Your heating and cooling system affects the amount of moisture in the air, which contributes to mold growth, as well as creating heat for warmth without causing fire or combustion. In addition, improperly installed HVAC systems may cost 30 percent more in energy bills each year due to excessive, unnecessary running. No family should have to bear the burden of paying more or compromising their health because of shoddy workmanship.

Fortunately, there are companies that take industry standards seriously. You’ll know these companies because they will provide NATE certified technicians to work on the HVAC system in your home. NATE certification stands for North American Technicians Excellence; these industry professionals are the cream of the crop. They are certified with the highest accolade you can have in the field. NATE certification is achieved through hours of rigorous testing to make sure they understand the HVAC field inside and out. They are familiar with most models of heating and air conditioning systems, so they are the most qualified to answer questions, install units, make repairs and inspect for efficiency.

Halverson Brothers Heating & Plumbing recognizes the importance of NATE certification. All technicians on staff are NATE certified, so you know that your HVAC unit will be installed properly and repaired correctly. It will have fewer maintenance issues over a longer HVAC life span. Contact ustoday for more information about NATE certification or HVAC questions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about NATE certification and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!      

Troubleshooting Your Furnace

When a problem with your system arises, here’s the proper order to assess your unit:

1. Thermostat Settings: The first thing to verify with your system is that the thermostat is set on “Heat” mode. Once that’s complete, you will next want to assess the temperature setting of the thermostat. Ensure the temperature is higher than the current temperature inside your home. Under these circumstances, your furnace should be operating. If not, proceed to the next step.
2. Confirm Power is Enabled: Using the thermostat once again, set the fan switch to the “On” position. This is done solely to check that the system is receiving power. If no fan activity starts, you will next need to check the circuit breaker switch and ensure the power to your home is fully enabled as well. The SSU switch – typically located at the furnace itself – is the next item to check. Make sure it is set to “On.”
3. Potential Filter Issues: A dirty air filter can be responsible for a surprising amount of issues; replace one-inch filters monthly and most other filters should be replaced at least every two months. When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Check Airflow: Confirm that all supply air registers and return air grilles are not being obstructed by furnishing, drapes or other objects.

It’s important to note that while the preceding steps can be undertaken yourself, should you feel uncomfortable or require any further guidance, do not hesitate to contact a licensed professional.

Halverson Brothers Plumbing & Heating is committed to assisting you with your HVAC needs. Contact us today to speak with an expert.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace issues and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!      

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Use these tips for saving energy to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient:

• Block Out Drafts
  Use weatherstripping around the perimeter of your doors and windows to help keep warm air in and cold air out (or the opposite in the summer). Clear plastic insulation on your windows has a similar effect.
• Convert To Fluorescent Light Bulbs
  With winter coming soon, the days are getting shorter and you will be using light bulbs more and more. Fluorescent bulbs may cost more but they use much less energy and can last up to five years.  The savings they create more than make up for the increased upfront cost.
• Close and Clear Vents
  In rooms that are frequently unoccupied, close the vents so that you aren’t paying to keep an empty room comfortable.  Also, move any furniture or window drapes or curtains that may be impeding the air coming from your supply vents.
• Limit Use Of Bathroom Exhaust Fans
  These fans can suck the hot air out of your house in less than an hour if left running.  Turn them off as soon as you leave the room.
• Take Advantage Of The Sun
  During the day, keep your windows’ drapes or curtains open so that sunlight can heat your home. Close them when it gets dark to help keep the heat in.
• Schedule Preventive Maintenance
  This is the most effective way to get the most from your HVAC system. Parts get cleaned and inspected for damage to prevent unexpected breakdowns once you start using your HVAC equipment more. Now, before winter hits, is the ideal time to have your maintenance performed.

To learn about more tips for saving energy, contact Halverson Bros. Inc.today. These tips will not just save you money, they will keep you warm and help you get the most life out of your HVAC system. We have proudly served the Chippewa Valley since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about tips and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!      

Geothermal heating and cooling is by far the most efficient comfort system in existence. It outperforms conventional heating and cooling by about 72 percent, and can be 350 percent more efficient than air-source heating. Even when the ground is covered in snow, ground source heating can be up to 600 percent efficient.

That’s how much energy is stored right beneath your feet. Doesn’t it make sense to use it?

Geothermal systems make use of piping installed underground. Given enough yard space, the pipes are laid horizontally, but you won’t lose performance if they must be installed vertically due to limited space. They can also be installed in a body of water, if you have a pond or lake nearby.

