Lew's Reliable Heat & Air Conditioning

Do-It-Yourself Methods of Boosting Your Home's Heating Efficiency

Your HVAC system is only as efficient as your home itself. This means that you can increase the efficiency of your existing heating system, new or old, by making a few improvements around your home. This winter, you can enjoy greater heating efficiency by tackling some winterization tasks that can further improve your efficiency when summer rolls around too.

HVAC Maintenance

The first place to look is to your HVAC system. Have your furnace maintained by a professional heating and air conditioning company in the fall, preferably before you use it for the first time. A proper tuning will help ensure that your heating system is ready to tackle the winter temperatures. Next, change your air filter. A fresh filter in preparation for the heating season can improve your air quality and boost the efficiency of your system by improving airflow. It also protects the inside of your furnace.

Consider having your ductwork inspected for leaks. Leaks in ductwork within your attic or crawlspace can allow hot air to escape and cold air to enter, as well as contaminating your indoor air. You’re literally losing money through these leaks.

Building Envelope

Your building envelope is defined as the shell around your home. This means your walls, the space between your roof and attic, your windows and doors, and finally between your floor and crawlspace or basement if you have one. Adequate insulation and sealing around your doors and windows help improve the efficiency of your heating system by limiting drafts and improving the thermal performance of your home.

You can use a candle to check for drafts around windows and doors—the flame will react to the slightest breezes. Caulking and weather stripping are inexpensive ways to seal these areas. If an energy audit performed by a heating repair professional reveals inadequate insulation, you may want to consider investing in additional insulation, as this will improve your energy efficiency and comfort all year round.

Lew’s Reliable Heat & Air Conditioning can help you understand further ways to winterize your home for increased energy efficiency and comfort. Give us a call at (440) 210-3748, or head to our website if you would like to learn more about what we can do for your home this winter.

Winter Efficiency Tips for Your Home

Setting your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees can save you up to 10 percent on your bill. Every degree over 70 increases your bill, while setting your thermostat below 60 degrees when you’re away can save you even more energy and money.

This is just one of the tips available in this video. Several no-cost and low-cost ways to lower your energy usage while staying comfortable this winter, you can keep your heating costs reasonable and your home comfortable. Clean or replace your furnace filters at least once a month, because a dirty filter causes your furnace to work harder. It also compromises your indoor air quality. Watch the video for even more information.

Now is the perfect time to have your furnace tuned by a professional. Lew’s Reliable Heat & Air Conditioning can help get your home ready for the winter. Let us increase your energy efficiency by servicing your furnace. Schedule your appointment when you call us at (440) 210-3748 today.

Ward Off Dry Indoor Air with a Humidifier

Many homeowners are familiar with the uncomfortable dryness that comes with winter, but it’s not just the season. Heating your indoor air naturally removes humidity, making it more uncomfortable and causing problems like dry skin and respiratory irritation. Dry indoor air is a sign of poor indoor air quality. A heating repair service can install a whole-home humidifier into your HVAC system to help combat winter dryness and provide you with high IAQ for increased comfort.

How It Works
A humidifying system has a hygrometer, or sensor that detects ambient moisture content in the air. The hygrometer is designed like a thermostat—the homeowner sets the desired level of humidity, and in the hygrometer activates or deactivates the humidifier as necessary to saturate the air with a comfortable level of moisture. Individual comfort levels are different, but moisture ranges between 40 and 50 percent are typically considered comfortable.

Problems with Dry Air
Winter air is naturally dryer because cold air does not hold moisture as well. Artificially-heated air loses moisture, further compounding the problem. Dry indoor air can cause allergy-like symptoms, dry and irritated eyes, and other respiratory discomfort. A lack of moisture also causes dry skin, which can be very uncomfortable due to the severity of dryness often experienced by people in the wintertime.

Benefits of Comfortable Humidity
A comfortable level of humidity in your home promotes higher indoor air quality. You can literally breathe easier and enjoy softer, healthier skin. Excessively low humidity levels often disrupt normal sleep patterns, so while people may sleep through the night, they can find that their sleep is not as restful. The humidifier can help you feel better at home, whether you are awake or asleep.

If you would like to learn more about how humidifier can benefit your home during the winter, contact Lew’s Reliable Heat & Air Conditioning at (440) 210-3748. We can help you find the right level of indoor humidity help you avoid winter dryness and enjoy higher indoor air quality this season.

Learn More About Energy-Efficiency Ratings And Heat Pumps When You Visit These Links

A new set of green appliances can help you make your home more energy efficient and Lew's Reliable Heat & Air Conditioning is the best place to find these machines. We can be reached today at (440) 210-3748 for more information. You can also follow up with these online resources to learn more about the importance of energy efficiency.

• Visit SRPNet.com for a full introduction to the benefits of electric heat pumps.

• Find out how much a heat pump system could save your home by logging on to Energy.gov.

• The San Francisco Chronicle can help you to compare air conditioner efficiency ratings.

• DoItYourself.com has a handy list of electric heat pump advantages.

• You can learn more about choosing between an old heater and high-efficiency furnace from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

An Overview of the Heat Pump Installation Process

A single HVAC upgrade can go a long way toward making your home more comfortable and more cost-effective. A new heat pump, for example, allows you to heat your entire home to one uniform temperature. However, installing a new heat pump is no simple chore. This overview of the heat pump installation process can show you why the task is best left to a professional.

• Outdoor Installation: The first step in installing an electric heat pump involves finding a space for the outdoor unit. This part must be relatively close to your home (just under 12 inches), yet also sufficient distance from any obstruction that could block the machine’s vents. Next, a 4-inch slab of concrete must be laid down over the spot and used as a base for the outdoor unit. Finally, the outdoor unit is laid down and prepared for the necessary connections.
   
• Indoor Hardware: Heat pump installation requires the addition of an indoor unit as well. Be sure to find a spot that’s dry and accessible for your heat pump. You should also try to find a spot for the indoor appliance that’s relatively close to the outdoor unit. Too much distance will make it impossible for the indoor and outdoor units to be properly and efficiently connected.
   
• Final Connection: The final step in the heat pump installation process is to connect the indoor and outdoor unit. This step must be performed delicately and carefully—an off measurement could cause your home to become a less efficient. Thankfully, a proper heat pump installation ensures that a healthy air flow occurs between characters and components.

Find out why Lew's Reliable Heat & Air Conditioning has been in business since 1970 by reading over our online reviews. These testimonials can teach you more about our company and what we can do for your home’s heating and cooling systems. We can also be reached directly at (440) 210-3748.