Last updated 3 days ago
Most homeowners would like to stay cozy in the winter and cool in the summer without spending too much money on their utility bills, so many keep their eyes and ears open for simple ways to reduce heating and air conditioning costs. Unfortunately, much erroneous information circulates by word of mouth, and many myths about ways to reduce energy bills get spread this way. Here are some of the most common ones, debunked:
Myth: Installing a New Furnace Means Automatic Savings
A brand-new furnace or air conditioner is technically capable of operating at a much higher efficiency than an older unit, but there are other factors that contribute to your utility bills. Leaky or dirty air ducts can cause spikes in energy usage, and if you still use an old, inaccurate thermostat for climate control, you might not see the savings you expect after replacing your old unit.
Myth: Gas Heating is Less Efficient than Electric
Sometimes homeowners avoid using their gas furnaces altogether because they believe that using small electric space heaters only in the rooms they occupy can save them money. Electricity can be more expensive than gas, however, and on very cold days you will likely need to run your space heaters all night long to stay warm.
Myth: Closing Vents in Empty Rooms Will Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs
This myth seems like common sense: if a room is unused during the day, you can close the vents and you won’t waste money paying to heat or cool that room. Unfortunately, saving money isn’t that simple. Closing vents changes the airflow through your ducts, and since interior walls are often uninsulated, the empty rooms still generate or absorb heat depending on the season.
If you would like to learn real ways to reduce your heating and cooling expenses while still staying comfortable year-round, call Greenwood Heating & Air today at (206) 734-3370. We provide Seattle homeowners with complete heating and cooling services, including maintenance of existing units and installation of new ones.
Last updated 13 days ago
Most Seattle-area homes have two separate appliances to heat and cool the living space: an air conditioner and a furnace. Both of these appliances can be replaced by a geothermal heat pump, which moves warmth from underground into your home or vice-versa for a total heating and cooling solution in one convenient unit. Read on to learn more about heat pump technology.
Where Does the Heat Come From?
Furnaces create heat by burning gas. Heat pumps, however, use heat transfer to warm your house while consuming much less energy. Several feet below the Earth’s surface, the ground temperature is relatively constant no matter what the air temperature is. Geothermal heat pumps absorb this thermal energy and move it into your home. In the summer, the flow can be reversed and you heat pump can draw warmth from your home and pump it back into the ground.
How Does the Heat Pump Work?
Heat pumps usually use a closed loop filled with water or liquid refrigerant, which absorbs the heat underground. The pump then moves the warm fluid into a heat exchanger, where it warms up air that a fan then blows through your home. To cool a space down, the process is reversed and refrigerant inside the home absorbs heat which is then pumped back into the ground.
What Benefits Does a Heat Pump Offer?
Because a heat pump does not burn gas, your gas bill will be significantly reduced. Although the pump does require some electricity to operate the fan, its overall energy consumption will be much less than a traditional gas-fired furnace. Also, because it does not burn a fossil fuel byproduct, a heat pump provides a more sustainable source of warmth, and does not produce harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide.
If you would like to learn more about geothermal heat pumps, call Greenwood Heating & Air today at (206) 734-3370. We provide heating contractor services, as well as HVAC maintenance and repair, to homeowners throughout the Seattle area. Visit our website for more information
Last updated 21 days ago
Homeowners with central air conditioning and heating systems know that the thermostat is the main control panel for the entire system. The temperature you set on your thermostat determines how long your HVAC system will run. Setting your thermostat to 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer can keep you comfortable while still saving energy.
If you would like to bring your energy costs down even further, invest in a programmable thermostat. These devices will automatically modify the temperature in your home during the day when your house stands empty, so that you aren’t needlessly wasting energy on climate control when nobody is home. The programmable thermostat can also switch on the furnace or air conditioner an hour or so before you arrive home for your maximum comfort.
At Greenwood Heating & Air, we provide a complete range of furnace and air conditioning service for Seattle residents, and we can install a programmable thermostat in your home. To speak with one of our expert heating contractors, call us today at (206) 734-3370.
Last updated 1 month ago
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. This process can be achieved in multiple ways, from large-scale solar thermal power plants to the tiny cells that power calculators. The most common type of solar power used by homeowners involves solar panels, or photovoltaic cells. These panels are made of the same type of semiconductor material used in computer chips, and work by knocking electrons loose from atoms. The electrons then flow throughout the cell, producing electricity.
Even in Seattle, solar power can supply enough energy for up to 30 percent of your electricity usage, and up to half of your hot water needs. To learn more about installing solar panels or solar heating technology on your Seattle home, contact Greenwood Heating & Air at (206) 734-3370.
Last updated 1 month ago
When most people think of air pollution, they don’t consider the air they breathe indoors. The air in the typical home is many times more polluted than the air outside, however. To help you take action to improve the health and comfort of your home, learn more about some of the main factors that influence indoor air quality:
Ventilation
Ventilation is a key factor in maintaining the air quality of any home. To keep dust, pet dander, and other pollutants out of the air, it’s important to keep up a constant flow of air between your home and the outdoors. Whenever possible, keep your windows open, and run fans to boost air circulation throughout your home. When you must close your house to the elements, you can improve your ventilation by turning on bathroom and kitchen vents, and by keeping the vent control open on your air conditioner.
Humidity
Humidity levels play an underappreciated role in a typical home’s air quality. When humidity is too high, mold and mildew can easily develop. When air is too dry, you may contend with dry skin, nosebleeds, and respiratory problems. Installing a humidifier with humidity control settings can help you obtain that “just right” level of 30 to 50 percent humidity.
HVAC Systems
Forced-air heating and cooling systems work by circulating cool or warm air throughout your home. Because they come into contact with all of the air in your home, they are a major factor in your indoor air quality. Changing the air filters on your air conditioner or furnace at least once per month will help to keep pollen, mold, and other allergens out of the air your breathe indoors. To protect your safety, always make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order.
At Greenwood Heating & Air, we provide duct cleaning, HVAC repairs, and a range of other services designed to improve your home’s air quality. Find out why we’re one of Seattle’s most trusted HVAC services by calling us at (206) 734-3370 today.
