6 Features to Look for in a New AC System

Are you planning to buy a new air conditioning system? No AC system lasts forever. Research shows that most residential AC systems last for about 10 to 15 years. Whether yours no longer works, or if it’s simply inefficient, you can buy a new AC system with which to replace. There are several features, however, you should look for in a new AC system.

#1) High Cooling Capacity

You should look for a high cooling capacity when choosing a new AC system. Cooling capacity is a measurement of how much heat an AC system can remove. It’s often expressed in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The higher an AC system’s cooling capacity, the more heat it can remove.

#2) Variable Speed Compressor

For an energy-efficient AC system, you should look for a variable speed compressor. Most AC systems have either a single-speed or variable-speed compressor. Single-speed compressors run at the same speed all the time. In comparison, variable-speed compressors change their speed automatically based on the cooling demand.

#3) Zoning

You may want to choose an AC system that supports zoning. Zoning is the process of setting up separate cooling areas – as well as heating areas – within a home. It’s typically performed using dampers within the ductwork. If you have a multistory home, you can create zones for each level. You can then control the temperature of these zones independently of each other.

#4) SEER Rating

Don’t forget to look for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating when choosing a new AC system. Not to be confused with cooling capacity, SEER is a measurement of efficiency. It reflects an AC system’s ability to cool a home during a typical cooling season based on how much energy it consumes.

#5) Programmable Thermostat

If you’re going to buy a new AC system with a thermostat, you should check to make sure it’s a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are far more convenient than their manual counterparts. Using one, you can program cooling and heating schedules so that your AC system and furnace turn on automatically.

#6) Installation

Don’t make the mistake of buying an AC system without installation. Installing a new AC system is a complex task, and it’s not something most homeowners can do themselves. Fortunately, you can buy a new AC system with installation from a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) company.

What the Sequencer Does in an Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces are on the rise. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), only about half of all U.S. homes use natural gas as their primary heating fuel. Electric furnaces, of course, are powered by electricity. While they contain many different parts, though, one of the most important parts of an electric furnace is the sequencer.

The Role of the Sequencer

The sequencer is responsible for regulating the flow of electricity to the various coils in an electric furnace. All electric furnaces have coils. Also known as heating elements, they generate the heat needed to create warm air. Electricity will flow through the coils to make them hot. A blower will then push air over the heated coils. Finally, the warm air will enter the ductwork where it’s distributed to individual rooms and spaces.

In addition to coils, electric furnaces require a sequencer. This part is designed to control the flow of electricity to the furnace’s coils. When you turn on your electric furnace, not all of the coils will receive power – at least not once. Rather, the sequence will dictate which coils receive power before the others.

How the Sequencer Works

You might be wondering how the sequencer works exactly. The sequencer is a small electronic device that, as the name suggests, creates a “sequence” for powering the coils in an electric furnace. While the exact number can vary, most electric furnaces have about three to seven coils. The sequencer’s job is to create an ordered sequence for powering these coils.

When you turn on your electric furnace, the sequencer will only allow the first coil to receive power. After the first coil has heated up to an appropriate temperature, the sequencer will allow the second coil to receive power. And once the second coil has heated up to an appropriate temperature, it will allow the third coil to receive power and so forth.

Why the Sequencer Is Necessary

Electric furnaces consume electricity. More importantly, each coil consumes electricity. If all of the coils received power simultaneously, they would likely overload the circuit, thereby tripping a breaker. The sequencer prevents this from happening by powering each coil individually.

Sequencers can fail. Depending on the type of failure, it may prevent your furnace from working properly. If the sequencer is unable to power the coils, for instance, your furnace won’t generate heat. You’ll need to get the sequencer repaired or replaced in order for your furnace to work.

5 Reasons to Avoid Do-It-Yourself HVAC Repairs

Is your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) damaged? Maybe an air conditioning coil is frozen, or perhaps the furnace cuts off prematurely. A damaged HVAC system can create an uncomfortable living environment for you and your family. Rather than repairing it yourself, however, you should contact an HVAC technician for professional assistance. Performing do-it-yourself HVAC repairs can lead to several problems.

#1) Requires Specialized Tools

HVAC systems require specialized tools to repair. You can’t expect to open the air conditioning system or furnace with just a screwdriver. While screws are used in HVAC equipment, they contain other and less-common types of fasteners as well. Without the right tools, you won’t be able to repair your HVAC system.

#2) Voided Warranty

Even if you have the necessary tools, repairing your own HVAC system could void its warranty. Air conditioning systems and furnaces – as well as heat pumps – often come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Many of them come with a 10-year limited warranty, for instance. If a part breaks due to a manufacturing defect within this period, the manufacturer will pay to replace it. Repairing your own HVAC system, though, may void the warranty.

