Energy efficiency is a hot topic in the HVAC world. Technology is always evolving, presenting new innovations that help manufacturers develop equipment and systems that make even more efficient use of the energy they consume. While many homeowners look to the latest air conditioner and furnace models for high efficiency, they often overlook a system type that can offer even more energy savings – geothermal. In our most recent blog, Grove Heating & Cooling explains how efficient geothermal energy is for heating and cooling Maryland homes.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are a type of heat pump system that transfers heat from one area to another to increase indoor temperatures for heating and lower temperatures for cooling. Common air source heat pumps transfer heat between the indoor air and outdoor air, but geothermal systems transfer heat between the indoor air and the earth or a water source.
Geothermal systems take advantage of natural heat that occurs within the earth as an energy source used to heat the home. This energy is absorbed from the earth by the ground loop, which is a system component that is essentially a fluid-filled pipeline that is installed below ground. The fluid absorbs heat and circulates it to the heat pump above in the home for transfer. For cooling, the earth or a nearby body of water simply serves as a receptacle where excess heat from the home is released by circulating fluid in the ground loop.
Many homeowners are shocked when they first hear how efficient geothermal heat pump systems are. This is because their efficiency levels are much greater than conventional heating and cooling systems, as they require less power to run and provide a great deal of heat transfer for the energy they do use.
A geothermal heat pump’s heating efficiency is measured as coefficient of performance (COP) and its cooling efficiency is reflected by the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). These measures share the number of units of heat provided or removed compared to the number of units of electricity consumed to do the job. Ground source heat pumps typically provide 4 units of heat energy for every unit of electrical power they require.
So how efficient is geothermal energy? 400 percent efficient! Comparatively, the highest efficiency conventional systems available today are only 98 percent efficient. Geothermal heat pumps are more efficient than air conditioning systems and air source heat pumps, too. High-efficiency geothermal heat pumps have EERs up to 25, while the highest efficiency air conditioners only go up to 15!
These cooling systems transfer heat from the home to the outdoors, while a geothermal model transfers that heat into the earth. When outdoor temperatures are quite hot, it is difficult for an air conditioner or air source heat pump to release the heat into the air, thus efficiency drops. Geothermal systems don’t have this problem, as the temperature below ground stays consistent around 55 degrees all the time.
Cost savings are another important factor to consider with geothermal heat pump systems? Although installation costs are higher up front, replacing an air conditioner or air source heat pump with a geothermal system generates a 25 to 50 percent reduction in cooling costs, as less energy is required for the system to move heat.
Are you impressed by how efficient geothermal energy is? You can start saving on heating and cooling costs year-round with a new geothermal HVAC system from Grove Heating & Cooling. We offer expert installation for Maryland homeowners looking to make drastic energy-efficiency improvements in home heating and cooling. Contact us today to request a consultation today to receive an estimate for geothermal installation at your home.
Trane is one of the most recognizable and well-known brands in the HVAC industry. With a reputation for quality equipment, Trane chooses only the best heating and cooling contractors to serve as representatives of their brand. Grove Heating & Cooling is a proud Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer, and below we explain just what that means.
Many heating and cooling contractors across the country are independent Trane dealers, which means they are a company which carries and installs new Trane heating and cooling equipment. While there are many dealers who sell Trane HVAC systems, not every company qualifies as a Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer.
Trane Comfort Specialist is a special designation that Trane awards to their most qualified dealer specialists. These HVAC professionals reflect a strong commitment to delivering the best in not just installation and service of Trane products, but show a passion for achieving unmatched customer satisfaction and take pride in delivering the highest quality training to their teams. Trane dealers which have received the designation of Trane Comfort Specialist have met the brand’s high standards for their products as well as expectations for better business practices and customer care.
The Trane brand is serious when it comes to maintaining these qualifications as well. Each dealer who holds the status of Trane Comfort Specialist must continuously qualify to hold the designation each year. Through this process, the Trane Comfort Specialist Dealers who maintain top status repeatedly reaffirm their commitment to the values which the Trane brand prioritizes as well as the brand’s strict standards for customer satisfaction ratings and continuing education for their staff.
