1. Variable Speed Blowers
After your kids and pets have finally drifted off to sleep, it can be frustrating to hear your furnace flip on. In addition to listening to your system ignite and start the fan blower, your unit might rattle because of worn or aging components. However, manufacturers have resolved this noisy problem tied to forced air furnaces.
Unlike traditional forced air furnaces, which operate on a simple on or off system, modern variable speed blowers are designed to start incrementally, speeding up to meet your personal heating needs. By starting up slowly and releasing controlled levels of air, these systems are more adept at keeping your home a steady temperature, since they don’t rely on stark dips in the ambient air temperature to trigger the simple on or off sequence.
Instead, the unit will slowly and gently heat your home, reducing strain on your ductwork and heater components. Additionally, since the system continues to circulate air after the heating has been accomplished, it improves the amount of airflow throughout your home while filtering out more fine particulates, leading to better indoor air quality.
If you are a light sleeper or your home seems drafty, doing something as simple as upgrading your furnace to a variable speed blower unit could be helpful. In addition to carefully controlling your indoor air temperature, the units are nearly silent, making your home more relaxing.
2. Zoned Heating
If you seem warm already but you find your furnace kicking on, the problem might be from poor placement of your HVAC thermostat. If your unit is in a cold, drafty, or poorly insulated part of your home, it might read the ambient air temperature cooler than it actually is, prompting the unit to turn on when it shouldn’t.
Likewise, thermostats placed in sunny or particularly warm parts of your home, such as the kitchen, may read the ambient air temperature as warmer than it really is throughout your home, keeping your furnace from turning on appropriately. Fortunately, zoned heating systems are designed to measure the temperatures throughout your home, creating a more comfortable, steady environment.
Zone heating includes using multiple thermostats placed throughout your home, giving people on each level of your home better control over the air temperature.
For instance, many people use zoned heating and separate thermostats to keep their upstairs bedroom area warmer during the parts of the day when they will be heading to bed or getting ready in the morning, while the downstairs living area thermostats can be programmed to switch on when you use those common spaces.
Furthermore, advances in motion detection and GPS technology have made zoned heating even more effective. For instance, some smart units can detect when a space is vacant versus when it is being used, triggering the heating cycle to begin appropriately. Other thermostats can track the occupant’s location to turn the heater on before the individual arrives home for the day, saving money and improving comfort.
Make your home a more efficient, comfortable place today by working with our team at Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning. With more than 40 years of experience helping people with their HVAC needs, we can help you to save money and live a better life. Contact us today to learn more.