Sandium Blog

Energy Upgrade California Offers Thousands in Savings!

2011-08-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Would you like to save up to $4,000 for replacing your furnace, air conditioner, upgrading your attic insulation, changing out old windows, or upgrading an old water heater? Read on...

Did you know that our homes produce more carbon emissions than ordinary passenger vehicles! It's true. They account for nearly 21% of our countries greenhouse gas emissions. That seems unbelievable! But, when you think about it, there have been very few standards ever put in place when it comes to building a home, in fact, it wasn't until the late 70's when California enacted an energy code. We have hundreds of thousands of homes built before then! And therefore, our homes (especially older home stock) were built inefficiently.

Inefficiency directly relates to energy consumption, and the dollar amount we spend each month to our public utility -- PG&E being the primary supplier of natural gas and electricity in Northern California.

When it comes to energy consumption, we must view our house as a system, because every component works together to create efficiency. The heating and cooling systems would work more effectively and efficiently if the building envelope was sealed tight, if the insulation was enhanced, if air ducts were sealed and insulated to the max, http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifwindows upgraded, etc. When you create a "system" that works together, you not only save money, but you also improve comfort, indoor air quality, lower carbon emissions, etc. The list goes on!

A home energy upgrade makes sure that each piece of this system is designed to function at it's max, so your home is more efficient.

How do you get the rebates? Learn more about the process and program details by contacting Sandium, or visiting https://energyupgradeca.org/overview

Thinking about having your ducts cleaned?

2011-08-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

We get calls all the time regarding duct cleaning. Many homeowners do it on a regular basis as a way to keep their system clean. Unfortunately we always have to disappoint them when explaining Sandium does not offer these services.

We don't do it because we don't believe it offers any real benefits to those homeowners who run their system on a regular basis -- which is most homeowners. Because when the system is in operation, whatever airborne particles (large and small) are going to get discharged out of your vents anyway.

The low cost air duct cleaners use a vacuum that supposedly would capture the dust, but the vacuum power is so low that its like vacuuming your carpet from 6" above (how effective is that!?). The better cleaners use a rotating brush and snaking device to get into your duct system, but then you just run the risk of shredding common ducting types like wire-flex, which leads to leakage in your duct system. Duct leakage is already a major problem, with an average of about 30% leakage in an average home's duct system! That's like filling your gas tank to the top, and then losing 1/3 of it before you even leave the station! Beyond the tearing and duct leakage problem, you are simply just stirring up dust that was otherwise settled and caked in and not airborne.

There are situations that justify duct cleaning. For example: If your system has been invaded by critters and you want to get rid of any droppings left inside AFTER your repair the ducts. Or you see chunks of dust or dark matters coming out of your vents. Or, if you are planning to turn on a system that has been sitting idle for over a year.

I'm not making this stuff up! Follow the link below to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website which has a white paper on this exact matter.

I'll leave you with a quote from the EPA: "Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts."

Enjoy the reading!

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

Energy Efficient Tax Credit 2011

2011-08-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

After digging for available rebates, what else is there to help off-set the cost of your new energy efficient HVAC system and home improvement project? How about a Federal Tax Credit!

A tax credit directly lowers your tax bill dollar for dollar, whereas a tax deduction simply shaves money off your taxable income.

Take advantage of a tax credit up to $500 through the end of 2011. For some, this credit simply helps boost you into a higher efficiency heating/ac equipment upgrade, among other things.

From an economic point of view these provisions is the best way to jump start the US economy because all the stimulus dollar will be spent within the US on labor and materials. It helps companies like us to keep our employees working and hire more workers. The projects help increase home energy efficiency which lessen our dependency on fossil fuel.

Detailed information of the tax credit can be found from the following link
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Sandium can help you review these credits, and find how you can take advantage of it to invest in your home, and help stimulate our economy.

Home Attic and Floor Sealing

2009-02-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

One of the elements of energy loss in homes that is often forgotten is the infiltration of hot/cold air from the attic and crawlspace through gaps in the ceiling or floor.

Since the attic and crawlspace are opened to the atmosphere through various vents, there is usually a air pressure differential between them and the living space. The pressure differential is also driven by the comfort system duct leakage. The result is air movement in or out of the living space into the unconditioned crawlspace and attic.

