It pays (literally) to think about long-term savings and efficiency when selecting your next air conditioner, furnace, heat pump or water heater. Purchasing higher-efficiency units allows you to get more out of each fuel dollar you spend, save money on your monthly utility bills and decrease your carbon footprint. Here are the ratings you’ll find on new HVAC products and what they mean to you:

• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures the full-season average thermal efficiency of heating equipment, i.e. your gas- or oil-fired furnace or boiler and water heater. AFUE is calculated from the amount of heat provided to your home compared to the amount of fuel needed to supply the heating system. The U.S. Department of Energy requires that all furnaces meet a minimum AFUE of 78 percent. This means the heater may waste or lose up to 22 percent of the energy it takes in. Much higher efficiency products are available, however.
• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the measurement that helps you compare air conditioner cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficiently the A/C unit uses power. Cooling systems in the U.S. must have a minimum 13 SEER. A higher-SEER air conditioning system or heat pump (cooling mode) means a more efficient unit with lower monthly operating costs.
• The HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is the most common measure of heat pump heating-mode efficiency. It represents the unit’s heating output over an average season divided by the amount of energy (fuel) consumed by the pump. A higher number means greater efficiency.

Questions about upgrading HVAC equipment? Just contact the Home Comfort Experts. We’re happy to explain your options. Please visit our website for details or just give us a call. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

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.

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Here are some great mold prevention tips to prevent fungi from growing in your home:

1. Clean up water leaks immediately, including spills, and signs of high humidity, such as condensation or moisture on windows or pipes. Avoid condensation by venting combustion appliances that generate moisture (stoves, clothes dryers, heaters, exhaust fans, etc.) to the outside and not into the attic. You’ll prevent mold from getting a start.
2. Find and fix the source of any leaks right away. Inspect likely areas in the home regularly for leaks or water accumulation. Look under sinks, in basements, under the clothes washer and dishwasher, etc. Inspect, clean and repair roof gutters often, especially after storms. Make sure ground around your home’s foundation slopes away from the house to prevent water from collecting.
3. Maintain air conditioning equipment. Replace air filters monthly or whenever dirty. They can help trap mold spores circulating in the home’s air supply. Contact an HVAC contractor to inspect the system and perform preventive maintenance upkeep tasks regularly, making sure drain pans and lines are clean and unblocked.
4. Consider adding air purification equipment to your home comfort system to help clean any mold spores from the air you breathe at home and from within your air conditioning system. Many of the latest systems include UV lighting to inhibit mold growth, while filtration helps prevent the spread of spores.
5. Monitor and control indoor humidity. Keep humidity between 30 and 50 percent. Use your air conditioning system as necessary and, if you don’t already have one, consider adding a whole-house humidity control system. Use exhaust fans or open up the windows when showering, cooking, using the dishwasher or washing. Insulate cold water pipes.

Need more mold prevention tips? Contact the Home Comfort Experts. Serving the Mishawaka and South Bend areas, we’re happy to use our years of experience to help you. Visit our website for details 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.

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Today’s well-insulated homes are great on the energy-efficiency front, but they also have the tendency to trap stale, contaminated air inside.

Harmful bacteria and viruses along with lung irritants such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander may also build up on the inner components of your home comfort system. The buildup can cause your system’s performance to suffer and energy bills to increase. Your system’s useful life may even be cut short. How can you tell if your home would benefit from duct cleaning? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is mold growing in your duct system? According to the EPA, duct cleaning is in order if there is significant visible fungi growth inside ductwork or on other internal parts of your HVAC system. They recommend professional testing to verify that suspected material is mold.
2. Have your ducts become infested with vermin, mouse droppings or insects?
3. Is your ductwork lined with debris and releasing it into your home through supply registers?
4. Is it time to have your air conditioning and heating system cleaned? The EPA recommends that combustion heating systems, stoves or fireplaces be inspected annually to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Preventive maintenance such as cleaning internal parts should be included. Consider having duct cleaning done at the same time for best results.
5. Does your local HVAC professional recommend it? Your heating and cooling contractor can advise you after an inspection of the system. Be sure to ask questions to be sure your contractor is knowledgeable and experienced. He/she should use the latest HEPA duct cleaning technology with excellent filtration capabilities and have a procedure for safely disposing of buildup after it’s removed from the duct system.

To learn more about advanced HEPA-AIRE duct cleaning, contact the Home Comfort Experts. Visit our website to learn more or just pick up the phone. Serving the Mishawaka and South Bend areas, we’re always 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 other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Many are also concerned about protecting the environment by limiting energy waste. If this sounds familiar, try these seven tips to boost home energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort:

