Are your heating bills getting higher each year in Wetumpka AL? Are you having issues with your existing system? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might want to consider replacing your heating system with a new, high-efficiency model. By doing so, you will be assured of saving money each winter as fuel costs continue to rise.
Furnaces
Furnaces heat by using a flame that is usually fueled by natural or propane gas, although oil is still used in some parts of the country. Anytime you have an open flame in your home, extra precaution is required. As furnaces get old, they will sometimes start to rust around the burners and the cowling that surrounds them. If you see signs of rust, this means that it is time to replace your furnace. Like other HVAC equipment, furnaces have become more advanced over time. Pilot lights are no longer needed, and many furnaces now have dual capacities and are able to operate at lower heat during moderate conditions. This helps save on energy usage and fuel costs. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is used to express the efficiencies of furnaces. It functions essentially as a percentage. For instance, if you see the term 80 AFUE on a furnace, this means that it will convert 80 out of every 100 BTUs available into heat. The remainder is unburned and exits as exhaust. An AFUE of 80 is common nowadays, but it is possible to buy furnaces that have ratings of 95 AFUE.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps use electricity to provide heat. They do this in the same manner that an air conditioner cools the air. An AC uses the unique properties of refrigerants to transfer heat from the inside to the outside; a heat pump has a reverse mode that allows it to transfer heat from outside to inside. The drawback with a heat pump is that, as it gets colder, they lose the ability to extract heat from the air. At some point, their ability to heat fails and they switch into a secondary mode frequently known as emergency heat. Emergency heat is provided by electrical strips in the air handler that become very hot and heat the air as it passes over them. This is an effective way of providing heat, but it is not very energy efficient. If you are really interested in saving energy, you might consider a dual-fuel unit. A dual-fuel system will switch to gas when the heat pump switches off due to extreme cold. The dual-fuel option can save money in some scenarios; it is dependent on where you live and the cost of other fuels as compared to the price of electricity. Heat pump efficiencies are rated in terms of Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF).
We will be happy to discuss any issues you have concerning your heating in Wetumpka AL. Just give us a call for more information or to schedule an in-home consultation.
