Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Month: May 2020

Indoor Air Quality

Homeowners tend to put a lot of emphasis on the temperatures in their homes. When you live in a place like Colorado, you need to make sure that your home is kept cool and comfortable in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter. It’s totally understandable that, given our spectrum of temperature extremes, you’d put a lot of focus on your HVAC systems. However, as a trusted HVAC company in Loveland, we have to remind you to look beyond temperature.

Why? Because temperature is really only a part of the comfort equation. Is it an important part? Yes, of course it is. But so too is your indoor air quality, and that is a component that is too often ignored or simply overlooked by homeowners. That’s a shame, because poor indoor air quality can really lead to problems not just with comfort, but with overall health, as well. Our team can help you improve your indoor air quality.

 

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality

Now that is a loaded question. There are a ton of different causes of poor indoor air quality, and some of them are actually beneficial in other ways. Take your home’s air seal, for instance. Yes, a very tightly sealed and well-insulated home is great for energy efficiency purposes. However, it also really limits the natural ventilation that older, less efficient homes would have. That means that air can get really stale, really quickly, if you’re not addressing that concern. Other potential issues include:

  • Humidity levels in the house
  • General cleanliness
  • Proximity to major roadways, construction sites, or wooded areas
  • Pets in the house

Now, you obviously cannot be expected to just up and move because the dust and fumes from a nearby freeway are becoming an issue for you. And we certainly wouldn’t suggest giving up a beloved furry friend to combat air quality issues! So what’s the solution?

The Solution Is—Finding the Right Solution!

Much as we would love to tell you otherwise, there is no single solution that is going to fix every indoor air quality problem in every home. Different homes have unique needs, and different homeowners have different concerns and sensitivities. The good news is that there is a solution to your problems out there. You just need to work with professional IAQ technicians like ours to be sure that you’re approaching the issue in the right manner. We install and service:

  • Air filters and air cleaners, to deal with airborne pollutants
  • UV germicidal lights, to deal with biological pollutants
  • Humidifiers and dehumidifiers, to balance humidity levels

We also offer great duct services to ensure that your air ducts are properly sealed and clean within. The last thing that you want is for something as important as your ductwork to be actively contributing to your indoor air quality problems! Whatever your IAQ needs may be, we’re here to make sure they’re met.

Schedule your IAQ services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Save Me Money

The answer to the question posed in the title of this blog is, yes, a tankless water heater can save you money. However, there is a lot to consider when deciding if a tankless water heater in Fort Collins, CO, is actually the right system for your needs and personal user preference. Plus, there is your budget to consider. Because a tankless water heater can certainly save you money, you have to look at it as a long term investment.

A lot of homeowners thinking about using a tankless water heater stop thinking about it when they see the price tag on these systems. It is true that they cost more than traditional tank water heaters do. That initial investment should not necessarily deter you, though, because the improved efficiency with which these systems operate can offset that initial investment and save you money provided that you give it the time to do so. Call our plumbers today if you’re thinking about going tankless. 

If There’s No Tank, Where’s the Water?

For many homeowners, the mention of a water heater conjures up the classic image of a big, cylindrical tank in the basement. This was the standard for so long that it can be difficult to imagine providing hot water throughout a house without a tank of hot water waiting at the ready. That is exactly what is accomplished in using a tankless, or “on-demand,” water heater, though.

Rather than store hot water in a tank, a tankless water heater simply heats the water that you need, when you need it. Cold water circulates through the system when you open a tap or run an appliance using water in the house. If it’s hot water that you’re looking for, the system heats that water as it passes through. When you shut off the hot water, the system stops heating it. It’s just that simple. But why pay more for a water heater, just to ditch the tank?

No More Standby Energy Loss

Modern hot water tanks are very well-made and are very well-insulated. The fact remains that no water heater tank is immune to the effects of standby energy loss, though. Keep in mind a basic principle of heat—it moves from warmer areas to cooler ones. And the air surrounding your water heater is definitely way cooler than the hot water stored inside the tank, right?

That means that some energy is going to transfer through the tank and into the cooler air surrounding it. It may not be much heat, but over the years that is going to really add up. This is why so many homeowners are starting to turn to tankless systems, despite them being more expensive.

Long Term Energy Savings—and We Mean Long Term!

An added benefit to the tankless water heater is the fact that it has such a long lifespan. If you plan to be in your home for many years to come, don’t be turned off by investing in this relatively expensive technology. Where a tank water heater has lower efficiency and lasts around 12 years or so, a more efficient tankless water heater can last in excess of 20 years! That means a lot of years of improved efficiency and energy savings!

Schedule your water heater services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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