Heating and cooling systems are composed of technical components that evolve and improve all the time. As new technology is developed and refined, Trane’s commitment to innovation means these advancements are steadily integrated into their products. To ensure proper installation and service of these technologically advanced systems, a Trane Comfort Specialist must keep up with ongoing training.
Advancing our education, continuing to hone our technical skills, and pursuing a thorough understanding of the latest technology is one way we serve our customers like no one else can. A Trane Comfort Specialist knows every Trane product like the back of their hand. We know what it takes to install every component according to Trane specifications so it performs as expected in your home, and we take care to explain each important aspect of the system to you so you feel confident in its use.
When you choose to work with a Trane dealer, you can be confident you are working with only the best companies which have made a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuing education in the HVAC industry. Your home and home comfort are in safe, capable hands with the most skilled, knowledgeable professionals associated with this trusted brand.
Trane HVAC equipment is designed to achieve maximum efficiency and comfort. Grove Heating & Cooling is proud of our position as a Trane dealer, and it’s our responsibility to meet Trane’s stringent standards and deliver the best products and customer service experience to you. To experience the power of a Trane comfort system in your home, contact a professional you can trust – request a consultation when you contact us today.
Many households in Maryland use heat pumps to efficiently heat and cool their living areas. They are reliable HVAC systems but can experience problems from time to time. One issue our technicians commonly see is a heat pump that freezes over during cold weather in the winter, which will cause issues if not corrected. Learn how to defrost a heat pump and what to do if you run into problems with a frozen heat pump.
It’s normal for a bit of frost to develop on a heat pump’s outdoor unit coils during the colder months. The frost you see is simply condensation from the heating process freezing to the coil. Heat pumps have a built-in defrost cycle which normally activates periodically to remove frost and ice from the coils.
Issues with the heat pump’s defrost cycle, component malfunctions, or external sources such as a gutter leak above the unit can cause heavy ice accumulation on the coils as well as the fins on the exterior of the equipment. Larger masses of ice make it difficult for the defrost cycle to remove the frozen moisture, and the heat pump may not thaw.
If the heat pump remains covered in ice and you continue to run the heat, a few issues occur. First, you’ll likely notice that the heat pump cannot generate enough heat output to keep your home comfortable. Ice can block airflow through the fins and outdoor coil, which can cause damage to the coil, refrigerant leaks, and other malfunctions. Ice can also damage outdoor fan blades within the unit.
Sometimes, it may take a few hours for the heat pump to completely thaw a frozen coil, so don’t be alarmed if ice doesn’t melt right away. If the heat pump defrost cycle doesn’t work properly or isn’t able to melt away the frost or ice on the unit, you’ll need to know how to defrost a heat pump manually.
If the above steps fail to clear away the ice on your unit, do not use your heat pump while it is frozen. Your backup heating system should automatically turn on to keep your home warm, if you have one installed.
If your heat pump’s defrost mode doesn’t clear away ice, or the heat pump keeps icing up over and over again, there could be a component malfunction causing this problem, such as faulty temperature sensors, wiring issues, or low refrigerant levels. These issues need to be identified and repaired by a professional heat pump technician. You don’t want to have to continually repeat the steps for defrosting a heat pump.
Don’t hesitate to call a professional heating and air conditioning technician if you experience a frozen heat pump. Heating and cooling technicians are able to defrost heat pump units as well as find and repair the malfunction contributing to this problem. For heat pump repair in Maryland, call Grove Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment to fix the problem!
Unfortunately, home heating and cooling equipment doesn’t last forever. To avoid a lack of heating or cooling when you need it most, replace your HVAC system before its final breakdown occurs. While it’s difficult to know for sure when your furnace or air conditioner is on its last leg, these signs tell you that the end of its service life is near.
You may need to replace your air conditioning or heating system if you notice one or more of the following clues:
HVAC equipment declines in efficiency as the years go on – if your system is 10 years old, it more than likely isn’t operating at the efficiency level it’s rated for. The unit is less efficient and will use more and more energy to do its job, and often doesn’t even do a very good job at keeping your home comfortable. High energy bills without a clear cause are often caused by an inefficient, older HVAC system. When you replace your HVAC unit, you greatly improve home heating and cooling efficiency with new equipment so your energy expenses are lowered. You’ll also improve your home’s comfort level and indoor air quality.