Think of the earth as a big, rechargeable battery. The pipes collect the earth’s energy and use it to heat your home. They can also cool your home by transferring your indoor heat energy back into the earth.

Here are a few ways you could benefit from geothermal heating:

• Energy savings. With such high efficiency ratings, you won’t find a comfort system that saves more energy.
• Less environmental impact. Because they can create at least five units of energy for every single unit they consume, they create less pollution.
• Long life spans. The underground pipes come with a life span of about 50 years. The indoor components can last 25.
• Safety. Geothermal heating doesn’t generate dangerous combustion fumes, like carbon monoxide.
• Tax incentives. The federal government offers federal tax credits for energy efficiency, and you may be eligible for other rebates that make the investment more practical.

The initial cost of installing geothermal heating can be high, but with tax incentives and energy savings, some homeowners see returns in two to 10 years. Call Halverson Brothersif you have questions about high-efficiency comfort options, such as ground or air-source heat pumps. We’ll be happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about geothermal heating and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!      

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Warm air naturally rises in buildings, leaving you with inconsistent temperatures throughout your home. Most buildings experience cooler basements or first floors and warmer upper levels. These temperature variations in your home simply cannot be controlled by a single thermostat on the main level. This is because the thermostat only records the temperature at a single location. It maintains the correct temperature nearby, while neglecting the remainder of your home. Zoning systems cure the problem by measuring and adjusting temperatures in multiple rooms or zones. These systems also use less energy for heating and cooling, saving you money at the same time.

Zoning systems work by using a multi-thermostat system to measure and distribute conditioned air to the different parts of your home as directed.  These systems can be installed in any home, and are proven effective to reduce energy bills, especially if there are parts of your home you don’t often use. Zoning systems work best in homes with multiple levels, a large footprint, big open areas (such as rooms with vaulted ceilings), additions, finished basements/attics, and/or large glass windows. They are also ideal for climates with variable temperatures, and households that typically argue over a comfortable temperature setting.

Not only will a zoning system increase your household’s comfort level.  Zoning systems bring increased peace of mind with decreased energy bills and a smaller impact on the environment. You can feel at ease knowing that your heating and cooling system is energy efficient; homeowners typically save up to 30 percent on energy costs.

If you’re interested in switching to a zoning system for you home’s heating and cooling needs, contact a professional contractor today. Halverson Brothers is your leading service provider for home plumbing and heating needs in Western Wisconsin. Please contact uswith questions or to set up an appointment for your project.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!      

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Your home comfort technician will inspect all the likely areas where waste can happen. The most common – and biggest – energy wasters are leaks in the duct system. These can also be the most difficult for the homeowner to find on their own, since they may be occurring below the floorboards or behind the walls of your home. Your contractor will use his experience, as well as specialized diagnostic equipment, to locate leaks, inadequate insulation and any other issues.

When the home energy audit is completed, your contractor can give you a list of prioritized recommendations to make your home more energy efficient and get those utility bills as low as possible. By upgrading your home to correct energy loss you could save anywhere from 5 to 30 percent on your utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Some energy-saving tasks, such as sealing drafts around windows or electrical outlets with caulk or weatherstripping, you may want to handle on your own. Your HVAC contractor can take care of many of the more complex energy-efficiency upgrades.

Have questions about home energy efficiency? Contact the pros at Halverson Brothers Plumbing & Heatingfor expert advice. We’d be glad to schedule an energy evaluation for your home with one of our experienced technicians. In addition, we offer complete HVAC and plumbing services. Visit our website to learn more or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!      

In the first case, you can end up losing a good portion of the conditioned air through duct leaks. Since much of the heated or cooled air never reaches its intended destination, your system must work harder to keep your home comfortable. In some cases, it may not be able to meet your family’s needs, and yet your utility bills will continually rise from all the wasted energy.

If bad ductwork design or improper installation is the problem, your duct system may become blocked due to twisted or collapsed duct connections that route the conditioned air inefficiently. Another common design flaw is lack of return ducts to balance the airflow in your home, as Energy Savers mentions. This in turn makes the system work harder and leads to the same problems of wasted energy and money with poor performance. Many homeowners have a combination of both issues – leaks and bad design.

