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The Best Options to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Heating. No Comments on The Best Options to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

Winter is coming. When the temperature outside drops to unsafe levels, it is nice to know that you can seek protection in a warm home. Currently, there is a lot of technology available to help you heat your home.

Since home heating is something you only think about every decade or so, you may not know the available options for heating your home. Below are some of the choices you can consider.

Forced-Air Systems

Some homeowners prefer the even and gradual heating created by radiant heating systems. However, forced-air heaters, like furnaces, are the most popular way to heat a home. If you are thinking about using a heat pump or a furnace in your home, there are some things you should consider.

Forced-air heating systems are affordable to purchase when compared to the cost of radiant heating systems. They are cheaper to install and usually have a more straightforward installation process. Installing ductwork does take time, and it can be tricky. However, installing ductwork is child’s play when compared to the installation of floor hydronic heating systems. If you already have the ductwork for a central AC system, your forced-air heating system can share that ductwork.

Radiant heating is a slower process. However, forced-air heating heats the air directly. That heated air is distributed throughout the home. Radiant heating is more even and sticks around longer. However, if you want to heat your home quickly, few things beat forced-air distribution.

Radiant Heating

It is generally agreed that few technologies offer the same feeling as radiant heating when it comes to keeping your home comfortable and warm during the winter. Radiant heating of one type or another is not new. It was used by the Romans centuries ago.

Most people agree that radiant heating outperforms other heating methods. It delivers a quality heating experience that forced-air heating never can. Radiant heating is quiet and creates an all-encompassing feeling of warmth. It is 25% more efficient than forced-air heating. However, radiant heating is not perfect for every situation.

To determine if radiant heating is right for you, you need to think about the design of your home. When radiant heating is installed underneath the floor, the panels deliver warmth to every square inch of the house. No matter where you go in your home, you are always going to get the same temperature.

It is different than forced-air heating. HVAC systems use a start-and-stop pattern. Hot air is pushed into the home. Once the desired temperature is reached, it stops. As the temperature dips below a set temperature, the system activates again. This leads to temperature swings.

Forced-air heating heats the air, so it quickly rises to the ceiling. Your head is warm, but your feet are cold. Radiant heat warms your whole body. Radiant heating does not create dust like forced-air heating does. This makes radiant heating an excellent option for homes where there are allergy sufferers.

This does not mean that radiant heating is the perfect heating solution. Radiant heating systems are difficult and expensive to install. It depends on a functioning boiler. Retrofitting or changing radiant heating is difficult, which will automatically increase the cost of any significant remodel job.

Fireplace

The flames of a fireplace create a comfortable atmosphere. Fireplaces come in an extensive range of styles and burn various fuels, such as biofuel, gas, and wood.

Fireplaces are efficient. Wood-burning fireplaces are inexpensive to operate and can be used to heat a large area. Biofuels are clean to burn. They do not require a chimney and are a green energy source.

Both gas and biofuel fireplaces can fit into different spaces. A gas fireplace is easy to turn off and on and offers instant heat.

Wood-burning fireplaces are the oldest heating option. People use wood fireplaces because they like the look and the smell of burning wood. They appreciate the crackling sound that wood makes as it burns. Of course, wood fireplaces require you to cut wood, purchase wood, and find a place to store it. Additionally, cleaning up a wood fireplace, cleaning the chimney, and starting a wood fire can get frustrating.

Gas fireplaces have a lot of the pros of wood fireplaces without as much maintenance. A natural gas fireplace is less expensive than propane and will give you about 5% more heat. A significant drawback with gas fireplaces is that you are limited when it comes to where you can install the fireplace in the home. On a positive note, the fireplace vents to the outside, keeping the inside air cleaner.

Space Heater

The use of indoor space heaters can be a polarizing subject. Some people swear by them. Other people feel that the risks are too high when compared to the benefits. Space heaters, when used appropriately, can play a role in keeping your home warm during the winter.

The biggest attraction point of space heaters is that they are relatively inexpensive. It costs less to run a space heater than it does to use your forced-air heater at the same temperature. You can use a space heater to heat only the room where you and your family are actually located.

