Finding the right HVAC contractor

A heating, ventilating and air conditioning system is designed to suit our individual needs. However all of us take for granted the comfort provided by our central air conditioners, heat pumps or furnaces until something goes wrong and the unit needs to be serviced or replaced. When disaster strikes, you need a quality heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor who is knowledgeable, experienced and competent to do the job. Choosing the right HVAC contractor is almost like choosing a life partner because careful consideration is required.

It is very easy to fall victim to unskilled, even unethical contractors trying to make a quick buck from homeowners eager to restore their cooling systems. Hiring an unqualified contractor may result in the need for expensive and unwarranted repairs to fix problems created by them.

What you need is a quality contractor who knows not only to service your equipment but to design and install the right system for you in compliance with the regulatory and local codes of proper business and workers’ compensation insurance. He must be attentive to your problem, survey the area, reliable, fast, and courteous and most importantly must be abreast with the newest technology and developments, equipment and design procedures to ensure that you get not only an efficient system but one that suits your pocket. If you find one that cares for the environment too that’s a bonus you don’t want to miss. He must also recommend a planned preventative maintenance service to maximize the life of your equipment.

Before making calls in different directions, arm yourself with all the relevant information (brand and model number of the current unit, thermostat[s] and past service history. Knowing your home’s current situation gives homeowners a great place to start. Do remember to ask the contractor for references of customers. Better still ask around your family, friends and colleagues for firsthand experience or if they know someone that recently got some HVAC work done. Check if he comes with the required licenses, certifications and is partners with obligatory associations like NATE, North American Technician Excellence, it is the nation’s largest and most prestigious technical certification organization in the heating and cooling industry. Be sure to obtain bids from a few different companies and weigh what you are receiving with each price. Once you have narrowed it down to your top 3-5 choices, set up times for an in-home estimate. Post inspection and deliberation on the alternatives get a written estimate for the job. Don’t feel shy to ask about a guarantee. It must be written and should state clearly what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee and how long the guarantee is valid. Make final payments only when all work is completed to your satisfaction and pay by check never by cash. It's always a smart idea to purchase the most energy efficient HVAC system solution you can afford, so ask our contractor to run options by you. Leverage technology - review web sites like Yelp and Google but use caution. Check reviews but ascertain its credibility first. Most manufacturers will not allow poor contractors to be displayed on their web site, so that’s a good starting point. It is helpful to know if the company has a policy to show up on time or refund money.

Remember that not all HVAC contractors are created equal! So do not be afraid to be very diligent in asking questions because choosing the right HVAC contractor can mean the difference between an installation that goes smoothly and provides years of trouble-free comfort and one that winds up costing you thousands in wasted money and aggravation.

Do-It-Yourself HVAC - Should I do it?

Putting your feet up in a newly renovated attic space in the summer sounds like a super idea, but the room is like a sauna! What can possibly be done to make the top floor as cool as the first and not cause the utility bills to skyrocket? Well for starters, you can hand pick an efficient system and make sure that ducts are well sealed which is essential to keep every room of the house cool.

Understanding what an efficient HVAC system is and its potential is where the secret lies. HVAC is an acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning. It is the most distorted term in construction and often HVAC is completely misunderstood by consumers and even by seasoned industry professionals. HVAC affects the health of the indoor environment and that of its occupants; the consumption of utilities and thus monthly operating costs, the temperature and humidity of building materials and furnishings. Armed with some good HVAC knowledge for beginners and some help from professionals you can avoid that "swimming with the sharks" type of experience.

So let’s hypothetically say you can go to a Home Depot type distributor of HVAC and procure all the components for a do-it-yourself system….then what? Now you’ve become the defacto mechanical contractor on the site and have to deal with the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the system. Spare yourself the hassle both physically and on the pocket and treat yourself to some serious help. Call a professional or a contractor to do what he does best.

However there are things that you can do as a do-it-yourself maintenance. These actions when done in a timely manner will help keep your home in top condition.

