If you are considering upgrading to a tankless water heater for your home, you have come to the right place. Tankless water heaters come in a variety of models and sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the best options.
Navien NR-210/NR-210A
With the Navien NR-210 in your home, you will enjoy a maximum water flow of 10 GPM. It will heat the water for a very large residential home and it can even supply hot water for up to four fixtures that are used simultaneously. The Navien NR-210/NR-210A are designed with a 180,000 Btu maximum gas input. Modulation allows these two models to lower their power to 17,000 Btu if necessary.Continue reading
There are a number of reasons that people should put effort into saving energy in summer. For starters, the cost of energy is very expensive, and though you may feel comfortable in an air conditioned home, your bank account may think otherwise. Furthermore, excessive energy use can contribute to serious problems ranging from power outages to climate change, which spare no one from their effects. Consider these energy saving tips when you’re looking to save money and decrease your carbon footprint.
5 Energy Saving Tips for the Summer
Avoid Expensive Hours
Energy costs more during peak hours, between 11AM and 5PM. As a result, you can save on energy costs by saving most of your energy consumption for the evening starting at 6PM. Fortunately for most this shouldn’t be too difficult, as these are a bulk of the hours that are spent at work or school.
Adjust Your Thermostat
On a related note, make sure to adjust your thermostat if you are not planning to make use of the room. For example, keep your thermostat at regular room temperature before you head out for the day, and turn it down to a comfortable temperature once you’re home. If you are forgetful use a programmable thermostat, which can automatically adjust your temperature down just before you arrive home to make sure that you are never uncomfortable.
Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Perfectly
Make sure that your air conditioner is running in top condition given minor issues such as excessive build-up of dirt and dust in the air filters can make it take longer to cool down the house than it should. Fortunately, you have a simple and straightforward solution to this problem in the form of arranging for air conditioner maintenance, which will take care of minor issues while also making sure that potentially serious problems are caught and corrected as soon as possible.
Remember Blinds or Curtains
A good set of window blinds or some other kind of window treatment can improve your home’s insulation, making it that much easier to cool during summer and heat during winter. This is because doors and windows have poor insulation, no matter how well they we’re sealed. Window finishing will repel heat brought in by the sun, and keep warm air from leaving in the winter.
Avoid Energy-Intensive Appliances
Consider using substitutes for energy-intensive appliances. For example, utilize the warm weather by hanging clothes on a clothesline instead of using a drier. Similarly, either use fans to supplement your air conditioner so that the cool air reaches more of the house faster.
Contact Us
Of course, these are just some of the energy saving tips that can be put to use. If you are interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to contact us with your heating and cooling questions.
If you haven’t heard of a hydronic air handler, you are not alone. Hydronic air handlers have emerged as a popular furnace replacement for those who choose to get rid of their old HVAC system or build an entirely new home. It has become quite popular because it requires less fuel, creates a more comfortable living or working space and produces little noise compared to a conventional furnace. Let’s take an in-depth look at hydronic air handlers and their multitude of advantages.
How Hydronic Air Handlers Work
Hydronic air handlers heat air evenly so that those uber-hot blasts of air don’t shoot out of the vents as they do with conventional heating systems. This is made possible thanks to the machine’s use of a boiler or hot water heater that sends water to hydronic heating coils. The user simply sets his house or zone thermostat to heat his living space and the system pump transports water from the boiler/hot water heater to the aforementioned coil. The water flows through an aluminum tin coil with copper tubing. Return air from the house is then pulled in toward the blower, above the heating coil. The warm air that is generated is then transmitted through the building’s ducts. The system’s water is recirculated to the boiler/water heater for additional heating.
A hydronic air handler can also cool the home as the water within the system can drop by about 20 degrees. Refrigerant is applied via the cooling coil within the air handlers to transfer heat from the recirculated air to the cool refrigerant. The result is the transmission of cool air throughout the home.
Why are so Many Homeowners are Making the Transition to Hydronic Air Handlers?
When compared to conventional HVAC systems, hydronic air handlers have less standby losses. The result is comparatively less build-up of sediment and corrosion, allowing the boiler/hot water heater to last much longer than the traditional furnace. This occurs because the hydronic air handler operates much more frequently than other systems. Water circulates through the boiler, decreasing the amount of sediment that has built up over time. The result is an increase in the machine’s lifespan, allowing it to out-live the traditional furnace.
