Heating and Air Conditioning

  • The importance of air filters

    Whether you realize it or not, your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is always hard at work in one way or another. Whether it’s cooling your home on those hot summer days or keeping it toasty during the chilly winter nights, HVAC systems play an important role in your everyday life.

    With such a vital workhorse at your disposal, it’s important to make sure it’s maintained and working properly throughout the year, and a key part of that maintenance revolves around filters. One of the most overlooked aspects of an HVAC system is the filter and how often it needs changing. But why do these filters need to be clean in the first place?

    Numerous benefits accompany a clean air filter, such as:

    • Improved air quality in your home
    • Better energy efficiency
    • Extended life of your HVAC system
    • Less frequent repairs for your system
    • Better temperature control

    To ensure your system is always putting its best foot forward, take time to check these filters at least monthly or as the manufacturer states. Other factors can affect how often your filter needs changing, such as:

    • Shedding pets
    • Carpet versus hardwood floors
    • The amount of pollen, dust, etc.
    • Fireplaces or other wood-burning heat sources
    • Cigarette smoke

    For homes with one or more shedding pets, it’s recommended to check your filter to determine if it needs more frequent changing. For those with allergies, checking filters monthly and more often during allergy season could prove beneficial for keeping the air as clean as possible and improving the air quality in the home.

    Once you’ve checked your filter and determine whether it needs replacing, the next step is to choose the one that works best for your home.

    High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are great for air purification, and because of their design, they can capture larger pollutants, pollen and pet dander. However, mold spores may settle on the filter and could require changing sooner than expected.

    Ultraviolet (UV) filters use short-wave ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses and potentially hazardous microorganisms like mold spores. While these filters are beneficial for ridding the air of illness-inducing particles, they are not as effective at filtering out dust and allergens.

    Electrostatic filters use small cotton and paper fibers to create static that acts as a magnet for dust and other particles. Since the magnetism is strong, particles are contained in the filter and don’t go back into your home, which is great for keeping allergens at bay. These filters come in a disposable or reusable option, and they are one of the most cost-effective options.

    Washable filters are another option for those desiring a reusable filter, but they do require more frequent care. While they may be more of a financial investment up front, they can last many years and could save money in the long run. Be sure to follow maintenance and washing instructions very closely when using washable filters, as any bit of moisture left on the filter could lead to mildew or mold development.

    Lastly, pleated filters are made of cotton folds or polyester fabrics and do well with catching the most debris because of their larger surface area. Although they are effective with filtering dust and other airborne pollutants, they are less resistant to airflow and provide low air filtration.

    When choosing a filter type, remember that if the filter is too large or too thick, airflow could be restricted, meaning your HVAC system will need to work harder to pull air through the unit, which could decrease efficiency. If you have questions about filters or want to know more energy efficiency tips, visit caec.coop or call 1-800-545-5735 ext. 2178 to speak with our Energy and Technology Consultants (ETCs).

  • Fight the Winter Chills

    Winter means frigid temperatures can cause heating systems to work over time, and since heating and cooling can make up nearly half of your electric bill, you may experience sticker shock when you open that bill. Instead of waiting until a potentially high bill is in your mailbox, there are steps that can be taken to reduce usage.

    These simple steps can help you manage your use:

    • Wrap exposed hot water pipes and water heaters that are in unconditioned spaces.
    • Make sure to change your air filter once a month.

      Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees can help lower your winter energy usage.