In the summer, air from the attic is often at a super heat condition from the roof load and close to outside temperature in the winter. Crawlspace air is usually cooler but can create air quality issues. That is why it is a good idea to seal those air gaps whenever possible to eliminate those issues. Air gaps in the living space can be found at recessed light openings, plumbing/electrical penetrations, walls with missing top plates, and other unsealed wall joints.

Since many of these air gaps can be buried when insulation is installed, we recommend a thorough sealing of them before insulation work is done.

More information about the sealing can be found at the Department of Energy's Energy Star website.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing

Home Insulation

2009-01-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

Most homeowners understand the concept of insulating the home. It helps the heating and airconditioning system works better and more efficiently. It also keeps the indoor condition from the more extreme temperature swings of the outdoor environment. What is sometimes missing is the knowledge of how much insulation is enough and what type should be used.

Insulation level is measured in R-value. The higher the R-value, the more resistance there is for heat transfer. Current minimum standard for new homes calls for R30 and we recommend consideration for R38 if space is available for Bay Area customers. You can find out how much insulation you have by checking out the depth of the existing insulation. Every inch of blown in insulation equates to roughly R2.5-4 of insulation value. So for example a house that has 3 inches of insulation has a rough R value of 7.5 to 12. That means the house has about 1/3 of the insulation compared with today’s minimum standard.

More information about insulation can be found at this Department of Energy fact sheet

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_08.html

Next time we will talk about an important step that is missed from many insulation project - attic air gap sealing

Green Home Performance in South Bay

2009-01-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

In addition to being a heating and air conditioning contractor, we also engage in home performance work. It is the disipline of analyzing your home energy use and come up with ways to reduce it. Many times it involve your heating and air conditioning system but not limited to it. Some of the projects involve attic air gap sealing, insulation, duct sealing etc... which as a whole can dramatically reduce the total energy consumption.

It is a relatively new field and unfortunately does not get as much press or marketing dollars compare with the multi-billion dollar solar industry. However, this is the low hanging fruit for energy savings that homeowner should consider before or in conjunction with the solar panels. An average home can be tightened up and insulated for a few thousand dollars with no ongoing maintenance cost which can drop the energy consumption 30% or more. In this era of volatile energy pricing we can all do more to reduce our individual energy consumption and that is exactly what green home performance is all about.

we will add more information and case studies on our website as we move along here.

Happy Holidays and blog address change

2008-12-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

Due to some blog set up issues we have recently moved all the old blogs to this new address. Thats why you may noticed the dates have all changed. All new entries will appear at this new address.

Happy Holidays

Heat Pump - part two

2008-12-12T00:41:00.000-08:00

Continue from last post...

Some manufacturers have recently marketed what they dubbed as "Hybrid System". Essentially it is a heat pump system that is matched up with a conventional gas furnace. It is designed to be installed with a special controller with an outdoor temperature sensor. As we mentioned last time heat pump loses its effectiveness when temperature drops below roughly 45F. A "Hybrid System" simply switches to gas whenever that occurs. Keeping the heat capacity when it is needed most. It is more expensive but probably the best solution from a comfort standpoint.

A lower cost solution for most heat pump installations is the use of electric strip heat as back up heat source. It does draw quite a bit of power to heat up the space and most are set up for 220V power supply. Those are the main reasons why heat pump is not as common in the Northern California. However when the system is matched up with a solar electric system then consumption is not an issue.

Is a Heat Pump system suitable for your home?

2008-12-12T00:40:00.001-08:00

We receive inquiries for heat pump on a regular basis and I think it is a good idea to cover the topic. Heat pump is essentially an air conditioner that is capable of running in a reverse cycle. There are a few types of heat pump: Air source, ground source, and water source. Due to the need and high cost for trenching or access to large bodies of water for the latter types, air source heat pump is the only common type used in urban residential area such as the Bay Area. Instead of rejecting the heat outside like an AC does in the summer, it rejects the heat inside in the winter. It is an alternative to the conventional gas or LP heating furnace.

The benefit of a heat pump system is that it uses electricity for its heat generation which reduces it carbon footprint when compared with a gas furnace. It also allows heating for areas that do not have ready gas supplies. However, the downside is that heat pump tends to lose its effectiveness when outdoor temperature drops below 45F. And from a operating cost it is more expensive to operate a heat pump in the Bay Area climate unless you have access to low cost electricity. And recently that option comes from solar panels that some homeowners have started to install on their roof.