HVAC systems don’t have a precise expiration date, but there are averages that can help you judge how long your equipment will last. Furnaces typically last 15 to 20 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps usually deliver 10 to 15 years of service. Many outside factors weigh in, increasing or decreasing system service life, including whether the system was well maintained. Once your existing HVAC unit reaches its estimated service life, expect that the end is on the horizon, and investigate options to replace your HVAC system.
If your heating or cooling unit no longer keeps your home at a comfortable temperature, it’s typically time for a new HVAC system. While poor temperature control throughout your home may be corrected through repairs in some cases, in older equipment it’s probably a sign of end times.
No one wants to shell out thousands of dollars for a new furnace or air conditioner before getting their money’s worth out of the old one. If repairs can restore the performance of your existing unit, should you go that route or do you need to have your HVAC system replaced instead?
Another clear sign it’s time to replace your HVAC unit is frequent repairs. This mechanical equipment experiences more breakdowns in its final two years of service life from wear and tear, so if repairs have been needed at an increasing rate, it’s likely your system will permanently break down soon.
Just because repairs are possible doesn’t mean they are the right solution. Before you decide to repair or replace your HVAC system, consider the age of the equipment. Newer systems that are nowhere near the average service life are typically repaired so that the unit can continue to function for many more years. In older systems, repairs are sometimes merely a temporary band-aid, propping up the system for just a little while longer. Repairing major components can be expensive and not worth the cost compared to just replacing the system.
Also, consider the cost of both options to see what makes the best financial sense for your budget. It’s usually advised that if the needed repairs cost as much as or more than half the price to buy a new unit, you go ahead and replace your HVAC system.
To replace your HVAC system, start by contacting your trusted HVAC company. These specialists can help you evaluate the different types of heating and cooling equipment available and compare models to find the best fit for your household. Heating and cooling system replacement isn’t a DIY job – choose a qualified contractor to install your new unit which helps ensure it will perform as expected and prevent damage caused by faulty installation.
When it’s time to replace your HVAC system in Maryland, call Grove Heating & Cooling. For more than 15 years, we have outfitted Maryland homes with new Trane heating and cooling equipment, replacing aging HVAC systems and providing homeowners with long-lasting, high-quality comfort systems. Contact us today to request an estimate for installation.
A water heater that sends cold water out of your home’s hot taps creates a sense of panic when it happens inside your Bowie, Maryland, home. In our most recent blog, the plumbers at Grove Heating & Cooling explain the reasons why your water heater isn’t heating the water, how to fix these issues, and when professional service is necessary.
Here are the most common reasons why cold water may be coming from your hot water heater and how to fix this issue.
A simple explanation is a lack of power. If the hot water heater doesn’t have access to its fuel source, it cannot heat the water. To correct this issue, do the following:
Some gas water heaters use a pilot light ignition system. If the pilot light is out, gas will not ignite and water will not heat.
The role of the water heater’s thermostat is to keep tabs on water temperature inside the tank. When its temperature falls below the set point, the thermostat allows power to flow to the electric heating element or gas burner. If the thermostat doesn’t allow power for the heating process or isn’t reading temperatures accurately, a bad component can be the cause of cold water coming from the water heater system. Call your plumber to have the thermostat replaced.
Heating elements within the system are responsible for warming water. The heating element at the bottom of a tank water heater can fail if there is excessive sediment buildup within the tank, preventing heat from radiating to the water supply.
If the high limit switch trips, it needs to be reset to prevent cold water.
In gas water heaters, burners ignite fuel to heat water. If the thermostat is working correctly but the burners do not engage, the burner assembly may require replacement. Contact your plumber to make this repair.
When there is cold water coming from a water heater, homeowners may wonder if the issue should be repaired or if a new water heater is necessary. While a sudden supply of cold water is often due to a faulty component that can be repaired, you may want to consider replacement if your water heater has lost hot water volume over time and frequently runs out of hot water.
