Furnace Efficiency

With the heating season right around the corner, I figured this would be the ideal time to discuss furnace efficiency and it's impact on the environment and your wallet.  Heating is often the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for roughly 35-50% of annual energy bills.  Especially in colder parts of the country.  Reducing your heating energy use is the single most effective way to save money and reduce your home's impact on the environment.

If your furnace is older than 20 years, it would be a wise investment to replace it with a high efficiency model with the guidance of a qualified, experienced contractor like Environmental Heating & Air.  The proper method to replacing your furnace involves setting up an appointment with said contractor, where they can come in and analyze your home and can give you a personalized report on which furnace models would be most beneficial for your needs.  The best way to do this is to go with a company that offers free estimates on replacing your heating system(like Environmental).

The best models to go with are Energy Star qualified.  The efficiency of new furnaces is measured by the annual fuel utilization efficiency(AFUE), which is a measure of seasonal performance.  Furnaces today are rated between 80% AFUE and 98% AFUE.  Above 90% AFUE, a unit is considered to be "condensing", which means it recaptures some of the heat that would be wasted in traditional systems by condensing the escaping water vapor.  80-89% AFUE furnaces are still good furnaces, they are much better and more efficient than older style furnaces and are somewhat more affordable than the 90-98% high efficiency furnaces.  However, the 80-89% furnaces do not qualify for Energy Star programs.  At Environmental, we offer great financing on all of the furnaces and systems we sell.  Which in turn can make the 90-98% Energy Star rated furnaces much more affordable.  Just give us a call or your trusted heating and air company in your area a call and take advantage of the great costs and efficiencies before the actual cold season gets here.  You will be amazed at the results you see in the form of energy savings!

-Nickadeemus
Environmental Heating & Air of NC, Inc.
919-535-8422

Fall / Winter Preparations

It's already that time of year again, well almost that time, to start preparing your home for the cold months coming up not too far in our future.  Trust me, you will thank yourself time and time again when you prepare your heating and air conditioning system for the upcoming season, whether it be hot or cold.  It never fails, the one time you don't prepare your system will be the time it decides to quit on you either on the coldest of nights in the winter or the hottest of days in the summer.  So here are some simple steps you can take to make sure you and your system are ready:

• It's always a great idea to switch over your thermostat from air conditioning mode to heat mode on one of these cooler nights in the next month or so, and make sure that your heat works and functions properly.  If it doesn't, then you'll be able to have it fixed and working right before it actually gets cold outside.
• As mentioned in a previous post, remember to check your air filter(s) and change it if necessary.  The cleaner the filter the less work your system will have to do, thus getting peak efficiency from your system!
• Get a carbon monoxide detector!  Even if you have a fairly new system it never hurts to have one, they are pretty cheap these days and it's a small price to pay to protect you and your family's lives!
• This one may sound a bit ridiculous but nonetheless important, make sure all vents are opened and unblocked by furniture or other items. This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed through the home.
• When it does actually start getting cold and you've got your heat running, try reversing the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward. This is especially valuable in high ceiling rooms where heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.
• If your heating system is old, you might consider updating it. A pre-1977 gas furnace is probably 50 to 60 percent efficient today.  Modern gas furnaces, on the other hand, achieve efficiency ratings as high as 98 +/- .04 percent!  Replacing an old heating system can cut your natural gas use nearly in half! 
• Some people that have straight air conditioners choose to put a cover over them during the winter months while they aren't being used to help protect them from the elements.  Great idea!

Hopefully these tips will help you get prepared.  If you already have a preparation plan, good for you and maybe this blog can serve as a reminder.  Until next time....

- Nickadeemus
Environmental Heating & Air of NC
919-535-8422

Critical Plumbing Inspection

Believe it or not, you can save yourself some big $$ by staying ahead of the game on your home's plumbing repairs by getting what's called a "whole house plumbing inspection."  Just like with your heating and air system, or anything you own that mechanically operates really, being proactive can greatly extend service life and cut way down on repair costs.  The plumbing service here at Environmental offers a fantastic deal on a whole house plumbing inspection which includes:

• water pressure check;  excessive water pressure is dangerous to your pipes and fixtures, anything over 80 is considered excessive and is required by code to have a pressure reducing valve installed.
• fully inspect water heater(s) for rust and leaks.  Even the smallest of leaks can rust out a water heater in not much time!
• fully inspect thermal expansion tank.  Faulty thermal expansion tanks can cause catastrophic water heater damage!
• fully inspect all fixtures and piping for leaks and wear.  Future plumbing emergencies can often be discovered and averted with these proactive inspections, saving you money and headaches!

Not to mention, if you sign up for the inspection you will receive a 1 year 10% discount if you should have to call us out for any plumbing related issues!  Just give us a call and we will set you right up with an appointment to help ease your mind at being a homeowner.

