Hot Flash, Cold Flash

Just imagine being in Spearfish, South Dakota on the morning of Jan. 22 1943. Outdoor temperatures increased from -4°F to 45°F in just two minutes and eventually reached a high of 54°F. But throw your hands in the air because later that morning the temperature plunged right back to -4°F.¹  Talk an extreme temperature roller coaster! Consider yourself lucky to live in a time when consistent indoor comfort from an energy-efficient central heating system is standard. 

Hello Sunshine!

Every January, the Earth reaches perihelion — the point in its orbit that's nearest to the Sun. So, why the winter chill? Despite common misconceptions, seasonal temperatures have to do with how the Earth's axis is tilted, not how close we are to the sun. So, keep that central heating system operating in peak performance. You're probably going to need it, especially in January! 

Twins or Just Dress Alike?

In 1988, Nancy Knight, a scientist with the National Center for Atmosphere Research said she discovered two snowflakes that looked identical under a microscope. However, while the snowflakes appeared to look the same at the surface, it was later concluded that the flakes were different at the molecular level.² And so, it seems to remain true — no two snowflakes are truly identical.

Supersized Frosty

As of February 1999, Bethel, Maine volunteers had built the largest snowman on record. The structure, named “Angus, King of the Mountain,” reached 113 feet, 7 inches high. However, in 2008, the town broke its own record with the creation of “Olympia Snowe,” a 122-foot snow woman.⁴ Talk about supersizing!

Old Man Winter

Winter is more than just a season!  As of the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, there were 31,301 people with the surname Winter in the United States.⁵ So, be respectful of Old Man Winter; he’s probably someone’s grandfather. And just to be ready for his arrival, be sure to have an annual heating system check up by a licensed professional HVAC dealer.

Moisture Thief

Cold winter temperatures can be dry. If cold air works its way into your home, it may steal moisture from wherever it can find it, including you! Unfortunately, you may feel cooler as moisture evaporates off your skin. This cooling sensation may be helpful in the summer, but not during winter. Need to catch that slick moisture thief, call in backup support from your licensed professional HVAC dealer.

Cuddle Up

Even with the cozy indoor comfort created by your central heating system, you may not be able to resist celebrating January 6th. It’s National Cuddle Up Day! Snuggles all around!

Snowball Misdemeanor

Don’t be tempted to throw snowballs within the city limits of Provo, Utah. Per Provo City Ordinance, you could be found guilty of a misdemeanor.⁶ Do yourself a favor. Stay warm inside and don’t get caught up in the tomfoolery of a snowball fight.

The Heat is On!

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, up to 47% of households rely on natural gas to heat their home compared with 36% who are dependent on electricity.⁷ We aren’t sure about the remaining 17%! How are you staying warm and cozy in your home this winter?

Winter Solstice

If you happen to be in Fairbanks, Alaska on December 21, 2019, don't depend on the sun to keep you warm. It's the shortest day of the year! Sunrise is scheduled for 10:58 am and sets at 2:39 pm.³ You may only need sunglasses for 3 hours and 41 minutes that day, but you'll probably depend on your central heating system that day and all season long. 

1 Staff, T. M. (2018, January 22). 50 degrees in 2 minutes, Spearfish library celebrates record-breaking weather day. Rapid City Journal, pp. https:rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/degrees-in-minutes-spearfish-library-celebrates-recordbreaking-weather-day/article_05 e7b7793-8ad4-5517-9a10-5a27546a328a.html
2 Thangham, C. V. (2008, December 7). No two snowflakes are alike. Retrieved from Digital Journal www.digitaljournal.com/article/263168
3 Time and Date. (1995-2018). December 2018 — Sun in Fairbanks. Retrieved from timeanddate.com: www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/fairbanks?month=12
4 Press, A. (2008, March 1). Topping 122 Feet, Snowman in Maine Vies for World Record. Retrieved from Fox News: www.foxnews.com/ story/2008/03/01/topping-122-feet-snowmanin-maine-vies-for-world-record.html#r-worldrecord.html# 
5 US Census. (2010). Surnames Occurring 100 or More Times. Washington DC: US Department for Commerce. 
6 Code Publishing Company. (2018, July 18). Provo City Code. Seattle, Washington, USA. 
7 Energy Information Administration. (2017, April 6). U.S. households’ heating equipment choices are diverse and vary by climate region. Retrieved from Today in Energy: www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=30672&src=%E2%80%B9%20 Consumption%20%20%20%20%20%20Residential%20Energy%20Consumption%20Survey%20 (RECS)-f2

Have you ever heard of a heat exchanger?

What does a heat exchanger do?

A heat exchanger transfers heat energy. When your thermostat or HVAC control system signals your gas furnace to operate combustion from the burning of natural gas or propane to create heat inside the heat exchanger. When your indoor air is circulated over and around the heat exchanger, it gets warmed before it is re-circulated back to your conditioned indoor living areas.

