Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

What Is a Hybrid Heating System?

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

Although many people outside of Florida assume that we have warm, sunny weather all year long, residents know that the weather can get very chilly. And since your air conditioner uses so much energy the rest of the year, you may dread running your heater if the system you currently own is somewhat inefficient. So when you need to replace your heater, you might decide to go with a hybrid heating system, one of the most energy-efficient heating systems available.

Hybrid heating systems contain both a heat pump and a gas furnace, so that homeowners get the efficiency of a heat pump and the performance of a gas furnace. A hybrid heating system is a heat pump first and foremost, but it uses a furnace as a backup. Let’s look at how a heat pump and furnace work to see how this unit can help your home to run more efficiently.

Heat pumps are essentially just air conditioners with a couple of extra components and settings that allow for both heating and cooling. In air conditioning mode, refrigerant moves from the compressor unit to the indoor air handler, absorbing the heat from the home and then moving it back outside. In heating mode, refrigerant moves in the opposite direction via an additional component called the reversing valve. The reversing valve allows refrigerant to flow the other way while check valves help it to avoid passing through the components reserved for cooling mode.

Moving heat from one area to the next is a very efficient way to heat a space, usually more so than generating heat. But generating heat via combustion, as a furnace does, means reliable heating in any weather. Furnaces don’t rely on outside conditions to heat a home, and all of the parts are located indoors. While a heat pump may struggle to heat when outdoor temperatures drop too low, a furnace typically will not. This means it’s there a source of heating when the temperatures drop or when a component of your heat pump breaks and you need a backup source.

Call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. to learn about all of the ways homeowners benefit from installing hybrid heating systems in Gainesville.

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How Can a New Thermostat Contribute to Heating Efficiency?

Thursday, December 4th, 2014

One of the easiest ways to increase the energy efficiency of your heating system is to upgrade your thermostat. This may seem like too simple a solution, but upgrading your thermostat has a number of benefits that you may not realize. There are 3 main choices when it comes to upgrading your thermostat, as we’ll outline below, and each offers a level of control you can’t get with an outdated thermostat. Professional installation ensures that your thermostat will work properly, so call the people you can count on: Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc.

Types of Thermostats

Digital

A digital thermostat has precise temperature-setting and intuitive and easy-to-use buttons. The face is more readable than a dial or slide thermostat, and there’s no need to calibrate a digital thermostat as you have to with a mercury-based thermostat. Digital thermostats can easily replace your existing one, and your technician will properly dispose of your outdated thermostat.

Programmable

A programmable thermostat allows you to take the benefits of digital precision to the next level by creating a program for your heating. You can set up to 4 different temperature settings per day, and create a full program that lasts for 7 days. If your weekly program is consistent, you can loop your 7-day program so that it runs continuously. Programming allows you to accommodate for times when your home may be unoccupied during the work week, weekends, nighttime and vacation time. You can program your heating system to cycle up and down when needed without having to do it manually.

Smart

With a smart thermostat, you can program, monitor and track your energy usage from just about anywhere; all you need is a smart device and access to the internet. You can use your smart thermostat’s app to program your thermostat, make changes and even monitor your energy use.

How Does an Upgraded Thermostat Help with Energy Efficiency?

  • Precision – dial or slide thermostats give a range of degrees rather than allowing you to pinpoint an actual temperature; this can make a difference of 2-3 degrees per setting. Considering each degree higher can equal 3% of your energy costs, being able to set an exact temperature can go a long way toward reducing your energy usage.
  • Programmability – being able to program your thermostat allows you to reduce the amount of heating you use. This kind of control saves you energy and money.
  • Monitoring/energy tracking – if you use a smart thermostat, you can monitor and track your energy usage, which can help inform you as to when and how to further reduce your energy usage.

Today’s thermostats are far more advanced than the outdated mercury or slide type of thermostats.

If you are looking to increase the energy efficiency of your heating in Jacksonville, contact Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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How Does a Zone Heating System Improve Efficiency?

Monday, November 17th, 2014

Heating efficiency is a priority in most homes, and there are a number of tools and upgrades homeowners can utilize to achieve better energy efficiency through the winter. One such upgrade is a zone heating system. Zone heating systems are easy to use but relatively complex to install, so if a zone heating installation in Jacksonville seems like a great idea for your home, call the people who can install the system quickly, correctly and efficiently: Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc.

