The heating, ventilation and cooling system is one of the most complex installations in a home. This is why it is important for you to hire a well trained professional who understands all the safety issues in heating systems including those that use oil natural gas and electricity. A few decades ago, ventilation was a marginally understood concept because many homeowners had learnt to cope in the hard way with natural heat rises and air flows. However, today, the HVAC industry has fully-fledged professionals operating in the different areas to give you comfort, safety, and air quality.

The Requirements of HVAC Contractors

In the United States, a majority of the states require a minimum amount of training and on the job experience normally two to five years for a person to be licensed as a HVAC contractor. Experience is very important because the contractor must have competency and a solid understanding of how the different components of HVAC systems such as refrigerant, electrical wiring, combustion systems, and ducts work. This knowledge is important not only for comfort purposes, but also for safety.

Check the Licenses

There are look-up websites for contractor licenses in most state governments. Through these sites, you can quickly have a look on the type of license your potential contractor has and whether it is in force or something happened in between. Because HVAC may involve plumbing, repair, and installation, getting a contractor who also holds a plumbing license can be such an added advantage for you.

Bonding and Insurance

The reason why it is important to have bonded contractors handle your project is because HVAC repair and maintenance is a technical job and in the course of service delivery, something may happen leading to minor or major destruction of your home. For insured and bonded professionals, the insurance company will come in to compensate for any loss incurred by the homeowner as a result of contractor’s negligence or malpractice.

Brands Carried

There are lots of HVAC equipment brands in the market such as Carrier, Lennox, American Standard, Goodman, Trane and many others. When engaging a contractor, ask them the brands they carry. If you have a specific brand you are after, this process can help you to streamline your search for contractors and only hire those who have what you need.

Apart from the above considerations, you need to also look at the contractor estimates, payment schedule, service contracts if any, tax credits and rebates, as well as references of past customers.

If you are interested in high performance heating systems that will use less energy and give more output, boiler or condensing heating systems are what you need. They are more costly in installation compared to the other conventional heating systems, but in the long run they cost lower in terms of fuel cost.

Thanks to today’s technology, there has been breakthroughs in the design of heating systems that have enabled manufacturers to come up with unique boilers or condensing furnaces which can attain almost perfect performance rating. This article looks at how the condensing furnace works and why you should consider investing in it for your next furnace replacement.

Condensing Furnace Design

A traditional furnace makes us of a heat exchanger in the generation of heat. However, a larger quantity of this heat is lost during the combustion process and it ultimately escapes from your home through the chimney. This is where a condensing unit comes into play; it brings in a second heat exchanger that captures the wasted heat and utilizes it to attain maximum operating efficiency. The secondary exchanger enables exhaust gases to cool down and in the process, transfers the latent heat given out during the vaporization of the gases.

In a study done by energy.gov, condensing models are relatively costly in acquisition and installation compared to non-condensing models, however, the former cost less in fuel expenses and can serve you for a period of between 15 to 30 years.

The Safety of Condensing Furnaces

Condensing heaters have sealed combustion which means the furnace utilizes the outside air only as a resource and thereby eliminates the risk of exposing your home to potentially hazardous combustible gases which are emitted during the heat generation process. There is no chance of backdrafting that can occur in your home. Backdrafting means dangerous exhaust gases are drafted back into your home and then distributed throughout the living spaces.

Flexibility in Installation

Due to the fact that a condensing furnace allows combustion gases to cool off, the venting system doesn’t have to be designed in such a manner as to take into account extreme heat factors. You can easily use standard PVC pipes for the venting system in order to direct the exhaust to the outside environment through a wall vent.

Just like with any furnace replacement or fresh installation, homeowners need to be careful when selecting a condensing furnace. Enlisting the help of HVAC experts can be a good idea because these professionals can help them get a right sized condensing system that will not only run efficiently, but also keep your home uniformly heated throughout the colder seasons. In order for the system to serve you for a long time, having regular annual maintenance appointments with a HVAC contractor is also advised.

Freon leakages from ACs have adverse effects on health and the AC unit itself. This is why it is important to keep these levels on check each and every time. Freon refers to the trademark name given to the chlorofluorocarbons refrigerant manufactured by DuPont. In the industry, this refrigerant is known as R22 and is being phased out by hydro chlorofluorocarbons or R410A refrigerants which are less harmful to the atmosphere.

Most AC units today face the problem of refrigerant leakage which renders the AC unit useless because without refrigerant, there is no cooling that can take place. Freon leakage means your AC will function more or less like an expensive cooling fan. Luckily, there are a number of leak detection solutions available in the market today. This article discusses a number of these solutions with an aim of helping you pick the solution that will serve your home and not throw your budget off balance.

Handheld Detection Devices

These are advanced electronic devices that are fitted with Freon sensors. They can detect the presence of excess gas in your home as well as the concentration of the gas through their semiconductor sensors. The market is awash with audio-visual and audible devices that can help detect leakages. One example is Robinair Leak Detector which utilizes corona discharge technology to sense as low as 0.5 ounce of gas leakage per year.

