Posted by admin on September 15, 2014

Many homes across the country utilize underfloor heating systems. Your everyday underfloor heating systems use either fluid flowing pipes (hydronic system) or electric resistance elements (electric systems). Both have their advantages, but you’ll find that hydronic radiant floor heating is a great system for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home.

Hydronic systems for underfloor use localized floor heating for thermal comfort in residential homes. This method is also often used for melting ice and snow on sidewalks or and driveways, as well as larger applications such as landing pads. You can also find hydronic radiant floor heating systems used for conditioning the turf on soccer or football fields and to prevent frost in places like skating rinks or freezers.

Hydronic piping can also be put into a concrete slab called a poured floor system or wet system. You can install hydronic radiant floor heating underneath a floor covering (sometimes referred to as a dry system) or even attached directly to a wood sub flooring.

Hydronic radiant floor heating systems use a mix of propylene glycol or antifreeze with water to transfer heat in a fluid through something called a closed loop. What that means is it recirculates between the floor and the boiler, reheating the fluid once it’s dispersed heat into the system.

Hydronic heating can utilize a number of different power sources, including:

• boilers
• natural gas
• propane
• coal and oil
• electricity
• solar thermal
• wood and biomass
• bio fuels

Hydronic floor heating comfy on your feet – it facilitates warmth through otherwise cold flooring such as terazzo, tile, slate, and concrete.  It can also have a very lasting effect on the quality of your indoor air as well. Something else hydronic underground heating does is establish temperature conditions that are less likely to support things harmful to your health, such as mold, bacteria, dust mites, and viruses.

Hydronic radiant floor heating is an excellent alternative to traditional duct heating in a home, especially if you have hardwood or tile flooring, and it is less wasteful as well as safer for the environment. Take advantage of opportunities to reduce heating costs, protect the environment, and also keep your home more comfortable and the air quality higher by making use of radiant floor heating systems.

If you’re considering having hydronic radiant floor heating installed in your home, contact the Climate Experts team today. We can install and maintain your entire system!

Posted by admin on December 08, 2014

In the simplest sense, the household furnace is part of a system used to provide heat to the interior of the home. The role of the furnace is to produce heat using fuel, which is then carried throughout the home.

That said, the exact mechanisms used to provide heat in the home can see significant differences. For example, heat is sometimes carried in either steam or hot water that is circulated through radiators, while other times, heat is carried in radiant energies. Likewise, furnaces can consume one of a number of fuels to produce their heat, with common examples including but not limited to coal, fuel oil, natural gas, and even wood.

How a Forced Air Gas Furnace Works

Like other furnaces, a forced air gas furnace is reliant on its thermostat to maintain the right temperature. When the thermostat senses that the interior of the home has fallen below a specified temperature, it starts up the forced air gas furnace.

In short, natural gas is piped in from the supplier to the combustion chamber, where it is lit. The natural gas is used to heat the cold air that has been retained in the combustion chamber, before being forced by a fan to flow throughout the home via a system of ducts. In heated rooms, the flow of hot air is controlled by the heat registers, much as how cold air is returned to the combustion chamber via the ducts by cold-air returns.

In contrast, the fumes that come about as a result of burning the natural gas are channeled from the combustion chamber and out into the environment using a flue pipe. Said pipe vents the fumes using either the roof or one of the walls of the home.

How a Furnace Works – Better or Worse

Of course, not all forced air gas furnace provide the same performance when it comes to heating the interior of the home. The exact mechanisms can come with important implications for the performance of the forced air gas furnace, which should concern you if you are interested in creating the best results while spending as little as possible.

For example, if you are interested in reducing your winter heating bills as much as possible, then you need to install a programmable thermostat. In short, a programmable thermostat lets you program specific temperatures for specific times of the day. This is useful because it lets you set a low temperature while you are not at home and then setting it high a little bit before you are due to arrive home. As a result, you save as much as possible on your winter heating bills without having to compromise on the comfort of you and your family.

