Types of caulk
There are a large variety of caulk that vary in price and purpose, including:

• Silicone – Silicone is a multipurpose sealant that’s weatherproof and offers a watertight seal. Some types are made expressly for wood, stone and brick.
• Spray foam – Spray foam is great for large cracks or gaps, indoors or outdoors.
• Water-based foam sealant – This is used for smaller cracks in and around window and door frames.
• Butyl rubber – This extremely durable caulk seals everything from glass, metal and plastic to concrete and wood materials.
• Oil- or resin-based caulk – This is one of the most affordable caulks used to seal joints and seams outdoors.

Buying caulk
Caulk comes in cartridges that you must load into a half-barrel caulking gun. You can also get it in squeeze tubes and aerosol cans for smaller leaks.

Using caulk

• Make sure the area is dry before applying the caulk.
• When using a caulking gun, hold it at a 45 degree angle and caulk in one continuous line without stopping.
• The caulk should stick to both sides of the crack that you are filling.
• Before taking down the gun, let go of the trigger to keep from applying too much caulk.
• Push any caulk that drips out of a crack back in using a putty knife.
• Make sure that you seal any cracks completely.

For more information about caulking, contact Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning for the best quality service in upstate South Carolina.

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

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• Heating system – Heating tends to account for almost 45 percent of your utility bills. There are a number of things that you can do to help your heating system be more efficient. This includes:

• Cleaning or replacing your furnace filters once a month.
• Keep your window blinds and drapes open during the day in order to let in the sun’s heat. Close them at night to help keep heat trapped in your home.
• Set a programmable thermostat to automatically turn the heat off when you are not home.

• Windows – You will want to make sure that there are no air leaks in your windows. The more warm air you lose through these leaks, the more your heating system has to work to compensate for it. You can seal these air leaks using caulking. Installing storm windows can also help to cut heat loss down by 25 to 50 percent.

• Water heater – Your water-heating bills cost you about 18 percent of your utility bill. There are several ways you can cut down on your water-heating costs:

• Make sure your water heater thermostat is set at 120 degrees for the most use and the most comfort.
• Fix any leaky faucets around your home: these can waste gallons of water in only a short period of time.
• Upgrade hot water using appliances such as your dishwasher or washing machine to more efficient Energy Star-rated models.
• Install insulation in your electric hot water tank without covering the thermostat. You should also insulate the first 6 feet of piping connected to the water heater.

Cut down on energy consumption this winter by following these tips. For more information, contact Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning. We are known for providing upstate South Carolina with top-notch customer service.

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

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Before making any decisions on your upgrade, however, here are a few HVAC terms that you should understand in order to select the most efficient systems.

• BTU (British thermal unit) – Measures a climate-control system’s heating output. This will give you an idea of how much heat (or energy) will be required for your system to raise or lower the temperature of your home.
• Bel – A unit of sound measurement which is equal to 10 decibels. To find a system that won’t be too noisy, look for equipment with a lower bel number.
• Cooling capacity – Expresses the amount of heat that an air conditioner can remove in one hour.
• Cooling/heating load – Indicates the maximum heat that accumulates in a space without cooling equipment running (used to determine the required capacity of an air conditioner), or vice-versa (how cold a room will become without a heating system).
• Energy efficiency ratio (EER) – Measures a climate-control system’s heating or cooling output for each unit of electrical energy it consumes.
• Heat gain – Describes various components of a heating load (such as appliance heat gain, solar heat gain) and is used to calculate the cooling load.
• Manual J – A calculating tool developed by industry experts to properly size air conditioners and heating equipment in order to ensure maximum comfort and efficiency.
• Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) – Measures the effectiveness of air filters.
• Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) – Measurement of the efficiency of a climate-control system over the course of an entire heating or cooling season.

To learn more helpful HVAC terms, contact the professionals at Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning.We’re proud to serve residents of upstate South Carolina.

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

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Efficiency ratings: the real deal
No matter what type of furnace you’re referring to, you will learn of its AFUE rating. Annual fuel utilization efficiency is the measurement utilized by the HVAC community to signify a unit’s efficiency.  However, you must keep in mind that many companies designate their furnaces as highbefficiency even when they’re not.  According to the Department of Energy, a furnace must have an AFUE of at least 90 percent, which means that only 10 percent of the energy consumed by a specific unit is wasted.

