(707) 539-4533 | Sonoma, Napa, Placer and Marin Counties

(707) 539-4533 | Sonoma, Napa, Placer and Marin Counties

valley comfort heating and air

New HVAC Technology That Improves the Environment

by | Feb 5, 2020 | air conditioner, air conditioner maintenance, Air Conditioning

New HVAC technology is changing the game for eco-friendly building design and operation. In a previous post, we discussed how air conditioning was contributing to climate change but noted that evolutions in technology were starting to shift that narrative. Across the HVAC industry, manufacturers are committing themselves to developing more eco-friendly products. The reason for the shift isn’t difficult to see. Not only is climate change a threat to the planet as a whole, but consumers—particularly millennials—have made it clear that they care about sustainability and are willing to change their buying habits to benefit the environment. The HVAC industry certainly isn’t the only market that will be impacted by this shift in consumer mindset, but it is undoubtedly one of the industries where a change in approach could have the most significant impact on climate change in general.

New HVAC Technology and the Environment

3 White Hvac Units on a roof top with white clouds and blue skies in backgroundOne thing that is important to understand right now is that eco-friendly HVAC technology is a work in progress. As more leading manufacturers in the HVAC industry invest heavily in research and development aimed at sustainability, new technologies will crop up, and the current ones will improve. As things stand right now, though, here are some examples of new HVAC technology that could have a positive impact on the environment at large:

  • Geothermal heat pumps. While not necessarily new, geothermal technology is becoming more popular in the HVAC industry as the push for more sustainable products continues to grow. Instead of producing heat through gas or electricity, geothermal heat pumps using piping systems installed in the ground to absorb and harvest heat from the earth itself. Depending on the system you are using, a geothermal heat pump can be four times more efficient than the average furnace. Another benefit is that geothermal heat pumps can also be used for cooling or even as water heaters.
  • Automation and smart home technology. One of the biggest drivers of energy efficiency boosts in HVAC right now has nothing to do with furnaces, air conditioners, or HVAC systems themselves. The rise of automation and smart home technology has enabled homeowners and business owners to be more strategic with how they are using or preserving heating and cooling in their buildings. Again, this type of technology is not necessarily brand new: smart thermostats, which enable easy programming and temperature shifts throughout the day/week, have been around for years and are a small but effective way to make the most of your heating or cooling. As smart home technology continues to become more commonplace, though, the benefits of this basic type of automation are only going to grow. It’s now easy to adjust thermostat temperatures remotely, automate blinds or curtains to minimize the effect of direct sunlight on interior temperatures, and more. These automated functions can do a surprising amount to help your HVAC system operate more efficiently.
  • Ice-powered air conditioners. Most air conditioners use refrigerant or water to create cool air. Why not ice? These air conditioners essentially work by freezing large amounts of water—usually during the night—and then blows air across the melting ice to create a cooling effect. This type of system is relatively new at this point and is only really being manufactured by one brand. If results prove positive, though, expect to see ice used as a more renewable and less environmentally damaging alternative to refrigerant.

Dust Mites in your HVAC Ducts

  • Motion-activated air conditioning. We’ve all heard of motion sensor lighting, which is a popular means of reducing electricity consumption in office buildings especially. At MIT, innovators have been toying around with a twist on the same concept: motion-activated air conditioning. Essentially, these systems use sensors that, when installed on the ceiling of a room, can detect when there is movement in the room. When the sensors detect motion, they can send a signal to activate the air conditioning. The concept only really works if your building is 1) properly zoned, and 2) the system knows only to activate if there is motion and the thermostat temperature is lower than the current temperature. However, there is no doubt a lot of promise here for businesses that have rooms (or entire floors) that are only used occasionally. 

Of course, these aren’t the only examples of new HVAC technology that can make a difference for the environment. Less bold and exciting but just as notable are the newer and more efficient heating and cooling systems that HVAC brands are developing every year. Companies are shooting for higher SEER and EER ratings, for instance, which indicate improved efficiency. Also, you can do a lot for the efficiency of your furnace or air conditioning unit by simply  working with your HVAC technician to have it serviced regularly. There may not be one sweeping solution to the problem of climate change, or to the way that HVAC can contribute to it. However, by embracing the smaller metrics of progress that are playing out in the marketplace currently, we can all make a positive difference for the future.

