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So heat is created by burning the fuel (gas) inside your furnace (Some furnaces use outside air to help burn the fuel; others use air from inside your home). When the fuel burns, the hot gases that are created go through curved metal tubing called a heat exchanger and then out of your home through a metal or plastic vent pipe. At the same time, the air that circulates through your ducts passes over the outside of the heat exchanger and takes on the heat from the hot metal. The warm air is then circulated through your home. The sealed heat exchanger allows the air in your home to be heated without contaminating it with the toxic by-products of combustion.

Comfort Features –

Many furnaces offer additional features that provide greater comfort (as well as additional energy savings). Two-speed and variable speed furnaces can run on lower speeds up to 90% of the time, so they operate more quietly and run for longer periods of time than single-speed furnaces. Longer operating periods translate into smaller temperature swings. You get consistent, even heat throughout your home.
The variable speed furnaces provide a combination of comfort, efficiency and quiet performance. They can actually increase the efficiency rating of your central air conditioning system and offer you added energy savings when you use continuous fan operation in any season.

Controlling humidity can not only affect how comfortable you feel, it can actually save you money on your monthly energy bills.

Our bodies “feel” heat as a combination of temperature and humidity. In other words, the more humid the air, the warmer it feels. So if you add humidity to dry, heated air in the winter with a humidifier, you can set your thermostat lower and still be comfortable – while you save money on your utility bills.

A humidifier can also help prevent dry, cracked skin, make it easier to breathe, protect your woodwork and reduce static electricity.

Humidifiers operate on the basis of a simple concept. Air heated by your furnace passes through an evaporator pad in your humidifier. The air absorbs moisture from the water-soaked pad and becomes water vapor that humidifies the heated air that is circulated throughout your home.

The three most important factors to evaluate when you’re considering purchasing a new furnace are: Quality, Efficiency and Comfort Features 
1. Quality –
Purchasing a brand name that has a reputation for quality and reliability can save you headaches and extra expense down the road. Most of the furnaces we sell come with a minimum of 10 year warranty on parts. To that we add an additional warranty for labor. Please call us to find out the exact warranty information.
2. Efficiency –
A furnace’s efficiency rating, or AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), tells you how efficiently the furnace uses fuel. In general, the higher the efficiency, the less fuel the furnace will use to heat your home. Many 1990 and earlier furnaces have an AFUE ratings of 70% or less.

High-efficiency furnaces offer AFUE ratings from 90% to 98%.

Although higher efficiency may result in a more expensive furnace. Rebates are available to our customers, and cheaper monthly utility bills help offset some of that cost.

3. Comfort Features –
Many furnaces offer additional features that provide greater comfort (as well as additional energy savings). Two-stage and variable speed furnaces can run on lower speeds up to 90% of the time, so they operate more quietly and run for longer periods of time than standard multi-speed motors. Single longer operating periods translate into smaller temperature swings. You get consistent, even heat throughout your home.
The variable speed furnaces provide a combination of comfort, efficiency and quiet performance. They can actually increase the efficiency rating of your central air conditioning system and offer you added energy savings when you use continuous fan operation in any season.

Similar to the furnace the three most important factors to evaluate when you’re considering purchasing a new furnace are: Quality, Efficiency and Comfort Features. 
1.Quality

Purchasing a brand name that has a reputation for quality and reliability can save you headaches and extra expense down the road. Make sure to evaluate the warranty on parts and labor.

2.Efficiency

Cooling efficiency for air conditioners is indicated by a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which tells you how efficiently the unit uses electricity. In general, the higher the SEER, the less electricity the unit will use to cool your home. The government mandated minimum efficiency for air conditioners is 13.0 SEER.

In order for the AC to function, the outdoor unit (condenser) and the indoor unit (coil) have to match, giving you optimal performance, efficiency and comfort. 

3.Comfort Features

Some air conditioners offer additional features that provide greater comfort (as well as additional energy savings). Two-stage units can run on low speed (using 50% of the energy) up to 80% of the time, so they operate more quietly and run for longer periods of time than single-speed models providing consistent, even cooling throughout the home. 

There are basically three ways you can compare the performance of different models and brands:

• How much energy they use to heat or cool your home (Efficiency).
• How much you notice their presence (Sound Levels).
• How they make you feel (Comfort).

