"No Sweat" With Heating and Cooling Costs On The Rise

Most of your electric bill is likely to be blowing in the wind, literally. Depending on the climate you live in, up to 80% of your bill may be to pay for heating and cooling costs, and often times the expenses are higher than they should be due to inefficiencies. Especially true of houses built in the 1990's and earlier, leaky windows, door jambs, vents, and ducting can result in your thermostat trying to heat or cool the outdoors.

In several states, electricity prices were capped years ago. Now, in states like Pennsylvania, the cost cap on electricity is being lifted, and people are experiencing doubling or even tripling of monthly bills. Now is the time to reevaluate the weatherization of your home. If you have a heat pump, the rated efficiency of your system makes a big difference in your monthly bill. Older units with a low energy efficiency rating, for example a 10 SEER unit, may be costing more than they're worth. Replacing them with a 13 SEER unit might drop your electric bill by a hundreds or thousands of dollars on an annual basis.

Taking the time to caulk windows, insulate hot water pipes, blanket water heaters, and inspect & seal air conditioning duct work keeps the comfortable air in, and the uncomfortable air out.. If you live in a house with multiple heating and cooling zones, it becomes even more important to monitor your home's efficiency. I live in a reasonably large house with three separate zones, for example, and one of the three heat pumps went on the fritz a few weeks ago. When the outside unit (the compressor side of the system) was replaced, the cost was about $1500. I replaced a 10 SEER unit with a 13 SEER unit, but the inside unit (the air handler & coil) was still functioning okay, so I did not replace it. The end result is a system that functions at something less than 13 SEER (efficiency) but something better than 10 SEER. The result: my electric bill dropped $212 during the coldest month of the year. My $1500 investment will pay for itself in under 8 months.

Working with tangible numbers, it became painfully evident to me that my own bills have been higher than they should have been for years, prompting me to go on a weatherization crusade throughout the house. How is your electric bill these days? Realizing the savings, isn't it time to spend less money on inefficiency, or on heating and cooling the outside? Set your Congress-approved economic stimulus check aside and make it work for you by reducing your cost of living.

Here are some examples on how to keep more of what you earn by spending a little bit now. A new water heater blanket costs about $40. If it saves you just $5 per month, it pays for itself in eight months and continues to save $60 per year thereafter. New weather seals on doors and windows can cost $25 to purchase, but may save $15 per month by improving the air-tight characteristics of your home, for a $180 per year savings. Simply cleaning out your oven or drier vents and ensuring that the vent flaps close properly can save $10 or more per month. Replacing brittle, leaky duct work tape between adjoining sections in your attic, basement, or crawl space can cost $20 but save hundreds of dollars per year by reducing leakage. Insulating or lagging hot water pipes can keep your water hotter and costs lower, too.

Most of the little fixes discussed above are cheap to do. The problem is, they take time. If you schedule the morning to get the jobs done on a Saturday or Sunday, a few dedicated hours of work can make for a better cash flow for your household. If you qualify for low-income incentives, your particular state may even sponsor a program to do the work for you at no cost. Look up the keyword "weatherization" on your favorite search engine to learn more.

Learn more about heating and cooling and how to save money by visiting Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Suffering From Bad Air Quality, or Are You Just "Sick of Work"?

There's nothing worse than getting a cold or some other ailment, except when you get sick in the heat of spring and summer. Now you can add on allergies. You're already uncomfortable, but now you'll need to bundle up while the rest of your family turns down the thermostat to keep cool. Did you get sick from work or do you have a sore throat from poor air quality in your house? Well, you're a little sick because of work, but mostly sick from the poor air quality in your home. While you don't have much control about going to work and the germs and pollen you can pick up there, you can control the air quality in your house.

There are many ways to efficiently and inexpensively, in the long term, achieve good air quality and comfort within the confines of your home. The region where you live will determine what equipment will benefit you the most. The two or three pieces of equipment that will yield the best results are an electrostatic filter and an air conditioner. Air conditioners act as a whole-house dehumidifier or if you reside in an arid region then a humidifier would be better instead.

