Q. My gas bill has been getting bigger every year for the last few winters. Is there anything I can do to cut back on my HVAC System's energy usage? I keep my thermostat about as low as I can.

A. A lot of people are in the same boat as you because natural gas prices, especially in the Midwest, have soared in the last few years. One way we've helped customers cope is with Trane's Hybrid Heat system. It's a high-efficiency natural gas furnace combined with a high-efficiency electric heat pump. It's often referred to as a "dual fuel" system.

Q. How is efficiency rating measured and should I always buy the best efficiency rating?

A. Gas or Oil Furnaces are rated in AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), Heat Pumps in HPSF (Heating Season Performance Factor) and Air Conditioners in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). With gas furnaces you should buy a model with a 92% rating if you run the blower continuously for better air filtration as it has a more efficient blower. However, if you allow the air to turn off when not heating, a 95% model will save you energy in the long run. On the A/C side it has more to do with comfort as you get to the higher SEER ratings in our climate. The base A/C is a 13 SEER for each point you go higher it uses about 10% less energy to run.

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Cincinnati Heating & Cooling Insights :: Ventilation

Whole-House Ventilation Is an Important Aspect of Cincinnati HVAC Systems

by Greg Leisgang on December 5, 2013

Whole-house ventilation systems provide homeowners with a controlled, reliable source of ventilation throughout the home. Cincinnati HVAC technicians can help you decide which type of system is right for your home.… read more »

Improve Your HVAC Results and Cincinnati Home With a Heat Recovery Ventilator

by Greg Leisgang on October 29, 2013

One of the best methods to achieve lower HVAC bills in your Cincinnati home is to seal it up nice and tight. The only problem with a tightly sealed home is that pollution and moisture generated indoors get stuck there. This leads to poor indoor air quality and worsened allergy and asthma symptoms. The solution to this problem is a heat recovery ventilator.… read more »

Which Home Ventilation System Is Best for your Cincinnati Home?

by Greg Leisgang on May 30, 2013

Cincinnati springtime allergens are a reminder for many homeowners of the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ), but the truth is that more than half of U.S. homes — especially tightly sealed homes — suffer the effects of poor IAQ, which may include biological contaminants, auto emissions and more. If you’re ahead of the curve regarding good IAQ, you may be contemplating which whole house ventilation system is better for the Cincinnati area weather: an HRV or ERV?… read more »

Air Leaks Mean Big Energy Losses

by Greg Leisgang on September 8, 2011

Air leaks are one of the great thieves of indoor conditioned air. And they should be addressed because air leaks add to energy costs. We all know that well-caulked windows and weatherstripping around doors reduce leaks. But there are some other areas that homeowners can neglect when it comes to outside air invading our homes.… read more »