The History of Home Comfort

Air conditioning. Pretty simple stuff, isn’t it? Touch the button on the thermostat, lower the temperature setting and with a click and a whoosh, cool air comes out. What could be simpler? We’re fortunate to live in a time of cold-on-demand, when equipment you don’t even have to see keeps your home perfect as it quietly churns in the background.

Air conditioning through the years.

It didn’t used to be so easy. In fact, the earliest home cooling solutions were about as primitive as they could be, using the same method your body uses to keep cool. Namely, evaporation. Ancient Egyptians hung pieces of vegetation in the window and kept them wet, which allowed them to cool the air as it entered the house.

Air conditioning’s next big advancement didn’t move the bar very far, centering around the concept of “this thing is cold, let’s blow some air over it and see what happens.” Incidentally, “this thing” could be anything from a block of ice to a tube filled with cold water, and the systems were usually used in the workplace rather than the home.

Then, in the 1930s, mechanical air conditioning as we know it started to come into its own, though it was still largely reserved for offices, stores and places of commerce.

In the 1950s, residential air conditioning took off as part of the post-war boom, though largely in the form of window units. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the traditional central air conditioner becomes the leading form of home comfort.(1)

While effective, the central air conditioning units of the 1970s were very energy-inefficient, unlike today’s modern air conditioners that can deliver Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER) of up to 25 or higher.

Home heating has evolved from simple beginnings.

Since the dawn of time, the simplest method for heating a living space was a fire. Easy to create and highly effective, fire brought with it the added bonuses of light and cooking capability. Unfortunately, open fires aren’t high on the safety list, as they tend to ignite anything (or anyone) they touch. So Americans safely contained them in brick fireplaces up until the middle of the 19th century.

Wood was cheap and plentiful, making it the ideal source of heat for every home. But as the 20th century approached, coal became increasingly popular as a method for heating homes. Burned in large cast-iron furnaces, coal could heat a home using the natural movement of warm air, called “convection”.(2)

Unfortunately, when coal is burned, it tends to release toxic gases that can be deadly in enclosed spaces. Fortunately, in 1885 Dave Lennox brought a safer alternative to market with the riveted cast-iron furnace. Unlike welded versions which could crack after sustained use and let toxic gas escape, Dave Lennox’ furnace resisted warping and cracking to keep the harmful things venting out the chimney, not into the living room.

In 1935, several new technologies came together to create a furnace that heated air with coal, with an electric fan to circulate the air throughout the home.(2) This was the precursor to today’s forced air heating systems. Over the years, coal and wood have been replaced by oil and natural gas, but the basic idea is still the same. Make something really hot, blow air over it, and circulate that air. Ingenious.

(1) SOURCE:  Popular Mechanics

(2) SOURCE:  http://sunhomedesign.wordpress.com/2007/10/26/a-brief-history-of-heating-and-cooling-americas-homes/

7 things to look for in a home comfort system

When it’s time to replace your home comfort system, it’s important to consider what a newer system can offer. Here are seven items to consider when purchasing an HVAC system:

1. Reliability

Chances are, your heating and cooling system is the most expensive equipment you will purchase for your home. That’s why it’s important to choose proven products from a reputable manufacturer.

2. Efficiency

A new ENERGY STAR®-labeled system, when properly sized and installed, can save you up to 30% on your annual heating and cooling costs.* Plus, it may qualify you for utility rebates** in certain regions. To ensure your system is installed properly, choose an air cleaner to match your furnace or air handler. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.

3. Quiet operation

The sound of a standard furnace can be as loud as 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a kitchen garbage disposal! Air conditioners can produce sounds as high as 80 decibels. Look for technologies and features that help keep operating sound at a comfortable level.

4. Consistent temperatures

With a typical furnace or single-speed air conditioner, indoor temperature can vary as much as seven degrees from the thermostat setting. A properly installed programmable thermostat, though the use of pre-programmed settings, can save you about $180 every year in energy costs. Variable speed and/or two-stage systems give you the assurance of precise temperature control*.

5. Balanced humidity

To maintain proper moisture levels in your home, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity. You might also consider a variable speed and/or two-stage comfort system and dehumidifier.

