Consider an Energy Audit to Tackle Your Home Energy Use

A professional home energy audit goes beyond recommending obvious energy-saving home improvement projects. The detailed report that you receive at the end of the audit provides you with a clear road map of where, when, and how to make the upgrades that will provide you with optimal energy savings while improving the health, safety, and comfort of your home. It’s that systematic whole-home approach to reducing your home energy use that makes a certified audit well worth the investment.

Certified Home Energy Audits

Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) recommend home energy assessments as an effective way for households to reduce their energy consumption. In 2002, the two agencies joined together to create and oversee the Home Performance with Energy Star program to provide homeowners with access to qualified home auditors. Bounds Heating and Air is a proud participant in this quality program. Because our HVAC contractors have been specially trained and certified in energy assessments, you can trust that you’ll receive an accurate audit with recommendations that will effectively lower the energy usage in your Newberry, FL home.

The Home Performance Audit Process

After consulting with you about your current energy expenses and your household’s specific comfort needs, the auditor will conduct a room-by-room inspection that examines the design, construction, and level of insulation of your home. The auditor will check your water heater and will conduct diagnostic tests on your heating and cooling systems. During the assessment, the auditor will conduct a blower door test, which involves placing a large fan enclosed in panels into an open exterior door. The fan will depressurize your home and intensify any air leaks. Using specialized tools like an infrared temperature sensor, the auditor can then locate sources of energy waste in your home.

Smart Solutions

At the end of the audit, you’ll receive a report that lets you make informed choices about which home upgrades will save you the most money on your energy bills. That can help you avoid costly mistakes, such as adding attic insulation without first sealing gaps and holes on attic floors. If you’ve been considering upgrading to a new HVAC system, making the right home improvements may allow you to purchase a smaller, more economical product. Alternately, an energy assessment may reveal that with proper maintenance services, your existing heating and cooling may work efficiently for years to come.

A certified whole-house energy assessment allows you to make home improvements in a logical order at your own pace, knowing that the changes that you make will not only lower your energy bills but will make your home a healthier and more comfortable place in which to live.

What Is Heater “Short Cycling”?

Your furnace cycles on and off to maintain the temperature in your home at a comfortable level. The thermostat controls the cycle. When the temperature drops below the set point, the furnace will come on and heat the home until the desired comfort level is reached. Short cycling is when the furnace comes on and then shuts off repeatedly over a short period. In addition to being highly inefficient, rapid on and off cycling can reduce the lifespan of your heating system as it places an extra strain on the starter and other components.

What Causes Heater Short Cycling?

A number of different problems can cause your furnace to act irregularly. A few troubleshooting steps may isolate the cause of this potentially serious problem.

Improper airflow can cause the thermostat to register temperatures incorrectly. Dirty air filters as well as blocked air vents and registers can cause poor airflow. Replace the air filters and ensure that furniture, draperies, and other objects are not blocking your vents and returns.
If the thermostat is improperly located, it can be affected by drafts from doors and windows or the difference between indoor and outdoor walls. The thermostat should be mounted on an interior wall in a commonly used room. Block the thermostat with a piece of cardboard to prevent drafts and determine if the problem stops.
A heating unit that is too large for space will cycle on and off continuously. A properly sized unit will run for an extended period on a cold day in order to generate enough BTUs to heat the space before shutting off. A service technician can help you with the calculations to determine the correct size unit for your home.
Your thermostat may need to be recalibrated or have a loose wire. The furnace may also be overheating. Safety switches will shut it off to prevent damage. The unit will then come back on to heat your house, repeating the cycle. This can be caused by issues such as a cracked heat exchanger or dirty coils. These problems require the assistance of a trained professional.

Getting Help in Gainesville, FL

If your furnace or other heating system continues to malfunction, contact Bounds Heating and Air. We will gladly set a time to come by and inspect your system. Our highly trained service technicians will diagnose the cause and recommend a solution. We are proud to offer a full line of heating and cooling services to residential customers and can complete many repairs the same day.

What You Must Know About Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, and silent gas that is toxic to people and pets. As natural gas fuel is combusted from within the furnace’s burning chamber, it produces CO as one of its waste products. An improperly working, poorly maintained, or damaged furnace can result in CO leaking into the home’s living spaces, affecting the health and safety of everyone inside.

Where CO Comes From

When natural gas fuel is not completely combusted, CO is released as a waste product. Even when a furnace is properly operating, a small amount of CO will be generated. The ventilation system blows the gas out through the flue so it doesn’t become a health hazard or problem within the home.

What Causes CO to Leak

A crack, loose connection, or another mechanical problem in the furnace, combustion chamber, ventilation system, or flue can result in CO leaking into the home’s living spaces. This can happen suddenly due to a part breaking. CO leaks can also happen gradually, such as when buildup in the flue blocks the ventilation process.

Health Effects of CO Poisoning

Exposure to CO at low doses makes a person feel as if they are ill with the flu. Common symptoms include constant headaches, fatigue, nausea, and weakness. If the level of CO in the air increases, people may experience worsening symptoms that include headache, dizziness, confusion, convulsions, fast heartbeat, and if the level of CO is high enough, death may occur.

Detecting CO

Homeowners with gas-powered furnaces and home appliances should install a CO detector on every level of their homes. The CO detectors are designed to detect the presence of CO in the air. A detector should be placed outside the bedrooms, in the basement, in the garage, and every other level of the home where people spend time. Safety experts recommend that the detectors be interconnected and contain a battery backup in case of a loss of electrical power.

What to Do If You Have a CO Leak

If a CO detector goes off, immediately leave the house and contact the High Springs, FL emergency police and fire service. While outside of the home, homeowners can also contact the gas company and our technicians for repair of the malfunctioning equipment.