Very few homeowners have a dehumidifiers or humidifiers installed, yet most of us would benefit from their use. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air allowing the homeowner a much more comfortable atmosphere. Drier air feels cooler, so you don't need to keep the thermostat set quite as low, thus reducing your electric bill. Humidifiers, on the other hand, add moisture to an uncomfortably dry environment. Whether the home is in the arid deserts of Nevada, high altitude places like Denver, or the sticky delta region of Louisiana, the right unit will maintain a comfortable level of humidity for all.

An inexpensive electrostatic filter can be used in almost every single air conditioning system in use today. These filters are often good for a lifetime of use with minimal maintenance. The benefits of using an electrostatic filter are numerous. These filters trap airborne particulate matter, such as bacteria, pollen, dust, and so on because of the attraction to the electro-statically charged filter material. This translates to easier breathing and less irritants that cause us all to become ill. The only maintenance needed to ensure healthy breathing is periodically remove the filter, cleaning it with a mild detergent, hosing it off thoroughly, and allowing it to dry. Afterward reinstall the filter and breathe easier. Be especially sure that the entire filter unit is dry before you reinstall it, since the filter unit generates thousands of volts to charge and attract particles that pass through it. Installing a wet filter can be hazardous or deadly.

For the office, although you may have little control over your work environment, you can find inexpensive but effective portable air purifiers. Desktop and tabletop models are available if you are fortunate enough to have your own private office. If you work within a network of cubicles, a personal air purifier worn around your neck may be the better solution to keep the air clean in your "personal space." You'll feel better and be more productive if you can breathe better.

For more information and guidance about air conditioning and air quality visit Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Ignoring Your Water Heater and Furnace Can Cost You

Whether it's a plumber, carpenter, or HVAC technician, it can be extremely difficult to find a reliable and conscientious service company.  It's even a greater concern when something crucial such as your furnace or heat pump goes down in the winter time and you are at the mercy of whomever shows up.  Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising.  Ask friends and neighbors which companies are good and the first words heard will be, "Well, don't use ..."  By process of elimination the unreliable companies will be weeded out and the ones left standing are a good source from which to start.

Now the focus can turn to the two major systems that homeowners depend upon day in and day out with little thought to them, water heaters and furnaces or heat pumps.  Everyday people turn the handle to the hot water or flick the on switch for the heat and it just works.  Like magic hot water and hot air comes pouring from some unseen source of goodness until it breaks.  Then worry and frustration set in.  The key is to be proactive in your search for a responsible company before you are up against the wall.  If the homeowner already possesses the knowledge and skill to maintain this equipment this is a moot point, however for the large majority of homeowners, servicing these expensive pieces of equipment themselves is not an option.

As much use as compressors and furnaces get throughout the year, it is a wonder that they don't break more often.  Having the home's furnace or HVAC components inspected once per year will always pay off in the end.  Most of the time any potential problems can be determined and prevented by a simple and inexpensive service call.  Every HVAC technician will recommend that furnace and return filters be changed regularly.  Some will even be able to set up an automatic service call schedule so the customer doesn't need to trouble themselves.  Duct work should be checked and cleaned as well.  Duct cleaning is also a regular service that is highly under utilized and dirty duct work contributes to poor air quality in the home.  The average homeowner can change the air filters, but duct cleaning requires specialized equipment that is expensive and therefore more advantageous to let a professional handle the task.

Water heaters are probably the more frequently serviced or damaged appliance in the home. Water heaters are either powered by electric or gas.  Either one can be service by a plumber or HVAC technician.  The hardness of the water will dictate how often the water heater should be flushed out and anode rods replaced.  Only a physical inspection of these components can determine the next course of action.  If a homeowner is unfamiliar with these units, a service call to a professional is best.  The large majority of technician will be more than happy to answer all of the questions and even show the homeowner things that they can do in order to minimize future service calls.

Again the key to a worry free home is to maintain each component within in order to minimize expense and down time later.  It is this rule that most individuals don't heed that causes undue stress and unrealistic expectations of the "hero" technician.  A little time taken now will save a lot of time later and their time is your money.  Save it now.

For more information and guidance about energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs in your home or to request a free estimate, visit Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

HVAC Inspections

Make Sure the Heat and Air Conditioning Works When the Weather Turns Ugly

While winter is in full swing throughout the northern states, most major cities, such as Harrisburg, PA or smaller cities like York, PA, are able to effectively deal with the freezing temperatures due to larger maintenance budgets. Those families and the common man without "deep pockets" will most assuredly find it a greater challenge to make ends meet. One aspect of home and equipment maintenance which can not be overlooked is the HVAC system.

