Heat exchangers in action

Simply put, the heat exchanger is the component of the furnace that separates heated air from combustion gases. In this way, heated air is delivered into the home, while the heat exchanger guides the noxious combustion gases out through the venting system.

A red-tagged furnace

A crack in the heat exchanger can pose a significant hazard to home occupants, which is why, by law, an expert is required to shut the furnace down if he detects this issue. In essence, this is what a red-tagged furnace means: The technician will disconnect the furnace, and place a cap on the fuel supply so the system can’t run. You must resolve the problem before the fuel can be turned back on. The “red tag” is a reference to the traditional practice of tying a red tag on a defective furnace to signal it shouldn’t be operated till it’s fixed.

Diagnosing a damaged heat exchanger is tricky business, and requires the help of an expertly trained HVAC technician. Because the heat exchanger is heated to high temperatures and cooled back down repeatedly throughout the day, it expands and contracts continuously. This action may eventually cause the heat exchanger to crack.

Solutions

With a red-tagged furnace, you have the option to:

• Replace the heat exchanger. This is ideal if it’s covered under warranty, and your furnace is relatively new.
• Replace the entire furnace. If replacing the heat exchanger isn’t covered by warranty and your furnace is old and/or inefficient, you’ll obtain a better return on investment by choosing a replacement.

Dealing with a red-tagged furnace? In Charleston, get expert help from Myatt & Bates Heating & Air.

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

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The program began in 1992 as a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The intent of the program was to encourage development of products that lowered energy consumption significantly, without compromising features and services that consumers demand. The goal was also to make products that meet Energy Star’s criteria easily identifiable. All three goals have been met, and then some.

Learn how homeowners benefit from choosing qualified products:

• By changing out equipment like lightbulbs, HVAC systems, electronics and other appliances that are Energy Star-qualified, homeowners can expect to save significant energy dollars, especially if they also follow tips for programming a thermostat and installation procedures provided by the Energy Star program or other reputable professionals.
• Consumers who purchase certain Energy Star-qualified systems can take advantage of federal tax incentives, manufacturers incentives and special promotions when they are available.
• Stringent testing must be performed before a product can earn the Energy Star designation, and manufacturers must provide evidence of their compliance with the guidelines for efficiency and features.
• Energy Star-qualified products are proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so choosing these products ensures a lower carbon footprint.
• The program now qualifies products in more than 60 categories, so you should be able to find a product to meet your needs. Product categories range from air conditioners and furnaces to clothes washers and dryers to computers and monitors to light fixtures and televisions. Just look for the familiar blue and white Energy Star logo, with the star located above the words “Energy Star.”

With the facts clearly showing the value of Energy Star-qualified products, there’s no better time to upgrade. For more information, contact Myatt & Bates Heating & Air. We provide superior services to homeowners in the Charleston area.

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

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that homeowners can save as much as 15 percent on heating costs by fine-tuning thermostat settings. The DOE recommends programming the thermostat’s setting back by at least 10 degrees, and as much as 15 degrees, for at least eight hours to reach the highest savings possible. How does that work out in a real-life situation? If the thermostat is normally set to 69 degrees, when you leave for work, set it back to 59 degrees.

The more often you can set the thermostat back, the more savings you’ll gain. Two setback periods per day is ideal, with one at night when your household is sleeping and one during the day (if the home is unoccupied). During those setback periods, the DOE also estimates that a savings of 1 percent can be realized for every 1 degree change in thermostat settings. Obviously, the lower you can set the thermostat, the better.

You may be wondering at this point, just how cold will my home be when I return from work or wake up? One of the perks of using a programmable thermostat is that you can largely bypass having to endure cold temperatures in the home while the furnace is working to heat it back up. Just program the thermostat to reach the preset temperature before you arrive home or wake up. In that way, you’ll relish the warmth of your comfortable home, while enjoying lower energy bills over the winter season. (The DOE’s guidelines are the same for summer savings; the process just works in reverse by raising the thermostat’s setting when you are away or sleeping.)

If you’d like more information about programmable thermostats, or would like one of our experts to assist you in choosing a device for your Charleston area home, just contact us at Myatt & Bates Heating & Air today.

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

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A new label

While Energy Star-qualified equipment has always outperformed equipment that merely meets the government’s minimum standards — often by as much as 30 percent — the onslaught of products that now qualify for the label has made it difficult for consumers to distinguish between products that merely qualify from those that go above and beyond the criteria. The new Most Efficient label will do just that: showcase only the highest-efficiency products available.

The Most Efficient label

When HVAC shopping, it’s useful to know how the criteria for the Most Efficient label break down, according to the type of equipment:

• Air conditioners – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) 18; minimum standards for the Energy Star label sit at SEER 14.5 and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) 12.
• Heat pumps – SEER 18 and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) 9.6; minimum standards for the Energy Star label remain at SEER 14.5/HSPF 8.2
• Furnaces – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) 97 percent; to qualify for the Energy Star label, the criteria begins at 90 percent AFUE.

