Why should I install central air conditioning in a mild climate?
Most Colorado Springs homes are fine with no AC system for all but 4 weeks out of the year. But those 4 weeks can be miserably hot in your home.
While Colorado may have milder summers than other parts of the country, there are still many reasons why you may want to consider installing central air conditioning in your home in Colorado springs.
Increased indoor comfort
The air doesn’t need to feel cold to be comfortable. Even setting your home at 78º in the summer can make a massive difference and save on your electricity costs. Even in a mild climate, temperatures can reach high levels during the summer months, and central air conditioning can help keep your home cool and comfortable, even on the hottest days.
Improved indoor air quality
Central air conditioning can help improve indoor air quality by circulating clean, filtered air throughout your home, which can help reduce allergens, dust, and other pollutants. We also can install indoor air quality products to fully sanitize your air and kill germs and viruses.
Better sleep
High temperatures and humidity can make it difficult to sleep, and central air conditioning can help create a more comfortable sleeping environment, which can lead to better sleep and improved overall health. If you have children, this can even prevent them from waking up multiple times throughout the night.
Increased property value
Having central air conditioning in your home can make it more attractive to potential buyers and can increase the value of your property.
If you have PMI, or private mortgage insurance, on your home loan, adding central AC can help reduce or eliminate the PMI burden, saving you hundreds each month.
Increased energy efficiency
If you use window units or portable air conditioners, those can be a real drain on your electricity. Running them constantly can really add up while not doing a great job at cooling your home. A central air conditioning system can be more energy efficient than window units or portable air conditioners, which can help reduce energy costs.
Reduced wear and tear
Central air conditioning can help reduce wear and tear on your home’s windows and doors, which can help prolong the life of these components.
Today’s central air conditioning systems are designed with energy efficiency and improved technology in mind, so they can be more efficient and cost-effective than older models.
In summary, installing central air conditioning in a mild climate like Colorado can help increase comfort, improve indoor air quality, promote better sleep, increase property value, reduce wear and tear on your home, and improved technology can also help reduce energy costs. Consult with a qualified HVAC professional to determine if a central air conditioning system is the right choice for your home.
What You Need To Know About Heat Pumps
What You Need To Know About Heat Pumps.
A heat pump is used to distribute heat from one place to the other using a compressor and a refrigerant. In most cases, the heat is extracted from outdoors and pumped indoors. Using a heat pump guarantees less use of electricity so it’s considered energy efficient.
Why Should You Install A Heat Pump
- Reduced Running Costs – Heat pumps have reduced running costs compared to installing a combustion-based system. Therefore, you can count on improved energy efficiency and enormous long-term savings on energy.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs – Compared to combustion heating systems, heat pumps require less maintenance. Actually, you can do it just one a year for the best services. You can do the maintenance on your own or hire a professional for the best results.
- Improved Safety – One of the main reasons why heat pumps have replaced combustion-based systems is because they offer improved safety. You can enjoy the warm air in your home without any worries of fire risks.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions – If you are looking for an eco-friendly heating option, heat pumps are the best choice. They have reduced carbon emissions and an efficient conversion rate of energy to heat.
- Cooling Provisions – During the hot summer months, heat pumps can easily reverse the process. Therefore, they function the same way as an air conditioning unit. Once you switch the air-air heat pumps during the hot months, you can enjoy the best cooling effect effortlessly.
- Long Lifespan – Heat pumps can last as long as 50 years but have an average lifespan of about 14 to 15 years. They are very reliable and can provide a steady source of heat in your home compared to other heating options.
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Installing Heat Pumps?
As much as there are many benefits of installing heat pumps as mentioned above, there are some disadvantages as well. Here is what you need to know.
- High Upfront Costs – The installation costs of heat pumps can be quite high. However, there is a huge benefit in the long-term because you can enjoy reduced utility bills and reduced carbon emissions.
- Difficult To Install – Before they are installed, you need to research the heat movement patterns, the heating and cooling requirements for your household and local geology. Therefore, it’s not ideal to turn it into A DIY project if you don’t have such expertise. On that note, you need to hire the best professionals for an efficient installation process.
- Planning Permissions – Before heat pumps are installed in your home or office, you need to apply for some permits, depending on your state. Therefore, you need to do your research and find out whether or not you need this permit to avoid any violations.
- Cold Weather Inefficiency – During the cold weather, heat pumps often break down and experience full inefficiency. However, you can surpass this inefficiency by upgrading the model to a newer and more efficient one for the best results.
- Hire Experienced HVAC Technicians – To install with factory requirements and done correctly hiring your local licensed Hvac technicians would be the best
In conclusion, heat pumps are very useful in any home or office. Weigh the pros and cons to make the right installation decision effortlessly. Here is a video to show you how to maintain high efficiency heat output and give maintenance and long service life with your furnace.
