Heating and cooling your Virginia Beach home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of your Virginia Beach utility bill goes for heating and cooling. What’s more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change. They also generate about 12% of the nation’s sulfur dioxide and 4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief ingredients in acid rain.
No matter what kind of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system you have in your Virginia Beach home, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. Contact your Virginia Beach HVAC specialist and have your system checked out and repaired accordingly each year. But remember, an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your Virginia Beach energy bills as using the whole-house approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions from 20% to 50%.
Heating and Cooling Tips
- Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer.
- Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
- Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
- Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if in doubt about how to perform this task, call a professional.
- Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
- Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
- During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
Long-Term Savings Tips
- Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage. For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE.
- For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14 SEER or more.
Article Source: http://www.energysavers.gov/tips/heating_cooling.cfm
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach duct cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
New guidance will help ensure that home energy upgrades protect the health of Americans while saving energy and money.
The EPA has developed a new voluntary guidance document, Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades, that provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.
The guidance was developed in collaboration with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Recovery Through Retrofit Initiative and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to develop Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals.
The EPA protocols and DOE guidelines are intended for voluntary adoption by weatherization assistance programs, federally funded housing programs, private sector home performance contractors(see your Virginia Beach heating and cooling contractor), and others working on residential energy upgrade or remodeling efforts. Together, the complementary documents provide a robust and practical set of resources for home energy upgrade contractors, trainers, and program administrators; help improve the quality of the work performed in this expanding industry; promote occupant health and safety; and will assure consumers that high quality work is performed.
Why EPA developed Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades
Millions of American homes will be upgraded or remodeled in the coming years to improve their energy efficiency, make them more comfortable and affordable, or add features their owners want. The benefits of Virginia Beach home upgrades are tremendous — improving quality of life for occupants, protecting the environment, and sustaining American jobs. Integrated healthy home and energy efficiency upgrade activities can simultaneously lower utility costs and improve indoor air quality. Leading energy efficiency upgrade programs have demonstrated the feasibility of integrating many indoor air quality and safety improvements. However, home energy upgrade activities might negatively affect indoor air quality if the appropriate home assessment is not made before work begins or if work is performed improperly. The EPA developed Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades to provide practical guidance on improving or maintaining indoor air quality and indoor environments during home energy upgrades or remodeling.
The protocols apply to existing single-family and multi-family low-rise residential buildings. They provide guidance for conducting home assessments and undertaking the responses necessary to maintain or improve indoor air quality and safety. The protocols also can help improve the quality of home weatherization projects and other energy efficiency efforts, thus reducing failures and call-backs.
Aricle Source: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach ac repair contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
As soon as you notice that the general temperature of your house is continuously dropping, there is a great chance that your furnace has stopped working. There are various reasons behind this sudden breakdown. Usually, these problems may warrant various types of Virginia Beach furnace repairs. While some of the furnace unit problems may be fixed using simple methods, you are not advised to try them. This is because most of these problems need to be addressed using extensive knowledge and a high degree of accuracy. If you attempt to address these problems yourself, you run the risk of compromising your safety.
One of the most common criteria for Virginia Beach furnace repairs is a blown fuse or a tripped breaker. When your fuse breaks down, your furnace indefinitely stops working. This usually happens when your furnace is required to work more than the ideal duration. Also, the electrical ignition that may occur on the blower or other electrical components of the furnace may cause the entire circuit to break down. When this happens, you should immediately check the panel of the circuit breaker. While you are waiting for your contractor to attend to the furnace and the fuse, you may turn off the switch for the furnace first. Aside from that, you may disconnect the fuse that directly connects to the furnace. For this job, your contractor will need to install a new fuse. Therefore, it is better if you have this part ready before the contractor comes over. After the appropriate Virginia Beach furnace repairs are done, you can expect the furnace to be running efficiently again.
