Westinghouse 97% Efficient Gas Furnace

What do you look for when choosing a furnace? Chances are you want quality, dependability, energy-efficiency, value and comfort—all from a brand you know and trust. Westinghouse has a reputation for building high-quality products. You can be sure…if it’s Westinghouse.

This Westinghouse furnace is one of the most efficient gas furnaces available today and features the latest technology for providing more balanced temperatures in the home. In fact, this Westinghouse iQ Drive Fully Modulating Furnace is so efficient it qualifies for the EPA’s Energy Star® rating for reducing energy consumption.

Gas furnace efficiency is measured based on the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings, (AFUE). The higher the percentage the more efficient the unit. This furnace delivers 97+% AFUE (Annual Fuel Usage Efficiency). Older furnaces may deliver as low as 50-60% efficiency. Properly sized and installed, this furnace is 25-47% more efficient than older models.

Features and Benefits:

• Westinghouse furnaces feature a SmartLite® Control Board to increase the life of the igniter beyond the standard life expectancy. SmartLite® learns and adapts its ignition process to the furnace.
• A modulating furnace continuously adjusts its heat output to exactly match the needs of your home – so you maximize your energy efficiency while enjoying constant comfort.
• The Westinghouse iQ Drive furnace operates anywhere from 15% to 100% of its capacity, based on your home’s needs. The furnace analyzes the indoor temperature every 60 seconds and adjusts its percentage of firing accordingly.
• You’ll notice a more uniform mix of air throughout your home, with virtually no hot or cold spots and improved air filtration.
• The quiet motor is encased in an insulated cabinet for ultimate sound reduction. The three-phase motor design produces a very low torque ripple, and because it ramps up to speed, it minimizes the abrupt change in sound found when a standard single-stage furnace motor cycles on and off.
• Westinghouse furnaces are service-friendly and accept add-on components with ease, and can reduce common allergens and irritants, such as, dust, mold, pet odor, and dry air. Contact your Westinghouse dealer for more details.
• The iQ Drive furnace is controlled by the iQ Drive thermostat, which means you have complete control over your home’s indoor environment – including maintenance reminders, programmable comfort schedules and troubleshooting diagnostics.
• iSEER™ The furnace works with any Westinghouse split-system air conditioner and actually makes your air conditioner more efficient. On a 13- or 14-SEER air conditioner, the iQ Drive furnace will increase SEER up to another point – in essence, boosting your outdoor unit’s cooling efficiency by up to almost 8%.
• The 97+%* AFUE Fully Modulating Gas Furnace exceeds the Energy Star® guidelines for efficiency and performance.
• This furnace is designed to seamlessly integrate with our Award-Winning
  iQ Drive® 23 SEER air conditioner to create the most energy efficient comfort system available for the home.
• Designed for upflow applications.

If you’re looking for a quality Johnson City furnace or a living in Greater Binghamton and looking to have your furnace replaced, call the experts at Auchinachie.

Choose an Energy Star Air Conditioner

Heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year — nearly half the home’s total energy bill. If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30 percent.

Earning the ENERGY STAR means products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

• ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners have a higher seasonal efficiency rating (SEER) than standard models, which makes them about 14% more efficient than standard models.

Remember, saving energy prevents pollution. By choosing ENERGY STAR and taking steps to optimize the performance of your cooling equipment, you are helping to prevent global warming and promoting cleaner air while enhancing the comfort of your home.

You may also be interested to know:

• Though these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills.
• When buying new equipment, it is important to get a quality installation. Make sure you get a contractor who can do the job right.
• You can get better performance out of your cooling equipment by sealing your home and making sure your ducts don’t leak.
• EPA offers additional suggestions for improving the performance of your cooling system as well as general home improvement advice.

Finding Qualified Equipment

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) have developed an online database which
can be used to find qualifying ENERGY STAR equipment. All equipment listed in this online database meets the specification requirements
for ENERGY STAR. This online database is solely maintained and operated by CEE and ARI.

To help understand how to use this online database, we have created a quick guide (1.4MB) to help you with the various fields used in this online database.  Click here to search CEE-ARI Online Database .

If you’re looking for a new and efficient Endicott Central Air Unit to cool your home, call Auchinachie today at (607) 352-3113

Endless Hot Water

Never take another cold shower again!  Auchinachie is now offering tankless water heaters which heat water on demand, so you’re never limited to a fixed pre-heated supply as with a traditional tank equipped water heater.  You’ll enjoy hot water when you want it, for as long as you need it.  Take a shower, wash dishes and do laundry all at the same time!

