Angie's List 2012 Super Service Award!

Elite has won the 2012 Angie's List Super Service Award in the categories of HVAC and Insulation! Thank you to our fantastic customers. We couldn't have done it without your support!

An over-sized HVAC system could cost you...

In air conditioning, bigger is not better.  It’s just the most common mistake we see in air conditioning design.  Compared to a correctly sized air conditioner, an oversized air conditioner cools poorly, costs more to operate, is noisy, and has a shorter lifespan.

Design Occurs In The Field

Air conditioning systems are not designed in the factory.  They are designed by us and other contractors like us.  Each system we design is unique.  We account for your home’s design and layout, the type of construction, it’s orientation to the sun, shade, our local weather, and most important, your lifestyle.  How you plan on using your air conditioner has a big impact on the design. 

  

After we collect the necessary information, we crunch through a series of engineering calculations.  Sometimes we make the calculations on the spot.  Other times, we return to the office to use special design software.  When we perform the calculations in the field, it’s not unusual for us to double check them in the office.

We use many factory designed and built components in the systems we design.  We also fabricate parts of your system in the shop or on-site.

You will be unhappy with an air conditioning system, no matter how reliable and well made you consider the air conditioner and other components if the design is wrong, the field fabrication is poor, and the installation is sloppy.

The Impact on Comfort

When an air conditioner is oversized, it powers on, runs for a few minutes, lowers the air temperature at the thermostat to the setting, and stops.  A few minutes later, the air temperature rises and it powers back on.  To you, it feels like the air conditioner is intermittently blasting frigid air.  This is likely an air conditioner that is short cycling. 

               

An important role of air conditioning is dehumidification.  When an air conditioner short cycles, it pulls moisture from the air stream and leaves it on the indoor coil, where it evaporates back into the air stream.  An air conditioner’s ability to remove moisture from the air stream is lowest at the start of the cycle.  Inadequate moisture removal results in a cold, clammy feeling.

               

When the air conditioner runs for longer cycles, it does a better job pulling moisture from the air stream and disposing it down the condensate line.  Cold, clammy air indicates oversizing.

The Impact on Acoustics

The air conditioner and duct system should be designed together.  If the system is sized larger than the duct system, the volume of air pushed through the ducts raises air velocity, creating a windstorm.  Noisy grilles, registers, and diffusers indicate oversizing or too small ducts.

The Impact on Efficiency

Short cycling is not efficient.  It takes a lot more energy to start a motor than to keep one operating.  With your air conditioner, you start three motors:  the compressor, the outside fan motor, and the indoor fan motor.   In addition, you are operating larger, more expensive motors than you need. 

               

Think of a properly sized air conditioner as a fuel efficient car rolling down the highway.  The oversized air conditioner, by contrast, is like a 1960’s muscle car in stop-and-go traffic.  The miles per gallon is pathetic.  Oversizing costs money.

The Impact on Equipment Longevity

Short cycling causes your equipment to wear out sooner.  Just like an old car with lots of highway miles has more life left than one used for city driving, a correctly sized air conditioner will out last an oversized one.

Identifying Oversized Systems

If your air conditioner starts and stops (i.e., cycles) regularly on very hot days, it’s probably oversized.  Have us perform a set of engineering calculations if you’re unsure. 

               

A continually running air conditioner does not guarantee that it sized correctly.  Oversizing covers up other problems.  For example, if your system is oversized and has a refrigerant leak, it may not be readily apparent until the compressor fails. 

               

If you think your system is oversized, don’t make guesses.  Call us at Elite to run the engineering calculations on your home.  918.610.7300.

What will energy prices do?

After 2008’s run up in energy prices, oil and gas crashed along with Wall Street’s financial collapse.  Economists will debate the cause for years.  Was it the market, or manipulation?  More significantly, what will energy prices do next?

Robert Bryce, Managing Editor of the Energy Tribune, believed that the oil price run up reflected supply and demand.  He’s now changed, writing:

Today, with prices plunging to near $40 instead of the $145 level seen in mid-July, it’s abundantly obvious that speculators were a key driver, probably the main driver, of the surge in oil prices.

Could it have been as simple as speculation?  According to the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations’ 2006 report, “The Role of Market Speculation in Rising Oil and Gas Prices,” oil prices above $40 to $50 per barrel were caused by speculation and hedge funds, not supply and demand.  This report was issued before the 2008 price run up.

A growing body of evidence suggests that speculation played a significant role in the skyrocketing price of energy during 2008.  When the speculative bubble burst, energy prices crashed.