Usually, gas furnaces use a small pilot light or flame to create the main source of heat. This pilot light helps in maintaining the proper gas flow to the furnace. There are various reasons that a pilot light breaks down. One of these is the interruption of the gas flow. A draft in the gas flow may also cause the gas flow to be delayed or completely blocked. When this happens, you need to contact a contractor to perform relighting of your furnace pilot. Before your contractor attends to the pilot light, you may help out by turning off the main power source of the furnace. The recommended method is to turn this off at the thermostat. After extensive Virginia Beach furnace repairs have been done, you can determine if the pilot light is properly working if the flame from the furnace remains lighted after you held the knob of the gas valve for around a minute.
Another problem that you may encounter with your furnace is the presence of a dirty furnace filter. This is one of the common problems because your furnace depends on it everytime you turn on the entire unit. When you turn on your heating unit, air starts to circulate through the main part of the furnace as well as the vents. Along with the air comes the debris. Various debris and dust particles can be stuck on different parts of your furnace. In the long run, the dust particles can significantly block the pathways where air circulates. When this happens, you may start to notice the decrease in heating levels that your furnace provides. For this concern, you have to contact your contractor to perform filter replacement as soon as possible.
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
The MERV rating indicates the percentage of particles the air filter will remove from the air passing through it. In general, a MERV rating of 6 indicates that the filter will capture up to half of the particles in the air; a filter with a rating of 8 will trap 70 to 85 percent of air-born particles it encounters; and a rating of 11 or higher means that the air passing through the filter is up to 95 percent cleaner when it comes out of the filter than it was when it went into it [source: Lowe's].
A properly sized, installed and functioning heating and air system circulates the air in your Virginia Beach home every hour. Have your Virginia Beach heating and air conditioning contractor perform an inspection to make sure yours is operating at this level. In the process of circulating the air, the system pulls that air through the filter. Just how much the filter cleans the air depends on the MERV rating of the filter. Your indoor air quality is greatly impacted by your air filter.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV ratings indicate the size of particles that a filter can remove from the air passing through it. MERVs range from 1 to 16, with a higher number indicating a higher cleaning efficiency because it can filter smaller particles out of the air. The cheap, 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) thick, disposable filters made of jumbled fiberglass or natural fiber strands typically have a MERV rating of 1 but can go up to 4. Pleated filters made of nonwoven, disposable fabric have smaller pores, and the pleats increase the surface area of the filter so it can hold more particles than a flat surface can. These filters have MERV ratings of 3 and higher depending on the density of the fabric and the number of pleats [source: INDA]. Some are charged with static electricity to attract and hold air-born allergens.
The particle catching efficiency actually goes up as the filter gets dirty; buildup on the fibers shrinks the openings the air passes through and allows the filter to capture more particles. This is good only up to a point. The particle-removing efficiency of the filter is inversely related to the energy efficiency of your heating and air system. A by-product of cleaning the air is a restriction of the air-flow through the system.
Think about times you’ve worn a dust mask while you worked on a project. It’s harder to breathe through the mask than it is if you aren’t wearing one. If you upgrade to the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) mask that filters out particles as small as 0.3 microns with up to 97 percent efficiency, it gets even harder to pull in enough air to keep you going [source: Howarth and Reid]. The same is true of your heating and air system. The denser the filter, the harder the system has to work to pull in air. A clogged filter may cause your system to run continuously, driving up your heating or cooling bills. That’s why it’s important to check your filters at least monthly and change them when they get dirty.
Article Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/air-filters-clean1.htm
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, can be one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to heat and cool your Virginia Beach home or building. However, occasionally geothermal installations go wrong, often as the result of an inexperienced designer or installer. Below are some of the common pitfalls and ways to avoid these issues:
1. Oversizing equipment.
Oversizing equipment is common not only with geothermal heat pumps, but also in more conventional equipment like air conditioners.
Some contractors still use rules of thumb for sizing equipment, and then add a large “safety factor” to ensure that the equipment is big enough for the job.
Not only do heat pumps use more energy than necessary when oversized, but oversizing leads to short-cycling of on and off, which wears equipment down much faster, just like starting and stopping a car.
Also, because oversized equipment has shorter run-times, you don’t get the same amount of filtration and air circulation throughout your house, which can lead to bigger temperature variations in your Virginia Beach home.