However, space heaters have a well-deserved reputation for being a fire risk. The NFPA estimates that more than 40% of home-related fires are linked to space heaters. They account for countless burn injuries each year.

Modern space heaters have been designed to be easy to use. Manufacturers of newer space heaters have done an excellent job of minimizing the chances of a space heater causing a fire or burns. You will notice that the newer space heaters have an elegant design, making them easy to turn on and use.

Space heaters have not reached the point where you can turn them on and leave them unattended. You need to monitor them.

Finding the Best Way to Keep Your Home Warm During the Winter

This has been a brief description of some of the more popular styles of heating systems. You may not be considering repairing or replacing your heating system for some time. Still, it is good for you to be familiar with each style so that when the time comes to repair, replace, or upgrade your heating system, you know what will be the best fit for your home and your comfort needs.

The comfort of your home is our main priority at Level 9 Heating & Cooling. We are here to offer services that range from minor repairs to complete home installations. Our team has specialized knowledge that we will share with you. We will help you choose the right option for your home. We offer a complete range of indoor air comfort solutions, including:

  • Heating
  • Light commercial HVAC
  • Geothermal
  • Air balancing
  • Air purification
  • Boilers
  • Cooling
  • Duct cleaning
  • Ductless mini-splits
  • Home energy audits
  • Humidity control
  • IAQ testing
  • Indoor air quality
  • New construction
  • UV lights
  • Walk-in freezers

Are you in need of the best heating and cooling service in your area? Contact us today at Level 9 Heating & Cooling! You can count on us for a full lineup of premium heating and air solutions.

Why Do I Need A Humidifier in My Home?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on Why Do I Need A Humidifier in My Home?

Humidifiers, when used in your home, solve multiple problems that can arise. The largest issue that arises is dry air. The specific issues with dry air in a home are numerous with the largest one being health reasons. You will also find structural damage and increase utility bills when dry air is prevalent.

Your Health

Health reasons are one of the large focus points for needing a humidifier. Low humidity can make it easier to catch and transmit cold and flu viruses. Cold dry air can aggravate asthma and static shock contributes to dry itchy skin.

Structural Damage

Second, dry air can lead to structural damage. It can cause walls, woodwork, and floors to crack. Most wood floor warranties do not cover damage caused by water and humidity changes.

Save Money

Third, there’s the impact it can have on your utility bills. Dry air can make you feel colder, and which then leads to your tendency to overheat your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for every degree you heat your home; you add 4 percent to your energy bill. So your whole house humidifier can save you money and make you feel warmer.

So let me summarize, a whole-house humidifier can help control and reduce your health issues which in turn makes you feel healthier, protect your home from damage, and increase your comfort while saving you money.

There are several options when it comes to selecting the best humidifier for your home. Contact your local heating and cooling professional to get expert advice on your options. If you are located in Washington, Missouri, and the surrounding areas, call us today to talk with the professionals at Jim’s Heating and Cooling.

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact our experts online or by calling us today for more information about our humidifier installation process.

Why Do You Need an Air Scrubber This Season?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on Why Do You Need an Air Scrubber This Season?

You need an air scrubber to purify your home, especially during the flu and cold season. When you’re sick and stuck in your house, bacteria tend to build up and contaminate the surfaces and air in your home. The Air Scrubber system substantially reduces odors, visible smoke, and microbial population on surfaces. It uses ActivePure technology to remove and neutralize contaminants in your air.

No one wants to clean a house when they’re not feeling well, so letting an Air Scrubber do the work for you is your best bet for an all-around cleaner and healthier atmosphere.

What is an Air Scrubber?

The Air Scrubber is an inline or portable air purification system that is used in your home to purify the air. The system rids your air of particles, gasses, and other chemicals in the air in your home. Having our team at Level 9 Heating & Cooling install an Air Scrubber can help you keep peace of mind that the air in your home is clean.

The Air Scrubber contains metal tubes on the inside that charge negative ions to destroy any pollutants moving through your HVAC system or other areas of your home. The pipes within the Air Scrubber are shaped in a honeycomb style and covered with a special coating.

