Types of Heating Systems

Homeowners can choose between heating systems such as furnaces, boilers and heat pumps for keeping their home warm during the winter months.

Most homes in the United States use furnaces in order to satisfy their need for a central heating solution. Furnaces use a method of blowing hot air through ducts throughout the home, with ducts placed in different rooms. The air moves from the central system into the ducts through registers or grills. Furnace systems are also called ducted warm-air systems or forced warm-air systems if there is a central component to it.

There are a few different ways that you can choose to power your furnace heating system. This is done through electricity, fuel, or natural gas. Often the type of system that powers this set up depends on whatever is cheaper in your area. If your system is using gas or oil, the particular fuel you use will mix with the air in the system and burn. This causes the metal heat exchanger to heat up and transfer the heat into all the system’s air. A furnace fan pushes heat through the exchanger and into the duct work, eventually getting to the different rooms in the house.

Sometimes furnaces can get a little energy inefficient, especially where the combustion products are concerned. Whenever you have a furnace, you need to get the combustion products out of your home. Older furnaces would take the combusted products through air holes and up out of a home’s chimney. This wasted around 30 percent of the energy the system used. As a result of this inefficiency, modern systems were designed with an inducer fan. This fan pulls the exhaust gases and causes them to draft into the chimney.

Boilers:

Another heating system that works fairly well is the boiler setup. Boilers use a system of combining heat, water and radiators to get hot air into different parts of a building or house. With Ravinia heating you can get the latest boiler system installed in your home.

When you turn on the boiler, it begins to distribute heat into the water, which causes the water’s temperature to eventually pass its boiling point. This produces hot steam and air that goes through every location in the system. The boiler system has a cycle where cool water goes back to the boiler and is reheated in order to continuously warm up a building.

If you want a boiler system for your residential property, you are probably going to fuel it with natural gas or oil. Boiler systems do not come with any fans or ducts. Instead, you have pipes and radiators that carry this hot air across the building and into different units. Boilers always come with valves and thermostats in order to effectively set an ideal temperature. The last thing you want is your boiler overheating an entire building by five or six degrees!

Heat Pumps:

The third and final system worth mentioning is the heat pump. These are simply air conditioners that work in two ways. When you are experiencing hot weather, the air conditioner moves heat out of a room into the general atmosphere. In the winter, the heat pump uses its electric system to generate warm air from the outside climate and pump this into the room. Heat pumps also come with different systems to get this hot or cold air into multiple rooms of one house or building.

Heat pumps come in two major varieties: air-source and ground-source. The air-source pumps use outside air, while the ground-source systems use underground air conditions to get what they need for cooling or heating. Because underground air is typically less impacted by the weather, this system works very well. However, ground-source heat pumps are generally more expensive, which is why most heat pumps you see in homes or buildings are air-source systems.

Not only are ground-source pumps likely to work better, they are also far more energy efficient. This is because they do not have to use electricity or other fuel in order to heat up cold air in the winter, or cool down warm air in the summer. Even though this costs more, you can talk to Ravinia heating about the option of a ground-source heat pump if you know you are going to live in the same home for the next five or ten years. It might cost more up-front, but the long term energy savings make up for this high price.

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Why You Need Regular HVAC Maintenance

The regular maintenance of your HVAC system is the only way to ensure that it works efficiently. In addition, your system’s lifespan increases a great deal.

HVAC systems are extremely important in modern homes and buildings in order to ensure adequate heating and cooling. Not only are these systems very effective, but they are also energy efficient. However, HVAC systems can become problematic if they are not maintained properly. This lack of maintenance results in inefficiency and other problems, which may lead to the owner requiring a replacement after only a few years.

The best way to prevent this from happening is by getting regular maintenance checks for your HVAC system. When someone comes to repair your system, they will clean, examine, repair or replace some of the parts. While this may seem like you have to constantly spend money on new parts, it is not the case. Getting regular repairs ensures you will spend incremental amounts to keep the system running at 100 percent. This prevents the need for major repair or replacement costs every other year. Here are some benefits to hiring a Deerfield HVAC Contractor.