Your Virginia Beach HVAC and geothermal specialist will provide you with a detailed ACCA Manual J heating and cooling load calculation for your home based on your insulation, windows, and other details.
2. Improper distribution system.
Many Virginia Beach homeowners spend a premium for a geothermal heat pump, only to integrate it with a lousy duct system or poorly designed radiant system. This is like putting bald tires on a brand new car.
The best geothermal heat pump in the world cannot make an improperly designed air duct system more quiet or comfortable. Likewise, when a radiant system is not optimized to keep floor temperatures low, much of the efficiency of ground source heat pumps is lost.
Residential duct systems should be designed in accordance with the ACCA Manual D.
3. Wrong pump for the job.
The circulator pump is what moves water through the ground and into the heat pump itself. The pump must have enough power to overcome all of the friction from the piping and fittings, as well as be able to overcome the pressure drop of the heat pump.
If the pump is sized to small, there will not be adequate water flow through the heat pump, potentially causing malfunctions or hurt the unit efficiency. On the other hand, an oversized circulator will use far more electricity than necessary. Your Virginia Beach HVAC contractor will select a pump based on a head loss calculation and the specific heat pump.
4. Ground loop sized incorrectly.
The key to a good geothermal system is the ground loop itself. An undersized ground loop is almost impossible to fix and will lead to an inefficient system at best, and a frozen (“slushy”) or overheated ground loop at worst.
At the same time, a grossly oversized ground loop will be prohibitively expensive for little benefit. Never use “rule of thumb” for sizing your ground loop; your Virginia Beach HVAC contractor will take into account the heating and cooling load of the building, soil conductivity and temperature, flow rates, and other factors all into account.
5. Poor coordination.
Depending on the size of the geothermal project, any number of different players may be involved, such as the owner, a general contractor, drillers, HVAC contractors, sheet metal installers, engineers or architects, etc. The more parties that are involved in the project, the more important good communication becomes.
For instance, your Virginia Beach HVAC contractor needs to be aware of any changes that the architects make in the floor coverings to make sure the radiant floor works as designed.
Ideally, one contractor is responsible for all aspects of the geothermal system, including the equipment, ducting, and drilling or trenching. That way, if something goes wrong there is no “finger pointing” and the contractor can work to correct the problem.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_D_Best
f you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach geothermal heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
Read here to learn about the top 10 causes of dry skin — and what to do about it.
1) Winter weather: Dry skin is especially common in the winter months, when the humidity level outside drops. When Virginia Beach air is cold and dry, the water in your skin evaporates more quickly; this makes your skin feel dry and tight, and makes it look flaky. In fact, your skin loses more than 25 percent of its ability to hold moisture in the winter. Windy weather (especially if you enjoy winter sports) can also beat down on your skin and make it look and feel dry and chapped.
The solution: Protect your skin by wearing protective clothing, gloves, and scarves to shield it from the elements. Be sure to apply a rich moisturizing lotion that contains ingredients like glycerin that help hold moisture in your skin, and pay special attention to your hands, feet, elbows, and knees.
2) Indoor heating: Many of us spend more time inside in the winter and use indoor heating. Dry indoor air not only dries out your skin, it also dries out your mucous membranes, leading to dry, chapped lips, dry noses (nosebleeds), and dry throat (hoarseness, sore throat).
The solution: Set your heater to the lowest setting that’s comfortable, and use a humidifier, especially at night. This will replace the moisture in the air that gets sucked out by dry indoor heat. The humidifier helps hydrate dry skin and soothes chapped lips, dry throat, and nasal passages. Your Virginia Beach heating and air specialist can advise you as to the humidifier that will best suit your family’s needs.
3) Long hot showers and baths: A long hot bath or shower may sound great after being out in the cold, but the combination of hot water and soaking can strip your skin of its protective oils and leave you looking like an alligator.
The solution: Try to shower or bathe in warm, not hot water, and limit showers and baths to 10 minutes, just enough to clean the dirty bits. Pat dry — don’t rub — with a soft towel.
