HVAC 101: Part I

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Introduction

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) refers to the equipment, distribution network and terminals that provide heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning to a building. HVAC accounts for 40 percent to 60 percent of the energy used in commercial and institutional buildings, and 12 percent to 15 percent in industrial facilities. This represents an opportunity for substantial energy savings using proven technologies and design concepts. A recent study estimates that California commercial businesses alone have the potential to save 46 percent of their energy costs through cooling and ventilation energy efficiency efforts by 2011.

Technology Options

HVAC systems are typically replaced or upgraded when they have reached the end of their useful life. Because HVAC systems are expensive, it may not be cost-effective to replace them on the basis of improved performance or estimated annual energy savings alone. To optimize the purchase and selection of these systems, perform an energy analysis and review the purchasing tips provided below.

When early retirement of the HVAC system is not an option, there are two general guidelines for improving the energy performance of existing HVAC systems:

	Make the system as efficient as possible. Control the system as efficiently as possible.

Check in next week for Part II of this dialogue....

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More Fall and Winter Tips

Have your Heating system tuned-up for the season, so that you are running at peak efficiency. Operating at peak efficiency will save money because the system doesn't have to work as hard to do its job.

Replace your furnace or air handler filters on a regular basis. Lack of regular filter changes and maintenance is the Number 1 cause of system breakdowns and costly repair bills.

Keep the thermostat constant. Continuously adjusting the thermostat can be very inefficient. You can, however, lower the thermostat 2-3 degrees during the day while you're away to save money. For every degree you lower the setting, you can expect to cut energy consumption by up to 3-5 percent.

Flip the fan switch on your thermostat into the "fan on" mode when heating the house. This process will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.

Consider a Heat Pump if you are going to replace your outdoor unit. Although a Heat Pump cannot produce air as hot as your gas furnace, when you combine a Heat Pump with your gas furnace you have a system that is much more efficient and still able to deliver the warmth we all love.

Set air vents on the second floor to receive approximately 45 percent of the heated air. This will help even out the temperatures from the first to the second floor of the home. (Remember, hot air rises)

Open the shades and curtains to help produce radiant heat of the sun.

Replace older windows with more efficient low-E glass. These windows help to reduce the heat loss of your homes HVAC system. Also, keep storm windows closed. This saves money and extends the life of the system.

Run humidifiers to help maintain the warm feeling in your home. Proper humidity can make the air feel up to 3 degrees warmer. Which means you can turn down your thermostat a couple of degrees and save money on your utility bills and still feel the warmth that we all love on those cold days in winter. (Depending upon your environment, you may still need a dehumidifier running in the basement)

Clear or cut back shrubs and bushes from the outdoor Heat Pump unit. The sides of the unit require at least 12-18 inches of clearance for proper performance.

Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from your outdoor Heat Pump unit. And keep the indoor coils clean, following manufacturers' instructions.

Don't block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the home.

Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps.

Consider use of a programmable thermostat to automatically increase or decrease temperatures during day and night to suit a family's lifestyle and reduce energy cost.

Keep windows and doors closed to help with the homes natural heat loss.

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Fall Is Just Around The Corner - More Tips

Set the Thermostat Properly
The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 68 degrees for winter heating. When heating, your operating costs increase 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is raised.

Tune-Up Heating System Annually
Energy costs has increased up to 60% or more this year. One way you can minimize this increased expense is by having annual service done to your heating system. Studies show that homeowners having annual service to their systems spend an average of $30 less each month because of increased efficiency. Lack of regular maintenance is also the #1 cause of system breakdowns and costly repairs.

Keep the Air Filter Clean
The easiest way to ensure your system operated efficiently is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter on your furnace. Ask Pelles's service technician next time he's out at your home to show you where your air filter is located and which type of air filter to use. If you have allergies, you should look at a pleated allergy filter or a media or electronic style air cleaner.

Keep Doors and Windows Closed
Close all doors and windows to the outside (even garage doors). This will reduce the heating load in the winter, making your heating system operate more economically.

Keep Vents and Grilles Unobstructed
Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grilles are free from obstruction. This will also reduce the heating load on your furnace and allow for more economical operation.

Avoid Excess Use of Exhaust Fans
Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. Keep energy costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.

Control Direct Sunlight
Let the sun in during the winter to reduce the load on your heating system. Open window shades and remove awnings to increase direct sunlight and reduce heating bills.

Keep Heat Away from the Thermostat
Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat, including lamps, televisions, and stereo and computer equipment. Such heat-generating appliances can affect the setting of your thermostat and the efficiency of your heating system.

Keep an Air Tight House
Ensure maximum retention of heated air by adding insulation to outside walls and to the attic of your home. Seal cracks and use storm doors and windows and/or insulated doors and windows to prevent air leaks.

Department of Energy
Washington D.C. announced new energy tax savings for homeowners. By upgrading your home's gas/oil furnace, boiler, heat pump or water heater, you could receive a tax incentive.

Weatherization
You can increase the comfort in your home while reducing your heating needs by up to 30% by investing just a few hundred dollars in proper insulation and weatherization products. Warm air leaking out of your home during fall/winter can waste a substantial portion of your energy dollars. One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weather strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. You can save 10% or more on your energy bills by reducing the air leaks in your home.

Fireplaces
Next time you cozy up to a crackling fire on a cold winter day, remember that wood-burning or masonry fireplaces are one of the most inefficient heat sources you can use. Fireplaces literally send your energy dollars right up the chimney in volumes of warm air escaping your home and cold air in return. If you use your conventional fireplace while your central heating system is on, use Apollo's other Fall/Winter seasonal tips to help reduce energy losses. Remember to close the damper only after the ashes are cool and not smoldering any longer

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Seasonal Change Tips

Fall and Winter

General guidelines for keeping your home warm and efficient:

• Have a Service Experts professional inspect your home's ducts and heating equipment.
• Set your thermostat to 20 degrees when you're at home and awake, and as low as 15 degrees when you're asleep or awake.
• Clean or replace furnace filters every month.
• Clean chimney and check to see if your fireplace is working properly.
• Seal air leaks in the attic, basement and crawlspace, and also around windows and doors.
• Insulate inside of windows with heavy-duty, clear plastic sheets.
• Check your attic for proper insulation.
• Close curtains or shades at night and keep them open during the day
• Clean windows on the south side of your house to maximize sunlight exposure.
• Weather-strip doors that lead to cold or outside areas.
• Wrap and insulate waterlines to prevent them from freezing.
• Repair leaky faucets.

Extra steps you can take to save energy:

• Install a programmable thermostat, so you can preset temperatures for different times of the day.
• Insulate the water tank and first six feet of hot and cold water pipes connected to the unit.
• Lower the temperature of your water heater to 48 degrees (for every 10-degree decrease in temperature, you may save 3 - 5 percent on your energy costs).
• Install rubber gaskets behind outlets and use switch plates on exterior walls.
• Install low-flow showerheads.

Things you can do to improve air quality and reduce potential health risks:

• When adjusting your clocks, change batteries in smoke alarms, as well as radon and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Consider a ventilation system to increase air circulation inside and add a healthy dose of fresh air.
• Clean water-damaged carpets and materials, or consider replacement.
• Reduce the potential for buildup of allergy-causing pollutants by keeping your house clean.
• Take special precaution when operating fuel-burning appliances to avoid leakage.
• Store and dispose of household chemicals in a safe manner.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com