by admin | Oct 31, 2017 | Heating System, Home Temperature Control, HVAC, National Air Warehouse
Happy Halloween! Today is the scariest day of the year, but with the cold months of winter on the horizon, you probably have something on your mind that’s even scarier than ghosts and ghouls: your winter energy bill. As a business owner, you need to keep the building warm in order to ensure the comfort of your customers and the productivity of your employees. As a homeowner, you want to keep your family cozy and warm during the long nights of winter. However, heating a home or business can be expensive, so you have to be strategic about the heating choices you make. Read on for some Halloween tips to help you keep your building warm this winter without dying of fright when you see your energy bill.
Tip 1: It’s no treat to get tricked about AFUE.
If you’re buying a new gas furnace for the winter, one of the things you have to consider is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of the system. This number is expressed as a percentage, and it is calculated by dividing the total heat output by the total energy consumed. When looking at these figures, it is important to understand what they might mean for your energy bill. In general, choosing a system with a higher AFUE can lower your energy bill. Medium-efficiency heating systems typically have AFUE ratings between 80% and 90%, while high-efficiency systems typically have ratings between 90% and 98.5%.
However, it is important to note that AFUE ratings can only be directly compared if you are looking at systems that use the same fuel type. You can’t compare the AFUE of a natural gas furnace with the AFUE of an electric furnace if you are worried about your energy bill, because the costs of natural gas and electricity differ.
Tip 2: Don’t count on the ghost in your attic to adjust your thermostat when it gets cold.
In the winter, there’s nothing worse than coming home from a long day of work to a frigid house or arriving at your business in the morning and shivering through your 9 o’clock meeting. At the same time, you don’t want to waste energy heating your house all day when no one is home or your business all night when no one is working. To resolve this problem, you can install a programmable thermostat, which allows you to set a temperature schedule for your home or business so that it is warm when you want it to be without draining your budget by heating during the off-hours. Another option is a wi-fi thermostat, which enables you to adjust your thermostat remotely.
Tip 3: Don’t be a ghoul and rule out a dual fuel packaged unit — it might make sense for you!
Dual fuel packaged units differ from traditional heat pumps in that they utilize a built-in gas furnace for supplemental heating rather than electric heat strips. Therefore, they are ideal for customers who live in places where the cost of heating with gas is lower than the cost of heating with electricity. Find out about the energy costs in your area before you rule out this option.
Here at National Air Warehouse, we are committed to providing high quality HVAC equipment at affordable prices that even a ghost wouldn’t say boo about. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you heat your home this winter!
by admin | Oct 24, 2017 | A/C Unit, Home Temperature Control, HVAC, National Air Warehouse
One of the most common reasons why an air conditioner stops working is a failed capacitor. In an air conditioning system, the capacitor is the energy storage device that holds the electrical charge needed to power the fan motor. Therefore, the failure of the capacitor means that your air conditioning system will stop blowing cold air, and a replacement is required.
The Two Types of Capacitors
There are two types of capacitors: run capacitors and start capacitors. Run capacitors are more common. They store the energy that is needed to keep the fan motor going so that the air conditioner continues to cool down your house. In contrast, the start capacitor specifically provides the energy needed to start up your air conditioner. As you might expect, it takes more torque to start the motor than to keep it running, so the capacitance — that is, the energy storage capacity — of a start capacitor must be higher than that of a run capacitor. To understand why, think about the fan motor like a push-powered merry-go-round on a playground — it can take considerable effort to get it started, but once it gets going, you don’t need to push as much to keep it running. Therefore, the capacitance rating for most run capacitors is between 5 and 80 Microfarads (MFD), while it typically ranges from 430 MFD to 516 MFD for start capacitors.
Deciding What to Do When Your Capacitor Gives Out
When the capacitor in your AC system gives out, you are faced with a decision: Should you replace the capacitor or replace the entire system? That may depend on whether the problem is with the start capacitor or the run capacitor. If the problem is with the run capacitor, replacing the capacitor often makes more sense. Depending on the MFD, the price of a run capacitor can range between less than 10 and 100 dollars, so it’s a safe investment. In most cases, replacing your run capacitor can get your system back up and running in no time!
However, if the problem is with the start capacitor, you may want to consider replacing the system altogether. Start capacitors are larger and more expensive, and they are a lot harder to find, since most AC systems today do not have a separate start capacitor. If your system is getting old and its parts are giving out, it may be time to consider an upgrade.
Whether you are looking for a replacement run capacitor, a new AC system, or any other HVAC equipment, National Air Warehouse can help you find what you need. Contact us today to learn more about all of our products!
by admin | Oct 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
Over the last few months, millions of Americans have been impacted by a series of devastating hurricanes. Across the South, homes and businesses have been left without power for days or even weeks. Flooding has also been common. As a result of the heavy rains and recent flood events, many building owners are now dealing with the presence of harmful mold. Read on to learn more about a cutting-edge technology that may help you solve the problem: a germicidal ultraviolet air treatment kit.
How Ultraviolet Light Destroys Mold and Other Microbes
It’s been over a hundred years since scientist Niels Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering that ultraviolet light can effectively treat tuberculosis. In 1903, he earned the prize when he found that it was possible to kill the bacteria that cause tuberculosis by exposing them to ultraviolet light. Today, scientists know that ultraviolet light damages the DNA of microbes (such as bacteria and fungi), which disrupts cellular processes that are essential for life. Thus, ultraviolet light has been applied as a germicidal strategy in a wide range of industries — including HVAC.
