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Is Your Heating System Failing In Virginia Beach?

By Gene Allen

Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty

February 04, 2010 01:15 AM

It is cold out there and heating systems are failing in Virginia Beach. When you start looking for a new heating system keep something important in mind that you may not have thought about. The INSTALLER!!!. You can buy a Cadillac heating system and have a YUGO installer. What you end up with is system that doesn't function the way it should.

With that in mind, what do you look for in a new heating system? Know this abbreviations.

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). This number tells you how well the furnance uses gas. If you put a dollar of gas in a 95% efficient heater you would get 95 cents back in heat.

Buy a sealed combustion furnace. The burner is sealed from the household air protecting you from cabon monoxide.

Get a variable speed fan. Speed increases and decreases as needed. The slower the moving fan the more energy is saved.

Compare, compare and compare. Often times a contractor will only offer one or two models so it is important to check around.

Don't forget there is still some money out there for the federal tax incentives but you have to buy an efficient system. Your local utility may also have a rebate available.

Finding an installer is the tough job. Look for the BBB, ask family and friends for contractors, pay attention to the details. Basically everything you would do for when contracting for any work on your house.

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Ann Hayden 636-399-7544

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO

SelectAnn.com

Gene,

My system is not failing but a new one would certainly save me some money!

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Feb 04, 2010 04:35 AM

Troy Pappas

Safe House Property Inspections - Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach Home Inspector

Good advice Gene. The best thing to do ses not wait for failure. Mechanical systems have a life span, and a good maintence program will keep you prepared for the time when your system is coming to the end. Negotiating a replacement system in the off season makes a lot more sense than paying a premium in season.

Feb 05, 2010 02:45 PM

Peter and Dawn Smith

Circle Shot Media - Vancouver, WA

Hi Gene,

Great advice. It always makes sense to keep up on the maintenance of your home, what ever the repair may be. It will absolutely save you money in the long run! Thanks for sharing.

Feb 06, 2010 11:07 AM

Daniel Rogers

Final Analysis Home Inspections - Virginia Beach, VA

What's a Yugo?..just kidding. I agree with all comments here. This post presumes all heat systems are Natural gas. But here in Hampton Roads the majority of heat systems are Heat Pumps. Keep in mind that heat pumps are only designed to be effective and efficient only during certain tempurature ranges. Not extreme heat or cold. Optimizing a heat pump for typical tempurature ranges is part of design efficiency. There is the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) to consider as well when buying a heat pump. Also keep in mind that the higher the efficiency, the higher the cost and the loger the break even period to recover your investment. Generally speaking, you can pay for a new heat system once or pay the utility company forever.

Elaborating on Genes post. One of the biggest losses in a forced air heat system is the duct work. Whether it be a brand new home or an old one, most of the heat loss I see is in antiquated, poorly maintained or low quality workmanship of the duct work causing air leaks. I can't even tell you the number of newly installed systems were the ductwork is just left falling apart and leaking everywere. That's the same as installing new shingles over a rotten roof. What's the point?

Feb 10, 2010 02:04 PM

Is Your Heating System Failing In Virginia Beach?

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