Efficiency and Furnaces

The efficiency of a furnace is measured in a rating known as AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). A lot like your car’s miles per gallon rating, AFUE tells you how efficiently the furnace converts fuel into heat. An AFUE of 80% means that 80% of the produced heat is used to heat your home, while the other 20% basically goes up the chimney.

The minimum efficiency gas furnace today is 80%, and we have gas furnaces with efficiencies as high as 98%.

In general, the higher the efficiency of the furnace the less fuel it will use to heat your home. If you have an older furnace, from before 1992, it probably has an AFUE of about 60%. You could save up to 60% on your heating bills by replacing it with a new high-efficiency furnace. So the cost to replace your old, inefficient furnace is paid back through lower utility bills.

Air Conditioners

Cooling efficiency for air conditioners is indicated by a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which tells you how efficiently a unit uses electricity. The higher the number, the greater the efficiency.

The typical SEER rating of units manufactured prior to 1992 was about 7-8. Beginning in 1992, the government began establishing minimum SEER ratings for manufacturers. Currently the minimum SEER air conditioning unit has a 13.0 SEER Rating.

In order for the AC to function, the outdoor unit (condenser) and the indoor unit (coil) have to match, giving you optimal performance, efficiency and comfort. 

Sound Levels
Air Conditioners –

The sound level of outdoor units is measured in bels (similar to decibels), on a scale from 0 (barely perceptible sound) to 13 (the threshold of pain). Most air conditioners operate at 6 to 7 bels.

Depending on the location of the unit the sound level can play an important factor in deciding which unit is best for you.

Furnaces –

There isn’t a standard sound rating system for furnaces like the bel system for condensing units, so it’s difficult to compare models.

However, models that have two-stage or variable-speed operation typically also offer lower operating sound levels, because there is less noise from the blower motor and from air turbulence at lower speeds. Since two-speed and variable-speed models normally run on “low” speed up to 90% of the time, you’ll find that they’re a sound solution when you want to enjoy peace and quiet.

Comfort Furnaces –

Many furnaces offer additional features that provide greater comfort (as well as additional energy savings). Two-stage and variable speed furnaces can run on lower speeds up to 90% of the time, so they operate more quietly and run for longer periods of time than single-speed furnaces. Longer operating periods translate into smaller temperature swings. You get consistent, even heat throughout your home.
The variable speed furnaces provide a combination of comfort, efficiency and quiet performance. They can actually increase the efficiency rating of your central air conditioning system and offer you added energy savings when you use continuous fan operation in any season.

Air Conditioners

Some air conditioners offer additional features that provide greater comfort (as well as additional energy savings). Two-stage units can run on low speed (using 50% of the energy) up to 80% of the time, so they operate more quietly and run for longer periods of time than single-speed models providing consistent, even cooling throughout the home. 

You may wish to consider replacing your air conditioning or heating system if it is old, inefficient or in need of repair. Today’s systems are as much as 60% more efficient. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce the actual or realized efficiency of the system. If you are concerned about utility bills or are faced with an expensive repair, you may want to consider replacing your system rather than enduring another costly season or paying to replace an expensive component. The utility cost savings of a new unit may provide an attractive return on your investment.

When you’re frustrated with an equipment break-down, it can be tempting to find the least expensive “quick fix” to get on with your life in relative comfort. That “quick fix” may be the least expensive now, but it may not give you the most value – or cost you the least – in the long run.
An older system that breaks down once is likely to break down again … and again. That means more emergency service calls or, worse yet, the risk of damage to your home or to other components of your heating and cooling system. You can prolong the life of the unit by adhering to annual maintenance schedule.
There’s also an ongoing cost factor to consider. Restoring your old system will only bring it back to its current level of energy efficiency. This is the time to consider replacing an older unit with an updated high efficient one saving on the monthly utility bills. As you can see factors such as age, repair cost or energy efficiency alone cannot tell if you need to replace your unit, they should all be weighed together.

On a typical replacement, one of our expert staff will come to your home to evaluate the existing system. A few options will be presented and explained. A detailed quote is then generated and once the terms are agreed upon, an installation date will be set.

