Going Geothermal

WHY GO GEOTHERMAL?

With energy prices on the rise, many homeowners and business owners are going Geothermal.  Geothermal systems use the Earth to heat and cool your home.  If the system is installed correctly, it can save an enormous amount of money.  Most systems pay for themselves within 5-6 years, so make sure you put some serious thought into upgrading your HVAC system!  Also, it is better for the Earth if we minimize our use of Fossil Fuels.

 

HOW IT WORKS

You probably know that only a few feet from the Earth’s surface, the temperature of the ground remains relatively constant.  Even throughout dramatic weather changes, the core of the Earth still remains frequent. 

Because of this, geothermal systems use radiant tubing (in loops) underneath the Earth’s surface to extract heat.  These pipes are filled with water and can be used to heat your home or business.  The water is collected in a boiler where it can be channeled throughout your house.  You can even use a geothermal system to heat your floors!

WHY IT’S WORTH IT

 

The main reason that a geothermal system is worth being installed is because for every 1 unit of energy you use to power the geothermal system, 4 are received from it.  This allows for great savings considering you only are spending 25% of the energy you are using.

WHO SHOULD INSTALL IT

Make sure the people who install geothermal systems have done it before and know how to do it right.  There are a lot of components and concepts to building a geothermal system.  When people complain that their geothermal system is not working, it is usually the installation at fault, not the system itself.  With that being said, make sure you have a professional installer who can do it right!

If you are in the Chicagoland area, give Ridgeway Precision Mechanical, Inc a call and check out our website!

www.RPMechanical.com

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

We all know the problems associated with storage tank water heaters.  They don’t last long, parts need replacement, and the inefficiency speaks for itself.  With the vast amount of new technology around, it is about time innovation struck water heaters.  Today, the Tankless water heater is gaining steam in the HVAC world.

friedmanplumbing.com

Why go Tankless?

The main benefit to going Tankless is that you can reduce water-heating costs as much as 50%!  Because the Tankless water heater supplies heated water ON-DEMAND, there is no need to store unnecessary water.

Tankless water heaters don’t run out of hot water.  They can run all day long and will never stop producing hot water since they run on-demand.

The tankless water heater will allow for pre-set temperatures.  This means that you can adjust the temperature of the water that is disbursed!  It will reduce the risk of scalding, and can be safer for children.

*According to the US Department of Energy, for each 10°F reduction in temperature, you can save between 3%-5% in energy costs.

Because Tankless water heaters don’t store water, there is a far less chance of mineral deposits leading to ruptures and breaks in the water tank.  This will maintain efficiency throughout its lifecycle.

*Tankless water heaters are meant to last 20+ years, hence the reason for longer warranties included!

Tankless water heaters are about the size of a briefcase, so they can be easily hung on a wall and will allow more floor space in the installed area.

The benefits of a Tankless water heater can be great.  That is why RPM usually suggests to installing a Tankless water heater instead of a traditional storage tank.  Y

How To Save On Cooling Costs - Thermostat Settings

Are you trying to figure out a way to save money on your cooling costs?  Make sure that you have the correct thermostat settings!  Being aware that your thermostat settings can save money.  It will also allow for your A/C unit to run at its peak efficiency. 

4 TRICKS TO HELP YOU SAVE COOLING COSTS USING YOUR THERMOSTAT

1^st - We must understand that setting your thermostat a few degrees higher will cut costs by HIGH percentage.  Setting your thermostat to 72˚ instead of 78˚ can increase operating costs by almost 50%!  This means that if your house is always set at 72˚, try setting it a few degrees higher to cut cooling costs!

2^nd – When first turning on your A/C unit, remember to set the thermostat to 78˚.  Your A/C unit will not cool any faster when setting the thermostat to 70˚ it will only cool longer.  Most people set their thermostats relatively low when getting home to a warm house.  Remember that it will not cool down faster!

3^rd – Never turn the A/C off when you leave your house.  Leaving the house and turning OFF the A/C unit for a few hours will not allow the unit to cool down for several hours.  The Latent heat buildup in the house will make the A/C unit work harder to remove the heat.  This is strenuous on your unit and takes a long time.  Setting the temperature in the 80˚’s when you are away from home will allow your system to cool off without loosing all the cold air supplied by the unit.

4^th – In most cases it is best to leave your thermostat on “Auto.”  One reason for this is that when the fan blows at variable speeds, the costs are reduced by $20 to $30.  When the fan is in the “on” position, it continuously runs.  Humidity is also higher when the fan is on!  A thermostat on “Auto” will keep humidity lower and costs lower, resulting in higher comfort!

These are four simple ideas that can help a homeowner save money on their cooling costs!  For more tips and tricks, check out RPMechanical.com! 

Maintain your HVAC system

Most owners are aware that they need to maintain their HVAC system, however most owners DO NOT maintain their system’s equipment on a regular basis.  Understanding the reasons to do so should give the owners insight into the importance of maintaining HVAC systems.

REASONS FOR CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINING YOUR HVAC EQUIPMENT

• HIGHER EFFICIENCY RATING = LESS MONEY SPENT
• When systems deteriorate, they use about 15-20% more energy.  Keeping a system maintained will allow for less energy use, and LESS MONEY SPENT.  Why continue to pay more and more when your HVAC system is running less and less efficient?  Stay on a consistent schedule of maintenance to keep your efficiency level high!

• LONGER SYSTEM LIFE = REDUCED REPLACEMENT COSTS
• HVAC systems generally run much longer if they are consistently taken care of.  Parts last longer, and the machine runs smoother when HVAC systems are maintained.
  
  

• GREATER COMFORT = HAPPIER PEOPLE
• When your HVAC system is running properly (and efficiently) it will be able to cool down or heat up a home relatively faster than a unit that is low on efficiency due to improper care.  When people are uncomfortable, they are generally more hostile.  Being comfortable allows for a happier place!

I compare maintaining your HVAC system to maintaining your vehicle.  Changing the oil in a car every 3 months or 3,000 miles is common knowledge, and most car owners keep the schedule.  HVAC systems need the same care.  If you do not maintain your HVAC equipment, it will eventually fail.

WHAT AND WHEN TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENTLY

Replace Filters (every 1 to 6 months depending on buildup)

Clean Evaporator and Condenser Coils (once or twice a year)

Inspect Fan, Bearings, and Belts (twice a year)

Inspect Area Around Intake (twice a year)

Fix Leaks in Cabinet and Supply Duct (annually)

Clean and Adjust Dampers (annually)

Clean Air Ducts (every 2 years)

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