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Ductless Heat Pumps

Jim — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:27:32 +0000

A popular option for homes with boiler or electric heat are Ductless heat pumps. These systems do not use ductwork to move condtioned air around a home. Individual modules or “cassettes” are connected to an outdoor unit with small copper lines and deliver heating or cooling to the space they are installed in. These units deliver conditioned air at very high efficiencies. They are quiet, programable, and easy to operate. www.daikinac.com . The most efficient units use inverter technology. This allows the outdoor unit (condenser) to vary its speed to match the load (amount of work to be done). Rather than cycling off and on as the indoor temperature varies, an inverter condenser continues to run at a lower speed when the load changes resulting in a more efficient and more comfortable air conditioner.

When do I choose replacement over repair for either my heating or cooling system?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:48:07 +0000

When do I choose replacement over repair for either my heating or cooling system?

Having your heating system serviced regularly will ensure it is running at peak efficiency. If one of the main parts of the natural gas furnace fails and it is costly to repair, you may be better off buying a new system, particularly if the furnace is older (i.e., has a pilot light). With a more efficient system, installation costs could be recovered within as little as three to five years.

Regular servicing of your air-conditioner could well extend its life. Again, if repairs are costly, upgrading to a newer, quieter, more energy efficient system may be the better answer and will save you money in the long run. Remember, though, that due to global concerns about ozone-depletion, chlorine-based refrigerants are being phased-out and will become less available in the future, so the cost to service an air-conditioner with such a refrigerant may rise dramatically. You might consider going to an air conditioner that has a more environmentally sound, energy efficient and cost saving refrigerant.

Several family members suffer from allergies. Can anything be done to have cleaner air in my home?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:47:43 +0000

Several family members suffer from allergies. Can anything be done to have cleaner air in my home?

Yes, there is a selection air cleaners on the market having varying degrees of proficiency, depending on the pollutant you wish to eliminate.

Useful Site: Bryant Air Cleaners

Are there real savings in having a high efficiency furnace installed?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:46:57 +0000

Are there real savings in having a high efficiency furnace installed?

Yes. The payback rate will depend on the amount of your heating bill. The higher the bill, the shorter the payback time; if gas costs increase, the payback time is also less. Your utility company may offer rebates for installing a high efficiency furnace, as may your heating contractor.

In the winter, my home is warm enough upstairs, but the basement stays cool. How can I remedy that?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:46:19 +0000

In the winter, my home is warm enough upstairs, but the basement stays cool. How can I remedy that?

Running your furnace fan in continuously will go a long way to evening out the temperature throughout your home. Make sure, too, that your basement has adequate air duct returns.

I am considering up-grading my old furnace. Should I automatically replace it with one that has the same heating capacity?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:45:57 +0000

I am considering up-grading my old furnace. Should I automatically replace it with one that has the same heating capacity?

No. having your new furnace correctly sized by an expert could help save costs. Some homes may have an over-sized furnace to begin with, or, if you have had any up-grades to your home that have raised insulation values, you may require a smaller furnace than before. And, don’t forget, today’s furnaces can be up to 40% more efficient than older ones.

How can I further economize a more efficient furnace?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:45:12 +0000

I realize I can save on gas costs by installing a more efficient furnace, but my concern is that if costs go up, as it appears likely they will, how can I further economize?

Furnaces use either direct current motors or alternating current motors. The direct drive motors use 60% less electricity than alternating current motors, resulting in electrical savings. You may want to check out the Terasen Gas rebates, where you may be able to get a rebate by installing a high efficiency furnace with a variable speed motor.

What is a heat pump?

Optimum Air — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:43:30 +0000

A heat pump is a reverse cycle air conditioner. In the heat pump mode the heat pump has the ability to move heat from the outside air to inside. In the cooling mode, the unit moves heat from inside to outside in the same way a conventional straight cool unit does. These are great units because you can use them to cool your home and, in reverse, to extract heat from the outside air (air as low as 30 F or 0 C) and use it to heat your home when required. Energy savings can be big.