#3) Refrigerant

Many HVAC repairs involve refrigerant. Refrigerant is used in both air conditioning systems and heat pumps. It’s a chemical or blend of chemicals that’s used to transfer heat. Unfortunately, purchasing refrigerant can be difficult. Freon, for instance, requires a license to purchase. And if your HVAC system uses a different type of refrigerant, you may lack the tools and expertise needed to pump it the air conditioning system or heat pump.

#4) Difficulty Diagnosing Problems

Another reason to avoid repairing your own HVAC system is that it’s difficult to accurately diagnose problems. You may think the air conditioning system just needs refrigerant, for example. Upon charging the air conditioning system, it may blow cold air for a while, only to revert back to blowing warm air. HVAC technicians know how to diagnose problems, and they have the tools and expertise needed to fix them.

#5) Safety Concerns

There are safety concerns with do-it-yourself HVAC repairs. HVAC systems contain harmful chemicals, one of which is refrigerant. There are also electrical hazards associated with do-it-yourself repairs. Most HVAC parts are powered by electricity. If the power isn’t cut off, repairing them could jeopardize your safety. For these reasons, it’s recommended that you contact an HVAC technician for HVAC repairs.

Why Your AC System Is Squealing and How to Fix It

Have you noticed a squealing noise when running your air conditioning system? Whether single speed or variable speed, it’s normal for an air conditioning system to produce some noise. Air conditioning systems consist of many mechanical parts, which produce noise during operation. A squealing noise, however, is typically a sign of an underlying problem. Why is your air conditioning system squealing exactly, and how do you fix it?

The Fan Belt

The most common reason air conditioning systems squeal when running is a worn or misaligned belt. It’s not uncommon for condensers to feature a belt. In some air conditioning systems – particularly older models – a belt is used to connect the condenser fan to the motor. As the motor spins, the belt will turn the condenser fan so that air flows over the condenser coil.

Belts, of course, can become worn or misaligned. Even if it’s still intact, a worn or misaligned belt can cause a squealing noise. It will essentially be loose. This loose connection between the condenser fan and the motor can result in a high-pitched squealing noise.

How to Fix It

Assuming the squealing noise is caused by a worn or misaligned belt, you can fix it by replacing the belt. Consisting of a looped piece of solid elastic material, belts are inexpensive. You won’t have to replace your entire air conditioning system; you just need to replace the belt.

Replacing the belt, though, requires the services of a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) professional. Belts are found inside of the compressor unit. Therefore, you can’t easily access them. By contacting an HVAC professional, you can get the worn or misaligned belt replaced so that your air conditioning system stops squealing.

It’s important to note that not all air conditioning systems use a belt to connect the condenser fan to the motor. Belts are typically used in older models. Newer models, conversely, use bearings to attach the condenser fan to the motor.

Like with belts, bearings can become worn to the point where they no longer offer a strong connection between the condenser fan and the motor. Worn bearings can have a similar effect by causing a squealing noise. Whether it’s a worn belt or worn bearings, though, an HVAC professional can restore your air conditioning system back to working order so that it no longer squeals when running.

Fiberglass Insulation vs Cellulose Insulation: What’s the Difference?

Insulation can make a world of difference in your home’s heating and cooling costs. It will trap more of the thermal energy inside of your home so that you don’t have to run the AC system or furnace for as long.

Even if your home doesn’t have any air leaks, it still needs insulation to protect against the loss of thermal energy. Thermal energy is heat. During the winter, thermal energy inside of your home can pass through walls or ceilings to your home’s exterior. During the summer, thermal energy outside of your home can enter your home through these same walls or ceilings. When choosing insulation for your home, however, you might be wondering whether to go with fiberglass or cellulose.

What Is Fiberglass Insulation?

The most common type of insulation used in homes, as well as commercial buildings, is fiberglass. As the name suggests, it’s made of fiberglass particles. Fiberglass insulation is essentially made of melted glass. Glass waste is recycled and then melted down, after which it’s used to create small glass fibers. These glass fibers are spun together to create fiberglass insulation.

What Is Cellulose Insulation?

Cellulose insulation, on the other hand, is made of cellulose. Cellulose is an organic compound that occurs naturally in plants. It’s found within the cellular walls of plants, including trees. Cellulose insulation is made of this same organic compound. While there are different types of cellulose insulation, most types are made of about three-quarters recycled paper or cardboard.

Differences Between Fiberglass and Cellulose Insulation

Aside from the material used in their construction, there are other differences between fiberglass and cellulose insulation. Fiberglass insulation, for instance, is available as roll-in batt insulation or blown-in insulation. Cellulose insulation, conversely, is only available as blown-in insulation. Blown-in insulation means that the material must be blown into an attic or indoor space.

Cellulose insulation is typically more effective at minimizing the loss of thermal energy than its fiberglass counterpart. Most types of cellulose insulation have a higher R-value than that of fiberglass insulation. R-value, of course, is a measurement of insulation performance. It reflects how effective a particular type of insulation is at protecting against the loss of thermal energy.

