Category: HVAC

Furnaces have a great importance in people’s homes, whether powered by electricity or gas.

If you want to know what type is right for you, you must take into account a few variables, including the size of your home, the required level of maintenance, the initial cost, the local fuel price and the eco-friendliness.

Using these criteria, we will highlight the differences between gas furnaces and electric furnaces, to help you make an informed choice.

Upfront costs

Electric furnaces are significally cheaper than gas furnaces ($500-1000 compared to $3500-4000). Installation is also less expensive.

 Cost difference in the long run

In this case, the operating costs of a gas furnace are 2.5 lower than of an electric model (this affirmation is based on the average prices for gas and power). Additionally, an electric furnace will cost you more if you have a bigger home.

Durability and maintenance

Modern gas furnaces are designed to last up to 25 year, but require periodic maintenance from an HVAC Denver CO company. On the other hand, an electric furnace will likely last longer and the maintenance is greatly reduced.

Eco-Friendliness

When it comes to this aspect, none of the two types of furnaces is perfect, so deciding which one is best for you should rely rather on their efficiency and other criteria presented above.

 

We all want a modern HVAC system, efficient enough to provide the thermal comfort we need, while reducing the bills. We are willing to invest in the most appropriate solution for our home, because we actually invest in our own comfort. But this is not all. In order to remain fully functional for a long time, we must maintain our HVAC system regularly. Maintenance by HVAC contractors Denver area is one of the most important steps, and it can make your system operate up to 20-30 years.

Besides the mandatory technical check-ups every two years, a duct cleaning is a recommended process to be performed periodically. Over the years, corrosion affects the proper functioning of the entire system. Residues reduce heat transfer from radiators as well as the overall efficiency of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. Therefore, you must consider cleaning the ducts every time you start using your system it for a longer time. By removing harmful waste streams and debris, you eliminate the main cause of corrosion. Additionally, by eliminating black mud (iron oxide) and limestone deposits, you improve the circulation of the thermal agent, and reduce fuel consumption as well as the noise caused by the operating system.

Cleaning out your furnace is an operation that can be performed by a Denver HVAC specialist as a part of the annual maintenance and will help you keep heating bills and repair bills low. If you have some basic skills, you can do the cleaning yourself, but if you are not sure about this, you should call a HVAC technician who can safely do it for you.

Before starting to clean out your furnace, you must turn off the gas and electricity to your furnace and open all access panels.

First, you need a vacuum cleaner and some of its attachments. With the vacuum brush on, clean dust and debris around the motor, inside the burner compartment, from other mechanical parts and from fan blades. For hard to reach areas, change the brush with the crevice tool. Be extra careful not to disconnect wires in the vacuuming process. Use a soft cloth, slightly damp, and wipe down your furnace. If you notice any loose terminals, use a screwdriver and tighten them.

Check the motor belt; if it is loose or if you see cracks, take it to the hardware store, find a match and replace it. Clean the ducts too, with a high-powered vacuum cleaner with filter that prevents dust from scattering throughout the house.

When you change the filters of your furnace, make sure to buy quality products, for a better efficiency.

 

 

The Environmental Protection Agency revealed that more than 40% of the energy used by people at home is destined for heating.  This is a huge percent and, as energy costs have risen, the demand for effective heating systems increased.

Due to the technologic advances, there are many energy-efficient heating systems, available today for personal or commercial use. When you choose such a system for your home, you must think about a few important aspects: the climate in your region (obviously, a cold climate requires a stronger heating system), how much of your house actually needs to be heated, what heating system would fit into the space you have available, what type of installation will be required, what fuel is available and how expensive will be to use it for heating your house.

The latest models of furnaces are among the best heating systems according to HVAC Denver CO professionals, with more than 90% efficiency range, if they are in good shape and properly maintained. They heat the air and redistribute it in the rooms, through a duct system. More than that, the ducts can also be used with air conditioning system and retrofitted to purify the air in your home.

Do not neglect the inspection and periodic maintenance of your heating system by an HVAC contractor Denver supplies. We all know that winter can be a tough season that requires many heating resources, and you surely want a system that works efficiently, in terms of costs and energy. Regular check-ups will also help you to avoid dealing with extensive damage of your heating system as well as with pollutant emissions, increasing its efficiency and lifespan.

Heating costs are also lower if the system works in optimal parameters. Please keep in mind the following additional recommendations:

1. If your heating system has a thermostat, adjust it to a temperature of 20 degrees instead of 23. The thermal comfort will not decrease significantly, but you will definitely reduce your energy bills, not to mention that the system will not be that solicited anymore.
2. Schedule maintenance work for your heating system prior to winter arrival, ensuring that it can provide you the thermal comfort you need even when it is very cold outside.
3. If the maintenance operations identify problems, make sure to repair them quickly; repairing is less costly than replacing.
4. Change the air filters after each season. Clean filters allow the air to flow properly throughout your house and purify it.