Advanced technology has its benefits
A high-efficiency furnace benefits from a few technological advances. For example, when it comes to combustion within the unit (combining fuel and combustion air), these high-efficiency models keep a tight hold on the amount of this mixture. This advanced control over combustion improves its efficiency. In addition to this control, high-efficiency units may utilize other technological advancements like two-stage gas valve system which swiftly heats up the furnace, then quickly cools it again, and air blower motors with variable speeds.

For more expert advice about high-efficiency furnaces, or for questions relating to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been proudly serving South Carolina and western North Carolina since 1970.

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

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The most important thing you can do to get the best performance from your pump is to keep the air filter for the air handler clean. Check the filter monthly and clean or change it. When dust builds on the filter, it slows the airflow, which retards the heating or cooling process. The whole system has to run longer to condition the air, which creates more wear and tear on the parts and raises your electric bill.

In the fall and spring, it’s also a good idea to hose off the outdoor condenser fins and coil with a light to moderate spray. The fins and coil remove or collect heat and when they’re clogged with dust, the process slows. Removing any vegetation around the condenser also improves its efficiency.

The rest of heat pump maintenance should be performed by a licensed HVAC professional, since it requires specialized equipment and working with the electrical side of these systems. Professional maintenance usually includes these steps:

• Checking the ductwork. Loose or leaking ducts contribute to a good deal of inefficiency, since they send conditioned air to places where you don’t need it.
• Measuring the airflow going through the air handler and adjusting it if necessary.
• Testing the refrigerant charge. If it’s low, the technician checks it for leaks and seals them before adding more.
• Cleaning and adjusting all the electrical controls.
• Oiling the motors and adjusting the fan belt.
• Calibrating the thermostat.

Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning can help you get your heat pump ready for winter. Please contact us to learn more. We’ve provided HVAC services for upstate South Carolina since 1970 and are a NATE-certified company, the highest distinction in the HVAC industry.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina 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.

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If the idea of leaving your fans on when the temperature drops makes you shivering, you will be delighted to learn what these handy household fixtures can do for you. Traditionally, a ceiling fan is used to force air in a downward direction to direct cool air near the ground toward the edges of a room, resulting in more even cooling.

However, ceiling fans can be just as effective at promoting even heating throughout your home. Most fans are equipped with a switch on the motor housing that will cause the blades to rotate in the opposite direction. The effect of this change in rotation is that are will be drawn up in order to displace warmer air that has risen to your ceiling. This heated air will be driven down toward the edges of your room.

By returning warm air to the living areas of your home, you and your family will experience more even heating and increased comfort levels. On top of this, you will be happy to know that utilizing your ceiling fans throughout the winter will help to lower your utility bill. When the heat distribution throughout your house is uneven, your furnace is forced to work harder than necessary, cycling on and off frequently. Not only does that increase your household energy usage, but it also puts a strain on your heating equipment which can reduce its lifespan. Your ceiling fans can effectively eliminate these problems.

For more advice on using ceiling fans this winter, contact the professionals at Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly serve residents of upstate South Carolina.

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

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The age of your furnace
The average life for most furnaces is 16-20 years. If you suspect your furnace is close to this age or older, then you need to consider that it is time to replace your furnace. A good start to help determine the age of your furnace is to look and see if you have a pilot light. Your furnace is more than 25 years old if you do have one.

An increasing gas and electric bill
If your furnace is not properly maintained, it could cause your gas and electric bill to rise. When your furnace loses its efficiency it will run longer to provide the same amount of heat. If you notice parts of your house are colder and some are warmer, or if you are always readjusting your thermostat, then your furnace has lost the ability to properly distribute the air within your home. Replacing your furnace or making the proper repairs could save you money on your gas and electric bill.

Recent repairs
In the last years of your furnaces life, you will incur the most breakdowns. If you have to repair your furnace on a regular or yearly basis — this is a good indication to replace your furnace. The older your furnace gets, the harder it will be to get out dated replacement parts.