Next time we will cover hybrid system and supplemental heat.

Back from Summer

2008-12-12T00:38:00.000-08:00

It has been a few months since the last post. Summer has always been our busiest time and this last one was no exception. I am embarrassed to say my blog hasn't been kept up as I would like. Fall should be a good time for me to start back up and write about some relevant topics on the home comfort system.

If you have any topics suggestion feel free to leave a comment or email to mikelee@sandium.com

Save Yourself a AC Service Call

2008-12-05T18:22:00.003-08:00

We had a heat wave here in the Bay Area two weeks ago with temperature up in the 90's for 2-3 days. It is unusual for this early in the season and caught a lot of homeowners by surprise. A lot of them haven't run their system since last year and found that their AC may not be in proper working condition for various reasons. Our service department probably got over two hundred service calls in the 1-2 day period. Needless to say our service technicians were overwhelmed and had some crazy hours. But with that many calls there is no way we can take care of everyone. And so here are some simple things to check that just might get you going again...

- Check your circuit breakers and fuses. The breakers are in the electrical panel. Make sure they are not tripped. It is not uncommon that during the really hot days the system may overstressed and tripped. If the breakers are still in the on position check the fuses at the disconnect by the unit. Usually it is a solid fuse. If you have an electrical meter you can check to see if the fuse is still good. You can pick up spare ones from any home stores to replace them. Make sure you buy the ones with the same amperage ratings.

- Check your air filter and make sure it is relatively clean. A dirty filter can restrict air flow to a point that it ices up the AC coil and stops the system.

- Check your thermostat and make sure it is in "Cooling" mode and the fan is set to "Auto". Also make sure your set point is lower than the room temperature.

If you have checked all of the above and they all are ok. Then a professional need to be called.

The best way to avoid all those problem is to run test your system before the next heat wave. We offer AC tune up service that does just that and more. Call us at 408-894-9072 to set one up!!

What SEER do you need for your Air Conditioner?

2008-12-05T18:22:00.001-08:00

It is unusual that we get up to over 90F in the San Jose Bay Area. But it looks like that will be the case this week according to the forecast and most interestingly it is only May. So this is perhaps another proof that global warming is real. If you are reading this you are probably in the market for a residential air conditioner. Similar to furnaces, there are a few factors besides brand you should consider when you pick out that perfect system for your home. They are efficiency, capacity, staging, and refrigerant. We will go over efficiency in this article.

Just like you measure automobile mileage by miles per gallon, you measure residential AC efficiency by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios). In short, it measures how much cooling effect in Btu/h your cooling system provides per watt of electrical consumption. The higher this SEER ratio, the more efficient your system is. As of January 2006, the US minimum standard for residential AC equipment is 13 SEER. This is an increase from a minimum of 10 SEER prior to 2006. The difference of a 13 SEER unit and a 10 SEER unit as you may tell is a 30% improvement in efficiency.

Most manufacturers make equipment with efficiency ranging from 13 SEER to about 20 SEER. It is important to note that the more efficient the system is, the larger the outdoor condenser AND the indoor coil are. So part of the considerations is the space available at your furnace or air handler AND your backyard location where the outdoor unit goes. And when a contractor tells you they are installing a high efficiency system, make sure they are using a matching coil that provides the advertised efficiency. Otherwise, you may be paying for extras that you don’t benefit. For example if your furnace is in a tight closet 13 SEER may be all you can squeeze out because of the indoor coil size constraint. Have an HVAC professional evaluate your situation and ask for the official ARI test rating for the condenser coil combination if you are in doubt.

We will continue the topic next time on capacity.

AC Spring Tune Up

2008-12-05T18:20:00.001-08:00

We had an early summer last week that sent our service technician scrambling. Temperature got up to the mid eighties in San Jose that had a lot of the home owners running their AC system first time for the season. Needless to say, some of them found that their old system is not working anymore. That’s where we come in. To avoid these surprises, you should have a regular check up on your comfort system just like you would do for your cars. For $79 we would come out and do an AC check and tune up to make sure your system is in good shape for the summer. The only extras are any repair or refrigerant that needs to be added. And if you call us and mention you read it from the Blog you will get an extra $20 discount.

