Tag Archives: Hyde park hvac

greater comfort top rated HVAC contractor

Our Top Endorsements: Read the Reviews From Our Loyal Customers

February 20, 2016 Kim Sykes

We’re proud to have loyal customers across the Cincinnati region.

Keep reading to see some of the highlights from our loyal customers speaking to our high level of service, expertise, timeliness and our professionalism below.

Very Professional

“I just used [Greater Comfort] for a heating tune up/cleaning. The service man came on time, was very professional and I feel like he was very thorough with his work. He explained everything that he was doing (because I was curious as I know nothing about HVAC).

Our system is old and instead of trying to upsell me a more expensive system (which I feel most companies do), he was very thorough and worked to get everything cleaned to get our system running as best as it can. I plan to have them back in the spring/summer to do our AC unit. I was very pleased with the service and I’m happy to support a great local company.” – Valerie

Choosing a Local Company

“I started using Greater Comfort because of being local. I’ve consistently been pleased with their timely service. Today as I changed my filter, it tore and part of the filter frame was sucked into the furnace when it came back on. Within one minute of calling, the on call service tech phoned back.

When I explained the issue, he asked for some furnace information and then he would be willing to make a service call, but he would be willing to talk me through the easy repair if I was comfortable. As he started to explain I told him I’ve got this, thank you so much. He even offered to stay on the phone with me but I told him not necessary. Fixed, 2 minutes. Now this is customer service if there ever was!” – Darlene G.

Excellent Work

“Just want to say, Cody Martin at Greater Comfort is a great employee! He does excellent work, represents the company well, and is a joy to be around. I would recommend Greater Comfort Heating and Air to anyone! They do excellent work!” – Chelsey W.

Humidifier Install

“Robert Baker did a great job with our humidifier installation. He was thorough and very professional.” – Timothy A.

Performed with Integrity

“The two technicians were wonderful! They explained the entire problem step by step and how they were fixing each step. I particularly was impressed with their integrity as they pointed out that something was a truly minor repair rather than a major repair that the previous company made it out to be. I would highly recommend your service to others!” – Joy C.

Answered Questions

“Great job on my project and working within my schedule to meet my needs. The technician was great, very knowledgeable and patient in answering all my questions.” – Lonnie S.

Very Knowledgeable

“[Jeff] is very knowledgeable and did a great job fixing our furnace in a very efficient timely manner. I would also like to mention how helpful Angel was well over the phone. All in all a great experience.” – Ryan

Work Performed In Detail

“I want to Thank the technician for doing an outstanding job on a recent appointment at my house. He was very professional and explained the work he performed in detail.” – Ronald

Timely Service

“Quick service on one of my rental properties, the gentleman that lives in the condo was very concerned about a fire, the tech took care of the problem, explained to me what the problem was, neat, clean, no mess left behind. He is the type of tech I want working on my property. – John B.

Terrific Experience

“There are good people in this world, the people I spoke with were terrific! My situation caused me a couple sleepless nights and wondered how I was going to pay for this. You were at my door 1 hour after I called and the cost was way below what I expected and they still worked with me so I could afford the services. I will refer all my friends and people I know that need help to Greater Comfort. Thank You and God Bless.” – Christy

We Want to Reward All Our Loyal Customers Like You

Want to support us like these loyal customers? Give us a review on Facebook or join the Refer & Rewards program: refer 2 customers, and you receive one-year free preventative maintenance. Refer 4 customers, and receive a new air cleaner or humidifier (install cost not included). See all the other rewards and details here.

Heat Pumps

Myths vs. Reality: Busting Myths About Mini-Split Heat Pumps

January 15, 2016 Kim Sykes

what to know about heat pumps

What are ductless heat pumps?

Ductless heat pumps are also referred to as ductless mini-split systems, named that way because they are used in homes with non-ducted heating systems. They are popular in areas with temperatures that typically stay above freezing.

Just like your more traditional heat pumps, mini splits have the outdoor component and the indoor unit: the system will either bring heat in from outside your home to warm it up, or take heat out of your home to cool it down depending on the season (1, 2).

Ductless heat pumps have been around for more than 50 years. Over time they have become more and more quiet, more efficient—and they are now more affordable than ever (3). Choosing the right system for your home can be complicated by myths about ductless heat pumps. Here we break down 6 common misconceptions about mini splits.

Myth #1: Ductless Heat Pumps Won’t Work In Cold Climates

Truth: Many people go ductless as a way to supplement their current heating system. If and when temperatures drop lower than freezing, heat pumps with dual-fuel systems will keep your home warm by alternating between the electric heat system and a gas furnace system (or other systems that use oil or propane). The two systems will never run simultaneously and the most cost efficient system will operate to heat your home (4, 5).