Whether the home is outfitted with baseboard heating, radiant heat or the traditional furnace, the equipment should be inspected annually. Hopefully the HVAC system was inspected before the bitter cold of winter arrived on the scene. The reason for this inspection is to help ensure that the heating will be working properly to maintain a moderate comfort level.

Nothing is worse than being stuck in a snowed in house when the furnace or other heat source fails. Interior temperatures can plummet. The two demographics which are at the greatest risk of sustaining serious injury or negative effects from the bitter cold are the elderly and the very young. Every year there are multiple reports of some elderly man or woman who has expired due to hypothermia or freezing. Those individuals with pre-existing health conditions are even more susceptible.

Different sources will cite a large varying of statistics regarding deaths attributed to cold temperatures. The New York Times, in a ten year old article, reported that there are more than 700 deaths every year due to cold weather temperatures. Other reports state that number as being in the thousands.

The point of this writing is not to instill fear, but merely to point out that in many of these cases exposure to the cold can be detrimental. It is also quite possible and realistic for a home owner to prevent this condition in the first place. Most, if not all heating and air conditioning service companies, provide maintenance contracts and residential inspection services with just this in mind.

The problem is most home owners do not anticipate any heating failure. When a furnace or heat pump does break down the home owner will usually expect that a HVAC service company will be able to come out and simply and quickly repair the equipment. The problem is that every part that may be faulty can not possibly be stocked by a heating and air conditioning company. There are simply too many components and models of furnaces and other heating equipment to accommodate. Some parts may need to be ordered. In this case the home owner will need to wait. In the meantime the individual will need to have a backup emergency plan or suffer the consequences.

To learn more about HVAC Inspections or to receive a free estimate, visit Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Gas Vs Electric...

Efficient Natural Gas is More Popular Than Electric Due to Costs and Comfort

Choosing which type of furnace and appliances would best suit a home can be a time consuming and confusing task. In order to choose whether a gas or an electric furnace should be selected, several questions should be answered. First and foremost is the question of whether natural gas is available. If it is not, the alternative of propane may be worth checking.

In most areas, there is no issue with acquiring natural gas. Natural gas furnaces are typically the most affordable choice, however in some regions, cost of gas has been on the rise. By checking with local natural gas distributors for average prices, a cost of use estimate based on family size and anticipated consumption would reveal important information to the decision process.

Even though gas furnaces and appliances are equipped with exhaust stacks or pipes which dispel harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide, natural gas (or propane) still has some aspect of an odor. Another consideration is maintenance. Gas furnaces should be professionally inspected on a yearly basis. An inspection for cracks, tiny holes, or leaks will ensure that carbon monoxide or gas leakage will not be an issue for the family or home.

Electric heating and appliances have pros and cons as well. A major benefit regarding electric is the reduced risk of carbon monoxide. Because there are no flames as with gas, electric is cleaner and typically safer. Costs, however, can be an issue in comparison. Rising electricity bills are prompting many homeowners to consider the switch from electric back to gas.

Square footage of the home, efficiency ratings, and warranty are all considerations when selecting a furnace. The government standard set in 1992 established a minimum efficiency rating for gas furnaces to be 78%. This means that a minimum of 78% of the gas is converted into heat. Many models of gas furnaces are currently running at 96% and higher. Energy star ratings for some makes and models have even been rated near 98%.

After the decision of which to use, natural gas or an electric furnace has been made, there are still many questions left. The price of the unit itself should not be the only major deciding factor for which model furnace to purchase. Consulting a competent installation professional will help to answer some of these important questions. To be sure that the furnace chosen for the home is the best option, consulting a reputable dealer is a must. The Better Business Bureau is a great first step in choosing a professional. Also be sure that the company chosen installs the models of furnaces researched, and that the company is licensed, bonded, and insured. The choice of furnace and often many appliances is an investment that can last over 20 years, so it is important to do your research before making a commitment to either.

For more information and guidance about Heating and Cooling, visit Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Taxing the Furnace, Boiler or Water Heater Can Increase the Likelihood of Equipment Failure

This has been an exceptionally cold winter season setting record low temperatures and taxing almost everyone's furnace, heat pump or water heater. This is particularly true in northern regions of the U.S. such as Pennsylvania. Sub-freezing temperatures can also have a disastrous effect on water pipes and water heaters, especially if the temperature is consistently freezing or below for a moderate length of time.

