The Differences Between Gas Furnaces and Heat Pumps

January 20, 2021

When it’s time to replace the heating system in your Savannah, GA, home, you might wonder about the differences between a gas furnace and a heat pump. Both of these systems can heat your home during the winter months of the year, but they’re quite different from each other. Consider these three key differences between a heat pump and a gas furnace for your home. 1. Source of Fuel Gas furnaces burn natural gas or propane. This combustion process creates heat for your home. Heat pumps don’t use any gas. They operate on electricity only. No fuel is burned in a heat pump. During the winter months of the year, the heat pump transfers heat from the outdoors and moves it into your home. 2. Energy Efficiency Gas furnace efficiency is measured with the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating system. Older gas furnaces may only be 65% to 75% efficient. New gas furnaces have AFUE ratings of up to 98%. Heat pumps are rated with a different system, which is called the heating season performance factor (HSPF). HSPF measures how much of the input energy is used to transfer heat into your home for the entire duration of the...

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Can a Zoning System Save Money on Energy Bills?

December 18, 2020

If you’re looking to save money on your energy bills, a zoning system is a good way of doing so. You can keep your home comfortable while reducing the amount of energy you use to heat and cool your home. What Is a Zoning System? When you implement a zoning system in your home, you have independent control over the temperature of different areas of your home. Each zone has its own dedicated thermostat. There are motorized dampers installed in your ductwork so that each zone can be independently heated and cooled. Lower Energy Bills One of the largest benefits of a zoning system is lower energy bills. You can adjust the temperature in rooms you aren’t using, so you don’t waste money heating and cooling them. Many people reduce their energy bills by about 30% after installing one of these systems. of Savannah, GA, installs zoning systems. We pay our technicians a salary, so unlike commission-based technicians, they’re free to give their honest professional advice. Smart Thermostats You can save even more money by installing a smart thermostat in each zone. The thermostat will learn the routines of your home and will learn when each room is occupied. Smart...

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What Is That Burning Smell Coming From My Heater?

November 19, 2020

At some point, you’re likely to experience what could be described as a burning smell coming from your heater. Sometimes, these are a normal occurrence, but in other cases, they are a definite cause for immediate concern. To help you make sense of the various occasions in which you may get a burning smell, here’s the scoop on those smells and what may be behind them. Burning Smell at Startup If the burnt smell you are experiencing only occurs at startup and is brief, this is likely due to residual dust particles that have settled on your heater’s heating components while it was not running. Once the heater comes on, it briefly burns off this particulate matter, and this is a normal occurrence. If the burning smell increases or continues beyond the first moments of operation, turn the system off and call us right away. Electrical Burning Smell An electrical burning smell is distinct and smells different from the typical burning dust smell as covered above. In no circumstances is this normal or safe. This can be caused by an overheating fan motor, a wiring issue, or other hazardous conditions. If you experience this kind of smell, power your system...

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Is Bigger Better When It Comes To HVAC Systems?

October 20, 2020

While bigger is better for some things, this isn’t the case when selecting an HVAC system. Having an HVAC system that is too big will result in expensive problems. Manual J Calculation and Efficiency When you call an HVAC company to discuss installing a new system, the technicians should perform a Manual J calculation. This is a procedure that determines the cooling or heating load of a building in order to recommend the appropriate capacity of the HVAC equipment required. A properly sized HVAC system operates at peak efficiency. The Manual J calculation takes into account specific factors about your space, such as square footage, insulation levels, duct leakage, building orientation, and even the color of the roof. Frequent Cycling If your HVAC system is too large, it will cycle on and off constantly. This creates a lot of wear and tear on the equipment, and it’s not energy-efficient. Parts will fail, and you’ll have expensive repair bills to deal with. Higher Energy Costs An HVAC system too large for your home will waste energy. Your system uses the most energy whenever it’s starting up, which will occur far too frequently if it’s too large for the space. You can...

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What are the 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants

September 18, 2020

The Environmental Protection Agency has noted that excess moisture, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and radon are four major indoor air pollutants. They result in damp and stuffy houses. Thus, indoor air is more harmful than outdoor air. To keep your family safe, you need to understand these indoor pollutants. 1. Excess Moisture While moisture is the least recognized indoor pollutant, it’s among the most harmful. Moisture affects your health and your building’s health. When moisture settles on a surface, mildew and dust mites will thrive. Mildew and dust mites trigger asthma and other allergic reactions. High levels of moisture will also make you uncomfortable. Basement leaks and rain will increase moisture in your home through capillary action. Kitchen activities and plans also increase moisture. To regulate the amount of moisture in the air, use a dehumidifier. 2. Volatile Organic Compounds Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emanated as gases from liquids or solids. VOCs are emitted by a wide range of products and may have short-term or long-term health effects. The concentration of VOCs is higher indoors than outdoors. Paints, aerosol sprays, disinfectants, and pesticides are the main sources of VOCs. Once exposed to VOCs, you will suffer from nausea,...

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Do Air Purifiers Help Prevent Respiratory Diseases?

