Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Heat Pump: An Ideal Heating and Cooling Solution for Arizona

Heat Pumps seem to be an ideal solution for home heating and cooling in common Arizona households. There can be a number of factors that make it a popular choice in the state. Some of these may include:
  • It works just perfect in not-so-cold region.
  • It can heat as well as cool an area, making it ideal for Arizona which has a longer warm climate than a cold one.
  • It is generally less expensive than many other types of home heating system.
  • Installation cost may be slightly higher, but you are likely to save on energy bills.
  • It is generally regarded as a great alternative to a gas-based furnace in areas where natural gas is no so commonly available.
  • Heat pumps have now become environment friendly as most products in the market come with refrigerants other than Freon – the notorious hydrochlorofluorocarbon responsible for depletion of the ozone layer.

How does a Heat Pump Work?

A heat pump does exactly the opposite of what an air-conditioner or refrigeration does. This means it can easily be used as a cooling device also. In either case, the work of a heat pump revolves around moving heat from one place to another. When you need heat, it can pull heat from outside the house (even if there is cold outside) and push it inside the walls, making your house warm.

Just change its mode to let it work differently in summer. It can pull excess heat from inside the room and push it outside the walls, keeping your room cool and fresh. One advantage with a heat pump is that you don’t need separate ductworks to heat or cool your house. This can be a tremendous saving, and is one of the many reasons of its popularity in Arizona.

What to Look for When Buying a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are available in wide variety and in diverse range of price bands. Your budget and actually need will play a crucial role in selecting a particular product. Some guidelines in this regard may include the following:
  • Check for the energy star designation. You may qualify for a tax credit.
  • Know about your product. Ensure that you are buying an environment-friendly product. Don’t buy anything that uses Freon.
  • Choose a product with higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). The former is an index to measure the cooling efficiency of an air-conditioner while the latter is used to measure the heating efficiency of a heat pump.
  • Size is also important. As a general guideline, a heat pump with a one ton capacity is sufficient for an area of about 400 square feet.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Forced Air Heat Distribution: What is it and Why it is Popular in Arizona?

Despite the fact that it is not so popular in Europe, Americans love it. That is all because of the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of forced air heat distribution system.

How does it keep your home warm?

It does so simply by distributing heat throughout your house using an extensive system of ducts, vents and plenums.

Heated air travels through the ductworks and is expelled through vents, keeping the different parts of your house warm. It is possible to regulate and maintain a particular temperature using programmable thermostats.

Moreover, with a smart heating system put in place, the heat source will automatically shut down when the temperature reaches the desired level. Furthermore, a drop in temperature will cause the heating system to start again, thus maximizing overall comfort.

What should you use as a source of heat? 

As a matter of fact, a wide variety of heating systems work seamlessly with a forced air heat distribution system. Here are some possibilities:
  • Fossil Fuel – natural gas, propane or oil
  • Electric Furnace
  • Heat Pump
  • Hydronic Coil
Why is it popular in Arizona?

Arizona is pretty warm with temperature not dropping too much and there are also not many days of cold and snow. As a result, a less expensive system with moderate efficiency should work fine here.

Heat Pump is an obvious choice for many homeowners in Arizona. This is because of the fact that it can easily be used as a home cooling system with the same efficiency.

Moreover, a heat pump may take more space than a gas furnace, but it can save you on energy cost. Furthermore, in spite of lower temperature output, it maintains your comfort level by producing more air flow than a gas furnace.

Pros and Cons of Forced Air System

Forced air heat distribution system can cost you less in installation than many other systems. However, you need to pay a little bit more on operation and maintenance. It is also easier to install and operate and there is no risk of structural damage also. However, you may have to bear noises, odors, and occasionally air filtration.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Types of Heat Distribution Systems

An array of home heating systems exists, ranging from pipe-based heating systems to systems based on steam radiation and convection. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and use of the same is entirely dependent on the budget, availability and personal preferences. It is imperative to know a little about each of them before deciding on a particular type of heat distribution systems.
The following are the widely used systems in Arizona:
  • Forced Air: The most popular home heating and cooling system, a forced-air system necessarily uses ducts distribute air. Its high popularity is largely because of its comparative inexpensiveness. Moreover, it is also the only system that can also be used for home cooling. However, it can take space and requires regular maintenance.
  • Radiant Heating: A natural way to keep your home warm, the radiant heating system can be quite expensive, but also energy efficient. Ducts are needed to let hot waters flow and transfer heat from a hot to cold surface. Though the heating process may be slow, you will feel comfortable when it is heated.
  • Steam Radiators: A classical method, Steam Radiators are among the least used systems today. The system uses steam piping and radiator units. It is an efficient way to keep your home warm and can also feel comfortable, but you might not like the sight of bulky radiators and the space they might acquire.
  • Hot Water Radiators: It is a hot water based system, and works on the principle of radiation and convection. It is quiet and offers you excellent temperature control. However, it might take more than usual time to heat up your room.
The Geothermal System is the latest in the extensive range of home heating systems in Arizona. According to a source, it can save you anything between 30 and 70 percent on home heating cost. However, the initial cost of installation can be out of budget for most homeowners in the state.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Things To Look For When Hiring A Contractor


Arizona Heating Services is a group of professionals that have been thoroughly trained and have years of industry experience. When you hire a heating contractor, you must ensure that the person has completed a training program and certification in HVAC. Each Arizona Heating professionals are required to attend heating training sessions each year to keep updated on new equipment, techniques and installation.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a heating contractor:
  • Do not settle for a quote that was given to you by phone. When a contractor does this there may be some hidden costs in the end. They may have purposely given you a quote that is greater then what it will actually cost. They may try to justify the cost when they arrive at your door. A highly trained and qualified technician does give you an estimate until after he comes to your house and does a complete inspection of the equipment.

  • They should offer some type of guarantee or a service contract that guarantees the work for a certain period of time. Any reputable company like Arizona Heating will stand behind their work.

  • They must spell everything out, including the cost of equipment, labor and other costs associated with repair or service.
When you contact a reputable company like Arizona Heating, they should provide the consumer with the best budget friendly way to repair or replace their heating system. Keep in mind before letting someone talk to you into anything, that in most cases it is cheaper for the unit to be repaired, then to purchase a brand new one. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes the problem is simply too complicated to solve and it is easier to install a new system. A heat pump is a great choice for AZ residents because it doesn’t get really cold there. Heat Pumps AZ are ideal for this climate because they are good for temperatures above 40 degrees.

In both cases, you should be presented with all of your options so you can make an informed decision. When you call the heat of Arizona, we will present you with all of your options. One of our trained experts will come to your home or business and diagnose and repair or perform routine maintenance on your heating system. Give Arizona Heating a call.