1. Heating, AC, and Your Homes Air Quality The Money-Saving
Survival Guide For The Every Day Homeowner
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.