Costs:

While it may cost money to have a Deerfield HVAC Contractor look through your system and check it for problems, it provides short and long-term savings. One short term saving is through your electricity bill. If your system is not properly maintained, it will use more energy and cost you more money. With a simple repair job, the technician can identify what is causing the problem and correct the issue. In the long term, this prevents you from having to invest in a new system every time your current setup breaks down.

Efficiency:

As mentioned above, the increased efficiency of a maintained system means that your HVAC setup is using a lot less power to get to the same ideal temperature. For example, an efficient system will use 30 or 40 percent less resource to get to 75 degrees in the summer, as compared to an inefficient setup. Also, the regular maintenance keeps your home’s air quality at an optimal level.

Much Lower Risk of Emergencies:

By hiring a Deerfield HVAC Contractor, you ensure that you will never be in a situation where the system breaks down in the middle of the night or right before a holiday. In those cases, you could have to go a few hours or even a few days without any heating or cooling in your home. To avoid this situation, make sure a technician is looking at your system every few months.

Lifespan Increases:

A system that uses less resources and has all its parts working properly is going to last longer. These HVAC systems are built to last for many years. Homeowners who take care of their system can get ten or twenty years out of the same setup. In addition, they will always get the same optimal level of cooling, heating and air quality out of their HVAC unit many years down the road. These benefits make the small costs of repairs seem insignificant.

Warranty:

Your HVAC system will come with a multi-year warranty, which means you can get free check-ups during that time period.

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Common Furnace Problems and Repairs

Furnace repair Evanston helps customers get their home furnace running at an optimal level, which saves money and keeps their house warm all winter.

As soon as fall turns into winter, people start worrying about their furnaces. This is when most will call furnace repair Evanston companies in order to get their system in top shape. However, it is important to call for furnace repair more than one time a year. In fact, it is the regular maintenance of furnaces that keeps them running in a good way. Furnaces that are left sitting there for months without a checkup are going to develop problems, especially if you use them intensively all winter.

Here is a look at the most common problems with furnaces

1. Maintenance: If you get your maintenance done only once a year, it might not be enough. Ideally, it is best to get maintenance checkups before and after the winter is over. This way, your furnace is spending the spring and summer months off and in optimal condition. If you want to be even more conscientious about repairs, get three repair checks a year.
2. Filters: These are a massive problem for any furnace. If the air filters get dirty, they are going to clog up the furnace. This means it needs to use more energy in order to get air flow going properly, which increases inefficiency and might cause other damage later.
3. Excessive Use: Regular wear is normal for furnace systems, especially if you are using it for many hours every day during the winter months.

Tips and Advice on Repairs:

Along with contacting a furnace repair Evanston company, there is more you can do to keep your system running smoothly:

• Change the air filters every few weeks. It is also good to check these filters every week to make sure they are still in usable condition. Spending a few dollars on extra filters is nothing compared to the increase in your electricity bill if the system is inefficient. Also, newer air filters mean cleaner air throughout the home.
• Thermostat issues are also common. Sometimes you think you set a temperature, but the house is still too cold or warm. In this case, your thermostat’s battery might have run out, causing it to stop communicating properly with the furnace.
• Circuit Breakers are also a spot where problems occur. Sometimes if the furnace is running a lot, along with other intense appliances, you will trip a fuse in your home. This causes the system to shut off. It may appear as a furnace issue, but flipping the switch should set it back on.
• Inefficiency in your home’s insulation is going to cause the furnace to work very hard. Do not open windows during the winter, especially at night. If a room is too hot, lower the temperature on the thermostat. When you open a window, the furnace just has to work harder in order to keep your room at a certain temperature. In addition, check to see if there any major drafts through windows or doors throughout the house, because these can let in a lot of cold air.

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Importance of Furnace Repair

It is extremely important to ensure your furnace is regularly maintained, both by yourself and by a dedicated professional, in order to keep it running at optimal efficiency.

Furnaces are great to have in any type of home, but only if they are running at an optimal level. While everyone remembers to keep up with their central air conditioning system’s maintenance, a lot of people think that furnace’s do not require constant checkups. In fact, furnaces are machinery just like any other heating or cooling system. If you want it to properly heat the room and consume less resources, every part must be working correctly.