As the temperature of the water drops due to harsh freezing ground conditions, the water heater needs to work harder to heat the new incoming water. Should the water source be from a well, this can also introduce dirt and heavy minerals into the water heater, thereby greatly shortening the water heaters life span. Many home owners in northern states may not have an electric or gas water heater. Some may have a furnace, often referred to as a boiler depending upon the method of transferring heat throughout the home.

Older furnaces are not as efficient as newer equipment. One simple way to determine this is if the utility bills have slowly crept higher and higher over the past few years for the same quantity of fuel. If the home owner has not kept receipts of fuel or electric bills from years past to compare, a call to the electric company or fuel supplier may be able to give the home owner a monthly summary of past energy usage. A little basic math will probably be required to determine if the actual cost has increased.

Should the temperature inside the house become colder despite adjusting the thermostat, it may mean the furnace is failing. Because many homes use a furnace for supplying heat and hot water, should the hot water from the tap seem cooler than usual, a broken furnace may indeed be the culprit. Even though at its heart, a boiler is a simple machine, there is nothing simple about replacing one.

If the home owner decides to troubleshoot themselves, the thermostat will be the cheapest place to start. Replacing the thermostat with a newer digital thermostat will be a plus, whether the old one was faulty or not. Thermostats are not universal. A particular model which works on a single stage heat pump will not work for a furnace or boiler. The wiring diagrams can also be flawed due to a variety of possible configurations a home may have.

Although it may add to the cost, there is no substitute for a qualified service technician or company. If the heating equipment has failed, there probably will not be the luxury of time for shopping around for just the perfect solution. Safety and comfort need to be the priority. With the current economic status quo, some HVAC companies may extend payment plans to their customers. Whether this is the case or not, always exercise diligence when looking for a reputable company. Ask the neighbors for recommendations. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways of advertising, especially in smaller communities.

Learn more about furnaces, boilers and water heaters by visiting Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

HVAC Inspections...

Make Sure the Heat and Air Conditioning Works When the Weather Turns Ugly

While winter is in full swing throughout the northern states, most major cities, such as Harrisburg, PA or smaller cities like York, PA, are able to effectively deal with the freezing temperatures due to larger maintenance budgets. Those families and the common man without "deep pockets" will most assuredly find it a greater challenge to make ends meet. One aspect of home and equipment maintenance which can not be overlooked is the HVAC system.

Whether the home is outfitted with baseboard heating, radiant heat or the traditional furnace, the equipment should be inspected annually. Hopefully the HVAC system was inspected before the bitter cold of winter arrived on the scene. The reason for this inspection is to help ensure that the heating will be working properly to maintain a moderate comfort level.

Nothing is worse than being stuck in a snowed in house when the furnace or other heat source fails. Interior temperatures can plummet. The two demographics which are at the greatest risk of sustaining serious injury or negative effects from the bitter cold are the elderly and the very young. Every year there are multiple reports of some elderly man or woman who has expired due to hypothermia or freezing. Those individuals with pre-existing health conditions are even more susceptible.

Different sources will cite a large varying of statistics regarding deaths attributed to cold temperatures. The New York Times, in a ten year old article, reported that there are more than 700 deaths every year due to cold weather temperatures. Other reports state that number as being in the thousands.

The point of this writing is not to instill fear, but merely to point out that in many of these cases exposure to the cold can be detrimental. It is also quite possible and realistic for a home owner to prevent this condition in the first place. Most, if not all heating and air conditioning service companies, provide maintenance contracts and residential inspection services with just this in mind.

The problem is most home owners do not anticipate any heating failure. When a furnace or heat pump does break down the home owner will usually expect that a HVAC service company will be able to come out and simply and quickly repair the equipment. The problem is that every part that may be faulty can not possibly be stocked by a heating and air conditioning company. There are simply too many components and models of furnaces and other heating equipment to accommodate. Some parts may need to be ordered. In this case the home owner will need to wait. In the meantime the individual will need to have a backup emergency plan or suffer the consequences.

Learn more about HVAC services and receive a free quote by visiting Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.