No one wants to be hit with cold water unexpectedly! Ensure your Maryland home’s water heater is capable of supplying ample hot water for your family when you upgrade to a new unit. Contact Grove Heating and Cooling today for water heater repairs or to request an estimate for new water heater installation.
The air inside homes is usually much more polluted than the outdoor air. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is caused by a number of issues, such as poor ventilation and the use of certain products indoors. In our most recent blog, the HVAC technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling discuss how to measure the air quality at home to determine if your household has a problem. We’ll also explain how you can make improvements for better health and comfort.
An easy solution to measure your home’s air quality is to purchase an indoor air quality monitor. There are several devices available on the market that sit inside your home and detect high levels of allergens, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and humidity.
Using an indoor air quality monitor is easy. Plug the device in or turn it on and allow it to run at all times. Depending on the model you choose, your device may display various readings in real time or use an indicator to show overall indoor air quality.
Another method for measuring air quality is to conduct a mold test. Most indoor air quality monitors do not detect mold so a separate test is needed. Purchase a mold test and use it as directed.
Typically, the test will consist of a petri dish that contains an agent that allows mold to grow. The dish is left out in the home for a specified time period and then incubated for a set time to see if mold grows. If the test produces mold, there is mold in the indoor air. Nearly all homes have some amount of mold in the air, but tests can indicate if you need to look for sources of mold spores growing in your home.
Radon tests also help measure air quality at home. Purchase a test kit to determine short-term radon levels as well as long-term radon levels that stay in your home for longer periods of time.
Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to alert your family to the presence of carbon monoxide in the home. Make sure to install them correctly and use at least one detector for each floor of your home. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Standards only exist for certain indoor air quality contaminants, making it difficult to determine what is good and what is bad. When you’re measuring the air quality in your home, look for the following:
Measuring air quality is difficult because we cannot see these pollutants in most cases. In addition to measuring devices, watch for these signs that indicate poor air quality:
When you know how to measure the air quality at home, you can use this data to make improvements to your home. The following solutions help reduce contaminants and remove them from living areas:
Grove Heating & Cooling can help you with measuring your home’s air quality and make improvements for better indoor air in your Maryland home. Contact us today to learn more about the HVAC solutions that control contaminants and deliver cleaner air throughout your home.
During the cold season, Maryland homeowners take action to keep warm air in and cold air out. Unfortunately, ventilation is often overlooked during heating season, which causes indoor air quality within the home to decline. If you’re wondering whether it’s a good idea to air out your house in the winter, the answer is “yes!”
Regularly opening the windows and doors allows fresh outside air to move into the home while pushing out the stale indoor air, which is often highly concentrated with air pollutants such as dust and pet dander. Without some regular ventilation, household members are continually exposed to polluted indoor air, which can lead to a health problem known as sick building syndrome. Additionally, those with allergies and asthma may experience more exposure to triggers, worsening their symptoms.
While we typically don’t think of winter as a humid time of year, poor ventilation in the home over the heating season can cause an increase of humidity inside the home, which causes indoor air quality issues such as pollution concentrations to grow. As moisture is introduced into the home environment through activities such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing, the moisture builds up within when it is not expelled through regular ventilation. Homeowners may notice condensation on windows and surfaces, which may be susceptible to mold and mildew growth in the home.
Homeowners often question if it’s a good idea to air out their house in the winter because we’ve been taught to seal our homes tightly to safeguard against heat loss. However, occasionally airing out the home brings important benefits that we shouldn’t pass up. With the right approach, you don’t have to sacrifice temperature control in the name of good ventilation.
When questioning whether to air out your house in winter, remember that proper ventilation is important to maintaining good air quality – which has a bigger impact on comfort than most people realize. When your home is in need of additional help with air quality or ventilation improvements, turn to the team at Grove Heating & Cooling for high-quality solutions and skilled installation. Contact us today to request an estimate.
Unless you have lived in your Maryland home when the current heating system was installed, you may not be able to tell which kind of HVAC system you have just by looking at it. Determining whether you have a heat pump or a conventional system can be difficult, as the equipment can appear very similar. In our most recent blog, the HVAC system technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling will help you size up your heating system and determine which type is installed in your home.