Contact Us

To learn more about the function of your furnace, please contact us at Climate Experts. Our service representatives are prepared to provide all interested individuals with knowledge of how a furnace works and other relevant information needed to make the choices that will serve your family best. Securing skilled and experienced assistance with heating and cooling needs no more than a phone call to 1-855-241-7171.

Posted by admin on February 01, 2016

During the warmer months, you fight against humidity to keep your home from feeling hot and muggy inside. While humidity’s effects are not as readily apparent during the winter, it can still cause a number of health and comfort problems. These include an increased likelihood of catching colds and flus, dry and itchy skin, aggravated asthma, cracking and peeling of woodwork and paint, and a temperature that feels lower than it is, wasting energy by you to turning up the heat. To combat these problems, there are a number of steps you can take to keep your home humidity levels up.

Creative Ways to Increase Home Humidity Levels

• Air dry your dishes and clothes. The evaporating water will add moisture to your home and cut down on the energy you use on drying cycles.
• Skip running your bathroom exhaust fan when you shower. Instead, use a small fan to blow the humid post-shower air throughout your home
• Keep houseplants well-watered. Instead of letting them suck up all of the water, leave a little extra to be evaporated into your home.
• Use a spray bottle. In a pinch, you can increase home humidity levels by using a handheld spray bottle to spread a light mist around your home. Take care not to soak your furniture, walls, or flooring to prevent damage. The mist should evaporate quickly.

For Optimum Home Humidity Levels, Use a Whole Home Humidifier

The above tricks work for quickly adding humidity when your home starts to feel uncomfortable, but they won’t help you fully control your home humidity levels. Ideally, your home humidity levels should be between 30% and 50%. Without these imprecise tricks, you could quickly find yourself in a situation where your humidity is too high instead of too low.

To achieve maximum comfort and energy savings at the proper humidity levels, install a whole home humidifier. A whole home humidifier monitors the humidity levels in your home using a hygrometer and increases them as needed.

Depending on the size of your home and layout of your current HVAC system, your whole home humidifier may tie into your existing ductwork, or it may be installed as a standalone unit. Humidifiers use significantly less energy than furnaces, so once it’s installed, you should start to see your energy bills drop even as your comfort increases.

To learn more about whole home humidifiers or to request a free estimate, contact Climate Experts today.

Posted by admin on October 20, 2014

When you have a home, you have to keep it running as efficiently as possible. Whether it’s a home for you, you’re a home builder or you need to replace the furnace for your business, furnace sales and replacement is pretty serious business. Beyond the shock of wondering if you really need a new furnace the first question you may be asking yourself is, “how much does a new furnace cost?” That’s an excellent question and one which deserves further scrutiny.

Furnace Facts: Before we get into costs there are a few things that individuals unfamiliar with furnace functions need to know. 

• Furnaces make heat through combustion in the furnaces burner
• Produced heat passes through an exchanger; air from air ducts is blown through thus warming it
• Furnaces blow warmed air to ductwork which sends air through the home

Some think that your home’s furnace only works to keep the air in your home warm. But a good furnace actually plays a critical role in the successful operation of your home air conditioning system. This is why you hear the term HVAC being used; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are very closely related.

Furnace Benefits: When you have a furnace that is working as it should, your home remains comfortably heated. If you have ever had your furnace on the fritz you understand the frustration. One thing furnaces do well is obviously they warm the air when your home or business needs it. However depending on the type of furnace you have you are going to be benefiting from the furnace’s level of fuel efficiency. It’s actually called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE. Current models have a 80% AFUE minimum. 80% means that for every dollar you spend in heating your space, .80 is dictated to the generation of warmth. Older model furnaces have a 60% AFUE or  lower. That may be one reason you are looking into getting a new furnace; your older one is working harder and harder to spit out less warm air. Current models have a 95% AFUE or better; that could be a definite component in deciding about which of the new furnaces you’re going to be getting.

