But first, you need to be aware of four installation considerations that will affect the performance of your new high-efficiency A/C system:

• Proper airflow – If working properly, your forced-air A/C system’s overall airflow can result in energy savings of approximately 10 percent. If your home’s ducts are too small or the layout is restrictive, proper airflow will not occur. Other elements to be on the lookout for are a mismatched air handler and blocked grilles or registers, which also can negatively affect performance.

• Refrigerant charge – The unfortunate reality is that the majority of systems are either overcharged or undercharged with refrigerant. The proper refrigerant charge can depend on both the design of your home and what type of system is being used (fixed orifice flow control versus thermal expansion valve). Be sure to work with your contractor to obtain the proper charge.

• Tight ducts – If leaks occur in your system’s supply ducts, performance of your high-efficiency A/C will be compromised, resulting in a decrease in cooling capacity of as much as 35 percent. To prevent this, the ducts in your Denver Metro area home must be tightly connected and sealed. But don’t forget that duct insulation is important to ensure efficiency, as well.

• Correct size – It’s a simple fact that many A/C units are oversized. The theory is that this can prevent unnecessary service calls derived from inefficient cooling during the warmer months. The problem with this idea is that oversized units will negatively affect your unit’s performance, resulting in greater energy usage, more wear and tear on A/C parts, and unbalanced cooling. To prevent this, discuss your concerns with the HVAC professional, who will advise you of your home’s specific sizing needs.

For more professional advice concerning the installation of a high-efficiency A/C, or for any other home comfort inquiries, please contact the friendly professionals at Coffman and Companies. We serve the HVAC needs of the Greater Denver Metro area. Call us at 303-366-1112.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Denver, Colorado area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about high efficiency A/C installations and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Ask your builder or contractor to engineer the home so that it meets Energy Star standards. This federal program has developed guidelines for insulation levels and air infiltration rates. Qualifying for the coveted Energy Star often requires a blower door test before certifying that the home meets these high-efficiency standards.

HVAC contractors use a protocol called Manual J that calculates the size of the heat pump your home will need based on the home’s size and a variety of other factors including insulation levels, window efficiency, and air infiltration rates. A high-efficiency home won’t need as large a system since the heating and cooling load will be lower. The next step is designing the ductwork system for high-efficiency performance using Manual D.

Another benefit of working with the contractor or builder on the heat pump in your new home is that you can select the efficiency and features that you want. Heat pumps carry separate efficiency ratings for cooling and heating – respectively, the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and HSPF (heating season performance factor). The minimum standards for heat pumps sold in the United States are SEER 13 and HSPF 7.7.

These are a few of upgraded features to consider for the heat pump itself:

• Desuperheater. Our summers are warm to hot, and a desuperheater takes the waste heat from the heat pump’s cooling process, and uses it to heat your water three times more efficiently than a standard water heater.
• Scroll compressor. These extract more heat in the winter and provide 10 to 15 degree warmer air than a heat pump with a piston compressor.

Coffman and Companies can help you find the right the heat pump for your new home. Please contact us at 303-366-1112 or visit our website. We provide quality HVAC services in the Denver Metro area.

• Tighten electrical connections.
• Lubricate moving parts to prevent friction.
• Check the blower assembly and belts for wear.
• Test the system controls to ensure your air conditioner cycles properly.
• Clean and adjust the thermostat for accuracy.
• Check operating temperatures and pressures.
• Check the refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. If the level is low, check the system for leaks and repair them.
• Check the voltage and amperage on the motor.
• Clean the outdoor condensing unit.
• Check the ducts for damage and loose joints.
• Flush the condensate drain to prevent standing water.
• Inspect the start and run capacitors and relays.
• Check for optimum air flow.

It’s important to continue to maintain your air conditioner after your tuneup. Here are the essential DIY maintenance tasks that will keep your system humming efficiently during the air conditioning season:

• Check your air filter monthly and change it when it’s dirty. A clean filter ensures optimum air flow and prevents overheating and damage from dust buildup.
• Hose down your outdoor unit regularly to remove dust and dirt.
• Keep your outdoor unit free of debris such as grass clippings and weeds.
• Maintain the area around your indoor unit to prevent dust from building up inside your system.
• Make sure your supply and return registers are free of obstructions such as furniture and drapes, which can decrease the air flow and hamper your system’s efficiency.

For more expert advice about air conditioner maintenance, or to schedule a tuneup, please contact us at Coffman and Companies (303-366-1112). We serve the Denver Metro area with a high level of customer satisfaction.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Denver, Colorado area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioner maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Your kitchen contains some natural pollutants due to the use of appliances. Gas stoves, for instance, can emit nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas caused by combustion. Poorly vented or unvented gas stoves create a risk of releasing high levels of nitrogen dioxide. Exposure can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as respiratory issues such as bronchitis. Bathrooms are by nature full of dampness, which can cause mold. Properly vented bathrooms reduce this risk. Plumbing should be maintained to avoid leaks.

