JonLe Heating & Cooling

Dual-Fuel Systems: The Breakthrough Technology That Smashes Preconceived Notions About Single-Source Heating Systems

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Dual-fuel systems most often combine an electric heat pump with a furnace fueled by oil or gas as backup. Heat pumps are incredibly energy efficient because they absorb heat from where it's not needed and transfer it to where it is needed. This is much more efficient than generating heat from fuel, like a traditional furnace, and requiring separate air-conditioning equipment to provide cooling to your home, as in a standard home-comfort system.

Whole-House Humidification: How Safe Is Your Home From Damaging Dry Air -- If A Lone Portable Unit Is Your Sole Protection?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Is a lack of whole-house humidification causing problems for your household? Low humidity can cause uncomfortable health issues like dry sinuses, allergy flare-ups and itchy skin. Dry air also has a damaging effect on your home's structure and furnishings, causing cracked trim and floorboards, furniture that may fall apart as solvents dry, or cracks that emerge in protective coatings or the wood itself.

Heed This Indoor Air Quality Warning (If You Have An Attached Garage)

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Attached garages can be convenient and they're pretty popular here in the Cincinnati area. Homeowners should be aware, however, that with this convenience comes some risk to your home's indoor air quality and your family's health.

A Variable-Speed Furnace Blower: The Zen Of Home Comfort And Savings

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

If your Cincinnati household has an older furnace, you've got a one-speed furnace blower and you're probably paying more than necessary on your monthly energy bills. That's a great reason to consider a new unit with a variable-speed furnace blower motor. But there are other reasons as well. Besides saving on utility bills, variable-speed blower motors help delay replacement costs too. New heating systems with variable-speed blowers will last many years longer than single-speed units, since they aren't forced to work more than necessary, as older one-speed systems must do often.

Need Better Dust Control In Your Home? Try These Tips

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Dust is a common household nuisance, and it can contribute to or aggravate allergies. Besides, dust is unsightly, collecting on household surfaces and contributing to uncleanliness. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely eliminate all sources of dust, because most dust comes from fabric, people and pets. You can, however, improve dust control in your home by following these tips:

Frozen Pipes: The Ultimate Guide To Preventing Flood Damage And Costly Repairs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Here in Greater Cincinnati, frozen pipes can be a big problem for homeowners. A little advance planning can prevent expensive and inconvenient damage to your house, especially if you follow the tips provided by experienced local HVAC contractors and the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW). Remember that here in our area, homeowners are responsible for preventing frozen inside meters and will be charged for repairs by the GCWW.

Ensure Duct Returns Have Sufficient Airflow

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A good home air-distribution system must have a balanced airflow. In order to balance an even flow of incoming air, outgoing air must have roughly the same flow. This is accomplished by duct returns. Return vents carry out hot air in summer and cold air in winter to be filtered and recycled.

Programmable Thermostats: Must-Have Features

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Programmable thermostats provide users with the opportunity to increase home comfort and save energy—all at the same time. Using the device to program the furnace to come on only when you need it will help you avoid using excess energy. For example, many people use programmable thermostats to heat up their homes right before they come home from work. This strategy saves money on energy costs while nobody is home during the day, and ensures a comfortable home temperature upon arrival.

Indoor Air Quality: Common Contributors And What To Do About Them

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A well-insulated and properly sealed home is a two-edged sword. Although it allows your HVAC system to work most efficiently, which saves money on your utility bills, it also compromises indoor air quality. When you think of air pollution, your thoughts may conjure images of automobile exhaust and smoking factories. Surprisingly, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A Furnace Replacement Checklist To Ensure System-To-Home Synergy

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

If you suspect that your furnace needs to be replaced, consider the useful furnace replacement checklist below to ensure system-to-home synergy. Ideally, you should look into furnace replacement before operating your furnace becomes dangerous, or costs you more money than necessary. Here are 8 warning signs that generally indicate that you need to shop for a new furnace:

Ice Dams: Avoid These Conditions That Lead To Them And Damage Your Attic

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The sight of icicles hanging from the eves of your house is pretty, but it actually indicates the present of a hidden danger—ice dams. The presence of an ice dam in your home is a sign that your attic is not properly insulated or sealed against moisture. And ice dams can cause warping and rotting along the eaves of your house, which can lead to extensive and expensive repairs in the future.

Lock In Customer Satisfaction With This Checklist To Double-Check HVAC Work

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Not all HVAC companies are created equal. And when it comes to customer satisfaction, working with companies that skimp on important areas of care and certification ultimately affects you, the homeowner. Ensure that your home systems receive the best care and attention to detail possible with the HVAC contractor that works on your home systems. This will not only lead to a high-quality job, but it will also improve customer satisfaction.

Heat-Pump Performance Impacted By 3 Factors

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A heat pump offers one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool homes in the Greater Cincinnati area, but only when the whole system is operating as it should. Heat-pump performance depends on the ductwork, refrigerant levels and the blower that distributes the air through the house. When in peak condition, these three factors contribute to maximum efficiency.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly Throughout The Winter Season

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Dirty air filters can create many problems with your heating and cooling system's efficiency. And the dirtier your filters are, the more money and energy will be wasted. When you change your air filter regularly, you avoid these problems, and save energy and money throughout the year.

By Itself, A Geothermal System Gets Big Results -- Combined With A Heat Pump, It Exceeds All Expectations

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Some people prefer to use green methods for heating their homes. Geothermal systems allow you to tap into the energy below the earth's surface to use in your home. You can reap the benefits of the natural resources the earth has to offer, along with lower installation costs, by selecting a dual-source system that combines geothermal with an air-source heat pump.

Endure Power Outages This Winter: Follow These 5 Tips

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Power outages throw a wrench in your routine no matter what time of year they occur. However, winter power outages aren’t just inconvenient—when temperatures drop, prolonged outages can be unsafe, as well. A little preparation makes a big difference.

Can You Upgrade Furnace Motor Efficiency? You Bet!

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

You can improve the overall efficiency of your heating system by upgrading furnace motor efficiency, and see significantly higher savings, as well as comfort. And with colder weather settling in, it's important to take advantage of opportunities to save on heating costs. When upgrading your heating system, consider furnace motor efficiency.

Energy-Saving Steps You Can Take To Manage Fuel Usage, Especially If Last Year's Utility Bills Were Out Of Control

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Fuel consumption is a large part of heating costs for homeowners in Greater Cincinnati. When the weather gets cold, it takes more fuel to keep your home warm. During a long and frigid winter, heating costs can jump astronomically. However, there are energy-saving steps you can take to reduce energy use and save on fuel consumption. And these small steps can make a large difference in your winter fuel costs – no matter what fuel you use to heat your home.

If Your Home Reveals These Air Leak Problems, It's Best To Call In The Experts

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

If you're getting ready to insulate your attic, you'll want to do a thorough inspection first, and there are a few air leak problems you may encounter that you shouldn't attempt to handle yourself. If you come across any of the following issues, you should contact a local HVAC contractor sooner rather than later, and have them come take a look at the situation.

Understand These Three Home Heating Systems To Increase Energy Savings

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Your home heating systems contain three components: The furnace, ductwork and thermostat. These three components work together to keep your home warm during the winter. The key to energy efficiency and cost savings at home is understanding how the systems work, and implementing small changes that will greatly affect your energy consumption.