The technician was prompt, very polite, and answered all of my questions as he performed the preventitive maintenence on my heating and cooling system. He even suggested that we remove some of the landscaping near our air conditioner because it was growing up into the unit.
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. Why does the air from my vent feel cool when the heat pump is on?
A. The HP is designed to heat the air about 20 degrees each time the air goes through the system. A gas or oil furnace is designed for a 40-70 degree temperature rise as the air passes thru the furnace. So if you maintain 70 degrees in the home, a heat pump will put out about 90 degree air depending on the outside temperature. Since the normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees this 90 degree air feels cool to us. In comparison a gas or oil furnace normally warms the air to between 110 - 140 degrees or higher and therefore it feels warm to us.
When it comes to a residential heat pump, homeowners can expect one to last 10 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Learning how to maintain your home's heat pump isn't difficult and will save you money now and in the future.
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Is a lack of whole-house humidification causing problems for your household? Low humidity can cause uncomfortable health issues like dry sinuses, allergy flare-ups and itchy skin. Dry air also has a damaging effect on your home's structure and furnishings, causing cracked trim and floorboards, furniture that may fall apart as solvents dry, or cracks that emerge in protective coatings or the wood itself.
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