Sunday 11 March 2018

Best HVAC Options for a Finished Basement

Finished Basement with Overlooked HVAC


Do not stress if you have overlooked planning for heating and cooling options for your basement before it is was finished, you can add heating and cooling options that best suit your space at any time. If the house is an old house the older HVAC systems previously installed most likely will not suit present lifestyle requirements. There are sustainable options to turn the often times stale and stagnant indoor temperature of a basement into a warm and comfortable space.
The first things to consider that will guide your choice of an HVAC system that will suit your needs are budget, vent system, how much space you have available, what options fit into the interior design style of the basement, power consumption, ease of handling, and control.

Upgrading your current HVAC systems

You have to figure out if your current HVAC system can take on the extra exertion needed to heat and cool your finished basement. Age and size are the main factors. An older unit will most likely be already working at full capacity, and increase in heating and cooling space may just take it over the limit. Rule of thumb, if your HVAC system was specifically installed to only heat and cool your existing space, and as well it is over 10 years you will most likely want to upgrade to a version that will provide the proper amount of heating and cooling to ALL areas of your home. If you are uncertain, call in your local professional HVAC technician, HVAC Philly, who serve the greater Philadelphia, Bucks County, PA, and Montgomery County, PA areas.

Use of baseboard heaters

Baseboard heaters are one of the easiest ways to boost the heating conditions of spaces that were not considered in prior planning. Baseboard heaters may be hard wired or electric baseboards that are put on the floor rather than being mounted on the wall. Before opting for baseboards, you may consider how well it will fit into your present design theme and how financially sustainable it is. Nonetheless, one major advantage to this option is that it is convenient for heating just one space; you do not have to consume a lot of energy heating the entire house when just the basement is occupied at a time.

Portable Air Conditions

As the name implies, its portability means it can easily be moved around. If you are financially conscious of electricity bills, this option offers you a way to save up some extra cash. It is generally designed to be lightweight and is a good choice if the basement space is split into rooms so it can be moved from room to room as it is needed.

Wood Pellet Stove

If you are one for the traditional and or rustic home theme, this may be a good option for you. Although it may take up some space, the benefits of the thermal comfort and aesthetics are well worth the space used.
In the end, extending your HVAC might seem like a lot of work, but the comfort and value it will add to your finish basement is all the reason you need.
For more FAQ about your HVAC system, be sure to follow HVAC Philly Blog, for helpful tips and information related to heating repair, heating maintenance and services provided to the greater Philadelphia, Bucks County, PA and Montgomery County, PA areas.
If you are in the greater Philadelphia, Montgomery County,  or Bucks County, PA areas, HVAC Philly offers affordable, professional and expert HVAC services to commercial buildings and homes throughout the area. They have over 20 years experience and rated top ten HVAC companies in Philadelphia.

Tips for Buying a New Furnace for Your Historic Home

A historic home is a source of pride to its owner(s). Many historic homes are transformed into beautiful restaurants and inns like the Bridgetown Mill House, located in Langhorne, PA. Historical homes, while charming and stunning, need alot of TLC, and most likely will be in need of some upgrading to suite modern day needs and trends, without compromising the original design. An important factor is the heating and cooling aspects. Many historical homes use stoves or fireplaces as a source of heat in the winter. So how do you choose a furnace for your historical home that will not take away from it original charm?

HVAC Philly, who serve Langhorne, PA homes, as well as surrounding Bucks County, PA, Montgomery County, PA, and the greater Philadelphia areas with top rated heating and cooling services, suggest looking at the following to determine which furnace works best:
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the top considerations when buying a furnace especially for historic homes that can be difficult to heat. Keeping your energy bills within an affordable range is important.
There are three major types of furnaces; high efficiency, mid efficiency and conventional.
High-efficiency furnaces offer up to 90% energy efficiency.
Mid-efficiency furnaces are between 80% and 90% efficiency.
Conventional furnaces run with 75% to 80% energy efficiency.
As important as energy efficiency is, it is not the only reason to buy a furnace as the percentage of efficiency only refers to the fuel combustion, hence, the intended usage and the add-on features of the furnaces usually guide choice among people rather than just the efficiency.
*Note that for residential usage, buying a high-efficiency furnace is not necessary because of the scale of usage; it is better recommended for more bulky usage like in commercial buildings.
Venting System
A historic house will likely have a chimney, but the choice to use the chimney space for venting the furnace or for any other suited use rests on the homeowners. Modern regulations mandate some treatments be done on chimneys, and these treatments can be costly. You may decide to opt for a furnace that may not necessarily require a chimney in order to save money. For instance, some mid-efficiency furnaces that use direct venting system where fans are used to drive out smoke from combustion through small vents. Other than cost, using a chimney for your furnace decides the position of the furnace, for a more flexible interior design option furnaces not requiring chimneys, can be used.
The Maintenance
Maintenance of your furnace is essential to keep it safe and working in top condition. Do not purchase a furnace without clarity of how much to maintain it. Check with your HVAC technician regarding frequency and cost of maintenance and plan accordingly. Maintenance will add longevity to your furnace.
Cost
When buying a furnace try to estimate your needs, even though you may care about efficiency and some other attractive additional features of your furnace, in reality, you may not need every single extra feature. As mentioned earlier in the case of efficiency, why buy a high-efficiency furnace when a medium efficiency furnace can rightly serve your needs?
Aesthetics
Luckily, furnaces now come in designs that can fit any interior style without sacrificing its functions. When purchasing a furnace after choosing the functions you need, ask for one that customized to aesthetically fit into your home.
For more FAQ about your HVAC system, be sure to follow HVAC Philly Blog, for helpful tips and information related to heating repair, heating maintenance and services provided to the greater Philadelphia, Bucks County, PA and Montgomery County, PA areas.
If you are in the greater Philadelphia, Montgomery County,  or Bucks County, PA areas, HVAC Philly offers affordable, professional and expert HVAC services to commercial buildings and homes throughout the area. They have over 20 years experience and rated top ten HVAC companies in Philadelphia.