4) Not using body lotion: It might be tempting to skip the body lotion when your skin is covered up in winter clothing, but it’s just as important to moisturize in the winter as it is in the summer, even if your arms and legs aren’t on display. Dry skin can get itchy, flaky, and uncomfortable if you don’t use the right lotion.
The solution: Apply a rich body lotion immediately after showering to lock in moisture. Apply again before going outside and before going to bed. Look for ingredients like glycerin, which holds moisture in your skin and fights dehydration.
5) Frequent hand washing: Dry, chapped hands are often caused by frequent hand washing, as well as the use of hand sanitizers, which often have a high concentration of alcohol. Although it’s important to keep your hands clean to avoid spreading germs, the exposure to soap and water and alcohol can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to chapped hands, splits, and cracks that can bleed or even get infected.
The solution: Carry your own moisturizing liquid hand soap. (The soap in public restrooms is often very harsh and drying.) Rub on a rich hand cream after each washing or after using hand sanitizer, and cover moisturized hands with gloves at bedtime. When gardening, doing dishes, or working around your Virginia Beach home, wear protective gloves.
6) Harsh bar soaps: Many bar soaps, especially deodorant soaps, contain detergents that remove your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and more sensitive.
The solution: Switch to a moisturizing, fragrance-free body wash that leaves your skin soft, not stripped. Save the bar soap for your feet and armpits.
7) Being dehydrated: You might not be as thirsty in the winter as you are in the summer months when you’re hot and sweaty. However, you lose water through your skin every day, in any season — even when it’s cold and even if you don’t feel like you’re sweating. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time in dry indoor heat. Our bodies are made of 70 percent water, which keeps our cells plump and healthy. If you’re not drinking enough, your body (and your skin) gets dehydrated, which can make you look and feel shriveled.
The solution: Make sure you’re getting plenty of fluids in the wintertime, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeinated drinks, which will make you lose even more water. Instead, stick to water, soup, decaf coffee and tea, and herbal tea.
Not eating the right foods: Your skin cells are wrapped in a protective bubble of lipids (fats) that help keep them soft, plump, and flexible. If you don’t eat enough fatty acids in your diet, your body won’t have enough building blocks to maintain this protective wrap.
The solution: Eating foods that contain “good fats” (especially omega-3 fatty acids) can help replenish your skin’s natural fats and keep it looking smooth and supple. Make sure to include plenty of omega-3-rich foods in your diet, including oily fish (such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel). If you’re allergic or can’t stand the taste of fish, try incorporating tofu, walnuts, flaxseeds, soybeans, or omega-3-fortified foods (like orange juice) into your diet every day. In addition, some people with dry skin and itchy rashes can benefit from evening primrose oil supplements.
9) Wearing the wrong clothing: Scratchy fibers like wool can aggravate dry skin, especially for those who have sensitive skin or eczema rashes. In fact, if you look under the microscope, these fibers look like little pieces of steel wool that can irritate your skin, leaving it itchy and irritated.
The solution: Wear cotton, silk, or other soft, smooth fabrics next to your skin to protect it from wool fibers. These natural fibers help your skin “breathe” and wick away sweat. If you must wear a wool sweater, layer a soft cotton T-shirt or turtleneck underneath. This way you can also peel off the sweater if it gets warm indoors, so you don’t overheat and sweat.
10) Licking your lips: Frequent lip licking may feel good temporarily, but eventually it dries out your lips as the saliva evaporates. In addition, using matte or long-wearing lipsticks can also leave your lips dry, chapped, and cracked.
The solution: Look for a rich lip ointment or lip butter in a pot, which is more emollient than a waxy lip balm stick. Apply under lipstick, throughout the day, and before bedtime to protect against dry indoor heat. This will also remind you not to lick your lips! If you wear lip color, switch to a gloss or creamy lipstick, and avoid plumping lip glosses which contain irritating ingredients that can make them drier.