6. Proper airflow

A typical furnace motor runs at one speed and circulates a constant volume of air, so it responds to changing comfort demands by repeatedly cycling on and off. This frequent cycling increases air stratification and stagnation. For optimal air circulation, choose a variable speed model.

7. Healthy air

One of the best ways to combat indoor pollution is to attach an air cleaner to your furnace or air handler. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.

*Source: www.energystar.gov
**Check with RG&E about rebates in our area.

Time To Consider Furnace Replacement?

Time to consider replacement?

When temperatures start to dip below 40, your thoughts turn to keeping cozy and warm in the comfort of your own home. But is your furnace ready to handle the heat? If it’s time to replace your furnace, consider the tips in this handy guide:

Talk to an HVAC professional to determine the correct size system you’ll need. If the heating unit is too large for your home, it will waste energy by frequently cycling on and off.

Choosing an ENERGY STAR® qualified system will allow you to save money on energy bills by heating or cooling your home more efficiently.

Here are some common questions you may encounter when shopping for a new heating or cooling system:

What does AFUE mean?

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency: Like your car’s miles per-gallon rating, a higher AFUE rating means a higher efficiency unit. A furnace’s AFUE of 90% means 90% of the fuel is used to heat your home, while the other 10% is wasted in gases vented outside. Choose a higher AFUE to save more energy.

What is a BTU?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, the unit of heat energy that’s necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, from 58.5 to 59.5. How does this apply to your home? Well, a 10,000 Btu air conditioner can remove 10,000 Btus of heat per hour.

What does EER mean?

The EER, or energy-efficiency ratio of a cooling system, measures how efficiently the system will operate when the outdoor temperature is at a specific level (usually 95F). A higher EER means a higher efficiency. What is the difference between EER and SEER? The SEER (seasonal energy-efficiency ratio) is a measure of air conditioning system’s efficiency over an entire cooling season, as opposed to a single outdoor temperature.

What is HSPF?

Heating System Performance Factor: This is the measure of a heat pump’s estimated seasonal heating output during spring and fall. Heat pumps with higher HSPFs are more efficient than heat pumps with lower HSPF ratings.

Save On Heating Bills With A FREE Home Energy Audit

Get comfortable with a home energy audit

How can you identify and prioritize home upgrades that will also reduce your energy bill and make your home more comfortable? With a do-it-yourself home energy audit!

Like the home energy audits offered by many utility companies, the DIY audit starts with a simple walk-through of your home to assess energy wasters and improvements to eliminate them.

Here are three important places to start:

1. Inspect your cooling/heating system

Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half your home’s energy usage. Improving efficiency here can make a noticeable difference on your monthly energy bill.

• Your HVAC system should be inspected at least once a year. Your Lennox dealer can check and clean your equipment to help control energy usage.
• If you have a central heating and cooling system, the filters should be checked monthly – especially during high-usage seasons – and replaced as needed (at least once every three months) to keep the system working efficiently.
• Check ductwork for streaks of dirt that indicate air leaks. These should be sealed with duct mastic. Insulate ducts or pipes that extend through unheated spaces.
• If any HVAC unit is more than 15 years old, a newer system can greatly reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bill.

2. Assess your lighting

Lighting makes up about 10 percent of your electricity costs.

• Examine the wattage of your light bulbs. If your lamps are using 100-watt or larger bulbs, consider a 60- or 75-watt replacement.
• Install compact fluorescent bulbs in areas where lights are left on for hours at a time.
• Move lamps away from your thermostat. The heat produced by traditional light bulbs can be sensed and may force your air conditioner to work harder.

3. Eliminate drafts

Reducing air leaks or drafts can reduce your energy usage by 5 to 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy and make your home much more comfortable.

