Q. Should I Repair or Replace my current
hvac system?
A. While
many of the "costs" associated with
your current comfort system may be
intangible (reliability problems,
uneven temperatures, excessive
noise, lack of comfort, etc), some
homeowner's may focus more on the
hard costs associated with repair
vs. replacement. Here are some often
overlooked items to consider:
-
Furnaces lose approximately
1% of their efficiency for
every year of operation. So
if your 15 year old furnace
was 80% efficient when it
was installed, it may only
be 65% efficient now.
Furnaces over 15 - 20 years
old were typically only 65%
- 75% efficient when they
were installed.
- Most
air conditioners and heat
pumps installed before
January, 2006 cost up to 20%
more to operate than today's
LOWEST efficiency models.
Purchasing a higher
efficiency model can
generate even greater energy
savings.
- The
cost of repair today may not
be your only repair cost in
the near future. Often, as
comfort systems age, you'll
find yourself making
multiple repairs in a short
period of time to address
component failures. When
deciding whether to repair
or replace, use the cost to
FULLY RESTORE your comfort
system along with likely
future repairs, as your
basis for comparison, not
just the cost of today's
required repair.
Q. Does the contractor I choose
really make a difference?
A. According to
leading consumer and trade magazines, the US
Department of Energy, PSE and PUD, the
heating and cooling contractor you choose
does make a difference. The same equipment
can be installed in the same home by two
different contractors, and there can be a
difference in comfort, equipment efficiency,
and overall life.
Q. How should I choose a heating and cooling
contractor?
A. Look for
contractors that are N.A.T.E. certified, and
factory trained and certified. They should
do a “Manual J’ heat load analysis to
properly size any new equipment. Make sure
they are licensed, bonded and insured, and
ask for proof of this. Be sure they permit
all applicable work. Check their record with
the state Attorney General’s office, Better
Business Bureau and referral services like
“Angie’s List”. Lastly, seek referrals from
friends, family and neighbors with similar
values and needs. If they’ve been happy,
odds are that you’ll be happy.
Q. Do I really need a permit to install my
new comfort system?
A. Yes. Not only
are they required by law, but a permit also
allows for third-party inspection of your
new system. This ensures that your system
meets all local code requirements, and will
operate safely.
Q. How do I know what size unit our house
needs?
A. According to
The Department of Energy, Puget Sound
Energy, PUD and industry standards, the only
way to properly size a home heating or
cooling system is to complete a “Manual J”
heat load analysis. This takes into account
many factors such as size and structure of
the house, climate, air infiltration, the
number and type of windows installed,
insulation, appliances, and even the number
of people living in the house.
Q. What do equipment rating numbers mean?
A. The U.S.
government requires an efficiency rating of
all air conditioning and heating equipment.
The rating reflects the percentage of energy
used efficiently, with higher ratings
indicating higher-efficiency.
Q. What does AFUE stand for?
A. Gas heating
appliances are rated according to their
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency; the
higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient
the unit. The minimum rating for Energy Star
compliance is 90 AFUE. The highest
efficiency furnaces will exceed 95 AFUE.
Q. What is a SEER?
A. Air
conditioning equipment is rated by the
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER;
The higher the SEER rating, the more
efficient the unit. The minimum rating for
Energy Star compliance is 14 SEER. The
highest efficiency air conditioners can meet
or exceed 20 SEER.
Q. What does HSPF stand for?
A. Heat pump
equipment in the heating mode is rated by
the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, or
HSPF; the higher the HSPF rating, the more
efficient the unit. The minimum rating for
Energy Star compliance is 8.2 HSPF. The
highest efficiency heat pumps will meet or
exceed 9 HSPF.
Q. Should a thermostat be set to "auto" or
"on"?
A. If set to
"auto", the fan operates only when the
temperature requires it. This is the most
efficient setting. However, there are
advantages to using the "on" setting. Air is
constantly filtered through the unit's
filter, and the constantly circulating air
results in a more even temperature
throughout the house.