Probably low on your list of rooms with hazards to your optimal air quality are your living room and bedrooms. However they pose some hidden dangers that you need to protect against. The good news is that most of the irritants in these rooms can be controlled with a little housekeeping. Cleaning air vents throughout your house reduces pollutants in the air. Every home has allergy-inducing dust mites that breed in carpets, upholstery, furniture and even stuffed toys. But there are ways to reduce their numbers:

• Bed linens should be washed regularly.
• Dust with a damp cloth
• Vacuum carpets weekly
• During the summer, control humidity indoors with a dehumidifier. Use a portable model for rooms or areas with higher humidity than the rest of the house.

Your basement is one of the most susceptible rooms when it comes to optimal air quality issues. Due to the damp nature of the basement, it is prone to mold, which can cause respiratory issues. Probably the most dangerous air quality issue is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Heating and cooling units that are defective can produce this deadly gas. Keep to annual maintenance schedules for your heating and cooling appliance. Always have a HVAC certified specialist perform any repairs or installations.

For professional and knowledgeable advice about HVAC and plumbing issues, please contact us at Coffman and Companies (303-366-1112).

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

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Test the pressure-relief valve: Every storage tank water heater should have its pressure-relief valve checked once a year. While your water heater may seem like it’s working fine, doing this check each year can help you save money by extending the life of your water heater. To test the pressure-relief valve, first test the valve itself to see if it releases water when you lift it. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to replace the valve. Valves can be easily replaced (and are inexpensive, being readily available at hardware and home improvement stores).

Release water heater pressure: After testing the pressure-relief valve, another water heater maintenance tip is removing the build-up of pressure in your water heater. To do this, first close the shutoff valves that supplies cold water to your water heater. After shutting off the cold water valve, next turn on the hot water at any of the faucets in your home. This will help release the pressure inside your tank.

Drain your water heater: Another critical water heater maintenance tip is to drain your hot water heater to remove the build-up of sediment. Depending on where you live in the Greater Denver area (and where that area gets its water), the amount of sediment in tap water can diminish the tank’s life span. By draining 2-3 gallons, you’ll be able to adequately flush out all of this sediment. As it drains, look at the water for murkiness, and keep draining until it runs clear.

For more expert advice on the basics of maintaining a water heater, or any other issues related to comfort in the home, please contact us at Coffman and Companies (303-366-1112). We’ve been serving the Denver Metro Area since 1972.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Denver, Colorado area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water heater maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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For gradual buildup of dust in your ductwork, inspection and cleaning every few years by a reputable HVAC contractor should be adequate. As part of this process, your technician should clean the blower fan and motor and other parts that might have a dust buildup. Keeping these parts clean will extend the life of your HVAC equipment and reduce your monthly utility bills.

If your HVAC contractor finds problems more serious than a mild dust buildup, such as leaking ducts or mold, you may face more expensive repairs to get your system into good running order. Any source of moisture that encourages mold growth should be found and eliminated. Duct seams and joints should be sealed with metal tape or mastic sealant and mechanically secured with screws or clamps.

Leaks in your duct system not only waste energy and make it difficult to get sufficient conditioned air to the rooms that need it; they can pose safety and health hazards for your family. Leaking ducts that run through your garage, basement or utility room could suck harmful combustion fumes or radon gas into your duct system and distribute them throughout your home.

Unfortunately, the duct cleaning business is a magnet for unscrupulous operators who will do shoddy work or encourage you to make unnecessary repairs. Always work with an HVAC contractor with ties to your area, who has references that you can check. Here in the Denver Metro area, you can rely on Coffman and Companies for all of your heating and air conditioning needs, we will refer you to a duct cleaning company. Call us at 303-366-1112 to speak with one our duct system experts.

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

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Dedication and knowledge at its best

The NATE (North American Technician Excellence) program is a nonprofit industry organization with one primary goal: to produce technicians who represent the very best that the industry has to offer.

Technicians who have gone through NATE training and certification must be dedicated to their craft in order to succeed. The certifications are not passed out willy-nilly. Designed to ensure comprehensive knowledge of the HVAC industry, testing for NATE certification is rigorous and includes training in chosen specialties. This means that no matter what issue your heating or cooling equipment is experiencing, you can be secure that the issue is addressed expertly and competently with a NATE-certified technician. And with recertification required every five years, your technician’s knowledge will always be current.

Top-notch service is guaranteed

A big part of NATE certification focuses on providing customers with exemplary service the first time and every time. Not only does this make customers more comfortable when discussing a problem, it ensures that the work is completed without the need of a follow-up call.