While it usually has a higher R-value, cellulose insulation costs more than fiberglass insulation. It can cost 25% to 50% more fiberglass insulation, fact. If you’re on a tight budget, you want to choose fiberglass insulation for your home, instead.

How to Keep Your AC System’s Evaporator Coil Clean

A dirty evaporator coil can spell disaster for your air conditioning system’s performance. As a heat exchanger, the evaporator coil must be clean so that it can effectively absorb heat from the surrounding air. The presence of dust, dirt, mildew and grime will prevent this from happening. The evaporator coil will absorb less heat, resulting in less cooling power. To keep your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil clean, consider the following tips.

Vacuum Around It

You can keep your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil by vacuuming around it. In most residential air conditioning systems, the evaporator coil is installed in the attic or in a closet on the highest level. Dust, of course, is common in places. Dust will collect in attics and closets, and some of it will inevitably land on your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil.

For a cleaner evaporator coil, try to get into the habit of vacuuming around it at least once a month. Vacuuming will remove dust so that it doesn’t land on the evaporator coil.

Check the Condensate Pan

Don’t forget to check the condensate pan. Evaporator coils are installed in conjunction with a condensate pan. The condensate pan is a rectangular- or square-shaped metal pan that’s designed to collect condensation as it drips down from the evaporator coil.

A clogged condensate pan can contribute to a dirty evaporator coil. Condensate pans have a drainage pipe at the bottom. Like all drainage pipes, they can become clogged. If the drainage pipe is clogged, condensation will build up inside of the condensate pan, which can lead to mold and mildew growing on the evaporator coil. Ensuring the condensate pan is draining properly will promote a cleaner evaporator coil.

Schedule a Professional Cleaning Service

There’s no better way to keep your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil clean than by scheduling a professional cleaning service with a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician.

Many homeowners assume that they can clean the evaporator coil themselves. The evaporator coil, however, is typically located inside of an Air Handling Unit (AHU), or it’s connected to the furnace. To access it, you may have to remove panels or other coverings. Even then, you may lack the tools needed to clean the evaporator coil. Rather than trying to do it yourself, you can hire an HVAC technician to clean your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil.

Does Your HVAC System Need a Duct Booster?

Poor or restricted airflow can have a negative impact on the performance of your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. The AC system and furnace may run fine. The AC system may produce cool air by moving heat from your home’s interior to its exterior. The furnace, on the other hand, may produce warm air by consuming electricity or gas.

Even if your AC system and furnace work, however, they may fail to create a comfortable environment. HVAC systems require airflow. Both the AC system and furnace will create conditioned air. This conditioned air will enter the ductwork where it’s then released out of the supply vents and into your home’s rooms. Fortunately, a duct booster can give your HVAC system a helping hand by increasing airflow through the ductwork.

An Introduction to Duct Boosters

Also known as a duct booster fan, a duct booster is a device that’s designed to increase airflow through the ductwork. It consists of a motorized, electrically powered fan that pushes the conditioned air through your HVAC system’s ducts.

It’s important to note that duct boosters aren’t the same as blowers. All central HVAC systems have a blower. It’s usually found near the air handler or furnace. When running the AC system or furnace, the blower will push the conditioned air into the ductwork. A duct booster isn’t a substitution for a blower. Rather, it works in conjunction with the blower to increase airflow.

Benefits of Duct Boosters

If your home has large rooms with tall ceilings, you may want to get a duct booster installed. It will accelerate the speed at which conditioned air is released out of the supply vents. Therefore, hot and cold spots are less likely to occur in large rooms. The duct booster will push the conditioned air through the ductwork and into the rooms where it creates a more even temperature.

A duct booster can prove useful if your HVAC system’s ductwork was installed properly. If one or more ducts are twisted, for instance, they may create blockages. The conditioned air may not be able to travel through these twisted ducts – at least not with a blower alone. Getting a duct booster installed, though, may offer a solution.

You might even save money on heating and cooling costs with a duct booster. It won’t directly affect your AC system or the furnace. Nonetheless, a duct booster will help move the conditioned air produced by these systems through the ductwork.

The Importance of a Reversing Valve in a Heat Pump System

There are other ways to heat your home during the winter besides using a furnace. You can use a heat pump. Heat pumps are common in the Southeast. With the region’s mild winters, a heat pump offers an energy-efficient but effective way to warm your home. Best of all, it can cool your home during the summer by working in reverse. With a heat pump system, though, you’ll need to ensure it has a functional reversing valve.

What Is a Reversing Valve?

A reversing valve is a regulator device that’s designed to control the direction of refrigerant. It essentially allows a heat pump to perform both heating and cooling processes. The reversing valve in a heat pump system will change the direction of the refrigerant so that it either warms or cools your home, depending on the thermostat settings.

Both conventional heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems – those that contain a furnace and an air conditioning system – as well as heat pumps contain refrigerant. Refrigerant is a chemical that absorbs heat from the surrounding air in one place so that the heat can be transported to another place. Heat pump systems are different, however, in the sense that refrigerant can travel in different directions.

