Posts Tagged ‘Springfield’

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Springfield HVAC Tip: SEER vs. HSPF

Monday, April 30th, 2012

When it comes to heat pumps, there are two different ratings you’ll often see – the SEER and the HSPF. So, what does each of them mean and which rating is more important when purchasing your new heat pump in Springfield? Here are a few things to consider:

SEER

The acronym SEER is short for “seasonal energy efficiency rating” and is used most commonly to measure air conditioner efficiency or in this case, the cooling capacity of your heat pump.

 HSPF

The HSPF is short for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is a measurement of how efficient the heat pump is in producing heat during the cooler months of the year.

 The Difference Between the Two

Every heat pump will have both of these ratings, allowing you to see how efficient each is. This is important because you need to know for certain how well your heat pump will perform under certain situations – both in the winter and summer.

However, if you live in a colder climate where the summer rarely calls for air conditioner, your focus should be on the HSPF first. And if you live in a warmer climate where your heating needs are minimal, the SEER is most important. Another thing to consider is your supplemental heat. If the cost of your supplemental heating system is high, you’ll want an HSPF that is as low as possible to balance it out.

 Choosing an Efficient Heat Pump

Heat pump efficiency directly impacts the price of the device you purchase but is almost always worth the difference. The key is to find a device that provides what you need based on where you live. Keep in mind as well that, like most HVAC upgrades, you won’t immediately recoup the cost of the device in your energy savings, so if you plan on moving soon, you should purchase a more affordable device now and upgrade later.

Purchasing a heat pump is an important step in making your home more energy efficient. If you are unsure which rating you need or how to analyze their meanings, contact a Springfield heat pump professional, like Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning, to learn more.

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Springfield HVAC Tip: Why Do Heat Pumps Need Refrigerant?

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Despite its name, your Springfield heat pump is not designed solely for heating. In fact, the technology in your heat pump was originally designed for air conditioning and is used today in air conditioners, refrigerators and cooling units in vehicles and airplanes. And the entire process relies on refrigerant – a chemical compound that is compressed and expanded to move energy from one environment to another.

 How Refrigerant Makes Heating and Cooling Possible

Springfield HVAC Your heat pump has quite a few components that work with the refrigerant to transfer it from one state to another. The compressor, as the name suggests, compresses the refrigerant to its liquid state. The liquid then runs through the expansion valve to the evaporator coils, where it expands into a gas. Refrigerant evaporates at a much lower temperature than water so it rapidly moves from one state to another, drawing heat from the surrounding environment.

That’s how an air conditioner or your refrigerator cool a space. However, in the case of a heat pump, the process can work in both directions. In cooling mode, your heat pump extracts heat from the air going into your home. In the case of heating mode, the heat pump extracts heat from the outside air. Because the heat is transferred into the refrigerant, it can then be recompressed by the compressor. The heat is then is then released in the condenser coils, where the gas returns to liquid state. A blower then distributes air blown across the condenser coils into your home as heat.

 Troubleshooting the Process

Your Springfield heat pump is a complex piece of machinery, but once you know how it works, you can perform quite a bit of troubleshooting should anything go wrong with the device. For example, if you notice cold air coming from your vents, you can check to make sure it isn’t in cooling mode and that there is enough refrigerant in the device.

Keep in mind that if any service needs to be performed on the heat pump involving refrigerant, you should call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning due to the volatile nature of the chemical. In most municipalities, you must have a license to distribute or dispose of refrigerant and even if not, it can be dangerous to both you and the environment.

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What to Do Before Turning on Your Media AC for First Time

Monday, April 9th, 2012

The weather is starting to heat up and you are eager to flip the switch on your Media air conditioning system for the first time. It’s been sitting there since spring, waiting to be used, but now you wonder if there are any tasks that should be completed before its first use. Depending on the type of system you had installed there are a few things you should keep in mind before you cool down your house. They include:

  • Media Air Conditioning MaintenanceOutdoor Cleaning – You need to make sure that your outdoor unit is clean and clear of debris before you turn on your AC. Brush off any leaves and check under the cover to clear out anything that might have gotten beneath it. You should also take a look at the supply registers to make sure they are clear.  It is also a good idea to replace your air filters.
  • Check Your Thermostat – You should make sure that your thermostat is functioning before you start using your air conditioning system. A simple way to check is to set your system to auto-cool and lower your thermostat to a few degrees below the current room temperature. Your air conditioner should turn on to cool the room; if it doesn’t, have a professional come out and take a look at your system.
  • Clear Away Winter and Spring Dust – Now that your system is running, make sure you check the filters for any buildup of dust that was in the ductwork. Over the off season, your ducts might develop a layer of dust and debris, especially if your heating system doesn’t make use of them. The filters might clog quickly as a result.
  • Check for Water Leaks – Your condensate overflow drain should work properly as well – check for any potential leaks during the first 48 hours of operation. Even a small leak should be checked immediately to avoid potential problems as summer cooling season kicks in.