• Be sure to periodically clean or replace the filters - it's probably time to clean or replace the dust and dirt catcher once in 90 days to prevent you from sneezing your way into winter mornings. A clean filter maximizes your furnace's efficiency and longevity-- and minimizes your energy bills.

• Keep outdoor units clean – The outdoor unit of your air conditioner contains the compressor, used to generate cooler air in the warm months. Leaves, grass, and other debris are either sucked into the unit or blown in. The accumulated debris can significantly reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and dramatically raise your utility bills.

• Keeping it clean - A/C or heat pump condensate drains can become clogged, leading to condensate leaks, spillage, or even bacterial hazards in a building. Clogged air conditioner condensate drain lines can form another source of air conditioner or heat pump condensate leakage that can in turn lead to hidden water damage or in some locations an indoor mold, bacterial contamination, mildew, algae and other debris can collect in the condensate pan and drain line.

• Clean evaporator and condenser coils - Evaporator coils are a place that mold grows best. In addition to constant dampness, the supply side of the coil is in contact with outside air and the dirt that isn’t caught by filters. So once or twice per year be sure to give it a good scrub.

• Maintaining Your HVAC System - Routine maintenance can lower utility costs, reduce equipment-replacement costs, and keep tenants/occupants happy.

Things inevitably go wrong with heating and AC systems, and sooner or later, your system will probably require a repair. So don’t risk personal intervention, be proactive and follow preventive maintenance but when there is a problem be wise and call in the expert.

Insulation – it’s more than what meets the eye

Building insulation refers broadly to any object in a building used as insulation for any purpose. Predominantly used for building insulation it adds to the building’s comfort and energy efficiency. Thermal insulation is the second most commonly used insulation wherein materials are used to reduce the rate of heat transfer. Soundproofing, also known as acoustic insulation ensures that the intensity of sound is reduced. Electrical insulation uses material to resist the flow of electric current and magnetism while another means is insulated glass which also saves energy. In recent times fire insulation and impact insulation (e.g. for vibrations caused by industrial applications) also play a vital role. The latest entrant in insulation is Fiberglass insulation, a man-made mineral fiber constructed from a variety of materials, such as sand and recycled glass. More than 90 percent of homes in America are lined with this pink stuff thus emerging as the most popular form of insulation in the United States. As the benefits stand, there are many apprehensions about the damage fiberglass can cause over time. It is known to cause health problems like immediate skin irritation, and some researchers fear inhaling fiberglass particles could cause cancer.

Insulating our buildings is one of the most imperative parts of any construction as insulation has a big effect on the cost of energy. As we have learnt in school heat naturally flows from a warm space to a cool space, and our homes and work places suffer from this transfer. Warm air from the inside will move to the outside and make us cold in winter. In contrast hot air moves from the outside to the inside and makes it uncomfortably warm in summer.

Unless your home and workplaces were specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can possibly reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. Several older buildings have less insulation than buildings built today, but fret not, adding insulation to a newer building can pay for itself within a few years. To determine whether you require additional insulation, estimate how much insulation you already have in your building and how it is spread out. Invest in a home energy audit or an energy assessment. It will also help identify areas of your home that are in need of air sealing. An insulation check done as a routine part of a whole-house energy assessment done by a certified home energy auditor will also come in handy. One golden rule to remember is that before you insulate, you should make sure that your home is properly air sealed.

Fortunately we have heating and air conditioning systems to fix these problems, but the more opportunities warm air gets to flow out of or into the house, the harder those systems have to work. As those systems work harder, we use more energy and pay much higher utility bills. That is why HVAC insulation services sustain comfortable temperature indoors, with their manifold options. The best suited in terms of the return on investment (ROI) is the HVAC insulation through reflective insulation made by the sandwiched model of aluminium foil and polyethylene bubbled film. Available in two different variants of single bubble insulation and double bubble insulation films, the later one gives you the better protection against the needs of HVAC insulation because of its twin layered of polyethylene bubbles that responds very slow against the unwanted temperature change.