If you would like further information about NATE certification, or for questions regarding home comfort, please contact our experts at Coffman and Companies (303-366-1112). We serve the HVAC needs of the Denver Metro area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Denver, Colorado area 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.

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1. Remove your shoes before entering your home. Your shoes pick up all sorts of allergens outside, including pollen, mold spores and gaseous irritants, and then distribute them throughout your home.
2. Replace your kitchen sponges at least once a week. Sponges can be laden with bacteria – more than 100,000 per square inch. If you’re concerned about waste, use washable rags instead, but be sure to wash them regularly in hot water.
3. Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to kill dust mites. Dust mite skins and droppings are highly allergenic, and your bed can be home to as many as 10 million dust mites at any given time. While your bedding is in the wash, vacuum your mattress thoroughly to remove as much dust mite debris as possible.
4. Reduce your household chemical use. Chemicals in cleaners can aggravate allergies and cause a number of respiratory problems. Opt for “green” cleaners that are chemical-free.
5. Reduce your clutter. Clutter, such as knickknacks and piles of clothes or magazines, collects dust and makes cleaning more difficult.
6. Dust without chemicals. Microfiber dusting cloths will pick up dust rather than move it around, and they can be washed and reused.
7. Check your HVAC system’s air filter every month and replace it when it’s dirty. Your air filter traps particles in your air such as mold spores, pollen, dust and dander to prevent particulate buildup on your system. Choose a good quality filter to help stave off allergy attacks.

For more expert advice about improving your indoor air quality, please contact us at Coffman and Companies at 303-366-1112. We serve the Denver Metro area with a high level of customer satisfaction.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Denver, Colorado area 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.

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For energy efficiency’s sake, it’s important to make your home sealed and airtight. One of the few downsides to this is that your indoor air quality can suffer, since your indoor air will get stale without some way to freshen it. The good news is that you can take steps to control the air quality in your home. Adding a whole-house air cleaner will improve the air in your Denver area home, making it a healthier environment for you and your family.

If any member of your family suffers from asthma, COPD or airborne allergies, or is sensitive to dust and other particles in the air, adding an air cleaner to your HVAC system is a must. There are many types of air cleaners available, including models with UV protection and hospital-quality air filtration.

Benefits of a whole-house air cleaner include:

• It replaces the stale air inside your home with fresh, clean air from outside.
• Air filters in a whole-house air cleaner are much more effective than the standard filters installed in a furnace or air conditioner. True HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters capture 99.97 percent of airborne particles greater than 0.3 microns.
• A system equipped with ultraviolet lights can neutralize and eliminate many bacteria, viruses, fungus and mold spores.
• High-efficiency filtration traps pollen, dust particles and pollutants that can aggravate allergies or worsen the symptoms of asthma. This makes your home’s air as clean and sterile as possible.

If you have any questions about the benefits of a whole-house air cleaner, or to schedule an appointment for a quote, please contact Coffman and Companies at 303-366-1112. We proudly serve the Greater Denver Metro area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Denver, Colorado area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about Whole-House Air Cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Running a regular safety audit of your home and practicing good storage habits of potentially harmful tools and materials will improve any home safety strategy. Most household hazards can be split into three categories: fire, chemical and electrical.

Fire hazards

• Dispose of unneeded combustible materials that can accelerate fires such as old clothing, fabrics, broken furniture and paper products.
• Curtains, furniture and flammable materials left near heaters can burn. Move them to a safe distance to prevent fires.
• Ensure that fireplaces have the proper metal coverings and working valves to control flame levels. Uncleaned chimneys also represent a smoke and fire hazard.
• Prevent dust buildup in computers and appliances like clothing dryers. Lint and dust buildup can start a fire.
• Don’t leave candles untended.

Chemical hazards

• Properly store or dispose of rags that have been soaked in chemicals.
• Keep harmful chemicals and cleaning agents properly labeled and in safe places like shelves or in lockable storage boxes.
• Keep combustible fluids and substances away from heat sources and other reactants, and store in sheds or outdoor storage when possible.
• Teach family members about the safe use and storage of harmful chemical agents.

Electrical hazards

• Don’t overload electrical outlets with too many power bars and appliances. You can trip your breaker, blow fuses or start a fire.
• Don’t run electrical cords under rugs or carpets.
• Make sure all electrical appliances are grounded for increased safety.
• Replace all frayed wires in walls and appliances.

General home safety tips

• Keep local emergency numbers for fire departments and ambulance services available at every phone in your home.
• Maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor in your home.
• Discuss safe practices with your family and create an outdoor meeting place in case of fire.

For more information on home safety, heating and cooling in the Denver Metro area, please contact us at Coffman and Companies online or by phone at 303-366-1112.

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

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