Getting Rid of Mold In Your Home or Business
Even if the flooding in your home was minimal, the slightest bit of mold exposure can lead to major problems. There are lots of myths going around about how to get rid of mold. Some of the myths you might have heard include the following:
- MYTH: The mold will go away when the carpet dries out.
- MYTH: You can get rid of mold by painting over it.
- MYTH: Bleach is effective for destroying all types of mold.
- MYTH: Mold is natural, so it’s nothing to worry about.
In fact, even if the carpet dries out in a few days, mold can persist for weeks, months, or even years if it the situation is not addressed. And painting over it does NOTHING to fix the problem. While bleach does destroy some types of mold, there are certain species of fungi that are resistant, and it does not kill mold on porous surfaces. Moreover, bleach does nothing to address the problem of mold spores in the air. And finally, certain types of mold can cause serious health problems, so if your home or business has been exposed to mold as a result of the recent hurricanes, you should take action immediately.
A germicidal ultraviolet air treatment kit is an excellent solution. This technology can eliminate mold spores from the air in your home or business in less than a second. Even in rooms with a high concentration of mold spores, an ultraviolet air treatment kit is highly effective.
If you’re looking to solve a mold problem after the recent hurricane — or prevent one in the future — National Air Warehouse offers a top quality ultraviolet air treatment kit at an affordable price. Contact us today for more information!
by admin | Oct 10, 2017 | Heating System
If you are looking for a new heating system for your home or business, you might be considering a dual fuel package unit as an alternative to a package heat pump. The main difference between the two is the way that they provide supplemental heating. Unlike a traditional package heat pump, which uses electric heat strips for supplemental heating, a dual fuel package heat pump uses a built-in gas furnace.
Because a dual fuel package heat pump relies entirely on gas for supplemental heating, rather than electricity, it is ideal for locations where the cost of heating with gas is lower than the cost of heating with electricity. Read on for information that can help you determine whether or not you live in one of those locations.
States with Low Natural Gas Costs
It might make sense for you to choose a dual fuel package unit if you live in one of the states with the lowest monthly natural gas costs. According to a 2017 survey, natural gas costs were the lowest in these 10 states:
- Michigan
- Alaska
- Rhode Island
- New York
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- Utah
- Ohio
- Washington, DC
States with High Electricity Costs
Another justification for choosing a dual fuel packaged unit is if you live in a state where the monthly electricity costs are relatively high. As of 2017, the following 10 states had the highest electricity costs:
- New Mexico
- Utah
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- California
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Oregon
Recognizing Local Differences
Looking at lists of the states with the lowest natural gas costs and the highest electricity costs, it initially seems that a dual fuel packaged unit is the only way to go in places that fall into both categories: Michigan, Illinois, and Washington, DC. You might also think that if your state is not on either one of these lists, a dual fuel packaged unit is out of the question.
However, it is important to note that electricity and natural gas costs can vary within states. Therefore, these lists can give you an idea of whether or not a dual fuel packaged unit is more financially feasible than a traditional package heat pump, but in order to be sure, you should look into your local energy costs.
National Air Warehouse offers all kind of heating systems, including dual fuel packaged units that ship for free — no matter where in the country you live. Contact us today for more information about our products!
by admin | Oct 3, 2017 | HVAC
The run capacitor is one of the most important parts of your HVAC system. As we have discussed in a past post, a faulty run capacitor requires an immediate replacement. In furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps, the run capacitor holds the electrical charge that powers the fan motor, so a broken run capacitor renders your system useless.
When browsing the options for new single run capacitors, you will see that different products vary in three ways: the value of the MFD, the value of the VAC, and the price. Typically, the price depends on the previous two factors. Read on to learn more about these three variables so that you can choose the right single run capacitor for your system.
Understanding MFD: What Does It Mean?
The MFD for single run capacitors on the market today can range from as low as 5 MFD to as high as 80 MFD. MFD stands for “Microfarads,” and it is a measure of the unit’s capacitance — that is, the amount of charge that the capacitor can store when a particular voltage is applied. Single run capacitors with higher MFD values have greater capabilities, so they can support larger heating and cooling systems. This explains why the price of a single run capacitor tends to increase with MFD value. When you choose the right MFD capacitor for your system, it ensures that the motor RPM and the motor torque are ideal for your system, ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency.
VAC Value: 370 or 440?
The other value that you confront when choosing between single run capacitors is the VAC value. VAC stands for “Volts Alternating Current,” and it indicates the supply voltage for which the unit is rated. Depending on your system, you need a run capacitor with either 370 VAC or 440 VAC. Again, because single run capacitors with 440 VAC support larger, more capable HVAC systems, they tend to be priced slightly higher — but it’s worth a few more dollars if you are replacing a run capacitor with 440 VAC. Otherwise, the voltage applied will be too high for the capacitor to withstand, so it could fail without warning.
Direct Price Comparisons
To get a better idea of what you can expect to pay for single run capacitors with different MFD and VAC values, here are are a few direct price comparisons:
370 VAC 440 VAC
7.5 MFD: $23.25 $24.75
15 MFD $28.58 $30.08
25 MFD $38.14 $39.65
40 MFD $52.79 $54.29
55 MFD $66.83 $68.34
70 MFD $76.19 $77.70
If you are looking to replace your single run capacitor, National Air Warehouse offers a wide range of options. Contact us today to learn more about our products!