Could energy be subject to another speculative price run up?  Much of the speculation is suspected to have occurred in “dark markets,” not overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.  With the opening of commodities exchanges in India and Dubai, it will be harder than ever to stop worldwide speculation and market manipulation. 

A speculative frenzy could reoccur, but will it?  The answer, unfortunately, is, who knows?

For now, energy prices are likely to stay low until the global economy recovers when they begin rising.  Higher prices do not mean we are running out of oil, but that we’re running out of cheap oil, that’s easy to extract.   

The Green River Formation in parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, holds 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil by itself.  That’s triple the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia.  Additional oil is available off shore, in the Bakken Formation spanning parts of Montana, North Dakota, and Saskatchewan, in Alberta’s Athabasca Oil Sands, in ANWR, in the Arctic, and on unexplored federal lands in the U.S.

In short, North America has abundant oil, though much of it is unconventional and expensive to extract in an environmentally responsible manner.  So while we will not run out of energy for a long time, we will pay more.

Electricity differs from oil and natural gas.  In the U.S., coal generates 49% of electrical power, followed by natural gas (20%) and nuclear power (19%).  Excluding hydroelectricity, renewable energy accounts for just 2% of electrical power generation, and most of the 2% is biomass.

Coal is abundant and cheap.  Yet, environmental concerns impede the use of coal in favor of renewable energy for the future .  While no one opposes renewable energy, it’s simply not economically competitive with fossil fuel generation or nuclear power.  Reliability issues with solar and wind, for example, necessitate expensive standby capacity.  Utilities will simply pass the increased costs along in the form of higher prices. 

Heating and air conditioning accounts for the majority of home energy use.  Yet, dramatic improvements in heating and cooling technology, as well as improved installation practices can result in dramatic reductions in home utility bills through upgrades of older heating and air conditioning systems.  Since the financial return is based on physics, not the financial markets, it’s the safest investment you can make today.  It can generate an attractive return today and a hedge against higher prices in the future.  Plus, it’s a guaranteed investment.

Call us Elite for a free estimate today!  918.610.7300

© Service Roundtable

Control your thermostat with your iPhone...

Elite Service Co. specializes in creating your ideal home environment.  No we can also give you an unprecedented level of control and security thanks to the Trane Comfortlink™ Remote Thermostat energy management system and the Schlage LiNK™ web based interface.  One interface can control many aspects of your home, from Z-Wave® enabled lights and small appliances to your heating and air conditioning system.  It's total integration from one simple solution.

You can also add optional Schlage® wireless keypad locks that can be controlled remotely for greater peace of mind.

The Trane® ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat and Schlage LiNK® System.
The Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat complements and enhances the functionality of your Trane Comfort System and allows remote access through the Schlage LiNK™ interface.

With this system, you can:

• Adjust the temperature remotely from most web enabled cell phones or computers to arrive home to your ideal environment.
• Place your Trane Comfort System into an energy savings mode from anywhere in the world to reduce your utility costs while away.
• Receive text and email alerts when it's time to change the filter or clean your air cleaner collection cells, if applicable.
• Set your system to send text and email reminders when it's time for routine maintenance before heating or cooling season begins.
• Receive an alert message in the unlikely event the system does not maintain the temperature you have set.
• Reduce energy consumption up to 15% with an energy saving schedule.  

System components.

The Schlage® Bridge is the brain of the system 

• Enables communications among system components and between the system and you from the Schlage LiNK™ web interface. 
• Connects most in-home Z-Wave® enabled devices to the Schlage LiNK™ servers through encrypted communications and manages these communications on your Z-Wave® network.

The Appliance Module 

• Allows you to control Z-Wave® enabled lighting and small appliances from Schlage LiNK™ web interface.  
• Incorporate lighting into schedules while on vacation to make your home appear lived in.  
• Multiple Z-Wave® appliance modules can be added to the Schlage LiNK™ system as needed. 

The Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat 

• Uses Schlage LiNK™ web interface help you control the temperature settings of your home remotely by most web enabled cell phones or computers. 
• Sends text alerts for filter changes and maintenance reminders.  
• 7 day programmable thermostat with up to 4 settings per day.
• Multiple Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostats can be added to the Schlage LiNK™ as needed to control the temperature in different rooms of your home.

Z-Wave® Devices

• Expand the functionality of your Schlage LiNK™ system
• The ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat system, controlled through the Schlage LiNK™ interface, is based on a secure universal communication standard known as Z-Wave.®  This wireless radio frequency-based technology transforms a single device into  an intelligent network that can be securely monitored an controlled wirelessly.  You can customize with over 200 Z-Wave® enabled devices.