A hydronic air handler also requires less space than a traditional HVAC system so residents don’t have to take up their precious space to simply heat or cool their home. Hydronic air handlers also have the flexibility that traditional systems lack. You can heat or cool your home or workspace to your desired temperature by simply adjusting the thermostat. Go ahead and heat and cool specific zones of the building as desired with your hydronic air handler without any concern. You can enjoy an evening in your study, basement or man cave without having to spend the money required to heat the entire house. Add in the fact that a hydronic air handler is designed for efficiency that reduces utility costs below those of traditional HVAC systems and it is easy to see why so many have opted to make the conversion to this remarkable technology.
Hydronic Air Handlers at Climate Experts
Climate Experts is ready to install your new hydronic air handler. Let our team tell you all about this amazing technology, address your questions or concerns and perform a stress-free installation. Reach out to us today by dialing 1-855-241-7171.
You may find that the temperatures reach extreme levels in your old-fashioned abode. Rather than be uncomfortable in your home, you should consider having an air conditioning unit installed. Adding air conditioning in older homes is relatively easy, but there are a fewer factors you should take into consideration prior to selecting a unit.
Consider Electrical Amperage
You’ll need to consider the electrical amperage in your home. Installing air conditioning in older homes may require an electrician to upgrade your home’s power supply. An older home may only have a 110-volt, 60-amp service that powers the entire house. Unfortunately, this amount is barely enough for the large appliances. Typically, a central air conditioning unit needs 20 to 50 amps of power, which you’ll barely have enough for without adding to the electrical supply.
Hydroponic Heating Systems
For older homes that don’t have a forced air HVAC system, the process isn’t as simple as installing a system with a condenser unit outside. You have to be concerned about how to install a system that requires the use of ducts to carry cool air throughout the home. However it is possible, despite your home utilizing a steam or oil boiler. It just requires the installation of an entirely new system that includes all indoor and outdoor components including ducts. Generally, the most space efficient option is high-velocity ducts. They take up little space because they force such a great deal of air at high pressure.
Mini-Split System
You could also opt for a mini-split system that is completely ductless and still disperses cold air throughout your home. Unlike installing other forms of air conditioning in your home, this one requires the use of no ducts. Instead, there are individual units placed in each room. Plus, you don’t have to worry about losing space in a closet, nor will you need to worry about the lack of crawl spaces your old home has. It’s the most effective way to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home. This may even save you money considering you won’t need to pay for all the carpentry and other work that’s entailed in the installation process. The price of the actual devices placed in each room can get quite costly. You may want to have them installed in just a few rooms in your home to save money, especially considering it’s not unheard of for a system for an entire house to cost over $10,000.
Adding air conditioning in older homes is possible, even without ducts. You just need to take into consideration your options and preferences. You will also want to consider which option will be the energy efficient for how much you use it. For more information on adding air conditioning in older homes, contact us at Climate Experts today!
If it is time for you to replace your old worn out AC unit, you should be looking at the latest in high efficiency air conditioner technology for your next purchase. There are many benefits to adding a high efficiency air conditioner including cost savings, lower maintenance and longer life.
Efficiency Ratings
All new air conditioner units are given a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. This rating can be between one and sixteen, with sixteen being the most efficient of all. Air conditioner manufacturers use advanced cooling technology along with variable speed fans to reduce the amount of energy that is being used and reduce the amount of work that the unit has to do. In the past, condensers were very small and fans had to run constantly in order to keep your house cool. Now air conditioners are able to monitor themselves and adjust their speeds or cycle on and off to maintain indoor temperatures without constantly running your power bill up. The top 25% most efficient air conditioners earn the Energy Star rating for their performance.
Saving You Money
While you are out shopping for your new air conditioner, you need to be on the look for Energy Star rated units first and be aware of how large your unit needs to be to keep your home cool. A unit that is too small will be over worked and never take advantage of all the efficiency features built into it. On the other hand, a larger unit than necessary will draw too much energy whenever it’s operating even if it is shutting off more often. The right high efficiency air conditioner will be Energy Star rated and designed for the correct square footage for your house. Depending on the efficiency of your old air conditioner, this can save you up to 42% on your monthly power bill, and you may be eligible for tax breaks at the end of the year for purchasing environmentally friendly appliances.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Since your new high efficiency air conditioner will be monitoring itself closely and cycling on and off as needed, there will be a noticeable reduction in the wear and tear that the internal components take during normal operation. In the past, air conditioning units stayed on constantly and the gears and compressors wore out on a regular basis requiring costly repairs. Today you can expect your unit to need very little maintenance other than keeping the filter clean and clear of debris.
