Everything You Need to Know About Heat Load Testing

Has your HVAC service technician recommended heat load testing for your home? They may have suggested this service if you were having problems with your heat pump, or if you’re thinking about having a new furnace installed. The idea of heat load testing may seem a little daunting at first, but once you understand what it is and how it benefits you, its purpose becomes clear.

What Is Heat Load Testing?

The simplest way to describe heat load testing is to say it’s a way of measuring how much energy it will take to maintain your indoor temperatures to a comfortable level. That amount of energy is called the heat load. Generally speaking, the heat load is larger for bigger homes and poorly insulated homes. The heat load is lower for smaller homes and well-insulated homes.

How Is Heat Load Testing Done?

To conduct heat load testing, your heating and cooling technician will come to visit your home in person. Once there, they will look over the space, canvassing for specific information.

They’ll note the number of windows in the home and what condition they’re in. They’ll note what direction the home faces, how much insulation is in the walls and attic, and how many people live in the home. They’ll also take the local climate into account. Once they have all the information they need, they will plug it into a series of formulas to calculate your home’s heat load.

How Is Heat Load Used?

Your home’s heat load basically tells your home HVAC repair and installation team what size HVAC unit you need. Based on your home’s heat load, they can recommend several models that will serve your needs appropriately.

It’s vital to have a properly sized equipment. If yours is too small, it won’t be able to cool your home effectively. It may run around the clock, driving up your energy bills without ever cooling you down. A system that’s too large is not a good choice, either. Bigger is not necessarily better in the world of HVAC. A too-large unit will shut on and off too quickly, which puts a lot of wear and tear on the appliance and can lead to premature failure.

How Can You Reduce Your Heat Load?

If your home’s heat load is really high and your system can’t keep up, you may be able to make some changes to reduce your heat load. Start by adding more insulation to your attic. Seal up any cracks and crevices around your windows and doors that may be letting indoor air escape. Hanging some insulating curtains over older windows can help, too.

If you think you may need a new unit, be sure to hire an HVAC company that does heat load calculations. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment. We offer heat pump installation, and we also fix central heating systems and air conditioners.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-heat-load-testing/

How to Make your Older Home Warmer this Winter

When you live in an older home, heating bills are often a concern. Older homes were not often built with efficiency in mind, so you may need to take a few extra steps in order to avoid over-paying for heating. Work with a local heater repair company, and also consider the following tips to help keep your older home warmer this winter.

Install A Ductless Mini-Split Unit

If you have rooms that never seem to get warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer, consider having a ductless mini-split unit installed in those rooms. These systems are a great option for older homes that don’t have ducts. The unit simply mounts on the the wall and is connected to an outside unit by refrigeration lines and quietly blows air into the room. Ductless mini-splits are made to be ultra energy-efficient, and they’re powered by electricity.

Having a mini-split heat pump installation team install a unit in your coldest room will take some of the burden off your main HVAC system, which will help lower your heating costs.

Schedule A Tune-Up

Make sure you schedule an HVAC tune-up once a year. This is a good idea for all homeowners but is even more important in an older home with aging HVAC equipment.

During a tune-up, your HVAC technician will inspect your system to help reduce wear and tear. They’ll make sure everything is clean, safe and they’ll also help to detect problems early when they’re easiest to repair. This helps your heating system to put out ultimate comfort levels at peak efficiency..

Upgrade Your Insulation

Adding insulation to your older home will help reduce the amount of heat that escapes. This will reduce the burden on your heater while also helping your home feel warmer, all winter long.

You can add an extra layer of insulation to your attic, replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows, and seal any cracks in your foundation. If your older home is lacking insulation between the walls, consider having blow-in insulation installed. You’ll have to spend a little money up-front, but you’ll earn it back in the form of energy savings.

Clear Snow And Ice Away From HVAC Equipment

If you have external HVAC equipment, such as for a ductless mini-split unit, make sure you keep ice and snow away from the equipment during the winter. Snow can reduce airflow to the system, resulting in a loss of efficiency. Ice buildup can even cause your heater to break and fail. Shovel around your equipment each time it snows, and make sure it’s not under a leaking gutter or in a low spot where water pools.

Heating an older home doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you don’t need to shiver away the winter, either. Implement the tips above, and consider adding a ductless mini-split unit to your home. The central heat and air installation technicians at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning would be happy to help. We also offer home HVAC repair, maintenance, and more, so contact us soon.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/how-to-make-your-older-home-warmer-this-winter/