A proper furnace maintenance plan requires care from the owner, along with regular checks by a professional. Even if you are checking on your furnace every week to ensure nothing is wrong, it is a good idea to have a professional repair company’s technician look at it to make sure there is nothing to be concerned about. Professional repairmen can spot even the smallest problems within minutes, allowing you to deal with any repairs before they become major problems.
 

Usually the parts of a furnace need some care and occasional swapping. That is why carrier furnace repair is so important. Not only does this get your furnace running at top condition, but it also extends the life of this item. Instead of having to swap your furnace for a new model every few years, you can get a solid 10 or 15 years out of a properly maintained furnace. Here are some important elements in carrier furnace repair that will help your furnace a great deal:

Energy Savings:

The first thing that happens to an inefficient system is increased energy use. Even if your furnace is running a bit off, you will still want it to heat the room at the same level as before. This means the furnace has to work harder in order to achieve the same results. For example, the filter can cause a lot of problems if it is not regularly checked and replaced. When a lot of dust and dirt builds up in the filter, this prevents air from going into the unit properly. The lack of airflow means the system has to work harder in order to get airflow going. If you are having inefficiency issues, a carrier furnace repair technician can quickly spot these problems and recommend simple solutions.

Unnecessary Repairs:

While a lot of people think that getting repairs constantly means spending more money, that is a misconception. In fact, you are going to save a lot of money in the long run because you will not have to do any unnecessary large repairs in the future. For example, your furnace does not work optimally for one year but you never get it checked. Eventually it stops working and a technician tells you that a new furnace is your only option. That is thousands of dollars in costs.

In contrast, someone who got their furnace checked every two or three months would have the problem spotted immediately, which means minimal repairs that do not cost very much. In addition, the person who gets regular repairs also ends up saving money on their electricity bill, because the furnace is not using excessive resources.

Safety:

With any electrical or mechanical system, there is always the danger of a serious malfunction that causes safety concerns for your property and the people living in it. While spending extra money on a new furnace is a financial hassle, it is nothing compared to the costs of a burned down house or a family member put at risk because of a cracked heat exchanger. Do not put your family’s safety, or your home’s security, in jeopardy by constantly delaying furnace repairs.

Extended Life:

As we mentioned earlier, there is only one true way you can extend your furnace’s lifespan by a number of years – constant repairs by a trained professional. Even if you are extremely savvy about repairing such items, there are things you will miss, because you are not trained in dealing with furnaces and similar mechanical systems. The same way you regularly get your car checked by an auto mechanic, your furnace requires regular checks by a professional who knows what they are doing.

Furnace repair is the best way to ensure your setup is running smoothly, efficiently and safely.

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How Do HVAC Systems Work?

HVAC Systems work by using a split system to both cool and heat your home during the summer and winter months. These systems are also incredibly efficient with their energy usage.

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems, or HVAC, are the most commonly used method of heating and cooling buildings and homes. These systems are great because they provide an energy efficient and simple method to cool multiple rooms, instead of having to install heaters or air conditioners in each part of a house or office structure.

The systems combine the three elements of heating, cooling and ventilation to ensure year round service. If it gets too hot, turn on the central air. If it is too cold, the central heat warms up your house. If you simply want some fresh air flowing through your vents, turn on the fan without any heating or cooling capability.

Highland Park HVAC is the best way to ensure your home is cooled and heated appropriately, without breaking the bank. You might think that a few window air conditioners are cheaper, but the costs of those can add up quickly. If you have four rooms in the house, you probably need four air conditioners for the summer and four heaters for the winter. And how long will those systems last? Will you end up buying a new model every other year? These costs can get astronomical after a few years, which is why so many homeowners choose HVAC systems.