Q. Will a furnace run on propane?
A. Yes, using a
propane conversion kit.
Q. What is the operating cost comparison
between a gas and propane furnace?
A. Depending on
fuel prices, a gas furnace is about 40% less
expensive.
Q. Why is natural gas better than oil heat?
A. Gas is cleaner,
more efficient, and less expensive (up to
50%).
Q. What is the benefit of a multi-stage
furnace?
A. It warms more
gently, only using the higher stages when
needed.
Q. What is a "variable speed" blower fan?
A. Variable speed
"smart fans" are very quiet, and can alter
air flow based on the needs of your home,
creating more even temperatures and
increased comfort. They also allow for
constant airflow, providing increased
filtration of the air in your home with low
overall energy consumption.
Q. Are 80% furnaces more reliable than 90%
furnaces?
A. No. There have
been great strides made in increasing the
reliability of 90% furnaces. If you purchase
a quality furnace AND it is installed
properly, you shouldn’t see any real
difference between the life of an 80% and
90% furnace.
Q. Can I add Air Conditioning to my existing
home comfort system?
A. That depends on
the size of the blower fan in your existing
furnace, the capacity of your duct system,
and the cooling needs of your home. Our
consultants can inform you of your options,
along with the cost and benefits of each.
Q. How much electricity is needed to run an
air conditioner?
A. 220 volts. If
you do not have this service available, we
can arrange for an electrician to install
it.
Q. What is the difference between an Air
Conditioner and a Heat Pump?
A. Air
conditioners work by transferring heat from
inside your home to outside, effectively
lowering the indoor temperature. Heat pumps
work exactly the same way in the summer, but
in the winter they can reverse the
temperature exchange, providing one of the
most efficient forms of heat available.
Q. Do Heat Pumps heat well?
A. Heat pumps heat
more gently and evenly than furnaces, so if
you’re used to a blast of hot air from your
vents, you’ll have to get used to the new
type of heat. They are, however, one of the
most efficient forms of heat available, and
work best when you set them to maintain a
constant indoor temperature.
Q. Can I heat my home with just a Heat Pump?
A. No. Heat pumps
gradually lose efficiency as the temperature
drops. They typically need some help to heat
your home when the outdoor temperature drops
below about 35-degrees. This can be from a
gas furnace (hybrid system), or an electric
furnace or air handler.
Q. I turned my thermostat to cool, but my
home won’t cool down. What’s wrong?
A. Locate your
outdoor AC unit (see our products page if
you’re unsure what it looks like), and check
to make sure that it is running when your
thermostat calls for cooling. If it is not
running, or if it is running but is not
cooling your home, turn it off at the
thermostat and have it inspected by a
qualified technician immediately.
Q. Where should I set my thermostat for
central AC in the summer?
A. Generally, you
should set your thermostat where you feel
comfortable. But we recommend keeping your
thermostat at 73-degress or higher in the
summer. Lowering your thermostat below 73
can cause your indoor coil to freeze up,
leaving you stuck without any AC until it
thaws!
Q. Will a tankless water heater give me
instant hot water?
A. No; while
tankless water heaters only heat water when
you need it, that water still takes time to
travel through your home. When properly
sized and installed, a tankless water heater
will provide endless hot water, so cold
showers will be a thing of the past. They
can also save energy costs by eliminating
the need to heat stored water.
Q.
How much will
a new comfort system cost?
A. That depends on the type
of system you want, the size of the system
required, and the condition of the work
area, ductwork and other factors affecting
the installation. We can give you an exact
price after a consultation with one of our
Consultants.
Q. Can I buy a comfort system from you and
install it myself?
A. No. Ballard
Natural Gas stands behind every comfort
system we sell. We can’t do that if you
install it.
Q. If I buy a comfort system somewhere else,
will you install it?
A.
No. Ballard Natural Gas stands behind every
comfort system we install. We can’t do that
without the support of the manufacturer, and
a clear history of the equipment we are
installing.
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