    • Keep drapes closed at night and keep those that don’t get direct sunlight closed during the day, too.
    • Keep the fireplace damper closed when it is not in use – leaving it open can bring cold air into the room.
    • Caulk around the fireplace hearth, and caulk or weather strip around doors and windows.
    • Use your ceiling fans to push the warm air from the ceiling back down toward the living space, which means the furnace won’t turn on as frequently. In winter, your ceiling fans should turn clockwise at a low speed.
    • Dress for the weather, even if you are inside. Wearing proper clothing like long sleeves and pants, or wrapping up in a cozy blanket will help combat the temptation to bump up the thermostat.
    • An electric blanket can deliver quick warmth in ways a regular throw or blanket cannot. Electric blankets can include a variety of features, like timers and dual temperature settings. Consider an electric blanket instead of turning up the heat, and your energy bill will thank you.
    • One of the easiest ways to stay cozy at home is to keep your feet warm. Our feet play a critical role in regulating body temperature, so when your feet are warm, your body automatically feels warmer. Try a pair of comfortable wool socks or house slippers to stay toasty.
    • Another way to make your home cozier is to use a humidifier. Cold air doesn’t hold water vapor like warm air, so by adding humidity inside your home, you can feel a little warmer. A favorable level of humidity inside your home can also help clear sinuses, soften skin and improve sleep.
    • Log on to your Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC) account to keep up with your usage.
    • For even more tips and do-it-yourself projects, visit our Winter Energy Efficiency page.

    Using the tips above can certainly help you manage your energy use, but your bill may still be higher than normal in winter months. Why?

    • The weather makes a big impact on electric bills, accounting for nearly half of your bill.
    • Even those with the most efficient HVAC systems will see more use in extreme weather.
    • When extreme cold temperatures hit, our heaters work overtime.
    • For example, even if you set your thermostat to our recommended 68 degrees in the winter, when it is 19 degrees outside, your system has to work hard to make up that 49-degree difference.
    • Remember, there is value in comfort. For us to be comfortable in our homes, our heaters are going to work harder during extreme temperatures.

    If you utilize a space heater, please follow these important safety tips.

    Additional tips:

    • Call CAEC and see what kinds of options are available to you. We can offer many programs such as Prepay and Levelized billing to help you manage your energy use.
    • Speak to one of our Energy Services Representatives (ESRs). They can help you understand how weather and your usage patterns affect your bill. And, if you think your usage is abnormal, one of our ESRs can provide energy audits and offer recommendations.

     

  • Which heat pump is best for you?

    When choosing a heat pump system, there are two considerations you should keep in mind– the efficiency of the unit and type of unit. The efficiency of the unit is identified by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – the higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency and therefore greater energy savings. Ac­cording to the Department of Energy, a 14 SEER heat pump is the standard and it is also the most commonly used because it is the least expensive.

    To help you reach an optimal level of efficiency as well as comfort, let’s talk about the heat pump and the options you have when choosing one to serve your cooling and heating needs. The most common unit is the air-source heat pump, which pulls the heat out of indoor air and releases it outside to keep your home cool and dry and does the reverse in winter. A heat pump acts as a dehumidifier and can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating by 30-40 percent when switching from an electric furnace.

    Another type of unit that can heat and cool your home is the dual fuel heat pump, similar to air source heat pumps, but this one uses a gas furnace as backup heat rather than electric strips. These units switch from the heat pump to the gas furnace only when the temperatures dip below freezing when the heat pump would be less efficient. A dual fuel heat pump is typically more expensive than regular heat pumps but in this climate, it is worth the cost due to reduced energy use in the winter months.

    The mini-split, a compact and efficient way to control the temperature of your home, is a system that consists of an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor units. This system gives you the ability to zone and control the temperature of each individual indoor unit allowing the members of your home to have control of their space and level of comfort. Other unique benefits of this system include reaching high levels of efficiency through a SEER as high as 18–19. It can also operate effectively during low temperatures; therefore, it can be used efficiently year-round in varying climates where other systems might not function as well. Using a mini-split system provides the option of having no ductwork, thereby reducing the inefficiencies common with ductwork.

    The geothermal heat pump is considered to be the most efficient type of heat pump available, and also the most expensive. This type of unit uses the constant temperature of the earth as its exchange medium instead of the outside air, and it can have a life span of more than 20 years if properly maintained. Although the installation cost may be higher compared to other systems, it will produce lower utility bills and annual maintenance costs. The installation of one of these systems in 2019 can also qualify the homeowner for a 30 percent tax credit. And you will experience a savings of 30–70 percent compared to other systems.

