Upgrading to a More Energy Efficient HVAC System

Selecting the RIGHT Heating and Cooling Equipment and Systems for Maximum Energy Efficiency!

If you’ve done all you can to improve the energy and cost efficiency of your home’s current HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) system, but nothing seems to work, it may be time for an upgrade. If your system is more than 15 years old, it’s probably time to replace it with a newer, more efficient model. Today's state-of-the-art HVAC systems offer far superior heating and cooling performance and cost much less to operate than the heaters and air conditioners of 10, 20 and 30 years ago.

Before you commit to such a significant investment in your home, make sure you understand the different types of HVAC systems out there and do your research to find the one that’s right for your home.

• Furnaces: Furnaces are probably the most common type of residential heating system. Most furnaces are gas-powered, but they can run on oil, propane, or electricity. Heat is delivered to the different areas of the home through a series of ducts, vents, and registers. Energy-efficient furnaces usually use blower motors—either electronically commutated motors or some other type of air circulating fan.

• Boilers: A boiler produces heat by burning propane, oil, or gas to heat steam or water. The hot water then circulates through pipes in baseboards, radiators, or radiant heat flooring instead of ducts. Energy Star rated boilers have several features that help improve their energy efficiency including electronic ignition switches (which eliminates the need of a constantly-burning pilot light), and other features that extract a greater amount of heat by using the same amount of fuel.

• Central Air Conditioners: Most residential air conditioning systems are split systems: There is an outdoor unit that houses a condenser and compressor, and an indoor component that has an evaporator coil. Both of these components must be replaced at the same time, or you’ll end up with low efficiency and possible system failure. There are two measurements most commonly used to determine efficiency. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures how efficiently an air conditioner will operate through an entire season; Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) measures how efficiently a system will operate when the outdoor temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Some experts recommend replacing your furnace at the same time as your air conditioning system, as they both use the same blower motor and ductwork.

• Heat Pumps: Heat pumps produce both warm and cool air in a single integrated unit. Two types to consider:
  
  Electric air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are often used in moderate climate regions, and take the difference between outdoor air and indoor air temperatures to determine appropriate levels of heating and cooling inside the home. ASHPs have higher SEER and EER ratings than other models, and rank higher on the Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), which measures overall heating efficiency.
  
  Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use natural heat from the ground to warm the air inside your home. Because GHPs use a completely natural heat source, they are the most efficient heating system available. The initial cost of these systems can be significantly higher than that of other units, but the savings they produce on energy costs is substantial. Most units pay for themselves in less than a year. GHPs require ducts and are most often installed in new residential construction.

More About HVAC Installation & Replacement from Horizon Services...

• Horizon HVAC Installation & Replacement Services
• Choosing The Right HVAC Contractor
• Deciding To Replace Your HVAC Equipment
• HVAC Equipment Basics
• Making The Right Decision about HVAC Equipment and Systems
• The HVAC Installation Process
• The HVAC System Analysis

Sago Murukku/Sagu Biyyam Murukku - ICC Challenge for March

Murukku's are always my Favourite. The Palin Muruku, Mullu Muruku, Amma's Kai Murukku, mmm yum, yum!!! Thanks to Srivalli for introducing me (us) to another favourite in this line. After reading the story of Fire Crackers from Srivalli, was a bit tensed!!! So, I Planned to try only half the measure mentioned by Srivalli in ICC post and was ready with a big lid and stood away after pressing the murukku in the oil.Thank God, no Fire Crackers, Murukku's came out well.

Ingredients
1 cup Rice flour
1/4 cup Besan
1/4 cup Fried Gram Flour
1/4 Cup Sago
 Salt to taste
Chilli powder as per taste
Buttermilk to soak Sago, (i used a little more than 1/4 cup)

Method

Soak Sago in Buttermilk for 3 hrs. Now here, i soaked it for 4 hrs and then i grinded it along with the buttermilk (Lataji's Hint). Mixed all the flours and this Buttermilk Sago, added salt and chilli powder. Added 2-3tbsp of Hot oil and made a dough. But my dough was a bit loose than the Chapathi dough, May be i added some extra ButterMilk, Not sure of this too!!!! Tension Level increased a bit More!

Heat oil in Deep Pan and using Murukku achu press down the murukku in the hot oil. I made Small Swirly Murukku.  Cook Well in Medium Heat and Drain on a Paper Towel.

Tamil New Year Special - Mango Pachadi and Mupparuppu Vadai

Wishing you all A very Happy Tamizh New Year and a Very Happy Vishu. Made some Mango Pachadi and Mupparuppu Vada for Swamy Neivedhiyam. Mango pachadi is a traditional dish made for Tamizh New Year.It will be a mixture of Sweet,Sour,Spice and we even put Neem flower while doing the seasoning. so its a combination of all taste, symbolising that life is a Balanced Mixture of Everything.

Ingredients
2 medium sized Raw Mangoes
Equal amount of jaggery
Salt a pinch

Seasoning

Turmeric a pinch

1 tsp mustard seeds

1-2 tsp oil

2 nos red chilli

2 tsp dried neem flower

Method

Wash and cube the mangoes. In a pan Add water, salt and cook the mangoes until soft, when the mangoes are cooked add Jaggery and cook until the jaggery mixes well and starts thickening.

Take it off the flame. In another wok, add oil, splutter mustard seeds, add turmeric and red chillies and Neem Flower, fry it a bit and add it to the cooked Mango Pachadi. Enjoy

3 Lentils Vada or the Muparuppu Vada

This Vada is made durinng most of the festivities as it is considered Subham (Good Luck).

Ingredients

2 tbsp Gram Dal/Chana Dal

2 tbsp urad Dal
1 tbsp Tuvar Dal
1/2 tsp moong dal
2 tbsp Grated Carrots
2 green chillies
hing a pinch
2 sprigs of curry leaves
salt to taste

Method

Soak the lentils in water for half an hour. Drain the excess water and grind a together to a coarse paste. Transfer it to a bowl and add curry leaves, grated carrots,hing and add salt and mix well.

Heat oil in a pan and make small patties of the mixture and deep fry them in batches, drain on a paper towel and enjoy with some sambar.