Energy Costs

With Auchinachie’s tankless water heaters, you’ll enjoy up to 40% energy savings.  That’s because our units are designed to be highly efficient and only heat water when it’s needed.  When the demand for water ceases, the unit shuts down and uses no energy, a revolutionary advantage over inefficient tank-style heaters.
Performance and Longevity

With an auchinachie tankless water heater, you get the durability and reliability of a commercial-grade copper heat exchanger and an industry-leading 12-year limited warranty on the heat exchanger.   Plus, Auchinachie tankless water heaters have a typical life span of 20 years or more installed in residential applications, up to twice as long as a tank.

Clean, Fresh Water

When using a traditional tank-style water heater, rust and scale build-up can collect in the interior of the tank, where the hot water you use day-to-day for bathing and drinking is stored.  With Auchinachie tankless water heaters there is no tank to store water, so you’ll always experience fresh, clean hot water because our unit heats water on demand as it passes through the unit.

Space Savings and Flexible Installation Options

Reclaim precious space in your home.  Traditional tank water heaters can take up to 16 square feet of valuable floor space.  However, Auchinachie tankless units-about the size of a carry-on suitcase- can be installed on virtually any wall inside or outside of your home.
More Capacity

Meeting increased hot water demands can be a challenge for traditional tank-style heaters, however, with Auchinachie’s innovative technology you’ll never run out of hot water.

Our units can be used individually, in pairs or in banks of three or more for residential, commercial and multi-family applications.
Peace of Mind

With Auchinachie tankless water heaters, there’s no tank to leak or break, thus reducing the risk of flooding.  Plus, Auchinachie offers a line of controllers that make it easy to set water temperatures precisely for multiple locations in your home to ensure comfort and prevent scalding accidents.  If you’re looking for a Binghamton tankless water heater, contact Auchinachie today.

To Cover or not to Cover

Many folks disagree on whether it’s a good idea to cover outdoor central air condenser units in the winter.   Many old timers come from the “leave it be school” of thought.

Last Summer Auchinachie had replaced a Vestal Central Air unit that had  survived 20+ years in harsh winter conditions and was never once covered in the winter. And we don’t find it that surprising as these are pieces of equipment that were designed to be subjected to the elements year after year.

That said – if your condenser sits in an area where it’s apt to collect excessive debris from trees etc, it certainly doesn’t hurt to place some plywood across the top or a loose fitting cover in the off season. It may or may not extend the life of your unit, but it’ll definitely make it easier to clean out in the spring if it’s been a problem in the past.

Keeping excessive amount of debris out of the condenser is a good idea, but covering a condenser too tightly can be just as destructive. Tight covers encourage condensation build up which is damaging to the electrical controls and components.

We feel that it couldn’t hurt to cover your condensor unit during the wintertime if only to keep debris out.  As we mentioned, don’t wrap the unit in plastic or any other non-breathable material that can cause water build-up or become destructive if the unit is accidentally turned on.

