August 2010
1 post
IQ Drive Technology Pushes Heat Pump and A/C...
Over the last decade, we have seen technology make a significant leap in almost every area. Computers, for instance, are exponentially faster than they were ten years ago. Cellular phones let us connect with the world in so many ways that making calls has almost become their secondary function! Not to be outdone, Maytag has taken HVAC technology to new heights in efficiency and quiet comfort.
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July 2010
1 post
Beat the Heat and Save Energy With Our New Solar...
As we all know, during hot Summer days, most homes will trap a lot of heat in the attic. This heat is then transferred into your living space, meaning your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home cool. This causes lower comfort, higher energy bills, higher equipment maintenance costs, and a shortened life span for your air conditioning equipment. Combat all of these effects...
April 2010
3 posts
The Most Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment...
As you would expect, the manufacturers of HVAC equipment are constantly trying to outdo each other. Read any of their respective websites or listen to their commercials and it seems they all claim to offer the most efficient, quietest equipment on the market. Obviously, they can’t all have the most efficient equipment!
Read on
Q&A: Radiant Floor Heating System with Tankless...
Can a radiant floor heating system be installed with my current tankless water heater? How much would a system cost? What other information should I know before pursing this project?
About my home: I live in a three floor home with the 1st floor concrete pad, 2nd floor hardwood and 3rd floor carpet.
Find Out the Answer
Unlicensed Contractor Installs Furnace in Living...
As a heating and cooling professional, from time to time I hear horror stories about work being done by unlicensed or unprofessional contractors. I just heard about one that occurred within the last month that I had to share with you.
This story happened to an unfortunate homeowner here in Western Washington. We’ll call her Mary. Mary purchased a Goodman furnace and installation from Frank...
March 2010
2 posts
Seattle Home Show
Hi everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone that came out to see us at the Seattle Home Show. The show confirmed how much need there is in the Puget Sound area for energy efficiency and improved comfort in homes. We were able to talk with a lot of people that we are going to be able to help save money on their energy bills.
Congratulations to our big winner!
Congratulations to V. Edson of Bellevue, WA. He was the big winner in our home show drawing. He won a free Guardian Air Advanced Oxidation System, which will purify the air in his new home, killing 99% of microbials and reducing odors and gases by 85%. We are currently selling the Guardian Air for $985.
February 2010
3 posts
This Week's Featured Utility Rebate
$1,500 Rebate for Geothermal Heat Pump
This week’s featured rebate is $1,500 from Puget Sound Energy for upgrading your home heating and cooling system to a high efficiency geothermal heat pump. This rebate presents a great opportunity to get much more energy efficient, and get paid for it! As you read the rebate requirements, keep in mind that there are many other programs and rebates...
Does Your Home Meet the New Washington State...
The 2009 Washington State Energy Code will require the performance testing of duct systems in new and existing homes. This means that a certified P.T.C.S. (Performance Testing of Comfort Systems) technician will have to test and certify that all duct systems meet the new energy codes.
This new standard has been created because extensive testing by the Washington State University Extension Energy...
This Week's Featured Rebate:
$1,000 PSE Rebate for Electric Forced Air Furnace to Heat Pump Conversion
This week’s featured rebate is $1,000 from Puget Sound Energy for replacing an electric-forced-air-furnace with a high efficiency heat pump. This rebate presents a great opportunity to get much more energy efficient, and get paid for it! Read More
January 2010
8 posts
Questions and Answers
In the course of my job, I talk with a lot of homeowners and contractors. The variety in questions that I get is truly amazing. You would imagine the usual questions I get, how much is it? How efficient is it? Do heat pumps really work? Yesterday afternoon I spent a half-hour on the phone with a very savvy customer who was spending a significant amount of time...
PSE Rebate Program Feature
In an effort to get their customers to improve their energy efficiency, Puget Sound Energy, as well as some other local energy providers, has some really great rebate and incentive programs going right now. Periodically, we will be highlighting the details of one of these programs.
Keep in mind that there are a lot of programs and incentives available, so even if you don’t qualify for the...
Introducing the new Evergreen mascot!
Hobo, the 9-week-old German Shepherd, is pictured here with his owner, Billy Zard. Billy has worked for Evergreen since 2002 and runs our sheet metal fabrication shop. Because we fabricate our own sheet metal, we are able to bring greater value and faster service to our customers, and charge them less in the process.
We're Saving a Customer 15% to 20% every month!
At Evergreen Home Heating & Energy, we do more than just install furnaces and heat pumps. We are on a jobsite right now removing a 60-year-old oil-fired boiler and all of the old hydronic baseboard and installing a new 85% efficient Crown oil-fired boiler.
Learn more: EHHE Blog
Do-It-Yourself Furnace Repairs Are Not Worth the...
That’s an important reason why we have trained service technicians. Looking at a diagnostic light and replacing a part is easy, but understanding why the part failed and knowing how to ensure the safe operation of the furnace takes training and experience.
Don’t take the risk! Learn more: EHHE Blog
Seattle City Light raises rates by 13.8%
In yet another sign of tough economic times, Seattle City Light has raised their rates by 13.8%.
Learn more: EHHE Blog
Why Heat Pumps work so well in Western Washington
You may have noticed that heat pumps are regaining the popularity they had in the late 80’ and early 90’s. For many years the cost of the actual heat pump and relatively low natural gas and heating oil prices made investing in a heat pump a risky expenditure. Unless you were going to be in a house for a very long time, it made more sense to heat with gas or oil and install air conditioning for...
Is your furnace correctly sized for your home?
The graph above shows how often our heating systems are drastically oversized here in the Seattle area.
The numbers at the bottom indicate the outdoor temperature and the numbers on the left show the heat output of a furnace in Btu’s.
The diagonal line between the grey and green sections is the heat curve. We know that we don’t have an actual heat loss until the outdoor temperature is 65...
December 2009
2 posts
Measuring Efficiency: COP Energy Conversion
It is fairly easy to compare and convert the annual energy costs of oil, gas and electric furnaces and heat pumps. Fuel burning appliance are rated by Btu’s, operating efficiency and the actual fuel costs.
Electrically heated appliances are rated by btu’s and kilowatts and the actual kilowatt costs. The standard for rating electrically powered heat pumps is the Coefficient of Performance (COP)....
Why a modulating furnace may be your best choice...
Most older homes in Seattle were built with belt driven gas or oil furnaces. These old duct systems were sized for relatively low airflow and a relatively high discharge air temperature when compared to current furnaces. Most of these older furnaces had supply air temperatures exceeding 145 degrees. These older duct systems were sized in the pre-air conditioning days and the air returns are...