How Does a Zone Control System Work?

The first step with the installation of any zone control system is to designate the zones. Zones can be a single room, a group of rooms, a floor or wing of your home – the decision is yours. Once the zones are designated, the technician installs motorized dampers into the supply ducts of your ductwork; these dampers are connected to a main control panel. Each zone is outfitted with its own thermostat that also connects to the main control panel. The main control panel controls the opening and closing of the dampers to maintain the temperature set in each zone.

How Can a Zone Control System Help Heating Efficiency?

With a zone control system, you use only the heating you need. For instance, with a zone control system, you can turn off heating to the areas of your home that are unused or unoccupied; you can’t do this with regular ductwork. By reducing the amount of heating you use, you use less energy, making your home more energy efficient.

A second way a zone control system can help with heating efficiency is by reducing operational time. Being able to customize your heat means you use less heat; this means your system doesn’t need to generate as much heat, and as such, it operates for less time. Less operation means more energy savings for you. 

If you are interested in seeing what a zone heating installation in Jacksonville can do for you and your home, call Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., today.

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Key Components Involved in a Ductless Heating System

Monday, November 10th, 2014

Ductless systems have become very popular with homeowners, offering both cooling and heating to homes. Some people wonder how ductless heating in Lake City works; not only are the systems ductless, but they offer both heating and cooling, making them 2-in-1 devices. We’ll explain the components and how the system works in more detail below. For all of your heating needs, call the people you can trust: Touchstone Heating and Air Inc.

Components of a Ductless System

Here are main components of a ductless system:

  • Outdoor unit – contains the compressor and condenser
  • Indoor blowers – small blowers, about 35” long, that operate independently of one another
  • Conduit – the indoor blowers and outdoor unit are connected by a conduit drilled into an exterior wall; this conduit holds the power cord, condensate drain line, and the refrigerant line

How Does the System Work?

When you turn on an indoor blower, the refrigerant begins to flow and the heating or cooling cycle begins. A small coil and fan reside inside each indoor blower, allowing the system to heat and cool your home.

How Does the System Heat?

Ductless systems that heat your home can do so because of heat pump technology. Heat pumps are equipped with a component called a reversing valve that can change the direction of the refrigerant flow. This allows the heat pump to change modes between heating and cooling. Inside your home, a dual-mode thermostat controls what mode the heat pump is in; when you need to change modes, you simply press the button and the heat pump does the rest.

What Are the Benefits of a Ductless Heating System?

  • Zoned heating – each blower operates independently of the others, allowing for customization of your heating.
  • Energy Efficiency – with a ductless system, you only use the heating you need, which helps save energy. In addition, not having to use ductwork means there is no chance of air loss due to faulty ductwork.
  • Limited Space/Expansion – whether your home has limited space or you are looking at expanding, a ductless system has the flexibility to handle both scenarios. The air blower for a ductless air conditioner is quite small and is typically placed flush against a wall or mounted to a ceiling; if you are expanding your property, adding an additional air blower to the space is not a difficult task as long as there is an outdoor unit to support it.

To find out if ductless heating in Lake City is a good fit for your home, call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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3 Common Furnace Repairs

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Furnaces are reliable heating systems, but at some point during your ownership, it is likely your furnace will need repairs. A number of problems can develop with your furnace, but there are some furnace repairs in Gainesville that our technicians see with relative frequency. The repair of a heating system is complex, so it’s important to hire trained technicians for all your heating repair work. For almost 15 years Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., has helped numerous customers with their furnaces, and we can help you, too. Call today!

Repair 1: Blower Fan

The blower fan is responsible for pushing the warm air from the heat exchanger into your ductwork. Different problems can arise with the blower fan, such as motor issues, problems with dry ball bearings, bent or loose fan blades and worn fan belts. Many of these types of issues can be detected during a routine maintenance appointment, which is one of the reasons why fall maintenance for your furnace is important.