August 10, 2020

Air purifiers are some of the most overlooked HVAC devices. They can be a worthwhile addition to any home no matter how old or modern it is, and they can be very beneficial in providing physical relief to some people. Let’s take a look at whether air purifiers help prevent or mitigate respiratory diseases. Asthma Asthma is one of the most common respiratory illnesses in the world. However, a quality air purifier can reduce the chance of someone developing this condition. The proper device with a HEPA filter can eliminate 99.97% of particulates from the air, enabling those in your home to breathe freely. In addition, individuals with asthma won’t cough as much throughout the day. Once an air purifier has been installed for a couple of weeks, you’ll probably already see a difference in the patient’s breathing patterns. It’s likely that seasonal allergies will also be suppressed even if there is pollen or grass outside. Pneumonia Pneumonia is a more severe respiratory disease. It’s a common misconception that you can only contract pneumonia in cold weather. Whenever you’re in the presence of low air quality, you’re at risk of pneumonia. Fortunately, a good air purifier can work wonders against...

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The Pro and Cons of Air Purifiers

July 15, 2020

Air purifiers eliminate pollutants and improve your indoor air quality. They’re especially useful for people with allergies or asthma as they catch allergens like pet dander and pollen. Here are some of the pros and cons of these appliances. Helps You Breathe Easier While frequent vacuuming helps keep your indoor air clean, it doesn’t get rid of all the allergens, dust, and dirt. An air purifier removes these particles from the air, so you can breathe easier. Remove Second-Hand Smoke If there’s a smoker in your home, an air purifier can help you breathe easier. The appliance will remove some of the dangers of second-hand smoke as it collects smoke particles that pass through it. While people should smoke outdoors, an air purifier can at least prevent some of a smoker’s harm to others. However, it’s important that you get the proper type of purifier for your home. of Savannah, GA, installs whole home air purifiers. We can help you find the right indoor air quality solutions. Removes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) VOCs are in your home due to paints, varnishes, furniture, and other common household items. VOCs have been shown to cause cancer. An air purifier removes VOCs from...

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Do Ceiling Fans Help Air Conditioning?

June 20, 2020

Some people wonder if running their ceiling fan while their air conditioner is operating does any good. The short answer is you can and should use your ceiling fan and AC system together. Here’s how doing so can save you money. How a Ceiling Fan Cools Your Home A ceiling fan doesn’t actually cool your house; rather, it only makes it feel cooler. It circulates the air, which creates a wind chill. This disperses your body heat, making you feel cooler. You should run your ceiling fan counterclockwise to cool the room it’s in. This will blow air straight down, onto where people are in the room. A ceiling fan running this way can make a room feel about 5 degrees cooler. Lower Fan Speeds Are More Efficient A ceiling fan uses less energy on its medium setting than high, and even more when it’s set to low. You should get the biggest fan you can for a room, and then operate it at the lowest speed that allows you to be comfortable for this reason. Team Up Your Ceiling Fan and Air Conditioner Ceiling fans are very inexpensive to use, as they cost only about 1 cent per hour...

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The Importance of Air Filters

June 8, 2020

Your air conditioner works because of the cooperation of many different components, and one of the most important of those is the air filter. What does it do, though? Find out below. Traps Pollutants Air filters are located in the return vents of a ducted AC and capture various pollutants before they enter the air handler. What it filters out will depend on the material it is made from. Cheap fiberglass filters, which last but 30 days, only capture the largest dust and dirt particles. Pleated filters, which last 60 to 90 days and work well for most homes, can capture more particles. These include: • Finer dust and dirt particles • Pollen • Mold spores • Dust mite feces • Pet hair and dander Rigid cell filters are even more efficient than pleated filters and trap cigarette smoke and bacteria like Legionella. As you can see, then, air filters are essential for good indoor air quality. Keeps the Air Handler Clean Filters keep the air handler and, in particular, the evaporator coil clean. You can recognize the importance of this when you consider what the evaporator coil does, which is absorb heat from the circulated air, allowing cool air...

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Why Does My HVAC System Smell Like Smoke?

May 12, 2020

Updated On: 10/30/23 Your Savannah, GA, home’s HVAC system should not emit any odors. A smell of smoke coming from your HVAC system could be a cause for concern. Here are some of the most common causes of smoke odors from HVAC systems: 1. Dirt or Dust Buildup If you haven’t used your heating or cooling system in a while, there could be dust or dirt buildup in your home’s ducts or air vents. You can remove the vent covers and use your vacuum’s attachment to remove visible dust. The smoky odor could also come from a dirty air filter. Filters should be replaced every 90 days or sooner. 2. Overheated Wiring, Motor or Fan A component of your HVAC system may have overheated. The excess heat may burn insulation on wiring, resulting in a smoky smell. It could also burn any dust or debris on the fan. An overheated motor will also make an odor of smoke; the lubricant on the motor is responsible for the odor. Motors and fans can overheat due to lack of maintenance, loss of lubricant or extremely hot outdoor temperatures. 3. Dirt or Debris in or on Coils or Housing The coils of the...

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