Heat exchanger features may include:

• Wrinkle bend technology: This maintains the wall thickness of the curved section of a heat exchanger. Additionally, the wrinkle-bend technology provides a “turbulation” effect for excellent heat transfer properties.
• Sloped design: The sloped angle of the secondary heat exchanger allows for optimal condensate drainage which helps improve the performance of the heat exchanger.
• Stainless steel or aluminized steel: Heat exchanger materials with outstanding thermal and corrosion properties are selected to provide reliable warmth in your home for many years. A gas furnace’s heat exchanger is designed specifically to optimize heating performance
• One-piece, tubular construction: Joints are eliminated, reducing weak areas.

If you have questions about which gas furnace features would benefit your indoor comfort, talk to your licensed professional HVAC dealer.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine

The mission, if you wish to accept it: Enjoy cozy indoor comfort all heating season.

The sun is setting, and the intensifying cold has your home surrounded. It’s knocking on your door and peering in every window.

One defense is your central heating system, and your mission could last months. Are you sure it’s up to the task?

Don’t go into this fight alone. Call in a professional!

To accomplish your mission, your central heating assets need to be tested and confirmed operational. Check your current coordinates to find a local, reputable HVAC technician. This professionally trained resource can perform a system maintenance check to ensure the components of your heating system are in working order. Properly maintaining your HVAC systems not only protects the equipment, but it may shield you and your family from uncomfortable indoor temperatures.

You are not advised to undertake this mission alone. Unfortunately, most people don’t think about the imminent demise of their indoor heating system until it wipes out your indoor comfort. That can lead to inconvenient, unplanned and expensive fixes, and your mission could be compromised. Is your indoor comfort worth that risk?

Extreme winter conditions may attack with little warning, exposing lapses in annual heating system maintenance. This extended maintenance oversight may impact the delicate balancing act between the HVAC equipment, air flow, and mechanics. It appears that the onslaught of cold outdoor temperatures may take advantage of this imbalance. If components are not functioning as designed, the entire system may be at risk and its longevity and designed performance impacted.

Use this intelligence wisely. Contact your local professional HVAC technician to help you accomplish your mission of warm, cozy indoor comfort all season long.

As with most things… if you take care of it, it will take care of you when you need it the most. Stay cozy!

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine.

Voice-activated virtual assistants and smart hubs act as command centers for smart products like light switches, door locks, and even your coffee pot. But what about your indoor comfort? Where is the smart control center for that?

Your first guess may be the thermostat… and historically, you are correct. Indoor heating and cooling equipment had to rely on information from the thermostat to run at its designed efficiency.

However, heating and cooling equipment manufacturers are now designing models with built-in communicating technology so they don’t have to rely on the thermostat to optimize performance.

So, why does this matter to you?

Simply put, the heating and cooling equipment designed with communicating technology can make internal adjustments, as needed, to run at peak efficiency.

These high IQ systems have built-in components that can adjust operation. These systems ramp up when the demand is high and gently slow operation when the need is less than 100%. This is not only energy efficient but minimizes the temperature peaks and valleys often found with the ON/OFF cycle of a single-speed or single-stage unit. That means that you stay more comfortable in your home.

What about the thermostat?

While you still need a temperature sensing device, such as a thermostat, to detect the temperature in your home, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment with this technology can adjust its own performance without the need for a specific thermostat brand. This means you can use almost any thermostat you want, even one that connects to your virtual assistant or smart hub.

This built-in communicating technology is designed to create an intelligent indoor comfort system capable of customizing energy-efficient performance without the thermostat telling it to do so. Once you set your desired indoor temperature, you don't need to worry about making manual adjustments to your home’s heating and cooling system to ensure top performance. The smart technology in the HVAC equipment is designed to take care of the rest!

How does it work?

Smart HVAC systems designed with this technology use a smart algorithm to gather its own system performance data. It uses this data to make automatic internal adjustments that may reduce the amount of energy used to heat or cool your home without the assistance of the thermostat. A system using a smart algorithm is designed to calibrate the best way to achieve the comfort level you desire, and then uses the lowest amount of energy needed to maintain it.

If you are considering upgrading your HVAC equipment, or merely the thermostat or control system, it is best to seek the guidance of a licensed professional HVAC dealer.  They will be able to assess your indoor comfort equipment and guide you to a thermostat or HVAC control system that best fits your needs.

What to look for in a new system?

Comfort Features: Many new systems offer variable speed fans and compressors that help reduce temperature swings and communicating control technology that continuously and intelligently monitors performance to offer customized indoor comfort.

Reliability: Quality materials, proven manufacturing processes, and final run testing help to reinforce the reliability of consistent indoor comfort.

Efficiency Rating: Minimum energy efficiency standards and attainable ratings have been increasing, providing homeowners with additional high-efficiency options for heating and cooling systems.

Value: More efficient systems may cost more up front, but may qualify for rebates and save you money on energy costs over time.

Unit Installation: Proper sizing and professional installation of a system customized to your home’s design are key factors in achieving tested efficiency ratings, lower operating costs, and consistent indoor comfort.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine.