Electronic Leak Detectors

These detectors are suitable for sensing chlorofluorocarbons, hydro fluorocarbons and hydro chlorofluorocarbons. Normally, leakages occur at points of low pressure because of the changing pressure conditions. One of the top detectors in this category is the one made by Tek-Mate which works extremely well even in damp conditions. The problem with these detectors is that they cannot detect low concentration of leakages.

Portable Burner

This is the conventional method used for detecting Freon leaks. The burners do not harm the AC unit because it is a low flame. In areas that have leakages, the color of the flame will change to bluish green or green instantly. This method does not give results that are reliable.

Liquid Tracers

This is a precise method of detecting leakages. Florescent dyes are used together with the coolant and the AC system is allowed to run for some time. The dye remains in all the points of leakages and this can help you in detecting the malfunctioning regions. The dye is then removed through cleaning solutions. When the leakages are very small, you can use ultra violet lamps for detection.

In addition to the above methods, there is another detection technique known as bubble leak method or the soap bubble solution. This uses high pressure inert gas to help locate the detection. Gas is usually blown over the hose pipes and the AC components in an environment that is controlled. This causes pressure bubbles to emerge from the leaking surface. The bubble leak method is used when the size of the leak is huge.

The need for fresh air is part and parcel of the comfort considerations in homes. If your home is energy efficient and air tight, an energy recovery ventilator can help you get sufficient fresh air without sacrificing the aspect of efficiency.

Adding insulation and sealing air leaks are two of the most important ways through which you can conserve energy in your home. That being said, some homes are so tightly sealed that they do not allow fresh air to come in hence creating a less healthy environment. In order to allow in adequate fresh air without incurring extra energy expense to cool or heat the incoming fresh air, you need to invest in a ventilation system. Also known as air heat exchangers, energy recovery ventilators are simply mechanical ventilation systems that remove polluted stale air from homes and replace it with fresh air from outside.

In order to conserve energy, these ventilators pass the warm outgoing air from inside the house through a component known as a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming cool air. This exchange process is what is known as the heat recovery. For one, the occupants in the home are shielded from the blast of cold incoming air while at the same time; the process saves energy because the heating system in your home doesn’t have to warm the cold incoming air. During summer, the outgoing air cools the warm incoming air thus giving you comfort without skyrocketing your energy bills.

Energy recovery ventilators are normally operated by timers or controlled by humidstats which are sensors that detect levels of humidity in your home. Inasmuch as energy recovery ventilators remove excess humidity from your home, they can also be set to add humidity.

When shopping for an energy recovery ventilator, do not be mixed up by the terminology. Some homeowners confuse energy recovery ventilators with heat recovery ventilators. It should be noted that an energy recovery ventilator has a heat exchanger which transfers a given amount of water vapor together with heat energy to the incoming air. On the other hand, a heat recovery ventilator only transfers heat.

Since energy recovery ventilator transfers moisture which is contained in the exhaust air to the less humid incoming winter air, the humidity levels in homes that have these ventilators installed tend to be more consistent. This feature also enables the heat exchanger core to be warmer thus minimizing freezing problems. There are different varieties of energy recovery ventilators from small ones that can be mounted on windows or walls to large units that are suspended from utility rooms, basements, attics, or crawl spaces.

When you invest in an AC or heat pump, your first expectation is that it will perform as expected in cooling your home and last for the stipulated period. However, in most cases this doesn’t happen because of both external factors and other aspects around your AC system which needs to be resolved. The role of AC units in home is so central that many homeowners start taking their systems operation for granted. In providing your family with a comfortable and relaxing home environment, you need a preventive maintenance plan for your HVAC equipment.

A Thorough Cleaning of the HVAC Components

Every year, your HVAC system must be thoroughly cleaned and your coils inspected for any debris or film of dust. When accumulated on the coil, dust and dirt can prevent airflows from cooling off hence affecting the entire cooling system of your house. Dirty HVAC components also make it work extra hard to achieve a simple rise in comfort.

Professional Inspection

HVAC systems normally go through wear and tear cycle which means that from time to time the system should be inspected for cooling efficiency. Any component that may be found faulty should be replaced with an efficient one. The inspection can be a one off or a part of a contractual maintenance agreement where the specialists visit from time to time to look at the whole system and fine tune it just in case of any developing problems. Inspection can be done annually when the system is shutdown particularly over winter.

The inspection should cover the entire system from the air intake to the exhaust dust discharge. The air intake should specifically be checked to ensure it is open and the controls are working properly. External contaminants when drawn into the air supply can choke it and make it inefficient thus affecting the overall efficiency of the cooling system.

Ductwork Cleaning and Repair

Your ductwork is related to the cooling efficiency of your system. When moisture, dirt and other particles get lodged in the ductwork, its ability to complete the indoor air circulation is affected in a large way. This means your ductwork should be checked and cleaned every now and then to ensure it works effectively. Poor connections within the ductwork can also affect the efficiency of the entire machine.

