You may be familiar with the ENERGY STAR label on energy efficient heating and cooling equipment, but did you know there are also Quality Installation (QI) guidelines to help ensure that heating and cooling equipment is installed properly? Nearly half of all heating and cooling equipment in U.S. homes never performs to its advertised capacity and efficiency due to incorrect installation, which means homeowners pay higher operating costs over the life of the equipment.

The ENERGY STAR QI program helps homeowners identify contractors who install heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to the QI guidelines. By purchasing high efficiency equipment and having it properly installed, a homeowner can lower their energy bills, increase comfort in their home, and extend the useful life of their equipment.

The ENERGY STAR QI program requires a local sponsor, such as an electric or gas utility. For more information on ENERGY STAR QI program in your area, contact your local sponsor. But even if your utility does not yet offer an ENERGY STAR QI program, you may be able to find local contractors who follow some of the Quality Installation procedures. Use the Bid Comparison Checklist (350KB) to help find the right contractor for you.

When your new heating and cooling equipment is installed to meet ENERGY STAR Quality Installation Guidelines, you avoid common installation problems that can reduce the efficiency of your home. These improvements to efficiency can reduce your heating and cooling costs by as much as 30%.

ENERGY STAR Quality Installation Guidelines, are based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA) HVAC Quality Installation Specification, and is recognized as an American National Standard. These industry best practices help ensure that your new equipment is:

Whether you are installing a new system or replacing existing heating and cooling equipment, installing equipment properly is essential to getting the best performance.

Estimated savings potential with QI ranges from 18% to 36% for air conditioners and heat pumps and 11% to 18% for furnaces.

The charts below show the losses in typical residential HVAC systems. Quality installations help deliver the equipment's full potential.

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ENERGY STAR Quality Installation : ENERGY STAR

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Bert Markgraf

Bert Markgraf is a freelance writer with a strong science and engineering background. He started writing technical papers while working as an engineer in the 1980s. More recently, after starting his own business in IT, he helped organize an online community for which he wrote and edited articles as managing editor, business and economics. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University.

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The installation of geothermal heating and cooling requires an interior heat pump and outside piping to collect the heat. For water source heat pumps, water from a well is piped to the heat pump and then injected into a second well or spilled into a creek or ditch. For ground source heat pumps, a water-based antifreeze mixture is pumped through pipes buried in the ground and circulated through the heat pump. Both types of heat pump require more ducting for forced-air heating than conventional furnaces.

Calculate the size of heat pump required. If you are replacing an existing furnace, it will have a Btu rating. If it is a new installation, a survey of the heat requirements of the house must be carried out. The heat pump will have either a Btu rating or it will have a coefficient of performance (COP) and an energy input in Btu. Multiply the energy input by the COP to get the heat output. Match the heat requirements of the house as closely as possible, taking into consideration that the heat requirements of a new house increase as insulation sags and door and window seals age.

Choose a ground source or water source heat pump by looking at the possibility of drilling wells or digging long, 6-foot-deep ditches in your area. Water source heat pumps require a well which will yield about 5 gallons per minute but a second well is often required to absorb this amount of water. Wells take up little space but are usually the more expensive option.

Ground source heat pumps use pipes buried deep in the ground as a heat source. Vertical shafts as for a well are an option if there is little space and no water. The least expensive solution is usually to bury piping 6 feet deep in the ground but this requires about half an acre of land and ground which can be excavated. One of these solutions will be the least expensive and most appropriate for your project.

Drill the well or vertical shafts or bury the ground source piping as per the heat pump manufacturer's instructions. Water source heat pumps have fewer specific requirements for the water circulating in and out of the heat pump but make sure the required volume is available. The water hardness is also important to minimize scaling.

The requirements for the ground source heat pump are more particular. Manufacturers will usually specify the water based mixture, the size and type of pipe, the spacing, the depth at which it must be buried and the back-fill procedure. Most home owners use qualified installers to carry out this work.

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Geothermal Heating & Cooling Installation | eHow

Marissa Robert

Marissa Robert graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English language and literature. She has extensive experience writing marketing campaigns and business handbooks and manuals, as well as doing freelance writing, proofreading and editing. While living in France she translated manuscripts into English. She has published articles on various websites and also periodically maintains two blogs.

Geothermal heating is making great strides into commonplace usage in this day of increased environmental awareness. Whether you want to have a smaller impact on the environment or you want lower energy bills, consider replacing your less efficient forced air system with a geothermal heating system. It requires a larger up front investment than traditional heating systems do, but it pays for itself in the savings you see on your heating bills within a few years.