Sweet Dreams 

Every person’s ideal indoor temperature setting seems to be different. You probably know someone who sweats at 75°F and another who starts shivering at the thought of 74°F. The good news is that today’s thermostats and smart HVAC control systems allow you to customize your ideal temperature according to your preferences and schedule, even when you aren’t at home!

Programming

By pre-programming thermostat settings that align with your lifestyles and preferences, you can create an indoor environment that makes you and your home comfortable, and potentially save money in the process.

So what temperature is in your comfort zone?

Activity level, gender, and age may play a role in what you consider to be a comfortable indoor temperature. Your ideal temperature may be very different from anyone else living in your home. To keep the peace, you may have to try a few temperatures to determine which is the most comfortable for your household. 

If you aren’t sure what indoor temperatures are comfortable, start out by programming your thermostat with the following ENERGY STAR® suggestions. It won’t take too long to realize if you are too hot or cold in your home!

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine.

Source: www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/ HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL_9-4-09.pdf 

1 Coyne College. (n.d.). Some Like it Hot: How Americans Feel About Temperature. Retrieved from Coyne College News: www.coynecollege.edu/ news/ideal-temperatures-heat-cool/#

Winter weather can be extreme and can make us uncomfortable! When outdoor conditions become unbearable, people need the shelter of indoor comfort. Good thing there are reliable, energy-efficient indoor comfort solutions to keep you comfortable – no matter what weather comes your way.

Even if you don’t live in one of the cities below, make sure your indoor comfort equipment can handle these extreme conditions!

Winter Wonderlands

When temperatures plummet and snow covers your front lawn for months at a time, a high-efficiency central gas furnace may be an excellent solution to help keep your home warm and comfortable – especially if you live in one of these chilly cities:

• Grand Forks, North Dakota — According to data collected by NOAA over a 30-year period, this Canadian border town averages -3°F in winter.¹

• Syracuse, New York — Cold and snowy!  Multiple sub-zero days and an average of 124 inches of snow per year.¹

• Flagstaff, Arizona – This high desert city boasts an average of 77 inches of snow per year and January low temperatures average 11°F.²

• Marquette, Michigan — Lake-effect snow often produces nearly 150 inches of snow per year.² • Erie, Pennsylvania – Annual snowfall of approximately 102 inches.² That’s a lot of snowmen in one season!

• Erie, Pennsylvania – Annual snowfall of approximately 102 inches.² That’s a lot of snowmen in one season!

It’s the Humidity…And the Rain

In places where it's too warm for snow, umbrellas can get some heavy-duty use all year along! But excessive rain and the humidity that accompanies it may make your home uncomfortable indoors. If you live in one of these areas, a whole house dehumidifier may save the day. Whole house dehumidifiers reduce the level of humidity from your home's air, even when you don't need your central air conditioner or heat pump.

• Mobile, Alabama – This city receives the most rainfall, an average of 67 inches, according to a study by WeatherBill, Inc.²

• Tampa, Florida – Averages 246 sunny days per year but this city has the highest number of days with thunderstorms in the United States with lightning occurring about 83 days every year.²

• Houston, Texas - Mornings can reach a peak average humidity level of 90%, compounding the discomfort of Houstonians on the 100 days each year when temperatures reach 90°F+. ²

• Seattle, Washington - Seattle endures up to 147 rainy days per year. The rain is often light drizzle, but the clouds are enough to obscure the sun for much of the year.²

• Buffalo, New York - Buffalo usually takes the title of cloudiest city in America with an average of 311 partially cloudy days per year, three more than Seattle.²

The Kitchen Sink

If you live in Lubbock Texas, you may want to be sure you maximize your indoor comfort solutions with reliable, energy-efficient equipment. It's even possible that a dual-fuel system may work best for you!

Dual-fuel technology combines the cooling and heating performance that you get from a heat pump with the consistent heating capacity of a gas furnace. What makes this system so precise and energy efficient for heating is that it alternates between the two energy sources for heating comfort, depending on your specific outdoor conditions.This city seems to have nearly every weather possible!

• Lubbock, Texas – This northwest Texas town boasts extreme temperatures, tornados, dust storms, and firestorms.²

No matter where you live or the weather forecasted in your area, a properly installed indoor comfort system can help you feel comfortable. 


This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine.  

1 Comen, Evan. America’s 50 Coldest Cities. 2018 March 2018. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/americas-50-coldestcities/70004400. 27 September 2018.
2 Reddigari, Manasa. These 30 Places Have the Worst Weather in America. 18 January 2018. https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/these-30-places-have-the-worst-weather-in-america-51814. 7 February 2018.

Filtration

Mild temperatures create the temptation to let the fresh air inside your home. But along with fresh air, you may welcome in pollen, allergens, and more. Over-the-top spring cleaning alone can’t ensure improved indoor air quality. If standard HVAC air filters aren’t doing the job, ultraviolet (UV) purification products installed on HVAC equipment may elevate your indoor air quality.

A UV purification system uses ultraviolet light technology to help deactivate microbial contaminants, without harsh chemicals. For almost 100 years, ultraviolet lamps have been used in a wide range of sterilization applications, including water treatment, food processing and disinfection of hospital equipment.