The air scrubber cleans the air in your home through a two-step process. First, the air travels through the honeycomb system and passes by a UV light that kills most airborne contagions. Then negative ions are created and released to clean your home’s air.

After the negative ions are released, they combat the positive ions like bacteria, pollen, and other allergens. When the atoms link together, a larger and heavier particle is neutralizing the contaminate and causing it to no longer be airborne. This process will rid you of the contaminants in your home.

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An air scrubber will significantly improve your air quality during the cold and flu season. Let the device do the work for you.

Our team has the perfect discount for you this season. Air Scrubber installation is $950 until March 31, 2020. Check out the discount on our specials page or contact our team by filling out a contact form or calling us today.

Why Would I Consider a Whole Home Dehumidifier?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on Why Would I Consider a Whole Home Dehumidifier?

Today’s homes are built for energy efficiency. In these tighter environments, there is moisture and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These more efficient homes cool the home quickly while using less energy than older systems. However, these systems remove less humidity. In order to get better dehumidification, we find ourselves overcooling our homes.

Learn More About Our Dehumidifier Services!

So many times, air conditioning is not the total answer to making your home healthier and more comfortable. You want to maintain relative humidity between 45-55% in the summertime. Every installation is different, and many times a whole-house dehumidifier is the only solution. You can try to use portable dehumidifiers, however, these solutions only treat just a single room and portable dehumidifiers require you to do maintenance and empty the water reservoir regularly.

Using a Whole House Dehumidifier

When you use a whole-house dehumidifier, you will remove up to 135 pints of moisture per day; that is the equivalent of up to 16 gallons!

How To Choose A Heating and Cooling Contractor

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on How To Choose A Heating and Cooling Contractor

There is a wide variety of qualified contractors in the marketplace for you to choose from when selecting a heating and cooling expert. The phrase “Buyer beware” is appropriate for this very situation. Directories like Angie’s List and Yelp that allow customers to review contractors are becoming increasingly popular and with good reason. The goal of these sites is to assist you in selecting a quality contractor.

Let’s discuss what you can do in order to secure a relationship with quality heating and cooling professional:

  1. How Long Have You Been In Business?

    A business that has existed for more than 10 years is a good indicator of performing their business both lawfully and at high quality. If a business in the HVAC industry is not performing to industry standards they do not last long.

  2. Can You Provide References?

    Many quality contractors have customer survey results and comments available for your review either online or on request. You can rely on sites like Angie’s List and Yelp but remember that negative reviews are more prevalent than positive reviews on public sites unless the company has specifically requested that their customers provide reviews. Ask your potential heating and cooling contractor to provide references of current customers that you can contact.

  3. Are you Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?

    This question ensures that you are protected and provides you with some assurance that you have chosen a reputable contractor.

  4. Are You Associated With a Factory Authorized Program and/or Are You a Utility Partner?

    These associations usually require certifications and specialized training. They also will most likely be informed about any rebates or incentives that are available, and if you would be eligible for them.

  5. Will I Receive a Written Proposal with Several Alternatives?

    This is important because we all want options, and the varying alternatives may have incentives or rebates associated with them and may save you more money in the long run.

  6. What Warranties Do You Provide?

    Warranties will vary based on equipment and but there are optional additional warranties available HVAC contractors provide on request. Good contractors will perform the task of registering you for warranties on your behalf in order to assure you get the maximum coverage.

    7. Contact Our Experts for More Information

    Contact our experts online or by calling us today for more information about our humidifier installation process

Why Do I Need to Consider A Higher Efficiency System?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on Why Do I Need to Consider A Higher Efficiency System?

There are many benefits to consider when determining whether you should do an upgrade to your current heating and cooling system. The average life expectancy of a heating and cooling system is 15 to 20 years. However, as your system becomes older and service repairs are more frequent and expensive, evaluating the timeline for replacing becomes more cost-effective.

Seer Ratios

SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio measures the efficiency of your system. When looking at the SEER ratios, the higher the ratio the more efficient your system. Units installed before 1992 were usually an 8 SEER, and units between 1992 and 2002 were typically 10 SEER. Today, depending on what zone you live in, 13 SEER is the minimum available by Federal law (14 SEER for heat pumps).