Why Your Heat Pump System Needs a Reversing Valve

Your heat pump system won’t work without a reversing valve. It may warm your home, or it may cool your home. Nonetheless, your heat pump system won’t perform both heating and cooling processes unless it has a functional reversing valve.

The reversing valve is what allows your heat pump system to alternate between an air conditioner and a heating system. To warm your home, refrigerant must travel from the outdoor coil of your heat pump system where it absorbs heat to the indoor coil of your heat pump system where it releases the heat. To cool your home, refrigerant must travel in a reversed direction: It will travel from the indoor coil where it absorbs heat to the outdoor coil where it releases the heat.

Your heat pump system relies on a reversing valve to change between these two modes. If the reversing valve gets “stuck,” it will remain in either the cooling or heating mode. Fortunately, reversing valves are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. If your heat pump system has a faulty reversing valve, contact a professional HVAC technician to inquire about replacing it.

The Benefits of Choosing a Condensing Tankless Water Heater

Are you thinking about upgrading to a tankless water heater? There’s no denying the fact that tankless water heaters are more efficient than conventional water heaters. Without a tank, they are able to heat water on demand. Therefore, a tankless water heater will only consume energy when you use the hot water in your home.

There are different types of tankless water heaters, however, including condensing and non-condensing. While they both work by heating water on demand, the latter type offers several unique benefits. By choosing a condensing tankless water heater, you’ll reap the following benefits.

Easier to Ventilate

Condensing tankless water heaters are easier to ventilate than their non-condensing counterparts. This is because they recycle the hot water vapor produced when heating water.

Non-condensing tankless water heaters will immediately vent the hot water vapor. In comparison, condensing tankless water heaters will use save this heat so that it can be used later. Therefore, the water vapor produced by condensing tankless water heaters is cooler, which makes it easier to ventilate than that of non-condensing tankless water heaters.

Higher Efficiency

Both condensing and non-condensing tankless water heaters are efficient. They don’t actually store heated water. Rather, both types of tankless water heaters operate on demand by heating water only when it’s needed. Of those two types, though, condensing tankless water heaters are the most efficient.

Condensing tankless water heaters are about 20% to 30% more efficient than non-condensing tankless water heaters. They feature a closed system in which the heat is recycled. By recycling the heat, condensing tankless water heaters are able to heat more water while consuming less energy.

Lasts Longer

Condensing tankless water heaters typically last longer than non-condensing tankless water heaters. They produce cooler water vapor, resulting in less wear and tear to the ventilation system.

Keep in mind that condensing tankless water heaters are more expensive than non-condensing tankless water heaters. While non-condensing tankless water heaters have a single heat exchanger, condensing tankless water heaters have two heat exchangers.

In Conclusion

Tankless water heaters can be categorized as either condensing or non-condensing. Condensing tankless water heaters are those that produce vapor on the surface in the form of condensation. Non-condensing tankless water heaters are those that recycle the water vapor. Non-condensing tankless water heaters are easier to ventilate, more energy efficient and last longer, making them a popular choice among homeowners.

SEER vs EER Ratings for AC Systems

Have you come across Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) ratings? They are often included in the specifications of new air conditioning systems. Manufacturers add SEER and EER ratings to help homeowners, as well as business owners, choose the right air conditioning system. While they both reflect efficiency, though, SEER and EER ratings aren’t the same.

What Are SEER Ratings?

SEER ratings are a measurement of an air conditioning system’s cooling efficiency during a typical cooling season, such as the summer. They are calculated by taking the cooling output of an air conditioning system during a cooling season and dividing that number by the average amount of energy the air conditioning system uses during the same cooling season. A high SEER rating indicates a high level of efficiency.

You can use SEER ratings to gain a better understanding of an air conditioning system’s operational costs. Air conditioning systems with a SEER rating of 13 will consume about 30% less energy than those with a SEER rating of 9. Therefore, air conditioning systems with a SEER rating of 13 will cost about one-third less to run than their counterparts with a SEER rating of 9.

What Are EER Ratings?

EER ratings, on the other hand, is a measurement of an air conditioning system’s cooling efficiency at a predetermined temperature, such as 95 degrees Fahrenheit. EER ratings are calculated by taking the air conditioning system’s total consumed energy and dividing that number by its cooling capacity.

The cooling capacity of an air conditioning system is reflected in its British Thermal Units (BTUs). The more BTUs an air conditioning system has, the higher its cooling capacity will be. BTUS, though, don’t provide insight into efficiency. Rather, they only reveal cooling capacity or cooling performance. EER ratings go one step further by taking into total consumed energy. As a result, EER ratings reveal efficiency.

Differences Between SEER and EER Ratings

You can use SEER and EER ratings to determine how efficient air conditioning systems are at cooling indoor spaces. SEER ratings are more common than EER ratings.

