Home comfort tech has come a long way in a short while

Today, we pretty much take home comfort for granted. But we haven’t always been so fortunate. In fact, compared to even the most basic of today’s systems, the home comfort equipment of even a few decades ago seems almost primitive.

Controls.

Early thermostats were mechanical in nature, regulating system operation using either mercury or a metal strip that would expand or contract with the ambient temperature to open and close a switch. Today, sophisticated electronic sensors use varying electrical resistance to sense temperature, anticipating heating and cooling needs before you even know you’re uncomfortable. Some, like theiComfort Wi-Fi® touchscreen thermostat, can hold the temperature in your home to within .5 degree or less of your set temperature.

Airflow.

Furnaces used to operate at only one speed. They’d wait until the home was too cold, then blast it with warm air until it was too hot. Then repeat the cycle over and over. Today’s furnaces, like the Lennox® SLP98V, offer variable-speed airflow that changes based on demand, ramping up and down as needed to keep a quiet, even flow of air moving through the home. This also means quieter startups, and no startling rush of hot air. See variable-speed airflow here.

Heating.

Furnaces have always used fire in some capacity. But the way they use it has changed quite a bit. Conventional furnaces use a series of burners that warm the air as it passes through the furnace. They come on when heat is needed, and go off when it isn’t. More sophisticated furnaces like the high-efficiency EL296Vcan burn fuel at different rates to produce varying amounts of heat based on demand. This helps it operate much more efficiently than a single-stage furnace.

Some furnaces, like the SLP98V with Precise Comfort® technology, can adjust output in increments of as little as 1% for pinpoint comfort and amazing efficiency.

Cooling.

Like conventional furnaces, conventional air conditioners and heat pumps operate at one speed. They cool when it’s hot inside, and they shut off when it isn’t.

Today’s most modern air conditioners and heat pumps, like the XC21 and XP21, can adjust compressor speed to many different levels, like a dimmer switch.  This makes them incredibly efficient, with the added benefit of extremely quiet operation.

Is it time for a new home comfort system?

Replacing your home’s HVAC system may seem like a daunting task, but it’s easy if you know what features to look for. We’ve compiled the ultimate “things to consider” checklist to help you take the plunge:

Some of your rooms are too hot or cold

Duct problems, inadequate air sealing or insulation could be the cause. No matter how efficient your heating and cooling system is, if your home is not properly sealed and insulated against air leakage, you will not be as comfortable and your system will have to work harder.

Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust

Poorly operating or improperly sized equipment could be to blame. Leaky ductwork can also cause these problems, so having it sealed may be a solution. Monthly maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment’s filters may also help.

Your cooling system is noisy

Your duct system could be improperly sized or there may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up

In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient.

Your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 12 years old

Consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment. And, remember, high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old

Consider replacing it with ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment. ENERGY STAR has set high efficiency guidelines for both types of heating systems.

You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature

You could be missing a great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home’s temperature at times when you’re regularly away or sleeping.

Source: “A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Stay warm and save!

Want to get better heating performance while lowering monthly energy costs? Follow these tips below to increase your home’s heating efficiency:

Choose a system with automatic, precision control

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the SLP98V gas furnace with innovative Precise Comfort™ technology to make automatic adjustments—in increments as small as 1%—for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72°F while you’re at home—and lower while you’re asleep or away—can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.

Thermostat advice from the professionals.

Let Betlem's experts help you connect with your thermostat.

As the brains of your heating and cooling system, the thermostat can have a huge effect on energy efficiency and comfort.  Eric St. John, Residential Manager of BETLEM Residential, weighs in on thermostats, and the advantages you’ll enjoy with a programmable model.

The heart of your system.

“The thermostat controls every other part of your system,” says St. John.  “It’s your point of contact.  So it’s important to use a thermostat that can give you maximum return on your system investment.”

For that reason, St. John recommends a programmable thermostat.

Coordinated with your schedule

Programmable thermostats work by reducing system use when your home is empty, so you don’t waste money on heating and cooling an empty home.  They do this by running according to a schedule that you program based on the hours that you are home.

“Changing your heating and cooling settings for different times of day can help you save money,” he says. “ A programmable thermostat makes those changes for you automatically, synchronizing your heating and cooling with your life.”

Set for savings

To program a thermostat for the best mix of comfort and energy efficiency, St. John recommends the following settings.

For summer:

• Set your thermostat for 78 degrees when you’re home
• Set it for 85 degrees when you’re away
• Set it for 82 degrees when you’re asleep

For winter:

• Set your thermostat for 68 degrees when you are home
• Set it for 60 degrees when you are away
• Set it for 60 degrees when you are sleeping

During the transitional months of spring and fall, St. John recommends setting the thermostat based on personal preference, using summer and winter’s settings as a guide.

There’s more to it than temperature

While temperature is the main factor affecting your comfort, St. John says that it’s not the only one.

“Humidity plays a huge role in comfort.  You know how the weather report says it’s 90 but it feels like 100?  That’s humidity.  Moisture levels in the air affect the way the air feels on your skin.”

If your thermostat offers individual humidity control, it can change how your air feels without big changes in temperature.  Which means more energy-efficient cooling and heating.  Systems with variable speed can also help control humidity levels by drawing air across the coil slowly to remove more moisture on startup.

Find your perfect thermostat.

BETLEM Residential currently offers several different models of programmable thermostat:

View BETLEM's Programmable Thermostats

Stay warm and save!

Want to get better heating performance while lowering monthly energy costs? Follow these tips below to increase your home’s heating efficiency:

Choose a system with automatic, precision control

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the SLP98V gas furnace with innovative Precise Comfort™ technology to make automatic adjustments—in increments as small as 1%—for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72°F while you’re at home—and lower while you’re asleep or away—can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.

Stay warm and save!

Want to get better heating performance while lowering monthly energy costs? Follow these tips below to increase your home’s heating efficiency:

Choose a system with automatic, precision control

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the SLP98V gas furnace with innovative Precise Comfort™ technology to make automatic adjustments—in increments as small as 1%—for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72°F while you’re at home—and lower while you’re asleep or away—can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.