Add ons.

Schlage® Wireless Locks

• Store up to 19 unique user codes and never lose your house keys again.
• Receive text message or email alerts when specific codes are entered at the door.
• Set 24 hour temporary codes from most web enabled cell phones.

Schlage® Camera

The Schlage® Camera lets you remotely see what's going on at home through most web enabled cell phones and computers.

Schalge® Light Module

Turn lights on, off or dim them remotely anywhere by phoen through the Schlage LiNK™ web interface.

What it takes to get started.

• An active broadband internet connection and router with at least one available port
• A computer with internet access and supported internet browser.
• A valid email address.
• A compatible cell phone with an internet data plan and a SMS (text message) plan for remote features.

The Schlage LiNK™ system requires a monthly subscription fee to enable remove access via most web enabled cell phones and computers.  A 6 month subscription trial period is included when purchased from a qualifying Trane dealer.  Subscription service is $8.99/month after the first 6 months.

Text "phone" to MyLink (695465) to see if your phone is compatible, and call Elite for an estimate on your Trane ComfortLink™ Remote Thermostat. 918.610.7300

©Trane Corporation

Winter Tip of the Day: Change Furnace Filters

Winter Tip of the Day: Dodge Those Drafts!

Why is my home so dry?

Is your home so dry it’s affecting the health of your family?  One of the main reasons we get colds and flues in the winter is dry indoors air.  The mucus in our upper respiratory tract traps bacteria, viruses, and allergens as they enter our body and sweeps them into our stomachs before they can enter our bloodstream.  With excessively dry air, our mucus dries and thickens, effectively reducing our immunity.

Are you plagued by static electricity?  Static electricity as low as 500 volts can damage microchips in computers and electronics.  You cannot perceive static electricity until it reaches 1,500 volts.  Simply walking across a rug can produce static electricity of 12,000 volts.  While not harmful to people, static electricity can damage your home’s electronic equipment.  Proper humidity levels in your home will help control static electricity.

Does it feel cold even when the thermostat is set at comfortable level?  The air in your home may need moisture.  Your home may be drier than the Sahara in the winter.  If the air outside is 35OF with a 60% relative humidity, heating it to 72OF will drop the humidity to 15%!  By comparison, the average humidity in the Sahara is 25%.

Signs your home is too dry:

• Excessive static electricity
• Viral infections, such as colds and the flu
• Agitation of asthma and allergy problems
• Rashes, chapped lips, and dry skin
• Cracks in wood floors
• Shrinkage in wood furnishings
• Gaps in molding
• Wallpaper peeling at the corners
• Loose drawers
• Out of tune pianos
• Fortunately, we can correct these problems with an automatic central humidifier.

What can you do?

Your grandmother intuitively knew the answer to dry winter air.  She left a pot of water simmering on the stove to add moisture to the house.  While effective, this is not necessarily safe or economical.  Alternatively, hauling water to a series of room humidifiers is messy and inconvenient.  The best solution is to use an automatic furnace central humidifier that will maintain indoor humidity at the optimum level without the need to ever give it a thought.

What is the cost?

After the initial cost, a humidifier will pay for itself within a couple of seasons from the energy savings alone.  Though you may not notice it, your body is constantly perspiring.  When the air is dry, your perspiration evaporates instantly, creating a cooling effect.  This is why rubbing alcohol feels cool when applied to the skin, even though the rubbing alcohol is kept at room temperature.  Thus, proper levels of humidity result in a more comfortable home, at a lower thermostat setting.  Simply lowering your thermostat a degree or two will pay for the cost of the humidifier in a couple of seasons.  It doesn’t take much.

How do automatic humidifiers work?

We will mount a humidistat on the wall inside your home and a humidifier on your furnace or duct system.  You dial in your desired level of humidity (i.e. 30% to 40% is recommended), the humidistat measures the humidity in the surrounding air, and adds moisture if the humidity is low.  It’s simple, efficient, and automatic.

Call us today for an estimate on the installation of your automatic humidifier!  918.610.7300

©Service Roundtable

Halloween Savings!

Halloween is just around the corner! Take advantage of this $20 coupon good toward any service. Just like our Facebook page, print the coupon, and call us to set up your appointment. 918.610.7300

Mitsubishi Mini-Splits

There is a new type of HVAC system that is taking the industry by storm.  It is the mini-split ductless HVAC system.  The mini splits are small, quiet and unobtrusive while providing top of the line energy efficiency. 

