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Heating and ventilation are some of the most important factors to consider in any home. Proper heating and ventilation not only provides a comfortable air temperature within your home, but alleviates moisture problems which can affect those family members with allergies or asthma. Varying humidity levels can damage wood inside your home such as cabinets or flooring. Wood can shrink and expand leading to warping and weakness. Good ventilation and heating starts in the ductwork located throughout your home. All ductwork must be properly sealed to prevent the escape of air. Prevent wear and tear to your intake fans by ensuring no furniture is placed in front of them. Blocked or partially blocked intakes causes the fans to run work harder to suck air into the ductwork. Air is then transported to the furnace, which heats it to the desired temperature and adds humidity to maintain a constant humidity level. Ductwork then distributes the heated air throughout your home.


Heating and Ventilation Article Archive:

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Featured Heating and Ventilation Articles:

Tax Credit for Solar Water Heaters

By Jinky Bagagnan

Why don't you install a solar water heater when next you renovate your home? Installing a solar water heater will cut your water heating electric bill by 50 to 80 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Keep the following tips in mind before installing a solar water heater.

Find out How Much Tax Credit You Can Get
If you install a solar water heater before December 31, 2016, you can get back 30 percent of the cost of your solar water heating system as tax credit. You can claim this solar water heater tax credit on the year of installation. There is no maximum tax credit amount for solar water heaters. Furthermore, all costs (that's product purchase price plus installation costs) are covered.

Take Note of the Tax Credit Qualification Criteria
All Energy Star qualified solar water heaters that have certification from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation are qualified. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the energy used by your solar water heater must come from the sun. The solar water heater must also be used to heat water for use in the home (bathing, showering, etc). A solar water heater that has been installed for use with recreational facilities (swimming pools and hot tubs) is not eligible for a tax credit.

Assess Your Home's Suitability for Solar Water Heating
Sunshine is free and it's a great source of energy, but do you get enough of it for a solar water heating solution to work? You should determine whether or not a solar water heater is suitable for use in your home. As a general rule, your home's location is perfect for a solar water heating system if it gets sunlight from the hours of 10am to 4pm everyday for the whole year.

Choose Your Solar Water Heater
How big a solar water heating system do you need? The size of your installation will depend on a variety of factors, one of which is the amount of hot water that your household uses. You must also choose among various types of solar water heaters. Solar water heaters vary by type of collector (batch, flat-plate, evacuated tube) and by type of circulation (active, direct, indirect, passive).

Consult a Solar Energy System Specialist
You should talk to a contractor before you proceed with your plans to install a solar water heater. A contractor can help you evaluate how much sunshine your home gets, decide on the size of your water heating system installation and choose the best type of solar water heating system. Having a professional install your water heating system, moreover, will ensure that there won't be any costly installation mistakes and that your system will give you maximum water heating savings.

A solar water heating system is naturally more expensive than non-solar alternatives. Nevertheless, now is the perfect time to install a solar water heater. With the federal tax incentive in place, green home improvements – particularly installing a solar water heater – just got 30 percent cheaper.


Why Regular Heating & Ventilation Check Ups are Vital

Article by Jennifer Weldon

Homeowners need to add regular heating and ventilation checks to their list of home maintenance. These checks are crucial to a comfortable home, avoiding costly repairs, and the inconvenience of extreme home temperatures.

Most homeowners do not think about their heating or air conditioning unless it is not working. Then a professional contractor is called in to fix the problem, causing a period of discomfort in your home. By performing regular heating and ventilation checks, you can eliminate problems cropping up and ensure your home is always being properly heated and cooled.

Check ups

You should have a professional heating and ventilation contractor perform a check up twice a year. These two times are prior to your air conditioning start up, and prior to your heating system start up. This will ensure that when you turn on you're a/c or heat, all systems are running smoothly and the air in your home can be regulated to the specified temperature.

What is inspected

The HVAC contractor performing the check up on your system will inspect all of the parts and system. They will check your thermostat settings, ensure start up and shutting off of the system, inspect the drainage lines, lubricate any motor parts, and check your electrical connections. In addition, prior to winter, the contractor will check your gas connections, gas pressure, and the heat exchanger. Prior to summer, the contractor will clean the condenser coils and blowers and check refrigerant levels. All of these components will keep your system working efficiently throughout the year.

Safety

Having a professional contractor perform these inspections is essential to the safety of your home and family. Faulty electrical connections or gas leaks can cause sparks, fires, explosions, and more, which can lead to injury and even death. A professional contractor is trained to look for these often hidden deficiencies to ensure your family's safety and that of your home.

Repair costs

One of the biggest advantages to perform these heating and air conditioning checks up regularly is to catch any repair work before it is needed. This will save you money from bigger more costly repairs down the road. It will also save you and your family from having to undergo uncomfortable temperatures if the system fails. Your home could become so hot or so cold that checking into a hotel for several nights will be necessary. Emergency repairs typically come with a higher service fee and parts may not always be available at a moment's notice. Always be proactive when it comes to your heating and cooling system and your wallet will thank you.

Tips

Be sure to schedule your twice yearly inspections early with your local contractor. Once hot weather arrives, homeowners who have neglected their cooling systems will keep your contractor busy. In addition to these professional inspections, you need to perform some regular upkeep to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly including checking and replacing air filters when needed.

Performing regular heating and air conditioning checks on your system will save you time, money, and inconvenience. A little bit of preventative maintenance will go a long way. Contact your professional contractor to schedule these today.

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