A high efficiency air conditioner that fits your house is a great way for you to keep your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. Start by figuring out the total square footage of the area you are trying to cool and then look for air conditioners with a SEER rating of twelve or above to take advantage of the Energy Star cost savings.
For more information about choosing the right air conditioner for your home, contact Climate Experts today or visit their website to learn about the most recommended air conditioning products on the market.
Many people want a fireplace, but not everybody has a home that comes with one. It’s possible to install a fireplace, and the most popular option is installing a gas fireplace.
Installing a gas fireplace isn’t for the uninitiated, but rather a job that’s strictly for professionals. It’s certainly not a do-it-yourself project, and here are the reasons why.
Fireplace Design Considerations
You may think you know what kind of gas fireplace you want. They come in various sizes and styles. They have modern models, classic styles, custom designs, and fusions available.
Unfortunately, just because you choose the model that you like, it doesn’t mean that your home or space can accommodate it. Much like any other HVAC system, your fireplace has to be the right size for your space.
Because you can install a gas fireplace virtually anywhere, it’s easy to start thinking that you should have one in exotic locations. While it’s possible to have one wherever you want, such as in the bathroom or kitchen, it’s not always feasible. You can create an expensive mistake by starting the project without understanding how you need to install it, vent it, and size it
The Time and Complexity Involved
A gas fireplace installation is a time consuming and complex process. Here’s a few things you should be familiar with if you intend to do it yourself.
Venting and piping methods
Running gas lines
Framing
Drywall teardown and setup
A working knowledge of carpentry
Some electrical knowledge (for automated features)
You will also need the proper tools associated with each of those things. Beyond that, you will need to know if you’re even allowed to install a gas fireplace in your home.
You will have to check and see what your homeowner’s insurance says about it, and you will also need to find out if there are any building permits required.
Divvying Up the Duties
One possible way to go about building your gas fireplace is to do as much as you can yourself, and hire contractors for the things you can’t do. For example, you can frame, order the parts, cut out the wall section, and pull over an electrical line.
However, you will need an electrician to sheathe or reroute the power line, and you will need a plumber to make sure the piping is sound. This plumber will also need to plan the gas route to the fireplace, as well as the route the exhaust will take to vent.
You will also need to consult with all of your home’s internal systems. Installing a gas fireplace requires you to have a far more intimate understanding of your house’s support structure than most people have. In the end, doing it this way can cost you a lot more money than if you had either done it all yourself, or used a service that could have do it all for you.
Call the Professionals
The best option for you is to hire a professional service that can take care of the entire installation. There are many reasons you should let an expert handle the installation.
Start to finish install
Quicker and cleaner
One price for all aspects of the job
Clean up
Maintenance
Warranties
You can have the gas fireplace you’ve always wanted in a shorter time. In addition, you will have a warranty on the equipment as well as the labor. This is important for the longevity of your fireplace. Most importantly, it’s safer to let the professionals handle your gas fireplace installation.
If you want to install a gas fireplace, the first thing you should do is contact Climate Experts for more information and a free estimate.
Changing the home air filters in your ventilation system regularly will ensure that your home is filled with clean air, and comfortable to live in. You have probably heard many times that changing your home air filter is an absolute necessity, but never why it’s so important. To have the best understanding of home air filters, you need to know why changing them is so important, and the differences in air filter types that will affect your changing schedule.
Regular home air filter changing will help to avoid a multitude of health problems, including allergy flare ups and respiratory difficulties that worsen with air-borne contaminants. Home air filters have all of the air in the home pass through the system as it moves between vents, fans, and the like. These filters capture the debris in the air, so when the dust-filled air in the home goes into the filter, clean air comes out. A dirty filter not only reduces air flow, but forces the HVAC system to use up to 15% more energy than one with a clean filter.
How Often Should It Be Changed?
For your air flow system to work properly, the air filter should be changed every three to four months. There are many variables in how often it should be changed however, including the size of your home, amount of people in the home, and the quality of the filter itself. If someone in the home has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, changing the filter on a monthly basis may actually be recommended.
Differences in Air Filters
Different home air filters have different efficiency levels. Efficiency is measured by the quantity of air-borne contaminants that an air filter removes from the air. Depending on how efficient your home air filter is, the changing schedule may have to also change. Electrostatic Air Filters
These filters don’t block air flow to your ventilation system, and will not likely clog. However, they are not the best at removing air-borne contaminants, and should be used in homes where residents are not sensitive to dust.
Fiberglass Panel Filters
These filters trap easily trap large dust particles that accumulate and cause blockages and air flow problems. These filters needs to be replaced often due to the large quality of contaminants they accumulate.