Whether you decide to replace your furnace or repair it for another year, Waldrop Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help aid you in making the right decision. For more information on repairing or replacing your furnace or any other home comfort needs, please feel free to contact us. We are located in upstate South Carolina, with office locations in Spartanburg and Greenville.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about whether to repair or replace your furnace and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Heat pump efficiency

Heat pump efficiency depends on two factors: precise refrigerant charge and optimal air flow. These five tips outline best practices for maintaining an efficiency:

• Refrigerant is the magic that moves heat. During the cooling season, refrigerant extracts heat from your home and expels it outside. The opposite process occurs for the heating season. To do this efficiently, refrigerant charge must be within the manufacturer’s specifications. Your HVAC pro checks for leaks in the system, and ensures refrigerant is at correct levels.
• Heat extraction and release occur at the heat exchangers (evaporator and condenser). These components must be chemically deep-cleaned by your HVAC pro annually. One telltale sign of incorrect refrigerant charge is if the indoor evaporator accumulates ice. This problem should be addressed immediately to avoid damage to the heat pump, and excess moisture in the system, which could overburden drainage and leak water inside your home.
• Your simple air filter is vital for heat pump efficiency and indoor-air quality. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, which causes a pressure drop. This can damage the heat pump if left unchecked. Inspect your air filter monthly, and change as needed.
• Check all air-supply registers to make sure there are no obstructions to air flow, like furniture and debris.
• Visually inspect your ducts for loose connections, damage, and inadequate insulation through unconditioned areas, like the attic, crawl space or basement. Have your HVAC pro do this if you feel uncomfortable. If you feel safe and comfortable doing this yourself, use aluminum tape or cement (mastic) and mesh to repair loose connections and holes. Damaged ducts, or extremely tangled flexible ducts, should be replaced. Insulate ducts in unconditioned area with rigid fiberboard.

For a full heat pump and ductwork analysis, contact Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning in Upstate South Carolina.

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

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You can stop this waste in your home, but it’ll take some planning and organization. First, gather all the chargers you use for portable devices, like phones, music players or cameras. Label each charger for the device it powers and put them in one place. Use a power strip to charge the devices and pull the charger when the battery is full.

If you have household members who like to do their own charging, consider eco-chargers. These plug into outlets and use technology that senses when the device is fully charged. They stop the flow of power, so you’re not wasting electricity, even if it stays plugged in.

Other devices in your home that use energy when they’re off include anything with a clock or that requires programming, like coffee pots or DVR players. If you have a plasma television, it’s one of the biggest energy vampires you own. Options for these devices include plugging them into smart power strips. These strips have a combination of outlets that stay active and those that turn off, even when the strip is turned off. You can plug the cable or satellite box into the outlet that stays on and the television into one that turns off, cutting the electrical drain. Another way to trim the amount of power you use is to put your computer’s monitor to sleep after a specific interval.

Although your cooling and heating systems aren’t energy vampires, they use half the energy you consume annually. Having it serviced each year helps it run more efficiently. To learn more about saving energy through maintenance, contact Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve provided HVAC services for Upstate South Carolina for more than 40 years.

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

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Efficiency in regards to air filters will refer to the air filter’s ability to capture particulate in the air. If you’re looking for a better air filter, then you want one with better efficiency.

• MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) is a rating used to measure the efficiency of air filters. A rating of 5 to 13 is a medium-efficiency air filter; whereas a 14 to 17 is a high-efficiency air filter. Another acronym you’re going to run into is HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air). True HEPA filters will have a MERV of 17 to 20, but are more expensive and typically used in industrial environments. All of this information and more can be found in this guide.
• Dust spot efficiency rates the ability of the air filter to capture dust particles. If your air filter says it has a dust spot efficiency greater than 90 percent, then it’s MERV will be around 14 to 17. A medium-efficiency air filter will have a varying dust spot efficiency, with anything from 20 to 80 percent.
• Arrestance refers to the filter’s ability to capture more coarse dust. It is similar to dust spot efficiency, but is used to measure lower-efficiency air filters. Medium-efficiency air filters will all have an arrestance rating greater than 90 percent. These definitions for dust spot efficiency and arrestance are all industry standards.
• Pressure drop refers to how the filter will affect air pressure as it collects particulate. The higher the pressure drop, the more your filter will affect air going through. Pressure drop ratings range from 0.07 to 0.40. It is almost always better to get an air filter with a lower pressure drop.

For more information on air filters and home comfort, contact us at Waldrop Heating & Air Conditioning.

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

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