There are some big savings ahead for those who need to replace or install a furnace or central HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) unit, but  improving the performance of your present unit may be possible as well.  Long term savings are available for those with access to natural gas, and if you’ve been paying attention to the price of this ultra clean energy source you probably know why.  Here are several good reasons to consider the new high tech designs using natural gas for home, office, or commercial heating and cooling requirements:

• Natural gas prices have dropped dramatically.
• Gas furnaces available with 98% efficiency.
• High efficiency equals low emissions.
• High production and additional storage facilities in progress will help stabilize prices.
• Expect demand and resultant availability (service lines) to increase.
• One of the lesser known brands is going to become a big player in the industry.

Keep It Clean, Keep It Clear, Keeps It Working

Here’s an example of what to expect for pricing in the great northern Midwest:  Natural Gas Price e.g., Wisconsin at approx. .62 per therm April / 2012.  The average use seems to be around 250 therms needed for the month of January to heat the “average” home which pencils out to $155.00.  Newer units are reaching 97% efficiency but you must get the right unit, calculate your needs exactly and then make the correct installation to meet maximum efficiency, comfort, and convenience.  Following are some additional critical issues that need to be addressed if you’re installing a new HVAC system.

1.  Get the proper size unit for your home, and one that can be expanded if an addition to the home might be added later.  Too large a unit is nearly as bad as too small due to excessive on and off cycles which create unnecessary wear and tear.

2.  Be sure the calculations and  installation is done properly, or the odds of your new unit failing goes up dramatically.  There are specific formulas to determine the load and resultant system required.  The outdoor condenser and indoor evaporator coil have to be a matched set before calculations can be correct and a recognized method, such as determined in Manual J from the ACCA (Air Conditioners Contractors Association) should be used. If you already have ducts in place, calculations should include whether your ducts need to be resized, sealed and insulated, or replaced.  The indoor evaporator coil and outdoor condenser must be a matched set, or the performance, efficiency, and capacity claims may not be accurate.  Have at least three different contractors do a bid and have them show their calculations as to how they arrived at your needed unit.  If one of them is significantly different more investigation is needed.

3.  If you’re buying a new home, who installed the unit?  A big yellow flag goes up if it was the builder instead of a professional installer.  Even home owners do better than builders (12% failure vs. 19%) according to Consumer’s Reports.  If you’re serious about purchasing a home with a unit already in place get a professional to analyze the system and go into the purchase knowing what you’re getting.  Doesn’t that make sense?  If the system is totally wrong how much is it going to cost you to make it right?

4.  The duct work needs to be insulated and sized correctly with each joint sealed properly.  “Up to 30 to 40 percent of energy can escape through leaks or when ducts aren’t insulated” according to Consumer’s.  “The requirement of listed and labeled UL181B-compliant duct tape within the ICC mechanical, energy, and residential codes was a huge advancement.  The Air Diffusion Council recommends using at least two wraps of duct tape when connecting, joining, and splicing flexible duct.”  In other words, do it right the first time!

5.  Last but just as important, plan on keeping your unit clean, and with an outdoor central HVAC component it’s important to keep vegetation well away for longevity and efficiency.  Clean filters and grills monthly, and change filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

Heating & Cooling Systems / A Very Important Investment

When should you begin to think of replacing your present unit?  The answer depends on your situation, but if you believe the federal government here’s what they have to say:  “Heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year – nearly half the home’s total energy bill. If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30%.”

What are some of the highly ranked gas units?  My research of Consumer Reports revealed the following:  Units with 90% + efficiency were from $2300 to $3,000.  If you need new or replacement duct work, plan on paying double these amounts for the total installation.  Manufacturers listed within this criteria were American Standard, Bryant, Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, and Trane.  The repair records over a six year period were:   American Standard (11%),  and the rest showed only a 13% repair record from over 40,000 responses.

Natural gas prices may not always be this low in comparison to other fuels, but I’m betting it will be a valuable, dependable source for home and commercial heating and cooling for decades.  It’s been stated the USA has become the Saudi Arabia of natural gas, and we won’t be running low any time soon.

I’ve recently found some really interesting HVAC systems by a company I’d never heard of, but seems to be the top line in Europe where energy prices are higher than in the USA.  Because of their customized installation flexibility, efficiency, use flexibility, quietness, lower costs of installation, smaller compact units, no constant on and off cycles, programmable remote controls, and overall comfort of the systems I’m intrigued.  If you want a unit that heats your water, cools and heats your home or office at different temperatures in different rooms they’re available.  It’s piqued my interest, and I will be doing my next article on them.

Of course warm and cozy in the winter, cool and calm in the summer is even more pleasant when your decor includes colorful no maintenance silk floral arrangements, plants, topiaries, wall decor, and cheerful door wreaths.  Come on by, and if you find something you like you’re welcome to a one time 5% rebate on any item not already on sale.  Just mention our “5% HVAC blog article rebate” and no expiration on the offer at Silky Flower Store.

In the mean time check out the video that illustrates some of the advantages of gas HVAC systems.

My Best, Billy Goldmark, Home Decoration Pro.