Zoned heating and cooling systems use motorized dampers and thermostats in each defined zone. This system eliminates the hot and cold regions that are common with single thermostat systems because the thermostats work independently of each other. Zoning systems can also cut your energy costs.

It’s not possible to keep your entire home at a consistent temperature with a single thermostat. The lone thermostat can only control the temperatures near the wall where it’s located. That’s fine for other parts of the house with similar conditions and temperature requirements, but homes always have rooms and zones with different requirements and conditions. This is partly because warm air rises, making upstairs areas easier to heat. However, other conditions, such as windows and distance from the cooling and heating appliances also influence temperatures in different rooms and zones. If this weren’t bad enough, a single thermostat can’t take into account different family members’ temperature preferences.

With zoning systems, different levels of air are distributed to each zone to ensure that a comfortable temperature is maintained in rooms on all levels of your home. These systems separate your home into regions with common heating and cooling needs, and can be programmed for different parts of the day. This is controlled by installing a thermostat in each area. Instead of sending the same amount of air into all rooms every time your HVAC system is turned on, this system sends air only to the zones that need it. This way, temperatures throughout your home, both upstairs and downstairs, can be regulated while you’re home and then set back to an energy-saving setting when you’re asleep or away.

If you live in the Greater Hartford area and would like more expert advice on zoning systems, contact Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning.  Our excellent customer satisfaction rating makes Glasco’s certified technicians and 24-hour emergency service the best choice for all your heating and air conditioning needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.

Your water-heater EF is calculated using three factors:

• Recovery efficiency
• Standby losses.
• Cycling losses

The efficiency in which the heat from your water-heater’s energy source is transferred to the water determines its recovery efficiency. Standby losses refer to the heat that is lost hourly from the water stored in the water-heater’s tank, compared to the actual heat in the water. The heat that is lost as the water is circulated through inlet and outlet pipes and the water-heater tank is referred to as cycling losses.

The higher your water-heater EF, the more efficient it is, but a high EF doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have lower annual operating costs. Operating costs depend largely on the fuel source used to heat your water. For this reason, you shouldn’t select a water-heater based solely on its EF. You should also consider size, fuel type, overall cost, demand in your home, and the water-heater’s first hour rating.

Your water-heater needs to meet your household’s hot water needs. If it’s too small or too large, then it’s probably not operating at optimum efficiency. Fuel type and its availability can limit your water-heater options. Compare the cost of the types of fuels available to you, and don’t forget to look into the cost of electricity as well.

Typically a water-heater’s first hour rating, also referred to as capacity, is listed on the EnergyGuide label or the product literature. The ideal rating should match your peak hour demand, or be within one to two gallons of that number.

If you’d like professional advice on the water-heater EF in your Connecticut home, contact Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been in business since 1994 and offer honesty and value to our customers.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water-heater EF ratings and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.  

Better options
Waiting till early spring to buy a furnace gives you more time to search for a heating system that will meet your needs at a price you can afford. You can spend additional days or weeks searching for a good bargain. You can thoroughly investigate other types of heating options such as geothermal heat pumps. You can also evaluate the merits of high-efficiency heating and take the time to find a unit that will provide the best home comfort and ongoing savings on your utility bills.

For 18 years, Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning has provided heating and air conditioning services to customers in Hartford and the surrounding communities. Contact us todayto see our selection of end-of-season heating system specials, for expert advice on replacing your furnace, to get an estimate on a new system, or to schedule an installation.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about the heating season and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.

A geothermal system to heat and cool your home uses time-tested technology. It’s the standard choice in many European countries. This approach to indoor climate control is sometimes called “Caveman Technology.” In the days of cavemen, their cave homes, at a constant 50-55 degrees, kept them warm in winter and cool from summer’s brutal heat. Nearly 75 percent of new homes in Sweden use a geothermal system. Using the ground beneath your feet, your geothermal comfort system’s many advantages may be the right choice to satisfy your home comfort needs.

Geothermal systems allows heat transfer to your home in winter and transfers the heat back to the earth in summer. The main components are:

• Geothermal heat pump: Indoor part of the system, not subject to outside wear and tear by weather like a typical heat pump.
• Ground Loop: holes or trenches are drilled into your yard. A series of small pipes are inserted and filled with fluid. The loopfield is connected to the heat pump system.
• Water Heater: The water heater can be connected to your system so your energy costs are further reduced.

