Heating, Roanoke, HVAC repair, Air Conditioning

HVAC Information - scroll down this page for:
1) Link to youtube video of a recent heat pump installation
2) Department of Energy heating fuel comparision
3) Information about the 2011 Energy Tax Credit
4) Frequently asked questions about heat pumps
5) Reasons why you should have your heating and cooling system serviced regularly.
6) We often have customers ask use about duct cleaning. Rarely do ducts ever need to be cleaned. Duct cleaning is often a scam to get your money. South River does not do duct cleaning. Read this article from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about duct cleaning.

1) Click this link to see a video of a recent Heat Pump installation by South River.

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2) The spreadsheet below is from the Department of Energy website. This spreadsheet shows the comparison of different heating fuels for heating your home. If you notice the line for electricity, then look at the line for air-source heat pump, you will see that an air-source heat pump is 264% efficient. The only way that is more efficient to heat your home is a geothermal heat pump. However, if you consider the extreamly high cost to install a geothermal system (excavating, pipe laying, circulation pump costs, etc.) costing several thousands of dollars, the air-source heat pump is a much better option. To confirm this spreadsheet, click on the spreadsheet and you will be taken to the Department of Energy's website with this spreadsheet. Or click on the link here. The DOE updates the spreadsheet on a regular basis with current fuel prices (national averages). The price for electricity from AEP is currently 8 1/2 cents per KiloWatt-hour. The price for propane was from Highland Propane and natural gas was from Roanoke Gas Company. The HSPF (Heating Standard Performance Factor) was changed to "9" to reflect the HSPF of a Trane model XL15i heat pump. A heat pump is the most efficient way to heat your home.

Click the spreadsheet below to go the DOE website

Heating Fuel Cost Calculator

3) 2011 Tax Credit

Below are a summary of the new tax credits and some frequently asked questions and answers. Please note, this is our interpretation of the legislation, so you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor for further clarifications.

Now up to a $500 tax credit: The new law allows homeowners to take up to a $500 tax credit on efficiency improvements including HVAC.

Q: When does this go into effect?
A: Immediately. Equipment installed now through December 31, 2011, must meet the minimum requirements outlined here.

Q: What about replacement jobs in which a 95% AFUE furnace but only a 13 SEER a/c is installed?
A: 30% of the final installation costs, up to $500, associated specifically with the furnace will qualify for the credit.

Q: Do these improvements apply to new home construction as well?
A: No. On-site renewables generation such as solar and wind qualify for new construction credits, but not the HVAC credits addressed above.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard to Qualify for Tax Credit

Air Source, Split Heat Pumps 15 SEER, 12.5 EER, 8.5 HSPF

Central Air Conditioners 16 SEER, 13 EER

Natural Gas Furnace 95% AFUE

4) FAQ about Heat Pumps

Ever since their introduction in the late fifties, heat pumps seem to be a mystery to most homeowners.
To help you better understand these remarkable devices, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about heat pumps and their answers.

What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is essentially a central air conditioning system that also has the ability to heat your home during cold weather months. It's called a "heat pump" because it pumps heat into your home in winter, and pumps heat out of your home in summer. Its ability to both heat and cool makes it a very economical and efficient home comfort system.

How does a heat pump work?
In summer, it functions exactly like a standard central air conditioning system, pulling the heat out of your home and releasing it outside.
In winter, it simply reverses the process, extracting the heat that's present in outdoor air and pumping it into your home.

How can a heat pump obtain heat from cold winter air?
As strange as it may seem, heat is present in all air, even air that's well below freezing. Think of the way your refrigerator removes unwanted heat that accumulates when you open the door and place warm food inside. You can feel that heat coming back into your kitchen from the refrigerator's exhaust fan. In a similar way, heat pumps remove heat from cold outdoor air and deliver it to your home to keep you warm and comfortable.

What does a heat pump look like?
A typical heat pump installation consists of two parts: an outdoor unit that contains the outdoor coil, compressor, reversing valve, and fan; and an indoor unit that contains the indoor coil, supplemental heater and fan.The outdoor unit looks exactly like a central air conditioner in both size and appearance. The indoor unit is called an air handler and looks similar to a gas furnace.

Where is the furnace?
There isn't any. The heat pumps takes its place. Because a heat pump simply moves heat from one place to another, there is no burning of fuel to make heat, no smoke and no fumes.

Do heat pumps have efficiency ratings?
Yes. In fact, they have two, one for heating and one for cooling. The heating rating is called the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), the cooling rating is called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). In both cases, the higher the number, the greater the efficiency and the lower the operating costs.
When comparing ratings, remember that they are based on the total system, meaning the combination of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

Why is a heat pump so economical?
Because during the heating season, a heat pump simply has to move heat instead of making it. Unlike a furnace that must turn fossil fuel or electricity into heat, the heat pump simply collects heat that already exists in the outdoor air and pumps it into your home.

Why do heat pumps have supplemental heaters?
Heat naturally migrates from warmer to colder areas through windows, doors, ceilings and walls. Insulation, weather-stripping and caulk slow down this heat loss, but cannot totally eliminate it. The colder it becomes, the faster a home loses heat. The supplemental heater helps the heat pump during weather extremes when a home may lose heat faster than the heat pump can replace it. Electric heating elements in the indoor unit turn on automatically to make up the difference.

Can heat pumps be installed in existing homes?
Yes, especially if you already have a forced-air heating system, suitable ductwork and adequate insulation. Heat pumps can work with any forced air heating system ... gas, oil, propane or electric.

5) Home Comfort Service information

8 Reasons Why a Heating & Cooling Service Checkup is a Wise Investment

80% of all compressor failures could be avoided if proper maintenance had been performed.
A dirty or restricted condenser coil, evaporator coil, and blower wheel can increase system operating costs by up to 45%.
If you have to ever add refrigerant to your system – you have a leak! Comfort systems are sealed and pressurized. If you have a leak it will result in increased operating costs and will eventually require repair.
Smaller problems like a small leak, can lead to the major repairs such as a compressor failure. Proper maintenance can catch many minor repairs before they become major repairs – paying a little now can help you avoid paying lots later!
A quality filtration system, combined with proper maintenance, will protect your coil and may prolong the life of the system.
Properly performed maintenance – a precision tune-up – twice a year, will improve safety, keep your system running at peak efficiency, and save you money according to a major study – Louisiana Cooperative Study.

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