Now that’s a breath of fresh air!

Dehumidification

During the spring and summer months, heat can be accompanied by high humidity. Air conditioners or heat pumps may remove some of the indoor humidity as it cools your indoor spaces, but depending on the steamy circumstances, it may not be enough!

A whole-house dehumidifier can make your home comfortable when indoor humidity levels are an issue! High indoor humidity (the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air) can make your home feel very uncomfortable. Excessive levels may affect electrical equipment, expensive heirloom furniture, musical instruments, and more. 

A dehumidifier may:

• Lower the relative humidity in your home to a comfortable level

• Reduce the cold, clammy feeling that comes from lowering the temperature on your thermostat to reduce the humidity level in your home

• Help create an environment where dust mites struggle to survive.⁶

• Help protect your hardwood flooring from warping

To learn more about available indoor air essential equipment and which product is right for your home, talk to your licensed professional HVAC dealer.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine. 

The air in your home should be comfortable and inviting — no matter what the season. However, the list of compromising air quality culprits can be extensive and different each season! Ventilation issues, excessive humidity, not enough humidity, smoke, mites, dust…and the list can go on! For most homeowners, there is likely a whole-house indoor air quality solution. In fact, we refer to them as indoor air essentials.

Filtration

Opening doors, walking, sitting, cooking, and even sleeping brings in and stirs up “stuff” in the air.  That “stuff” found floating in the ductwork in your home is often called “particulates.” Those pesky indoor particulates need to be removed. That’s where filtration becomes important to indoor air quality. 

A standard HVAC return air filter is designed to capture large-sized particulates and is crucial to the performance of your HVAC system. Routinely replacing the air filter as directed by the manufacturer's guidelines can help protect your HVAC equipment. According to the EPA, a clogged air filter can increase your air conditioner's energy consumption by up to 15%.¹

Residential furnaces and heat pumps commonly use 1 to 4 MERV rated filters. MERV means Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. These filters may stop larger particles from passing through to the HVAC equipment.

When the MERV rating number is high, there is a better chance of trapping “a significant fraction of cat and dog allergens, and a small portion of dust mite allergens.”² But, some residential HVAC systems may not be designed to accommodate high MERV rated filters. Therefore, talk with your licensed professional HVAC dealer about your HVAC manufacturer’s recommended filter type and MERV ratings.

Ventilation

While it’s great to have a tight, well-insulated home to save on energy bills and keep you comfortable during these cold, winter months, your sealed home construction can trap  stale air. Pet smells, cooking odors, and off-gassing of household furnishings, like carpets and furniture, may combine to create an indoor environment that‘s not as fresh or comfortable for your family as you‘d like.

What is the solution to ventilation issues in the winter months?

• Heat Recovery Ventilators: HRVs work by bringing fresh air into your home while expelling dry, stale air.

This is particularly helpful during the winter months when opening a window could compromise your comfort and energy bill. The heat from the indoor air is transferred to the fresh, outdoor air brought in by the HRV, maintaining the cozy comfort and freshness.

• Energy Recovery Ventilators: ERVs exchange heat from the stale indoor air to the fresh air drawn into your home while keeping moisture in the air where you want it. This may be especially helpful on cold, dry days.

Humidification

Are you constantly reaching for that lip balm or body lotion? If so, you may be experiencing the effects of low humidity, a common indoor comfort issue during the winter months. Proper humidification is an important part of indoor comfort, but it also helps to lessen static electricity and other damaging effects to furniture and other fixtures in your home. In general, a comfortable humidity level recommended by various environmental organizations may range between 30-60%. 

If dry air seems to be an indoor air quality concern in your home, a whole team team humidifier. These devices are designed to automatically maintain comfortable and consistent humidity levels in homes when dry indoor air might cause problems. If you sense that your outdoor comfort is being sacrificed by extremely low indoor. If you sense that your indoor comfort is being sacrificed by extremely low indoor humidity levels, contact your licensed professional HVAC dealer for possible whole-house solution.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine. 

1  Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). (n.d.). Retrieved from EPA: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/residential-air-cleaners-second-edition-summary-available-information_.html
2 Nowak, Matt, Brodsky, Eric, Curd, Duncan, Wolfe, Jeremy. Humidity and Occupants. Arlington, VA: AHRI, 30 January 2017. Presentation. 

Looking for some new conversation starters to break the ice?

Here is a list of intriguing questions to get the friendly conversations started.

• What’s your favorite thing to do on a cold, blistery day?
• What was your latest “binge watch” show?
• If you could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of your life, which restaurant would you choose?
• What temperature is your thermostat set at during the winter?
• If time froze for one day for everyone except you, what would you do?
• If you had to change your name, what would your cool new name be?
• What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
• What is the worst winter weather you have ever experienced?
• What should have gotten in trouble for as a kid, but didn’t?
• If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
• Name one thing you admire about everyone in the room.
• Where would you go if you could vacation for free?
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
• What is the most comfortable room in your home and why?
• If fall or winter needed a new mascot, what would you pick?

