November 2019

Gas Furnace vs Heat Pump: What's the Difference? Should I get a furnace or a heat pump? What is the difference anyways? There are a few different options you have when it comes to heating your home. Among the most popular are furnaces and heat pumps. Although there are several different types of furnaces available today (gas, oil, boiler), in this post we will be looking specifically at gas furnaces as they are the most popular option in homes today. Gas Furnaces A gas furnace is by far the most popular option in heating your home here in the United states with approximately 56% of homes utilizing one each winter. A gas furnace is known to provide the hottest heat when compared to a heat pump as it utilizes it's own fuel source (burning gas) to heat your home. Furnaces can also heat your home under any condition, no matter how cold the weather may be outside. If you live in areas of the US that become very cold each winter, a gas furnace is probably the best option for you. Not to mention, furnaces are generally much cheaper to install vs a heat pump. A new furnace installation generally costs anywhere between $2-4,000 depending on the efficiency of the furnace you have installed. Although it may seem obvious, you will need to verify you home has a natural gas connection to have a gas furnace installed. If you happen to live out in the country, fuel oil furnaces, boilers...

What Does It Mean To Have a Forced Air HVAC System? Forced Air HVAC System When shopping for a new air conditioner or furnace, you may have come across the term "forced air" and wondered what it may mean. Well, there are no tricks to this one. It means exactly what it sounds like. When you have a forced air heating and cooling system, you have a system that uses a motor and a fan to blow (force) the air throughout your home via duct work.  Different Types of Forced Air Systems Although forced air may mean only one thing, there are several different types of forced air hvac systems available today. Some of the most popular include: Gas Oil Electric Boiler All of these terms are in relation to your furnace as that is where your blower motor and fan reside. The blower motor and fan inside your furnace is also the same motor that works with your air conditioner to cool your home. Most of these systems are quite efficient at heating or cooling your home on an annual basis. Those with all electric equipment (including a heat pump) may experience higher electric bills than those with a gas furnace. Alternatives To Forced Air HVAC Forced air heating and cooling systems are by far the most popular option in today's homes but they are not the only option. If you live in a slab (single story) home, you may be utilizing baseboard heating in the winter. Baseboard heaters...

What Is a Variable Speed Blower Motor? These types of blower motors are designed for efficiency and savings. How Do They Work? If you are looking to lower your energy bills, a variable speed blower motor may be a good investment. Variable speed motors move at different speeds as opposed to normal motors that tend to run at only one speed. With standard motors only having an "on/off" mode, they tend to kick your furnace or air conditioner on many times during the day, wasting energy.  By having a variable speed blower motor that automatically controls the amount of air coming out of your vents, you are able to better heat or cool your home to a precise temperature. These motors will deliver just the right amount of air to keep your home comfortable.  Also, if you have a zoning system in your home, a variable speed motor is an excellent option as you are able to customize your comfort.  Save Money Variable speed blower motors can save you money on your energy bills as they do not consume as much electricity as standard motors. Cleaner Air & Less Noise Variable speed motors can help keep the air in your home cleaner. By having them run on lower speeds when not cooling or heating your home, you can have the air in your home recirculated through your filters on a continual basis. These types of motors are designed to run for extended periods of time so it does not hurt the...