    Learn more about our heat pump rebate program, or call (800) 545-5735, ext. 2118.

     

  • Make the Most of Ceiling Fans

    If you are like most Americans, you have at least one ceiling fan in your home. Ceiling fans help our indoor life feel more comfortable. They are a decorative addition to our homes and, if used properly, can help lower energy costs.

    Tips for making the most of your ceiling fans:

     

    1. Flip the switch – Most ceiling fans have a switch near the blades. In warm months, flip the switch so that the blades operate in a counter clockwise direction, effectively producing a “wind chill” effect. Fans make the air near them feel cooler than it actually is. In winter, move the switch so the fan blades rotate clockwise, creating a gentle updraft. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling into occupied areas of the room. Regardless of the season, try operating the fan on its lowest setting.

    2. Adjust your thermostat – In the summer, when using a fan in conjunction with an air conditioner, or instead of it, you can turn your thermostat up three to five degrees without any reduction in comfort. This saves money since a fan is less costly to run than an air conditioner. In the winter, lower your thermostat’s set point by the same amount. Ceiling fans push the warm air from the ceiling back down toward the living space, which means the furnace won’t turn on as frequently.

    3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE – Make sure your ceiling fan is the right size for the room. A  fan that is 36-44 inches in diameter will cool rooms up to 225 square feet. A fan that is 52 inches or more should be used to cool a larger space.

    4. TURN IT OFF – When the room is unoccupied, turn the fan off. Fans are intended to cool people – not rooms.

     

     

  • Air Infiltration Inside Your HVAC Closet

    Much of our home’s heating, cooling and overall comfort is lost through infiltration; air leaking into our conditioned space (the area we live in). These frequently unseen holes add to your HVAC system load while increasing your power bill. Many areas are easy to find, such as around windows, doors, plumbing, electrical penetrations, light switches and wall outlets and are simple to seal with some caulk or foam sealant. Unfortunately, this is not the case with all air leaks.

    According to a report by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a homeowner can save 10 – 20 percent on heating and cooling costs just by sealing up all those air leaks.

    Some homes have HVAC systems located inside an indoor cabinet or closet (see picture). While this may be a convenient place, it’s also an ideal place for air infiltration. A large hole is created when contractors run the ductwork during installation, leaving a gap that can be 3-5 inches wide and the length of the four sides of your ductwork.

    Once the hole is exposed, attic air can go directly into the unit causing it to run inefficiently. Also, your return air grille (a connection to ductwork that allows air to return to a heating and cooling system) is often located directly under your unit cabinet and will pull unconditioned instead of conditioned air into your home. Additionally, your thermostat is typically located near your cabinet and the temperature around it will be closer to the attic temperature instead of the rest of your home, resulting in your unit running longer.

    An easy fix to this problem is to cover this gap with commonly used materials such as plywood or foam board. Sealing the hole with one of these options and adding insulation is the best way to help close off air infiltration.

    To identify problem areas in your home, take advantage of our energy audit program. The Advanced Audit is $100 and the Basic Audit, which includes everything except the blower door test (which is a great way to identify air leaks in your home), is $75. Either audit cost is refundable after the member makes the suggested improvements identified by our Energy Services Representative and presents receipts. Members have up to one year to complete the recommendations in order to be eligible for the refund.

  • What Size Heat Pump Do I Need?

    There are many different types of heat pumps and efficiencies, but there is another important factor if you’re considering a new unit—purchasing a properly-sized unit. Because your heating and cooling system is one of the more costly purchases for your home, it is important to understand how to know your unit is the correct one.

    When dealers talk about the size of a heating and cooling unit, the measurement is in tons, where 12,000 BTU/h equals one ton of heating and cooling. There are a few ways a dealer can determine the size unit needed for your home: replacing the old unit with the same size, using a “rule of thumb” or perform­ing a load calculation, which is the best method.