Using the earth to heat and cool your home gives you huge energy savings. Consider the significant cost of a geothermal HVAC system an investment. With your savings of 40-70 percent on heating costs and 30-50 percent for cooling, the energy dollars saved make your payback period relatively short.

Contact us at Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning for all of your geothermal system needs. Serving the Greater Hartford area since 1994, we enjoy a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating that guarantees your satisfaction matters to us. We’ll be happy to help you with all your HVAC needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about geothermal systems and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.  

Heat pumps are a single system that both heat and cool your home. Unlike conventional furnaces that use natural gas or oil to create heat, the most common variety, an air-source heat pump, moves heat into and out of your home, depending in the season. When in cooling mode, it works similarly to an air conditioner, providing the same sort of efficiency and dehumidification. Overall, a heat pump requires far less energy than a regular furnace-A/C set-up, which in turn lowers utility costs.

Moving heat rather than generating it allows heat pumps to provide more energy than they actually consume. With a properly maintained heat pump, this can drop the amount of electricity you use to heat your house by as much as 40 percent over time.

Heat pumps are usually recommended for moderate climates due to their drop in efficiency in extremely low temperatures. However, that doesn’t mean that people who live in places with cold winters can’t enjoy the benefits of a heat pump. By using both a heat pump and a secondary source of heat, a so-called dual-fuel system, homeowners can benefit from the reduced heating costs of a heat pump during the day and on more temperate nights. When the temperature drops, the thermostat will automatically shift over to the secondary heat source to keep the house warm. During the warm seasons, the heat pump will continue to save money by cooling the house more efficiently than an air conditioning system.

And not to add politics to the discussion, but if the winters continue to get warmer and warmer as they have in recent years (including this winter), heat pumps will make even more sense in the Northeast.

For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC issues, contact Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re proud to have served the Greater Hartford area since 1994.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.

Adjust the Temperature

One of the first things you should do to save money on your water heater is to check the temperature you have the thermostat set to. If it is above 130 degrees, you can safely reduce it. 130 degrees is the minimum temperature required to kill any microorganisms in the water, such as Legionnaires disease. For most home uses, however, 120 degrees is fine.

Low-Flow Fixtures

If you have fixtures made before 1992, you can probably replace them and cut your water usage in half. Many older homes have fixtures that allow water to pour out at an unnecessarily high rate. Since shower heads and faucets can be used effectively when the water flow is much less, one great way to reduce your water-heating costs is to install low-flow faucets and shower heads.

Leaks

Keep an eye out for leaks in your faucets, shower heads and the connections to your washing machine. Even if you have low-flow fixtures, they do you little good if they’re leaking. A small drip can quickly add up to a huge expense at the end of the month.

Appliances

Your dishwasher and washing machine are two other good places to consider when you want to save on water-heating costs. When you purchase a dishwasher, choose one that has a built-in booster to raise the temperature to 140 degrees. This is the minimum temperature needed to properly clean your dishes. This allows you to reduce the water-heater temperature to 120 degrees. In addition, since modern detergents can clean clothes even in cold water, there is no reason to use hot water in your clothes-washing machine.

If you live in the Hartford area and want further tips or advice on how to reduce your water-heating costs, please feel free to contact us at Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water-heating costs and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.  

Heating and Cooling: 45 percent

• Change the air filters in your furnace and air conditioner at least once every three months, or whenever they get dirty.
• Schedule annual maintenance to keep your HVAC equipment running efficiently.
• Seal and insulate your air ducts.
• Install a programmable thermostat.
• Make sure your house is well-insulated, especially your attic.
• Find and seal air leaks.
• Use ceiling fans to create a wind-chill effect during the summer, reducing the burden on your air conditioner.

Hot Water: 11 percent:

• Insulate your water heater’s hot water storage tank.
• Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees or less.
• Take shorter showers, and install low-flow showerheads.
• Insulate your hot water pipes.

Washers and Dryers: 10 percent

• Only run washers and dryers when you have a full load. Larger loads mean fewer loads in the long run.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Dry clothes outside on a clothesline when weather permits.

Lighting: 7 percent

• Turn lights off any time you leave a room.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient fluorescent bulbs.
• Don’t leave your porch light on all night.

Refrigerators: 6 percent

• Keep your refrigerator and freezer as full as possible.
• Choose an efficient refrigerator. Avoid models with a side-by-side design and freezers with a built-in ice maker.

