A Beginner’s Guide to HVAC
Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning
BASIC ELEMENTS OF HEATING AND COOLING
YOUR ENERGY BILL BREAKDOWN
AND COOLING
45% HEATING
15% OTHER
11% WATER HEATING
10% WASHER & DRYER
2% DISHWASHER
2% TV, VCR, DVD
MONITOR
2% COMPUTER &
6% REFRIGERATOR
7% LIGHTING
The average U.S. home spends over
$2,000
a year on energy
50% of that is spent on heating and cooling alone
Just as water flows downhill, heat flows from high temperatures down to low temperatures
HIGHER TEMPERATURE
ENERGY
FLOW
LOWER TEMPERATURE
COOLING 101
Air conditioners don’t just simply supply cold air into your home. Rather, they draw warm air from inside your home, cool it and send it back in a constant cycle.
AIR FILTERS
Clean the air in your home by trapping dust, pollen and other air pollutants
HUMIDITY REDUCTION
Your AC unit draws moisture out of the air to lower humidity levels in the home
THE COOLING CYCLE
1. Warm air is drawn out of the home.
2. A cooling agent cools the warm drawn air.
3.The now cool air is distributed throughout the home.
COST CONSIDERATIONS
3. The liquid now runs through an expansion valve
that turns it back into a cool, low-pressure gas.
4. This cool gas runs through coils that cool down the air being sent into the building.
2. This now hot gas runs through coils to dissipate its heat, condensing it to a liquid.
1. A compressor turns cool, low-pressure
Freon gas to a hot, high-pressure gas.
HEATING 101
Heat pumps are efficient systems that move heat from one location to another instead of creating heat. This is highly energy efficient and is successful in heating and cooling.
Cooled
air
Outside air
Heated air
Cooled air
WINTER
Heated
air
Outside air
Cooled air
Heated air
SUMMER
VENTILATION 101
Ventilation is a way of providing and maintaining good air quality to reduce
the risk of inhaling pollutants.
There are two methods to ventilate your home:
NATURAL VENTILATION
By using open windows and doors are is naturally moved through the home to reduce pollens and pollutants that build up over time.
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
By using a fan, air is forced throughout the home to circulate the air. This method also reduces stale, static airin the home.
HOW TO KEEP ENERGY COSTS LOW
HVAC units are rated on efficiency according to the SEER (seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) system. The higher the SEER rating, the great the efficiency. You can save a great deal of money over time with a high-efficiency system. Additionally, The average heating and cooling units are only efficient for 10-12 years, operating them beyond their lifespan will only raise your energy bills and maintenance costs.
PROPER SEALING AND INSULATING
Without proper sealing, your money could be going out the window. Literally.
Check your doors, windows, and walls for air leaks and seal them properly.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Schedule maintenance at minimum, once a year. Twice a year before summer and winter is even better.
Regular maintenance saves money on energy costs and helps avoid costly repairs.
Change your air filters every month to keep air fresh and moving freely.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Only use your AC when necessary.
Lower the temperature when you are not home.
Keep all doors and windows closed when the unit is running.
Avoid using high-heat items (oven, dishwasher, dryer) during the daytime in summer months.
Invest in a programmable thermostat for better efficiency and temperature regulation.
YOUR MONEY SAVING GOALS:
Reduce your energy consumption as much as possible.
Replace old heating and air conditioning units.
Turn down your AC or heat when you are asleep or not at home.
THE BEST HVAC SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME
Improper installation and the wrong size unit are two leading factors to poor energy efficiency. Make sure you choose a trusted contractor to install your new HVAC system.
AN HVAC
TOO LARGE
Will never run at optimum
efficiency.
AN HVAC
TOO LARGE
Will never run at optimum
efficiency.
ALWAYS CHOOSE EFFICIENCY
GEO-THERMAL HEATING AND COOLING UNITS
Geo-thermal heating and cooling units (GSHP) are highly efficient. They heat the home using natural heat in the ground, saving you hundreds in energy costs.
Geo-thermal units are Energy Star rated. Energy Star rated units can save you as much as $200/year on your energy bills.
They are environmentally friendly. Geo-thermal units are an extremely efficient method to heat and cool your home. The EPA highly recommends them for their “green” properties.
Geo-thermal units are a great alternative to conserve energy. Users experience as much as 50% on their annual energy costs. They also have a much longer life than traditional HVAC units making them a great investment.
GSHP – Uses underground pipes to draw heat naturally. Liquid in the pipes warm or cool (depending on the season) in the ground and then return to the unit to change the temperature of the air.
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