Why should I have my furnace cleaned and inspected?

 When furnaces are designed and operated at the factory it is in a
clean and controlled atmosphere.
In the real world conditions are much different. There is dust, debris,
cobwebs, etc. that affects the safety and operations of your furnace.
For instance, a small cobweb can interrupt the flow of gas from the
burner orifice causing a delayed ignition. A condition where the gas
builds up prior to ignition creating a small explosion within the
furnace. This is a dangerous scenario that can be avoided by having you
furnace regularly cleaned, adjusted and serviced by a professional
technician.
  Besides the potential safety hazards of a neglected furnace there is
also the efficiency and capacity that are affected. A clean and properly
tuned furnace will cost less to operate and deliver the full amount of
heat that it was designed to produce.
   There is also your health to consider. The furnace moves the air that
you breathe. A dirty furnace will emit dirty air. The entire system
should be cleaned and new filters should be installed at regularly
scheduled intervals.
  If you are not on a planned maintenance program you should contact a
qualified professional heating company and sign up today.
  Your heating and cooling system is the most significant mechanical
component within your home. A properly maintained system will last
longer, operate cheaper and break down less often.

http://ssbhc.com/

S S & B Heating and Cooling
Springfield, Missouri.
Mike Childers

Zoned Heating and Air Conditioning.

                     Zoned Heating and Air Conditioning

Zoning is a great solution for homes or businesses looking to have more even air temperatures between rooms or levels of the building. The term zoned heating and cooling can be used to describe a building with multiple heaters and air conditioners in the building. Zoning can also be accomplished  using  dampers, ductwork and controls to separate different temperature zones with one system. According to the department of energy zoning can also help you  save money on your heating and air conditioning  bills. This  type of system is a great option for people looking for furnace and air conditioner replacement in Springfield Missouri and the surrounding area due to the fact that we have such drastic temperature differences between winter and summer.

With a zoned heating and air conditioning system each zone would have separate ductwork ran to it. Motorized dampers would be mounted in the main trunk lines serving each zone. These dampers would be controlled by a separate thermostat mounted in each zone. Each zone can be set to a different temperature or all to the same temperature. If only one zone is calling for heating or air conditioning the damper feeding air to that zone would open and all others would close, the heater or air conditioner would come on, supplying air to only the area requiring heating  or air conditioning without over heating and cooling the other parts of the home or business. If more or all zones require heating or air conditioning the other dampers would simply open and supply air to those areas as well. When calling for furnace or air conditioner repair in Springfield Missouri be sure to ask about zoning.

http://www.trane.com/residential/products/zoning/comfortlink-ii-zoning 

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-thermostat4.htm

http://www.smarthome.com/sh-solutions-save-money-with-zoned-hvac.html

Extending the Life of the AC System Springfield Missouri.

Extending the Life of the AC System

Wouldn't it be nice if our air conditioning system would just last forever and never break? Of course it would. However, eventually the AC system will have its share of issues that will need to be addressed. But what if we could put off having to spend our money on repairing the air conditioner during the summer. What if we could prolong the life of the system by 5 or 10 years or more? Well, both of these scenarios are possible by having AC tune ups performed on an annual basis each spring. Components such as contactors and capacitors fail frequently throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. These components are responsible for supplying electrical current and voltage to expensive items such as the AC compressor, and fan motors. As the system runs throughout the course of a year, contactors and capacitors slowly wear out and need periodic replacement. Continuing to use worn out parts in the AC system will lead to premature failure of the expensive parts like an AC compressor, or a fan motor. Eventually, with no AC tune ups being performed, you will be replacing your air conditioning system prematurely. This means that you will be in for an unexpected expense right in the middle of a hot Missouri summer. Have AC tune ups done on a routine basis and avoid untimely and costly repairs or replacements of the AC system. AC system will run less and not work nearly as hard to cool your home.
Be sure to ask one of our customer service representatives or your service technician if there are any utility rebates available for your tune-up.

20-Point Standard Tune-Up
•check thermostat operation
•clean or replace filter (standard 1" pleated filter)
•check system temperature split
•check Freon level
•inspect fused disconnect
•inspect wiring and tighten electrical connections
•inspect contactor, relays and pressure contacts
•inspect electrical safety circuits
•check voltage and amperage to all motors
•inspect indoor blower and motor for dirt buildup
•inspect bearings and lubricate all moving parts (as required)
•inspect belt and adjust tension (as required)
•inspect and clean condensate drain
•inspect outdoor coil/ clean outdoor coil and debris
•inspect duct seal at unit and secure panel
•run and test system

Explain and document all necessary repair.

 Note: Inspections for other types of systems will vary.

Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.
http://energy.gov/public-services/homes/heating-cooling

SS&B Heating & Cooling was established in 1969. For over 40 years we have been passionately serving the Heating & Cooling needs of Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Battlefield, Strafford, Republic, Rogersville, Willard and the surrounding areas in Missouri.

