HVAC Installation Archives - Quality Heating Blog of Brookfield, WI

The heating and cooling system in your home is one of the most important long-term choices you will make. The old oil furnaces that last 40 to 50 years (and have no energy efficiency) may no longer exist, but your heating and cooling system should last around 15 to 20 years. So you should really think about all aspects that figure into choosing the right heating system for you. In addition to the initial investment, you must consider energy efficiency, required maintenance, and warranty when making your decision. In this post, we’ll examine some of the factors that you should consider.

Climate

The first thing that you need to consider is the climate where you live. In Wisconsin, we have harsh winters and hot summers. All of Wisconsin is in Zone 5 of the Heating Climate Zone map, and the further north you go, the colder it gets (usually). That means that you probably need between 50 to 60 BTUs per square foot. (https://www.inchcalculator.com/calculate-btus-to-heat-home/)

Geography

The landscape that surrounds your home has tremendous impact on the kind of furnace that you will need. Are you situated in a clearing on a hill with views of a valley? Or are you nestled in a grove of trees? Or are you part of a housing development with neighbors on either side? The permutations can be endless; but the geography your house occupies will influence how much energy is needed to heat your home, and how efficiently it can be maintained.

Building Itself

Finally, there’s your home itself. It will be no surprise to you that a new build will have better insulation and tighter windows than an older home. If your home gets a lot of natural sunlight, that’s another factor that needs consideration. The experts at Quality Home Heating can conduct an analysis of your home’s thermal envelope. A thermal envelope is “everything about the house that serves to shield the living space from the outdoors” (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). It includes the wall and roof assemblies, insulation, air/vapor retarders, windows, weatherstripping, and caulking .

Furnace Type

The choices in heating and cooling are many and varied. There are two basic kinds of systems: split and packaged. A split system is more typical with a condensing unit, furnace, and coil. A packaged system is an all-in-one heating and cooling system where an outdoor unit contains all the parts. If you’re building a new house, all options are open to you. If you’re looking to replace an existing furnace, you may need to go with the more conventional choice.

Fuel Source and More

Then there’s the fuel source. You may not have a choice about that, but if you do, we can talk you through oil, natural gas, and more. Ductless systems are also available now. Some systems allow you to claim a tax credit for the purchase and installation of Qualified Energy Property. And then there are the numbers. In addition to AFUE, different units have SEER numbers (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), and HSPF numbers (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). It can become a confusing maze of too much information.

One of the professionals at Quality Home Heating can perform a Manual J load calculation to confirm the system size you need in your particular home. This calculation takes your entire home into account — from square footage to window efficiency to external geography. Give us a call; we’ll make sure you get the right furnace for your home.

We’ve already had some stretches of hot weather this year, and the summer has not even begun. If your air conditioner isn’t working, you’ve probably already discovered that the hard way. Maybe you’ve noticed that it isn’t cooling as efficiently as it has in the past, or it’s making unhappy noises. In any event, if you’re wondering whether or not to repair or replace your air conditioner, here are a few simple questions to ask yourself.

How Old Is It?

With all major appliances, it is good to practice the 50% rule: if it has reached over half of its life span, and the repair would cost over half of its new counterpart, it is best to replace it. Air conditioners usually last between 15 and 20 years, according to EnergyStar (a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program). As the unit ages, more and more issues develop, so if your unit is 8 years old or older, you should consider replacement. Of course, age alone should not be the determining factor.

Does It Use Freon?

As of January 1, 2010, the EPA banned the manufacture of air conditioners that use R-22 Freon because its use is compounding the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer. Because of this, Freon costs are increasing significantly. If your air conditioner uses Freon, eventually you’ll need to replace it to make the switch to the new R410A refrigerant. It’s most likely a good time to consider a replacement if your unit is breaking down or has problems associated with needing more Freon.

How Often Is It Breaking Down?

If your unit is breaking down a couple of times during the cooling season, it might make sense to replace it before the break downs become more frequent. Inevitably, it will cease functioning when we’re in a stretch of 90+ degree weather, and if that happens repeatedly, your whole family will be not only hot, but irritated. When your air conditioner needs frequent service calls, the repair costs add up quickly, too.

What’s Its Energy Efficiency?

If your air conditioner is broken, it’s time to consider its energy efficiency. Obviously, if it still uses R-22 Freon, it’s over 11 years old, and you can rest assured that it’s wasting a lot of energy. The new models are incredibly energy efficient. Models today have an Energy Efficiency Ration (EER) of 13 or 14 and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 19 or 20. If your air conditioning unit has numbers below those, it’s costing you more than it needs to.

How Much For a New One?

Investigate the cost of a new air conditioner; you may be pleasantly surprised. Remember that you need to factor in the savings you will realize with a new unit, both in your electricity bill and repair costs. The experts at Quality Heating can help you explore all your options, and find an air conditioner that works with your budget and your family needs.

A non-functioning or malfunctioning air conditioner can create a lot of problems during our hot and humid Wisconsin summers. When your air conditioner breaks down, you should think about whether it’s worth it to repair it, or whether replacing it would be a better idea. Consider all angles of the problem, and if you’re interested in any advice, the professionals at Quality Heating, your family-owned HVAC specialists serving Southeastern Wisconsin, are happy to help.

Finding the Right Furnace