Furnace Costs: So how much does a new furnace cost? Well some of these numbers may surprise you. On the lower end for a newer furnace you could be looking at somewhere around $2500. Higher end furnaces with better efficiency and features may cost you as much as $10,000. However you need to take into account just how your space is going to be heated, how often you would use it, and how long you plan to stay where you are. On a long enough time line the question “how much does a new furnace cost” becomes moot. You are where you are and you’re staying put. But even if you plan to sell and move in the future, buyers may ask about the new furnace and their realtor has to give them the full disclosure; investing in a good furnace can add significant value to your home.

You should always be thinking about your home and even when you are enjoying the warmth of the summer air, you know all too well that winter is close at hand. Replace your furnace and add value to your home or business. Call us now for a free estimate to see how much you can save!

Posted by admin on March 14, 2016

When you think of HVAC maintenance your first thoughts are likely about calling a professional repairman to do involved or complex work on your home’s HVAC system. However, not all HVAC maintenance is that involved. There are several types of HVAC maintenance you can do yourself that are safe, won’t damage your HVAC system, and can save you on money by not having to call an expert. Here are seven maintenance and overall usage tips you can do yourself.

Check Your Air Filters

By checking your air filters you keep your system running properly and efficiently. So make it a point to check your air filters once a month and replace them as needed. In general air filters need to be replaced every 30 to 90 days but your environment can affect this.

If You Have an Outdoor Unit Keep It Clean

Outdoor air conditioning and heating units can easily be covered up by leaves, sticks, pollen, and other debris. By keeping your unit clean you increase its efficiency and help prevent damage due to blockages. Plus with better airflow the motor is less stressed which increases the unit’s lifespan.  

Keep Vents and Registers Clean

Blockages in your vent system make your HVAC system less efficient which leads to longer usage cycles to keep the temperature under control. Not only does this wear your HVAC system down faster it also increases your power bill. So be sure your vents are clear of dust and debris and also make sure registers/grills are as well.

Listen For Odd Noises

Pings, bangs, and other odd sounds can be a sign something is wrong. Sometimes this something can be as simple as a blocked vent, a filter that needs changing, or a loose screw somewhere that needs tightening. By being aware that something is wrong you can perform minor HVAC maintenance before it becomes a much bigger problem.

Use Fans When You Can

One of the best preventive maintenance tips is to not overuse your system. Use fans to increase air circulation and keep cool on warm, but not necessarily hot, days. On chilly days wear a sweater before deciding to turn up the heat.

Keep the Thermostat at a Consistent Level

A bad habit many of us have is raising or lowering the thermostat to cause the unit to ‘kick on’ when it’s too hot or too cold. While nobody likes to be uncomfortable doing this puts more wear and tear on your unit’s motor which can shorten its lifespan.

A Note about Houses with More Than One Floor

Multi story houses have a reputation of being harder to heat and cool. While a larger building will certainly require more time and a bigger HVAC unit than a single story one there are ways you can make the process more efficient. Keep all vents on the 2nd floor open at 75 percent, make sure no vents are closed and that none are more open than others. This keeps the temperature even through the second floor.

As you can see there are several preventive maintenance and usage steps you can take to keep your HVAC system running efficiently and effectively. Doing so saves on repairs and keeps your system running better longer. However, be aware of when an issue is beyond your skill or comfort level. There is still HVAC maintenance and repairs that require a professional’s skill and experience. Always know when it’s time to consult an expert and remember you can get a free estimate before any work is done.

Posted by admin on October 06, 2014

Many do it yourself home repair projects are easy on your time, wallet and your skills. Changing your home’s furnace filter is one project that you can do on your own, and won’t even take up an entire Saturday morning.  

Since the changing the filter is critical to furnace maintenance because it keeps it running efficiently and adds to the life of the furnace, it is worth learning how to install a furnace filter. Here are the steps you need to install yours. 

1. Choose a new filter

Before you think about how to install your furnace filter, decide on the type of new filter that you want. The purpose of the filter is to protect the motor from dirt, so a disposable fibreglass filter with pleats will do. But there are other options to consider. 