Unlike with EER ratings, they consider an air conditioning system’s cooling efficiency during a typical cooling season. Temperatures can change during cooling seasons. Nonetheless, SEER ratings reveal efficiency over the course of a complete cooling season. EER ratings are different in the sense that they focus on a specific outdoor temperature.

How AC Condensate Pumps Work

Your AC system will inevitably produce moisture as it cools your home. Moisture is a byproduct of thermal transfer. When heat transfers from your home’s indoor air to the evaporator coil, airborne moisture vapor will condense on the evaporator coil. To remove this moisture, your AC system may rely on a condensate pump.

What Is a Condensate Pump?

A condensate pump is a motorized device that, as the name suggests, is designed to pump condensation from one space to another space. For AC systems, it’s used to move moisture from the evaporator coil to the home’s exterior via a drain line.

All AC systems have an evaporator coil. Below this component is a tray that’s designed to collect moisture. Moisture will condense on the evaporator coil, after which it will drip down the tray below. At the bottom of this tray is a line that runs to the home’s exterior. The condensate pump is responsible for pumping moisture into this line and, thus, outside of the home.

The Mechanics of a Condensate Pump

Most condensate pumps use a simple method of operation. They are powered by an electric motor, which allows them to pump moisture from one space to another space. With that said, condensate pumps don’t run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Your AC system’s condensate pump probably has a float switch. This device is responsible for turning on and off the condensate pump. The condensate pump will typically only run when moisture has reached or exceeded a certain level in the tray. As moisture accumulates in the tray, it will eventually trigger the float switch. The float switch will identify the high levels of moisture, and in response, it will turn on the condensate pump.

Problems Caused By a Faulty Condensate Pump

If your AC system has a faulty condensate pump, moisture may build up inside of the condensate tray. The longer you run the AC system, the more moisture will drip down onto the tray. A faulty condensate pump means the moisture won’t be able to escape this tray. It will eventually spill over the sides of the tray. In turn, your home may experience moisture damage as well as high humidity levels.

Keep in mind that some AC systems don’t need a condensate pump. Some of them rely on gravity to drain moisture from the tray to the home’s exterior. For other AC systems, though, a condensate pump is necessary.

Bathroom Exhaust Fans: How They Work and Why They Are Important

Exhaust fans are commonly found in bathrooms. Whether your home has a single bathroom or a half-dozen bathrooms, it probably has an exhaust fan in each of them. Municipal building codes typically require either an exhaust fan or a functional window in residential bathrooms. What are bathroom exhaust fans exactly, and why are they important?

Overview of Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Bathroom exhaust fans work like most other types of exhaust fans by transporting indoor air to the home’s exterior. They consist of an electric fan and ductwork.

Some bathroom exhaust fans feature flexible ductwork, whereas others feature rigid ductwork. Regardless, the ductwork runs from the bathroom to the home’s exterior. As the fan spins, it will pull air from the bathroom into the ductwork before releasing it outside.

Why Bathroom Exhaust Fans Are Important

The main purpose of bathroom exhaust fans is to prevent moisture damage. Bathrooms are a haven for moisture. Taking showers or baths will release moisture vapor into the air. When left unchecked, this moisture vapor will accumulate while creating high indoor humidity levels. The bathroom itself, as well as the surrounding rooms in your home, may have high indoor humidity levels.

Fortunately, you can protect your home from high indoor humidity levels by using bathroom exhaust fans. Bathroom exhaust fans will expel the moisture-filled air to your home’s exterior. As a result, they’ll probably your home from moisture damage.

How to Determine If a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Is Working

You can test a bathroom exhaust fan in just a few easy steps. Start by flipping the switch to turn it on. Most bathroom exhaust fans feature a switch that’s directly next to the light switch. After flipping this switch, you should hear the electric fan spinning.

Assuming you hear the fan spinning, you should now test the suction force. All bathroom exhaust fans should create a suction force. Without a suction force, they won’t be able to draw or expel the moisture-filled air.

There’s a trick you can use to test the suction force of a bathroom exhaust fan. It involves placing a single piece of toilet paper against the fan’s housing unit. If the bathroom exhaust fan is working, it should create a strong enough suction force to hold the toilet paper in place. If there’s a problem with the fan that’s preventing it from creating a suction force, the toilet paper will fall.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Gas Fireplace

There are other ways to heat your home during the winter besides using a central heating system. In addition to a furnace or heat pump, you can use a fireplace. There are different types of fireplaces, however. While some of them use wood as their fuel source, others use gas. If you’re thinking about buying a gas fireplace, you should avoid making the following mistakes with it.

#1) Burning Wood

Never burn wood – or other combustible materials for that matter – inside of a gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces aren’t designed to handle wood. Wood fireplaces typically feature a large metal grate at the bottom to separate the wood logs from the ash. Gas fireplaces, on the other hand, lack this grate. Wood fireplaces also have a larger hearth and chimney flue than their gas counterparts.

