Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Archive for September, 2012

Getting a New Heating System: Why You Need the Ultimate Savings Agreement

Monday, September 24th, 2012

If you have just purchased a new heating system or are in the process of doing so, one of the first things you should consider is a maintenance plan that will keep your system in good condition each year for many to come. Specifically, if you live in the Gaithersburg area, we recommend you consider the Ultimate Savings Agreement for your home’s new heating system. Provided by Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating, the Ultimate Savings Agreement is an extended warranty for labor, parts and service for your new heating system.

What the Ultimate Savings Agreement is Important

Tucker’s is the only company in the region to offer a 15 year parts and labor warranty and we offer lifetime unit replacement for heat exchangers and compressors with our Ultimate Service Agreement. Why is this important? Because the manufacturers only warranty their products for 10 years, which is not nearly long enough. You don’t want to be replacing your heating system again in just 10 years. A warranty for a full 15 years will ensure the 12-15 year life cycle of most heat pumps and furnaces is protected.

Repair Services Warrantied As Well

The Ultimate Service Agreement goes beyond just parts and labor on your heating system. We also offer a full 5 year warranty on the work we do. If we visit your home and perform a service repair, we will back it up for as long as 5 years and ensure that if the same component breaks again in the future, we will fix it for you.

Replacing your heating system is a stressful, expensive process and we know you don’t want to go through it any more often than is absolutely necessary. To obtain the peace of mind that you will be able to enjoy your new heating system at least 15 years, contact us today at 301-670-0034 and ask about our Ultimate Service Agreement maintenance plan.

Continue Reading

What Makes Up a Geothermal Heating and Cooling System?

Monday, September 17th, 2012

A geothermal heating and cooling system works by taking heat from the ground and transferring it to the home using fluid that runs through a system of pipes.  Just below the surface of the ground, the temperature remains at a constant – generally around 55 degrees.  By circulating fluid through this area to absorb it, this heat can then be transferred to the house.

Inside of the home is a heat pump, which is a piece of equipment made with the ability to transfer or ‘pump’ heat from one location to another.  The pipes which are buried under the ground are called the ground loop.  These pipes have a fluid inside them which absorbs heat from under the ground and carries it to the heat pump inside of the house.

The heat pump takes the heat from the water and distributes it throughout the house.  After taking the heat from the fluid, the system then sends that fluid back out to the pipes under the ground to absorb more heat.  This process works in reverse for air conditioning in the summer time.

There are different types of layouts for the underground pipes.  They can be placed in a vertical loop field, or a horizontal loop field.  For homes near a large body of water, a lake or pond loop field is used.  This differs from the vertical or horizontal loop field because coils are put at the bottom of the lake or pond, rather than deep underground.

Direct Exchange (DX) systems use copper piping instead of plastic.  This allows for greater heat exchange at a higher rate and can be used for heating and cooling water in addition to air.  The piping is usually buried closer to the home which makes installation less expensive.

Heating and cooling your home with a geothermal system is not only quiet, clean and safe, but it doesn’t cost much to maintain either.  These systems are highly efficient and are used frequently in many countries.  On average, geothermal heating and cooling systems can last longer than traditional heating and cooling systems, creating even greater savings in the long run.

For more information about installing a geothermal system in Silver Spring and the surrounding area, give Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating a call at 301-670-0034!

Continue Reading

Geothermal Question: Will Switching to Geothermal Save Me Money?

Monday, September 10th, 2012

You will come across a wide variety of home heating and cooling equipment on the market today. Most honestly, each one of these systems is more or less appropriate depending on your particular situation. Of course, there are always some options that are way cheaper and smarter than the others. Though this is not all you should look for when comparing various heating and cooling equipment for your home, it certainly is a major determinant.

Geothermal systems are certainly much cheaper to operate when compared to other heating solutions in Gaithersburg. However, this is not all you need to think about when installing a geothermal system for your home. Before you can go for one, you must understand the basic functioning of these systems.

Geothermal systems do not create heat by themselves; they absorb it from the surrounding ground and deliver it to the air inside your home. This is why they use so little energy when operating.

Another noteworthy point about geothermal systems is that they are far more efficient than conventional heat pumps when it comes to absorbing heat from the ground in freezing conditions. These systems are capable of keeping you warm even under the most extreme temperature conditions for a sustained period.

While conventional heat pumps also do not cost much to operate, you may need the assistance of a furnace if the air temperatures drop too low. However, with geothermal systems, there is no such requirement. So if you live in a region with more extreme temperatures, a geothermal system is the thing for you. Though you have the option of a furnace in these conditions, you will be spending more in keeping it running. So, geothermal systems do work out to be the cheaper and smarter option in a variety of circumstances.

The best way to get a clear picture of whether to switch to a geothermal system or not is to take a look at your current bills. Now, you must factor in the installation costs if making the switch to geothermal systems. Though this is something of an investment, it is a long lasting and efficient solution to all your home heating and cooling requirements.  For more information about installing a geothermal system in Gaithersburg, give Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at 301-670-0034!

Continue Reading

Geothermal Question: How Often Should I Have My Geothermal System Checked?

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

One of the primary reasons behind the popularity of geothermal systems in Bethesda is that they require very little maintenance. They have few mechanical components and heating mechanisms, and most of these components are underground. That means the components are guarded from the type of wear and tear that can be caused by external elements, and so they can be expected to last for 20 years or more.

However, though these elements are long lasting and durable, they may require a check and some maintenance work every now and then. This is essential to keep the geothermal system working at its best efficiency level. Once these systems begin to lose efficiency, the cost of running them goes up, and it can get quite high over time if not addressed. This is not what you want to happen, especially considering the fact that these systems are quite costly to install.

When speaking of geothermal system maintenance, the ground loop system and polythene tubing are the components that benefit the most from this type of service. This system carries out the task of circulating the refrigerant from below ground level to the compressor that is located above ground. If installed well, this system can last for decades together. However, leaks can develop due to lack of maintenance, and that can lead to a drop in efficiency. If this happens, you need a professional to dig up the system and seal the leak. The tubing in question is usually found around ten feet below ground level, making this type of repair both invasive and costly.

The handling unit, the pump and the compressor are the other important components of a geothermal system. Just like the loop system, these components must be checked on a regular basis to ensure that everything is running smoothly. These checks must be carried out by trained professionals because there are certain problems that are too subtle for the layman to spot. In this case, having a professional geothermal company help is the way to go.

The process of maintaining these components may require component lubrication as well as tube changes. These tasks can be carried out by building owners as well but it is advisable that a professional handles it during an bi-annual or annual check of the geothermal system. To schedule an appointment today, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating!

 

Continue Reading