Variable Speed Fan For Furnaces and Heat Pumps

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

Why upgrade to a variable speed fan on your furnace or heat pump system?

 
The simple answer is that variable speed fans will just make you more comfortable. The next answer I will provide is how. A variable speed fan provides quieter, more comfortable heating and cooling cycles. The system starts out at a low speed, builds up to a higher speed for maximum air delivery and then falls back to a lower speed.
 
In the heating season this allows the cold air that is resting in the duct to be evacuated at lower velocity so that the feeling of cold air (cold blow) is not so drastically felt near the vent. As the furnace or heat pump air handler heats up, the fan speed increases and delivers that treated air. The fan “ramps down” at the end, pushing more of the heat out of the furnace or air handler and into the room. Most manufactures have furnace or heat pump options that allow for low stage operation (delivering 40% or 70% capacity). This brings warm air into rooms without making it so hot that you feel you need to open a window.
 
During cooling season the longer cycles of the variable speed fan better control the humidity especially when paired with a Thermidistat (A thermostat that also controls humidity.). When high humidity is sensed in cooling season the variable fan speed drops down to low speed, moving the air across the coil at a lower velocity which allows more / larger water droplets to cling to the coil, drop into the drain pan and drain to the outside of the house. Many people find that lower humidity allows them to actually set the Thermidistat a degree or two higher and maintain the same comfort level.
 
The efficiency of the new variable speed fans have greatly increased. That paired with the smart microprocessors that control fan speed and cycles allow for maximum comfort with minimal energy use. The variable speed fan helps to consistently maintain the comfort / temperature level you have selected through longer run cycles and more air exchanges. Include a humidistat and a two stage furnace or heat pump and the indoor comfort level is that much closer to perfect.
 
This post is written by and the opinion of Doug Rifenburg a Comfort Consultant with Comfort Wizards Heating & Air Conditioning serving the Raleigh, Garner, Durham and surrounding markets in North Carolina. Specific questions or topic requests can be emailed to doug@comfortwizards.net and I will try to incorporate them into future posts. General inquires and estimate requests should go to www.comfortwizards.com or call (919) 625-6613.

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Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home or Work Place

Posted on December 27, 2011 by admin

How polluted is the air inside your home or workspace? An overview of indoor air quality (IAQ).

Outdoor air pollution’s causes and effects have been all over the news for years. But where do most of us spend the majority of our lives? Most likely if you are reading this article in the comfort of your home or office, the answer is INDOORS.
 
More and more attention is turning to the indoor air quality (IAQ) of the home and work place. According to the EPA, levels of pollutants indoors can be 2 to 5 times greater than levels found outdoors. Simple dust can be composed of pet dander, pollens, mold spores, bacteria, food particles, dust mites and a host of others. Even when we attempt to clean, we often times just push around and re-suspend this dust in the air. Many times we bring items into our home or actually build our home with materials that off gas; meaning they release harmful gases found in glue, paint, carpet, hair spray, candles, insecticides, even the cleaning products we use to “clean our home”. Some of the measures we take to improve the air in our home can add to the problem. Air fresheners are made up of chemicals and some of the portable air cleaners on the market can generate ozone which brings with it a whole set of respiratory problems.
 
Now with all of the time we spend indoors and the amount of pollution in the common home; what dose that translate to? We breathe in roughly 2,100 gallons of air per day and that air contains around seven million particles, twenty eight million bacteria and a whole lot of gas molecules every hour. All of this can promote allergies, asthma or more serious illness if not addressed.
 
What can we do to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) and improve our lives? I see three key steps to improve the I.A.Q. First, where we can, we eliminate the source of the pollution or contaminant. Second, we ventilate – bring in outdoor air when needed. Third and often the simplest is that we filter the air.
 
Over my next few articles, I will address each of the above solutions individually. I don’t know about you but I suddenly feel the need to walk outside and get some fresh air!
 
This post is written by and the opinion of Doug Rifenburg a Comfort Consultant with Comfort Wizards Heating & Air Conditioning serving the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Garner, Durham and surrounding markets in North Carolina. Specific questions or topic requests can be emailed to doug@comfortwizards.net and I will try to incorporate them into future posts. General inquires and estimate requests should go to www.comfortwizards.com or call (919) 625-6613.

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Improving Indoor Air Quality

Posted on December 5, 2011 by admin

Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) by adding humidity during the heating season.

Most customers are aware of the importance of a tune up or a preventative maintenance contract going into the heating season and that has either already been completed or one of our technicians has it on their schedule in the upcoming weeks.
 
Once that heat is turned on and has been running for a while, many homeowners start to notice the dry air, increased snoring, scratchy throat, nose bleeds and increased shocks from static electricity. Your home also suffers from lack of humidity with symptoms like drying or cracking woodwork, wood floors, artwork and furnishings.
 
Lack of humidity is a problem that is easily addressed through the addition of a whole house humidifier connected directly to your heating system. Ideal indoor relative humidity is between 35 and 55 percent, plus humidified air feels warmer so many customers find that they can turn the thermostat down a few degrees without sacrificing comfort. My favorite humidifier is the Honeywell – True Steam ™ Humidification System. The installation requires proper sizing of the system, light electrical / plumbing work and can generally be accomplished in about ½ a day by a qualified technician. Once installed, the system produces steam to add moisture to your home when needed. The direct plumbing connection eliminates the constant hassle of refilling the old portable units which only work when we remember to fill them and turn them on. A humidistat or similar device activates the humidifier when the need for humidity exists and turns it off when that need is satisfied. Now that’s simple enough. The Honeywell – True Steam ™ uses less water delivering a 1:1 ratio of delivery to consumption of water and the steam delivery system make it a cleaner system than other available options. The equipment is generally installed out of site (in the crawl space or attic in our region) and requires minimal maintenance once a year that can be added to preventative maintenance plans.
 
This post is written by and the opinion of Doug Rifenburg a Comfort Consultant with Comfort Wizards Heating & Air Conditioning serving the Raleigh, Garner, Durham and surrounding markets in North Carolina. Specific questions or topic requests can be emailed to doug@comfortwizards.net and I will try to incorporate them into future posts. General inquires and estimate requests should go to www.comfortwizards.com or call (919) 625-6613.

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