#2) Arranging Gas Logs Yourself

A common mistake homeowners make when using a gas fireplace is arranging the logs themselves. Gas fireplaces are designed to use gas logs, not wood logs. Unlike with wood logs, though, you can’t just toss them into the hearth. Gas logs must be properly arranged so that the flame can go over and around them. For safety and performance purposes, you should consider a professional gas log service.

#3) Leaving the Damper Closed

Before using a gas fireplace, check to make sure the damper is open. All direct vent fireplaces are connected to the exterior, with many of them using the same chimney flue as wood fireplaces to exhaust gases. If the flue damper is closed, the gases won’t be able to escape your home.

#4) Not Cleaning the Gas Logs

You might be surprised to learn that gas logs require cleaning. Over time, they’ll accumulate dust and soot. Not only will this affect their performance; it can cause them to crack or otherwise damage. Cleaning your gas logs on a regular basis will prevent these problems from occurring. If you aren’t comfortable cleaning the gas logs yourself, you can contact a professional heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician.

#5) Overlooking CO Detectors

Don’t make the mistake of overlooking carbon monoxide (CO) detectors when using a gas fireplace. When natural gas is burned, CO is created as a byproduct. Gas fireplaces typically only produce a small amount of CO, which is vented to the exterior. Nonetheless, you should still install CO detectors on each level of your home if you intend on using a gas fireplace.

What Is Forced-Air Heating and How Does It Work?

Have you heard of forced-air heating? It’s one of the most common types of heating systems for both homes and commercial buildings. You’ve probably used a forced-air heating system, in fact. It can increase the indoor temperature of a home or building to create a comfortable environment during the otherwise cold winter months.

Overview of Forced-Air Heating

Forced-air heating refers to the use of a central heating system that heats the air inside of a home or building before distributing the heated air through ductwork. All central heating systems are designed to create heat. By creating heat, they can increase the indoor temperature of a home or building. Forced-air heating systems, however, are defined by their ability to heat the air directly.

When you turn on a forced-air heating system, it will draw air from inside of your home. The forced-air heating system will then heat the air directly. After heating the air, it will distribute the conditioned air through the ductwork so that it reaches your home’s living spaces.

Different Types of Forced-Air Heating Systems

All forced-air heating systems are designed to heat the air directly. With that said, there are several different types of forced-air heating systems. Furnaces are considered a forced-air heating system. Available in gas and electric models, furnaces work by heating the air directly. They use electricity or burn gas to generate heat, which is responsible for creating warm air that’s sent into the ductwork.

Heat pumps are another type of forced-air heating system. Heat pumps are similar to air conditioning systems. They consist of a pair of coils, including a condenser coil and an evaporator coil, which they use to exchange heat. The difference is that air conditioning systems only transfer heat out of a home or building, whereas heat pumps can transfer heat out of and into a home or building.

Forced-Air vs Non-Forced Air Heating: What’s the Difference?

Most homes and buildings feature a forced-air heating system. But there are non-forced-air heating systems as well. A common example is a boiler.

Like furnaces, boilers are available in different models. There are oil, gas and electric boilers. Regardless, boilers don’t heat the air directly before distributing the air into the ductwork. Instead, they generate radiant heat that’s dispersed into the surrounding space. Boilers are quieter than forced-air heating systems, but they don’t create the same level of heat. Boilers are also less efficient, resulting in a higher operational cost.

Understanding the Parts of a Gas Furnace

Gas furnaces are one of the most common types of residential heating systems. They work by burning natural gas to create heat. The heat created by a gas furnace is then exposed to a blower, which pushes it through the ductwork. Whether your home currently has a gas furnace, or if you’re thinking about having one installed, you should familiarize yourself with the basic parts of a gas furnace.

Burners

All gas furnaces have at least one burner. A burner is a hollow component where combustion takes place. Natural gas and air are mixed together inside of burners where they are burned. By burning these elements gas furnaces create heat.

Some gas furnaces only have a single burner, whereas others have two or more burners. Regardless, all gas furnaces have at least one burner where natural gas and air are mixed together and burned.

Ignitor

The ignitor lives up to its namesake by igniting the natural gas and air mixture inside of the burners. While natural gas is flammable, it still requires some form of ignition for combustion to occur. This is the goal of the ignitor. It provides the flame or heat needed to ignite the natural gas and air mixture inside of the burners.

There are different types of ignitors used in gas furnaces. In the past, most gas furnaces used pilot lights. Pilot lights generate a small flame that ignites the fuel mixture inside of the burners. Newer gas furnaces, on the other hand, often use a hot surface igniter. A hot surface igniter is an electric device that generates heat without actually producing a flame. As electricity flows through the hot surface igniter, it generates heat. This heat will then ignite the natural gas and air mixture inside of the burners.

Heat Exchanger

In addition to one or more burners, gas furnaces have a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is another hollow component. It doesn’t hold natural gas, though. Instead, the heat exchanger holds combustion gases. Combustion gases are created inside of the burners, after which they enter the bottom part of the heat exchanger. From here, the combustion gases are vented out of a flue pipe.