With the arrival of a cold north wind and crisp, falling temperatures, you may find yourself drawn to the cozy, heated retreat of your home. Welcome to heating season!  

To keep comfortable when outdoor temperatures fall, you may turn to a gas furnace or heat pump to heat your home. When installed and functioning as designed, these central heating essentials provide warmth and indoor comfort — even when outdoor temperatures become frigid and frosty. Let’s take a closer look at central heating equipment that helps make you comfortable during the heating season!

The Efficiency of a Gas Furnace

High heating bills can make you hot under the collar — which can be really uncomfortable!  So, it’s important to know about the energy efficiency rating of your gas furnace. Every gas furnace model is rated for its efficiency with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) percentage number. The higher the number, the more efficient the gas furnace is rated.

Let’s break it down. If a gas furnace has an AFUE rating of 80%, it means 80% of the energy of the fossil fuel is being converted to heat. A 98% AFUE rating means that only 2% of the energy is not transferred to heating capacity. So when you think about what it costs to heat your home with a gas furnace, consider the AFUE.

Comfort Features

Some gas furnace models come with features that may improve your comfort level during the heating season. One of these features is the gas furnace’s “stage.” The stage is all about the gas valve and the burner.

Single-Stage Gas Furnace: This type simply operates either as ON or OFF. It doesn’t offer the option of adjusting the gas flow. This is similar to turning your burner on the stove or grill on high and then off.

Two-Stage Gas Furnace:  A two-stage gas furnace has two settings: high and low. This feature allows for operation depending on your heating needs — full gas flow for when more heat is needed or a lower flow for milder days.

Multi-stage or Modulating Gas Furnace: Like the heat on a gas stove or grill, the burner can adjust from high to low, and multiple levels in between. Once the gas furnace heats your home to your desired indoor temperature, the burner automatically adjusts to provide just the right amount of heat required to maintain the set temperature.

The Details of a Gas Furnace

1. Propane or natural gas fuel generates heat in the furnace’s burners.
2. The heat produced passes through a heat exchanger.
3. Air from the home’s ductwork is blown over the heat exchange, warming the air.
4. The furnace’s blower then forces the heated air into the supply ductwork,  distributing it throughout the home.
   
   

Heat Pump

If you use electricity to heat your home, you may rely on a heat pump to keep you warm during the cold months of the year. From the outside, this equipment may look similar to an air conditioner. In fact, a heat pump is capable of cooling your home just like an air conditioner. But when temperatures fall, a heat pump is designed to reverse the heat transfer process and create heat inside your house.

Yes, that may sound hard to believe, but it’s true! Today’s heat pumps can pull enough heat energy from freezing outdoor temperatures to provide warm, comfortable temperatures in your home. Heat pumps aren’t just used in locations with mild winters. Advanced engineering and technology have allowed these split systems to be used in areas with extended periods of subfreezing temperatures.

Efficiency Ratings

Like most people, you probably want to spend as little money as possible on home heating. But, you also want to stay warm and comfortable in your home. That’s why it’s important to understand the efficiency rating of heat pumps.

Just like other home heating equipment, every heat pump model achieves a specific heating efficiency number. This number is called the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, or HSPF. That number represents the total heat output of a heat pump, including its supplementary electric heat, as compared to the total electricity consumed in watt-hours during the same period.^* If you are looking for a high-efficiency heat pump, compare one model’s HSPF to another. The higher the number, the more efficient it is rated.

Comfort Features

You may not realize how many enhanced features are now available on modern heat pump systems. These advanced features are designed to boost your indoor comfort level and could possibly save you money on your monthly utility bills. Some heat pump models feature a two-stage or variable speed compressor. This may sound complicated, but it allows the heat pump to operate at different speeds – giving your heat pump more operational options that simply ON or OFF.

If it’s too cold inside, your heat pump’s compressor and circulating fan may operate at 100% heating capacity to reach the desired temperature. But to maintain that temperature for longer periods of time, the system’s compressor and circulating fan may be able to pull back on its output from 100%. This is where two-stage or variable speed technology comes in.

Benefits of a heat pump with a two-stage or variable-speed compressor includes:

Consistent Indoor Comfort – With its ability to adjust output, your two-stage or variable speed heat pump may minimize the hot and cold peaks and valleys often found with the ON/OFF cycle of a single-stage unit. The lower stage capacity is able to maintain the pre-set temperature longer than if the system turns off when it reaches the pre-set temperature. This allows for steady heating in your home.

Dehumidification – When it’s cold and damp, the longer run times at lower speeds of a two-stage or variable speed model allow additional time for moisture to be removed from your home’s interior spaces. While the main job of your heating system is to alter the indoor air’s temperature, these comfort-creating pieces of equipment may lower the indoor humidity level as a by-product of the heating process. Better humidity control leaves you with more comfortable interior air.