There are several companies producing mini splits, but Mitsubishi is the leader, providing a powerhouse of energy efficiency with a 26 SEER ductless system. 

What does SEER stand for?

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating system was developed as a performance standard by the combined efforts between the U.S. government and equipment manufacturers with the intent to create a rating system that is easily understood by the public.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

The number that is associated with a SEER rating measures the British thermal units per hour of cooling or heating, per watt of electricity. The higher the number, the more efficiently a product will produce cool air compared to a product with a lower number.

Today, a standard system has a rating of 13 SEER.  Mitsubishi’s ductless mini-splits have up to a 26 SEER rating.  That’s double the efficiency of a standard unit. 

Some benefits of owning a Mitsubishi ductless system are:

Mitsubishi Mini Split units incorporate eco-comfort technology, dual and triple-allergen filtration, and are whisper-quiet.

Eco-comfort technology makes these systems smarter in how they use energy and minimizes their impact on the environment. Plus there are many advanced features like the i-see™ Sensor, that automatically detects room temperature differences and adjusts for greater comfort. Mitsubishi Electric's advanced multi-stage filtration systems dramatically reduce allergens and help eliminate odors. And our indoor units operate with sound levels starting as low as 19dB(A). That sound is even quieter than a human whisper.

New technology revolutionizes the heat pump.

Unlike older, inefficient heat pumps, there is no cold air delivery with Mitsubishi Electric's Cooling & Heating systems. Larger coils heat faster, and the Hot StartTM system doesn't activate the fan until the desired temperature is reached so it never blows cold air. What's more, select models use Hyper-Heating INVERTER (H2i®)technology that operates effectively down to -13º F. With this improvement these models give true year-round comfort from a single system. Even with this amazing cold weather performance, there are no energy consuming electric resistance heating elements to increase your utility bills.

These units provide easy installation, simple service and longer warranties.
Mitsubishi Electric's units are easy to install with little or no ductwork. They're also designed for easy servicing. Although, with our industry-leading reliability record, you won't have to worry much about that. Better yet, we've extended our warranties to seven years on compressors and five years on parts.

Some of the featured components of the systems include the following items:

INVERTER-driven compressor systems use only the exact amount of energy needed to cool or heat an area. So you can save energy and money while enjoying complete control over your comfort year-round.

Standard and enhanced filtration systems provide air filtration that utilizes washable filters that can last up to 10 years; this feature is good both for you and the environment. Hybrid Catechin and blue-enzyme filters contained in each indoor unit remove allergens; each room has its own filter, therefore preventing cross contamination of air from room to room. Select systems incorporate an additional Platinum Catalyst filter for additional odor elimination.

Mitsubishi Mini-Split systems are perfect for a home office addition or your home gym.

Call Elite to see if a Mitsubishi ductless HVAC system is right for you.  The estimate is FREE!  918.610.7300

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

Did you know that the revised building code for the state of Oklahoma is requiring a CO detector for every home that uses a fossil fuel appliance? This means homes with natural gas fireplaces, dryers, HVAC systems, oven ranges, etc. If you are planning on having your home remodeled and the contractor pulls a permit, a CO detector will be required at the time of inspection.CO detectors monitor the amount of carbon monoxide in your home and alert you when dangerous levels are present. While it is not an immediate requirement for older homes to have a CO detector, we highly recommend having one installed. 

Carbon monoxide will cause death or serious brain damage to more than 500 victims this year—don’t let a family member be one of them! What exactly is it? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct from burning various fuels and can come from a variety of common, everyday home appliances… and it’s poisonous to breathe in. Have you ever heard that you should never start your car or lawn mower with the garage door closed? That’s why. It’s a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas, making it a difficult opponent. Make sure your family doesn’t fall victim to this silent killer by knowing the facts. Homes are most at risk during fall, when people are starting up their furnace, boiler, or other seasonal combustion appliances for the first time in months.

Normally the toxic gases from fuel combustion are expelled from the home, but processes called the “stack effect” and “backdraft” trap them inside. The stack effect is when faulty appliances create a negative air pressure inside the home by ventilating too much air out of the home. The building will then “backdraft” to compensate for the air pressure imbalance by sucking air—including toxic gases—back inside.

This is usually caused by loose vent pipes, cracked metal, or corrosion.

Your home could also have internal equipment damage, malfunctioning components, or hidden blockage or damage in the vent or chimney. But how do you know?