-Nickadeemus
www.enviro-nc.com
919-535-8422

Record Heat Wave

I know I've touched on this in a previous blog, but with the triple digit temperatures today and for the rest of the weekend I feel this needs to be reiterated. If you are on a maintenance plan then you are already a step ahead and good for you. If not, then cross your fingers your a/c doesn't go out! Here are just a few things you can do around the house to make sure you get the most from your a/c this summer:

• change your air filter(s) every 30 to 90 days. Depending on how quickly your filter(s) get dirty
• keep shades, blinds, windows closed to keep out sunlight as much as possible during the day when you aren't home
• have a Preventative Maintenance Plan with a licensed, fully certified hvac company like Environmental
• keep all bushes, grass, and other debris clear from around your a/c unit outside.  a 2 foot minimum clearance is best
• take a quick look at your ductwork.  if it looks old and/or appears to be falling apart, have a professional take a look at it.  you would be AMAZED how much efficiency is lost because of loose and/or deteriorated ductwork

These are some of the major points that you at home can take care of in just a short amount of time. If taken care of, these things can help ensure you stay cool in the hottest of weather and achieve the longest life possible from your a/c and heating system without getting HUGE electric bills.  If you have any questions at all or would like to sign up for Environmental's Preventative Maintenance Plan, just give us a call at the number below or visit our website, thanks for reading and stay cool folks!

-Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Some Words About Alternate Refrigerants

If you've done any research on refrigerants and/or new air conditioning units you have probably heard about a new-ish 'alternate' refrigerant by Dupont called ISCEON M099.  Now, this refrigerant is advertised as being very similar to R-22, which will be completely phased out by 2020.  Companies have found a way around this R-22 phase out by producing new units that come pre-charged with Nitrogen instead of R-22 called 'dry units'.  When a dry unit is installed, it then needs to be charged with refrigerant.

There are some perks to getting M099 refrigerant, such as cheaper cost and easy retrofitting.  M099 is much more similar to R-22 than R-410A when it comes to system pressure temperatures.  However, issues have arisen dealing with the mineral oil used as lubrication in all dry charged units.  I have come across a lot of websites that claim M099 is fine to use with the mineral oil lubricants, but Lennox has issued official warnings about using M099 in dry charged units.  They have stated that:

•  "Just as oil and water are not compatible, neither are alternate refrigerants and mineral oil.  Use of alternate refrigerants with mineral oil can have detrimental effects on the unit.  The use of an alternate refrigerant in systems containing mineral oil as their lubricant voids the manufacturer and compressor warranties."

So to play it safe, Environmental does NOT recommend using M099 or any other alternate refrigerant in any dry charged units.  We still recommend R-22 as the best and safest refrigerant to use when purchasing dry charged units.  It's always worth your while to research this stuff before making any big purchases.  We hope this gives you some heads up before you make the decision to buy a dry charged unit and/or use any of the alternate refrigerants.

-Nickadeemus
www.enviro-nc.com
919-535-8422

Be Careful Who You Hire!

This morning I came across a very informative article discussing the dangers of hiring unlicensed people to install and repair your heating and air conditioning system(s).  I know I've brought this up before in previous posts but I can't stress enough the importance of getting a licensed, reputable company to provide all your heating and air conditioning services.  It's very worth your while if you are a homeowner to read this article, lots of great info........

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/119837-unlicensed-activity-threatens-credible-contractors

-Nickadeemus
www.enviro-nc.com
919-535-8422

Installing Systems The Right Way

When homeowners need to upgrade their air conditioning systems, they expect the newly installed systems to perform as advertised. However, poor installation methods can lead to a significant drop in efficiency as well as negatively affecting comfort, too. In fact, Energy Star, a government-funded energy-efficiency website, reports that up to half of all a/c system installations are compromised, meaning poor installation practices have led to countless homeowners spending more money over the life of their systems to keep them operating well and efficiently. If you’re looking at purchasing a new a/c system, you should know that it's installation counts for a lot, perhaps more than you think. Here are a few things you should expect from a quality a/c system installation:

•  Careful sizing. Expert sizing methods are critical during any a/c system installation. Factors that affect sizing include heat gain from the sun through windows, insulation levels and the home’s square footage. Without taking into account all factors that affect sizing, you could end up with a system that’s either too big or too small for your space. And that means your new system won’t operate efficiently or create a comfortable home.
• Well-maintained ductwork. Of all of the factors that affect efficiency, ductwork leaks generally contribute to the largest energy losses. Before installing the new a/c system, your ductwork should be looked at to determine it's efficiency status. If the ductwork is saggy and/or needs to be resealed, these items will be addressed and the recommendation will be made for the repair prior or during new system installation.
• Precisely measured refrigerant. With an a/c, efficiency rests on the refrigerant’s ability to cool. Improper refrigerant charges can greatly affect your cooling bills, comfort and equipment life span. Proper methods are to be taken so as to achieve the optimal level of efficiency.

As I've stated in a previous blog, even the most efficient top of the line a/c system means nothing if it isn't installed correctly. At Environmental, our heating & air system installation expert, John Van Orden, strictly follows the above mentioned steps as well as any additional steps that may need to be taken into account to satisfy you the customer. John will ensure that you are happy with your new system's performance, rest assured that he isn't the type to go missing once the money is collected. With your new, efficient a/c system in place, you can expect to see a dip in your energy bills, better comfort and long-lasting equipment. So give us a call if you have any questions at all about getting a new system, FREE ESTIMATES on all system replacements!

-Nickadeemus
Environmental Heating & Air of NC, Inc. PLUS Plumbing
919-535-8422