It's Not Your Father's HVAC System! (Part I)

In this brief introduction of a 5 part series that emphasizes the giant technological strides that have occurred in the HVAC industry, we have assumed that generally speaking here in the United States, only two basic types of heating systems have ever been popular.       Starting with the early colonists, and for the next 200+ years, the early settlers like most civilizations as far back as history is recorded, primarily used some type of combustion for heat. Wood, then coal and still later some type of fossil fuel (oil, natural gas or propane gas).      Accompanying these “upgrades” in fuels were similar upgrades in the type of systems used to achieve combustion. First an open flame…then a fireplace…then a stand alone heater and finally a centrally located system (usually in a basement) where the warm air following the basic laws of physics rose, first through a single large grille in the floor and then later through ducts to smaller grilles in each room. The final accessory was to add a fan (or blower) to the system thereby, among other things, eliminating the need for a basement.      The second type of system (introduced in the last century) is not a form of combustion…does NOT require a flame to operate. These more technically advanced, non-combustion systems, operate by transferring or moving existing heat from one location to another.      Ironically enough, this radically different type of heating system was popularized as a byproduct of air conditioning. For even though many people still believe today that air conditioners blow cold air into a house, the truth is that an air conditioner cools a house by removing the heat from the air within the house, and discharging the heat (not the air) outside.      All air contains some heat. I.e., 50 degree air, while still chilly, contains heat. You can remove 10 degrees of heat from it and the air would be 40 degrees. So the same principle that removes heat from the air within the house and discharges it outside for cooling, when reversed, extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside for heating.      Most of the above improvements were for convenience. Today, with improved technology and the high cost of fuel (yes, non fossil burning units use energy too), the emphasis has switched from convenience to comfort, efficiency and economy.      Next time, we’ll go into more detail about some of the technological improvements that are now available as a result of this change in emphasis. 2nd NOTICE:      With gasoline prices soaring well over $2/gal this summer, you can count on it, that heating costs this winter are likely to be higher than ever before…and even though i t’s still August…and hot!...a casual glance at the calendar tells us that summer's winding down…that the cold days of winter are right around the corner.      Labor Day is now less than 2 weeks away…with the inevitable end of vacations, back to school days and the end of Daylight Saving Time. All of which should serve as a reminder to us (and you) that it’s time to have your heating system prepared for winter, to minimize as much as possible, the inevitable increase in energy costs that will be required to keep you and your family warm this winter.      Our last newsletter was the “kickoff” for our strictly enforced, "early seasonal discount" season (1st Sept. – 31 Oct.) in which we offer substantial discounts to perform this essential service for our customers.      As we said before, PURELY, SELFISH REASONS motivates us to give away so much money (and we hate it!) but to date, we haven't been able to devise any other plan that provides us the time necessary to properly prepare the heating systems for the hundreds of our customers who depend on us each year for this important service.       However, this does make (for both of us), a "win-win" situation. We win by getting you to order early (and can do more jobs)...you win, if you order early by getting a $135 value for a lot less money (and you can save even more if you order on line) as you join hundreds of others who every winter, make Climatemakers their contractor of choice for this important service.      As always, there is a sliding scale of discounts for early registration beginning with a whopping 40% discount for the earliest registration. You can see this sliding scale of discounts and/or make your on line reservations by clicking here . You can also see specific definitions of each of the 32 points we check by clicking here.      The cost of the "check-up/tune-up" is a small price to pay for superior equipment performance that result in lower energy bills and extended life performance. Remember, THE MAJOR CAUSE OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE.

     P.P.S. You can also see for yourself, the professional response your call for services generates (and the response you can expect), by clicking here to see our recently updated overview of operations.

     P.P.P.S. Our 200+ page website is constantly being updated to add content and to make it easier to navigate…so that you can find answers to your questions about HVAC, quicker than ever before. Visit it often.

     P.P.P.P.S. Remember, if you have any questions about the HVAC system in your house; how we can be of better service to you, or about our web site, please email them to me. I'd like to hear from you. Our web page, "Testing Your HVAC IQ", is an online test of your knowledge about Heating and Air Conditioning. You are especially invited to visit it by clicking here.

     Programmable Thermostat. Automatically regulates the heating/cooling in your house to suit your lifestyle. Click here to find out how.

     Electronic Air Cleaner. Removes dirt, dust and pollen to improve your health. Click here to find out how.

     Humidifiers. Adds moisture to the air in the winter. Click here to find out how.

     Zoning System. Saves even more energy as it increases or decreases the heating/cooling in those rooms where and when it is not needed. Click here to find out how.

     Need more HVAC information? We've got a FREE website full of it. Click here.