Future Investments

Category: Furnaces

Furnaces vs. Heat Pumps in the Valley of the Sun

Winters in the “Valley of the Sun” may not get as brutal as the winters up north, but that doesn’t mean temperatures can’t still drop to uncomfortable, and even dangerous, lows. That’s why, regardless of how comfortable you might feel in the cold, you have to keep up with your property’s heating if you want to avoid some potentially serious problems. But first, you have to figure out what kind of heating system your property even needs. Furnaces and heat pumps are both great, but there are advantages and disadvantages with each, so you have to find what’s right for you!

Initial Purchase Price

Initial purchase price is always a big factor when deciding between anything you’re looking to buy. It’s normal to want to save as much money possible, especially if you’re already on a budget. However, it’s not as simple as just looking at the sticker price. Generally, a heat pump will cost you more upfront, but it’s also giving you heat and air conditioning all in one. If you opt for just a gas furnace, you may have to worry about updating your air conditioning separately, which can just about double your total expense.

Overall Operational Efficiency

While both furnaces and heat pumps can be remarkably efficient, it really all comes down to which model you choose. Gas furnaces have AFUE ratings based on percentage of gas consumed that is actually turned into heat for your property. Older, less efficient furnaces can have AFUE ratings as low as 60% even though the current federal minimum is 80%. The higher the AFUE rating the higher the furnace’s efficiency is. Similarly, a heat pump’s efficiency is conveyed with an HSPF number to represent how much electricity is used to produce heat, since heat pumps use electricity over gas. Once again the higher the HSPF number the greater the heat pump’s efficiency will be.

Total Cost of Operation

In terms of long-term operation, determining the value of a furnace vs. a heat pump can get pretty complicated. On the one hand, heat pumps tend to offer greater energy efficiency and are better for the environment than furnaces. Meanwhile, on the other, natural gas is much more affordable than electricity, which balances out the cost. You also have to consider your cooling as well. A heat pump can offer you cost effective heating and cooling for greater annual savings, while a furnace only heats in the winter, leaving you on the hook for air conditioning costs as well.

A Heat Pump Might Be Best For You If…

If you’re really concerned about your properties carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, you’re replacing your air conditioning unit at the same time, or you already have electric heat set up, a heat pump is going to likely be the best option for you. No fossil fuels to worry about, you can get one system that works for your heating and cooling, plus heat pumps are known to be “30-40% more efficient than other electric heating methods.”

A Furnace Might Be Best For You If…

If you’ve already got a gas heating system set up, you don’t need a new air conditioner, or you need back-up heat, a furnace is likely the better option for you of the two. The low cost of natural gas means a high efficiency furnace can save you more upfront and in terms of your total operational costs, so it wouldn’t make sense to switch unless you needed the air conditioner too. It’s really all up to you though.

Our HVAC specialists at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling will always be here to answer any questions you have about your home or business’ unique heating and cooling needs and equipment. Whenever you’re ready to reach out and ask about a new furnace or heat pump, we’ll be here to point you in the right direction! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.

September 30, 2021
How to Choose the Best Contractor

Love your property and want to make sure it gets the best care at all times without breaking the bank? Everyone does, which is why true quality at a fair price can be tough to find. Most of the time you’ll either run into cheap contractors touting big promises that end up being even bigger let downs, or companies that are charging way to much for even the simplest services. That’s why, taking your time to choose the best contractor for you is the smartest decision you can make – and Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling is here to show you how!

Compliance

One of the first things you should look at when choosing a contractor is their compliance. A worthwhile contractor will always have the necessary insurance, and follow any known state/local regulations for quality assurance, and have all other affairs in order to guarantee a great experience for you. Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling, for example, is fully bonded, licensed, insured, and ready to help you complete whatever size project you have in mind!

Experience

The next thing you’re going to want to look at is experience. If a contractor only has a few years of experience, or focuses only on one service specialty, they may not be able to handle everything your property might need – unlike Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling. Thanks to our more than 35 years of industry experience handling the comprehensive HVAC needs of our countless clients, we’re confident we’re up for anything.

Skill

Of course, experience isn’t anything without expertise, which is why it’s just as important to look at how comprehensively skilled and resourceful any potential contractor is along with how long they’ve been successfully in business. At Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling, for instance, our technicians are all NATE-certified specialists in HVAC service and installation, with BPI building analyst and envelop professional certifications to optimize equipment efficiency. That means, whether you need repairs, maintenance, a replacement installed, or virtually anything else, you never have to worry. We always have the latest technology and information to share with you.

Consideration & Anticipation

Once you know a contractor compares professionally, it’s always a good idea to look a little deeper at their commitment. Ask yourself: how well do they listen to you, are they asking in-depth questions to learn more about what your property might need, and are they taking the time to try and anticipate your needs and offer you solutions for problems you’re not even aware of yet? If not, you might want to keep searching. Not only are our technicians at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling non-commissioned to ensure your confidence in our advice about what your property needs, but we even have emergency service and unbeatable maintenance plans to help prevent problems before they can even occur.