Heat exchangers contain solid fins above the hollow part. These fins are responsible for absorbing heat from the hot combustion gases. They are made of thermally conductive metal, which allows the fins to absorb heat.

What Is an Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

Energy-recovery ventilators (ERVs) have become increasingly common in recent years. You can find them in both residential and commercial heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. An ERV, however, isn’t a substitute for a traditional air conditioner and furnace. Instead, it lives up to its namesake by “recovering” some of the thermal energy produced by an HVAC system.

The Basics of ERVs

ERVs are systems that are used to recover thermal energy in a ventilated building or home. Assuming your home is ventilated, some of the thermal energy produced by your HVAC system will be lost. Ventilation means that fresh outdoor air will enter your home, thereby replacing the old indoor air. In doing so, your home will lose some of its conditioned air, which is thermal energy.

The purpose of an ERV is to minimize the loss of thermal energy due to ventilation. It will recover some of the thermal energy in the old indoor air before exhausting it. Without an ERV, a substantial amount of thermal energy will be lost from ventilation.

How ERVs Work

While there are different types, most ERVs work in the same way. They consist of a heat exchanger that’s connected to a ventilation system. When indoor air is exhausted outside of your home, it will pass through the ERV. When fresh outdoor air enters your home, it will also pass through the ERV. The ERV will exchange some of the heat and humidity in the air while subsequently recovering thermal energy from it.

If you’re running the air conditioner on a hot summer day, the ERV will essentially cool and dehumidify the fresh outdoor air before it enters your home. If you’re running the furnace on a cold winter day, conversely, the ERV will warm the fresh outdoor air before it enters your home.

Benefits of Using an ERV

One of the main benefits of using an ERV is increased HVAC efficiency. Some ERVs have an efficiency rating of 50%, whereas others have an efficiency rating of 70% or even 80%. With an ERV, your HVAC system will be more efficient because it will lose less thermal energy due to ventilation.

You can also use an ERV to control the humidity level inside of your home. ERVs don’t just minimize the loss of thermal energy; they regulate humidity. If your home suffers from high humidity during the summer, you want to invest in an ERV. It will help to control indoor moisture vapor so that it doesn’t cause high humidity.

Compressor vs Expansion Valve: What's the Difference?

Your air conditioning system relies on more than just a pair of coils to lower the temperature of your home. While coils are essential to its cooling process, it also uses a compressor and expansion valve. The compressor and expansion valve are refrigerant-regulating devices. They regulate the refrigerant’s pressure as it flows through your air conditioning system. What’s the difference between the compressor and expansion valve exactly?

Overview of the Compressor

The compressor lives up to its namesake by compressing the refrigerant. It’s located between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. While inside of the evaporator coil, the refrigerant will absorb heat. It will then travel through the compressor before entering the condenser coil. The compressor’s job is to pack the refrigerant molecules tightly together by compressing it.

Why the Compressor Is Important

Without a functional compressor, your air conditioning system won’t work. It’s designed to compress the refrigerant so that the maximum amount of heat will be released from the refrigerant. If the compressor fails, the refrigerant may remain warm or hot as it travels through your air conditioning system. At the same time, the compressor essentially pumps refrigerant through your air conditioning system. Therefore, compressor failure can lead to stagnant refrigerant that doesn’t move between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil.

Overview of the Expansion Valve

The expansion valve, on the other hand, removes pressure from the refrigerant. Before entering the evaporator coil, the refrigerant must travel through the expansion valve. There are different types of expansion valves, some of which include thermal, fixed orifice and capillary tube. Regardless, they are all designed to remove pressure from the refrigerant. When the refrigerant leaves the condenser coil, it will pass through the expansion valve where some of the pressure is removed.

Why the Expansion Valve Is Important

Like the compressor, the expansion valve is an important part of your air conditioning system.  It works like the compressor but in reverse. While the compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant, the expansion valve decreases the refrigerant’s pressure. This reduction in pressure causes the refrigerant to expand, which is why this component is known as an “expansion valve.” The expansion valve will release some of the excess pressure so that the refrigerant expands.

If you believe your air conditioning system’s compressor or expansion valve isn’t working, don’t wait to get it fixed. Contact a professional heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician today.

An Introduction to Ductless Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are commonly used to cool and warm homes in the Southeast. They can cool homes by transferring heat form the interior to the exterior, and they can warm homes by transferring heat from the exterior to the interior – essentially operating in reverse. Not all heat pumps use ducts to distribute the conditioned air, however. There are ductless heat pumps available.

What Is a Ductless Heat Pump?

Also known as a mini-split heat pump, a ductless heat pump is a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system that consists of a heat pump without ducts. Some heat pumps have ducts, whereas others don’t have ducts. Ductless heat pumps fall under the latter category. Rather than ducts, they release conditioned air directly from an air handling unit.

How Ductless Heat Pumps Work

Ductless heat pumps work in the same way as ducted heat pumps. They feature an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Ducted and ductless heat pumps alike will transfer heat between these two units.

