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What Are Hybrid Heating Systems?

Consider Your Heating System and Climate

Every home and its energy requirements are unique, so when considering a new heating system, many factors should be considered, including:

  • What fuel options are readily prevalent and available in your area?  What are the current markets and how will they effect the costs associated with the fuel option?
  • Consider the climate in your region.  Winters are usually harsh in Colorado, requiring a heating system that can withstand the burden.
  • How long do you plan to be in your home?  Compare the cost of investment in a new heating system with the cost savings in long term energy costs.

When considering a new heating system for their home, many people only consider two options: a heat pump system or natural gas.  However, a third option, a hybrid heating system, might be the best choice for heating your home.

Hybrid Heating Systems

A hybrid heating system has the best of both worlds of heating systems.  Hybrid heating systems are also called dual-fuel systems.  They are not usually considered in our area due to the colder weather climate in the Colorado region.  However, hybrid heating systems can be an excellent alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems, even saving you money in the long run.  

The hybrid heating system, or dual fuel system, combines the best of both a heat pump system and a natural gas system.  A hybrid heating system is comprised of several components and requires specific controls in order to operate the most efficiently. The heat pump is installed on the exterior of the house. The evaporative coil and natural gas furnace are located on the inside. The dual fuel thermostat is also a key component that is located inside and controls the system.

The heat pump will function in the same manner as a traditional central air conditioning condenser when used for cooling in the summer. The difference between a heat pump and an air conditioner is that a heat pump has the ability to reverse the flow of refrigerant and absorb heat from the air outside. It will transfer the heat and release it into the duct work in your house. It should be called a “heat and cool pump” if named accurately, as it does both with one unit.

The amount of BTUs or heat that it will transfer directly depends on the temperature of the outside air. The warmer the air, the more efficient the heat pump is. The heat pump can even be efficient at absorbing and transferring heat at temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Every heat pump system uses a secondary or auxiliary source of heat. In some climates, electric strips are used. In a true hybrid system, a gas furnace is used. A gas furnace is a much more efficient secondary source than electric strips.

A dual fuel thermostat, with an outside sensor installed, are necessary to control the hybrid heating system. There is a set point which determines at what temperature the system switches over to gas and then back to the heat pump. This set point can be changed at any time depending on current gas and electrical rates.

The Bottom Line for Hybrid Heating Systems

A hybrid heating system will automatically use whatever source is the most efficient to heat your home throughout the day. Generally it will use the heat pump during the day and the gas furnace in the morning and the night. You will use less natural gas and save money at the same time. Hybrid systems are a very “green” way to heat your home and cut down on fossil fuel sources.

While a hybrid system, may cost more in initial equipment and installation.  The system will normally pay for itself in three to five years through energy cost savings.

Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning is experienced with the installation and repair of hybrid heating systems. Make sure that a heat loss and heat gain load calculation is performed to properly size a system for your home! Call for a more detailed explanation and for the best pricing and customer service in the Denver area.

Spring Is in the Air – Time for Air Conditioner Repair!

 

Toward the end of fall, your air conditioner system may have stopped cooling the way it once did.  Perhaps your utility bills were a little higher than usual. You may have pushed thoughts of your air conditioner repair to the back of your mind since winter was just around the corner. 

Springtime Is Here!

With the arrival of spring, our reliance on the cooling system in our home increases in our region. Warmer temperatures mean it’s time to start thinking ahead to the status and upkeep of your home’s air conditioner.  If you were experiencing problems last year, it’s time to face them this spring. If your air conditioner was working flawlessly at the end of summer, it’s time to perform routine maintenance, inspection, and upkeep to ensure it continues to function through the hot summer months.  

Planning Ahead for A/C Repair and/or Installation

Maintaining the A/C system for your home, your greatest investment, begins with an inspection and/or consultation.  The professional team at Go Green Heating and Air will come to your home at your convenience and inspect and evaluate your existing air conditioning system, searching for weak spots, damage, and inefficiencies.

We will present you with your options and guide you through the repair, maintenance, and/or installation process.  Our experts will ensure your system is in top shape to keep your family comfortable throughout the year.

Common Air Conditioner Repair and Problems

Many common issues with your home’s cooling system are easy to troubleshoot and resolve.  Problems such as dirty filters or a dirty condenser coil are simple to recognize and inexpensive to fix.  In addition, a dirty indoor coil is a common problem that is simple to handle. These ordinary issues can be discovered and handled through a routine inspection in the spring before they begin to seriously damage your cooing system.  

Regular A/C Replacement Installation

Every 10 years, your home’s HVAC system should be replaced.  Ten years is the normal lifespan for the average system. Even if your system is still working properly, in ten years, many advances in energy efficiency and technology will have occurred.  Planning for your installation every ten years allows you to save up for a model that has the features you desire. Go Green Heating and Air can assist you in selecting the system that is the best choice for your home and is within your family’s budget.  

Do Not Delay

Do not wait for the problems to arise in the heat of summer.  Your home’s air conditioner lay dormant through the winter months.  Numerous problems can occur, even as your system was not being used Plan ahead for the summer heat by troubleshooting your A/C system in the spring.  Contact the professionals at Go Green Heating and Air to schedule your system’s inspection and maintenance.  Discovering and resolving problems early in the spring will prevent further damage and, more importantly, will ensure that your family does not experience the discomfort of living without air conditioning during repairs in the summer months.

Gas vs. Electric – Which Type of Furnace Is Right for You?

