Last updated 2 months ago
Geothermal heat pumps are some of the most efficient heating and cooling systems available. Relying on the constant year-round temperature of the earth, the systems warm homes in the winter and cool them back down in the summer using very little energy of their own. Here’s a quick guide to the relative heating and cooling efficiency of geothermal systems.
How Do Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Work?
Although Virginia experiences stifling summers and often bone-chilling winters, the ground just a few feet beneath your feet remains at a near-constant temperature year-round. Geothermal heat pump systems rely on this constant temperature to exchange heat with the earth through a heat pump exchanger. While a variety of geothermal heat pumps are available—including closed-loop, open loop, and hybrid systems—this basic concept is consistent among all system types.
How Do You Measure the Efficiency of Geothermal Systems?
The efficiency of heating and cooling systems is based upon coefficient of performance, or COP. That’s a scientific term for how much energy you get out of a system versus how much you put in. Most geothermal systems have COP’s of 3 to 4.5, meaning that for every unit of energy used, 3 to 4.5 units are produced.
How Do Geothermal Systems Compare to Other Systems?
When it comes to energy efficiency, standard central air furnaces and air conditioners pale in comparison to geothermal systems. While most furnaces are around 80 to 90 percent energy efficient, geothermal systems actually produce more energy than they take in, with efficiencies of 400 percent or more. So why doesn’t everybody have a geothermal system? Their main disadvantage is their rather hefty price tag. Most homeowners will see a return on their investment within 5 to 10 years, however.
Geothermal heat pump systems are a good option for homeowners seeking energy savings over the long term. At McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services, we install geothermal systems for homeowners throughout the Washington DC area. For an at-home consultation, call our Warrenton office at (800) 788-6216.
Last updated 3 months ago
How do you know if your heating and cooling contractor is qualified? Find the answer below as well as other helpful heating information.
Contact McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services today to keep you and your family warm during this winter season. Let us answer all of your heating and cooling questions at (800) 788-6216.
Last updated 3 months ago
We all want to lower heating bills in the winter, but bad advice can do just the opposite. Talk to a qualified heating contractor about ways to reduce your energy usage, and read up on these common home heating myths.
Myth #1: Cranking the Heat Up Will Warm Up Your Home Faster
We’ve all felt the impulse: The temperature outside drops, your home gets cold, and the first thing you want to do is crank the thermostat to its maximum temperature. Contrary to popular belief, this tactic will not warm your home faster. It will, however, cause your furnace to work harder and run longer than it otherwise would, reducing its efficiency and potentially causing harm to important components. Always set your thermostat to exactly to your desired temperature.
Myth #2: Fireplaces Save You Money on Heating Costs
Fireplaces are warm and cozy, but they do not save you money on energy costs. In fact, fireplaces have been classified as a net energy loser by the U.S. Department of Energy. By sucking heat out of your home, they cause your furnace to work harder than it otherwise would. Consider using your fireplace for strictly ornamental purposes.
Myth #3: Space Heaters Are a Cheaper Way to Heat a Room
If you have ever used space heaters to heat a cold room, you are wasting enormous amounts of energy. The cost of electric heating is as much as three times that of heating with natural gas. If you have a drafty room that won’t get warm, call a heating contractor to help fix the problem.
Myth #4: Keeping Your Home Heated at All Times Will Save Energy
A common home heating myth is that maintaining your home at a constant temperature—even when you’re at work or on vacation—will save you on heating costs. On the contrary, turning your thermostat down eight to ten degrees when you’re away can conserve a lot of energy.
At McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services, we help homeowners in the Washington DC area lower their energy usage with smart solutions that work. To speak with an experienced heating contractor today, call us at (800) 788-6216.
Last updated 3 months ago
At McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services, we take your energy costs seriously. Look to the helpful resources below for more helpful energy saving tips.
If you’re looking to boost your home’s heating efficiency this winter, call us at (800) 788-6216.
Last updated 3 months ago
All furnaces in the United States are rated according to their annual fuel utilization efficiency. The AFUE rating measures how efficient your heating system is in converting fuel to heat over the course of the year. Read on to learn more about the AFUE rating, and how it relates to your furnace installation.
How Does the AFUE Rating System Work?
Over the course of a year, your furnace produces a certain amount of heat. The AFUE rating measures how much fossil fuel energy it took to produce that energy. The Federal Trade Commission mandates that new heating units meet a minimum AFUE rating of around 80 percent for most product classes. While newer, high-efficiency furnaces can have AFUE ratings as high as 98 percent, older models can sink to 56 percent or lower. Switching to a new, highly rated furnace can dramatically lower your heating bills.
What Does a Low-Rated Furnace Look Like?
While federal and state regulations require higher efficiency in new heating units, furnaces produced in the past were under no such requirements. Aging, low-efficiency heating units have few of the features that make modern furnaces so efficient. Their pilot lights run continuously, wasting energy. Their interiors are poorly insulated and drafty, increasing the risk of harmful gases like carbon monoxide entering the air. If you have an old furnace, consider replacing it with a new, upgraded model.
What Does a Highly Rated Furnace Look Like?
Today’s highly efficient furnaces have overcome many of the flaws of heating units produced in the past. They have completely sealed combustion chambers, limiting the loss of heat and the risk of carbon monoxide contamination. They have added heat exchangers for extra efficiency. Some newer models have achieved AFUE ratings of close to 100 percent.
If you have an aging or poorly rated furnace, it may be time to install a replacement. At McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services, we install a full range of heating and air conditioning units for homeowners throughout the Washington, DC area. To learn more about our services, call us at (800) 788-6216.