 

With the coming of the cold season, we will start using the heating function of our HVAC system. To make sure it works in optimal parameters, it is a good idea to do an inspection before winter. Detecting problems early is a benefit of preventative maintenance of HVAC systems. If a problem is left unresolved, it will turn bigger and the costs will rise, as well as the energy consumption.

The inspection should be done by a Denver furnace repair professional technician, but you can also make your own small verifications. You can check the filters and change them (typically four times a year) and test your system before winter and summer, to make sure everything is working properly.

There are lots of problems that can be prevented by inspecting your HVAC system regularly. Damage can be repaired promptly, outdated systems can be upgraded for better performance and energy conservation and you will save money on energy bills, while enjoying a better thermal comfort. Your system is more likely to function smoothly when properly cared for.

Remember, HVAC professionals are typically very busy during the hottest and coolest months of the year, so it is a good idea to call them sooner.

 

As the time passes, HVAC systems have undergone transformations, and today they are more complex and more present in our lives than ever. The presence of a HVAC system is a criterion for choosing a hotel or a house that we buy or build. We start from the premise that we need a pleasant environment and thermal comfort, wherever we are.

There are a few types of HVAC systems.

Split Systems

These are the classic systems, with indoor and outdoor units, composed by an air conditioner, furnaces, an evaporator coil or a fan, a thermostat or a control panel and other accessories such as humidifiers, purifiers etc.

Hybrid heat split systems

These are more advanced versions of the classic HVAC systems, providing better energy efficiency. They include a heat pump, furnaces, the evaporator coil, a duct system, options for adjusting the settings and optional accessories.

Duct-free split HVAC systems

These are great for buildings where a duct system cannot be installed. They are composed by a heat pump/  an air conditioner, a compact fan coil, tubing and wires that make the connection between the fan coil and the outdoor unit, the thermostat/ control panel and optional accessories.

Packaged HVAC systems

In these systems, the heat pump/ air conditioner and the evaporator coil exist in one unit, which makes them suitable for places where these components could not be installed separately. Acquire the help of a good HVAC contractor Denver has available.

 

For most people, air conditioning is indispensable these days, at home or at work. However, it is a well-known fact that air conditioning is neither the most environmentally friendly, nor health-friendly solution. This is why some sustainable alternatives have emerged lately.

These air coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, do not have the same power as air conditioners, because they do not work with Freon. However, their purpose is not to be like the air conditioners, but to provide a sustainable and healthy cooling alternative. They are designed to produce that pleasant cool breeze instead of unnaturally cold air.

Evaporative coolers are portable and can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are effective even when the windows are open or when they are used on a terrace, a balcony or in the garden. In other words, you can move them wherever you need them and enjoy the coolness.

How do evaporative coolers work?

The technology behind these air coolers works on the principle of heat absorption through water evaporation. The appliance absorbs fresh air from outside, in its special cooling filters that are soaked in water. There, the air is cooled by evaporation and then pushed by the fan into the environment.

Air coolers are environmentally friendly, require less maintenance and are more economical than air conditioners, however if your air conditioner quits working you should still have a Denver AC repair serviceman come out.

A heat pump is a mechanism that extracts heat from the ground, water or air, and then, with the help of an internal compressor, the refrigerant gets warmer at a higher temperature and then spreads the heat inside the home. In the summer, the cycle is reversed and the heat pump cools the house.

For instance, the refrigerator is a heat pump. It takes out the heat from its interior and eliminates it through the radiator installed behind it. The air conditioning is another common example of heat pump that removes the heat from the room, maintaining a constant temperature set by the user.

The heat pump is a good solution when it comes to combining cost savings and green heating solutions. This fully competent heating system requires only a small share of electricity, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and climate protection.

Heat pumps have unlimited applications, in residential, commercial and industrial sectors, and can serve homes, schools, factories, hospitals etc. They ensure the following:

• heating of buildings through radiators, ventilators, under floor and wall heating systems
• water heating for domestic use
• heating the water in a pool
• ventilation, dehumidification and fresh air intake, with heat recovery from the evacuated air
• cooling buildings via fan coils and floor, walls and ceiling systems.

Call on https://www.pasterkamp.com for all your HVAC needs, both at home and for your business.

If you have problems with the vents in your heating & cooling system, it will surely cost you some money, so you should take action as soon as you notice that something is wrong.

Symptoms of leaky vents include moisture around them, as well as water spots on the ceiling. This problem is caused by condensation and happens especially in the summer, when the air is very hot and meets the cold air ducts. If ducts are insufficiently insulated, or if the duct boot is not properly sealed, condensation is likely to appear and cause moisture that becomes visible on the walls and ceiling.

If you want to get rid of this problem, you should contact HVAC Denver CO professionals, as there may be multiple solutions, depending on particular factors. You may need to install more insulation in the attic, to prevent hot and humid air to enter the house. You may also need more duct insulation, or seal properly the duct boot to prevent air leaks in the vent.

Seams and connections in your ductwork must also be properly sealed, as they prevent condensation and also contribute to more comfort and energy savings.

Not least, make sure the ductwork is dry and free of mold and mildew.