    In many cases, when it’s time to replace a unit, dealers will typically put in a system that is the same size as the previous system. But if you have made any kind of energy effi­ciency improvements to your home, the unit may not be the right size for the current household and could be oversized. When it comes to your home’s heating and cooling system, bigger isn’t always better. Not only would you pay more at the point of sale for the unit, but down the road, you may be paying higher power bills since your system will not be as efficient as it should be. Another method to sizing a unit is to use a “rule of thumb” where the unit is determined mostly by the square footage of a home. This is something that has been done for many years and often leads to the installation of an oversized unit, since using this option does not take into account any aspects of the home, such as insulation levels or types of windows and doors, which should also be considered when determining the size of the unit needed.

    The most accurate way to deter­mine the size needed for a home is to do a load calculation. Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the governing body for air conditioning contractors, devel­oped a manual for contractors to fol­low in order to determine the size of a unit— the Manual J. The Manual J load calculation takes several items into ac­count to determine the size of the unit, including the dwelling’s square footage, volume of the home, size and type of windows, doors, walls and floor, the direction the house faces, type and amount of insulation, number of people living within the home, air infiltration, appliances and more to accurately determine the amount of BTU/h needed to properly and efficiently heat and cool the home. Once the BTU/h is determined, ACCA developed additional guidelines for selecting equipment and designing the duct work. There are several programs contractors can use that follow these ACCA-approved principles.

    When you receive quotes from contractors, remember to ask how they determine the proper size of the unit. They should do a load calculation, verify the duct is designed correctly and pick the appropriate equipment.

    Remember, a properly-sized unit will mean that you are getting the most value from the power you and your family consume.

  • Choosing a Heat Pump System

    When choosing a heat pump system, there are two considerations you should keep in mind– the efficiency of the unit and type of unit. The efficiency of the unit is stated with the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – the higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency and therefore greater energy savings. Ac­cording to the Department of Energy, a 14 SEER heat pump is the standard and it is also the most commonly used because it is the least expensive.

    To help you reach an optimal level of efficiency as well as comfort, let’s talk about the heat pump and the options you have in choosing one to serve your cooling and heating needs. The most common unit is the air-source heat pump, which pulls the heat out of indoor air and releases it outside to keep your home cool and dry and does the reverse in winter. A heat pump acts as a dehumidifier and can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating by 30-40 percent when switching from an electric furnace.

    Another type of unit that can heat and cool your home is the dual fuel heat pump, similar to air source heat pumps, but this one uses a gas furnace as backup heat rather than electric strips. These units switch from the heat pump to the gas furnace only when the temperatures dip below freezing when the heat pump would be less efficient. A dual fuel heat pump is typically more expensive than regular heat pumps but is worth the cost due to reduced energy use in the winter months.

    The mini-split, a compact and efficient way to control the temperature of your home, is a system that consists of an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor units. This system gives you the ability to zone and control the temperature of each individual indoor unit allowing the members of your home to have control of their space and level of comfort. Some other unique benefits of this system include reaching high levels of efficiency, a possible SEER as high as 18–19. SEER shows the efficiency of a unit during a particular season (cooling), so the higher the rating, the more efficient the unit will work (the standard rating for a heat pump is 14). It can also operate effectively during low temperatures; therefore, it can be used year-round efficiently in varying climates where other systems might not function as effectively. Having a mini-split system allows the option of having no ductwork, thereby reducing the inefficiencies common with ductwork.

    The geothermal heat pump uses heat from the ground or a water source rather than outside air to move heat in and out of the house and can achieve a higher efficiency than air source heat pumps. It is considered to be the most efficient type of heat pump available, and also the most expensive. These units use the constant temperature of the earth as its exchange medium instead of the outside air, and they have a life span of more than 20 years if properly maintained. Although the installation cost may be higher compared to other systems, it will produce lower utility bills and annual maintenance costs. The installation of one of these systems can also provide the homeowner with a 30 percent tax credit. And you will experience a savings of 30–70 percent compared to other systems.

    Learn more about our heat pump rebate program, or call (800) 545-5735, ext. 2118.