HVAC Services Livonia
What is a dual-stage compressor?
Two-stage compressors operate in two stages as their name suggests. Some compressors with two-stages include a compressor with two stages while others have two compressors. In both cases, the unit operates in the lower stage which is less than its full capacity for the majority. It can use stage 2 on the hottest days to operate at full capacity. It is efficient because it does not operate at its full capacity constantly. This will reduce your energy costs. Variable speed compressors can be an alternative to the two-stage compressors. These compressors have lower capacities, but are more efficient.
HVAC Services Livonia
What is a dual-fuel fuel system?
Dual-fuel systems combine a heat pumps, an indoor coil, a furnace, and heat pumps to heat your home. The heat pump does the majority of the work while the furnace serves as an additional source of heat. If the temperature drops below a specific point, the heat pumps will stop working and the furnace will take control. This is an efficient system that can help you save energy. Consult with us to determine if a dual fuel system is right for you.
What temperature should I set for my thermostat?
The rule of thumb when it comes to energy efficiency is: in summer, the higher the temperature, while in winter the lower the temperature. But, air conditioners and furnaces are designed to keep your home comfortable. The balance must be found between comfort and efficiency. Your thermostat should be kept at around 78°C in summer and 68°F in winter for energy efficiency and lower utility bills. Other than your personal preferences, the efficiency of your home's insulation, ducts and air filters, as well as whether ceiling fans are installed, blocked vents, and other factors, can have an impact on the ideal temperature in your home.
Is R-22 refrigerant being discontinued?
Yes. R-22 is now not permitted in new equipment. This is due to environmental regulations. R-22 can still be used in residential air conditioners. R-22 is slowly being phased off. R-22 production will decrease by 99.5% starting January 1, 2020. It will become more difficult and expensive to obtain. If your system is using R-22 refrigerant you might want to switch to a better system.
What do I do if my systems doesn't work in certain rooms or spaces?
Temperature variations between rooms are normal, especially if only one thermostat is used. This could be due to poor design of ducts or air filter issues. Book a consultation to find out the cause and propose solutions.
What is Emergency Heat?
Simply put, Heat Pumps located in northern climates (below35 degrees) will require supplemental heating. It's usually an indoor unit that is heated by electric resistance heating. It could be an all-electric Heat Pump or a hot water back-up system. Supplemental heat can also be called second-stage heating or back-up heating. The Heat Pump is the only stage. When you can use your emergency heat (second stage) without your heat pump (1st-stage heat), it is called emergency heat. While different thermostats have different ways to determine when the second stage heat will come on to help the heat pump (or vice versa), it happens automatically. These two stages will work together in colder months and you don't need to change your thermostat to Emergency Heat. Now we understand that Emergency Heat is simply when you use your supplemental heating by itself.
When should I use Emergency Heat?
It's only used in an emergency situation, as its name suggests. It is used when first-stage heating is not working properly (the Heat Pump). It is used when your Heat Pump is not heating properly. If you notice that your house is cold, and the heat pump isn’t heating properly, and you go outside to see that a tree has fallen on your heat pump, then it might be time to switch over to Emergency Heat. The Heat Pump became a blocky block of ice because it was malfunctioning as shown in the image below. The Heat Pump is now incapable of producing heat. You can simply set the thermostat to Emergency Heat and contact service. In winter, it is a good idea to regularly inspect your outdoor heat pumps. Look out for signs of excessive ice and snow build-up around your heat pump. The heat pump had to be replaced because the unit shown in this photo actually froze so severely. This problem could have been caught earlier and repaired instead of replacing the heat pump.