How much does a new furnace cost?
The most asked question from a homeowner when faced with replacing an existing furnace is, “How much does a new furnace cost?” Whether your home’s furnace is just old and inefficient, or broken down beyond repair, eventually it will need to be replaced.
What’s the ballpark cost of a new furnace?
Honestly, it varies house-to-house. For the most accurate quote in the Colorado Springs area, give us a call. We’ll give you several options to fit your budget and your home.
Most furnaces last about 20 years. Well maintained furnaces will usually last years longer. And furnaces that have been neglected over time will fail prematurely.
Cost will vary depending on several factors. This includes the brand and type of the new furnace being installed, local permit fees, difficulty of the installation itself, and most importantly the selection of the installing heating contractor. How much does a new furnace cost the homeowner should also factor in long term costs, after the installation, to include operating costs, maintenance and repair costs. The true cost of a new furnace is not what you pay on the day of installation. It is the total cost in the long term of maintaining the new furnace and consideration of utility and repair costs over 15-20 years of use.
If you spend $2,200 to have a new furnace installed, yet accumulate $1,000 in repair costs over a 15 year period then your cost has now reached $3,200, not counting maintenance service and utility usage. Most new furnace manufacturers now offer a ten year parts warranty with the option to purchase extended labor coverage for 5 or 10 years. These extended labor warranties range from $99 to $400 depending on the brand. They are well worth the investment as modern furnaces are more prone to breakdowns simply because of their complexity and the number of parts they contain compared to furnaces of yester year.
High efficiency furnaces (those rated at or above 90% AFUE) will cost more initially to install, and although they cost less to operate, they are more prone to breaking down and need more regular service to keep running smoothly. They typically will not last as long either (12-15 years in most cases). This is mainly due to the effects of condensation issues and problems with the secondary heat exchanger which standard 80% efficient models do not encounter. In the long term, high efficiency models will end up costing you more money, even after factoring utility savings.
Most all new furnace models are available in single, dual or multi-stage heating BTU output, with or without high efficiency variable speed blowers and other bells and whistles. So how much does a new furnace cost? Depending on the model selected, a high efficiency furnace will range anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 installed. An 80% efficient model will fall in the $2,200 to $3,000 range in most areas of the country.
What’s the cost of a new furnace in Colorado Springs?
In the Colorado Springs area, the average cost from Basset Heating & Air Conditioning to install a new 80% efficient furnace with a standard blower motor is about $2,500. For one with a variable speed blower it’ll cost about $3,000.
Basset Heating & AC offers a 10 year parts warranty with an extended labor warranty option on all of their furnaces. They will also register the warranty for the homeowner and provide you with a copy of the warranty registration. The average cost to install a 90% efficient model is about $3,000 with a standard blower motor and around $3,500 with a variable speed model. To answer the question of how much does a new furnace cost? One must consider more than just the initial price.
Regardless of the brand and model you ultimately choose, the most important choice when installing a new furnace is the heating contractor that will do the work. Will they be there if a problem arises? Will they honor the warranty? Can you get service if the new furnace stops working at 1:00am on a Sunday morning? In the long term, paying too low of a price at the time of installation is an indicator of what kind of service to expect down the road if the new furnace suddenly develops problems. Many companies low ball bids to get the job, then aren’t around or will not respond after hours if a problem occurs.
how to get hot water delivered faster
Are you tired of waiting for the hot water to reach your shower or faucet in the upstairs bathroom? Does wasting energy and adding to your utility bill concern you? Would you like to do something about it? Well good news! There is an affordable way for how to get hot water delivered faster to those faucets that are located far away from your hot water heater.
choosing a new furnace for your home
When choosing a new furnace for your home it is important to consider several factors before deciding which furnace best fits your needs. Many homeowners will consider only one factor: price. Although the cost of installing a new furnace and managing your budget are certainly important considerations, it shouldn’t be the only one.
hvac home service agreements
hvac home service agreements give the homeowner the piece of mind of knowing that their home’s heating and cooling equipment will be serviced and inspected on an annual basis. This is important for several reasons. By having your furnace and air conditioning systems serviced and inspected on a routine basis, not only will you insure your equipment is running at peak efficiency, but also it will prolong the life of the equipment by keeping the system clean and in peak operating condition. hvac home service agreements are a wise investment for your home.
Exhaust fans can contribute to heat loss
In bathrooms and kitchens, overhead exhaust fans are used to pull unwanted airborne particles out of the room and into the atmosphere. When it’s working properly, the exhaust duct is a one-way street to the outdoors. But during the cold weather season, exhaust fans may also making it too easy for frigid air to creep in. In short, exhaust fans can contribute to heat loss in your home.