Energy Efficient – You may think that because a two-stage or variable speed model operates longer than a single-stage unit that it would use more electricity, but that’s not the case! Electricity usage peaks when a system turns ON and operate at full capacity. Rather than cycling ON and OFF, the heat pump’s compressor adjusts to maintain the set temperature and therefore reduces energy consumption.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine

*  Air-Source Heat Pumps. (n.d.). Retrieved from Energy.gov: https://energy.gov/energysaver/airsource-heat-pumps

Did you know that reliability, lifespan, energy-efficiency and consistent indoor comfort levels may be directly linked to the proper, professional installation of your heating and cooling system?

What’s a homeowner to do?

Most heating and cooling technicians are local, hardworking folks who honestly want to find the most affordable solutions to your home's heating and cooling problems. Yet, all HVAC technicians are not created equal! Even the most seasoned ones will agree with that statement. 

As with any home service contractor, it's important to know the local reputation of your potential HVAC dealer — especially when it comes to quality work, value and customer service. A National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) study states that if your high-efficiency equipment is installed improperly, it may not be running as efficiently as you think!¹ That could cost extra energy dollars on your monthly utility bills.

To hire a qualified professional that best fits the job:

• Check the equipment manufacturer’s independent dealer locator 

• Get local referrals

• Read reviews often located on equipment manufacturer’s website

• How many years has your HVAC company been in business?
• Does the state/city/county require you to be registered or licensed to do HVAC work?
• Are your technicians certified to handle refrigerants?
• Do you have a permanent place of business?
• Do you carry both general liability and workers compensation insurance?
• Do your service technicians wear uniforms and ID badges?
• How often do your technicians receive training?
• Do you offer 24-hour emergency service?
• What preventive maintenance programs are offered and what is included?
• Do you provide a limited warranty on your labor and installation?

Whether your home’s heating and cooling system is in need of routine maintenance, emergency repairs or a total replacement, selecting a qualified HVAC contractor is essential.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine. 

1 Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Variable-speed, low-cost motor for residential HVAC systems. n.d. https://energy.gov/eere/amo/variable-speed-low-cost-motor-residential-hvac-systems. 

Did you know that one of the first smart home computers was built in 1966? While the Electronic Computing Home Operator named ECHO IV was never commercially sold, its primitive design was intended to control some of the home’s functions, including an alarm clock, stereo, and even the furnace’s thermostat.¹

A True Visionary

According to a Computer History Museum blog article on the ECHO IV, Jim Sutherland, the quiet engineers from Pittsburgh, built the computer from obsolete parts of a Westinghouse computer. The system with several terminals and keypads weighed in excess of 3,200 lbs. At the time, it was a novelty for a home to have a computer and even sparked some concerns from the population.

Yet, in an insightful excerpt from a paper presented to the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) Convention, Sutherland’s wife, Ruth, wrote, “At this point, I cannot say or even comprehend all the things that a computer someday will be doing for our homes, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could provide more time for parents to spend with their children, therefore, making every home a happier one?” 

The Bridge to Smart Home Comfort

The 1960’s AHEA Convention survey on ‘how home computers could help with daily lives’ revealed that homeowners felt that technology could help control indoor temperature and humidity. Fast forward to today’s ComfortBridge communicating technology, which is factory-installed into select Amana brand heating and cooling systems. It adds another layer to the smart home movement. This technology “bridges” indoor comfort and the smart home concept beyond the thermostat. And, it doesn’t even need to be hard-wired to a computer! Jim Sutherland and his family would be amazed!

Inside the gas furnace or air handler, the ComfortBridge technology’s algorithm gathers the heating and cooling system’s performance data and uses it to make automatic adjustments to the system’s performance. These adjustments can often help minimize the amount of energy used to heat or cool a home. And, since the technology is built into the equipment, it alleviates most of the smart thermostat compatibility concerns.

Home automation technology, smart home applications, and consumer expectations continue to change at a rapid pace. In fact, in the next few years, smart homes may be just as common as the smartphone.  

To help bring your home into the future, Amana brand is offering free Google^® Smart Home Bundles through December 31, 2019 with the purchase of select Amana brand systems with ComfortBridge communicating technology.

To learn more, visit the Smart Home Bundles web page or contact your local Amana brand dealer. 

1. Spicer, D. (2016, May 31). Computer History Museum Blog. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from Computer History Museum.

You probably know someone who sweats at 75°F and another who starts shivering at the thought of 74°F. Every person’s ideal indoor temperature setting seems to be different, especially when you are trying to get to sleep!

The good news is that today’s thermostats and smart HVAC control systems allow you to customize your ideal temperature according to your preferences and schedule, even when you aren’t at home!

Programming Comfort

By pre-programming thermostat settings that align with your lifestyles and preferences, you can create an indoor environment that makes you and your home comfortable, and potentially save money in the process.

So what temperature is in your comfort zone?

A college survey revealed that 42% of the 1,000 people surveyed said they prefer to sleep in temperatures that range from 66°F -70°F.¹ 

Activity level, gender, and age may play a role in what you consider to be a comfortable indoor temperature. Your ideal temperature may be very different from anyone else living in your home. To keep the peace, you may have to try a few temperatures to determine which is the most comfortable for your household.It won’t take too long to realize if you are too hot or cold in your home!