So go ahead, call us!

Types of Filtration for Homes - Part III

2008-12-02T22:08:00.001-08:00

Last time we talked about the dust, pollen and small particles in the air that can cause irritation. They can generally be captured with the right type of filtering media. A sub-class of airborne irritant is bio-aerosol. Examples of that would be mold pores, air-borne viruses etc. They are airborne particulates that can cause sickness for the occupants. Depending on the specific particle size, a high MERV filter media may be able to capture some of it. However, if the occupants have low immunity, there are products available with a ultra-violet light option to kill some of the germs.

The third class of irritants is odors that come from household cleaning products, paint, smoke, pets etc. Conventional filter media will not be able to help much because the particles are too small. If it is a common problem the homeowner should consider a carbon or chemical filter to remove the odor.

It is also important to note that the two irritants above exist as symptoms of problems that occur in the house. To truly rid of the problems effort must be made to identify the source of the irritants and address it if at all possible. As a home performance contractor Sandium have the resource to place a monitoring device in your home to track the air quality over a period of time. That way we can identify the problems in a scientific way and come up with a plan to address them.

Types of Filtration for Homes - Part II

2008-12-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we are blessed with some of the cleanest air in the country and probably the world. However, indoor air quality related problem such as allergy or asthma can still be a common household problem. Most people don’t realize that with proper residential air filtration that can be alleviated. Before we go into the solutions we will discuss the irritants. There are three main classes of irritants. The first and most common are small airborne particles such as dust, pollen, allergens. The second class is bio-aerosols such as mold. The third class is odors such as ones from pet or household chemicals.

MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the standard in which airborne particle filtering is being measured. MERV is measured in a scale of 1 to 16 with the higher number being more efficient. Details of the scale and its relative efficiency can be found from the link below.
http://www.pureairsystems.com/103_2.html

Most of the 1” pleated filter in the market ranges in MERV 1 to 4. They are okay for general filtration of larger particles (3-10 micron) but not effective against particles smaller then 3 micron. High efficiency whole house Media Cleaner offers the effectiveness of up to MERV 16 with the right type of filters. However, the filter medium needs to be replaced periodically for it to maintain its efficiency. Electronic Air Cleaner offers a high level of particle filtration. It has a higher first cost but a lower running cost since most can be cleaned out by the homeowner. So the decision to go with one or another depends on budget and desire for convenience. Recently there are studies that bring to question the generation of ozone, an irritant to some people, as a byproduct of some electronic air cleaner. So homeowner should select models that meet the ozone level guideline if they decide to go with electronic air cleaner.
Next time we will continue with the filtration discussion on the other types of irritants and how to combat them.

Types of Filtration for Homes - Part 1

2008-12-02T22:06:00.000-08:00

So now that we got the filter change out of the way, we can talk about the various filtering options. The majority of homes we have in San Jose South Bay Area are fitted to use a standard 1" filter. They can be found in either the return filter grille or inside the furnace. The 1" filter also comes in a variety of flavors. There are flat filters that need to be changed on a monthly basis. They offer the minimum protection you need but they have the least air resistance. The pleated filter offers a bit higher effectiveness because of its higher surface area per square foot. Filter manufacturer also makes electro-statically charged version of the pleated filter that does a more effective job of holding the dust particles. Most of the sizes for 1" filters can be found at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

If members of your family have allergy problems, you may want to consider some higher end filtration options. There are two main types, passive and active. Both require professional integration into your existing system. They are best installed when you are changing out your furnace or AC system. We will talk about them next time.

Its January ! - Time to Change Your Air Filter

2008-11-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

On home consultation or service visits we sometimes ask the homeowner when they last change their air filter. You would be surprised how often the answer came back as "what air filter?" or "I dunno, last year??"

So I am making a point to anyone who comes across this blog to go and change their HVAC system filter this weekend. If you are in the San Jose South Bay Area you have probably been running your furnace for 3 months by now and this is a good mid-season filter change. The standard 1" pleated air filter costs $5 from the big box home improvement stores and it is the cheapest maintainence you can do to protect your system.

So whats happens when you don't change your filter?

