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Whether it’s trying to warm your house in the winter or cooling down during those hot summer months, it’s important to have your heating and ac unit running at the most cost and energy efficient level as possible. At Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air in the Cleveland, TN area, we offer HVAC repair, maintenance and installation services from a team of highly trained and professional technicians to get your heating and ac unit running at its best. The U.S. Department of Energy developed a standard of energy efficiency for heating and ac units called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating or SEER for air conditioning and for furnaces, efficiency is measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE. A higher SEER or AFUE rating means less energy consumption and lower energy bills. Newer HVAC units could save you more money in the long run and regular maintenance from trained technicians could also make a difference. We’ll look at different heating and ac units, which ones are the most efficient for the Cleveland, TN area and also how maintaining them saves more money.

Central Heating Units

The price of the system and your monthly bill greatly depends on several factors: location of your home or business, size, if there is adequate insulation, programming your thermostat to reduce heat when not needed and regular maintenance.

Furnaces

When it comes to heating homes, furnaces are the most widely used in North America. Furnaces heat air and deliver it through ducts and vents to the rest of the home and can be powered by gas, electricity, or oil.

Boilers

Instead of heating the air to warm your home, boilers use water to carry heat and passes it through radiators or other devices. Heat is taken from the water and then cooler water returns to the boiler to be reheated.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can be used to either heat or cool by transferring heat from one place to another. This electrical system can find heat even in the cool outdoors and bring it back inside your home. Heat pumps are optimal for moderate climates.

Maintenance of Your Heating Unit

At Metro PHA, we suggest regular maintenance of your heating and ac systems by a certified technician at least once a year to keep it running efficiently and to reduce the risk of needed repairs.

Thermostat

Sometimes the thermostat on these systems needs to either be recalibrated or replaced so that it turns your heating and ac unit on and off at the correct temperatures. Metro PHA can offer a variety of different thermostats to suit your needs and improve efficiency.

Filters

A dirty filter won’t do its intended job and its suggested that it be replaced every 90 days to increase the flow and quality of air but should also be checked once a month. It may need to be checked and replaced more often in homes with pets and if residents have asthma.

Ducts

Having the ductwork and components of forced air systems regularly cleaned can improve the efficiency of the system and reduce indoor air pollution. It’s important to have ducts and components properly installed, maintained and operated to reduce the risk of contamination from dust, allergens and biological growth. Having the ducts properly sealed can also increase system performance and lower utility bills by reducing loss of energy. Professional technicians at Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air have the skills and experience to properly clean and seal your heating and ac unit.

Air Conditioning Units

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans spend $11 billion per year cooling down their home. There are six different types of air conditioning units: central ac, ductless (split), window unit, portable, hybrid ac and geothermal heating and cooling. Summers in the Cleveland, TN area make these systems vital in maintaining a comfortable residence or place of business. Figuring out which type of system is right for you can be a daunting task but professionals at Metro PHA are here to answer any of your concerns.

Central

Central ac units are the standard in American homes. It uses a refrigerant for cooling and delivers cool air through ducts and vents to the house controlled by a thermostat. These are best for larger homes and hotter climates. The upfront cost may be high but may be the most efficient in keeping your home cool during the hot months.

Ductless, Window, Portable

These three have been grouped together because each individual unit is used to cool one room. Ductless units are mounted on the wall and have a unit outside that circulates the refrigerant between the two. Window units sit in a window of a room and all of its components are inside the metal box. Portable units can be moved around the house. All of these units are good if just one small room is being cooled but in large or open spaces, it will take a lot of energy (and money) to cool.

Hybrid and Geothermal (Heat Pump) 

Both of these units operate the way heat pumps do as explained above. Hybrid ac units can burn fossil fuels and use electricity while geothermal extracts heat or cool air from a coil installed below the surface. Geothermal units are the most expensive but will outlast all of the others.

Maintenance of Your AC Unit

Maintenance of your air conditioning unit is relatively the same as a heating unit. Make sure to regularly change filters and have ducts and components cleaned for optimal efficiency. Don’t wait to have your heating and ac system looked at until it’s down and in need of repair. Call Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air to assist you with professional cleaning of your heating and ac unit.