Approximately 35 million homes in America are heated by natural gas-fired forced-air heating systems; by far the most popular form of central heating. Unfortunately, due to the inefficiencies of older furnace design, the vast majority of these households have been sending 30-40% or more of their energy dollars up the furnace flue. In an effort to curb this energy waste, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) instituted rigid new standards at the beginning of 1992 that required every new furnace to turn at least 78% of its fuel into heat. Manufacturers responded by producing models that not only meet this standard, but go far beyond by introducing units with efficiencies well into the 90+% range.

Mattex Service Company understands that saving money by operating a higher efficiency furnace is a giant step in the right direction. A new furnace that is not dependable is a budget buster, and will easily gobble up any savings realized through more efficient operation. That’s why Trane builds not only high efficiency gas and oil furnaces, but ones that perform again and again, winter after winter, year after year. Dependability and efficiency - the foundation from which every Trane furnace is built. Take a look at the full line of their furnaces, and experience the Trane difference.

As an authorized TRANE dealer and an Act on Energy Ally, Mattex Service Company is sure to find an energy-saving solution to your home or business' heating needs.

An air to air heat pump is a machine that employs refrigerant, a compressor, a reversing valve and optimized heat exchangers, to remove heat from the air supply in one location and deliver that heat to another location. The reversing valve switches the direction of refrigerant flow through the cycle based on the seasonal heating and cooling needs of the home or business. In summer, the heat pump acts as a traditional air conditioner. In winter, it removes heat from the outdoors and delivers it inside. Because the outdoor coil (condenser) and indoor coil (evaporator) each act as a heat exchanger and must be able to swap functions, they are optimized to perform adequately in both modes. As such, the efficiency of a heat pump is typically slightly less than two separately-optimized machines. Air to air heat pumps become less efficient as the surrounding air temperature drops, so they operate most efficiently in milder winter climates - making them a superior choice to electric resistance heaters or furnaces that operate on expensive propane gas.

Mattex Service Company recommends Trane heat pumps as a great solution for your home comfort system when compared to the very expensive heating choices offered by propane or electric strip heating. Each unit is quality built to withstand the rigors of year-round operation, and have been proven to give years of dependable and trouble-free operation. Whether it is the hottest day of the summer, or the coldest day of winter, Trane heat pumps work day in and day out to keep your family in premium comfort.

 

Heat Pumps (Geothermal)

Geothermal heat pumps (sometimes referred to as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps) have been in use since the late 1940s. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. This allows the system to reach fairly high efficiencies (300%-600%) on the coldest of winter nights, compared to 175%-250% for air-source heat pumps on cool days.

While many parts of the country experience seasonal temperature extremes—from scorching heat in the summer to sub-zero cold in the winter—a few feet below the earth's surface the ground remains at a relatively constant temperature. Depending on latitude, ground temperatures range from 45°F (7°C) to 75°F (21°C). Like a cave, this ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. The GHP takes advantage of this by exchanging heat with the earth through a ground heat exchanger. 

As with any heat pump, geothermal and water-source heat pumps are able to heat, cool, and, if so equipped, supply the house with hot water. Some models of geothermal systems are available with two-speed compressors and variable fans for more comfort and energy savings. Relative to air-source heat pumps, they are quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the temperature of the outside air.

A dual-source heat pump combines an air-source heat pump with a geothermal heat pump. These appliances combine the best of both systems. Dual-source heat pumps have higher efficiency ratings than air-source units, but are not as efficient as geothermal units. The main advantage of dual-source systems is that they cost much less to install than a single geothermal unit, and work almost as well.  Please feel free to call our office for more information or questions about Geothermal heat pumps, or view the link below.

Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a home or business. These systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer: the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the occupants and objects in the room via the radiation of heat. Radiant heating is the same effect you feel from the warmth of a hot stovetop element across the room. When radiant heating is located in the floor, it is often called radiant floor heating or simply floor heating.

Hydronic (liquid) systems are the most popular and cost-effective radiant heating systems for heating-dominated climates. Hydronic radiant floor systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern underneath the floor. In some systems, the temperature in individual rooma are controlled by regulating the flow of hot water through each tubing loop. This is done by a system of zoning valves or pumps and thermostats. The cost of installing a hydronic radiant floor varies by location and also depends on the size of the home, the type of installation, the floor covering, remoteness of the site, and the cost of labor.

Mattex Service Company technicians are experienced and skilled with the installation of these efficient heating systems.  Call us today for a free estimate to obtain this energy saving system in your home or business.