CO poisoning is a serious health concern, especially during the winter months when homeowners keep their windows closed and the furnace is running. Proper heating system maintenance, prompt repair, and CO detectors can help ensure the safety of everyone inside the home. Call us at Bounds Heating & Air to schedule a maintenance service or repair or to learn more about the dangers of CO in your home.

Tips for Improving Winter Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is a year-round concern. However, there are distinct differences in summer and winter conditions in the home. Improving winter indoor air quality is targeted at several factors related to home heating and climate conditions. From keeping humidity levels in recommended ranges to monitoring for dangerous emissions, your HVAC contractor can help you focus on the most important steps for your family.

Humidity and Your Health

Cold air holds half as much moisture as hot air, leading to a significant drop in humidity levels during the winter. You may notice that your skin is drier and that your hair seems more brittle. Chapped lips and hands can be painful. You may not realize that low humidity levels can compromise your defenses against winter illnesses. As your mucous membranes become dry, your resistance to colds and flu can be eroded. Less than 15 percent RH in your home can also trigger coughs, a serious issue for those who suffer from asthma or other respiratory concerns.

Your indoor humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent throughout the year. You can use a hygrometer to measure the levels. If supplemental moisture is needed in your home, a furnace humidifier is an excellent solution for improving your home’s indoor air.

Combustion Heating

As winter heating begins, gas-powered furnaces should be inspected and adjusted. An annual tune-up is critical for ensuring excellent performance and safety in the home. Problems with venting equipment, heat exchangers, and other components can lead to the emission of carbon monoxide, a gas that is invisible and deadly. Proper duct maintenance is also important because emissions can infiltrate the home through leaks in the ducts. Your HVAC professional can do a thorough inspection and recommend any necessary repairs or cleaning services to improve household safety. Installation of a carbon monoxide alarm is also an important protective measure that is definitely recommended.

Home Performance Issues

Many homeowners strive to maintain tight sealing of their residences so that winter energy bills won’t be excessive. However, tight-sealing can amplify indoor air pollution. A good balance between sealing and ventilating is important to ensure that pollution levels can be moderated. An energy recovery ventilator is an excellent system component to consider so that dirty indoor air can be exhausted out of the house while clean air is pulled into the structure. The ERV recovers a significant amount of the heat moving out of the home, keeping the impact on the structure’s heating load to a minimum.

Air Cleaning

An air purifier can help in removing pollutants from your airstream. A germicidal unit is ideal for limiting your exposure to viruses and bacteria during the winter months. The technology used in such system traps and kills dangerous pollutants.

If you are interested in improving winter indoor air quality in your home, you can contact the Newberry, FL team for Bounds Heating & Air. Our technicians can provide an IAQ evaluation. We can also recommend and install HVAC system components to address your specific winter air pollution concerns.

What Is the Difference Between a Furnace & a Boiler?

The difference between a furnace and a boiler is that they operate in markedly different ways. A furnace heats air, and then a blower motor moves the warmed air through the home’s duct system. On the other hand, a boiler heats water, which then flows through a network of pipes in the home. As the water flows, it generates heat throughout the home. The best way to remember the difference between a furnace and a boiler is to associate one with air and one with water.

The Difference Between a Furnace and a Boiler

Another difference between these systems is the type of maintenance required. The air filter of a furnace needs to be changed or cleaned anywhere from once a month to once a quarter. The maintenance of boilers is entirely different. These systems need to have excess air bled. Although the time to bleed the system varies from unit to unit, improperly heated rooms are usually a sign that it’s time for maintenance. These heating systems have a downside and an upside. The advantage is that these systems can heat various zones in the house. As a result, you can heat only the areas needed and save money on utility bills. The disadvantage is that they tend to increase humidity levels in the home. To reduce these higher humidity levels, you can run a humidifier in some rooms or have a separate humidifier attached to the system.

Does a Boiler or a Furnace Last Longer?

There are a number of reasons why the boiler has remained competitive despite furnaces being by far the most popular type of home heating system in the U.S. For example, boilers typically require fewer maintenance repairs, allow homeowners to lower their energy bills and create heat without blowing dust around. Additionally, they tend to last longer than furnaces. Furnaces typically last 15 to 20 years. It is possible to have the same heating system for up to 30 years, allowing an entire generation to grow up in the same house.

HVAC Services & Products at Bounds Heating & Air

At Bounds Heating & Air, we offer a wide array of HVAC services, including the installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems, energy audits, HVAC repairs, duct cleaning, air quality products, and preventative maintenance plans for both commercial and residential needs. Our goal is to keep you cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. If you have a sudden breakdown, you can count on us with our 24/7 emergency repair service. With just a phone call, we’ll quickly send out one of our knowledgeable service technicians after hours, weekends, and holidays.

All of our service technicians carry the prestigious NATE certification and have in-depth knowledge of both new and older HVAC systems. You can feel confident that they will arrive with the skills and tools needed to get the job done right. We also offer a 100 percent guarantee on all work performed.

Why Choose Bounds Heating & Air Inc?

In order to help provide our customers with cost-effective HVAC solutions, we offer a variety of Internet coupons, discounts, and rebates on select systems and services. Along with our existing competitive prices, these special offers are additional ways to save money. For those who prefer to keep more cash in their bank account or credit lines open, our flexible financing plans are the ideal alternative. Enjoy the comfort of a new HVAC system with our low-interest rates. Be sure to visit our website for the latest offerings. If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, you’ll find we carry and install top brands for furnaces, boilers, hybrid systems, heat pumps, and ductless systems.

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