Household Electronics: 4 percent

• Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use, or use a power strip as a central turn-off point.
• Use the energy-saving mode on your computer.
• If you use faxes, scanners, printers and other similar appliances, consider replacing them with one all-in-one device.

Dishwashers: 2 percent

• Only wash dishes when you a have a full load.
• Avoid using your dishwasher’s special cycles.

If you’d like to learn more about reducing consumption and lowering your energy bills, contact Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We’ve been serving the Greater Hartford area since 1994.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy bills and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.  

What They Do

Electronic air cleaners work by giving a charge to particles in your home’s air. The charged particles then stick to oppositely-charged surfaces and settle out of the air. Once the particles settle, you are no longer at risk for breathing them in. Some common allergens that electronic air purifiers remove include Pollen, dust, pet dander and mold spores.

The two main types of electronic air purifiers are ionizers and electrostatic precipitators. They both remove particulate matter, but they work differently.

Ionizers

Ionizers release ions into the air, which then attach to allergy-causing particles and give them a charge. The charged particles stick to one anther and surfaces in your home, such as walls, curtains and floors. After the particles settle, you are no longer at risk for inhaling them. You can simply dust your home to remove them completely.

Electrostatic Precipitators

Electrostatic precipitators charge particles in your home’s air as they pass through your HVAC ducts. The particles then stick to oppositely charged plates within your air ducts. Some people prefer electrostatic precipitators over ionizers, because the allergens stick to plates in your HVAC ducts rather than settling around your home. However, the charged plates do require occasional cleaning to keep the system working.

Combination Systems

Unfortunately, electronic air cleaners only remove particulate matter from your home’s air; they do not sanitize it or remove germs. If you have allergy symptoms in addition to frequent colds or viruses, consider getting a combined UV light and electronic air cleaner system to remove particulate matter while also sterilizing your home’s air.

For help choosing and installing an air cleaner in the Hartford area, contact the NATE-certified experts at Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about electronic air cleaners and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.  

NATE (North American Technician Excellence)

The NATE symbol is the only guarantee – coast to coast – that the contractor and technicians are qualified, knowledgable, and dedicated to their field and your peace of mind. NATE-certified technicians have undergone vigorous training, education and testing, and continue to do so throughout their careers in order to keep that certification.

NATE is the most respected and top non-profit organization for testing and certification in the HVAC and refrigeration industry. NATE technicians are held to the highest standards, which shows in quality workmanship and professionalism. Equipment installed and/or serviced by NATE-certified technicians has 13 percent fewer callbacks and returns. By hiring a NATE-certified technician, you will be assured that your equipment will operate at peak efficiency for maximum savings and home comfort.

Ask questions, get answers

After you have verified that the contractor is NATE-certified, find out the following info, as well:

• Ask how long the company has been in business in Connecticut,
• Ask if their license and insurance is valid and up to date, and confirm it,
• Ask for a list of references to confirm the contractor’s service and reputation,
• Get equipment warranty in writing, and find out if any additional requirements are needed to maintain the warranty,
• Ask if they offer financing, and at what rate,
• Check their website for consumer education, tips and seasonal checklists,
• Get all estimates in writing, including parts, labor, callback information and annual maintenance agreements.

As long as you are thorough, patient and require NATE certification from your contractor, you can relax knowing that the job will be done right the first time. Contact Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning for all your home comfort needs. We have NATE-certified technicians to serve your Connecticut home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about NATE-certified technicians and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.  

Symptoms too-dry air include chapped lips, dry skin, sore throat, static electricity shocks, and greater chance of becoming ill. A central humidifier addresses these issues by providing you with the ideal indoor humidity all winter long.

The most comfortable level to set your humidistat is between about 35 and 55 percent relative humidity. This is the range when bacteria and viruses can’t live as long and annoying static shock is minimized.

However, the precise level you choose depends on the temperature outside. If the temperature drops outside and you keep the indoor humidity set too high, condensation will form on the windows. This moisture will drip down onto the window frame and rot the wood, leading to mold growth and structural damage.

Avoid this scenario by decreasing the relative humidity indoors as the outdoor temperatures decline. Above 40 degrees outside, set your humidistat to between 45 and 55 percent. At 32 degrees, don’t set it higher than 40 percent. Twenty degrees outside should be coupled with 35 percent relative humidity inside. At this point, every 10 degrees the temperature drops outside, decrease the relative humidity inside by 5 percent.

For more information about using a whole-house humidifier to achieve ideal relative humidity all year long, please contact Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve Connecticut homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about relative humidity and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.