To cool your home, heat pumps and conventional heating and cooling systems operate in the same way – they move heat from inside to the outdoors. This similarity can make it difficult to determine if you have a heat pump or a conventional system.
Where heat pumps and conventional HVAC systems really differ is in the way they heat. A heat pump runs its heating process opposite of its cooling process, moving heat from outdoors to the inside of the home to add warmth. Conventional boilers and furnaces function differently by burning fuel to generate heat. Heat pumps are able to function as a heating and cooling system, an attribute that many Maryland homeowners appreciate.
Central heat pumps and furnaces are both types of forced air heating systems. Air heated by transferring warmth from the heat pump is distributed through the home’s duct system to heat your home. Once air is heated by the furnace’s combustion process, it also cycles through ducts to reach living areas. Boilers heat water, which is then piped through the home and emitted using radiators to provide radiant heat.
Furnace and boiler system components sit inside the house, while heat pumps have indoor and outdoor components. A furnace is a single metal cabinet installed vertically or horizontally. Boilers have two indoor components, including a furnace and a vessel that holds hot water. In a heat pump system, the actual heat pump is the outdoor unit that closely resembles a traditional air conditioner. It moves heat between the heat pump and the air handler, which sits inside – this is known as a split system, as half the equipment is indoors and the other half is outdoors.
When you need to know whether you have a heat pump or a conventional system, the best way to solve this mystery is to inspect the outdoor unit. Look around the exterior housing to find an attached metal plate that lists the model number and other information. If this plate does not specifically say whether the unit is a heat pump or an air conditioner, write down the model number.
Next, search the unit’s brand and model number online. There are countless resources online that are helpful as you learn how to tell if you have a heat pump or a conventional system. With the model number to your outdoor unit, you can likely access the owner’s manual online, which comes in handy if the original is missing.
If an internet search turns up empty, there is one more thing to try to determine if you have a heat pump or a conventional system. Turn your thermostat to HEAT mode and adjust the temperature until the thermostat triggers a heating cycle. Once the heating system is running, go back outside to the exterior unit – if this equipment is on and blowing air, it’s a heat pump.
Knowing how to tell if you have a heat pump or conventional system is helpful when you experience troubles with your heating system. When you call Grove Heating & Cooling for service, let us know what type of system your home has. If you still aren’t entirely sure, don’t worry – our technicians will definitely find the answer during your service call. Schedule your appointment today!
So much of our time is spent indoors – both at home, at work, and for some of us, at school. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can have a major impact on one’s health by causing allergy, asthma and other health problems. In our most recent blog, the HVAC technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling discuss ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
High indoor humidity opens the door to mold growth and higher allergen concentrations. A whole home dehumidifier is a great tool for treating humidity issues across the entire home with the help of your HVAC system. Also, avoid the buildup of moisture in the home by using exhaust fans when showering or cooking, opening windows when cooking or washing, and correctly venting your dryer outside.
Smoking indoors fills your air with carcinogens and exposes others to secondhand smoke, which can lead to lung cancer. Tobacco smoke lingers and settles on surfaces, prolonging exposure. Stop smoking indoors to reduce indoor pollutants at the source. Instead, smoke outside, far away from open windows and doors where tobacco smoke can come in.
Much of the dirt and dust in the air falls out of suspension and becomes trapped in carpets. Remove these particulates by vacuuming regularly. Use a powerful vacuum, and be sure to empty canisters outdoors to prevent reintroducing contaminants to the home’s air supply.
Your HVAC system’s filter removes a portion of airborne particles from the air supply. The filters eventually clog up and can no longer perform, allowing particles to circulate continuously if filters are not replaced. Make sure to replace air filters regularly and check them monthly during periods of high heating or cooling system use, as an early replacement may be needed. Use filters with a higher MERV rating, which are more efficient at trapping smaller particles to reduce indoor air pollution.