Article Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/dry-skin-relief/dr-wu-causes-of-dry-skin.aspx
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form<
The right amount of heat in your Virginia Beach home is very important: an oversized furnace can waste a lot of energy and a lot of your money in the process – and an under sized furnace will not be able to heat your home to the necessary level for you and your family to be comfortable.
Sometimes it’s not just a matter of replacing your existing furnace with a furnace that’s exactly the same size because the methods of sizing a furnace appropriately have changed quite a bit over the last several years; it’s very possible that your current Virginia Beach furnace may be oversized for the application.
Furnaces today also operate much more efficiently than furnaces from twenty, ten or even five years ago, so that could also contribute to what size unit you would require for your Virginia Beach home.
Your Furnace Size depends on many factors
So many different variables can contribute to the size and type of furnace that you will need to adequately heat your Virginia Beach home. Things like geographic location; overall square footage, level and type of insulation and the heat loss through old windows, unsealed chimneys and holes where pipes and wires come into your home can all be major contributing factors to the size of heating unit you need to heat your Virginia Beach home.
The design of your current heating system and the layout of your Virginia Beach home can both be major contributing factors to the size of furnace you need as well. For example, if you have split level home with two operating zones to control your heat and there are only occupants of one zone at any given time (like upstairs bedrooms being occupied at night and remaining empty during the day controlled by one zone), this could mean that you only need a smaller BTU furnace, despite having a higher overall square footage. Having two or more controlling zones can play a very large part in determining exactly what size furnace is needed for a home.
Blindly basing the size of a furnace on any one of these factors alone can be a big mistake. Some contractors who come into your home to bid on the job of replacing your furnace will want to base the size of the new unit on the square footage of your Virginia Beach home alone because this is the easiest way to get a general idea of your homes needs. The problem is that the square footage alone will only give a very general idea of what size furnace your home needs and by going this route you’ll often get a furnace that’s either one size too big or one size too small (at least) which will either have you wasting a bunch of money unnecessarily, or not heating your home enough to live comfortably.
Go by the Numbers
In order to get a furnace that’s properly sized, you should have a company come out to do a heat loss calculation on your Virginia Beach home. The heat loss calculation is the only true way to determine exactly what size furnace you need to heat your home thoroughly and efficiently - and it’s a quick and simple process.
A qualified Virginia Beach heating and air conditioning contractor will come out to your home, and using a variety of equipment will take into account the heat loss caused by all of the aforementioned factors – which will give the true measurement of power necessary from your new furnace.
It’s not just about heating your Virginia Beach home efficiently either. The cost savings of having an appropriately sized boiler could be dramatic – different sized furnaces come with different sized price tags. If your Virginia Beach heating and air conditioning contractor estimates that you need a 120,000 BTU when in reality a 95,000 BTU furnace would do the job, the initial investment of the job could be several hundred dollars more, causing you to lose a substantial amount of money up front and then to continually lose money with each and every energy bill.
The size of your current furnace and the square footage of your Virginia Beach home alone tell you very little when it comes to sizing a new furnace for your home. To get a truly accurate gauge of the size furnace, a home heat loss calculation must be performed by a qualified Virginia Beach professional.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
If you have a newborn, it is likely you have not given consideration to your furnace filter when thinking of your baby’s safety, but it is VERY important.
The indoor air in most Virginia Beach homes is much more polluted that the outside air. The EPA says that “….indoor air can be be more polluted than the air outside a home”. This is because, in an effort to improve energy efficiency, builders “seal” the inside of your Virginia Beach home from the elements. Though this practice does reduce energy costs and makes for a more uniform climate indoors, it also “seals” the inhabitants in the home along with the dust, dust mites and other pollutants that either inhabit homes or are brought in by dwellers or visitors.
Because a baby’s respiratory and immune system is not as evolved as an adult, they are more susceptible to these pollutants.
Fortunately, there are solutions that either cost nothing or very little to help stave off any “intruders” that could cause baby problems. First, remove the HVAC filter in your air conditioner and replace it with one that is highly efficient. We recommend a pleated, disposable electrostatic ac furnace filter.