Finding solutions

Thankfully, these duct issues can be addressed by a qualified HVAC contractor. A professional duct inspection will reveal any problems. Leaks can be fixed and further leakage reduced to a minimum with duct sealing. Design issues may call for a bit of retrofitting to correct or re-route part of the duct system and add returns if needed. Once this work in completed, you will have added years to the useful life of your home comfort system and you’ll start saving money on utility bills right away.

Questions about duct work? Talk to the experts at Halverson Brothers for advice. We’d be happy to schedule a duct inspection and make recommendations to get your system into top shape. Visit our websitefor more information or just pick up the phone.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!      

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

To keep your heat pump with its reverse-cycling heat transfer technology functioning the way it should is a little more complicated than maintaining a standard home-comfort system. If the pump is not operating properly, it could switch too often to auxiliary heating, for example, and wipe out the considerable energy savings you’ve been enjoying.

So it’s crucial to get professional maintenance once a year to keep your pump in top shape. In return for this, you will get many years of comfort from your equipment. Your annual service call should include:

• Inspection of the entire system, including blower and filter as well as indoor evaporator and condenser coil for excessive dust or blockages.
• Cleaning coils.
• Replacing filter.
• Checking for duct leaks.
• Testing airflow and comparing the temperature of air going in and coming out.
• Measuring refrigerant pressure and checking for leaks.
• Examining electrical connections, cleaning terminals and applying non-conductive coating as needed.
• Oiling motors.
• Checking belt tension and looking for indications of excessive wear.
• Testing electric control to be sure heating and cooling cannot operate at the same time.
• Calibrating the thermostat.
• Checking the outdoor compressor.
• Testing the defrost cycle.
• Inspect and clean condensate drain.

Between preventive maintenance visits, homeowners should change the filter and keep the outdoor portion of the system free of debris to maintain air flow. Indoors, make sure air registers aren’t obstructed by carpets, furniture or draperies.

If you have any questions about heat pumps, talk to the experts at Halverson Brothers Inc. Plumbing & Heating. Visit our website for more information or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!      

To help you find these answers, the ACEEE has provided a handy chart for determining the return on investment you can expect from your furnace upgrade. First determine the efficiency rating (called the AFUE) of your existing furnace. Then get an estimate for a new system and installation, as well as an idea of the new model’s efficiency rating.

The AFUE, or the annual fuel utilization efficiency rating, is an excellent comparison tool among new models and when contracting new and old. It is the ratio of heat generated by a boiler or furnace compared to the total energy input. An AFUE of 80 percent means that 20 percent is wasted, escaping up the chimney. Heat lost through ducts or piping is not included – and this amount can be big – if your duct system is not sealed and designed well.

Now, just locate the old and new system’s AFUE values on the ACEEE chart and note your savings per $100 of fuel. Multiply your annual fuel usage in hundreds of dollars by that savings per $100 amount. (For example, if your annual heating energy bill is $1500, multiply by 15.) This figure should then be divided by the installed cost of the new system to get your return on investment percentage.

For guidance on when to repair and when to replace your furnace or which model to choose, contact the experts at Halverson Brothers Inc. Plumbing & Heating. Visit our website to learn more about the latest heating products and services or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about upgrading your furnace and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!      

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

About Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell or taste; this is why it is so dangerous. If even a small amount of the gas accumulates in your home, it can kill. Any type of appliance or home-comfort system that burns fuel can leak and cause a problem. With doors and windows tightly closed in cold weather, disaster can strike.

In the beginning, symptoms of CO poisoning can be mistakenly written off as the flu. Early signs such as itchy eyes, nausea, headaches, and dizziness are often ignored. To protect your loved ones from this danger, make sure you install CO alarms right away. If you already have them in place, be sure to test them on a regular basis.

Installation

• If you’ve only got one carbon-monoxide alarm, place it outside but close to the bedrooms and other areas where you sleep, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
• Install detectors on each floor and in every bedroom of the home for the highest level of protection.
• Make sure CO detectors are not placed closer than 5 yards from heaters, ovens and cook tops, since these appliances can emit a tiny amount of carbon monoxide when first turned on. Keep alarms away from humid spots such as the bathroom.

An experienced HVAC contractor can help make your home safer by checking that your home is sufficiently ventilated, repairing leaks in duct work, and testing your heating and cooling equipment to be sure it’s functioning properly and safely.

Please contact the experts at Halverson Brothers Plumbing & Heatingif you have any questions about carbon-monoxide dangers or if you need guidance about CO detectors. Visit our website for information or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Halverson Bros, Inc services the Chippewa Valley in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!