You can choose filters that remove even more dust, pollen, and other particles from the air. These filters are electrostatically charged. Or you can select thicker filters that are more durable, remove even more particles and are more expensive. You can discuss the best options for your furnace with your furnace repair and replacement company.

If you are unsure of the size of filters required, there should be a sticker either on the furnace or in the filter casing that gives you the measurements. 

2. Find and remove the filter

Take a minute and familiarize yourself with your furnace and find the filter. The filter is located in the filter air box in the cold air return duct. The cold air return duct should be toward the bottom of the furnace.

Once you find the cold air return, look for the filter casing. How you install a furnace filter will depend in part on how the filter is attached. The filter will be either behind a small door, or it will be visible because it slides into a slot.

Turn your furnace off as a safety precaution, then remove the old filter. 

3. Switch out the filters

Once you find the filter, either open the door and take it out, or slide it out of the area holding it. 

When putting in the new filter, it will have arrows on one side that line up with the air flow. To make it simple, the arrows should be pointed toward the furnace. So slide or place the filter, arrows facing the furnace, into place. 

Follow these steps to ensure that your filter change was done correctly. A filter incorrectly put in can restrict the flow of air and force the furnace to work too hard. Check your filters monthly and replace them when dirty.

4. Turn on the furnace

Once the new filter is in place, turn the furnace back on and you’re finished!

If you have any questions about how to install a furnace filter, or you would like an appointment for furnace repair or replacement, please contact Climate Experts.

Posted by admin on April 20, 2015

Making sure that you have the right home heating system installed is essential to ensuring that your home is as comfortable in the winter as it is every other season. Having the right home heating system installed will keep your home heated without spending vast amounts on your electrical bill in the process. Utilities can easily go far over their allotted budget, and this can stem from poorly running equipment.

Of course, the investment into a new house heating system is an obvious concern. You can always go back on your investment if you realize you have made the wrong choice, but this chance will be both expensive and time consuming. Unless you are willing to run up the costs by making a mistake and realizing it too late, it is important that you make sure that your first choice is also the right choice for you and your family.

Factors Used to Evaluate Your Heating Options

Here are some of the most important factors that should be considered when choosing between home heating options:

• Your home heating system must be capable of heating the space. To come up with the heat requirement for your home, you should speak with a HVAC expert, who will have the tools needed to calculate exact numbers.  Using factors such as; local climate, insulation value, the amount of ventilation, and the number of square feet that needs to be heated, the exact number of space you need heated can be confirmed.
• You need to consider all of the costs associated with your home heating options. In other words, this means considering the combined total of sale price and installation cost, plus the costs needed to use it over time. These costs should take into account factors such as the home heating system’s fuel costs, maintenance needs, and length of useful lifespan. If you fail to take such factors into account, you will misjudge the real cost of the home heating options available.
• You need to examine the kinds of home heating systems that are available for your home. This means examining based on their fuel and their heat distribution systems, both of which will have enormous impact on their performance, relative to their costs. Be warned that some home heating systems run on fuels that are not available for some houses. For example, some homes have no gas lines, meaning that natural gas home heating options must be eliminated from consideration for them.

How These Factors Can Be Used to Evaluate Your Heating Options

You could look into your home heating options on your own, however it will be both easier and less time-consuming if you take the time to speak with an expert.

This will you both time and money, as they will be able to examine exactly what type of system will work best for your home, and eliminate uneducated mistakes. This ensures that you will be able to find the right home heating system for your home, and be comfortable again much sooner.

Posted by admin on September 02, 2014

After the scorching temperatures of the summer months pass, most people simply forget about their A/C. However, in order for the unit to perform properly the next warm season, you should perform fall air conditioner maintenance.