Proper HVAC insulation system is fundamental for homes and industrial constructions for its two prong benefit, it not only saves good amount of money by reducing the energy consumption but it also helps to reduce greenhouse gases released in the atmosphere, which is the need of the hour.

Ventilation

Ventilation (the V in HVAC) is the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality (i.e. to control temperature, replenish oxygen, or remove moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, and carbon dioxide). While heating and air-conditioning are relatively straightforward operations, the more complex processes involved in ventilation are the most important in determining the quality of our indoor air.

It is one of the most significant engineering controls available to the industrial hygienist for improving or maintaining the quality of the air in the occupational work environment. It is a means of controlling the environment with air flow. Ventilation also assists in removing unpleasant smells and excessive moisture, introduce outside air, to keep interior building air circulating and to prevent stagnation of the interior air. Ventilation is addressed in specific standards for houses, offices, general industry, shipyard employment, long shoring, and the construction industry. Currently a number of well-identified illnesses, such as Legionnaire’s disease, asthma, tuberculosis, the common cold, influenza, meningitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever, have been directly traced to specific building ventilation problems. These are called building-related illnesses and are increasingly predominant in common buildings and workplaces today. Most of these diseases are treatable but some pose grave health risks and may require prolonged recovery times, most often long after the person has left the building.

There are many types of ventilation options –

Single - Sided Ventilation: limited to zones close to the openings

Cross - Ventilation: two or more openings on opposite walls - covers a larger zone than the single-sided openings

Stack Ventilation: Buoyancy - driven gives larger flows

Windcacthers: Wind and buoyancy driven-effective in warm and temperate climates

Solar - induced Ventilation: using the sun to heat building elements to increase buoyancy – more effective in warm climates

Mechanical or forced ventilation: through an air handling unit or direct injection to a space by a fan. A local exhaust fan can enhance infiltration or natural ventilation, thus increasing the ventilation air flow rate.

Natural ventilation: the airflow is due to wind and buoyancy through cracks in the building envelope or purposely installed openings.

Mixed Mode Ventilation or Hybrid ventilation: uses both mechanical and natural ventilation processes. The mechanical and natural components may be used in conjunction with each other or separately at different times of day.

Mechanical exhausts control odors and humidity in kitchens and bathrooms. Ceiling, table, floor fans circulate air within a room for the purpose of reducing the perceived temperature because of evaporation of perspiration on the skin of the occupants. When creating an energy-efficient, airtight home/ workplace through air sealing, it's very important to consider ventilation. Unless properly ventilated, an airtight home can seal in indoor air pollutants. Opening doors, windows, and using ceiling fans are all ways to maximize natural ventilation and reduce the risk of airborne contagion. Natural ventilation requires little maintenance and is inexpensive. Ventilation also helps control moisture, which is another important consideration for a healthy, energy-efficient home.

Good ventilation is matter of great criticality, ISO 16813:2006 is one of the ISO building environment standards, applicable to new constructions and the retrofit of existing buildings.  “It considers the need to provide a healthy indoor environment for the occupants as well as the need to protect the environment for future generations and promote collaboration among the various parties involved in building environmental design for sustainability.”

If you or others at your home/office are experiencing health or comfort problems that you suspect may be caused by indoor air pollution, you can talk to other family members or colleagues to see if similar problems are being experienced by others and contact a HVAC specialist immediately.

Never be a victim of cheap HVAC services

When you entrust the job of repairing or maintaining your HVAC system to a contractor who offers low cost services, you need to think twice before handing it to him. These so called low cost deals are often underhanded practices of unscrupulous HVAC companies who employ contractors that are not professionally qualified, trained or possess the skill of undertaking repair or replacement on your heating and air conditioning systems. We all know that a great doctor is never cheap, so it goes to say that contractors who offer quality services for your HVAC units are definitely not giving you a very cheap bill.