If you notice any problems other than those listed above, you should call a service professional immediately. Ideally you will have your system inspected in early-mid spring to ensure it is ready for the summer, but even so problems can develop between inspection and first running. Electrical issues especially should be checked immediately.

 

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Springfield Heat Pump Question: What is the Emergency Setting on My Heat Pump?

Monday, March 26th, 2012

While installing or inspecting your Springfield heat pump, you may have noticed that little switch or button labeled something like “Emergency Mode.” And then, you probably scratched your head and thought, “what is that for?”

Hopefully, the emergency setting is not something you will ever have to use. But, it is there for a reason, so it’s possible you may have to resort to it at some point. In that case, it makes sense to know what it is first.

Springfield Heating Repair- Air Source Heat PumpYour emergency setting is what turns on when your Springfield heat pump starts malfunctioning. The compressor will turn off so the heat pump is no longer transferring heat from the outside into your home as it normally would. Instead, the internal heating element comes on to provide your home with minimal heat until the device is working again. However, since your heat pump is now using electric resistance heating to heat your home, it is using a lot more energy. This can be very expensive, so it is best to have your heat pump fixed as quickly as possible.

That’s what the emergency setting is, but when would you use it?

It’s not a trick question. As the name implies, you only want to use this setting in an emergency. For example, if the heat pump has frozen and isn’t operating, the best course of action is to switch on the emergency mode and call a Springfield heating and air conditioning professsional to repair it.

You would also want to use the emergency mode when recovering from a power outage. Any time a heat pump is without power for more than thirty minutes the refrigerant can cool and get too thick to properly flow through the coils. Turning the pump back on in this situation can damage it, so instead you would use the emergency mode for a while to warm the refrigerant back up, then return to operating the heat pump normally.

The emergency setting is not to be used in place of a supplemental heating system. If there is an uncharacteristic cold snap, and your heat pump can’t keep up, then it makes sense to use the emergency setting to keep the house warm. However, if you live in a colder northern climate, where temperatures routinely drop below 30 degrees in the winter, you should have a supplemental heating system in addition to the heat pump. Using the emergency heat setting regularly is not a good idea.

For more information about maintaining your home’s heat pump, give Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning a call today!

Photo by k_lis: http://www.flickr.com/photos/krzlis/6589545719/

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Springfield Geothermal Contractor Guide: Installation Steps

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Are you interested in geothermal heating for your Springfield home? Are you considering using the natural heating and cooling energy of the Earth as a way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature?

If you are, you probably have a lot of questions, not the least of which have to do with the installation process. You may assume that it is complicated, but in most cases it is quite simple. Here is a simple summary of the steps involved in installing a geothermal system:

  1. The very first step, before any kind of installation can even be planned, is to evaluate the ground on which your home sits to be sure it can support a geothermal system. The area must be evaluated for soil and rock composition, availability of ground and surface water and availability of land.
  2. Once you have determined that your yard can handle a geothermal system, it is time to choose the type of system you need. This depends a lot on the evaluation from step 1, as well as some other factors. For one example, if you have very little land available, you may need to opt for a vertical loop configuration. For another, if you are fortunate enough to have a small body of water on your property, you can take advantage of a pond loop installation.
  3. Your contractor will dig and/or drill trenches for placement of the geothermal pipes. Try not to be nervous. They will disrupt your yard as little as possible.
  4. With the trenches prepared, pipes can be placed in accordance with the configuration you chose.
  5. Your contractor will fill the trenches back in to cover the pipes loosely. You may want to work with a landscaper to fully “re-assemble” your yard where the pipes were installed.
  6. Finally, the installation team will hook up the geothermal system to your home, make any necessary final adjustments, and you are good to go!

If you’re interested in geothermal heating for your Springfield home, consider contacting Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning today to discuss the installation process for your home.

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Prospect Park Boiler Tip: Basic Maintenance

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

The boiler in your Prospect Park home is a sensitive piece of equipment that needs routine maintenance and repairs. Regularly maintaining your boiler is especially important for safety reasons. Many boiler malfunctions and accidents are due to neglecting some of these basic tasks.

Even if you’ve just installed a new boiler, the safety valves and settings should be checked by a professional on a regular basis to prevent a breakdown or hazard. We recommend that you schedule a boiler inspection and cleaning at least once a year. Call Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning if you have any questions about boiler maintenance.

A service technician will measure the pressure, drain and remove sediment buildup, test the efficiency ratings, and make sure your boiler is set at the right temperatures. Regular maintenance can also help you determine whether or not you need a boiler replacement. By keeping track of performance levels, you will be able to tell when it’s time for an upgrade.

Other tasks performed during an annual maintenance visit include cleaning and lubricating all the components, checking for any leaks or clogs, and testing gas boilers for any carbon monoxide intrusion. If you have any gas appliances in your home, you should always have carbon monoxide detectors and test them once a month.

Boiler pressure is something that you can check often on your own. If you aren’t sure how to read the pressure gauge, or if you aren’t sure what the right pressure should be, just call one of our technicians to walk you through this process.

Always call Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning if you have any problems with the boiler in your Prospect Park home. We are here to help and answer any questions you may have.

