One For All Air Conditioning

Areas that experience high heat and excessive humidity have specialized requirements for temperature control.

While advances in cooling technology have improved the dehumidification capability of modern air conditioners, they aren’t designed to handle moisture.

An air conditioner pulls heat out of the indoor air and transfers it outside by way of refrigerant. When the house feels sticky, it can be tempting to lower the thermostat setting. This results in over-cooling without targeting the cause of the problem. The added use puts more strain on the air conditioner and increases energy use, running costs and the probability of malfunction. High moisture levels make the air feel warmer, muggy and oppressive. A dehumidifier is designed to remove moisture. While there are a variety of portable options, these units require a great deal of maintenance. Once the reservoir is full, it needs to be emptied or the dehumidifier no longer operates effectively. Plus, the standing water can actually cause problems with mold growth, bacteria and all sorts of air quality concerns. A better alternative is a whole- home dehumidifier. Installed into the home’s air conditioning system, the dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air as it passes through. It positively impacts every room in the house. Operation is nearly silent, very energy efficient and the unit needs only annual maintenance. Because the home feels cooler and more comfortable at a higher thermostat setting, there are less demands on the air conditioner. The savings on monthly electric bills works to offset the investment into the whole-home dehumidifier. Ideal humidity levels elevate the health of the home as well. Better sleep and fewer issues with allergies, asthma, respiratory infection, sore throat and more are the positive benefits of dehumidification.

cooling equipment

There was a time when owners of older or historic homes that lacked conventional ductwork were extremely limited in heating and cooling options.

They either managed with a collection of electric heaters and window air conditioners or tackled huge remodeling projects. The installation of ductwork required tearing down walls and ceilings. In many older homes, the walls don’t provide adequate width to accommodate bulky ductwork. In recent years, a new innovation has offered a much easier and more satisfying solution. High-velocity HVAC was designed specifically to retrofit into older homes. This type of system utilizes mini-ducts. The ductwork is only two-inches in diameter. It’s flexible enough to snake through existing walls and around plumbing pipes, outlets and studs. The ducts connect to circular-shaped vents that allow freedom in location and are available in a wide variety of styles. A compact component is installed in the attic or a closet and works by sending heated or cooled air at a very high rate of speed into the various rooms. It creates a slight suction and through a principle called aspiration can quickly raise or lower the temperature. When this type of system was introduced, it was quite noisy. However, most modern high-velocity models insulate the ducts to not only prevent energy losses but also reduce sound levels. Shorter run times further helps to minimize operational costs. High velocity systems implement without creating a big mess, provide whole-home comfort and are helpful at reducing excess humidity in the summer. The higher-end options include wifi connectivity, allowing adjustments to temperature control through an app on the smartphone.

 

read more about heating

Over the last few years, the initial costs have come down quite a bit.

Although geothermal heating and cooling has gained recent popularity across the country, it’s not a new technology. The principle was actually used in Roman times. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of the renewable, free and natural thermal energy found underground to heat or cool the home. Only a small amount of energy is required to run the equipment. The geothermal system actually produces four times the amount of energy it uses, achieving a 400% efficiency rating. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal systems are the most environmentally-friendly option on the market. Switching to this type of temperature control can save homeowners up 70% on heating bills and up to 50% on cooling costs. Plus, with the addition of a minor switch, the geothermal heat pump can provide a virtually free source of domestic hot water. With regular maintenance the indoor component can be expected upwards of twenty years. The ground loop is typically warrantied for fifty years and should provide reliable operation for over one hundred years. While the installation of a geothermal system is far more expensive than a more conventional alternative, it adds considerable value to the home. For the average homeowner, the investment will pay for itself in energy savings in approximately five years. Over the last few years, the initial costs have come down quite a bit. There are incentive programs and tax rebates available to further offset the start-up expense. Certain financial institutions now offer home buyers larger mortgage opportunities if they buy a house with a geothermal system. Safe, clean and quiet, a geothermal system is an ideal solution for year round comfort.

hybrid hvac system

Today’s homes are more energy efficient than ever.

New building techniques and materials as well as advancements in insulation, windows and doors helps to minimize waste.