Media Air Filters
These are the filters of choice for HVAC professionals, but are usually only supplied to professionals and cannot be found in stores. These filters have multiple layers of fibers so they catch the highest amount of air particles, meaning they will need to be changed regularly and not forgotten about.
Proper Maintenance
It is important that home air filters are changed regularly and fitted properly. Regular maintenance will ensure that any problems are caught early, and you’re well aware of how your system is running. For your home air filter needs and other HVAC requests, Climate Experts is here for you. Give us a call today and let us repair your air quality!
When exploring ways to improve the efficiency of your homes heating and cooling systems, a mini split air conditioner should be near the top of every list. While mini splits don’t suit every home or business’s needs, the immense benefits they offer make them worth learning about and giving an earnest consideration. It is important to know the basics about a mini split air conditioner, so that you can make an intelligent decision when purchasing one.
What Is A Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner?
Ductless mini split air conditioners aren’t that different from traditional air conditioners in basic mechanics. Like a conventional system, you have a compressor and condenser outside of your home or business, where the noise and hard work occurs. Inside your building however, the differences become apparent. In place of bulky ductwork pushing cooled or heated air, a mini split air conditioner system has small copper pipes pumping refrigerant to independent wall mounted blowers. Ductless mini split air conditioners serve as year-round HVAC solutions, offering cooling in the warm months and heating in the cold months.
The Benefits of a Ductless Mini Split
High Efficiency. By eliminating ducts, mini-split systems lose far less cold air than a forced air system and use less power in doing so.
Zone-Based Cooling. With a central air conditioning system, the best you can do to avoid cooling down particular rooms is to close vents, which is hardly an ideal solution. Ductless mini split air conditioners however cool or heat only the rooms you program them to.
No Ducts. The copper pipes used for a ductless mini split system take up far less space than the ducts for a forced-air system, making them easier to install, viable for more locations, and less visually conspicuous.
Quiet. Ducts are noisy, carrying the sounds from your compressor throughout your home. Window units are even worse, as they place the entire unit within a room for all to hear. Ductless mini split air conditioners however, offer a compromise.
Downsides
Cost. The startup costs for a ductless mini split air conditioner typically run higher than the startup costs for the conventional alternative. Though you will save in the long term, you need to be able to make the initial investment.
Installation Quality Matters. Any poorly configured HVAC system loses efficiency, but the loss can be massive with a ductless mini split. It’s incredibly important that your contractor installs your unit correctly. This can be avoided by using a trusted installation company.
Visibility. There’s no easy way to hide the blower in each room. While most owners won’t find their indoor units visually offensive, it may be a challenge to match your unit to certain aesthetics of your home.
Noise. While most find the sound of the interior units’ fans unobtrusive, some home and business owners might find the focused sound more distracting or unpleasant than the generalized roar of a duct based system.
Slow Catch-Up. If you turn your systems off during the day, expect to be warm or cool for longer than you would with a traditional system—the nature of mini splits make them slower to achieve comfortable levels, starting from an uncomfortable state.
If you’re looking for unobtrusive high-efficiency cooling and heating, few options can compete with a ductless mini split air conditioner. You’ll need to carefully consider your own needs and expectations before making the final decision, but the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages. Ensure that you hire a quality company for the installation of your air conditioning system, and you will surely reap the benefits.
Winter is coming — and no, we aren’t quoting any popular television shows! This means that you will be relying on your furnace a lot in a few months. But what if it isn’t working? Your furnace not heating would be a big problem for your indoor comfort during the colder months. Fortunately, we have a few tips for what to do when this happens:
Double check your thermostat
Before you convince yourself that your furnace not heating means that it is broken, double check your thermostat. You may have forgotten to change the temperature settings or may have missed a step required to get your furnace going.
Also, it could be your thermostat that is broken, so double check that it is functioning properly.
Make sure that your furnace is turned on
Many random occurrences could cause a furnace to be switched off. There is an easy fix for this; all you need to do is find where the shutoff switch and connected breakers are (they are usually located right next to the furnace). This could save you from a little bit of embarrassment and from having to spend money on a furnace repair service professional who shows up and just flips a switch.
Change your furnace filter
This is likely the most common issue related to a furnace not heating. All furnace filters are subject to dust buildup, which can severely restrict airflow. A telltale sign of a filter clog is a furnace that is attempting to heat your home with no hot air coming out.
Make sure that your fuel source is working
Double check that your oil or gas line is supplying your furnace with the fuel that it needs. You can double check this with your energy supplier. Also, find out if they can send out a technician to verify an energy supply line’s functionality (this is usually free).