Repair 2: Ignition Issues

There are 3 ways a furnace can ignite:

  • Standing pilot light – with a standing pilot light, a dirty nozzle can inhibit the flame, weakening it or even putting it out. A more complex problem with a standing pilot light may involve the thermocouple.
  • Intermittent pilot light – intermittent pilot lights ignite a small flow of gas from an electronic spark; as such, one of the common problems with this type of ignition is an issue with sparking. Another common problem has to do with positioning: if the pilot is too far away from the spark, it may not ignite. An intermittent pilot light can fail for a few reasons, so it’s best to allow a technician figure it out.
  • Hot surface ignition – a hot surface igniter is a small, silicone-encased probe that heats via electric current. Once the surface of the igniter reaches the right temperature, the gas flowing from the burner is ignited. It is very common for hot surface igniters to crack after a period of continual use, due to the high fluctuation in temperatures the component experiences.

Repair 3: Cracked Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger in your furnace heats the warm air for your home while simultaneously venting the toxic fumes created during the combustion process. One of the most common problems that develops with heat exchangers is cracking. Cracked heat exchangers can allow toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide, to escape from the inside of the heat exchanger tubes. Cracked heat exchangers cannot be repaired, so it’s important to hire professionals for replacement.

If your furnace isn’t working properly, call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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The Steps of Professional Furnace Maintenance

Monday, October 27th, 2014

Have you scheduled your furnace’s annual maintenance visit yet? Right now is the ideal time to get it done, during the fall before the weather starts to turn colder. We recommend that anyone who uses a furnace to heat their home have maintenance done once a year during fall. This will not only prepare the furnace for the work ahead, but it will also catch any repair issues before they can become serious, and will keep the furnace working at its most energy efficient.

With our Energy Savings Agreement, you’ll receive a furnace check-up and inspection in the fall, as well as a visit for your air conditioning during the spring. Call us today to hear about the details.

What happens during furnace maintenance

A routine maintenance visit for a furnace follows a number of basic steps. Your technician will make any adjustments necessary depending on the condition of your furnace and what he or she may discover during the session.

The technician will start by replacing or cleaning the furnace filter, and show you how you can do this during the rest of the year on your own if you don’t already know how. After that, the technician will check to see if the thermostat is correctly calibrated so it reads temperatures accurately.

Next, the work inside the furnace cabinet begins. The technician lubricates the fan motor, which is an important part of relieving stress on the system. Next comes a check on the electrical system (even a gas furnace uses electricity to run its fans) to measure voltage and look over the fuses, breakers, and other wiring. If necessary, the technician will tighten loose electrical connections.

One of the key steps a technician will take for a gas-powered furnace is to look for any signs of corrosion on the unit and especially on the heat exchanger; cracks along a heat exchanger due to corrosion can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks, and the exchanger will need to be replaced. The technician will also clean off the burner if necessary. Finally, the maintenance technician will perform a visual inspection of the ductwork to see if there are places were air might be escaping.

The technician will present you with any problems discovered during the check-up and offer advice on repairs or services you may need to improve the system and keep it operating safely. Once the maintenance job is completed, you should have a furnace in the best running shape possible, ready for another year of keeping your home cozy.

When you sign up for the Energy Savings Agreement with Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., you will not only receive quality heating maintenance in Lake Butler, FL that will keep your heater working efficiently for many years, you will save 15% on repair services and receive priority scheduling. Contact us today.

Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. offers an excellent program for heating maintenance in Lake Butler, FL and other communities in North Central Florida. Call us today!

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Can My Heating Be Retro-Fit for Zone Control?

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

People use many different systems to heat their homes in Gainesville FL, including ductless mini split systems which offer zone control. These kinds of systems space a series of individual indoor units throughout your home, each of which heats just a single room or section. That allows you to tailor the individual temperatures to each room – for example, by lowering the heat in the kitchen while you cook while raising it in the living room where another family member is reading. You can even turn off the heat in parts of the house you aren’t using, helping you save a great deal on monthly energy bills.  “That’s all fine and good if I’m installing a new system,” you say. “But I already have an existing ducted heating system. Can my heating be retro-fit for zone control?” In point of fact, it can.

For forced air systems, zone control means installing a series of dampers at key points throughout your duct system. They are all connected to a control panel, and each zone is controlled by its own thermostat. It allows you to exercise full control over the temperature in your house and even shut down the heat to one area while keeping another area fully heated. It can be designed to work with your existing system, helping you save energy without replacing your heater.

In order to set it up, however, you need a technician with the tools and experience to do the job right. This is true not just for the basic installation, but for those moments when repairs and maintenance are required. A skilled technician will always be here for you and ensure that your system functions exactly as it is supposed to. If you want to retro-fit your heating for zone control, the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. are here to help. We’ve developed years of expertise on this subject, and our technicians know how to do the job right. For upgrades to your heating in Gainesville FL, you can’t do better. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment!

