Three Signs That You May Need To Replace Your Ductwork

If your HVAC system is not as efficient as it used to be, the problem may lie in your ductwork. Problems in the ducts can affect your energy costs, air quality and consistency of your heating and air conditioning. If your heating and air conditioning units are working properly but you are still losing energy, look for these signs that your ductwork needs to be replaced.
     
     1.   If your ducts are over 10 years old and the joints or seams are deteriorating, you may need to replace them. Just like the rest of your HVAC system, you ducts need to be maintained. Even with diligent maintenance, though, your ductwork will not last forever.
     
     2.   Inconsistency in the air flow between different rooms in your home can indicate a problem with your ductwork. If there is a blockage or a leak in your ductwork, the air flow may not be consistent in all of your rooms. Check for variations in temperature as well as the speed of the air coming through the vents in each room.

     3.   Because most of your ductwork is hidden, the best way to determine if you have a problem is to make an appointment with your HVAC contractor to perform a blower test in your home. The blower test takes about an hour and will tell your contractor how much air you are losing through your ductwork. If your blower test shows that you are losing a significant amount of air through your ducts, it may be time to replace them.

The Heat Pump's Thermostat Is Different - Some Tips on Using it for Heating

A heat pump can be an efficient way to keep your home comfortable year-round, but only if you understand how the thermostat works. If you've never used a heat pump, you'll find that the thermostat works differently than that of a furnace.

A heat pump is less expensive during its normal operation. When it switches to auxiliary heat, your heat pump becomes much less energy efficient. Adjusting your heat pump's thermostat just two degrees warmer can trigger the resistance heat, which is powered by electricity.

If you want to use a programmable thermostat with your heat pump, choose one that is specifically designed to work with your heat pump. Because a two degree change in temperature can cause lost energy, a thermostat that is designed to increase the temperature one degree at a time will improve your energy efficiency and keep your home warm.

With a heat pump, you will save more on your energy bill by running your system steadily all night than by setting your heat pump's thermostat at a lower temperature while you sleep and programming it increase five or more degrees around the time you wake up. The sharp jump in temperature will force your heat pump to switch to resistance heat.