One Room Too Cold? Yet another Room Too Hot? Using A Zoning System, It's all Perfect!

Zoning systems enable you to have an increased level of control over how you feel in your house.  Similar to how light switches provide the capability to manage your home’s lighting, zoning systems allow you to individually control the temperatures of various zones all through the house.

In a standard air system, the right temperature for the whole home is set by using a single thermostat.  Zoning systems use a number of different thermostats, with each and every one controlling a separate area of the house.  Somebody within a zone can adjust the temperature where they are without having to worry about bothering occupants in other places.  This ensures that there is no more “battle of the thermostat,” with people fighting over where the thermostat ought to be set.

This is certainly more cost-effective as the objective of trying to achieve one steady temperature throughout a whole home is rather unlikely.  There are features found in many households that naturally make this challenging achieve.  One example is simply the proven fact that heat will naturally rise, making 2nd stories warmer than 1st floors almost all of the time.  Additionally, good sized windows or glass areas permit more heat to transfer, making warm or cool sections in various areas of the home.

Zoning systems also allow you to more closely keep control of the amount energy you use.  You can set regularly vacant zones to an energy-saving setting so you aren’t having to pay to keep an empty space air-conditioned.  This can help minimize the wear and tear your HVAC system gets and help it to have a longer lifespan.

An HVAC expert will help you to determine what zoning best option.  He or she will utilize your help to figure out which rooms are being used less than others and just what structurel features may obstruct proper operation.  The actual installation is a pretty simple process: It generally requires only thermostats, a user interface, dampers plus some minor ductwork changes.

If you've been experiencing difficulity creating a constant temperature all through your house, a zoning system might be the answer you are searching for.  Contact Sandium Heating and Air Conditioning today to get more information.

5 Tips To Winterize Your Home

1. Tune-up the heating system

 

As you probably know from the previous winters, approximately 30% of the household expenses during the cold season stem from the heating system. On a side note, based on the region you live in and the resource you utilize for heating - mainly electricity, gas and oil - this expenditure could easily double. Therefore, it is highly advisable to test their functionality, check for faulty devices, change filter systems and perform any other maintenance tasks to ensure they are in top working condition.

 

2. Check the insulation on the ductwork

 

Without properly insulating the ductwork that runs all across your house, you risk wasting about 60% of the heated air by trying to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. If you're tired of wasting so much money, then it would be a good idea to insulate the ducts, particularly in the cold areas of one's house such as the basement, attic or crawlspaces. In case you observe pinches and gasps, then utilize a metal backed tape to fix them. Even though regular duct tape can do the trick in most cases, it won't be as efficient if you have an older ductwork. Don't forget to wrap up the pipes that run outside your house as well.

 

3. Button up the home windows

 

Ideally, winterizing the windows would imply replacing the current home windows with resilient storm house windows as their extra layer of protection works great on keeping the warmth inside the house. However, if you can't afford to spend money on new home windows, there is still a viable solution for your personal situation, namely insulated blinds. While many homeowners don't give them too much credit, in reality the insulated blinds have the potential of doubling or even tripling a window's efficiency level.

 

4. Block the air leaks

 

Did you know that air infiltration is the number one reason for the low temperatures at your residence? However, air leaks are simple to handle as all you need to do is walk around with a smoke stick to  discover and block them. Getting door sweepers and caulking the doors and home windows is usually an easy trick to prevent cold air from making its way into your house.

 

5. A programmable thermostat would really come in handy

 

Since you want to keep the heating bill from eating into your bank account too much, it would be wise to spend money on a programmable thermostat that will turn the heating system on and off according to the desired interior temperature.

Getting Your Furnace Ready for the Winter Weather

November is here, the cold weather season is upon us. In fact many of us are already dealing with snow and freezing temperatures. This is the season that many people love. I mean who doesn't long for the brisk chill of a cool November day? Cold weather, cuddling by the fire, hot chocolate..  That said- winter has a way of sneaking up on us.  As a result, it's imparitive to take quick action to ensure that your home is a warm, comfortable living space during what could be a very cold winter.