Not only are HVAC systems more efficient and cost-effective, but they also produce much lower sound levels than other appliances. The modern HVAC system is designed to cool and heat with minimal disruption. At most, you will hear a slight noise every time the system switches on to control your home’s temperature.
Even with a very efficient HVAC system, you must understand that most of your home’s electric bill will go towards heating and cooling. This is especially true if you are facing a very cold winter, because heating a home often costs more than cooling it down. In order to save costs, you can also try to better insulate your home, in addition to getting a Highland Park HVAC system.

Despite the electric bill costs of HVAC systems, it is going to use a lot less energy than multiple air conditioners or heaters. In addition, you have to keep manually turning those items on and off if you want to save money. With the HVAC system, you can set a temperature and let the system do its work. If you want it to cool and heat irrespective of cost, set your favorite temperature on the thermostat. If you want only a bit of heating or cooling in order to save money, set a higher or lower temperature, depending on the season!

Types of HVAC Systems :

There are two types of HVAC systems that work for most homeowners. There is the split system that most people choose to buy, and the packaged air conditioner HVAC system. With a packaged air conditioner system, the condensing unit is placed outside, along with the evaporator coil. Split systems keep the evaporator coil inside, but the condenser goes outside. Whether you go with the split system or the packaged air conditioner system really depends on how much space you have inside and outside your house.

Aside from the type of system, it is also important to consider the efficiency of the HVAC system. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on a system that is still costing you huge amounts with your electric bill. HVAC units are often given Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios. These ratios range from 13 to 23. The most efficient units get a high score, around 20 to 23. If the unit is poor at efficiency, the score is likely to range from 13 to 15. Mediocre units will score 16 to 19. If you are seriously concerned about monthly electric bill costs, go with a highly efficient system.

The great thing about HVAC systems is the constant strides made to increase efficiency. If you buy a system now, you can always get a new one in five or six years that uses a lot less power. With all that said, you need to consider what option is best for your home and location. Someone living in a largely temperate climate might not need a superbly efficient HVAC system, because they will not use it very often.

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How HVAC Systems Save Money

Despite cooling or heating the entire house, HVAC systems are very efficient in terms of energy use, which helps lower monthly electric bills.

Whether you are trying to cool down your house in the summer, or heat it up during a particularly cold spell, HVAC systems are the best way to manage this without breaking the bank. While these systems may seem complex in their nature, they are incredibly efficient and a lot more manageable than installing multiple ACs or heaters throughout your home.

 

Thanks to a reputable Northshore HVAC Contractor, you can get yourself the HVAC system that best suits your needs. Here is a look at some tips to help those who want a new system, or need assistance with saving money on their current setup:

1.       Buy a more efficient model for your home. If you are still using the same HVAC system from five or six years ago, it is hard to get much in the way of energy savings. However, newer systems are a lot more advanced and efficient, which means an immediate reduction on your bills during months of high heat or extreme cold. Make sure you get a product that is certified by Energy Star, because those are usually 50 percent more efficient than comparable models.

2.       It is imperative that you use a programmable thermostat with your HVAC system. Even the most efficient system will waste energy if you are manually shutting it on and off. With a thermostat, you can discover your ideal temperature for different months and leave it alone. Heating and cooling systems use most of the energy going from one extreme temperature to another. Incremental shifts are less energy consuming.

3.       Change your filters at least once a month, with every two weeks a better option. New filters do not cost very much money, but they make a huge difference to any HVAC system. They produce better air through the ducts and they make sure the system is running near 100 percent of its efficiency.
  
4.       When you install part of the HVAC system outside, make sure it is an area that has plenty of shade during the day. This is especially important in the summer, because you do not want the sun heating up your system or damaging any of its parts. Similarly, pick a spot where flying debris will not become an issue.

5.       Regularly clean your vents, because these can get clogged up fairly quickly. Sometimes we forget about these spaces, because they are either up high or tucked away behind furniture. If you have not checked you vents for six months, you will see a ton of hair, dust and other particles collected over time.

6.       Do not leave a vent closed accidentally, especially in the winter. Not only does this produce inefficiency by itself, but you might forget that you ever shut the vent and keep wondering why your room is not heating or cooling properly.

With all of these steps, along with assistance from a Northshore HVAC Contractor, you can make sure that your next HVAC system runs at its optimal performance for many years.