• Look inside for gaps along the baseboard or edge of flooring and where the walls and ceiling meet.
• Look outdoors at exterior corners, where siding and chimneys meet and areas where the foundation and exterior brick or siding meet.
• Rattle windows and doors: Any movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a window frame or door, there is a leak that can often be fixed by caulking or weather stripping. Check storm windows for a tight fit. If new, high-performance doors and windows are too expensive, low-cost plastic sheets can be installed over windows to block air.
• Plug or caulk air leaks from or around electrical outlets, switch plates, attic hatches and window-mounted air conditioners.
• If you’re having trouble locating air leaks, you can try this simple building pressurization test:
  • Close all exterior doors, windows and fireplace flues
  • Turn off all combustion appliances, including gas-burning furnaces and water heaters.
  • Turn on exhaust fans in the kitchen and bath.
  • Dampen your hand to feel any cool drafts, or burn an incense stick to look

The furnace filter: The forgotten hero of your heating and cooling system.

It’s a bright, sunny morning, and you don’t have a care in the world.  The birds are chirping, the coffee is hot, and the forecast calls for blue skies all day.

Then, in a fit of panic, you suddenly remember that it’s been a while since you changed your furnace filter. How many times has this happened to you?

Probably never.  Most people don’t give their furnace filters a second thought.  But maintaining your furnace or air handler’s air filter is crucial to your indoor air quality. Improve every breath with these helpful tips.

Why filter at all?

Today’s homes are built better than ever.  And while tighter tolerances and better seals are great for insulation, they also trap contaminants inside the home so they circulate over and over. That is, until they’re drawn into somebody’s lungs where they can trigger disease, allergies and other respiratory difficulties.

Basic isn’t always best

The type of filter you install will have a huge impact on indoor air quality. The least expensive air filters are usually made of a loose fiberglass mesh, are about an inch thick and cost about a dollar each.  While they’ll protect your furnace from larger particles, they don’t do a lot towards protecting your lungs from tiny particles.

High efficiency can be highly effective

Inexpensive, one-inch fiberglass filters may not provide enough filtration to affect the quality of your air. Instead, consider a pleated, high-efficiency filter like a Carbon Clean 16 filter which has a MERV 16 rating to achieve the highest possible filtration efficiency. While a more expensive option, it will do a better job of capturing the contaminants that would otherwise circulate in your home.

Don’t forget to check

The frequency with which you change your air filter can depend on many factors, including the type of filter you’re using and the amount of contaminants (dust, dirt, cooking fumes, smoke) your home generates.  Checking your filter at least once a month is always a safe bet.  If it’s visibly dirty or dark, it’s time for a change.  If you have a professionally installed air filtration system, have it maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Size your filter correctly

A filter that’s too small will let dirty air pass around it.  A filter that’s too big will not fit properly in your system.  Make sure you’re using the correct size for your furnace.  You can verify size either by checking the size of the old filter you’re replacing, or by checking the owner’s manual of your furnace.

The cleaning power of a powered air cleaner

For the most effective whole-house air cleaning, consider investing in an electrostatic air cleaner or other powered solution.  Many of them use an electrical charge to gather smaller particles that filtration cannot catch.  And some, like an Air Purification System, use multiple technologies in unison to clean, deodorize and purify the air for a truly healthier, cleaner environment.

Combating dry indoor air

When winter’s chill strikes, cold air starts to seep into your home through cracks and crevices—while warm air flows out. Your first instinct may be to crank up the heat, but warmer temperatures rob indoor air of moisture, blanketing the inside of your home with a desert-like oasis of dry, stuffy air.

With humidity levels at an all-time low, the overly dry air pulls moisture from everything it surrounds, causing a variety of issues affecting health, comfort and home. They include:

• Aggravated allergies or respiratory illnesses
• Scratchy, sore throat or excessive cough
• Dry, irritated nasal passages
• Dry, itchy skin
• Chapped lips
• Static shocks
• Cracked, peeling wallpaper
• Warped or cracked wood
• Damage to household furnishings

The good news is, these problems can be resolved by keeping humidity levels in balance.

Adding humidity to heated, dry air with an efficient, whole-home humidifier—like the Humidifier—helps to restore the proper balance of moisture inside your home and eliminate problems associated with dry air. Plus, because humidified air feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature, you can lower the thermostat and still feel comfortable, resulting in extra savings on your monthly utility bills.

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.