Having air conditioner maintenance performed will save you money by preventing smaller problems from becoming more expensive problems in the future. At the same time, fall A/C maintenance will increase the efficiency of your unit. When you have the maintenance performed in the fall, you will circumvent the higher prices and long waits associated with scheduling maintenance during the peak seasons. After you have been running the air conditioner system all summer long, the following maintenance services will prepare your system for the upcoming months:

Thermostat Settings Check

To make sure your heating and cooling system is operating effectively, your technician should check your thermostat and ensure it is functioning properly. In particular, checking the thermostat will ensure the system saves energy and money when you are away and keeps your home cooled when you are occupying it. 

Electrical Connection 

As a safety precaution, your electrical connections should be checked and tightened during the fall air conditioner maintenance. In addition, the voltage and current should be measured on each motor in your unit. When your air conditioner has faulty electrical connections, it can cause your system to operate in an unsafe manner. In addition, it can greatly reduce the life of your vital components of the unit. 

Moving Parts

It’s important to ensure all of the moving parts of your air conditioner are properly lubricated. When parts are not lubricated properly, they cause more friction and increases the amount of energy consumed. 

The Condensate Drain

To ensure your home has the proper humidity levels and to prevent water damage, the condensate drain in your air conditioner should be checked and inspected. 

System Controls 

The system controls of the unit should be checked to ensure it starts, operates, and shuts off as it should. 

Evaporator and Condenser Coils

After your air conditioner has run all summer, you should have air conditioner maintenance that includes the cleaning of your evaporator and condenser coils. When the coils are dirty, it greatly reduces the unit’s ability to cool your home. As a result, your system will run much longer, which reduces the life of your equipment and increases the cost of operation. 

The Refrigerant Level 

To ensure the efficiency of your unit, the refrigerant levels must be checked and adjusted as needed. In addition, this practice will ensure the longevity of your air conditioner. 

Blower Components 

The blower components of your air conditioner are responsible for the proper airflow, which leads to optimum comfort levels. When you have your fall A/C maintenance, it is essential the blower components are cleaned and adjusted. If your unit is operating with dirty blower components, the efficiency of your air conditioner unit could be reduced by as much as 15%. 

Since purchasing an air conditioner is considered a significant investment, you should take every precaution to protect your investment. Simply put, having fall air conditioner maintenance is an essential step toward protecting your investment, saving money, and for optimal comfort next summer. To learn more about air conditioner maintenance, contact the team at Climate Experts and ask for your free estimate. 

 

Posted by admin on September 03, 2014

Before it gets cold, it is a good idea to reference a fall furnace maintenance checklist to make sure your furnace can handle the winter months to come. In doing so, it’s important to hire a professional to actually perform any necessary maintenance before the heating season starts. Below is a fall furnace maintenance checklist which should be performed yearly:

1. Contact HVAC Techs for an Annual Check-Up

It is very important that you start off your thorough inspection of your furnace with the help of a qualified and professional technician. A lot of different HVAC service providers offer programs for preventative maintenance, including a complete fall furnace maintenance checklist. Get tips from your service provider, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about what type of maintenance you should be performing on a regular basis.

2. Check Your Thermostat

Most likely, you last adjusted your thermostat to keep your home cool in the summer; therefore, it’s important to check your settings and assure proper functionality to start heating for the fall. Inquire with your tech about how to keep your home warm. Ask about the most cost effective settings so you can keep your utility bill from skyrocketing. Also, consider investing in a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature automatically depending the time of day. You can save up to 10% on your utility costs by using a programmable thermostat.

3. Perform Required Maintenance

Most likely, your HVAC tech will give you a furnace maintenance checklist marked with action items, and you want to complete maintenance items before the winter hits. Try and make sure all moving parts in your furnace are operating properly to avoid excess costs due to energy consumption, as well as faster break down and wear of the parts. Don’t forget to switch out your air filters, but consult with a professional about how often this should be done. Make sure you tell the technician if anyone in your home has allergies because they may recommend that your filters to be changed more often.