Going Above The minimum Seer Ratio

These are the reasons why you should consider installing or upgrading your heating and cooling system to an efficiency ratio above these minimums:

  • Incentives & Rebates— Many local utilities offer rebates for higher efficiency systems; a lot of the time the incentives cover the incremental cost of the higher efficiency systems. Also, manufacturers offer rebates and incentives for systems 16 SEER and above, along with 95% AFUE Gas Furnaces. Your professional heating and cooling contractor should be able to review these options with you, or you can also find what is available to you by going to www.dsireusa.org.
  • Lower Utility Costs— If you had an old 8 SEER system, and you replace it with a new 16 SEER system, you could save up to 50% on your utility bill as it relates to your heating and cooling costs. Newer high-efficiency systems translate into lower operating costs.
  • Humidity Control— Higher efficiency systems not only keep your temperature at a lower cost but also can effectively control your humidity levels in the home. Modulating speeds (variable speed motors) run longer in lower speeds and pressures, which can provide better moisture removal. Remember, bigger is not better. If your air conditioning system is too big, it can adjust the temperature quickly but does not allow for adequate humidity control (moisture removal). Plus, these systems can cost you more to operate, and you are not as comfortable.
  • Environmental— Higher efficiency systems consume less energy and leave a smaller environmental footprint. Fewer fossil fuels are used and the environment remains clean while you save money!
  • High-efficiency systems offer immediate benefits, such as lower costs, more comfort, a cleaner environment, a new warranty, and reduced service costs. Your quality contractor should be able to review the benefits and savings for the many alternatives and options available.

    • Contact Our Experts for More Information

    Contact our experts online or by calling us today for more information about replacing your heating or air conditioning system.

Are Space Heaters a Good Alternative for Heating Your Home?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on Are Space Heaters a Good Alternative for Heating Your Home?

We read an article by John Hall on space heaters just recently, and it was only a day later that I had one of our customers ask me a question about the space heater that the Amish were promoting in the media. My honest answer is that space heaters are a solution, but not always the best solution. I then gave him several alternatives in order to save money on his utility bills.

Homeowners are always trying to save money when it comes to their heating and cooling system costs.

The conventional alternatives have been to do one of the following:

  • Get a programmable thermostat and set back the temperature for multiple time periods throughout the day.
  • Add insulation to your attic, crawl space, or walls.
  • Just set your thermostat at a lower setting and wear a sweater or grab a blanket.
  • Insulate your windows to create another barrier.
  • Seal around your doors and windows.

However, there has been a lot of advertising promoting space heaters as a viable means of lowering your heating and cooling costs. These alternatives are fine for a small defined area but do not address whole-home solutions. And if you buy multiple space heaters, you defeat the purpose of saving money.

By installing a whole-house humidifier and keeping the home at the correct relative humidity (35% to 40%), you can feel warmer and lower your thermostat setting. This makes more sense to me, and the family is more comfortable.

Contact Our Experts for More Information

Contact our experts online or by calling us today for more information about humidifier installation.

Heating and Cooling Advice: Setting the Thermostat for Savings

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, Heating and Air Conditioning Tips. No Comments on Heating and Cooling Advice: Setting the Thermostat for Savings

There’s an extremely simple way to reduce your heating and cooling costs without buying additional equipment. You can begin saving energy costs immediately when you set your thermostat properly.

It is normal to set an air conditioner thermostat between 75 and 80 degrees. It is normal to set the thermostat for your heating system between 68 and 72 degrees. You should always set your thermostat to the highest possible setting that is comfortable for you in the warmer months, and the lowest comfortable setting in the colder months. If you adjust your thermostat accordingly, you will maximize your energy savings.

How much money can you expect to save? On average, every 1 degree of temperature change is equal to about 10% energy savings. For example, changing your thermostat setting from 75 degrees to 76 degrees in the summer could result in about a 10% savings on your cooling costs.

Contact Our Experts for More Information

Contact our experts online or by calling us today for more information about setting your thermostat properly.

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