- Your fan blower motor energy consumption goes up because it has to overcome a higher resistance.
- Your AC and furnace heat exchangers get dirty which in turn reduce their efficiencies AND capacities. So the 80% 56kBtuh output furnace that was installed 3 years ago is no longer putting out the same output at the efficiency when it was brand new. Or the 3 ton AC you spent a few thousand dollars on 4 years ago just turned into a 2.5 ton.
- Your ducts get dirtier which in turns blows back out to your house. Like dusting more often??

If they are not good enough reasons, you should not be reading this anymore. :)

Next time we will talk about the various filtration options available to the home owner. Stay tuned....

Do you know your Duct Leakage Rate?

2008-11-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

It has been cold and rainy in the Bay Area lately and that means your furnace has probably been running overtime. So whatever inefficiencies in your heating system are amplified from the extended run time. Though the furnace efficiency or AFUE ratings gives you an indication of the unit performance, most homeowners don’t realize that the average duct system is an even bigger source of loss for heating and air conditioning system.

California Energy Commission (CEC) – a California State Government agency commissioned a study a few years ago and found that the average duct leakage rate on existing homes in California is at a staggering 30% (copy of the letter can be found on our website www.sandium.com). This leakage takes the warm air generated by the furnace and dumps it directly into your crawl space or attic. As a result of the study and a need to conserve energy, the State of California makes it a requirement for all inland regions of California that ducts be sealed as part of any furnace or AC replacement work. It is not a requirement in the San Francisco Bay Area yet and that’s why most contractors don’t do it or mention it to the customer. But if you are concerned about your utility costs and the environment, it is definitely an area to look.

To find out the duct leakage rate, a contractor equipped with duct testing equipment can perform a pressure test at your house. The set up and test take about 1-2 hours. Sandium is currently running a web coupon special for the test at $149. Based on the result of the test we can then determine whether or what action should be taken on the ducts. For residential customers PG&E has rebate of $350 to $600 for duct sealing if the leakage rate is brought below 15% but they require ducts to be tested by a certified contractor before and after.
We have done many tests in the south bay area and what we have found is that houses in Los Altos, Los Gatos and Saratoga area sometimes have a higher leakage rates than others. That is mainly because those houses were generally built 50+ years ago and have underfloor metal ducts that in many situations are rusted out. In those types of cases we recommend replacing the ducts. And for new ducts installation we can usually keep the leakage rate below 6%.

Options to Tackle High Heating Bill

2008-11-29T09:49:00.003-08:00

Most of the homeowners in the Bay Area have probably had their furnace running for a few weeks now. This is about the time when the first heating bill arrives for the season. Obviously the amount will correlate to the size of the home and usage pattern. But it is worth spending some time reviewing if you feel it is excessive for the size of your home. In general if the bill is over $200 there may be opportunity to save that will have a quick payback.

There are a couple places to trim your heating bill. Firstly, if you are not using a programmable thermostat you should strongly consider it. Sometimes a furnace is left on when the house is not occupied or when it is not required to be heated. Those can be avoided if a digital programmable thermostat is set up properly. It is relatively inexpensive as a basic thermostat can be had for less than $50 from Home Depot.

Secondly, if your ducts were installed over 20 years ago you should have it checked for leakage. California Energy Commission have done a study indicating that the average leakage rate for older homes is around 30%. That means $0.3 of each dollar is spent heating or cooling your crawlspace/attic. That can be reduced greatly if the system is properly sealed. A duct leakage test can be done to analyze your current status. PG&E also has rebates from $350-$600 to encouraged homeowners to seal their ducts. In certain situations the rebate may be enough to cover the cost of sealing.

Thirdly, if your furnace is over 15-20 years old it may also be a source of inefficiency. There are modern furnaces that are rated at over 95% AFUE. A 20-30 year old furnace is probably running at 60-75% so a significant saving will be seen if it is replaced.

Next time we will discuss more about duct leakage and duct sealing.

Furnace Features - Variable Speed Motor

2008-11-29T09:49:00.001-08:00

Third and last on our series of furnace feature discussion, we are going to cover the variable speed motor/fan.

As the name implies, the variable speed motor is capable of adjusting the air flow to fit various duct configurations, heating/cooling applications, and ramps up in ways to provide the quietest operation possible for your duct system. This is in contrast to the older furnaces that has constant speed or multi-speed motors. If special type of filters like electronic air cleaner or high efficiency media filter are desired the variable speed fan is capable of running in a very low speed to recirculate air.