New Heating technologies that save you money

by | Dec 12, 2018 | heat, Heating, HVAC System

New Heating technologies that save you money

Every year, the pace of technological change seems to get faster. Sometimes, it can even feel difficult to keep up with everything. Change doesn’t come only in the form of a new phone, or a larger television, or a faster Wi-Fi connection. Work goes on in every industry to improve quality of life for everyone, both through creating new technologies and by improving existing ones as well. That’s just as true in the world of heating and cooling as it is anywhere else. From improving how quickly you can reach a comfortable indoor temperature to improving energy efficiency, there are many advancements arriving and on the horizon. Many of them could ultimately save you money every month. What are some of the new heating options Santa Rosa residents may soon be able to enjoy?

Next-Generation Heat Pumps Take Efficiency to the Next Level

new heating Santa Rosa

Heat pumps already provide homeowners with an excellent option for energy savings in areas where winter temperatures remain relatively mild and rarely plunge below freezing. By using the power of physics (or its magic, depending on your perspective) to extract heat from the environment outside, these heat pumps can then transfer that energy to the air indoors. With no fuel to burn, it’s cost-effective and useful. However, they aren’t perfect.

There are many new technological developments ongoing in the world of heat pumps. The next generation of equipment will be able to tap into even greater efficiency thanks to improvements in the basic process and the components used. However, geothermally-linked heat pumps are becoming popular, too. This is different than extracting heat from the ground for power. Instead, your heat pump would circulate water more than a hundred feet underground, carrying out the same exchange process but with earth instead of air. While these systems already exist, they are improving year after year in efficiency and accessibility.

Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps Combine the Best of Both Worlds

Basic efficiency improvements and the growing promise of heating with geothermal loops aren’t the only advances in heat pump technology we can enjoy. Once a rarity, combination units, also known as “dual fuel” heat pumps, are offering an extended level of efficiency to homeowners in colder areas. Most of the time, the electric heat pump runs, offering effective warming without the need to fire up a furnace. However, the energy efficiency of an electric pump declines rapidly below freezing and can ultimately consume an expensive amount of power. In a dual fuel unit, the electric heat pump turns off below a cutoff temperature, and a high-efficiency furnace (usually natural gas-fired) takes over. With the best of both worlds, this type of unit could be an exciting new heating choice for Santa Rosa.

In-Floor Heating Keeps Your Feet Cozy

Radiant heating may not be new, but improvements to the technology underpinning it are piling up faster every year. With underfloor heating in spaces such as bathrooms or even bedrooms, you can take advantage of passive warming for individual spaces that requires neither your furnace nor a dedicated space heater. Provided by either loops of tubing carrying heated water or built-in heating elements, warmth seeps up through your floor and rises into the room. Not only is this a more cost-effective option for some homes, but it also gives you the benefit of a very pleasant place to walk on those cold and dark nights.

Internal Improvements Make a Difference in New Heating Choices for Santa Rosa

Sometimes, the biggest changes are the ones that are the hardest to see. In many cases, the technological leaps that mean the most are all about making improvements to components we already rely upon in daily use. The result is not only better heating (or cooling), but the ability to achieve the desired outcomes with a smaller power demand. Dual heat exchanger units, for example, double the amount of space in the unit for capturing and radiating heat into your home effectively. Likewise, newer motors continue to gain better computer-controlled speed variability. The result of that innovation is a “smarter” furnace that can tell when to crank up the heat and when to keep it low.

The good news is that unlike phones, there’s no pressure to purchase a brand-new air conditioner or furnace every year. However, for those already considering new heating in Santa Rosa and those who may need to upgrade soon, considering the latest technological advancements is a smart idea. After all, not only can you gain access to the benefits of better performance, but you can do so while potentially saving a bundle on your monthly electric bill. Speaking with a licensed heating company in the area is a good place to start when you have more questions about the “latest and greatest” things in the world of HVAC technology, such as the items described above. Will you put your home on the cutting edge? It could be the key to both going green and putting more green back in your pocket.