Myth #2: Ductless Heat Pumps Have Expensive Ongoing Costs

Truth: Ductless heat pumps can save you $1000 to $2000 in energy costs (6) in one year alone. Just like any system, efficiency is one of the major factors that determines how much you will or will not pay when it comes to your monthly energy bill.

Myth #3: Ductless Heat Pumps Are Dirty and Hard To Clean

Truth: The majority of ductless heat pumps will come with systems to self clean, which minimizes the chance for any bacteria to build up (6). Also keep in mind that homeowners can also easily clean the system’s filters monthly, or as needed, and should make sure to remove any debris from the area around the outside unit (7).

Myth #4: Ductless Heat Pumps Are Only for New Homes or Buildings

Truth: Ductless heat pumps are a reliable option for upgrading your home’s current heating system. They will actually work together with existing boilers and furnaces to save fuel and efficiently heat your living space. In fact, one of the main advantages they offer is that you can add them on to existing systems so that individual rooms can have more comfortable air.

Myth #5: Ductless Heat Pumps Don’t Last Very Long

Truth: Just like with any heating and cooling unit, you need to take care of your system to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Again, this myth could not be further from the truth as one of the major benefits of going ductless is how long the units can last—and still be efficient! If you properly care for your system and have regular maintenance performed, ductless heat pumps can operate for over 20 years (8, 9).

Myth #6: Ductless Heat Pumps Won’t Work Well With Room Additions

Truth: When you add another room to your house or even change an attic from a storage space to a living space, ductless heat pumps can save you from the need to add electric resistance heaters. They also prevent you from further extending any current ductwork or piping in your home. Again, since they are so flexible, they are actually optima for add-ons or room additions (10, 11, 12).

Only Certain Rooms In Your House Need Heating? Mini Split is Your Flexible Solution

Ductless systems are a flexible way you can increase ongoing comfort in your home. You can use ductless mini split heat pumps that will match their energy use to the need for heating or cooling in the home, which means they won’t waste electricity by turning on and off repeatedly.

Whether it is a single room, an entire floor, or your entire house, give us a call today at 859-491-4915 to learn more about how you can create “zones” in your home and start saving money today.

References/Sources

HVAC

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Furnace?

January 10, 2016 Kim Sykes

What are the benefits to replacing your furnace?

When it comes to an emergency situation, as homeowners, we might be faced with the question: should we really replace our furnace?

Just like with changes we make to our house in terms of air quality, windows and other changes to insulation, and even roofing—greater efficiency can mean lower monthly bills. With that said, sometimes it can still be difficult to know if comfort at a lower ongoing cost is worth paying up-front for an upgrade. Here’s more information to help you make the decision with confidence.

Whether you have a gas furnace, heat pumps or air handlers, we know that you will make the best decision when you are fully informed. Ask us to hear all the options you have in terms of installation, replacement and ongoing maintenance for your system.

Here’s what you should talk over with your experienced HVAC:

How old your system is
Whether or not the technology is still best for your home
Cost of repairs relative to cost of a new furnace that fits your needs

System Age

Even if you’re system seems to be working fine, if you see an increase in your monthly bills (month to month or year over year) that’s unexplained, it could be a sign your system is not as efficient as it used to be. With air conditioners and heat pumps lasting up to 12 years, on average, and furnaces lasting up to 20 years, on average, it’s safe to say that many people see problems before the end of the life of their furnace. It’s also important to remember these are averages.

That’s where we come in to give you expert advice on whether or not it is likely that you will have (costly) repairs in the future—based on the current “health” of your system, including factors such as the age of the system.

Technology

It probably doesn’t surprise you to hear that HVAC technology is constantly advancing. When you upgrade to a new model, an added benefit is that you get the latest technology available to keep your air as comfortable and healthy as possible. Not only does better technology mean more even temperature, and less noise, it also means greater savings in terms of your utility bill. Be sure to see if there are any rebates such as tax rebates that you might be able to utilize when getting a new furnace.

Costs

We’ve talked about before that if your estimated repair costs are going to exceed 30 to 50 percent of the cost of your system’s current value, then you want to consider getting a new system. Many people also prefer, at that point, to put money into a new system, rather than a system that could have more, ongoing issues due to age and normal wear.

If the estimated repair costs are less than one third of the value of the system and you know you have many years left in your system, in many of the cases you’ll want to repair the system. These kind of repairs can include airflow issues, thermostat problems, cycling, noise issues, problems with your blower, over-heating or under-heating, dirty air filters, or other issues.

Of course your course of action also depends on the actual problem you are experiencing!

