Our Brief Guide to Buying a Boiler
When shopping for a boiler you’ll want to understand the differences between boilers and furnaces. Both are responsible for keeping your home warm during cold weather, but they accomplish this through different means. Furnaces warm the home with heated air that is distributed through ductwork, but boilers work by heating steam or water that is distributed to radiators or other systems that utilize its radiant heat to warm your home.
Furnaces and boilers are similar in the method in which they create heat to warm air and water respectively, so they have similar energy efficiency concerns. Both are available in models that use gas- or oil-fueled combustion to create heat or as models that generate it with electrical heating elements. They also have similar lifespans and can be expected to last 15 to 30 years.
Efficiency is an important consideration when buying a boiler because it has a major effect on how much you will have to spend on energy bills. The electrical models are the most energy efficient, but electrical rates in most areas are much higher than those for oil or natural gas, so they are generally the most expensive option. The gas- and oil-fueled models are less efficient because they create gases that need to be exhausted, so some of the heat necessarily escapes with them.
Efficiency is measured by the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. Older boilers were less than 70 percent efficient, but new high-efficiency models have new features that have enabled them to achieve efficiencies in excess of 98 percent. Some of these features include electric ignition instead of a standing pilot light and a second heat exchanger that extracts latent heat from the exhaust gases through condensation.
Even if your boiler is energy efficient, it’s still possible your home won’t be efficiently heated if it’s not properly insulated and sealed against air leaks. These issues should be dealt with before getting a new boiler because this may allow you to purchase a smaller unit, which is cheaper.
For help buying a boiler in Tampa, Clearwater or surrounding areas, contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating.
When shopping for a boiler you’ll want to understand the differences between boilers and furnaces. Both are responsible for keeping your home warm during cold weather, but they accomplish this through different means. Furnaces warm the home with heated air that is distributed through ductwork, but boilers work by heating steam or water that is distributed to radiators or other systems that utilize its radiant heat to warm your home.
Furnaces and boilers are similar in the method in which they create heat to warm air and water respectively, so they have similar energy efficiency concerns. Both are available in models that use gas- or oil-fueled combustion to create heat or as models that generate it with electrical heating elements. They also have similar lifespans and can be expected to last 15 to 30 years.
Efficiency is an important consideration when buying a boiler because it has a major effect on how much you will have to spend on energy bills. The electrical models are the most energy efficient, but electrical rates in most areas are much higher than those for oil or natural gas, so they are generally the most expensive option. The gas- and oil-fueled models are less efficient because they create gases that need to be exhausted, so some of the heat necessarily escapes with them.
Efficiency is measured by the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. Older boilers were less than 70 percent efficient, but new high-efficiency models have new features that have enabled them to achieve efficiencies in excess of 98 percent. Some of these features include electric ignition instead of a standing pilot light and a second heat exchanger that extracts latent heat from the exhaust gases through condensation.
Even if your boiler is energy efficient, it’s still possible your home won’t be efficiently heated if it’s not properly insulated and sealed against air leaks. These issues should be dealt with before getting a new boiler because this may allow you to purchase a smaller unit, which is cheaper.
For help buying a boiler in Tampa, Clearwater or surrounding areas, contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating.
What’s the Difference Between a Single-Stage and a Two-Stage Furnace?
The difference between a single-stage furnace and a two-stage furnace is that a single stage can only operate at one speed—it’s either off or on—but a two-stage furnace has two speeds it can operate at. There are numerous benefits that can result from this difference in how a two-stage furnace works.
Most of the benefits you can reap from a two-stage furnace are due to the differences in how it maintains your home at the temperature the thermostat is set at. The only way one-stage furnaces can keep your home at the set temperature is by turning off when the home starts to get too hot and on when it starts to get too cold. This means some amount of temperature swing will occur while it operates. Frequent switching on and off also is less energy efficient and harder on components so they experience increased wear.
On the other hand, the high and low mode that is available with two-stage furnaces gives more options for keeping your home at the set temperature. In mild weather, it may only be necessary for the low mode to operate, so it will be able to run for a longer time before the home starts to surpass the set temperature and it must turn off. As it gets colder out, the low mode may be able to run constantly with the furnace occasionally switching to high mode when necessary to keep the home warm enough. In both cases your home will experience fewer temperature swings and the furnace will be more energy efficient.
