The Department of Energy notes that heating and cooling account for about half of the energy used in U.S. households. Technological innovations in the last 10 years have greatly improved energy efficiency in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Replacing old equipment with energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy usage without loss of comfort.
Energy-Saving Heating and Cooling Equipment
Air-source and geothermal heat pumps, condensing gas furnaces, energy-recovery ventilation fans, smart thermostats and ductless systems are just a few types of energy-saving equipment available today. A certified, licensed HVAC contractor can evaluate your indoor comfort needs and recommend energy-efficient HVAC systems that workswith your unique needs and budget.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps do not use energy to heat and cool. Instead, they use energy to move heat from one place to another. Air-source heat pumps, the most common, extract latent heat from outdoor air during the winter and pump it indoors. Geothermal units extract heat from the earth. During summer months, heat is extracted from inside and released outdoors.
Ductless heat pumps are ideal for spaces that are hard to heat and cool or cannot be connected to a ducted system. Unlike ducted systems that provide conditioned air to every space connected to ducts, ductless systems provide conditioned air for individual rooms or zones. When not in use, they can be turned off, which saves energy.
High-Efficiency Gas Furnaces
Traditional gas and oil furnaces exhaust gases through the chimney, which also expels heat. A furnace with an 85% annual fuel utilization efficiency rating loses 15% of heat energy. In contrast, high-efficiency condensing systems are sealed. Condensing furnaces include two ducts and two heat exchangers that isolate the combustion process and minimize heat loss. They operate with AFUE ratings as high as 98.5%.
Variable Speed Systems
Traditional systems power up to 100%, blow conditioned air into the living space until the set temperature is reached and then power down. Variable speed technology powers up according to demand. When summer temperatures are low, the unit operates at speeds as low as 30%, using less energy. During peak daytime temperatures, the unit powers up to meet demand.
The service technicians at Titan HVAC Inc. are licensed and certified to work on all types of HVAC systems. To learn more about energy-efficient heating and cooling options for your home or business, call us today.