Five feet below the surface here in northern Michigan, the Earth maintains a steady temperature of about 55 degrees all year long. Geothermal systems utilize loops of buried pipe to circulate heat transfer fluid from the heat pump through the ground. During summer, heat extracted from your home is transferred to the cooler Earth. In winter, latent heat is absorbed from the ground, intensified by the heat pump compressor, then transferred back into the home. Effective planning for geothermal depends upon the varying characteristics of each site.

Horizontal geothermal installations incorporate 500-foot closed loops of pipe laid in a horizontal orientation in 250-foot-long trenches. These are the least expensive installations, but require the most land for the loop field. While the size of the loop field depends upon the capacity of heating and cooling for the home, as a rule of thumb a horizontal loop field requires a footprint about three times the size of the house. The best average residential candidate for horizontal installation is a one-acre property free of boulders.

Vertical geothermal installations insert the pipe loops into the ground vertically, in holes at least 150 feet deep. This permits a smaller loop field footprint but necessitates extensive drilling. Though vertical loops can be installed almost anywhere and are suitable for sites with restricted space, land with thick bedrock near the surface may have higher installation costs due to the expense of drilling.

Soil conditions influence the efficiency of heat transfer from the buried loops. Dense soils such as clay transfer heat well. Loam mixtures have intermediate properties while loose, sandy soils are the least efficient and require the largest loop fields. Also, the wetter the soil of any type is from groundwater or other sources, the better it transfers heat.

Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing started serving Grand Traverse homeowners in 1980. For more advice on planning for geothermal at your residence, 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 geothermal systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• Seal and insulate ducts: Loose or poorly insulated ductwork can waste energy, causing an increase in your energy bill. An HVAC professional can inspecting and repairing your ductwork.
• Annual maintenance: Having your HVAC unit serviced annually will help to keep it running efficiently, saving you money. When your unit has worn parts, it has to work harder to keep your home comfortable, raising your energy costs.
• Install a better thermostat: Replacing your older thermostat with a new programmable thermostat will allow you to set your HVAC unit for the optimum performance. You can program the system to set the temperatures you need, when you need them.
• Change filters routinely: HVAC units filters can get clogged from dust and other airborne matter. When the filters are clogged, it makes the system work harder, raising your energy costs. Replacing your filters at least once every three months will keep your unit working effectively.
• Consider an upgrade: If you have an HVAC unit that’s at least 10 years old, consider upgrading to a new, more energy-efficient model.

Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing has been serving Grand Traverse County and the surrounding area for more than 30 years. Our technicians can assist you in learning more ways to promote energy savings in your home.

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

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

System Compatibility

First, distinguish the manufacturer and type of heating/cooling systems you have, including advanced features like dual-fuel heat pumps, variable-speed blowers, separate units and zoning systems. If you have multiple home-comfort systems, like a whole-house humidifier or a heat-recovery ventilator, you’ll want a thermostat that can interlink systems for full climate control. Speak with your heating and cooling professional for your best options.

Programming Functions

Practically all programmable thermostats permit four-event settings (or more) per 24 hours. The primary programming differences are day-to-day programming. For instance, if you have a busy household, you may want the seven-day model, which you may assign a different schedule for each day of the week. Other programs include the 5+2 model, which assigns one Monday-through-Friday program and one weekend program. The 5+1+1 model is the same as the 5+2, but you may assign separate programs for Saturday and Sunday.

Smart features

Programmable thermostats available today are a completely new generation of devices compared to a few years ago. You may access your home-comfort system via smartphone app, or through an Internet connection. You may receive system alerts warning you of malfunctions, like overheating, extreme temperature variances, power outage, system freeze-up (which can cause damage to the compressor) and simple things like reminders to change the filter. If your schedule changes, go online and change the settings. When linked with humidification systems, and/or ventilation systems, you can adjust humidity levels and airflow to correspond with weather changes.

Whether you just need a simple device or a full-featured Internet-capable device, contact Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing, and we’ll get you on track to personalized home comfort and savings. We have served residents of Grand Traverse County area since 1980.

Our goal is to help educate our customers 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.

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

The Components

Heat pumps condition your home by transporting heat. Most heat pumps are split systems, with an indoor and outdoor unit, both containing a heat exchanger and blower. The compressor sits between the units, and pumps refrigerant to the reversing valve. The reversing valve directs the refrigerant to either the evaporator or condenser (the heat exchangers), depending if the heat pump is in cooling or heating mode. Heat extraction and heat release occur at the heat exchangers, as the blowers pull air across them. The resulting conditioned air at the inside unit is circulated through the ductwork to your living space. The outdoor air is expelled. This process repeats, helping to maintain even temperatures throughout your home.