4. Get Energy Lines Inspected

Get in touch with your energy provider – gas or electric – and have them check your propane, electric, natural gas, or heating oil lines. Also, remember to check if they have any maintenance programs to save you money on your inspections. A worn out or faulty fuel connection can be very dangerous in many different ways, including posing health and fire risks.

5. Sign Up for Automatic Delivery

The last thing you want is to be without heating oil or propane in the winter. If your furnace runs on these fuel sources, make a point to find a provider for automatic delivery. This very convenient service will make sure you are always able to heat your home by providing the fuel or source needed on demand. Many providers will also offer external data and weather information with their automatic delivery programs. Ask your HVAC technician for suggestions or references he/she may have for reliable services.

6. Don’t Ignore Warning Signs

Don’t wait to reference a fall furnace maintenance checklist before calling a professional to assist with the following issues:

Short Cycling – Get help when your furnace runs for short bursts at a time.

Irregular flame – For gas, propane, or oil furnaces, if the flames are uneven or lean toward the back end of the furnace unit, call your service technician.

Odd noises or rumbling – Forced air heating furnaces shouldn’t make popping noises; any strange should be checked.

Chronic illness – Flu symptoms or headaches are serious signs of a possible leak.

When it’s time to get your furnace in shape for the winter, don’t take matters into your own hands. Trust Climate Experts as your experienced source for HVAC assistance and to perform a full furnace maintenance checklist.

Posted by admin on May 04, 2015

When your gas fireplace stops working the way it should, you might think that you must immediately call a repair person and watch your money disappear. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. Many of the issues that arise when your gas fireplace not working are not overly complicated, and many times you can isolate the problem on your own.  Here are some excellent troubleshooting tips from the pros when your gas fireplace not working. Keep in mind that these troubleshooting tips require that you follow all of the safety guidelines for your fireplace, and that you exercise extreme caution.

Your fireplace won’t ignite.

There are two quick and easy troubleshooting answers to try before you call the gas fireplace repair pros.

Check the fuel supply. Is there sufficient gas? Is the gas valve open? Ensure that your gas supply is okay before you go on to check out the pilot light.

For fireplaces that are switch operated, or ones that have an electronic ignition, check your fuse breaker. In modern homes, the fireplace has its own fuse. Check the fuse. If the fuse is in fine condition, attempt to turn the breaker off and back on. Afterwards, find the fireplace manual, it should give instructions on how to light the pilot light.

Pilot light won’t go on

When the pilot light is out, follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely to relight it. Once the light is on and the problem still continues, check the fireplace vent cap and make sure that it does not have holes or gaps causing a downdraft. Also investigate if the chimney needs cleaning, as this could be an issue.

A second area to check is the wiring for loose, unconnected, melted or damaged wires. Fix loose wiring but leave any other wiring problems to professional gas fireplace technicians.

Fireplace burner is a problem

When the fireplace is not burning correctly, check that the thermostat is set to a high enough temperature. Any other problems with the fireplace burner will require the advice of pros.

Odd odors 

Any odd odor from your gas fireplace could be the result of dust and dirt on the burner. Turn off the fireplace and clean it according to the instruction manual, as it may be a simple fix. If the odor is coming from the natural gas, which should be odorless, shut off the gas, open the windows and call your gas company immediately.

When to call in the gas fireplace repair experts

1. If you do your inspection and you find damaged wires in any part of the gas fireplace not working, or you smell burning wires, do not try to fix the wires yourself. Burnt or damaged wires indicate a deeper underlying problem with your fireplace. The diagnosis and repair is best left to the professionals. 

2. You have followed the troubleshooting steps and your pilot light keeps going out. This could be a problem with the thermopile, which needs replacing at some point in the product life of your gas fireplace. This repair requires professional expertise.

3. The area where the flame comes through isn’t working properly. You will need a technician to clean your system when the gas fireplace is not working. Or you need a technician to check your thermocoupler since they also wear out and need to be replaced. A technician can test to see what the problem is.

As you learn more about your gas fireplace, troubleshooting will become less complicated and you will recognize when to call in the professionals.