CO is indiscernible by our senses, carbon monoxide can really sneak up on you—and your home’s CO detector! Because air can stratify, low-level leaks are difficult to identify, you should have at least one CO alarm on each floor of your home, and make sure it has a battery backup if it is hard-wired or plug-in.

What to do if your alarm goes off:

Turn off combustion appliances, open all doors and windows, leave the home, and seek medical attention for a blood check.

CO exposure is so dangerous because it interferes with the way your body absorbs oxygen, and can result in death or serious brain damage.

Symptoms of CO exposure include dizziness, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath—unfortunately, those are also symptoms for dozens of other illnesses, so it’s best to stay on the safe side and just get your home checked!

Call Elite for an annual inspection.  (…right about now would be a good time!) We can clean and tune-up the central heating system and check for chimney air leaks, cracked heat exchangers, and improperly installed or loose vent pipes. Make sure your family knows the warning signs and what to do to prevent a CO nightmare.  918.610.7300

© Service Roundtable

How can you reduce your family's impact on the environment?

Annual Heating and Air Conditioning 

Maintenance
 Many people wait until something is wrong before they feel that they can justify the cost of service and repairs. Problem is, by neglecting to have your furnace and air conditioner serviced regularly, you will pay more in the long run; more in energy bills, more in preventative repairs, and face replacements sooner from reduced equipment life. And, you will most likely experience equipment failure in the middle of the summer or winter, times of heavy use when you need your systems the most.

Regular maintenance will catch small issues before they become large issues and prevent total system failure. Also, when your equipment is serviced annually and running at an optimal level you will have much lower utility bills. This is good for the environment and your pocketbook.

Upgrade old, inefficient appliances

Dishwashers, clothes washers, ovens, refrigerators, water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and other major appliances can all run up energy costs quickly if they are not energy efficient or not running at peak performance. It is important to have your major appliances inspected regularly. If you are considering a renovation or upgrade, explore your options. 

Fix refrigerant leaks

Refrigerant is expensive. The longer you put off fixing the leak, the more that’s evaporating (not to mention the harm to the environment). Not only that, if moisture enters  and reacts with the refrigerant, vital components like the compressor can be damaged and you may end up replacing your entire unit. Even if a total replacement is not required, the efficiency of your unit can be greatly compromised.

Seal air infiltration of your home

If your home is not sealed to today’s standards you could be spending 30% or more on your energy bill than necessary. Infiltration refers to airflow through gaps or cracks around windows, or in walls or flooring. Using caulk or other means to fill in the holes you can access will help to seal the building envelop so that less energy will be needed to maintain the temperature in your home. Having a home energy audit conducted will also give you more information about the most cost effective changes you can make to reduce costs.

Seal ducts located outside of the building envelope.

If you have ducts that run through your garage, attic, basement, or crawlspaces they may be susceptible to extreme temperature deviations from the portion of the home where the temperature is regulated. Sealing and insulating these ducts will result in a reduction of energy consumption.

Ceiling fans

A ceiling fan can increase evaporation of perspiration from an individual and create the sensation of a cooler environment. Ceiling fans also cost much less to operate than your comfort system. This allows you to set the thermostat higher and still enjoy a comfortable environment. Be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room.

Motion detector light switches

Are you tired of kids leaving the lights on and wasting money? Install motion activated light switches to automatically turn off lights and conserve energy. They are especially useful in rooms that have ceiling fans, as ceiling fans are only effective if there is someone present in the room to benefit from the air movement.

CFLs

Most people don’t pay a lot of attention to what kind of light bulbs they have in their home, as long they provide adequate lighting. What many don’t realize is that they are wasting money using conventional incandescent light bulbs. The light bulb with the spiral top is called a CLF or Compact Fluorescent Light bulb. The average life of a CFL is approximately 6-10 times that of an incandescent light bulb. Although CFLs are more expensive than compact fluorescent bulbs, they use less energy, providing a yearly savings of $40-60 or more.

Outlet insulators

It may be hard to believe, but if your outlet covers are not properly insulated, air could be entering your home around them. Use outlet insulators to help seal the space behind the outlet and lower your energy bills.

Low flow showerheads

Consumers worry that switching to a low flow showerhead will decrease their comfort in the shower.  In reality, most people using a low flow shower head can’t tell the difference between it and a regular showerhead.

Don’t do everything at once. Pick a few projects to tackle each year. By making just a few of these changes, you could be saving a great deal of money on utility payments. We can help you to prioritize. Elite Service Company is always ready to help with all of your heating and cooling needs.  Call Elite to see how we can help you improve your environmental footprint!  918.610.7300
© Service Roundtable