Great savings can be obtained by consumers who choose equipment that bears that Energy Star Most Efficient label; however, one other factor distinguishes the latter label. Energy Star has established more stringent testing procedures in order to qualify for the label. Instead of manufacturers testing their own equipment, which the Energy Star label allowed, they must submit to third-party testing, ensuring uniform standards nationwide.

Find out how Energy Star’s Most Efficient label can be of use to you when you’re HVAC shopping. Contact Myatt & Bates Heating& Air for more information. We serve homeowners in the Charleston area.

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

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HVAC efficiency ratings

The federal government has outlined minimum standards for all HVAC equipment. Manufacturers are free to go above and beyond this number. At the minimum, equipment must meet these standards:

• Furnaces – 78 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
• Air conditioners – 13 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
• Heat pumps – 13 SEER and 7.7 Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)

What they mean

These standard ratings can help you compare equipment. As the efficiency ratings go up, so does the system’s performance capabilities and the homeowner’s energy savings. AFUE ratings are the easiest to understand, as it’s a basic percentage system. A 78 percent AFUE furnace uses 78 percent of the fuel consumed to generate heat for the home, while the remaining portion of the fuel is lost.

To understand SEER ratings, it’s helpful to know that the highest SEER rating is currently 26, while high-efficiency systems generally begin at SEER 16. HVAC efficiency ratings for heat pumps are a bit trickier, because even a small increase can make a significant difference in terms of energy costs. The highest HSPF ratings reach over 9.0.

When it comes time to upgrade your heating or cooling system, call the experts at Myatt & Bates Heating& Air. We’ve helped countless homeowners navigate HVAC efficiency ratings, and our services include superior installations as well as equipment sizing and load calculations. We serve homeowners in the Charleston area. Contact us today or visit our website for more information about equipment selection, air quality and more.

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

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As your forced-air furnace or heat pump generates heated air, the ductwork is designed to deliver that heated air through the supply registers, which are typically located in most rooms of a home. When problems such as blockages or leaks occur, utility bills can soar and rooms may be too hot or cold. Your heating system will then compensate for the air lost in the ducts, causing it to run longer cycles while consuming more energy. While higher energy costs and poor comfort are certainly motivating factors for resolving ductwork problems, so is a longer system life span. When the heating system runs longer cycles, it uses up its useful service hours more quickly.

Here’s a look at some of the ductwork problems that occur:

• A lack of insulation. If some of the ducts in your home run through a garage, attic, crawl space or basement, they require insulation to prevent conduction losses, a process where heated air in the ducts loses some of its energy to the cold air surrounding them. In the summer, the opposite occurs, with warm outside air diluting the cool air inside. Adding insulation to the ducts is an easy fix. Your contractor will install the proper R-value and type of insulation for use with your ducts.
• Leaky ducts. Ductwork typically consists of a series of tubes connected with small screws, mesh, mastic and/or metal tape. Over time, or due to poor installation, these connections can loosen or become damaged. Your contractor can pressure-test the ducts to assess how much leakage occurs, and remedy leaky joints by sealing them with the proper materials.
• Poor design or installation. Ducts that lead nowhere and an inadequate duct-return system are just two of the ductwork problems that occur from a poorly designed or installed system. Work with your contractor to assess the cost-benefits of resolving these problems.

For more information about resolving ductwork problems in your Charleston area home, please contact us at Myatt & Bates Heating & Air.

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

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]]> http://myattandbates.socialtract.com/2013/02/12/ductwork-problems/feed/ 0 http://myattandbates.socialtract.com/2013/02/07/lower-utility-bills/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lower-utility-bills http://myattandbates.socialtract.com/2013/02/07/lower-utility-bills/#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:00:33 +0000 Kenny Bates http://myattandbates.socialtract.com/?p=806 Read More >>

Homeowners looking to lower utility bills can choose from low-cost options that net small savings to large-scale projects that offer a bigger return on the investment. Consider these seven tips for advancing energy savings and decreasing utility bills:

• Upgrade insulation. Investing in insulation for the attic offers significant long-term benefits in terms of comfort and savings. When heat can move through the attic’s structure, the HVAC system must compensate for energy gains and losses, increasing energy consumption and operating costs.
• Use weatherstripping. When doors allow cold outside air to enter the home, you may notice a strong draft, which makes home occupants uncomfortable. Further, that blast of cold air lowers the home’s temperature, which causes your furnace to run a longer operating cycle, and consume more energy.
• Tend to light switches and outlets. Air leaks behind these switch plates compromise savings. Lower utility bills by installing foam gaskets behind them.
• Install a programmable thermostat to regulate home temperatures. Setting an operating schedule that matches the home’s occupancy reduces energy consumption, allowing you to limit the furnace’s operating cycles when the home is unoccupied or when occupants are sleeping.
• Choose Energy Star-rated appliances. When you upgrade water-heating equipment, HVAC systems or even lighting, selecting appliances that feature the Energy Star logo ensures access to higher-performing equipment, and lowers utility bills over the life span of the equipment.
• Save on water costs. Installing low-flow aerators on faucets and showerheads reduces the flow of water to energy-saving standards. As a result, you’ll use less hot water; this can reduce water-heating costs significantly over the long-term.
• Address losses from the water heater. Older water heaters lack sufficient insulation in the tank to prevent energy losses. Without proper insulation, heat is lost through the walls of the tank. Install an insulating blanket around the tank. If you upgrade the system, be sure to select a unit with sufficient levels of insulation around the tank.