The pleats in an HVAC filter double the surface area of the filter media, thereby doubling the removal of pollutants in your Virginia Beach home’s interior. A filter that is electrostatic also means a higher efficiency. The passage of air through the filter media causes the electrostatically charged filter material to work much like a magnet, trapping more of the pollutants from your indoor air. Make sure you use an air filter with a high MERV rating.
We strongly recommend a MERV12 rated filter since it traps more of the pollutants but does not increase energy costs. It is the perfect balance between filter and equipment efficiency.
There is no other part of your Virginia Beach HVAC system that you can control except for the filter, so getting a high quality air filter is essential.
And be sure your HVAC Filter is disposable! Sure, it costs a little more than reusable air filters, but in the end, it is much better. Reusable filters are hard to clean and notoriously fail in efficiency when compared to disposable air filters.
NOTE: Make sure your HVAC System is up to par. If there is water accumulating around the system, it is a perfect place to harbor mold. Mold, when adjacent to a HVAC System is a prime way for the mold to become airborne. Also, make sure the coils in the HVAC unit are clean. Have your Virginia Beach HVAC contractor do a full check of your system on a regular basis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Mauldin
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings are something that every Virginia Beach homeowner should learn about and be aware of. AFUE ratings are governmental standard of the measured thermal efficiency of furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, etc. This is not the only measurement available to determine the energy consumption of any such system, and does not calculate absolutes, but rather calculates the seasonal average of heat loss.
This is not the only means of measuring the efficiency of any given system or product, and differences of opinion exist on which is more useful. This is largely a circumstantial aspect, dependent upon what the consumer is actually trying to calculate. The AFUE is best overall for season-to-season estimation, whereas if one is trying to determine the heat lost over the short term, a measure of thermal efficiency is probably more accurate.
Regardless of the measure used, the goal is to be aware of how much energy/heat/fuel is used to perform a given task-the home-heating equivalent of how many miles on a treadmill are required to burn off a piece of birthday cake. However, whereas in exercise we are looking to burn the maximum number of calories per mile, in heating your Virginia Beach home, the goal is to use as little fuel possible while providing a maximum output of heat.
One of the best reasons for a Virginia Beachhomeowner to be aware of AFUE standards is that, just like auto emission standards, they have changed as more efficient machinery, equipment and insulating materials have been developed and become available for widespread use. For example, currently boilers (anything manufactured in 1992 or later) must have an AFUE of 80%. Boilers older than this aren’t held to such a high standard, which means that the older one’s heating system is, the lower its efficiency.
A lower rating means that one’s heater will require more fuel to heat a given space, and lose more heat that should be going into a home to the air. This will raise a Virginia Beach homeowner’s heating bills significantly in the winter, or force them to live with a much colder temperature than would be necessary with a more efficient boiler.
While there is a significant initial outlay in replacing an older heating system with a new one, the end results will be substantial savings. A more efficient heater can pay for itself in a disproportionately short time and the savings will be immediately noticed in your Virginia Beach gas or electric bills. Because of these potential benefits, it is important for every homeowner to be cognizant of the age of their heating system.
The savings will be evident in another fashion as well. Most local utilites will reward the reduced environmental impact of a heating system that has a better AFUE rating and is ENERGY-STARTM rated with rebates. Thus, having your Virginia Beach heating contractor install a more efficient heating system will result in more heat for less money, leading to increased comfort in the cold months. Along with the sense of well-being that can be gained from being financially rewarded for acting in an environmentally friendly fashion, upgrading becomes a win-win situation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_King
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your Virginia Beach home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source.
Health Effects Associated with Carbon Monoxide
At low concentrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations. Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function may result. At higher concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal.
Levels in Homes
Average levels in Virginia Beach homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide
It is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
- Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
- Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
- Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
- Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
- Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
- Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
- Have a trained professional Virginia Beach HVAC specialist inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
- Do not idle the car inside garage.
Measurement Methods
Some relatively high-cost infrared radiation adsorption and electrochemical instruments do exist. Moderately priced real-time measuring devices are also available. A passive monitor is currently under development.
Aricle Source: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form
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