However, 97% of homes have indoor air quality concerns. There are potential sources of contamination in every room in the house. Cooking, cleaning, pest control, personal hygiene and even carpets, electronics, pets and pressboard furnishings generate harmful toxins. These pollutants are then trapped in the tightly sealed home and continually circulated by the heating and cooling system. The EPA ranks indoor air pollution in the top five health risks. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors. The furnace and air conditioner can actually contribute to concerns. The conditioned air in the home passes through the ductwork between nine and ten times per day. Dust, dander, bacteria, mold spores and all sorts of allergens can be concealed inside the system, become airborne and breathed in by family members. Plus, this accumulation can reduce heating and cooling equipment efficiency. Dirty coils and ducts increase energy consumption by up to 30%. A worthwhile and cost-saving service is regular duct testing and cleaning. Specialized equipment is used to dislodge and safely remove the buildup of debris. Maximizing air flow helps to optimize comfort in every room in the house. The living environment will stay cleaner and healthier. Getting rid of odor-absorbing particles will help to improve the smell of the air as well. The duct cleaning process typically can be completed in a couple of hours. It causes no mess or damage and normally pays for itself in savings through lower utility bills, fewer repairs and longer furnace and air conditioner service life.
space heater

Prices of everything are higher now than ever before. Even when you try to reduce expenditure, it’s still not easy to save money. Last winter, I had to deal with high heating costs in my home. Unfortunately, in this part of the world, you need a heating system to stay warm during winter. Otherwise, you might end up saying goodbye to the world after freezing to death. However, the price of energy has risen so much that I felt the pinch paying my heating bill. It’s always important to find ways to lower costs in your home. So, that’s my mission this year. I don’t want to have to pay even higher energy bills in my home during the coming winter. I have this old wood stove in my home that I’ve never used since I purchased the property. And there’s so much wood on my land that I can harvest and dry to use for winter. But I need to find out if the wood stove works or it needs a bit of repair. It took time to find an HVAC worker who can also work on wood stoves. Many were only familiar with modern heating systems. That was surprising considering that some homies still use wood stoves. The HVAC worker who arrived at my home is not only well versed with wood stoves, but he also uses one in his home. He says he does have a gas furnace to use when it’s extremely cold. Otherwise, he and his family are comfortable using the wood stove to heat their home during winter. Hearing that has reassured me that using a wood stove is one of the best ways to lower my energy bill this coming winter.

 

The heating costs were so high this past winter

My partner and I rarely disagree.

We sought to try to be on the same wavelength about many things.

But, that doesn’t mean we don’t have spats once in a while. Imagine sitting in a house that’s so tepid that you open the refrigerator to enjoy some chill. Well, that was my fate last month when the AC stopped working. See, we’ve had this old school thermostat for a long time. My partner was itching to upgrade it so we could have a smart control unit. There was nothing wrong with the dial thermostat, but technology has changed. We went to visit a friend and her partner, and she had the smart thermostat. My partner and her man were going crary about the features on the smart thermostat. I knew from the excitement in my partner’s face that we are definitely getting a smart thermostat in our home. But, I knew we’d hire an HVAC professional to install it, and take us through the basics of using such a unit. Well, my partner decided he wasn’t hiring a HVAC professional. He purchased the smart thermostat, got home before me, and began replacing our old dial thermostat. By the time I got home, the house was warm, and he was sweating. It seems he’d made a mistake, and now the AC wasn’t turning on. We had to contact the local HVAC business to send us a HVAC professional to fix the mess that my partner had just made. I was mad because I felt sticky due to the sweat, and I did say he shouldn’t have done that. It’s better to hire an HVAC professional to install a new thermostat in your home, trust me.

 

 

Air quality systems

And guess what, she still looks amazing.

When we were kids, our dad had a garage where he kept old bikes and vintage cars. He’d renovate them, and sell them to his friends and other interested parties. He was a plumber by day, and the restoration was more like a side hustle. My sister and I would help him when we were home from school, during the weekend, and holidays. As we grew older, my sister started liking things like makeup, nail polish, and dressing up. The funny thing is she never stopped helping our dad with the restorations. She said she loved working with her hands, and would look fashionable doing so. Even in high school, she’d have her hair done, put on a cute fit, the coveralls over it for protection. It was the funniest thing, but I was also impressed at how much she loved being a grease-monkey. Anyway, she graduated highschool, and went on to college to study to become a HVAC technician. She’d thought about being a plumber like our dad, but also thought HVAC was more interesting. I think all those years fixing cars and bikes paid off. My sister is now one of the HVAC technicians in our area, and she works for one of the best HVAC businesses in our area. And guess what, she still looks amazing. Now, she has adult money, and always goes for the best of everything. She has a YouTube channel where she showcases her fits as a HVAC technician, and people are always amazed. Though she is always fixing HVAC systems, that never stops her from looking her best.

 

hydronic heater