When set to cooling, a ductless heat pump will absorb heat from the air around the indoor unit via refrigerant. It will then carry this refrigerant to the outdoor unit so that the heat can be released. When set to heating, the indoor and outdoor units operate in reverse. The outdoor unit will absorb heat from the surrounding air via refrigerant, which it will carry to the indoor unit.

Ducted vs Ductless Heat Pumps

The main difference between ducted and ductless heat pumps is that the former distributes the conditioned air through ducts, whereas the latter distributes the conditioned air directly from an air handling unit.

The number of air handling units a ductless heat pump has can vary. Some of them have a single air handling unit. Other ductless heat pumps have four or even six air handling units. Regardless, air handling units will distribute the conditioned air produced by the ductless heat pump.

Benefits of a Ductless Heat Pump

For homes without ductwork, a ductless heat pump is a cost-effective alternative to a ducted heat pump or a traditional ducted HVAC system. If your home doesn’t have existing ductwork and you’re looking to upgrade your HVAC system, you may want to choose a ductless heat pump.

Ductless heat pumps support zoning. Each indoor air handling unit creates a new zone. You can control the temperature of each indoor air handling unit. As a result, ductless heat pumps support zoning.

Hard Water and Your Water Heater: What You Should Know

Does your home have hard water? Research shows that over four in five U.S. homes have hard water. Aside from causing soft scum, this otherwise common condition can take a toll on your water heater. What is hard water exactly, and how does it affect your water heater?

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is defined by high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. It’s not physically hard. Rather, water is considered hard if it contains high levels of minerals.

Whether obtained from a well or a municipal source, water typically contains at least some concentration of minerals. The minerals are dissolved, but they are present in water, nonetheless. Soft water is characterized by low levels of minerals, whereas hard water is characterized by high levels of minerals.

How Hard Water Affects Your Water Heater

As hard water flows through your water heater, it can cause several problems. Hard water, for instance, can make your water heater is less efficient. Some of the minerals within it will accumulate at the bottom of your water heater where the heating element is located. Over time, the accumulation of these minerals can block the heating element so that it’s no longer able to heat up in an efficient manner.

It will take your water heater longer to warm hard water. Soft water requires less time to heat up because it contains a lower concentration of minerals. With soft water, the heating element will quickly heat up the water. Hard water contains more minerals, which essentially insulate the heating element while increasing the amount of time needed to heat up the water.

Hard water can cause your water heater to fail completely. When the minerals build up at the bottom of your water heater, they’ll deteriorate the tank and the surrounding components. If not addressed, you may be forced to replace your water heater due to the hard water.

You’ll have to spend more time maintaining your water heater with hard water. The general rule is that tank-based water heaters should be flushed once per year. If your home has hard water, however, you’ll need to flush it more frequently. Flushing will remove the minerals from the bottom of the tank.

Hard water is typically safe to drink. Nonetheless, it can damage and degrade your water heater. If your home has hard water, you should consider installing a water softener and/or upgrading to a tankless water heater.

What Does the Hold Button Do on a Thermostat?

Does your thermostat have a hold button? If so, you might be wondering what it does. Thermostats manufactured today have more features than their counterparts manufactured in the past. In addition to temperature adjustment buttons, most thermostats now have a hold button. For a better understanding of the hold button, keep reading.

The Purpose of the Hold Button

The hold button is designed to override the heating and cooling schedules of a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats, of course, are those that allow you to specify different temperatures for different times. Most new thermostats are programmable, which is why the hold button is so common.

If you have a programmable thermostat, chances are it features a hold button. Pressing this button will change your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system’s settings. Rather than following the schedule for which you programmed the thermostat, you’re HVAC system will follow the thermostat’s current temperature.

How the Hold Button Works

The hold button works by locking in the current temperature. With a programmable thermostat, your HVAC system will cool or warm your home according to the schedule for which you programmed it. All programmable thermostats support scheduling. That’s the main way in which they differ from traditional and manually operated thermostats. You can press the hold button, however, to override this schedule.

Pressing the hold button will lock in the temperature on your thermostat. If you adjust your thermostat to 70 degrees and press the hold button, for instance, your HVAC system will maintain a temperature of 70 degrees inside of your home. Your thermostat, of course, may have a different heating or cooling schedule. Even so, your HVAC system will maintain a temperature of 70 degrees until you either press the run button – the run button will deactivate the hold setting – or adjust the temperature.

When to Set Your Thermostat to Hold

You should consider setting your thermostat to hold whenever you want to temporarily override its heating and cooling schedule. Programmable thermostats are convenient. Instead of manually adjusting the temperature each day, you can program a schedule.

The problem with programmable thermostats, though, is that HVAC systems will follow these schedules. A solution is to use the hold button. With the hold button, you can temporarily override your thermostat’s heating and cooling schedule. You can then resume the schedule by pressing the run button.