To deal with the different amounts of heating that can be provided, two-stage furnaces are paired with variable speed air handlers that can vary the airflow rate. These offer a number of benefits themselves. They are similarly more energy efficient, and they also can help your home’s air quality because there is more often air flowing through the air filter.
If you want more information about a single-stage furnace and a two-stage furnace, contact us at Cox Air Conditioning and Heating. We have been serving Tampa, Palm Harbor, Trinity and nearby areas for more than 50 years.
Maintain Balanced Humidity in Your Clearwater Home
If your Florida home has felt too warm lately despite the air conditioning, it could be due to an unbalanced level of moisture in the air. High humidity levels in the home can not only cause discomfort by making the occupants feel warmer than need be, it can also contribute to home damage and unhealthful indoor air quality. To regain a more balanced humidity level in your home, there are a few simple steps to help get you started.
Locate Excess Moisture
Consider having a home energy audit conducted by a certified professional. This audit will access nearly every aspect of your home’s energy efficiency including humidity levels. High humidity levels in the home can often result in creating mold, especially in the bathroom, kitchen or plumbing system. Consider adding exhaust fans in these areas if you don’t have them. Also, purchase a hygrometer to measure your home’s humidity, which should be between 30 and 50 percent.
Seal Air Leaks
Condensation on the windows is a good indication that it’s time to seal air leaks. Apply fresh caulking to window and door frames or purchase new windows altogether. Door draft stoppers too, like air tight windows, will help keep cool air from escaping or allowing humid air to enter. Finally, consider having your attic inspected to make sure adequate and quality insulation is installed.
Purchase a Dehumidifier
Sometimes it can be difficult to remove moisture and regain balanced humidity in your home. If humidity continues to be an ongoing problem think about buying a dehumidifier, either a whole house model or a portable one to treat specific areas. Dehumidifiers are especially helpful in persistently hot climates like Florida.
When Clearwater homeowners struggle to find balanced humidity, Cox Air Conditioning & Heating is the name they turn to. Contact a friendly and experienced staff member over the phone at (727) 597-4456 to find out more about balancing humidity or other methods to improve the comfort of your home. Since 1958, Cox Air Conditioning & Heating has served satisfied customers throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties along with homeowners in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
Your Air Filter Is Rated by MERV, But Why Should You Care?
As part of their effort to improve indoor air quality, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers designed a system for rating air filter efficiency. The system is called MERV, and stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. If you wish to improve air quality in your Clearwater home, understanding this rating is key.
Every air filter is capable of sifting out airborne particles within a specific size range. Some do the job better than others and are able to sift out finer particles, and therefore get a higher rating. Ratings run from 1-20. Filters that are MERV 15 or higher are usually only found in environments such as pharmaceutical and electronics cleanrooms, places that demand extreme filtering of particles such as viruses and carbon dust.
The following is a breakdown of MERV ranges and their filtration capability.
1 – 4: Any product with a rating in this range is capable of very basic filtration. From textile/carpet fibers and spray paint dust on the lower end, to pollen and dust mites on the higher end.
5 – 8: Filters on the higher end of this range are ideal for most households. As a filter approaches a rating of 7, it begins to handle particles the size of mold spores and hairspray fumes effectively. Most homeowners need not be concerned with particles smaller than these.
9 – 12: Auto emissions and milled flour contain similar sized particles, and so are best disposed of with a 10 MERV-rated filter or higher. These filters work well for hospital labs and auto mechanic shops. As you approach ratings of 11 and 12, you find filters that are suited to good commercial buildings and superior residential housing.
13 – 14: An air filter with a MERV rating of 14 can handle the spray from a sneeze as easily as most kinds of tobacco smoke. Household A/Cs rarely have this kind of filter, as most are incapable of handling the stress caused by reduced airflow.
For more information on air filters and quality, contact the pros at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating.
Are UV Lights Up to the Job of Improving Your Indoor Air Quality?
Scientists use ultraviolet light to read hidden text in ancient manuscripts and decode their secrets Indiana Jones style as well as to discern the authenticity of gemstones and rare collectibles. Ultraviolet light is also used as an effective viricide, bactericide and germicide and is commonly used to pasteurize juice and purify drinking water. You can also include this potent tool in your home to protect and purify your indoor air by having UV lights installed near your air conditioner coil.
