Frequently Asked Questions

What does HVAC mean?
What is system matching for optimum efficiency?
How long should my furnace and air conditioner last?
What size furnace do I need?
Should I consider changing my furnace before it needs expensive service or breaks down completely?
What is hybrid heat?
What is a geothermal heat pump?
What is AFUE?
What is SEER?
What is HSPF?

HVAC

What does HVAC mean?
HVAC is in common use in the heating and cooling industry. It stands for "heating, ventilation and air conditioning," three functions often combined into one system in today's modern homes and buildings.

A central HVAC system is the most quiet and convenient way to cool and entire home.

The HVAC system in your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, up to 56% of your utility budget goes for heating and cooling.

Like many other appliances, HVAC systems have improved in energy efficiency in the last decade. As a result, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your HVAC equipment.

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General System Questions

What is system matching for optimum efficiency?
One additional factor that affects the efficiency of your air conditioning or heat pump system is your indoor coil (also called an evaporator or "A" coil). If your condensing unit is not matched with the proper indoor coil, it may not give you the stated SEER and/or HSPF ratings and could even develop performance problems. When you replace an existing system, make sure you replace both units so your new condensing unit will give you optimal performance, efficiency and comfort.

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How long should my furnace and air conditioner last?
The average life expectancy of your furnace and air conditioner can be as short as 8 to10 years and as long as 20 to 25 years. The majority of systems fall in the 15 to 20 year range. We find the huge range in life expectancy due almost exclusively to the amount of maintenance done on the system. Just like your car, they require an occasional “oil change” to run longer and at peak performance. A BHAC Maintenance and Safety Check will extend the life of your furnace and air conditioner, will maintain the efficiency of your systems and will find small problems before they become large ones.

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What size furnace do I need?
In almost every case the new furnace will be a substantially smaller capacity unit than your current furnace. In many cases we are removing 125,000 BTUH models and replacing them with 75,000 BTUH units. In years past, the philosophy was to put in the bigger unit, just to be safe. So don’t be surprised when the proposal you receive to replace your old furnace is for a much smaller model. A heat loss should be calculated and the new unit sized to match the load. Also, remember that the new furnaces are much more efficient than your old furnace so they don’t lose such a big percentage of the heat out the chimney.

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Should I consider changing my furnace before it needs expensive service or breaks down completely?
Absolutely. If your existing furnace is over 10 years old then new technology and current incentives make this the best time ever to upgrade your furnace. When you combine the federal energy tax credit with utility rebates, manufacturer rebates and the efficiency improvements, in both gas and electric, the return on your investment has never been better. And as an additional benefit you will realize a much more comfortable home with a new properly sized, multi-stage, high efficiency furnace.

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What is hybrid heat?
A hybrid heat system combines an air source heat pump with a gas furnace. Controls are added to ensure the heat pump is the first stage of heat, in more mild outdoor temperatures, and the gas furnace as second stage in colder outdoor temperatures.

When the heat pump is wired on “off peak” metering, it is cheaper to heat your home than with a gas furnace. The switch over from the heat pump to the gas furnace takes place when the heat pump can no longer produce enough heat to keep your home comfortable-usually between 20 to 32 degrees F.

Your electric utility will also give you a larger rebate (up to $630.00) and in some cases long term, low interest financing (5 years at 5% interest) for purchasing an air source heat pump.

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What is a geothermal heat pump?
A geothermal heat pump captures the heat from the earth and transfers it to heat homes and offices. Piping is buried inground, beneath the frost level, which absorbs the Earth’s heat and carries it to a system of coils, blowers and ductwork which distributes the heat to all the rooms in the structure.

A geothermal system is a very expensive system to install due to the added cost of underground piping, trenching or well drilling and properly backfilling and compacting for optimum heat transfer. In fact a recent study has shown that a geothermal system installed in a Minnesota home will realize a 30 to 50 year return on investment. Not really what you could call a return on investment.

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Efficiency Ratings Explained

What is AFUE?
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the standard measurement of efficiency for gas and oil-fired furnaces. Given in percentages, this number tells you how much of your fuel is used to heat your home and how much fuel is wasted out the chimney. The higher the AFUE rating, the greater the efficiency. Burnsville Heating offers a full line of furnaces with AFUE ratings ranging from the minimum industry requirement of 78% to more than 95%.

Cost Savings: If you have an older furnace (with an AFUE of approximately 55-60%), you could save up to 40% on your heating bills by replacing it with a new high efficiency furnace! The cost to replace your old, inefficient furnace is paid back through lower utility bills.

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What is SEER?
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the measure of efficiency by which the cooling process of air conditioners and heat pumps is rated. The higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency–and therefore greater energy savings. Today, U.S. regulatory agencies require all newly manufactured products to have a 13.0 SEER rating or better. Our full line of air conditioners offer SEER ratings of up to 20.5.

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What is HSPF?
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is the efficiency measurement used to gauge the efficiency of the heating mode of heat pumps. The higher the number, the greater the efficiency and cost-savings. Today's models are required to have a 6.8 HSPF. Burnsville Heating offers heat pumps with HSPF ratings ranging from 6.8 to 9.5.

Cost Savings:
Higher efficiency in heat pumps and air conditioners usually means higher equipment cost but lower utility bills. Ask our comfort advisor to help you determine about how long it would take you to recover the additional cost in energy savings. Of course, long after the payback, you continue to save on your energy bills.

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