Jiffy Plumbing & Heating | 4623 Baltimore Avenue | Hyattsville, MD 20781 | Ph: (301) 277-9111
Furnaces & Boilers:
The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), a measure of overall energy performance, rates the efficiency of new furnaces and boilers. The national efficiency standard for furnaces took effect in 1992, requiring that each new unit have an AFUE of at least 78%. In comparison, many old furnaces and boilers have AFUE ratings of only 55 – 65%, and often perform at lower levels due to age or maintenance issues.
When buying a new furnace, make sure its heating capacity is appropriate for your home. If the insulation and/or windows in your home have been upgraded since the heating equipment was installed, you may be able to use a less powerful furnace or boiler. Oversized furnaces operate less efficiently because they cycle on and off more frequently; in addition, larger furnaces are more expensive to buy. Jiffy can do a heat loss analysis of your home to size your new heating equipment.
Air Conditioners: “Split System”
The basic components of a split system are: a condensing unit (the outdoor section) and the evaporator coil, usually found in the indoor air handler or furnace. The condenser is the outside unit that cycles freon and sends it to the indoor unit's evaporator coil for circulation through your home's delivery system. The evaporator coil sits within or on top of the furnace or air moving device, receiving the freon from the outdoor condensor. The system removes heat and humidity from the indoor air, leaving the cool dehumidified air to be recirculated. Indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. Our technicians will ensure that both units are properly matched to yield the maximum efficiency and longevity. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, referred to as “SEER.” A higher SEER means higher efficiency. The latest standard for SEER is 13 (beginning January 2006).
Heat Pumps: “Split System” Air Conditioners
A heat pump keeps your home cool in the summer by drawing heat out of your home, and warm in the winter by drawing heat from the outside air into your home to heat it. Additionally, heat pumps can have booster electrical-resistance strips that will further heat the air being drawn in from outside. A heat pump’s cooling efficiency is rated in SEER (SEASONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATIO).
Heating efficiency is rated in HSPF (HEATING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE FACTOR), the higher the number, 5, 6 or 7, the more efficient the unit.
Air Purification:
Tired of dust settling on your recently cleaned home? Maybe it’s time to consider home air purification. Seasonal allergies got you down? Then home air purification could make your home livable again. Our trained technicians will visit your home and develop a system to meet your needs: ultraviolet filtration, electronic air cleaning, humidifiers and media air cleaners… just to name a few.
HVAC:
“HVAC”, as we all learn at some time or another, means “Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning,” sometimes expressed HVAC-R to encompass the Refrigeration aspect attendant tocommercial or restaurant & store freezers, walk-in boxes, etc.
As indicated earlier, HVAC and plumbing are mechanical trades, so it is fitting for us to recognize the significant split that exists between the commercial and residential HVAC worlds. The split is not functional or physical but one more of scale. To continue, please select Residential or Commercial.
Residential HVAC
Residential HVAC concerns the equipment & practice of modifying and regulating indoor air in residential homes. The cause of occasional epic conflict within the home, we at Jiffy have learned that hot or cold can be a relative thing, but that whatever your perspective, it doesn’t pay to argue with the tired, angry or pregnant.
There are a wide variety of comfort accessory products available to condition your home air the year round, everything from humidifiers and air cleaners to in-line duct fans and automatic dampers, ultraviolet and HEPA filters, however, as valuable as they are, these accessory products are meant to work in conjunction with large system components such as your air conditioner, furnace, air handler and the like.
General thoughts:
Uneven heating
A home’s upstairs is usually warmer than the downstairs in both Summer & Winter. This is because heat rises, and is a common problem in many homes, regardless of their age or quality of construction. The chief culprit in this situation is often insufficient upper return air. One call to Jiffy can arrange a free estimate to determine what can be done to address your problem.
Rising energy cost
It looks as though we’ll all be paying more for all types of energy for the foreseeable future. The Department of Energy website has for years published many helpful hints to help keep your house comfortable and your energy bill lower. Some tried & true tips include: keeping your thermostat setting moderate, modulating drapes & blinds to allow or avert sunshine, using whole-house insulation methods (windows, walls, doors, attics, water heater, hot water lines, etc.), CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) lighting, ceiling fans and the list goes on.
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