How to Install Geothermal Heating & Cooling Systems. Geothermal heating is making great strides into commonplace usage in this day of increased...

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are based on the temperature differential between an underground source and a building to be heated or...

The installation of geothermal heating and cooling requires an interior heat pump and outside piping to collect the heat. For water source...

How to Install Geothermal Heating & Cooling Systems. Geothermal heating is making great strides into commonplace usage in this day of increased...

How to Install Geothermal Home Heating Systems. Geothermal heat pumps were first developed in the 1940s. ... How to Install Geothermal Heating...

Closed loop geothermal heat pump systems take advantage of the consistent geothermal temperature to mitigate heating and cooling costs. Some geothermal heat...

Renewable energy technologies are enjoying a huge surge in popularity. Ground source heat exchanges, in particular, are on the rise. A few...

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How to Install Geothermal Heating & Cooling Systems | eHow

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Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing in Chicago is a family owned and operated business founded on the basic principles of honesty, integrity, and excellence. It has always been our goal to offer our customers exceptional services at the best possible price, and we will not settle for less than total customer satisfaction.

This dedication to customer service has allowed Four Seasons to grow from a one man, one truck business operating out of a garage into the Midwest's largest, most award-winning HVAC contractor.

We look forward to proving why Four Seasons is the best HVAC contractor in the Chicago region. For all the right reasons, choose Four Seasons for every heating, cooling, and plumbing need!

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Heating and air conditioning is one of the most important investments youll make in your home. If youve every suffered through a broken heating system in the middle of winter, or a broken air conditioning system in the dog days of summer, you know why. As your system ages, it loses its ability to efficiently heat and cool your home. If your system is 10 years or older, it may be time for a replacement.

Sears offers a full line of top brands like Kenmore and Carrier, which have proven records of reliability and energy cost savings. Take a look at these great brands and imagine a more comfortable home today:

For ENERGY STAR-rated HVAC equipment, savings can range from 10-30%.

Sears makes customer satisfaction and comfort our top priority. If you have an urgent need regarding your heating or cooling system, please call 1-877-275-4193 and our specialists will be happy to assist you.

From determining what type of HVAC system to buy, to figuring out which accessories work best for your home, theres a lot to consider. Sears takes the headache out of your search by offering a full range of heating and cooling products all in one location. These include:

Heating: - heat pumps - forced air furnaces - hot water/hydronic heating systems

Cooling: - central cooling systems - heat pumps

Plus! Sears offers manufacturers limited product warranties of up to 10 years on all heating and cooling systems, and a full one-year limited warranty on installation. Protect your investment and enjoy worry-free comfort in your home all year long.

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Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Experts at Sears Home Services and Home ...

Do you Want More Energy Efficiency from Your AC?

Most homeowners are always willing to find ways to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their electricity bills. Did you know that something as simple as having your St. Louis air conditioning system maintained regularly can improve your energy efficiency? Accumulated dust or debris in your system, faulty parts, or even dirty filters can all have an impact on how hard your unit has to work just to keep your home cooled. The trained and certified technicians at Peters Heating and Cooling can assess your system and make sure there arent any issues standing in the way of your units efficiency. Call us today and schedule a regular maintenance appointment to keep your system in top working order!

Most people dont realize that they should have their AC systems looked at twice each year by an AC service company in St. Louis. For that reason, air conditioning systems are often neglected for years at a time and small problems turn into larger problems that may require extensive repair. Regular maintenance can keep your system in top working order and can help prevent larger and more costly issues. In fact, regular maintenance may even help increase the life span of your unit. Normal use can take its toll on your air conditioning system, but the technicians at Peters Heating and Cooling can help keep your system functioning efficiently throughout the season.

Peters Heating and Cooling has been air conditioning St. Louis MO homes for years and we know a lot about what qualifies as a quality air conditioning system. For that reason, we proudly put our name behind the Carrier brand and we are honored to be a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. We understand that an AC system is a big investment and an equally big decision. Were happy to answer all of your questions and assess your unique needs so that we can find the perfect AC system for you and your budget. We even offer financing options. Dont let your old AC unit slow you down, call Peters Heating and Cooling and well help you from product selection to installation.