10 Simple Projects this Spring to Save Big All Year

With a steep rise in natural gas and heating oil costs and some very cold days, we know it’s been a tough winter. It’s never too late to start thinking about the next cold season and Spring is the best time of year to begin winterizing your home for next winter. The cool spring weather lets you get up into the attic without dealing with extreme heat, and many of our tips will help you save money even in the Summer months. If you have any questions about our tips or if you’re interested in replacing that old furnace sitting in the basement, call your qualified Auchinachie technician at (607) 722-7234 10. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate. One of the most important features protecting your home from both cold and warm weather is your home’s insulation. Even more important is your attic insulation which acts as the first line of defense against the elements. What many people don’t know is that you need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in your attic regardless of the climate you live in. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out R-values. The most simple thing you can do is climb up into the attic and take a good look around. If you can see ceiling joist, you know you’re losing a lot of money each year through your homes attic. Since ceilings have joists that are around 11-12 inches deep looking for exposed joists acts as a good rule of thumb. 9. Check Those Ducts According to the US department of energy, a home with forced hot air heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before it even reaches the rooms of your home. The reason for this? Many times ductwork is not well connected, or the taping has come off the connections due to the age of the duct work. This leads to a colossal waste of energy and money on your monthly bill and causes your furnace to work much harder than it should. Many times ducts are hard to see, but if you have an unfinished basement or attic you can often easily access your duct work. Run your hand along the duct and feel for any air that may be flowing out of joints. A candle is also a good way to check for drafts, but obviously be careful with the open flame. Be sure to use a metal backed tape to repair joints (duct tape shouldn’t be used as it doesn’t hold up over time).  Although your ducts may look like they’re in good shape they may be in need of an internal cleaning to protect you an your family from mold and allergens.  Call Auchinachie today to learn about our affordable duct cleaning services. 8. Reverse Your Fans Reversing your fan is a really simple way to push the warm air back down into the main room where it belongs. Reversing your fan can often lead to a 5-10 degree increase in the temperature of your room. Not sure which direction your fan is in? It’s easy, simply look up and if you blades are turning in a clockwise direction then you’re ready for winter.  If the cold weather has made its way out look for a counter-clockwise rotation and you’re ready for those warm summer months. 7. Wrap Water Pipes Nothing’s worse than coming home from a winter vacation and finding out your pipes are frozen. What results is a nightmare for both your wallet and your time. If you know you have a trouble place in your home where the pipes freeze often, make sure to shut the valve off and drain the pipes before you leave for that last spring trip to the mountains. Spring is a great time to check where your pipes are running and be sure to wrap any exposed pipes with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation. Common problem areas where pipes are exposed are basements, garages and attics. If you have a really tough area, you can pick up heating tape which in essence is an electrical cord which emits heat. 6. Upgrade Your Windows Upgrading to more energy efficient replacement windows is a great way to add a layer of protection for your home. Many of the older EJ homes in the area still have single pane windows that are drafty and are in turn a major loss of energy. Although replacing windows is not terribly cheap you can budget to replace a few at a time. In the meatime, a window insulation kit is an affordable way to add another layer of protection for the winter while you’re waiting to upgrade. The kits are available at any hardware store and end up costing around $4 per window.  Get yours in the Spring time and store them away as they’re much more difficult to find in the hardware store as winter nears. 5. Check Under the Door The Department of Energy found that 5-30% of your energy waste may be from the draft that comes into your home through the gap under your outside doors. For a quick fix buy or make a “snake” which was originally a Great Depression era invention and put an end to those drafty doors. For a more professional and permanent solution, visit your hardware store and pick up a door-sweep. It only takes about a half hour to install and provides a tight seal between your door and your threshold. 4. Turn Down the Hot Water Heater We all love a hot shower, but is it really necessary to have scalding 140 degree hot water coming out of your pipes? Most people that take the time to turn down their water heaters don’t notice the temperature change and still get the same hot shower experience they’re accustomed to. Lowering the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees will lower your gas bill by 6-10% which amounts to big savings on your heating bill all year long. Eventually you may wonder why you need a big tank of hot water sitting in your basement and have Auchinachie install a super energy efficient tankless water heater to save even more. 3. Tune up Your Furnace Before the deep cold sets in next winter, it is wise to turn your furnace on in the fall to make sure everything is working properly. You may get a strange smell throughout the house when you first start up your furnace, but simply open the windows and the smell will dissipate. If the odor continues, be sure to call your pros at Auchinachie immediately. It’s a good idea to have your furnace cleaned and tuned annually. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated, and properly adjusted will reduce your energy use and save you up to 5 percent on your heating bill. 2. Check for Tax Credits There are a host of tax credits that can help you this Spring with your energy efficient projects. For example, at the end of 2008 you could get a federal 30% production tax credit which would benefit up to $2,000 for the first ten years of a renewable energy product’s operation. Various state, local, and federal incentives have been created to encourage the purchase of storm doors, energy efficient furnaces, and much more. View a detailed list of available opportunities at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. 1. Replace that Old Furnace Thankfully it’s not something you have to do every year or even every decade, but if you have an old (15+ years) furnace in your basement, it’s time to upgrade. Not only will you save a ton of money on your heating bill, but you’ll also increase the value of your home by upgrading to a new unit. By upgrading from your 15+ year model to an Energy Star-certified model from Auchinachie, you’ll save over 50% on your heating bills next winter. Auchinachie Plumbing and Heating has many products and service that will help you save all year around on your gas and electic bill.  Call one of our pro’s today at 607-352-3113 to learn how we can get your home ready for the new season.

Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner

Choosing a heat pump as a comfort solution is typically driven by the climate you live in, and is relative to your comfort needs. The heat pump is designed to provide heat in the winter and is best in environments that do not drop below freezing, not suited for our cold Binghamton Winters. Your Auchinachie sales person can recommend the right choice for you, a choice that could save you money during the winter months.

A “split” system is the most common heating and cooling Binghamton central air set-up installed. Your split system air conditioner or heat pump is the outdoor component of a total system. The indoor component is a matched coil, which typically sits on top of the furnace, or in warmer climates, an indoor air handler is used.

When you replace your outdoor system it is extremely important to replace the indoor portion as well, in order to meet energy efficiency performance and not void important warranties. Not changing your indoor component is like buying a new car then placing old, worn tires on it.