If you’d like expert advice on effective ways to control utility bills, contact Myatt & Bates Heating & Air today! We’re happy to schedule a free home consultation at your convenience.  We serve homeowners in the Charleston area.

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

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How much sunlight is available to you? Is your house located in a shaded area? South Carolina receives a good amount of potential energy from the sun, but your specific location is important. For example, if your one-story home is shaded during the day by a taller building, that could be a problem.

How much will it cost? The cost of installation depends on your location, your home, the size of the system, and other factors. There are rebates and tax credits available to reduce cost, including a federal tax credit covering 30 percent of the overall cost. Many homeowners decide that the benefits make solar energy a sound investment, regardless of cost.

Where will the system be located? Consider roof orientation and condition. Optimally, the system will face due south. Identify landscape features that may shade the solar panels. Consider local weather conditions that may affect performance. Alternatively, the system can be mounted on the ground, on either a fixed or “tracking” mount that can follow the sun’s rays.

How big does the system need to be to meet your electricity needs? The correct size of your system is important in ensuring that your energy needs are met, especially for a stand-alone system that is not connected to the grid. You may want to survey past electrical bills to estimate your energy usage and become familiar with consumption trends. You can always add to your system in the future if you wish to increase your energy production.

Be aware of codes and regulations. Ensure that costs and responsibilities for building or electrical permits are addressed before installation begins. You may also need to submit your plan to a homeowners association for approval.

Finally, periodic inspections and preventative maintenance, performed by yourself or a professional, help to ensure a long-lasting and efficient system.

If you think solar installation is right for you, please contact the experts at Myatt & Bates Heating and Air today. We have plenty of experience with professional installation and service in the greater Charleston area, and can answer all of your questions about energy efficiency and home comfort.

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

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Why annual service calls are important
The money you spend on annual service calls for your mechanical systems will reap monetary benefits as well as give you peace of mind about the safety of your home heating and air conditioning systems. Below are just a few benefits of scheduling those annual service appointments.

1. Safety. A furnace that leaks natural gas or carbon monoxide will put the health and safety of your family at risk. Having your heating system checked once a year can reassure you that your furnace and ductwork are free from leaks. While your safety is the predominant concern, repairing leaks may prevent your system from developing major mechanical problems.

2. Energy savings. A clean furnace and air conditioning unit doesn’t have to work as hard as a unit clogged with dust and dirt. And a heating or cooling system that’s running efficiently uses less energy, saving you precious energy dollars. Using less energy is also good for the environment.

3. Your system will last longer. As a rule, a furnace or air conditioning system that gets regular maintenance will last longer than one that receives less frequent service calls.

If you’d like to schedule a service call for your heating or cooling system, please contact us at Myatt & Bates Heating and Air in Charleston. Our family-run company has been helping South Carolina residents with their heating and cooling needs for more than 40 years.

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

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Visual inspection
Inspect your whole house humidifier on a regular basis to make sure there are no leaks or drips in or around the unit. Check for mold growth and mineral deposit build-up.

Check the solenoid valve
Turn your furnace on, then turn the humidistat off for a few moments. Turn it back on and listen for a click, followed by the sound of water running through the tubing. The click indicates that the solenoid valve is operating properly.

Replace the water panel
The water panel, pad or filter should be changed at least once a year, or more often if you use hard water or keep your home particularly humid. Mineral buildup can clog the holes through which the water flows, making your humidifier much less effective.

Level the unit
If your humidifier is not level, the water in the distribution tray will drip unevenly onto the water panel, decreasing the efficiency of the system.

Clean the orifice
The orifice is located just below the solenoid valve toward the top of the plastic tubing. Its job is to regulate the flow of water to the distribution tray. If it’s clogged with mineral buildup, insert a thin needle into the hole to remove the buildup.

Season’s end maintenance
At the end of the humidifying season, close the damper and remove any mineral buildup on the system.

Maintenance kits 
Regular whole house humidifier maintenance is made easier with maintenance kits, available at most home improvement stores. These kits include extra water panels, feed tubes, orifices and a water distribution tray.

For more information about maintaining your whole house humidifier, or for help in determining what type of humidifier is right for your needs, please feel free to contact us at Myatt & Bates Heating and Air, serving the Charleston area with integrity.

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

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