Peters Heating and Cooling have been helping home owners with indoor climate control needs since 1955. Our dedication to our customers is what motivated us to offer AC repair services to the St. Louis community several years ago and we maintain that same level of dedication to this day. When you need AC repair St. Louis residents put their trust in our high-quality service and strong work ethic. We understand that your family is busy and a broken air conditioning can slow you down. Our goal is to get your life back on track and restore the comfort to your home as quickly as possible so you can get on with what really matters. Were happy to answer any questions you may have so that you can feel comfortable putting your familys comfort in our hands.

Peters Heating and Air Conditioning is a family-owned and operated company known for superior quality and unparalleled customer service.

We offer a full range of products and services, the latest technologies in energy saving systems and an uncommon level of technical expertise and professionalism.

Since 1955, exceeding customer expectations has been our primary focus. We remain committed to the highest level in craftsmanship, design, and service. Peters has met all standards to become a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and is one of six companies in the United States to have a founder inducted into the Carrier Hall of Fame. One of our missions is to provide superior quality products and workmanship.

Peters Heating and Cooling has been heating and air conditioning St. Louis homes and businesses for more than 12 years. Our family-owned and operated company understands how busy life can be, which is why we dont want air conditioning issues to be one of your concerns. Proper care and maintenance of your current system can help prolong the life of your unit, reduce your energy costs, and may prevent major problems from occurring in the future. Our technicians are available to assess your system and address any small problems so you and your family can live comfortably throughout the year.

Commitment. Quality. Service.

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Heating and Cooling St. Louis MO | Furnace Repair St. Louis ...

Master Work Service is a Christian owned and operated holding company for home services. Its companies operate under Biblical principles and are honored to have Thomas & Galbraith Heating and Cooling as a part of its family.

Thomas & Galbraith Heating and Cooling is the trusted name for high quality heating and cooling service to the Greater Cincinnati area since 1977. Our services include repair, sales and installation of heating, cooling and indoor air quality products for residential and light commercial customers.

Be sure to inspect and replace your air filters and humidifier water panels regularly. Visit our showroom for all your air filter and humidifier water panel needs and enjoy a tour of our expanded showroom and facility. Map + Directions

As a full service HVAC heating and cooling contractor, we are proud to provide custom installation on only high quality products including:

We provide Whole Home Comfort and Energy Assessments. Explore the videos below to discover how you can increase comfort and efficiency in your home.

Stay Informed & Save Money

$50.00

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Heating & Cooling service, repair, installation and sales | Thomas ...

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. For more information, see our Guide to Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling (708KB).

Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Learn more:

A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent and sometimes much more.

Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house. See our See our Duct Sealing brochure (1.13MB) for more information. for more information.

If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.

Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment's life. Learn more.

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Heat & Cool Efficiently : ENERGY STAR

High Velocity Heating and Cooling Installation
This is a video of a heating and cooling system install where we used a High Velocity System to distribute the air throughout the home. There was little to no space available to run conventional metal ductwork and the High Velocity System allows us to condition this home without needing alot of space.From:EnvirotechksViews:231 0ratingsTime:06:20More inEducation

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High Velocity Heating and Cooling Installation - Video

While many parts of the United States might still be experiencing the near-record heat waves of summer 2012, in other parts temperatures have plummeted.

The Environmental Protection Agency has offered ways to save money -- and energy -- this winter, and protect your health too.

Here are seven of the EPA's tips for money-saving households bracing for cold weather:

Heating and cooling costs account for about $1,000, or nearly half, of a home's total annual energy bill, the EPA says. Dirt and neglect can affect the efficiency of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and are among the top causes of heating-system failure.

The EPA recommends that homeowners schedule an HVAC checkup with a licensed HVAC contractor to keep the system operating at peak performance. Also, the system's air filter should be checked every month and changed when it's dirty, or at a minimum of every three months.

Energy Star light strings can last up to 10 times longer and use about 65 percent less electricity than incandescent light strings, and they are available in a variety of colors, shapes and lengths. If every decorative light string sold in the United States this year was Energy Star qualified, Americans would save $80 million in utility bills and prevent 1 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA.

Programming the thermostat to turn the temperature down 8 degrees for seven hours each night, and an additional seven hours each weekday, could result in a seasonal heating savings of approximately 12 percent. The EPA states that this could result, on average, in savings of about $180.

The average household spends as much as $500 a year on its water and sewer bill. But the EPA says installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances that carry the EPA's voluntary WaterSense label can save about $170 per year.

Americans disposed of approximately 33 million tons of food waste in 2010, making food the largest type of waste in landfills and incinerators, according to the EPA.

When excess food is disposed of in a landfill, it decomposes and becomes a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

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7 Money-Saving Household Tips