Cleaning and Replacement of Filters

Your filters should be replaced once in a month to ensure efficiency in filtering the passing air. If the filters are not cleaned or replaced on a regular basis, they will accumulate dust and lose their filtration capacity making your HVAC system to work extra hard to deliver the desired temperature.

An efficient cooling system ensures that you and your family are comfortable throughout the year from late spring to summer and early autumn without spending lots of money on energy bills.

Having an energy-efficient HVAC system in your home has numerous benefits. Your budget, your family and the Mother Nature will all benefit from a more energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Read along for the top benefits of investing in an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Saves You Money

An energy-efficient HVAC equipment can save you hundreds of dollars per year without compromising your family’s comfort needs. One area you will be able to make great savings by investing in this type of system is on energy bills. As a homeowner, you will start noticing a significant decrease in your monthly utility costs once you install an energy-efficient system. These systems are designed in such a way that they run effectively, but making use of minimal energy.

Low Carbon Footprint

Increased levels of carbon in our atmosphere and air cause numerous problems to different spheres of life ranging from water levels to vegetation and to air quality. By using less energy in your home to run your HVAC system, you are putting less carbon into the air and this is beneficial to Mother Nature.

Increased Indoor Air Quality

According to statistics from EPA, indoor air quality can be at times be two or five times worse than the outdoor air. The contaminated air within your house can cause colds to linger longer and allergies to be more severe. Energy-efficient HVAC systems in the market today are designed in such a way that they offer unprecedented efficiency in cleaning your indoor air using the least amount of energy possible. You will therefore enjoy enhanced indoor air quality without spending much money on energy bills.

Apart from investing in an energy-efficient system, you need also to ensure that the unit is regularly serviced by professionals. Regular HVAC equipment maintenance will provide you with a plethora of benefits from healthier family members resulting in lower costs in healthcare to a more comfortable home all year round. The costs of heating, ventilation and air conditioning system maintenance will be recouped easily through the numerous benefits you will get. Always ensure that you are working with a reliable and reputable HVAC company.

Once you install an energy-efficient HVAC system, you will be able to enjoy all the above benefits.

Are you a homeowner in Cooper City and would like to install an energy-efficient HVAC system? Well, look no further! Cooper City Air Conditioning Repair is a premier HVAC company that has established itself as an authority in the HVAC industry. Call us today at (954) 604 – 6350 and enjoy our first class services.

The end of winter automatically ushers in spring and summer. Everyone who has been through the depths of winter has every reason to look forward to spring and summer if not for anything, just the sunshine and the warmth. It is very easy to get carried away by the joys of spring and forgetting that summer is beckoning around the corner. Air conditioning is necessary during summer because of the sweltering heat. Whether you have a scheduled maintenance plan or not, having your ac units inspected is a personal responsibility that you cannot transfer to anyone else.

Inefficient ac units consume a lot of power which can lead to the doubling or even tripling of your power bills. This is because the units will have to work harder in order to achieve the same output level as before. Repair costs are also common because of the frequent ac breakdowns. By preparing your ac systems in advance, you will not only reduce chances of inconveniences but also cut down on your energy costs by close to 20 percent. The following tips will go a long way into ensuring that your ac system is ready to cool you off during summer.

Clean or Change the Filters

Depending on the ac model, some have disposable filters that need to be changed regularly while others have filters that can be cleaned and refitted to serve another term. Irrespective of the type of filters that your ac system uses, you need to clean or change them at least once per month. Dusty or dirty filters make your ac system to work extra hard so as to deliver a desirable output. This can easily wear down the entire system making it susceptible to breakdowns and periodic failures.

Keep the Condenser Unit Clean

The outdoor unit of the ac system is very sensitive because of its exposure to the external environment. You should ensure that the unit is free from any blockage as a result of accumulated debris, grass clippings or plant growth. The condenser coil ought to be cleaned regularly. A clean condenser will reduce resistance thereby boosting the efficiency of your ac system. Ensure that the thermostat is turned off before attempting to clean the system.

Clean the Ductwork

Because of the fact that the ductwork is hidden within the walls and ceilings, chances of it being forgotten are very high. A professional should be hired in order to clean the bends and the hidden corners of the ductwork. During the ductwork cleaning, registers should be removed and inspected and all other parts of the duct analyzed for water and wear damage.

Inspect the Fan Belts

After running all through winter, the fan belts may become loose or misaligned. This means that they need adjustment or replacement so that they can work effectively. For replacements, you should ensure that the belts purchased fit into the existing system without any compromise. Fan belts contribute significantly to the efficiency of the entire system.

To make your work easier and to remove any doubts concerning the suitability of your ac system for the coming summer, you can get a professional to do a pre-season tune-up. This will ensure that all issues are addressed before they graduate into bigger problems.