Air conditioners are subject to the growth of mold and mildew due to the fact that they generate regular condensation. Condensation occurs when you have a cold object, such as the air conditioner evaporator coils, come in contact with the warm, humid air that is being cycled through your A/C.
To prevent mold and mildew and reduce airborne allergens you should have ultraviolet lights, covering each side of the air conditioner coil, installed by a professional technician. A professional installer will ensure that the UV lights provide even coverage of the entire surface of the coil. You may also opt to install unltraviolet lights in the return air duct, so that the air can be treated over and over as it recycles though the system. This will inhibit mold and mildew growth, as well as fungus and particulates such as viruses and bacteria.
Some new technology available for homeowners interested in UV lights: automated UV systems that apply only as much light as needed, rather than running full power 24/7. This can reduce costs of running equipment by as much as 60 to 80 percent.
By utilizing the cleaning and disinfecting power of UV lights you can breathe easier year after year and know that your air conditioning unit will stay cleaner and keep your entire household healthier.
To learn more about how UV lights can protect your air conditioner and your air quality, contact Cox Air Conditioning & Heating at (727) 597-4456. We’re here to help and are happy to answer any questions you may have about air conditioning and how to protect the quality of your indoor air.
Why Does My A/C Freeze at the Peak of Summer?
It may seem strange that your air conditioner is freezing up in the heat of a Florida summer; however, the problem is a common one. It can also be quite expensive as freezing can damage the compressor, which is expensive to repair.
Why Does My A/C Freeze?
Freezing can result from a variety of problems, including:
- Leaking refrigerant
- Undercharged refrigerant
- Airflow restriction
- A malfunctioning blower
- Problems with the thermostat or control board
How Humidity Can Result in Ice Buildup
Florida summers can be unbearably humid and your air conditioner’s job is to provide you with relief from the moist heat outside with the cool air that it blows into your home. When it is functioning properly, it will make your home more comfortable but it may not be able to do this if there is an issue with freezing. The moisture in the air can condense on the evaporator coils and result in ice building up. That ice can cause stress on your compressor and lead to your air conditioner shutting down.
If there is ice present, you will probably have to call a professional to take a look at your unit; however, there are a few steps you should take first:
- Turn the air conditioner off so that it can defrost.
- Check the filter.
- Replace the filter if it is dirty.
- Call a professional if the filter replacement does not solve the problem.
If your air conditioner is not functioning properly due to a refrigerant leak or a blower motor that is on its way out, it is important that you contact us as soon as possible. These problems are serious and can lead to worse issues. Whether you are having trouble with your evaporator coils freezing up or some other problem related to your air conditioning, our technicians have the know-how to get your system working again. Cox Air has been serving Clearwater and other communities in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties since 1958.
5 Potential Reasons Your A/C Leaks Water
Many issues can arise with an air conditioner (A/C); one of the most common is when your A/C leaks water. There are five common causes of water leakage, some of which are more serious than others.
1. Clogged Drain Hole
The first thing you should do is find the drain hole on your unit and give it a quick inspection. Check to see if any dirt or debris is clogging it and obstructing water flow through it, and if so clear it.
2. Poor Sealing
Seals on your air conditioner must be tight. If there is a leak at a seal, warm air can enter the cold interior and will condense and cause water pooling.
3. Broken Condenser Pump
The condenser pump helps get rid of the water in the condense
ate pan. If the pump is broken, water will collect and stay in the condensate pan. To test this simply pour water in the condensate pan and see if it can pump out the excess water. If it can’t you have found the source of your problem.
4. Cold Outside Air
When it’s cold outside, the rate of evaporation slows down dramatically and may result in water pooling. This typically isn’t a cause for alarm as long as it goes away once it becomes warmer again.
5. Faulty Installation
Finally, it’s possible that the unit was installed incorrectly. If the A/C unit is slanted or has too much internal pressure, it can cause water to accumulate. Also check for this issue by making sure that all air vents in the house are open. Closed vents throughout the house may contribute to increased pressure.
Most water leaks are easily fixable by an A/C professional. While it’s not the worst thing that can go wrong with your A/C, you should still fix it as soon as possible to ensure no significant damage is done. If your A/C leaks water or there is a problem with your A/C unit and you need professional help, please contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating; we’ve been serving Tampa for more than 50 years.
