Blog
HVAC Blog
Learn about furnace repair, air conditioner maintenance, repairing a hot water heater, installing a whole house humidifier, and much more. Our blog is informative, helpful, and sure to provide you with many practical tips.
Excess dust and dirt in your air conditioning system can reduce airflow and electrical current, reducing system efficiency and hindering performance. Here's more on the problem and its solution.
The thermostat is the brain of your heating and cooling system. The "smarter" your thermostat, the greater your potential for energy savings. Here are the essentials on choosing the right thermostat for your home.
One of the region’s largest home and gardens shows is currently running at the Colorado Convention Center in Downtown Denver through February 19th. If you’ve been considering increasing your home’s efficiency by updating your furnace/ac, water heater, or improving your indoor air quality there are experts on hand to help with that. Rheem Pro Partner booth (#2239) has many of the products on display, including: Geo-thermal – high efficiency ground source heat pumps from Rheem. Tankless Water Heater – energy saving endless hot water solutions from Rheem. Aeroseal – Improve your comfort and efficiency by sealing air ducts. Heating and cooling systems – High efficiency Rheem furnaces and air conditioners. IAQ Products – Breathe easier with electronic air cleaners and humidifiers. When you stop by the booth, don’t forget to register for the free Aprilaire Touch screen Thermostat to be given away. See you there!
The Hollies had a popular song in the 70s with the lyrics ‘all I need is the air that I breathe…’ unfortunately during the winter months in Colorado the EPA estimates that indoor air can sometimes be up to 100x more polluted than outdoor air. Proper air filtration is essential if you have pets, smokers, and allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, the Rheem Pro Partner has indoor air quality solutions that can help you breathe easier for as little as a couple of hundred dollars. • The Honeywell Whole-House Air Cleaner traps and filters up to 99% of airborne particles and contaminants passing through the duct system so that cleaner air is distributed throughout your home. • Aprilaire’s electronic air cleaner also effectively filters and removes almost all microscopic spores, bacteria, smoke and other harmful particles. • Products from Broan that combine HEPA filtration and heat recovery for cooler climates tempers incoming fresh air with outgoing stale air to minimize energy usage without contaminating the fresh air. If you want to improve the air that your family breathes, ask your Rheem Pro Partner contractor about the Honeywell, Broan or Aprilaire products they offer.
There is nothing more annoying this time of year than the snap, crackle, and pop caused by static electricity. In addition to the obvious comfort benefits, which we will discuss later, did you know that proper humidification can save you money on your utility bill? Even though the outdoor air may be plenty humid, when the indoor air is pulled through your furnace and heated the humidity level may drop to as low as 15% - drier than the Sahara Dessert! When air is dry, moisture is drawn from your skin which in turn allows heat to escape from your body. If you maintain an ideal indoor humidity level between 45-65%, because humid air feels warmer, you can turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees and save up to 5% on your utility bill! Not only does low humidity cause you to feel colder, but it could also trigger a myriad of comfort and health concerns. Studies show that the body’s immune system functions better when your home’s relative humidity is in the ideal range. While enduring the uncomfortable effects of low humidity, such as dry mouth, throat, skin and chapped lips, real health issues can be triggered. People who suffer from sinus and respiratory problems can become more acute, but can often be alleviated with proper humidification and improved even more when combined with air filtration and ventilation. Ask your Rheem Pro Partner contractor about how Aprilaire and Honeywell humidifiers and filtration systems can work together to make your home more efficient and comfortable.
Your furnace operates on a very simple premise; take in cold air, clean it with a filter, heat it, then distribute it via a blower through the duct work of your home. While today’s high efficiency furnaces operate with complex systems, some very basic preventative measures can help your furnace operate more efficiently while keeping your family safe and comfortable. Regular Maintenance: Would you ever consider driving your car for two or three years without basic service like an oil and filter change? Granted your furnace maybe out-of-sight and out-of-mind but the number one issue with poor performance is lack of maintenance. It is imperative to maintain its safe, efficient operation that it be serviced every year and fall is the perfect time. To keep you on a schedule, consider a maintenance contract with your HVAC contractor that will keep you safe, while saving you money and energy in the long run! Air Filters: The number one drain on efficiency and comfort is a dirty air filter – and it’s such an easy, inexpensive fix. During the heating season check it once a month – pick a day on the calendar and check it the same day every month. In peak season change it out every four to six weeks. There are a wide variety of filters that can make you more comfortable and keep your air cleaner. If you are sensitive to allergens and pollutants an electro-static or media air filter will help you breathe easier. More Simple Steps: Because air flow is so important, make sure your registers and return air ducts are clean and open. If you have ceiling fans, turn them on low to pull the cold air from the floor. And, if you have a cold room check with your contractor to make sure your duct work is properly sealed.
