Heating

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Because temperatures underground are nearly constant year-round — warmer than the outside air during the winter and cooler than the outside air during the summer — a ground-source heat pump can be much more efficient than an air-source heat pump and appropriate for both warm and cold climates. However, they are less common and more expensive to install.

Despite the high cost, your energy bills might be lowered enough with a ground-source heat pump to justify installing one, especially if you need to replace your water heater as well. Most ground-source heat pumps are installed with a “desuperheater” that uses waste heat to heat water for no added cost during both heating and cooling modes. ACEEE would strongly recommend this option.

Several utilities have begun marketing ground-source systems as a superior alternative to air-source heat pumps. Visit the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium for more information or to find a contractor who can help you.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Central heat pumps operate much like a central air conditioner except that they can reverse the cycle in the winter to deliver heat to the house. They are much more energy-efficient than electric furnaces; however, conventional air-source heat pumps are only appropriate in mild or warm climates. Because heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, they have two efficiency ratings: seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), and heating system performance factor (HSPF). When selecting a new heat pump, look for the following:

High Seasonal Efficiency
ACEEE recommends SEER at least 14.5 and HSPF in the range of 9.0. Heat pumps meeting these performance criteria can be found by running a search in the ARI/CEE HVAC Directory.

Compatibility
Depending on the indoor unit installed, SEER and HSPF can vary significantly within the ranges of efficiency provided for the outdoor condensing units. Make sure all of the components of the system are designed to work together. Check with your contractor or visit the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute to see the specific SEER and HSPF values for the combination you are considering.

Boilers

Boilers (Hot Water and Steam)

The efficiency of new boilers is given as the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), a measure of overall performance. Boilers manufactured since 1992 must have an AFUE of at least 80%. In comparison, many old boilers have AFUE ratings of only 55-65%. To get the most out of your new boiler, consider the following:

Buy ENERGY STAR (AFUE of 85% or higher)
If you want to know what manufacturers produce high-efficiency boilers, check the ENERGY STAR list. Ask your contractor about condensing boilers that are available and consider the added investment if you live in a very cold climate.

Control Options
Ask your contractor about different controls that reduce the amount of heat lost through the pipes during off-cycle periods or off-peak (warmer) days. Today there are many technologies available. Controls that modulate the boiler water temperature to reduce off-peak losses work better with condensing boilers. Ask about the cost of purchasing a boiler that has integrated controls compared to the cost of purchasing the controls as an add-on.

Low electricity usage
Tell your contractor that you would like a boiler that has low power usage. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers’ Association website includes information on AFUE and annual electricity use in its product database. The actual amount of electricity used in your home will vary with your local weather and home characteristics.

Indirect Water Heater
Modern boilers with low thermal mass and good insulation can actually make very efficient water heaters, because they don’t both heat and store water at the same time. When installing a replacement boiler, consider replacing your existing storage water heater with a well insulated indirect tank that connects to the boiler with an external loop. Even in the summer you are likely to save energy because heat losses through the water heater flue will be eliminated.

Choosing a Heating Contractor

Choosing Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors

Choosing a good contractor to install a new furnace or central air conditioner can be as important as the equipment you choose, because proper installation and maintenance is needed for the equipment to operate safely, reliably, and at maximum efficiency. Here are some suggestions for selecting a contractor:

• If you already know a reputable heating and air conditioning contractor, that is a good place to start. If you don’t, friends and relatives in the area can often give you recommendations.
• Most leading residential contractors belong to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). Both sites provide listings of heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration contractors in your area. Look for contractors whose technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and/or partnered with ENERGY STAR.
• Do not give your business to a company offering to give you an estimate over the phone without ever looking at the job to be done.
• A well-trained, up-to-date contractor will not try to discourage you from purchasing high-efficiency equipment. Less-qualified companies may not keep their employees current with the latest technology, and therefore they may discourage you from new and better designs.
• A good estimator will do a survey of your home and base his or her proposal on a heat-load calculation (or cooling-load calculation for air conditioning).
• Many furnaces and central air conditioners are not properly sized for the homes they serve, because of improper sizing years ago and/or energy efficiency improvements to the building since the old equipment was installed. Better contractors will not use your existing equipment to size your new heating or cooling system.
• A good estimator should also ask about any heating or cooling problems you have had with your old equipment, and offer understandable explanations or solutions.
• Using their heat-load and/or cooling-load calculations, good contractors should be able to estimate the annual operating costs (energy bills) for the equipment they are proposing for your home.
• A good company will give you a written bid (or proposal) outlining the equipment to be installed, the work to be done, and the price, including labor costs.
• We suggest you get estimates from multiple contractors, but try not to let the lowest price be the main reason for selecting a contractor. Better contractors may charge more, but they probably offer greater value. Be skeptical of extremely low bids; those contractors may not be including all routine services and customary warranties, or they may be trying to unload outdated or unreliable equipment.
• Reliable contractors are professional. Their people are prompt and courteous. How a company treats you now reflects how they will treat you if there is a problem. They should have an office or shop facility, and they should not be ashamed to have you visit them. An office or shop is an indication that the company has been in business and intends to remain in business.

Furnaces

The efficiency of new furnaces is measured by the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), a measure of seasonal performance. Furnaces today are between 78% AFUE and 96% AFUE. Traditional “power combustion” furnaces are 80-82% AFUE. Above 90% AFUE, a furnace is “condensing,” which means it recaptures some of the heat wasted in traditional systems by condensing escaping water vapor. Consider the following when selecting a new furnace:

Condensing Models
ACEEE strongly recommends a condensing furnace (AFUE 90% or higher), unless you live in a warm climate (in this case, you may want to consider retrofitting your system with a heat pump instead)

High Electrical Efficiency
A furnace can use a significant amount of electricity, mostly to power the fan motor. Variable speed fan motors are generally more efficient than standard (“PSC”) motors and may save you hundreds of dollars per year. Electrically efficient furnaces can be found on the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association’s website (www.gamanet.org).

Proper Sizing
Make sure the heating capacity of the furnace is not too high for your home. Most furnaces are substantially oversized. Insist that your contractor do an “ACCA Manual J” (www.acca.org) or better heat loss analysis.

Heating

Heating Contractors

Residential and commercial heating and cooling service on all brands of air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, fan coils, and thermostats to residents and businesses.

Heating and air conditioning experts offering excellent quality of service and affordable rates.

Whether you need maintenance, repair, replacement new construction or remodeling.

Seek vendors who will provide you with not only top of the line service, but only top of the line quality products. Each home or office situation is different, so finding quality service, quality products and a professional staff helping people create a more comfortable, healthier living
environmentat home or at work is key.