HEATING  

In today's ever changing world, the last thing on most people's minds is the heating system. Having the most efficient, highest reliability and cost effective system should be a well though out design. 

Here are just a few questions to ask when choosing a heating system : 

• What makes it work? (i.e. fuel oil, natural gas, L.P. gas or electric)

• What are the pros and cons of different fuel options?

• What are the operating costs of oil, gas, and electric?

• Do I want hot water or warm air heat?

• Am I installing central air with the system?

• What about maintenance?

 There are other concerns and questions to be addressed to make an informed decision. This is where we at Flores Air Conditioning Inc. can help. Our staff has all the information and expertise to assist you in making your choice. If you are faced with replacing an older or inoperable unit or are planning to build a new home , let us guide you through the maze of systems out there. After all, its your comfort we are talking about and you going to pay heating costs for a long time. 

We have a vast assortment of heating systems available to suit any type of job. From boilers to heat pumps, we can design and install a comfort system to fill all your needs.

The popular notion is that heat pumps are not economical for the climate we live in. This may be true as the temperature drops below freezing. The reality is that properly designed and installed heat pump systems can be cheaper to install and have lower maintenance costs. There are three primary types of heat pump installations including:

• Standard air-to-air

• Geothermal or ground source

• Heat Pump Plus

We will look at these types individually below, but feel free to contact the expert heating professionals at Flores Air Conditioning Inc. for further details.

STANDARD AIR TO AIR SYSTEMS

These systems consist of an air handling unit indoors with electric resistance auxiliary heaters and an outdoor unit with compressor and heat/cool switch valve. This is the most commonly installed configuration seen in the Lehigh Valley area. 

GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS

These systems consist of a single unit located indoors with an air handling side and a compressor side (no outside unit). The second part of the system is the ground or water exchange. Using water as the medium, temperature transfer is accomplished thru the water to the underground earth or water table. This is done to take advantage of the constant 50 degree temperature under the first five or six feet of ground. This type of system is becoming more popular and is being utilized primarily by new construction.
 

HEAT PUMP PLUS ®

These systems consist of the standard type installation, except the auxiliary electric resistance heater is replaced by a hot water coil. This coil is located in the outgoing air duct. Hot water from an oil fired heating system is circulated through the coil upon demand. This is much more economical and comfortable than electric as well as providing several additional benefits like domestic water heating and additional space heating. 
 

The term furnace pertains to any type of fuel burning warm air system. Typically, these units are oil or gas fired. Flame is established in the combustion chamber and the heat exchanger. Air is then driven over the exchanger and distributed thru the home via duct work. Most of these systems can also be used for air conditioning as well. 

There are many sizes and styles of oil furnaces. Most new units average 81 to 84% efficiency. These units can be installed with or without a chimney. 

Like oil, gas units have many styles and configurations. Efficiency ranges from 80 to 90+% A.F.U.E. All units can be used with or without a chimney. 

There are many other factors to consider when installing a furnace of any kind in your home. Variable speed motors, higher efficiency air filtering and humidification can give you the most comfortable system possible. 

Hydronic is the popular term for heating with high temperature water. A central unit heats water either with oil, gas or electric and  circulates the water through piping to radiators, baseboard, convectors or duct coils. "Wet" heat is considered many to be the most comfortable.  There are several important reasons this works best.   

• "Warmer" feeling in the home

• Easy to "zone" or control temperature in different areas of the house

• Radiant or in-floor heating capability

Call our office to make an appointment to go over the many home heating options available.

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