If you aren’t sure what indoor temperatures are comfortable, start out by programming your thermostat with the following ENERGY STAR^® suggestions.

1 Coyne College. (n.d.). Some Like it Hot: How Americans Feel About Temperature. Retrieved from Coyne College News: https://www.coynecollege.edu/news-events/

Here are some suggested gestures that can express your American pride and show your appreciation of veterans or current military members:

Fly the United States Flag - Show your American pride by displaying the flag. Speak with your neighbors or homeowner association to come up with ideas on how your community can honor veterans by displaying the flag. Whether your display is large or small, be sure you know the proper way to hang or display the American Flag.

Attend a parade – Parades are a great way to show your support for your community military members and veteran who have served. You not only get to cheer on your local heroes, but you may also meet new families who live in your area. 

Donate – There are many charitable organizations that assist current and former military personnel and their families. The organizations often supply physical, emotional or financial support to our American heroes in need.

Write a letter to a service member – A simple note, postcard or e-card that recognizes someone’s service is very much appreciated by our deployed Americans who are away from the comforts of home – often for months at a time. If you don't know any military personnel, there are a variety of charitable organizations, such as Soldiers’ Angels or A Million Thanks, that connect civilians with military personnel.

Create a military care package - Care packages allow you to send small comforts of home to a deployed military service member. Items often range from travel size luxury toiletries and lip balm to individually packaged snacks and water flavoring packets. If you need a list of items to include in your care package, check out the numerous military care package inspiration boards on Pinterest.

Hire a Veteran – If you are in the position to hire a veteran, you may end up being the lucky one! Veterans know what it means to get a job done. These individuals, who were trained to be team players with mission-focused discipline, often become valuable contributors from the first day on the job.

This article was included in the Just Comfort™ Magazine.

The plane tickets are bought, the resort rooms are booked, and the kids’ activities are scheduled. You’ve picked out the perfect location for your family vacation. But have you thought about what could happen at your home while you’re away? Wouldn’t it be great if you could pack some peace of mind on some of the largest home investments you left behind?

If a critical home system unexpectedly stops working while you are away, the consequences and expense can compound. Even a small problem can become a large problem over time! With a little help from technology, smart home solutions are available to help monitor your home’s critical systems. Smart home automation solutions may not only detect home system issues, but the technology can be programmed to send out a notification to your smartphone or even respond accordingly. Imagine being able to handle a problem before it turns into a major catastrophe! Now, doesn’t that give you peace of mind!

Indoor Comfort Solutions

Wireless-enabled thermostats and HVAC control systems allow you to monitor your home’s temperature remotely. Certain smart control systems may be set up to send out instant alerts that identify pre-set temperature adjustment opportunities and critical care issues. Depending on the model installed by your licensed professional heating and air conditioning dealer, these notifications may alert you to:

• Change your air filter 
• Schedule maintenance 
• A-typical indoor temperature readings

If the temperature in your home reaches outside of pre-set levels, you may be alerted about a situation with your HVAC system. Imagine being able to schedule an HVAC service call before you arrive back home to a hot house!

Temperature sensors are wireless devices that connect to your thermostat or HVAC control system. These sensors allow you to customize the indoor temperatures using temperature/humidity level readings from particular rooms. Based on the readings, the indoor temperature automatically adjusts to meet your set preferences.

If you have more than one thermostat or control system, a series of wireless sensors can communicate to a particular zone.

Energy Solutions

How many times have you left the house wondering if your lights, coffee pot, or flat iron was still on? It happens more than you think!  Smart home automation solutions may allow you to check the status of these plugged in devices through an app on your smartphone.

Smart energy switches allow you to turn any power outlet in your home into a smart outlet. There are even “heavy duty” smart switches for appliances that require a substantial electricity load, such as an air conditioner.

But what if you could intelligently monitor your home’s energy usage in real time — seeing exactly how much you spend on energy in your home at any given point in the day or night. Smart home energy meters may give you that capability. In fact, some energy meters offer a complete home energy breakdown profile of where you’re using energy, when you’re using it, and how much it costs you in real-time. And let’s face it, saving more energy at home may mean saving more money on your monthly utility bill.

What would you do with a little extra cash every month?  Maybe you could start planning your next vacation! And this time when you travel, you will have the peace-of-mind knowing that you intelligently control your home with automated solutions that fit your lifestyle.


This article was included in the 2018 summer edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine

You have probably heard the phrase, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!”  So if that statement applies to the INSIDE of your home, it’s a lot less comforting! High indoor humidity (the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air) can make your home feel very uncomfortable. Excessive levels may affect electrical equipment, expensive heirloom furniture, musical instruments, and more.  Air conditioners or heat pumps may remove some of the indoor humidity as it cools your indoor spaces, but depending on the steamy circumstances, it may not be enough!

Indoor Humidity Assessment

If you have experienced or witnessed any of the following in your home, you may have an issue with excessive humidity.

