Heating Technician Livonia
What is a Two-stage Compressor?
A two-stage compressor, like its name suggests operates in two stages. There are two types of two-stage compressors. Some have one compressor that has two stages and others have two. The unit is able to run on the lower stage for most of its life, although it may be less efficient than the full capacity. The unit can run at full capacity on the hottest day, but it will use stage 2. Because the system does not work at full capacity every time, it is extremely efficient which will result in lower energy bills. Variable-speed compressors offer an alternative to 2-stage compressors. They run at a lower capacity but have greater efficiency.
What is a Dual-fuel system?
Dual-fuel systems are made up of a heatpump, an indoor coil and a gas furnace. They work together to heat your home. The furnace is used as a backup, while the heat pump handles most of it. If the temperature drops below certain levels, the heatpump will not be able meet your needs. The furnace will step in. This system can be very efficient and may help to save you money. For a free consultation, you can determine if a dual-fuel system would be the best choice for your home.
Heating Technician LivoniaWhat should my thermostat say?
The general rule for energy efficiency is that the higher the summer temperature, the better. In winter, the lower the temperature. Air conditioners and furnaces serve one purpose: to keep your home comfortable. It is important to balance comfort and energy efficiency. To save energy and lower your bills, keep your thermostat at 78°F in the summer and 68°F during winter. The optimal temperature of your home can be affected by many factors. These include your personal preferences, efficiency in insulation, ducts or air filters, ceiling fans and blocked vents.
Is R-22 refrigerant being discontinued?
Yes. R-22 is no more allowed in new equipment, due to environmental regulations. R-22 is still used by many residential air conditioner units. It is slowly being phased down. R-22 will cease production by January 1, 2020. It will be difficult and costly to find. It is worth considering switching to a higher-quality system, especially if it uses R-22 refrigerant.
What can you do if your system isn’t working well in certain rooms of your home?
If you have only one thermostat, a little temperature variation between rooms is normal. However, this could also be an indication of poor ductwork or air filtration problems. Set up a free consultation to discuss the problem and suggest solutions.
What is Emergency Heat and how can it help?
Simply put, heat pumps in northern climates below 35 degrees need to be heated by a supplemental source. It is typically in the form of electric resistance heating at the indoor unit. This is an all electric Heat Pump. But it could also include a gas, oil or hot-water backup system. This supplemental heat may also be referred to second-stage or back up heating. The first-stage is the Heat Pump. Emergency Heat refers to when your supplemental heat (2nd Stage) is used by itself, without the need for your heat pump (1st Stage heat). Although thermostats and systems may have different ways of determining when heat pumps are activated, they all work automatically. In the winter, both stages will work together so it is not necessary for you to set your thermostat on Emergency Heat. This is what Emergency Heat means.
When should I use Emergency Heat?
It is only used when there are emergency situations, just like its name. It is used when the first-stage heating system (the Heat Pump) is malfunctioning. This means that if your house gets cold and doesn't heat properly, you should switch to Emergency Heat. As you can see, the Heat Pump has become a blockage of ice as a result of a malfunction. At this point it's not capable of providing heat. Just set the thermostat for Emergency Heat and call to have it serviced. Your outdoor heat pump should be inspected regularly during the winter months. Inspect the heat pump for signs such as ice or snow accumulation. The heat pump that was pictured in the photo actually got so bad that it had to be removed. The problem might have been detected earlier to avoid costly replacement.