There are so many decisions in building your new home. What light/plumbing fixtures, hardwood floors, granite counter tops, appliances and so much more. Planning your dream home is an exciting process.  You can pick out the perfect floor plan, select all your paint colors, and design the kitchen of your dreams. Your heating and cooling system is often more than 50 percent of your home’s energy bills. When you combine today’s high efficient equipment with a properly designed, sized installed heating and cooling system – you can save money for years to come. We are here to help you through all the steps in building your new dream home. 417-866-0990

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Heat pumps are one of the most misunderstood

Heat pumps are one of the most misunderstood and often times most cost effective options to heat your home. There are many types of heat pumps. The most common type and the type being discussed here is an air source heat pump. A heat pump performs the same function as an air conditioner in the summer time, in fact unless you know what to look for internally you cannot tell them apart. The difference with a heat pump is that in the winter time the cycle is reversed, instead of absorbing heat from the indoor air and rejecting it to the outdoor air as it does in the cooling season, it absorbs heat from the outdoor air and transfers it to the evaporator coil to warm the home. Typically the heat pump can accommodate the heating demand for an average home down to about 40 degrees and below that temperature the heat pump must have an auxiliary heat source such as a gas furnace or an air handler with auxiliary heat strips. The balance point of a home is the temperature the heat pump can heat the home down to without any back up heat source. The balance point varies depending on heat loss of the structure and the size of heat pump installed.

  Over the years poor installation practices have given heat pumps a bad name. A heat pump is not the best solution for every home there are many factors that need to be taken into account such as duct insulation and sizing, air infiltration, etc.. One drawback for some people is that the heat pump can sometimes produce supply air temperatures lower than your body temperature making the air coming out of the ducts feel cool if it blows directly on you.

   With the costs of propane skyrocketing to as much as $3.65 per gallon in the southwest Missouri area this winter a heat pump is a great solution to people looking to save money on their propane bill. A heat pump can save propane customers from 50% to as much as 75% of their heating cost. A heat pump is also up to 360 times more efficient than an electric furnace making it a great solution to those with all electric homes. Natural gas prices on the other hand are relatively cheap currently so the cost savings are not as drastic as it is for someone heating with propane or electric resistance heat. A properly installed heat pump can be a great solution to save energy dollars for many years to come.

Jeremy Grisham 

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/heat-pump.htm

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/air-source-heat-pumps

Replace or repair your heating and cooling system.: Buying a New Furnace

Replace or repair your heating and cooling system.: Buying a New Furnace: Are your energy bills skyrocketing as the bitter cold of winter knocks at your door?  One way to save on energy costs is to replace an old ...

Buying a New Furnace

Are your energy bills skyrocketing as the bitter cold of winter knocks at your door?  One way to save on energy costs is to replace an old furnace with a newer, more efficient unit.  Do you know how old your current furnace is?  If it’s more than 10 years old, chances are that you’re sacrificing a substantial portion of your budget on wasted energy.

You can lower your utility bills and maximize comfort by upgrading to a new, efficient furnace.  There are many options to choose from, so here are some things to consider before making your investment…

Price Doesn’t Always Equal Value

Do your research before you buy.  You can ask a professional installer, contractor, or credible salesperson for recommendations.  Try to get estimates on annual operating costs so that you can compare the short-term investment up front to the long-term benefits.  Furnaces that are extremely efficient can cost more to purchase, but can save you a ton of money over the years by significantly lowering your energy costs.  Reliability is another thing to consider with value.  Paying a ridiculously low price for a furnace could mean risking reliability and suffering through the cold while you wait for a repair.

Emissions

Higher energy efficiency means lower emissions and minimized environmental impact.  You can save money and reduce your carbon footprint by choosing a new furnace with low emissions ratings.  There are several heat source options to choose from including wood, oil, natural gas, and electric.  Advanced technology has also led to the creation of ‘hybrid’ furnace units that can be the ultimate solution for comfort and environmental consciousness.

Size

Have a professional installer evaluate the size of your home or business to determine the correct furnace capacity for the job.  If a furnace is too large, there can be gaps in temperature as the unit cools down which overwhelms the thermostat and can create inconsistent temperature control in the space.  Likewise, a furnace that is too small for the space needing to be heated will make it difficult to stay comfortable.  Choosing a furnace that is the correct size will give you consistent comfort and maximum efficiency.

Installation and Maintenance

Have your new furnace installed and inspected by a trained professional.  It isn’t worth risking the safety of your home and family to save a few bucks by going with someone who is inexperienced.  Besides making sure the equipment operates safely, a professional installer will also ensure that you get the highest efficiency possible to save you the most money on energy usage.  You can also arrange regular maintenance on your new furnace to extend its longevity and keep it in optimum working order.

Request All Records and Documentation

You should ask to receive a copy of all papers from the installer and manufacturer of the furnace.  Make you get records of purchase agreements, warrantee information, and clear and complete explanations of the product and services provided.

The most important thing to remember is that a new furnace is an investment.  Do your research and ask reputable professionals for advice and recommendations.  Your final decision should keep you more comfortable and keep your wallet fuller for many winters to come.