• A lingering, musty odor in your living areas, basement, or crawl space
• Water stains or condensation on the inside of the windows of your home
• Cupped wood paneling
• Warping wood floors
• Peeling wallpaper
• Blistering paint on walls
• Rooms that feel “cold and clammy”
• Rooms that feel “muggy”

If you notice any of these issues, the relative humidity level in your home may be too high. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor relative humidity levels should be kept below 60%, ideally between 30%-50%.¹ Depending on the geographical location of your home and the time of year, a solution for elevated indoor humidity control is a dehumidifier.

The Basics of Dehumidification

Indoor comfort is more than adjusting the temperature on the thermostat. Your thermostat controls the temperature in your home, not the humidity. Lowering the thermostat setting below your “normal” in an attempt to lower the humidity may just result in higher energy bills. Some smart thermostats or HVAC control systems offer a dehumidification setting that will cause your cooling system to achieve a specified humidity level instead of a temperature setting.

The dehumidification process works in the following ways: 

Refrigeration Cycle – The refrigeration process removes moisture from the indoor air as it passes over a refrigerated coil. Dehumidification is often a by-product of turning ON your air conditioner or heat pump in cooling mode.

Absorption/adsorption – Moisture is absorbed into or adsorbed onto a drying material and then removed.  If you have questions about the level of humidity in your home, you should contact a licensed professional HVAC dealer who can assess your home’s specific scenario. 

What does dehumidification do for my home? Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary. So the last thing you want is for it to feel damp and uncomfortable!  If you have learned that your home has excess indoor humidity, a dehumidifier may help you say “hello” to a new state of comfort. A dehumidifier may:

• Lower the relative humidity in your home to a comfortable level
• Reduce the cold, clammy feeling that comes from lowering the temperature on your thermostat to reduce the humidity level in your home
• Help create an environment where dust mites can’t survive (when the air is maintained below 50% relative humidity) ²
• Help protect your hardwood flooring from warping

To learn more about available dehumidifiers and which product is right for your home, talk to your licensed professional HVAC dealer. 


This article was included in the 2018 summer edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine

1 Environmental Protection Agency. Why and Where Mold Grows. n.d. https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-2. 24 October 2017.
2 Journal of Allergy and Clinic Immunology, Volume 104, Number 4, Part 1.

Don’t you wish you could control the hair-raising, high humidity that often comes with the summer season? While Mother Nature is still in charge of the outdoors, home cooling technology and innovative products give us the power to control indoor humidity! And you know what that means….a few more good hair days.

Cool it with the Humidity!

Depending on where you live, your indoor spaces may be prone to high humidity levels. While your central air conditioner or heat pump cools the air to a set temperature, the cooling process may help to lower the indoor humidity level.¹ This is often why your indoor air feels refreshing when your cooling system is running. But like some hair care products, your air conditioner or heat pump may not be capable of controlling a continuous humidity problem. Here are a few common reasons why your air conditioner or heat pump may not reduce indoor humidity levels.

Tons of Tonnage: A unit that is too large for your home may cool your indoor space quickly, but cycle off before providing incidental dehumidification. These shorter blasts of cool air may lead to roller coaster levels of home comfort – cold, warm, cold, warm, and so on…

Short Run Times: The longer a central air conditioner or heat pump runs, the more time it has to reduce humidity levels. A single-stage air conditioner or heat pump runs at 100% capacity until it reaches your preset indoor temperature, and then turns off.  However, a two-stage or variable speed system runs longer at a lower speed which can allow more moisture to be removed from the interior air.

When it’s time for a new AC system, consider investing in the upgraded technology of a two-stage or variable speed system. With these type systems, you may also notice lower energy bills compared to a single-stage system.

Open Ventilation: You wouldn’t want to open all your windows on a hot and humid day. You also don’t want to be in an airtight room. When your home’s ventilation system is not designed or installed properly, it may dramatically degrade the quality of the air in a home.

Over-ventilated homes may pull muggy air into your home, while airtight homes may trap humidity in your living spaces. If you are experiencing excessive humidity in your home, be sure to have a licensed, professional HVAC dealer inspect your home’s ventilation system.

Thermostat Fan Setting: Fans may make you feel cooler, because the moving air wicks away some moisture from your skin. Unfortunately, fans do not offer the same dehumidification properties associated with the refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner or heat pump, or dehumidifier. This Old HVAC System: Even with proper maintenance and the dedicated efforts of a highly-skilled HVAC contractor, an aging air conditioner or heat pump may not be running as efficiently as it did the day it was installed, years ago.

This Old HVAC System: Even with proper maintenance and the dedicated efforts of a highly-skilled HVAC contractor, an aging air conditioner or heat pump may not be running as efficiently as it used to. 

Most people appreciate when the temperature, especially the indoor temperature, is “just right.” Humidity control of your home’s indoor air is essential to ensuring that the temperature you set on the thermostat or control system is ‘just right’ for you and your family. And… this will go a long way in keeping frizzy hair in check before you walk out your door!


This article was included in the 2018 summer edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine

1 American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Top Ten Things About Air Conditioning. n.d. https://www.ashrae.org/resources--publications/free-resources/top-ten-things-about-air-conditioning#10. 4 May 2017.