Follow the Energy Star Logo for Efficiency in HVAC Upgrades for Your Clearwater Home
For the majority of the year in Pinellas County, you will find an air conditioner can help maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. If you are considering upgrading your A/C unit, you’ll want to make sure you have the best bang for your buck. By finding an energy efficient air conditioner and a professional HVAC installer you will make sure you won’t waste any energy savings.
Consider that approximately half your energy bill each month comes from your HVAC system. If your air conditioner is more than a decade old, it is operating much less efficiently than a new A/C unit. Upgrading to a model with the Energy Star logo could cut your energy bill by as much as 30 percent. The federal Energy Star program gives you the chance to not only lower your energy bill, but as it centers around energy efficiency, you’ll also be helping the environment at the same time.
You will also want to find a professional HVAC installer who is familiar with products bearing the Energy Star logo. It would be a shame to have spent time researching Energy Star certified air conditioner models only to have it installed improperly. A NATE-certified technician can also help you determine the proper A/C unit for your home, and can suggest any additional upgrades to your system.
For more expert advice about HVAC systems and the Energy Star logo, contact Cox Air Conditioning and Heating. We have been serving the Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Trinity, and West Chase vicinity for more than 50 years.
A Duct Sealing Project Can Keep That Cool Air Coming All Summer
Ensuring that all your air ducts are properly sealed can have an enormous impact on both your power bill as well as your indoor air quality. Proper duct sealing will ensure that the heated or conditioned air will reach its proper destination, not leak into another part of your home. This way, each one of your rooms will have a more comfortable, uniform temperature.
Additionally, proper duct sealing is vital for clean, healthful air. Fumes from dryers and improperly stored chemicals, as well as pollen can reduce air quality in your home as they enter into your home’s conditioned air through leaky ducts. Another added benefit to proper duct sealing is that it is good for the environment. The more efficient your home, the less fossil fuels are consumed to power it.
Some easy ways to determine if you have leaks in your ducts are as follows:
- If some rooms are significantly harder to heat or cool
- A lack of air movement in a specific room
- High monthly utility costs
Sealing your ducts properly is a good project to undertake as the weather cools, before heating season. You will realize significant savings by fixing a leak or a crack. Most leaks or cracks can be fixed with either metal tape or mastic sealant. Another common place for leaks is the connection between registers, especially where they meet the ceilings, walls and floors.
Having trouble with leaking ducts? Visit our website or call the experts at Cox Air Conditioning and Heating today. One of our associates would love to help you with your project, whether by answering a question or sending out a member of our professional team to help you get the job done right.
These Tips Can Help Your High Efficiency A/C Breeze Through the Rest of Summer
Nothing makes more sense than using a high-efficiency A/C when you live in a Southern climate like that of Florida. You know that it will be running continuously for months. Furthermore, life would be pretty unbearable without it so you want quality in your A/C as well. To make your high efficiency A/C last a long time and keep your climate control expenses down, consider some of the following factors while it is in operation.
Summer Tips for Your High-Efficiency A/C
- Weather affects your equipment’s ability to meet performance expectations. Keep this factor in mind as you program your thermostat. Hotter weather makes it more expensive to keep your house at one temperature. For this reason, many homeowners allow for higher indoor temperatures during the day, especially if they are not going to be home.
- Proper airflow is critical for cooling. If the ducts and their layout are not correctly matched to your A/C, then airflow will be inadequate. You will pay more for lower quality cooling.
- The right refrigerant charge is necessary to maintain high performance. Studies show that improper refrigerant charges are common and may reduce the quality of performance in as many as seven out of 10 devices in the field. Discuss this with an HVAC maintenance technician.
- Besides compatibility with your air conditioner, there are other qualities of your ducts which have dramatic effects on performance. Many people overlook these basic components when they order repairs on their systems. The most significant problem with defective ducts is that they cause air leaks. Ducts must be tight to prevent cool air from leaking out before it reaches the spaces that you intend to cool.
- Your equipment should be properly sized for the environment that you want to cool. A system that is too large will short cycle, boosting your bills, causing wear on the equipment, and inefficiently cooling your home.
If you would like to learn more about maintaining a high-efficiency A/C, contact us for expert A/C repair service. We have been proudly serving the Clearwater area since 1958.
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