We are able to work on every major brand of heating system, making sure we are able to get your system back in top condition as quickly as possible.

If you choose to install a new furnace, whether you have traditional forced air heating with a gas furnace, use a heat pump, or your home has its original boiler, Greater Comfort will help you select a new heating system for optimal efficiency and comfort. We will work with you to ensure you get exactly what you need to stay warm all winter, and so that you have a high quality, dependable system.

Installing a New Furnace: Worry-Free Heating for Years to Come

We can install any major brand or type of furnace, dual fuel system, hybrid system, heat pump, boiler or rooftop packaged unit. High efficiency furnaces available today consume more than 30 percent less fuel than older furnaces. We want you to find a high efficiency model that makes the upgrade a long-term fit for your home and family. It might make sense to ask us for home energy audit to see where there is opportunity to save energy throughout the home.

Call us to Help You Consider the Options for Repair or Replacement

A new furnace is about safely heating your home—now and into the future. Call us today if you want to learn more about year-round comfort for your home. Contact us for 24-7 emergency service at 859-491-4915.

Indoor Air Quality

Make Sure Your Family Has Clean & Pure Air in 2016

December 27, 2015 Kim Sykes

hvac northern kentucky

During the holiday season, we often have close friends and family come and visit us. It’s also the perfect time of year to give consideration to your air purification and cleaning system.

We may think of allergies as being worse in other seasons, but just as many contaminants and pollutants build up in the fall and winter months inside our home.

In fact, indoor air quality is an issue we should be aware of throughout the year.

Indoor Air Quality: Not Just for Those With Allergies

One of the biggest myths about indoor air quality is that only those people with severe allergies have to be worried about pollution inside the home. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In winter, as people turn on their heating systems and as people utilize their fireplaces, we can see an uptick in indoor allergens.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks we have today—and that’s consistent throughout the year. Also according to the EPA, some of the indoor air pollutants we have can include:

• bacteria
• dust mites
• mold
• bacteria
• viruses

What’s more is that the source of these pollutants can vary greatly. We see pollutants enter the air from adhesives, paint, varnishes, products we use on the body, cleaning products, pesticides and building materials. Pollutants are broken down into two categories: particulate matter (like dust, smoke, pollen, dander, tobacco) and gaseous pollutants (like gas cooking stoves, paints or vehicle exhaust.)

Air cleaning systems can clean out particles and gaseous pollutants. Still other air cleaners actually destroy (or convert) pollutants via UV light technology. Increasing ventilation in the home also support removal of pollutants in our air.

Air Cleaning Technologies: What to Know

You may wonder: what are some of the questions you should be asking when it comes to selecting your air cleaning technology? Here are a few of the questions to consider:

• Does this air filter remove large particles, and if not, what can be used in combination with it to ensure large particles in the air can be removed and/or destroyed?
• Does this filtration system apply to gases in the home?
• Will this be effective in dealing with bacterial and/or mold in the air?
• Can you verify that none of these systems produce any lung irritants?
• How do you describe the performance of this air cleaner—and why is this superior to other solutions?
• Do these cleaning systems/devices handle odors in the air as well?

Your HVAC expert can help you find air cleaning technologies that, when combined, can work effectively and be a solution that has longevity.

What Kind of Air Cleaners or Purifiers Should My Home Have?

Mechanical filters use a media filter made of carbon, fiberglass or another porous material to capture particles as air passes through them. The highest rated media filters (HEPA) can capture up to 99.9% of all contaminants 0.3 microns or larger. Many mechanical air filters can be measured in terms of MERV, or minimum efficiency reporting value. On a scale of 1 to 20, this allows people to compare the efficacy of air filters across brands. Ask us for more specific information or about specific filters you have. In general, there will be three factors we will take into consideration:

• Size of Pollutants: Air testing is highly recommended to determine which allergens and pollutants pose the greatest risk in your home. Common allergens like dust and pollen can be captured by many filters, but smaller particles like mold spores or smoke particles cannot.
• Whole House Options: This option means your whole house is effectively working to remove and destroy contaminants, making sure that allergens and pollutants do not circulate back into your home’s air supply. For homes without air handlers, there are standalone options or single–room options available.
• Multi–Stage Air Cleaning: Air cleaners and purifiers come in many forms, so it is best to decide if you want to have a single device or multiple devices that can clean air effectively.

When it comes to installation, your experienced and professional HVAC will guide you so you meet install requirements and so you know what kind of maintenance your system requires. Give us a call today at 859-491-4915 to learn your options on how you can find allergy relief and more pure air through air cleaners in your home.

Sources/References

http://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home
http://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home#indoor-air