Certain manufacturers also take advantage of the variable speed fan in zoning systems to make air flow seemless for its operation. This is a big plus for zoning retrofit applications.

Furnace Features - Multi-Stage Furnaces

2008-11-29T09:47:00.000-08:00

We are now officially in the holiday season with Thankgiving last week. This is the time of the year when we get all the furnace service calls. And if your furnace is older than 15-20 years and is starting to give you problems, you should consider replacing the furnace with one that has features that were not available when the original one was installed.

Speaking of which, we shall continue on the series of articles on residential furnaces. The feature we will cover today is multi-staging.

The older style furnaces are all single staged, which means they operate on their full capacity (eg. 70kBtu/h) whenever they are on. The most common multi-stage models for residential furnaces are 2 stage. They can operate at their full capacity (i.e. high stage) or at a low stage which is roughly half the full capacity.

There are two main benefits to a multi-stage furnace compared with a single stage model. First, the furnace operates at a quieter level. This is the result of the recirculating fan running at a lower speed and roughly half the burners are in operation. Second, the system stays on at longer intervals which keeps the house at a more even and comfortable level. Both benefits are very desirable and in my opinion a very good value from a cost-benefit standpoint.

Furnace Features - Efficiencies

2008-11-27T20:55:00.000-08:00

As you shop for a new central furnace, there are primarily three main product feature consideration you need to make. They are efficiencies, stages of heating, and motor types. Today we are going to cover the efficiency option.
All major furnace manufacturers offer standard efficiency and high efficiency models of their furnace lines. Standard means 80% AFUE which is the minimum requirement mandated by the federal government. High efficiency models can be anywhere in the 91%-96% AFUE range depending on brand, capacities, and model. For comparison, the 30 year old furnace in your closet is probably a 60-70% AFUE model so you will see a drop in gas consumption even by replacing it with the standard model. If you want to save even more the high efficiency models are good bets. However, high efficiency models are not always possible in certain situations because they require a separate flue pipe for the combusted air and an extra condensate line. A licencsed contractor need to survey your existing installation to determine if the upgrade is possible. PG&E and federal government have rebates and tax credit to encourage homeowners to upgrade to the high efficiency models.

Heating Season is Almost Here

2008-11-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

Depending of your tolerance for house temperature level you may have turned on your furnace for the season already. Most of you probably haven't used it since early spring. So it is a good time to talk about furnace maintenance. Modern furnaces use electronic ignitors so there is no need for liting pilots. However, the minimum you should do is to change your filter which extends the life of your HVAC equipment and ducts by keeping dusts away. Typically in this area you should change your filter 2 times a year for furnace only and 3 times if you have AC. You may also consider having a licensed HVAC technician do a profession cleaning and check up once a year. They should check all gas/electric connections, operations, and clean the interior compartments of the furnace including the induction motor. For condensing furnaces they should also check the drain line to make sure water drains properly.

If your furnace is older than 20 years we recommend you call PG&E to do a carbon monoxide test on an annual basis. This is a free service from them. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is deadly if inhaled in an excessive amount. For central furnace it comes from gas leaked from the combustion chamber into the air stream. This occurs when the furnace develops cracks in the heat exchanger as it gets old. If an unacceptable level of carbon monoxide is detected you should have the furnace replaced or repaired. Based on our experience the high cost of a replacement heat exchanger part (assuming you can even locate one) for older furnaces makes the repair option unjustifiable.

I hope that helps you get ready for the winter. Next time we will talk about the different features you can find on modern furnaces. Feel free to drop us a line if you have any question or comments.

Home Owner Heating and AC Blog for South Bay

2008-11-27T20:52:00.000-08:00

We have decided to start this blog to address a lot of the common questions from homeowners regarding their heating, cooling, and ductwork systems. I am a mechanical engineer by training and have been in the HVAC industry for over 20 years. We are a licensed mechanical contractor based in Sunnyvale CA serving the whole south bay area. We welcome questions and comments on the topic of residential HVAC. You can email them to us at info@sandium.com or post them from this blog site. We will be adding answers and short articles covering relevant topics from time to time.

See you around...