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Are Unusual Noises a Good Reason To Call For Furnace Repair?

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

If you have a forced-air furnace, you’re used to it making noise when it turns on. The blower fan has a motor that makes some noise, and there is also the noise of the warm air circulating throughout your house. But what happens when those noises don’t sound normal? Are unusual noises a good reason to call for furnace repair? Usually, the answer is yes.  If you need Gainesville FL furnace repair services, call Call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc.

An unusual noise invariably suggests a problem that needs fixing, though the precise nature of the problem varies. The noise itself may provide a few clues. A rattling sound likely indicates something loose within the furnace, while a buzzing or humming suggests some kind of electrical problem. If the fan motor or some similar component runs into trouble, it’s apt to emit some kind of buzzing or grinding noise. Sputtering burners might also make unusual sounds and if the fan blades themselves are bent, they will make grinding noises as they rub up against their casing.

Whatever the exact sound, if you detect it, it means trouble. Ignoring it and hoping it will go away is probably the worst thing you can do in this situation, since the problem causing the noise will likely get worse until your heater breaks down completely. Instead, take careful note of when the noise first arose – At the start of the heating cycle? When it shuts down? Have whatever information you can get ready for when you furnace technician arrives.

Call the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. to pinpoint the problem and make repairs. We are available 24/7 for Gainesville, FL, furnace repair services.

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Leaking Refrigerant and Heat Pump Repair

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb heat from the air, which is either transferred to the inside or outside of your home, depending upon whether its in heating or cooling mode. That allows the heat pump to warm your home in the winter when temperatures are low and cool it in the summer when things get hot and muggy. All of that depends on the right amount of refrigerant, however. When it leaks, it can cause some significant problems. Here’s a basic rundown on leaking refrigerant and heat pump repair.

Refrigerant can leak out of the system at any point, but often seep out from a breached line or an imperfect fitting between two components. It’s often undetectable to the naked eye, though trained service professionals have tools to accurately pinpoint the source of the leak. In any case, the breach invariably lowers the amount of refrigerant in the system, which depends on a very specific amount of gas to work.

The cooling process takes place in the evaporator coils, which receives a set amount of liquid refrigerant from the expansion valve. Once it enters the coils the liquid evaporates, drawing heat from the surrounding air in the process. If the refrigerant levels are too low, the pressure will be too low, and you can wind up with frozen coils that won’t be able to absorb heat from the air.

Repairing the issue means hunting down the source of the leak and sealing it before recharging refrigerant levels to their recommended levels. The experts at Touchstone Heating & Air can help. If you need heat pump repair in Gainesville, FL, give us a call!

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Which Heating System is Best in a Warm Climate?

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013

Here in Gainesville, FL, heating takes a bit of a back seat to air conditioning, which is more important during our long summer months. That may lead some homeowners to dismiss the need for a quality heater. This is a mistake. Heating systems play a vital role in keeping our homes comfortable, and just because we have fewer chilly nights than elsewhere in the country doesn’t mean that comfy heater isn’t welcome when the thermometer starts to drop. Florida does offer a rather unique climate, however, which can play a role when selecting a good heating system. Which heating system is best in a warm climate? It depends, but some of the more popular options are outlined below.

  • Gas furnaces. Gas furnaces rely on a centralized unit that distributes heat through a series of ducts. Furnaces can be very efficient, and they can heat your home very quickly.
  • Heat pumps. Heat pumps combine the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit, making them very effective in all climates. They work especially well in climates like ours, where the temperature rarely drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes them an excellent choice for our area.
  • Geothermal systems. Geothermal heat pumps rely on the ambient temperature of the ground itself, which never changes no matter what the weather’s like. It involves a series of pipes filled with a heat exchanging fluid buried under the ground, which means it usually needs a fair amount of land space to work. The installation process is also extensive. On the other hand, they don’t cost much to run, and they last a very long time with few maintenance needs. Like air source heat pumps, they can both heat and cool your home.

All three of these units run well in warm climates, but which one is best depends on your individual circumstances. In Gainesville FL, heating advice and installation can be provided by the experts at Touchstone Heating & Air. Call us today and let us help you make the most of your heating system!

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