The household products and cleaning products we use often introduce harmful chemicals into the home environment. These chemicals are bad for the Earth and harmful to breathe. Reduce this pollution at the source when you swap your toxic cleaners with alternatives that are natural, solvent-free, and phosphate-free.
Without adequate ventilation, air in the home becomes stale and laden with contaminants because there’s not enough fresh air to replace it. Mechanical ventilation systems draw in fresh, outdoor air and push out the stale, polluted air from your living spaces. Home ventilation solutions can be installed to reduce air pollution without wasting heating and cooling energy.
HVAC filters and cleaning still leave behind many particles in the air. Air cleaners and air purifiers provide further filtration and contaminant removal to reduce air pollution and keep homes cleaner. Portable models can treat small spaces, while whole house air cleaners are installed with the HVAC system to treat the entire volume of air as it cycles through for heating or cooling.
When you want to reduce air pollution, your HVAC system can be a great helper! Many indoor air quality products and ventilation solutions work to remove contaminants such as harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and keep your home comfortable while reducing the likelihood of family members having respiratory problems because of poor air quality. Poor air quality can also lead to respiratory infections, shortness of breath and irritate your eyes and throat.
Learn more about air quality solutions from Grove Heating & Cooling – contact us to schedule a consultation today to help you eliminate the sources of indoor air pollution in your home.
When it comes time to replace your old furnace, many Maryland homeowners stress over how to choose the right furnace for their home. Furnace shopping can seem like a chore, but when you know what to look for your decision becomes simple! Before you buy, learn how to choose the right furnace for your home with help from our heating pros.
As you shop for a new Energy Star furnace, these are the areas you need to evaluate to help you choose the perfect unit to install in your Maryland home.
Gas, electric, oil, and liquid propane are fuel sources used to power residential furnaces. Equipment costs vary between these types, but what’s most important is fuel cost. Gas furnaces are typically preferred in areas with natural gas service, as they don’t come with the mess of oil furnaces even though they sometimes cost slightly more.
Propane or oil furnaces are good choices as far as heating equipment and operating costs go. Electric furnaces are typically the cheapest equipment, yet they don’t heat as well as the others. Plus, electricity costs are often higher in many areas than the cost of other fuels, making these furnaces more expensive to operate.
Keep in mind what fuel source you have access to at home. If you already have natural gas, a gas furnace is probably the best option. If you currently use one type of furnace but would like to switch to another, you need to factor in the cost of installing fuel access lines, storage tanks, and other necessities.
Furnace energy efficiency is expressed as AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). The higher the furnace’s AFUE, the more efficiently it uses fuel. In climates that are cold and freezing like Maryland, a higher AFUE furnace offers better heating power paired with energy savings. Consider a furnace that is 90 AFUE rating or higher. While the price of a furnace typically increases with greater energy efficiency, this investment is often well worth it due to the greater energy savings generated by more efficient heating systems.
You’ll find certain features go hand in hand with higher efficiency ratings when it comes to furnace type.
Choosing the right furnace for your home is largely dependent on buying the right size. To heat your home correctly and offer the efficiency levels expected, your furnace must be the right capacity for your home. Heating load calculations can be performed by your HVAC contractor to determine proper furnace size based on several factors, including your home’s square footage and the number of windows. Don’t try to save money choosing a new furnace that’s too small or get faster heating with an extra-large furnace. A fit that is too small or too large causes problems, including poor temperature control, greater energy consumption, increased system wear and tear, more breakdowns, and shorter equipment life.
Choosing the right new furnace for your home isn’t just about the equipment – who installs it is just as important. You want to work with a skilled installer to ensure your new equipment is placed into service properly, which protects the system and ensures efficient operation.
Maryland homeowners have long trusted Grove Heating and Cooling with this important job, and the quality of our work speaks for itself. We’ll help you understand how to choose the right furnace for your home and install it flawlessly. Contact us today to request an estimate for your new furnace. Keep your home warm and comfortable this winter with a high-efficiency furnace from Grove! We can also install an energy-efficient programmable thermostat in your home as well as indoor air quality solutions to improve your home’s air quality.
2142 Priest Bridge Ct. Suite 6, Crofton, MD 21114