Flush the drain lines
Furnaces, even high efficiency ones, discard several gallons of water through their drain lines every day. Mold, backups and other clogs that restrict the drain lines will force the furnace to cease functioning.
Flushing a drain line is usually a pretty simple task. Simply disconnecting a drain line and flushing it out with diluted bleach is usually more than enough to get the furnace going again (assuming that a drain line clog was the problem).
Check your ducts for debris
Air ducts can also get clogged enough to stunt your furnace’s ability to function. They can get backed up by anything from random foliage debris to small animals, which are drawn in by the heat.
Check your ducts for leaks
Duct leaks are a common problem with heating systems. In not cases, they force your furnace to work harder to heat your home (this increases your energy bill). Sometimes, however, a duct leak can be so extreme that your furnace stops heating your home properly.
Make sure you get your furnace checked for duct leaks as you search for the root cause of the malfunction.
Call in a repair service
Sometimes the cause of a furnace malfunction can only be determined by a professional. If you can’t figure it out, they can.
If all of the above fails, it may be time for a new furnace
If your furnace is not working for unknown reasons, then you will probably need a new one.
Is your furnace not heating? Call the team at Climate Experts today to schedule an appointment to service your furnace, or to replace your existing furnace with a brand new, high efficiency furnace.
Upgrading boiler heating systems is all about improving efficiency and safety. Unmaintained boiler heating systems can be dangerous for a number of reasons. The most common danger from outdated, unmaintained boilers is hot water leakage. Boilers use steam to spread heat, and they run the risk of leaking or otherwise expelling this hot water vapor, contact with which causes severe burns. However, boilers also can save you on energy costs if they are properly retrofitted to give you the best efficiency possible.
Efficiency Equals Money
Every winter, home owners crank up their boilers and pay too much to heat their homes. Efficiency is essential to saving money. You will need less energy to heat your house when winter sets in if your boiler has been upgraded. There are a few things you can do to improve your home energy efficiency, such as making sure that there is little wasted air in your house. Wasted air is heated air that escapes your house through doors and windows. All houses will have a certain amount of wasted air (and wasted energy), but two ways to cut down on wasted energy and wasted money are to invest in double paned windows and improve your door’s seal. An effective door seal keeps air from escaping through the door when it’s closed. Double paned windows provide another barrier against the cold air outside. Single pane windows are only composed of one pane of glass. Cold air comes through single pane windows very easily, meaning that you will need to use more energy to get your house to a comfortable temperature, costing you more money. Insulation has a great deal to do with energy efficiency as well. To make sure that you are paying the lowest amount possible to heat your home, see to it that that your insulation efficiently keeps the heat you’re paying for within the walls of your house, and is not escaping to the outside.
The Best Way to Raise Efficiency
The best way to raise the efficiency of boiler heating systems is to update them with the latest technology. Canadian Energy Efficiency Regulations measure boilers’ energy effectiveness with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The government requires all boilers and furnaces to display their AFUE so that consumers can compare the efficiency of new models. Oil fired hot water boilers are required to have an AFUE of 84%, while steam boilers are required to have an 82% AFUE rating. Unfortunately, older low-efficiency heating systems of any kind, boilers and furnaces, have AFUE ratings between 56% and 70%. Retrofitted boiler heating systems have an average AFUE rating between 90% and 98.5%. This is a huge difference, obviously, and a difference that could save you a chunk of your monthly heating bill.
The Canadian government recommends that the costs of repairing a boiler heating system be weighed against the cost of replacing the unit altogether. A new boiler system is sure to carry a high AFUE rating, and will solve any kind of safety or efficiency issues you may have with your older, but otherwise sound, system. Making the decision to repair or replace a boiler heating system comes down to analyzing the cost benefits of improving the efficiency of your boiler system by either replacing or repairing it.
Get Your Boiler Repaired
For more boiler heating systems, a repair and a retrofitting is the most cost-effective way to improve the heating efficiency in your home. Take the first step to saving money on your heating bills by calling Climate Experts to arrange a free estimate. Climate Experts Heating and Cooling Inc. offers the best heating services for all homes.
If you haven’t heard of a hydronic air handler, you are not alone. Hydronic air handlers have emerged as a popular furnace replacement for those who choose to get rid of their old HVAC system or build an entirely new home. It has become quite popular because it requires less fuel, creates a more comfortable living or working space and produces little noise compared to a conventional furnace. Let’s take an in-depth look at hydronic air handlers and their multitude of advantages.