Neglecting your hvac system can lead to disastrous results. If you aren't careful your living room could turn into the Arctic Circle. The cold weather, as much as we love it, belongs outside. You look forward to the wondrous benefits of winter: hot cocoa, crackling fire in the  fireplace and family gatherings. Well, in order to enjoy these traditional winter activities you should make sure that your heating system is serviced and running properly.

If you have a older, outdated heating system whether it has performed wonderfully or questionably, have it inspected soon. Even if it worked without a problem during  past winters, there may be hard-to-detect problems, the result of wear and tear from years and years of use.. If you're hesitant to spend money on a heating system evaluation, consider it an investment in your peace of mind. Having a factory-trained HVAC technician perform a system evaluation can lead to more energy efficiency and lower heating bills over the next few years. Maintaining your heating system will not only bring a financial savings on your heating bills, but also help you avoid  future repairs that may have been prevented if caught when they were minor issues.

It's important to schedule regular servicing to guarantee uninterrupted cold-weather operation. In addition to having a seasonal check-up performed by a certified HVAC technician, there are additional steps homeowners can take to increase the efficiency of their heating systems. Change the air filter's at the beginning of every heating season and check it every few weeks tthrough the winter. Also, inspect the heat exchanger for holes or cracks and make certain there are no carbon monoxide leaks.

Keep your eyes open for red flags. If your house isn't being heated evenly you should figure out why, and if you are also having humidity problems, your system could be malfunctioning.

If your furnace appears to be on it's last leg it may be smarter to invest in a energy efficient model than to be dumping money into a sinking ship. Remember, it's an investment. So do your research.

In the event that you need to purchase a new furnace, take a deep breath and contact your local HVAC company. They can solve your heating problems well in advance of winter's cold weather. This is why it is important to take preventive measures as opposed to waiting until the last possible moment to take action, or worse, putting it off completely.

Remember, don't rely solely on your judgment to diagnose heating problems call your local heating professional. With his expert service and your own regular maintenance checks you and your family will enjoy a safe, warm home all winter long!

6 Ways to Reduce Your Winter Heating Bills

It has been another difficult year economically but now it's time to gear up for the holidays and plan for next year. We spend a lot to heat our home, now it's time to come up with a plan to reduce those heating bills. I know you don't like throwing your money away. A family spends approximately $2000 a year for winter heating, this amount can be even more if you do not take care of little things that can increase efficiency of your heating system.

Insulating

The first step you should take is making sure your home is properly insulated.  Proper insulation will keep your indoors warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are various forms of insulation like spray foam, fiberglass, rigid foam and cellulose and many others. Once your home is properly insulated your winters will be more comfortable and you will be saving money on the cost on heating for those cold days.

Plugging Air Leaks

Whether your home is new or old, before winter hits you should check every window and door for air leaks. A leaky home will allow cool air to get inside and warm air to go outside and that will increase your heating bills. Your HVAC system will have to overwork to keep your home warm which will mean more fuel and maintenance expenses for you.

Here are a few tips to check and fix the air leaks in your home.

1) Check out the weather stripping around the windows and doors

2) If your insulation has leaks then use the insulation tape to seal them.

3) If there are rooms in your home that you do not use frequently, make sure to apply sheeting to the doors leading to them.

4) Install vent blocks in the rooms your don't use.

5) Seal all the cracks in the walls.

6) Try to prevent constant running in and out of the house (remember your parents constantly reminding you to stop running in and out of the house when you were a kid?). Everytime you open the door you are letting in cold air and letting out warm air. 

These are some simple tips that can greatly reduce winter heating costs. You should also call your HVAC company to come in and do a routine winter servicing of your heating system and make sure that there are no leaks in your duct work. Don't forget that lowering your thermostat by even 1 degree will save you money over the long term. 

Heating Alternatives to Reduce Winter Heating Costs

With the winter season upon us, most people are researching ways to help lower their heating bills. There are many ways to do this, and they can be as simple as a few quick do-it-yourself home improvements or a call to your local HVAC company.

The three most effective and simple steps can be completed in as little as a few hours. 