Most homeowners have been victims of cunning marketing strategies put for by the salesmen of unreliable HVAC service companies. These companies have in fact become gimmicky and dishonest when it comes to offering their services and sales. This is especially prevalent in the residential and commercial service industry. The salesmen are employed intentionally by these HVAC companies. They do not have enough experience in the HVAC trade, but the company believes in them to generate more sales for their HVAC equipment and product line. This according to them makes up for their lack of technical expertise. There are also reports carried out that justify that these HVAC companies train their staff by conducting mock sales interactions that teaches them to hook the customer and avoid technical questions.

If you have been a victim of all these, you are not alone. There are probably thousands of homeowners across the country who have been duped by these conniving salesmen, whose only purpose is to generate profits and not worry about the customer’s requirements. These so called contractors are shrewd enough to catch you at your most vulnerable point, especially when you are in desperate need of repair or replacement of your heating/air conditioning unit.

The point we are trying to make here is that homeowners and businesses need to seriously consider what kind of a service company they bring to their front door. A reliable HVAC company cares about the customer’s requirement and takes extra precaution when it comes to selling their product or when offering any service. Only then will your HVAC unit be guaranteed to a long and efficient working life, free from unnecessary repairs. It is not difficult to find a reputable company in your area who offers quality services. All it takes is a little common sense and the willingness to communicate with the company you are planning to approach. Just as you would get a lawyer’s second opinion in a trial, you need to apply the same strategy in this case. Then you can be assured that your HVAC unit is in good hands.

The same applies to choosing the right product or equipment for your home or office. You can’t just walk into a store, select a unit and then walk out. It takes a lot more time and effort to finding the perfect heating and cooling system that is the right fit for your home and your budget. Make sure that the unit is of the right size. For this, you need to measure the total square footage area of your indoor space. Also, ask your dealer to conduct an energy analysis of the building to determine the operating cost. This process will also help in preventing uneven temperature fluctuations and air stratification indoors by installing products for that particular purpose.

Saving Energy this Winter

To keep your energy bills under control this winter, make sure you properly prepare your home for the cold weather. This will help you save energy, money and keep your family comfortable indoors when the temperature drops. There are no cost and low cost ways to save on your energy bills this winter. Have a look at them below for some helpful tips.

Heating – For optimum heating and warm comfortable conditions, install a programmable thermostat. This way, you can lower the settings when the house is unoccupied and also during the night when everyone is asleep. You can save 10 to 20 percent on your heating bill by lowering the temperature by 10 degrees. You can also save on energy use by upto 3 percent if you wear socks and sweaters indoors to keep warm and then lowering your thermostat settings. However make sure that the thermostat is installed properly, programmed correctly and not situated in a heated area. Only then the thermostat can sense the average temperature indoors. Make sure to inspect your air filters and ducts before the cold season, if you have a forced air furnace. Replace or clean them to prevent dust build up and increase heating efficiency. Indoor heating can make the air inside very dry. For this, you can get a humidifier installed to add moisture to the air. Even if the thermostat is set for a lower temperature, heated air with moisture will make the indoor area feel warmer and more comfortable. If you need supplemental heating, you should never use a traditional fireplace. When the fireplace is not in use, you need to close the damper and seal the opening. That’s because the fireplace sucks warm conditioned air out of your home’s indoors to fuel the fire and then exhausts it through the chimney. Your furnace has to do double work by turning itself on and then replacing that warm air. 

Windows and doors – To prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping, you need to keep your windows tightly shut and doors closed as much as possible. Look for drafts, cracks and openings in your windows and doors. Have someone help you in checking the doors by having them stand on the other side and shine a flashlight around the door’s perimeter. If you can see the light through any openings or cracks, then the door definitely needs to be sealed. Another thing you can do is to hold a piece of paper between the door’s frame and then shut it. If you are able to pull the paper out without tearing it, then it needs to be weather-stripped. You can caulk windows as much as needed. Install storm windows, open up south facing drapes and curtains during the day to let in warm sunlight and close them at night to keep the heat in. Other things you can do is to seal off all unused rooms in your house as long as it is not the place your thermostat is located and is less than 100 square footage in area.