We will remove the old unit and install the new in its place.

Replacement units typically take us a day to complete.

Cooling

• Upgrade to a high-efficiency air conditioner: Swapping your old, inefficient air conditioning system for a high-efficient one can cut electricity bills. We can ensure your system is the right size for your home, and you aren’t over-or under-cooling for your space needs. 

• Turn up the Temperature: You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill — a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates. In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and setting the thermostat to 72°F (26°C), or your level of comfort, only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home.

A common misconception associated with thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, resulting in little or no savings. In fact, as soon as your house drops below its normal temperature, it will lose energy to the surrounding environment more slowly. The lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss. So the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature. The same concept applies to raising your thermostat setting in the summer — a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning. 

• Install Ceiling Fans: Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans. In the summer, the blades should operate in a counter-clockwise direction as a way of creating a nice, gentle wind.
• Have Annual Maintenance Performed: Having an annual maintenance performed on your air conditioner by a licensed technician will help ensure it operates at its peak efficiency and catches any potential breakdowns before they occur.
• Don’t Block Vents in Well-Used Rooms: Keep your supply and return air vents free of objects like blinds, carpets or furniture so your air conditioner can operate efficiently with even cool air distribution.
• Close Vents in Less-Used Room: By closing the vents, you won’t be spending money cooling rooms that are used less.

Heating

• Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Furnace: New high-efficiency furnaces use up to 50% less fuel than an older system. It can save you up to 25% of your home-heating costs in one year, and within a few years, you’ll have recovered the initial cost of replacing/upgrading your furnace. Choosing a model with an energy efficient motor can save 20 to 50% of the energy needed to continuously operate a fan motor. Let us show you the advantages of replacing your old furnace today.
• Have an Annual Maintenance Performed: Having annual maintenance performed on your furnace by us will help ensure it operates at its peak efficiency and catches any potential breakdowns before they occur.
• Install a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to control your home’s temperature when you’re away or asleep.
• Don’t Block Vents in Well-Used Rooms: Keep your supply and return air vents free of objects like blinds, carpets or furniture so your furnace can operate efficiently with even heat distribution.
• Close Vents in Less-Used Rooms: By closing some of the vents, you won’t be spending money heating rooms that are used less.
• Install Ceiling Fans – Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans. In the winter, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room.

There are an abundance of possibilities that can cause your HVAC system to freeze up; almost all of them usually need to be corrected by a professional technician. Determining the air filter is clean or replaced and making sure the airflow is not restricted are about the only tasks a homeowner should safely identify or handle themselves.

• Low Refrigerant: In some cases, freezing up is initiated by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing or vibrating against an object, leaking valves or loose fittings can cause leaks.
• Dirty Evaporator Coil: Over time, the evaporator coil will become dirty. On these occasions, the results are similar to those of having a dirty filter. Gradually you will lose airflow, slowly enough that you probably would not realize it until it freezes up or is not cooling adequately. You will need to contact a professional to remedy the problem.
• Defective Blower Motor or Relay: A blower motor running at an improper speed or not running at all can cause freezing. It can also be sporadic, starting at full speed and slowing down after it heats up. Or a relay could cause it to start one time and not the next. In either case, you will need to contact a professional to remedy the problem.

This depends on what type of filter system you have.1″ disposable filters should be changed every 3-4 months. Wider media style filters should be replaced once or twice a year. These are usually 4-6” wide and are considered a premium type filter. If you have an electronic air cleaner you will need to clean or wash the cells every 3 months.

There are many reasons such as safety, efficiency, comfort and to take care of things that might present a problem at an inconvenient time. A simple thing such as a plugged up filter can cause the system to fail resulting in a late evening or holiday service call. This is just one example, but there are several things we do on each call that could help prevent a costly repair later.
By maintaining the furnace, it runs at peak efficiency. It maximizes the system’s performance and provides more comfort for YOU. We want to identify problems before they occur. We cannot guarantee that you won’t have a breakdown during the winter after a tune-up but regular, annual maintenance decrease breakdowns.
We also check to see if you need humidifier pads to keep humidity at an ideal level. We perform both Commercial and Residential maintenance. The things we do are slightly different, but the reasons for doing so are the same.