Maintenance And Care

When all the components are well-maintained, this process is extremely efficient for heating your home, providing as much as 300 percent more heat energy than is consumed. Heat pumps are comparable in efficiency to high-efficiency air conditioners for cooling your home. Follow these easy maintenance tips between service calls to keep your system running smoothly.

• Wipe clean the indoor heat exchanger. Dust and debris like to stick to it.
• Wipe the fan blades.
• Change your air filter as needed.
• For the outside unit, keep it clear of leaves, debris, ice, snow, and anything that may restrict airflow.
• Vacuum the air-supply registers, and keep them clear of obstructions (furniture, toys, drapes).
• Inspect your ducts for loose connections, leaks, and insulation in unconditioned areas. Seal leaks with mastic and mesh.
• Make sure you have a heat-pump thermostat (with dual-fuel features, if applicable).
• Schedule service with a heating and cooling professional twice a year. Consider a duct service, too. Efficient duct design is equally important to energy savings as heat pump efficiency.

Contact Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing for more details. We have served residents of Grand Traverse County and the surrounding counties since 1980.

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.

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

These seven steps will improve your indoor air quality:

• Schedule HVAC maintenance: If you schedule HVAC maintenance, the technician will address any problems that can cause allergies, such as condensation, dust build-up, or the efficiency of the unit. The colder it is in the house, the less likely mold and allergens are to spread.
• Add UV filters: UV filters kill and mutate contaminate cells in your HVAC system. This will prevent the contaminants from ever spreading and causing damage to the lungs.
• Install HEPA filters: A HEPA filter is the best kind of particle air filter. It can block nearly any-sized physical particles in the air. Replace filters every three months for maximum efficiency.
• Consider the use of air purifiers: An air purifier can collect dust and pet dander that your normal air filter misses. These air purification systems work well in high-traffic rooms and bedrooms to collect additional dust and contaminants.
• Change filters: Change your HVAC filters and the filters to your air conditioner and heating system at least every six months for additional filtration.
• Vacuum with filters: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap even more dust and dirt. Replace your vacuum filter about once a year for maximum benefit.
• Consider a dehumidifier: Mold spores love moist air. If you install a dehumidifier, you can reduce the spread of mold in your home. Place the dehumidifier in your ductwork, or use individual units in the bathrooms of your home.

For more information about improving your indoor air quality to reduce allergy symptoms, contact Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing.  We provide HVAC service for Traverse City and can help you choose the best products to reduce seasonal allergies.

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

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• Do your ducts have visible mold growth? Mold growing in ductwork usually means that water is leaking in somewhere, which means that two steps are required. First, the source of the leak must be found and stopped, otherwise mold will just grow back. Then the ducts should be thoroughly cleaned.
• Are your ducts infested with vermin? A variety of rodents and insects can make air ducts their home. Where there’s vermin, there’s animal waste, and this creates an unsanitary condition that should be eliminated.
• Can you see dust and debris buildup in your ducts? A visual inspection is often the best way to determine if your ducts need to be cleaned; just open a heating register and shine a flashlight inside. Dust and other particles can build up in ductwork over time, and at a certain point, these materials can start to come loose and be blown out into your air.
• Are you having trouble with furnace air flow? This issue can be caused by a number of problems, but ducts being blocked by debris is one of them. Another common cause is leaky or disconnected air ducts. In either case, having your ductwork inspected can determine the cause and solve the problem.
• Has there been recent construction in your house? Construction releases all sorts of fumes and particles into the air — sawdust, insulation fibers, drywall particles and paint fumes among them. Duct cleaning is a good idea if you are moving into a newly constructed home, or if you live in an older home that has had recent renovations.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about duct cleaning, contact Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing. We’ve been serving Grand Traverse County and the surrounding area for more than 30 years.

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

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• HVAC contractors must be licensed in the state of Michigan. An examination is required and three years’ experience is a prerequisite to take the exam. The contractor should provide you with a state contractor’s license number. Visit the State of Michigan ’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website to verify the license status of any prospective HVAC contractor.
• Ask the contractor to supply recent local references. Call the references and inquire if the installation and service was satisfactory and whether the job was completed on schedule.
• Expect an in-house evaluation. The contractor must spend adequate time appraising your specific needs to match the right heating/cooling system. This should include sizing calculations, a duct system inspection and an assessment of the condition of your home’s insulation and overall energy efficiency. If the contractor sidesteps these preliminaries, consider another contractor.
• Get all estimates in writing and use these to shop among contractors. Make sure you are comparing systems that are equal in capacity, energy efficiency and warranty.
• Check with state and local regulations to find out if a building permit is required for an HVAC system installation. If it is, ask the contractor if he intends to pull a permit. Contractors who balk at obtaining building permits often do so to avoid having their work reviewed by a building inspector.

Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing has been the local source for professional HVAC sales and service in Traverse City for more than 30 years. We’re ready to earn your confidence as your trusted heating/cooling contractor.

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

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

How They Work

Tankless water heaters eliminate standby heat loss — the energy that escapes from the tank while hot water sits inside — because they heat water on demand. When a hot water faucet is opened in the house, water flows through the tankless heating system and immediately out at the desired temperature.

• Flow rate: A single tankless heater can usually deliver about three and a half gallons of heated water per minute.
• Proximity: The hot water faucets closest to the tankless heater will receive their water first and cut down on the flow rate for appliances and faucets in the rest of the house.

How Many Do You Need

The number of tankless water heaters you need can vary depending on the size of the house, the number of people living in it and the efficiency of the appliances and amenities.

• What fuel type will you use? Gas tankless water heaters can provide a higher flow rate but can be more expensive to operate than electric.
• How old are your appliances? Older washers and faucets do not use hot water as efficiently and, therefore, you will need a higher flow rate.
• What is your peak demand? If you have a washer running at the same time that someone else is showering, that will stretch a single unit to its limits. It is convenient and efficient to have a separate unit for each of these hot water-intensive areas of the house.
• Do you have a remote bathroom or washroom? If so, you should look into a dedicated unit for these areas so that hot water is not used up by the rest of the house before it gets to them.

If you want to make sure you’re entire water heating system is set up to save you the most money on energy, contact us at Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing.

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

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

The carbon monoxide detectors are designed to monitor CO levels in your home. Leaks from faulty devices such as furnaces, water heaters and other gas appliances, can cause deadly fumes that can kill before you are able to smell them. The detectors come in a variety of styles such as:

• Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Metal oxide detectors
• Biomimetic detectors
• Battery-powered detectors
• Hard-wired detectors
• Plug-in style detectors

Selecting the right type of carbon monoxide detector involves considering the layout of your home and where your appliances and other gas units are located. Battery-operated and plug-in style detectors are less expensive than hard-wired detectors, but require regular maintenance to verify they’re working properly. Hard-wired detectors, while costing a little more, can be more dependable since they do not require as much maintenance.

Choosing the right detector is a matter of budget as well as how diligent you are in maintaining the equipment. You do not want the sensor failing to detect deadly gases because you have neglected to change the battery or keep the unit maintained.

You may also want to choose a combination detector, allowing you to limit the number of detectors in your home. This combines the carbon monoxide detectors with smoke detectors, allowing one unit to monitor any smoke or gas fumes in the home.

Most hard-wired detectors are metal-oxide units that cause the heated tin oxide inside the unit to react to the gas fumes, setting off the alarm. Biomimetic units are set off when the gel-coated sensors react to the gas fumes and are generally plug-in or battery-operated systems.

Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing serves the Grand Traverse County and five surrounding counties in Michigan. We can assist you in choosing the right type of detectors for your home. Contact us today for more information or help determining the best carbon monoxide detectors for your home.

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.

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

1. Insulate your water heater. A slip-over jacket or wrap-around blanket insulation reduces the largest waste of water heating–standby heat loss–by up to 45 percent. Follow the directions carefully, especially for gas-heated tanks. The flue at the top and the bottom drain shouldn’t be covered, and air flow to the burner shouldn’t be obstructed. For electric-heated tanks, insulate the entire tank.
2. Flush out the sediment buildup in your tank by draining it twice a year. Sediment hinders efficient heating, and over time it will damage the tank, reducing its lifespan. Turn off the electric or gas to the tank, as well as the inlet water pipe. Hook up a hose to the drain at the bottom of the tank. Extend the hose where it can safely expel the entire contents of the tank. Turn on the inlet pipe and continue to drain until the water runs clear.
3. Set the tank’s thermostat between 115 to 120 degrees. The Energy Savers program states that every two degrees the thermostat is lowered saves about one percent in energy costs. Many manufacturer settings are well over 130 degrees, which is hotter than it needs to be.
4. Insulate inlet and outlet pipes to the tank. Use a quality pipe wrap found at hardware stores. Insulating the pipes increases the temperature a few degrees and provides hot water more quickly at the faucet.
5. Install a timer to turn off the water heater during periods it’s not being used. Set it to turn the water heater back on about one hour before use, such as around the time of morning and evening showers.

Contact the experts at Team Bob’s Heating Cooling Plumbing if you need help with any of these steps. We’ve served residents of Grand Traverse County and the five surrounding counties since 1980.

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

Team Bob’s services Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!