Helpful Tips from Your Local Heating Contractor in Macon GA
Back to BlogWe are at that time of the year when we need reliable heating in Macon GA. This means having your furnace or heat pump thoroughly inspected and tuned-up by a professional heating contractor. We will discuss some general information regarding system types, efficiency and service so that you have some basic information when talking to your heating contractor in Macon GA.
Furnaces
Furnaces are relatively simple machines, but they have evolved over the years due to technological advances and energy conservation concerns. Upgrades such as dual-heating capacity and variable speed fans are just two of the features that have made them more sophisticated. Some sure signs of furnace decline are the appearance of rust around the system, gas leaks, fan problems and other related issues. If you see rust around the system it could mean that important components are severely deteriorated and beyond repair. Furnaces in this state are at risk of general collapse. Your heating contractor can advise you on the proper course of action.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps use electricity to provide heating. They do this by operating as an air conditioning system in reverse. When in reverse mode, a heat pump will transfer available heat from the outdoors to the indoors. They are capable of doing this beyond the point when it would seem possible, but they will eventually lose the ability to extract heat as temperatures plummet. At this point, they will enter into a secondary mode known as emergency heating. Electrical heating strips are activated and heat the air as it flows past them. They do an excellent job but their energy requirements make them inefficient, so it is advantageous to keep their operation at a minimum. If you have access to gas, you can install a dual-fuel system that will switch to furnace operation when temperatures are low. It is advisable to talk to your heating contractor to determine if this is an advisable option.
Efficiency
Furnaces are rated for efficiency in terms of Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). An 80 AFUE furnace means that for every 100 BTUs of energy that are available, the furnace will burn 80 BTUs. Most modern furnaces rate 80 AFUE, but it is possible to find equipment that can achieve nearly 100 percent efficiency. Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is the method used to determine heat pump efficiency. The minimum efficiency that is allowable in the US is 7.7 HSPF.
Service and Maintenance
Whether you have a furnace or heat pump, you can certainly benefit from having regular service on your system at the beginning of each heating season. Regular seasonal service will keep systems running longer and more efficiently. Minor issues that are detected during these service calls can be corrected before turning into larger problems, saving you money on repairs.
At Conditioned Air Inc., we have over seven decades of experience as a heating contractor in Macon GA. Please give us a call for more information regarding all your heating needs.