or cool down your home that will save energy and keep more money in your pocket than traditional appliances? Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for you, and should seriously be taken into consideration. With heat pumps, electricity is used to move heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide equivalent space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances. Heat pumps are greatly beneficial to houses that have an electrical heating system. When the system calls for heat, the cooling system turns into reverse. The compressor outside then acts as a heater, so instead of taking the hot air out of your home, it puts it in by compressing the heat and pushing it back inside.
57. 57. Air-Source Heat Pumps These transfer heat between your house and the outside air using electricity and are the most common type of heat pump. If you heat with electricity, a heat pump can reduce the amount of electricity you use for heating by as much as 30% to 40%. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer months. However, the efficiency of most air-source heat pumps as a heat source drops dramatically at low temperatures, generally making them unsuitable for cold climates. When outdoor temperatures fall below 40F, a less- efficient panel of electric resistance coils, similar to those in your toaster, kicks in to provide indoor heating. This is why air-source heat pumps aren't always very efficient for heating in areas with cold winters. Some units now have gas-fired backup furnaces instead of electric resistance coils, allowing them to operate more efficiently.
58. 58. Geo-Thermal Heat Pump These compressors use the constant temperature of Mother Earth herself as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. According to the Department of Energy, this allows the system to reach fairly high efficiencies of 300% to 600% on the coldest winter nights, compared to 175% to 250% for air-source heat pumps on cool days. This means that if you live in a place where temperature drops significantly, this might be the solution for you and your home. Even though different places have different seasonal temperature extremes, the ground still remains at a relatively constant temperature a few feet below the earth's surface. This ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. The GHP takes advantage of this by exchanging heat with the earth through a ground heat exchanger.
59. 59. Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump These heat pumps make good retrofit add-ons to houses with "non-ducted" heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters. They can also be a good choice for room additions where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible, and very efficient new homes that require only a small space conditioning system. Two great advantages of mini splits are their small size and flexibility for heating and cooling individual rooms. With this, only occupied rooms need to be conditioned, which saves energy and of course, money! Being ductless also means that it avoids the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems. According to the DOE, duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.
60. 60. Absorption Heat Pump These are essentially air-source heat pumps driven not by electricity, but by a heat source such as natural gas, propane, solar-heated water, or geothermal-heated water. There are also absorption (or gas-fired) coolers available that work on the same principle. Unlike some absorption heat pumps, however, these are not reversible and cannot serve as a heat source. Residential absorption heat pumps use an ammonia-water absorption cycle to provide heating and cooling. As in a standard heat pump, the refrigerant (in this case, ammonia) is condensed in one coil to release its heat; its pressure is then reduced and the refrigerant is evaporated to absorb heat. If the system absorbs heat from the interior of your home, it provides cooling; if it releases heat to the interior of your home, it provides heating. Absorption coolers and heat pumps usually only make sense in homes without an electricity source, but they have an added advantage in that they can make use of any heat source, including solar energy, geothermal hot water, or other heat sources. They are also amenable to zoned systems, in which different parts of the house are kept at different temperatures.
61. 61. Maintaining Your Heat Pump Like all heating and cooling systems, proper maintenance is crucial to have your system work properly and efficiently. The difference between the energy consumption of a well-maintained heat pump and a severely neglected one ranges from 10% to 25% (yikes!) It is recommended that you clean or change the filters once a month or simply as needed. Dirty filters, coils, and fans reduce airflow through the system, which then decreases system performance and can damage your system's compressor. Make sure to also clean outdoor coils whenever they look dirty. Its also a good idea to occasionally turn off power to the fan and clean it by removing any clutter from around the outdoor unit. You should also have a professional, experienced technician service your heat pump at least once a year.
62. 62. Tankless Water Heater When we think of water heaters, we think of the big 40-gallon tank that sits in a closet or in our garage. With traditional water heaters, hot water is filled up and stored in the tank. When you run out, you have to wait for more hot water to refill the tank, which can take a long time. But a tankless system heats up the water as you need it. And there is no storage involved!
63. 63. Tankless Heaters: The Facts Instead of being always on and running like traditional water heaters, the tankless water heater shuts down until someone in the house turns on a hot water faucet. It is basically a heat exchanger that is made up of a bunch of coils. These coils heat up very quickly and are able to heat the water immediately as it comes through the system. While there is a limit on how much hot water a tankless water heater can produce at a time, there is no limit on how long it can produce hot water. because the tankless water heater is not running all the time, it will take a few seconds longer for the hot water to reach your faucet. Over time, calcium and other sediment build up inside the piping, which needs to be flushed out once a year. It also has a lot of sensors and flow switches that wont work properly if there is too much buildup. But if you properly maintain it, these systems can last as long as 15 years.
64. 64. Tankless Heaters Are Energy Efficient! Traditional heaters have a pilot light that stays lit all the time, and is constantly burning gas trying to maintain a certain temperature. It is a never- ending cycle of trying to heat your water to a set temperature, which you pay for on your gas bill. With the tankless system there is no pilot light and no tank full of water to heat. By shutting down when it is not in use, you are not using as much gas or energy, which means you are saving money on your monthly bills.
65. 65. Is Going Tankless Right For You? The installation process for a tankless water heater is pretty complicated. Most houses are not equipped for this type of heater so we have to go back and retrofit the house which can be pretty complex and will cost additional for changes. If you are building a new house, it is recommend to have one installed, but if your house is 30 years old with older galvanized pipes, then its probably not the right system for you. If you have two traditional water heaters that are on either side of your house you would need to install two separate tankless water heaters, which can be expensive. But if you have two traditional water heaters that are side by side, you will only need to install one tankless water heater. Each house is different and each house should be evaluated to see if a tankless water heating system would be beneficial.