Condensing Furnaces In Attics?

Can you install a condensing furnace(90% + efficiency) in an unconditioned attic?  That is a common question we get here every winter at Environmental Heating & Air.  The short answer is technically yes you can.  But it should be noted that according to most leading HVAC equipment manufacturer installation manuals, it is recommended that condensing furnaces NOT be installed in unconditioned spaces.  The main reason being due to the freezing of condensation produced from normal system operation.  Condensing furnaces are high efficiency furnaces that cause condensation as part of the heating process.  Freezing temps in an unconditioned attic can cause the condensation to freeze, halting system operation, eventually causing the drain pipes to crack, equaling significant water damage to ceilings and/or any drywall.  Which is why a lot of HVAC service companies will not install condensing furnaces in unconditioned attics, it's just not worth the risk.  There are extra steps that can be taken to ensure condensation drain lines will not freeze, but even said steps still run a chance of failure resulting in an expensive situation for the homeowner.


The good news is that with current advancements in HVAC technology, I can't imagine that an unconditioned space compliant condensing furnace is far off.  Manufacturers today are making great strides in furnace efficiency at a very fast pace.  So let's hope more versatile high efficiency furnaces are in our near future!

Environmental Heating & Air of NC
919-535-8422

Furnace Safety Awareness

I know it's been posted on here a few times about furnace safety in the past, but being made aware of the risks involved with cracked heat exchangers in furnaces can never be emphasized too much!  If you have a furnace in your home that's more than a few years old, you need to have a trained and certified professional inspect it and provide you with an overall assessment of your heat exchanger and burners.  You and your family's lives may depend on it!  If a crack or pinhole in the heat exchanger is found by a technician, they will then inform you of this find and advise you on how to proceed. 

Cracked heat exchangers can produce the odorless gas Carbon Monoxide, the silent killer.  Carbon Monoxide has no smell, color, or taste and can only be detected by CO detectors and specialized equipment.  There is only really two possible options after a crack is found, 1) replace the heat exchanger, or 2) replace the entire furnace.  Depending on how old the furnace is will determine the wisest path to take.  Most major brands of furnaces now offer 10 - 20 year heat exchanger warranties, in which case you should only be charged labor by the company you use to replace it.  At Environmental, we always work with the customer to figure out the most sensible option based on the age of the unit and your financial situation.

Remember, a cracked heat exchanger and/or deteriorating burners are a recipe for disaster!  Carbon Monoxide is very dangerous and at the very least you should have one CO detector present for every floor of your home.  Signing up for a Preventative Maintenance Plan will catch these dangers early and can also prevent them from happening in the first place, thus extending the life of your system.  Just give us a call and we would be glad to answer your questions and get you signed up today!


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

HVAC Tax Credits

Time is running out to take advantage of this year's tax credits on qualifying hvac equipment, both residential and small business!  Roughly half of all energy used in an average household goes to heating and cooling, so why not upgrade to take advantage of the savings?  At Environmental Heating & Air, great financing is available to help offset your total cost, couple that with the above mentioned tax credit, and you can be well on your way to some very beneficial savings!  It is important to note that the available tax credits being offered by the government are only for QUALIFYING system upgrades, so it's important to check and make sure the equipment you're going to purchase will qualify.  Here is the link to the official energystar.gov website with all the proper information to help you make your decision:

https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/heating_ventilating_air_conditioning

Also, here is an informative link about write-offs for self-employed / small business's that includes heating and air conditioning:

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/self-employed-center/10-tax-deductions-every-freelancer-needs-to-know/

Remember, time is running out quick so if you've been on the fence about upgrading, don't delay!



Environmental Heating & Air of NC
919-535-8422

Happy Holidays To Our Customers!

Happy Holidays to all of our loyal customers!  2016 was a great year for us and we truly appreciate your business!  Thanks to you, our company will continue to grow and improve with the best incentives and lowest pricing around.  We look forward to serving you in the new year as we always make it our mission to meet and exceed your heating and air conditioning needs! 



Heating & Air Conditioning
919-535-8422

Dirty Sock Syndrome

During certain times of the year, like the present, when a heat pump may warm in the morning hours and then cool at noon and later hours, it can produce condensate from noon on which fuels organic debris decay resulting in microorganism growth in and around the evaporator coil for up to 16 hours — only to release odor and toxins during the next morning’s warming hours. Heat pump coil temperatures are often not sufficient enough to kill proliferating microbes. Those that may die simply serve as a future food source for continued proliferation.

A thorough coil cleaning will make a difference, but the problem will usually return.  That's why, in addition to regular cleanings by an HVAC professional, UV-C lights are a must in eradicating all microbial growth.  UV-C lights kill microbes of all kinds and types and, like bleach, disassociates their carcasses and other organic materials. UV-C lights produce very little heat, no odor, and leave no secondary contamination behind — and it operates continuously as long as the blower wheel is engaged, which means no build-up of microbial matter!  UV-C lights can now be purchased for relatively cheap and installation is usually quite brief.  Consult your local HVAC service provider today to get rid of that pesky dirty sock odor for good!


Heating & Air
919-535-8422

Heat Pumps In The Heating Season

A very common concern from homeowners during the wintertime is "why is my heat pump blowing out cool air in heat mode?"  Well, there's a good chance your body is actually playing a trick on you.  Think about it, your body temperature is approximately 98 degrees at any given time, so when you run your hand or foot across that air register, odds are it's going to feel somewhat cool.  The key is to keep an eye on your thermostat.  If the heat pump is maintaining whatever temperature you are setting the heat at, then it's doing its job and there is likely nothing wrong with the heat pump.  The discharge air temperature on a heat pump isn't as warm as a gas furnace's.  When the outdoor temperature starts to get down into the mid thirties, heat pumps begin losing their efficiency and the auxiliary heat will then become the main source of heat.

If your heat pump system is having trouble maintaining the temperature you have set on the thermostat, then you probably have a legit problem such as low refrigerant, dirty air filter(s), dirty/restricted outdoor unit, etc.  As with any system, a regular maintenance plan from a licensed company can help identify and prevent problems before they happen at the worst of times.  Our certified technicians are always willing to answer any questions you may have about your heating and a/c unit as well as inform you on what to expect.  Give us a call today!

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

High Efficiency Furnaces Getting Even Better

With the winter season not far away, it's a great time to take advantage of some great prices on higher efficiency furnaces!  Manufacturers are continuing to make great strides in improving overall furnace operation and convenience.  It's now getting easier and easier for homeowners to purchase high efficiency furnaces with better prices and more flexibility on installation options.  In other words, if you want to upgrade that old inefficient gas furnace with a brand new 90+ percent high efficiency gas furnace, it can now be done with little to no modifications to your existing gas lines and location!

First off, the best model furnaces to go with, efficiency wise, are the Energy Star qualified furnaces.  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 more affordable up front than the 90-98% high efficiency furnaces.  However, the 80-89% furnaces do not qualify for Energy Star programs.  The 90%-98% high efficiency furnaces are more expensive, but they do qualify for rebate programs which can earn you some nice cash in return.  Not to mention, your gas/utility bill(s) will take a noticeable dip in usage.  Great financing is currently available at really low rates!  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
919-535-8422