1. Install a programmable thermostat. Program it to a lower winter temperature (or program it higher in summer) while you’re at work or sleeping. You could save up to 3 percent on your energy bills for each degree of setback, according to federal EPA studies.
2. Insulate attic and ceilings. Uninsulated areas above your living space allow energy and money to literally go through the roof as heat rises in winter. In summer, insulation helps keep the cool air in.
3. Let the sun in during wintertime. Open curtains and allow the sun to warm your home. Close draperies at night to keep the heat inside. In summer, do the opposite to protect your home’s interior from the sun’s heat, so your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard.
4. Schedule annual preventive maintenance services with your heating and air conditioning contractor. Your technician will inspect and clean the system, test electrical connections and more. Replace or clean air filters yourself between professional visits to maximize air flow, increase HVAC equipment efficiency and improve indoor air quality.
5. Install space- and energy-saving tankless water heaters. They can save you big money long term by heating water instantly upon demand. Standard tank models use excess energy keeping stored water hot. Plan to install more than one tankless unit to accommodate simultaneous areas of water use in your home.
6. Add zoning capability to your home and direct heat or cool air only to room(s) you’re using.
7. Use ceiling fans. In summer they create breezes, making you feel cooler, even without additional A/C. In winter, run fans slowly in reverse to recirculate warmed air that’s risen to the ceiling. Your furnace won’t need to work so hard.

Questions about home energy efficiency? Talk to the Home Comfort Experts. Visit our website to learn more or give us a call. We serve homeowners in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.

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.

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Manufacturing new air conditioning equipment to run on R-22 (Freon) has been prohibited since early 2010. If you’ve purchased your A/C in the last two years, it probably runs on R-410a, which is more environmentally friendly. R-410a is the new standard refrigerant, and you shouldn’t have to worry about shortages or price hikes. However, if your system is older, it probably runs on Freon.

Freon changes mean that production of new R-22 is only allowed for servicing existing equipment. Freon can also be recycled or reclaimed. However, production of all new, fresh R-22 will be prohibited by 2020. In order to meet the deadlines, the industry is massively scaling back Freon production. Some producers also ration the amount they distribute. As you probably know, when supply for any material goes down but demand remains constant, the price goes up.

Refrigerant isn’t something your system goes through, or that needs to be replaced every season. However, if equipment springs leaks, the R-22 will need to be refilled. From now on, Freon changes make it unlikely for pricing to drop. Availability may also become an issue, so we suggest having your R-22 system serviced early in the season. As supplies are rationed, we may see waiting lists develop for R-22 top-offs.

How much could it cost if you need a Freon refill? While it’s uncertain how much prices are going to rise, 2011 saw prices in the $80 to $90 per pound range. An average A/C contains roughly 5 pounds of refrigerant. You may want to consider upgrading to a system that operates on R-410a. While Freon availability is going down, R-410a is more plentiful. You’ll find it better for both your wallet and the environment.

If you have questions about Freon changes and how they could affect you, call Home Comfort Experts. We’re proud to serve homeowners in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

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

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Energy loss on this level can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. Duct sealing can put a plug in these leaks, stopping your comfort (not to mention your money) from going down the drain.

How do you know if you need duct sealing? A few classic symptoms include abnormally high utility bills, hot or cold pockets throughout the house, flex ducts that are kinked or crushed and ducts that are in exposed spaces such as the attic, basement, crawl space or garage. If you think duct sealing could save you money, here are a few tips:

• To seal leaks and fortify disconnected joints, use duct mastic. It’s sold in tubs or simple tubes like those used to dispense caulk. It’s usually goopey on application, but hardens to form a solid seal. If the joint is truly disconnected, first apply the mastic to the inside of the“sleeve” duct. Slide the smaller duct into place and apply another line of mastic on the overlapping seam.
• Use mastic for leaks around the plenum, the area where the ductwork leaves the HVAC system. A good tactic is just to apply mastic around all seams and possible leak locations.
• For flex ducts, make sure they are supported with hanging metal straps every five feet. Otherwise, the ducts can sag, causing kinks and disconnected joints.
• Straighten out any kinks in flex ducts, and use aluminum tape to cover any rips.
• Last but not least, make sure ducts running through areas that don’t receive conditioned air are sufficiently insulated, so you don’t lose energy right through the sheet metal.

If you have questions about duct sealing or would like a professional touch to get the job done right the first time, call Home Comfort Experts. We’re proud to serve homeowners in a broad swath of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.

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.

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1. Use your air conditioning – Your air conditioner filters your air supply and helps eliminate excess moisture that can cause allergy-inducing mildew or mold. If the humidity in your house rises above 50 percent with the A/C running, your system might not be the correct size or capacity for your home. Consult your local HVAC expert for advice.
2. Replace/clean air filters – A clogged filter in your heating and cooling system won’t effectively trap lung irritants or keep your indoor air clean as it should.
3. Consider a whole-house air purification system – When integrated with your air conditioning and heating system, air purifiers are designed to eliminate many contaminants from the air, such as dust particles, pollen, pet dander and other allergy triggers, to improve indoor air quality. Most systems also remove a large proportion of viruses, bacteria, mold spores and chemical emissions. Your home will smell fresher, too, as stale odors and cooking smells are quickly dissipated. Some air cleaners employ UV germicidal lights as a component to destroy even more harmful substances before they’re circulated through your home.
4. Eliminate mold – Fungi can be a problem in any damp, warm, area with little ventilation, such as below sinks or in the shower area. Clean the kitchen and bathroom weekly and make sure exhaust fans are working properly.
5. Get rid of any insects, rodents and dust mites – Their droppings are strong allergens and can turn up in mattresses, upholstery or carpet, under sinks (where there’s moisture) and in the kitchen (where there may be food crumbs). All these substances can accumulate in your air duct system, too. Consider professional duct cleaning and sealing to eliminate the buildup, prevent future problems and increase energy efficiency.