1. Lower the temperature on your thermostat. 3 to 5 degrees may not feel like much but can make quite a difference in terms of saving money over a period of time, and if you start to get a little chilly add an extra layer of clothing before turning up the thermostat. 

2. Space heaters are fairly inexpensive and can be very energy efficient if you do some research. Heating the 1 or 2 rooms you use the most instead of your whole house can save money on heating bills, and is often recommended by government departments. 

3.  Winterizing your home by adding window seals where needed or using caulk to stop leaks is a simple and effective way to ensure your heating system is not working in vain. If you don't already have them you may want to consider  double-paned windows, although you may need to call a professional to have him install them for warranty purposes.

While the above tips will increase efficiency and lower bills, sometimes it is necessary to discuss some steps that include a larger investment. They are long- term solutions that  will pay off by lowering your heating bills. Here are four heating alternatives to look into.

Natural Gas Conversion: While a natural gas heating solution is a financial investment to install it does have other advantages, such as its ability to be used to run appliances, fuel a fireplace and heat water. However since natural gas is provided by local utility companies it may not be available in all areas so be sure to call your local supplier.

Ground (Geothermal) Heat Pump Systems: Geothermal Heat Pumps have become quite popular as an alternative way to heat residences and businesses alike. They work by relying on the relatively constant temperature of the earth 3-5 feet below the surface. While the upfront costs can be daunting, it is possible to recoup your investment in as little as five years, and to reduce your energy consumption by 44-72% according to the EPA.

Solar Heating Systems: Solar power is economical, renewable, and environmentally friendly, making it appealing to many consumers. While the initial costs can seem to be staggering the long term benefits are worth the work, as the Department of Energy estimates that a properly designed and installed solar system can provide 40-80% of a home's heating needs.

Wood or Pellet Burning Stoves: Wood burning stoves have become more efficient and operate much safer than they did five to ten years ago, and with the increase cost of gas and oil have also been able to provide an economical solution for many homeowners.  The Environmental Protection Agency states that they are one of the "cleanest-burning heating appliances available today" and exempts them from smoke-emission testing requirements.

HVAC Zoning Gives You Control over the Temperatures in Your Home

Most Bay area homeowners spend a lot more time in particular parts of their homes than they do in others. So it does not make much sense to heat and cool just about every a part of your house in the very same way. A Heating and air conditioning zoning method is the perfect answer to this problem.

What exactly is HVAC zoning?

A zoning system for the air conditioner, furnace or heat pump enables you to have precise control over the temperature in different regions of your house. You'll be able to divide your property into various zones and set each and every zone to a designated temperature in accordance with how your family makes use of that a part of your home.Similar to the way  a programmable thermostat adjusts temperatures in line with when you are at house or sleeping, a zoning program can focus your conditioned air on the rooms which you use the most.

How does HVAC zoning operate?Every single zone that you just designate in your residence receives a damper either inside the air duct that leads to the zone or near the air register in the zone. The damper opens and closes in accordance with whether or not the zone calls for conditioned air. When the damper is open, air is permitted in to heat or cool the zone. When the damper is closed, the zone receives no conditioned air.Each zone receives its own thermostat which you can set to your liking. When a thermostat detects that a zone desires to be heated or cooled, it sends a signal to a central control panel that asks for the HVAC unit to send conditioned air. Its damper is then opened to permit the air into the zone.Once each zone inside your property has reached its desired temperature, your HVAC unit shuts off and stops sending conditioned air.

What are the key advantages of HVAC zoning?

HVAC zoning comes with a few terrific benefits. For one, it permits you to have maximum control over the comfort levels inside your household.You will feel significantly much less hot and cold spots using a zoning system mainly because your HVAC unit is able to give a lot more consideration to each and every separate part of your house.

HVAC zoning also saves power due to the fact your heating and cooling units only work as tough as they must in an effort to satisfy each and every zone. That signifies they will not have to waste power on conditioning rooms that you simply do not devote quite a bit of time in.

If you have any questions about HVAC Zoning or if you would like a zoning system installed in your home please visit Sandium.Com