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Wallingford Water Heater Installation Guide: Solar Water Heaters

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

When deciding if a water heater upgrade is right for your Wallingford home, you will first need to compare the different types of energy-saving water heaters. Solar water heaters are some of the most efficient water heaters on the market; however, there are many factors to consider before purchasing one of these new models.

It’s always a good idea to call a water heating expert for professional advice. To help you get started, here are some basic features and considerations for solar water heaters:

Solar Water Heaters

Solar technology is one of the most sustainable methods for homeowners to help protect the environment and save money. Given the right conditions, installing a solar water heater could decrease your heating bills up to 80%. Because solar water heating systems are one of the most efficient ways to meet your the hot water needs in your home, you pay less in utilities, produce fewer emissions, and decrease the overall maintenance costs.

Taking full advantage of the savings from installing a solar water heating system involves various factors that every Wallingford homeowner should consider. Solar water heaters will save money for homes located in areas where there’s a high amount of daily sunlight, and where certain fuel sources are not available or the cost of fuel is high. The need for reliable and consistent hot water, typically in larger homes, is another cost-ratio variable to consider.

While there’s the initial investment to consider, installing a solar water heating system could pay for itself within 10 to 15 years in energy savings. In addition to these savings, you can reduce your emissions and help preserve the environment by switching to solar power for your hot water needs.

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Springfield HVAC Tip: What to Do About an Ice and Snow Covered Heat Pump

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

It’s very common for heat pumps to ice over in the winter time in Springfield. It can be due to freezing temperatures and icing outside or it could be due to constant running of the heat pump or excess moisture on the coils. However, while a bit of ice on the heat pump is relatively normal, the entire unit should never be covered in ice – such a thing is not only hard on the machinery; it can result in no heat for your home.

How to Handle Ice and Snow on the Heat Pump

Should your heat pump become covered in ice or snow in the winter time, there are a few things you can do and some things you should not do. First, check to make sure the problem isn’t related to a broken defrost cycle timer. The heat pump should go into a defrost cycle every 30-90 minutes to keep excess ice from building up. If this doesn’t happen, it should be inspected for a thermostat or sensor problem.

To actually remove the ice from the unit, never use a sharp object to pick the ice clear. You can easily damage the coils or another part of the unit and leave it permanently broken. The best way to remove ice from your heat pump is to rinse it off with a hose – even cold water will remove ice. Just be sure the defrost cycle is ready to come back on so the water used to rinse away the ice doesn’t freeze.

Remember to check your emergency heating source and make sure it is switched on while this is happening. Your heat pump likely won’t work properly while iced over and if it is left in the on position, excess stress on the device will cause damage.

To avoid this kind of damage, turn off the heat pump and turn on your emergency heating source, then clear away the ice and check the defrost timer. If everything works properly, turn the heat pump back on, but if you find any problems, call a heating contractor to do a more thorough inspection of the device before you use it again.

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Humidity Be Gone – How a Heat Pump Helps in Drexel Hill

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Humidity is a big problem for a lot of families in Drexel Hill. When not properly controlled, excess humidity can lead to damage to your furniture, excess mold growth and dust mites. In the warmer months of the year, this is a big problem. Fortunately, if you have a new heat pump, you have a strong weapon against excess humidity.

Heat pumps have both cooling and heating modes. In the winter, when your heating mode is active, you likely don’t need dehumidification. In fact, you may need a humidifier to keep it from getting too dry in your home. However, in the summer, excess humidity can make everyone uncomfortable.

Air conditioning has long been a natural dehumidifier. Because the process works through evaporation and condensation, water can be extracted from the air by the device whenever it is on.

However, for your heat pump to truly provide the dehumidification you need to remain comfortable, it must first have a dehumidification setting – often called the “dry” cycle. During this cycle, the device will dehumidify your home, pulling air from inside the house and extracting moisture from it through the indoor evaporator coils.

Dry cycling is effective because it doesn’t draw new air in from outside to cool your home. It uses the same air already in your home and can therefore remove humidity over time. While new air is draw into your home through vents, the system is designed to continuously cycle the humidity out of the air and keep you from being uncomfortable.

Choosing the Right Heat Pump for Humidity Control

Not all heat pumps offer humidity control settings, so you should talk to a HVAC contractor about your needs before selecting a new model for your home. Make sure it offers the dehumidification options you’re looking for and can cover the full area of your home.

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Springfield Furnace Replacement – Another Satisfied Customer!

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

If you need your furnace replaced before it get really cold this winter, call Cool It today!  We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee to make sure our customers are happy, and this is the proof –  here is what a customer in Springfield wrote to us about his heating replacement:

Ron was very professional, courteous and thorough without a heavy-handed pitch or excessive amount of time during the estimate/sales discussion. Pricing ranged from competitive to exceptional. Upon request, they were able to expedite my installation from the original schedule. Installation was on time and the crew was thorough and professional. They answered any questions I had. Warranty was equal or better in most cases. I have called back on a few occasions with some questions and they have responded immediately and positively. I would call Cool It again and recommend them without any reservations.

- Customer in Springfield, PA

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