Water heater – You can save a lot on energy bills by making sure to set the temperature of your water heater no higher than 125 degrees. To remove sediment that will interfere with the efficient working system of your heater, drain off a bucket of hot water from it annually. If the water heater is older than 5 years, you can install a water heater blanket. Also it makes sense to insulate pipes around the heater as this will be really helpful if it is installed in an unheated space.

Other ways to lower energy costs – Consider upgrading your home’s insulation if it is less than R-38 in rating, which is the standard requirement for homes. You should also check your attic’s insulation and seal areas which could have leaks like basements, garages and crawlspaces. If you are using special lighting for the holidays, make sure you buy new LED holiday lights. Dispose of older strings of incandescent lights as they can use up to 99 percent more energy than new ones. Switch off holiday lights before going to bed or when you are leaving the house. Make sure you don’t use them for more than six hours in a day to keep energy usage down. For this you can install lighting timers to make them turn on or off automatically.

Heating and Cooling Of Yesteryears

Do you wonder how people kept themselves warm or cool as the case may be in houses of yesteryears? No one can imagine themselves living in conditions with an air conditioner in summer and a furnace/heater in winter. The first thing that flashes through your mind is,How can I live inside my home when it is so hot or so cold? 

About a century ago, people were accustomed to living without heating and air conditioning units. There was no technology or the HVAC systems that we have and are taken for granted during these past few years. Electricity was also not available and yet, people lived comfortably and remained healthy. Houses were designed to keep cool in summer and warm in winter. To know about the way houses were designed and built hundreds of years ago, take a look at some of the essential features that were addressed by architects.

• Natural resources – For those who lived centuries ago, the absence of electricity did not pose a problem for keeping warm or cool during the changing seasons. Houses were naturally insulated thanks to the structure and materials used to build them. Every home had a fireplace which was religiously lit at dusk to keep warm. The fireplace would always have sufficient amount of logs that lasted the entire night. The warmth which was derived from the fire would be absorbed by the walls made of stones or bricks, which had strong energy retention capacity to keep the warmth inside and the cold out.  
• Structure – The structures of old houses speaks a lot about keeping the inhabitants comfortable indoors. The walls were very thick which prevented warm air from seeping out and the cold air from entering inside. Some homes had double walls for extra insulation and it was not an uncommon sight to see people building wooden walls inside and concrete walls outside. The double wall served as an excellent insulator for the home.
• Bricks – Walls that were built by bricks were thick and very large. Another interesting fact is that bricks take a long time to heat and also a long time to cool. That’s why, during winter months when the house is warmed, bricks can retain the heat without losing it too quickly. This of course functions the other way during summer when hot air is prevented from entering inside.
• Glass – Glasses were placed in homes all around the south side during the construction process. Sunlight enters the house from the south side so the rays would penetrate through the glass and warm the indoors. This is indirect heat energy from the radiation of the sun’s rays used to keep the house warm and cozy. Temperature inside slowly increases as the warmth of the sun’s rays moves indoors to every area. Drapes and thick curtains are also used to retain heat inside without losing it too quickly.
• Paint – The difference with painting your home with dark colors compared to that of light colors is that dark colors absorb heat more efficiently and quickly. Light colors reflect sunlight and thus cannot retain the heat from the sun’s rays. That’s why old houses are usually painted with dark colors so that the radiation from the sun is absorbed outdoors and the dark color of the paint locks the heat in.
• Heat retention methods – To reduce heat transfer indoors, windows play an important role. Cement filling was used to seal the gaps between the window frames to keep warm air inside and prevent cold air from seeping in. This helped in heat retention and decreased air flow between the outside and inside. Ancient History says that the Romans used advanced heat retention methods to keep warm. They used hypocausts which was an under floor heating method where floors were raised above the surface of the ground by pillars with a layer of tiles, a layer of concrete and then another layer of tiles on top. Spaces were then left between them so that smoke or hot air from the furnace would pass through these enclosed areas and then out through the roof. This ensured that there was no pollution in any interior areas of the house but only efficient heating.