 

Many factors play into a consumer’s decision on which type of furnace to buy for their home.  Gas furnaces and electric furnace each have benefits and disadvantages.  Denver Heating and air experts will tell you that the factors to consider before investing in a furnace are upfront costs, long-term costs, energy efficiency, durability, maintenance, and more.  Location and fuel availability are other considerations that affect the type of furnace you select for your home or business.

Electric Furnaces

Electric furnaces have a lower upfront cost in both materials and installation, making them an attractive choice for homeowners selecting a new furnace.  However, their decreased efficiency and higher fuel costs make them more expensive to operate in the long run with higher monthly utility bills.  This factor makes them a good choice for warmer climates.

Electric furnaces are also safer and quieter than gas furnaces.  Their lifespan of approximately 30 years is longer than that of gas furnaces as well.  The maintenance on electric furnaces is also simpler and they are considered safer than gas furnaces with less risk involved.

Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces may have a higher price tag up front for installation, but they are more energy-efficient than electric furnaces, leading to lower utility bills and a lower cost in the long run.  In addition, gas furnaces heat up immediately, unlike electric furnaces which take time to heat up.  These factors make gas furnaces the better choice for colder climates.  

Gas furnaces do not have a lifespan that is as long as that of electric furnaces.  In addition, because of the increased risk involved with gas, the maintenance is more complex, with troubleshooting and maintenance best left to professionals.  Gas furnaces are also noisier than their electric counterparts.  

Denver Heating and Air Decisions

When selecting between a gas and electric furnaces, reach out for the opinions of professionals who are familiar with the Denver climate, fuel costs, and fuel availability.  The team of experts at Go Green Heating and Air can assess your needs and help you choose the type of furnace that is right for you.  

How to Choose a Furnace Repair Company

 

If you live in the Denver area and experience problems with your home’s furnace, your family’s comfort and safety can be compromised, leaving you scrambling for a furnace repair company at the last minute.  Your home’s furnace system is one of the most complex in your home and should not be trusted to a random company selected from the Internet.  Your family and your home deserves a highly-trained and well-qualified furnace repair company that is familiar with the systems most commonly found in the Denver area, a company like Go Green Heating and Air who can ensure your family’s comfort and safety while protecting the investment you’ve made in your home.

Let’s look at some tips to assist you in choosing the best Denver furnace repair company.

Check the quality of their products

At Go Green Heating and Air, we only use the top-rated line of products from Carrier, to ensure that you experience limited repairs and service throughout the life of your system. Carrier furnaces and air conditioners have been rated top in the industry for reliability and durability for many years.  At Go Green Heating and Air, we will never cut corners by installing an inferior product.

Look for an honest, stable, and reliable company

We believe that honesty, reliability and quality are more important than cut-throat sales tactics or gimmicks. We want you to feel comfortable not only in your home, but also with your purchase for many years to come.

Many companies will advertise big discounts and rebates to catch your eye, yet at the same time they mark up their prices to compensate.

At Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning, we believe this is a dishonest business practice. We strive to be honest in all areas of our business because dishonest sales tactics usually mean dishonest service.

Although we do run special promotions from time to time, we believe in giving you our best price upfront, every time, without the gimmicks.

Check references, testimonials, and reviews

The business ratings Better Business Bureau (BBB) provide consumers with a benchmark to compare a company’s commitment to superior customer service to others in the same field.  At Go Green Heating and Air, we have an A+ rating at the BBB and are winners of the Gold Star Award, which is given to businesses for consecutive complaint-free years.

We have numerous testimonials from satisfied customers and are happy to provide you with references to contact in order to verify our commitment to excellence and honesty.

Go Green Heating and Air is here for you when you need a Denver furnace repair company.  Contact us today for assistance or for more information!

Easy Furnace Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

 

When winter is just around the corner, it’s time to perform some furnace maintenance to prevent any surprises or sudden repairs during the coldest months.  Many tasks are surprisingly easy and homeowners can do themselves. Performing these routine tasks only require a few tools and will keep your system running at its best while extending the life of the unit.

Before beginning any maintenance, it’s important that you shut off both the electrical supply and the fuel supply.  

Furnace Maintenance Tip #1:  CLEAN

Once the electrical and fuel supplies are turned off and the furnace has cooled, a thorough cleaning of the furnace is the first step to effective upkeep.  Remove the panels of the furnace and using the hose or extension of your vacuum cleaner, vacuum all the areas where dust accumulates including the burners, the furnace base, and the blower.

If possible, clean the blower fan blades carefully using a small brush and vacuum, but do not disturb the wiring or the counterweights.

Furnace Maintenance Tip #2:  CHANGE THE FILTER

A furnace filter should be changed every one to three months.  Read the user guide for your furnace model for any specific recommendations or instructions for the type of filter that is best for your furnace.

Furnace Maintenance Tip #3: INSPECT THE BELT

The belt on the blower should be inspected for tension, cracking, or fraying.  The belt may need adjustment to ensure adequate tension and will occasionally need to be replaced. Some models may not have a belt.

Furnace Maintenance Tip #4: LUBRICATE IF NECESSARY

Some furnace models motor bearings and shaft bearings that require oiling.  If you have such a model, clean around the area, remove the caps, and insert two to three drops of lightweight machine oil.  It’s important that you not overlubricate.  

Go Green Heating and Air Professional Furnace Maintenance

While handling your own furnace maintenance will save money and help keep your furnace running efficiently, a professional inspection and tune-up is still necessary to protect your investment and keep your system working at its best.   Call Go Green Heating and Air when expert maintenance or repair becomes necessary.