Questions about indoor air quality? Contact Home Comfort Experts. Serving the Mishawaka and South Bend areas, we’re happy to help. Please visit our website 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.

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1. Turn down the temperature. Factory settings can be as high as 140 degrees. You don’t need to keep the temperature so high, so adjusting downward to 120 or even 115 degrees should be more than hot enough for your household needs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for every 10 degrees you reduce the temperature, you can save from 3 to 5 percent on your utility bill.
2. Insulate the jacket and pipes. Heat is constantly escaping directly through the tank and pipes of storage tank systems. Many local hardware stores sell insulating “sleeves” or “jackets” designed specifically for water heaters. You can install a thick layer of insulation around the tank and all of the accessible pipes, but be sure not to cover the thermostat. If you have a gas- or oil-fired system, you’ll also want to leave the top, bottom and burner compartment uncovered.
3. Drain the storage tank. At least once a season, empty the contents of your water heater into a nearby drain, or by using buckets. This gets rid of any sediment that has built up in the system, which can impede performance by reducing heat transfer and clogging things up.
4. Use less water. Simple, right? Make sure your faucets and pipes aren’t leaking. Use low-flow faucets and shower heads that are non-aerating. Take short showers instead of baths. You might use 25 gallons of water on one bath, but under 10 for a five-minute shower.
5. Get a new water heater. While most systems are good for at least 10 to 15 years, they do drop in performance over time. Also, newer models are designed to be more efficient than older versions, so if you’ve had yours for at least seven years, it may be time for an upgrade.

Contact Home Comfort Experts if you’re having water heater issues. We’re happy to help Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan homeowners get the best bang for their energy bucks.

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.

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• Selection. Most homeowners do not have the expertise to select the very best heating and cooling equipment for their situation. While efficiency ratings can help guide you toward energy-saving equipment, choosing the ideal system for your home involves a lot more than checking that rating. Choosing a low-quality brand, for instance, can result in higher long-term costs as repair bills stack up. Other selection factors your local HVAC contractor can help you with: the type of system that’s best for your home (heat pump or furnace?); strategies for dealing with hard-to-heat rooms (ductless mini-split or radiant floor heat?); and making your new equipment part of a larger energy-savings plan.
• Sizing and installation. For your HVAC equipment to operate efficiently once it’s installed, you should first have it sized to match your home’s heating and cooling load. This requires the help of an expert, who will take into account factors such as your home’s total heat gain and insulation levels. Further, many local contractors will decline to install equipment purchased online, because they cannot vouch for its quality. Ultimately, poor sizing and installation hinder savings down the line, so don’t eliminate the middleman during this portion of the upgrade process.
• Warranty. A warranty can make or break your experience when buying HVAC equipment. Most reputable manufacturers will not warranty any equipment purchased online, because they can’t affirm the quality of equipment purchased from unauthorized dealers.

When buying HVAC equipment, the middleman is essential. Without expert help, you could end up with improperly selected and sized equipment, leading to higher costs down the line.

Buying HVAC equipment? Get professional help, and use a local expert. Doing so will ensure that you get the best equipment possible, with high-quality installation service to maximize your investment. For help, contact Home Comfort Experts. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

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.

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Ductwork design is therefore a critical factor in making comfort and savings possible. When planning a ductwork system for your newly constructed home, or if you’re considering a retrofit, these five ductwork design factors will help ensure a solid delivery system:

• To minimize conduction — the process by which ducts lose energy from the conditioned air inside them to the colder or hotter air outside the ducts — be sure to install most of the ducts within conditioned spaces of your home, or those spaces that are heated and cooled.
• For larger or multiple-story homes, ducts often deliver a higher level of performance when two duct systems are installed. In multi-level homes, for instance, the upper levels incur more heat gain during summer and are generally cooler during winter. Having separate ductwork for upper floors will help produce an ideal temperature and save energy.
• When planning supply-duct runs, be sure to locate supply-air registers alongside the interior walls of your home, which will decrease the length of the duct run and ensure consistent temperatures from the point where your HVAC equipment conditions the air to delivery through the supply registers.
• Supply outlets should not be located close to any exhaust fans in kitchens or bathrooms, as these fans will draw heated or cooled air from the supply outlets before it can reach your home.
• Insist on high-quality air sealing and installation to reduce the risk of air leaks. Additionally, make sure your contractor uses high-efficiency insulation specifically designed for ductwork around any portions of the duct system that must be located in unconditioned areas of your home, such as the basement or attic.

Make your ductwork design a high priority during the planning stage. Doing so will help guarantee a comfortable, energy-efficient home. For assistance, contact Home Comfort Experts. With headquarters in South Bend, we serve homeowners in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

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.

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