Heating and Cooling

The federal government requires all air conditioning and heating equipment to be rated for efficiency. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model.
 

Humidity can be a problem in the Midwest. The best way to control excessive humidity is to have a system that runs longer at lower speeds. Variable speed air handling equipment runs at very low speeds, which keeps the air circulating against the cooling coil & removes much more moisture than conventional systems. At these low speeds, the variable speed motor uses much less electricity.

There are many factors that must be considered, including:

• Brand of equipment
• Efficiency of the equipment
• The size of your home
• Number of windows
• Year-round weather concerns

Our comfort consultants will do a thorough comfort needs analysis and load calculation specific to your home and family to determine the system that will best provide your year-round comfort

It is important that new or replacement equipment is not sized by “rule of thumb” or by duplicating the existing equipment capacity. The only accurate way to determine the correct capacity of heating and air conditioning equipment for your home is to have a load calculation performed on your home. There is a specific method available to do this calculation. This will give us the heat gain and heat loss design data for your home.

It is important that new or replacement equipment is not sized by “rule of thumb” or by duplicating the existing equipment capacity. The only accurate way to determine the correct capacity of heating and air conditioning equipment for your home is to have a load calculation performed on your home. There is a specific method available to do this calculation. This will give us the heat gain and heat loss design data for your home.

The heat pump is an air conditioner that reverses the process of removing heat from the inside of the house in summer to absorbing the heat from outside air and moving it inside in winter. It is effective by itself down to temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, either a gas furnace or an air handler with supplemental electric heat will kick in and help heat your home.

Heating and Air Conditioning equipment should be serviced at least once a year. The best scenario is to have the heating system checked in the Fall and the air conditioning checked in the Spring.

Annual servicing includes cleaning the system, checking for any problems or potential problems and adjusting for peak efficiency. The benefits include:

• Increased dependability
• Find potential problems and fix them quickly
• Provide maximum efficiency which lowers energy costs
• Prolongs the life-span of the equipment
• Maintains safe and healthy operation
• Can help to protect the environment

   

How often you change your furnace filter will depend on the type of filter you use, and how you operate your furnace. Select the type of filter you use from the list below to find out what you should be doing? 

It's a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector. It's also important to have your furnace checked every year. A qualified service tech can check your heating system for a cracked heat exchanger, inadequate fresh air, or blocked chimney's and flues.