Ideal Time For Routine Maintenance

Mild winters are often followed up by a hot spring and/or summer.  So, if you are willing to get your spring Preventative Maintenance done a little early this year, the chances of getting any replacement parts you may need or any other service done that you may require as identified by your Preventative Maintenance technician, you will receive the fastest service available.  That often means same day parts replacement appointments!  Turn-around time on these appointments is the fastest during this time of year.

A Preventative Maintenance Contract can more than pay for itself in fewer emergency repairs and lower utility bills alone.  Not to mention, most major HVAC corporations technically require customers to have routine maintenance done by a licensed company in order to be covered by their parts warranty.  As with your vehicle or really any mechanical item, routine maintenance is a must!  There are a multitude of things that can cause your heating and a/c unit to fail as well as take years off it's life, and most of these things can't be found unless you are proactive and have someone with a trained eye who can spot the immediate warning signs.  Whether it's low refrigerant in your heat pump(which can cause your heat strips to stay on all the time during the winter and/or your a/c to run continuously during the summer = high energy bill) or a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger(which produces the deadly gas Carbon Monoxide), or just all around dirt and grime(which greatly decreases efficiency), there really is no downside to signing up for a Preventative Maintenance Contract.  If nothing else, it will be to have the peace of mind knowing that you don't have to worry about your heating and a/c, as we keep a detailed record of your system's specifications and tendencies.  To learn more about Environmental's Preventative Maintenance Plan or if you have any questions about anything else we can help you with, please visit our website or give us a call!

Environmental Heating & Air of NC
919-535-8422
enviro-nc.com

Is Your A/C Affecting Your Sleep?

According to a recent Economic Times article, your a/c can affect your sleeping more than you think, and perhaps not how you think.  In a recent study by the Journal of Energy and Buildings, participants had significantly greater physical movements, increased heart rates and a higher frequency of wake-ups when the velocity was set at a certain rate.  These results increased even more on participants with lower body strength and / or a greater sensitivity to cold.  In a similar study, researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan found that the airflow from a standard central a/c system stimulates the human body while sleeping and impacts sleeping conditions even at low airflow levels.  For a further breakdown and more information, please click on the link below to go straight to the article.  A very interesting read to say the least.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/have-trouble-sleeping-the-air-conditioner-might-be-responsible/articleshow/57199213.cms?from=mdr

Environmental Heating & Air of NC
919-535-8422

Great New Air Conditioning Invention

Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have invented a thin film that can actually cool objects without the use of water or electricity!  This invention works to lower the temperature of the surface beneath it through a process known as "passive cooling", meaning that it vents the object's heat via thermal radiation while bouncing off any incoming solar energy that may negate those losses.  This is a pretty astounding development and it could mean huge strides in energy efficiency for both residential and commercial applications!  Just click on the link below to read the full article from inhabit.com.

http://inhabitat.com/new-super-thin-film-acts-like-air-conditioner-for-buildings/



Environmental Heating & Air of NC
919-535-8422

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