This is the time of year that people fire up their furnaces unfortunately resulting in more carbon monoxide poisonings, and it has already happened in Denver. Since CO is odorless, how can you ensure your furnace and other fuel-burning appliances are safe and your family can sleep soundly at night? Here are a few simple preventative measures: Install a CO detector. Most quality CO detectors are less than $50.00, a small price to pay for a product that could save your life. Proper placement is essential, if you have only one, place it near the sleeping areas so the alarm will wake you up. The EPA suggests that you have ALL of your fuel-burning appliances inspected at the beginning of each heating season by a trained professional. Your furnace is the most common source of CO problems so have a professional inspect it every fall before turning it on. Also, choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outdoors whenever possible. And make sure that you read and follow the instruction manual on all fuel-burning devices. If you develop headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, confusion, much like flu symptoms get fresh air immediately and open doors and windows, then seek immediate medical attention if necessary.
Have you started to notice retailers’ mid-summer clearance sales on summer items to make room on the shelves for fall merchandise? Much like retailers, it also happens in the HVAC business as contractors and distributors start to clear air conditioning inventory from their warehouses before fall and winter approach and heating becomes a priority. So with the initial cooling months coming to an end and contractors schedules opening up - you could find some great opportunities to save on a new central air conditioning installation. There are at least five good reasons why to consider buying now: 1. Once the kiddies head back to school, contractors begin to slow down from the initial summer demand and are more price aggressive to fill in their schedule 2. Rebates and tax credits still exist on high efficiency equipment which could save you as much as $2,500 and may not be available in 2012 3. There are still two cooling months remaining so you can enjoy the comfort and energy savings from the new equipment 4. You can avoid the seasonal rush to comfort next year that can back up installations for days and weeks 5. Many manufacturers will raise equipment prices in late 2011 If you aren’t comfortable with a contractor coming to your home, Rheem Pro Partner’s Home Comfort Showroom in Centennial has a full line of products and accessories. You can see actual working models and knowledgeable HVAC staff will explain the advantages and features to you in a no pressure atmosphere. Interested consumers then have the option of having a Rheem Pro Partner member from their neighborhood contact them with a more accurate free quote.
The Department of Energy reports that you could save up to 50 percent on your air conditioning costs by replacing an old air conditioner with a new, energy efficient Rheem unit. Shopping for energy efficient air conditioning systems has become much simpler with the opening of the Rheem Pro Partner’s Home Comfort Showroom in Centennial. Rheem Pro Partner will help you choose a system that will fit into your budget and fit your home because sizing is critical. An air conditioner that is too big for your home can be costly and provide less comfortable living because of cold spots. Your comfort consultant will consider your home's size, number of windows, location, climate, and insulation. For many homeowners, a positive monthly cash flow can be realized by investing in a more energy efficient model. And right now the incentives make investing in high efficiency products a no-brainer. If you add up rebates from Rheem and Xcel Energy, Federal and state tax incentives it can be over $2500 in incentives. If you don't have the funds to install a brand new air conditioner, the Rheem Pro Partner can show you how to improve the overall performance of your existing air conditioner. Make sure filters are clean and regularly replace them. Dirty filters block the flow of air, making your air conditioner work harder. The Department of Energy recommends replacing or cleaning filters every month or two. Have your air ducts inspected for leaks. The Department of Energy reports that 10 to 30 percent of cool air produced by air conditioners is lost through poorly sealed and insulated ducts. Call your hometown Rheem Pro Partner contractor or call the Home Comfort Showroom for more information.
On April 15th Rheem Rebates returned, making attaining home efficiency more affordable. A new high efficiency air conditioner has less impact on the environment, will save you money every month on your cooling bill and you can earn up to $2570 in greenbacks! Rheem pays up to $1,000 in rebates depending on the system, Federal pays up to $450, Xcel energy up to $1,000 for AC and up to $120 for heating. It's the most incentives you can earn so contact your Rheem Pro Partner contractor or call, click or visit the Home Comfort Showroom for more details.