Sustainability

If the environment is at all important to you, it should be to your contractor as well. So, do your due diligence and make sure your trusted professional understands how to safely retrieve, recycle/reclaim, and discard used refrigerant or other potentially harmful chemicals from your HVAC equipment. The last thing you want is for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC’s) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) to be accidentally released into the atmosphere.

Continued Support

Finally, an amazing contractor will be a trusted source of continued support for you, offering routine maintenance plans, safety inspections, plenty of options for different equipment and services so you can choose what you need, and advice on how to best care for your equipment on your own. Most importantly, a great contractor will always follow up with you after the fact to make sure you’re happy with your help!

Choosing the best contractor near you may take work, but we assure you you’ll never regret choosing Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.

May 31, 2021
Join the Tru Comfort Advantage

Wish it were easier to take care of all your HVAC equipment, and optimize your energy and cost savings, hassle-free throughout the year? Well, today’s your lucky day because there finally is! By joining our Tru Comfort Advantage (TCA) program, a one-of-a-kind annual maintenance assistance program designed exclusively for our customers’ benefit, you can maximize your property’s heating and cooling potential while still cutting costs left and right – and it’s really never been easier!

Cleaner Cooling

When it comes to keeping your property clean and cool all summer long, Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling is here to work harder, and do more, for you than any other HVAC provider. During every visit we’ll make sure your filters are clean and your refrigerant levels are suitable. We’ll check your ducts, condensing fan/blower motors, compressor, thermostat, drain lines, and other, often overlooked, components you might have otherwise forgotten. We’ll take care of any testing or troubleshooting that needs done, including running static pressure tests to assess overall system performance. We’ll thoroughly vet any and every part of your residential or commercial cooling equipment to guarantee optimal longevity in accordance with industry standards, as well as the comfort and safety of you and all those who enter your property!

Harmonious Heating

No matter what kinds of heating system you have in place, Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling is ready to help you take excellent care of it all year long to help ensure even heating throughout your property. For those with heat pumps, that means taking a look at a lot of the same components as the cooling equipment, as well as the defrost cycle. Gas furnaces, however, require all pressure switches, temperature rises, hot surface ignitors (ohm), flame sensors, and shut down cycles to be thoroughly examined. Either way though, you will not regret trusting Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling!

Join The Tru Comfort Advantage (TCA) Today!

Trusting Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling with all your home and business heating and cooling needs is already a huge step up from trusting most mainstream service providers. Our seasoned HVAC technicians are all NATE and BPI-certified with more than 35 years of combined industry experience, and our family/veteran-owned business is fully licensed, bonded, and insured to ensure your protection. Joining the Tru Comfort Advantage (TCA) program, though, is a whole different level of convenience. We’re talking no overtime fees ever, priority service, incredible discounts on repairs and other necessary expenses, and so much more!

See for yourself by getting in touch with our talented technicians at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling to join our Tru Comfort Advantage (TCA) family today! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.

April 30, 2021
Preventive Replacement Pays: New Technology that is Super Comfortable, Extremely Quiet & More Efficient

When you spend a lot of money on something, like a fundamental home appliance, you expect to get everything you can out of it. The problem, however, is that in many cases people think this means using the system until it dies of natural causes, which is actually worse for your wallet.

Unequivocal Comfort

The whole point of having HVAC systems in your home is to keep your home comfortable. If your old system is struggling to do that, or needs to be constantly repaired or maintained to keep it functional at all, it’s really not worth the effort; and it’s likely costing you a whole lot more. A newer, higher efficiency HVAC system will properly heat and cool your home autonomously, offering your property and all its occupants unequivocal comfort year-round. Plus, you won’t have to worry about splurging on repairs every time you system can’t meet your performance expectations.

Incomparable Inaudibility

Even if your current HVAC systems seem to be heating and cooling your property just fine, if they sound like they’re gearing up to take off every time they start up or shut down, you might want to consider an upgrade. Newer HVAC units are far more discreet, practically undetectable. You won’t have to worry about strange clanking noises disturbing your sleep in the middle of the night, or feeling like you need to cheer on your systems like the little engines that could in order for them to start properly. With newer, higher efficiency systems you’ll barely even notice they’re there at all, especially since they likely won’t have to turn on and off nearly as much – which is even better for utility bill!

Explicit Efficiency

Yes, it’s true, newer HVAC systems are more efficient than older systems in every way. New systems utilize far less energy than older models, and can accomplish significantly more with the conservative amount of energy that is used. As a result, utility expenses are often considerably lower, as are expenses related to frequent maintenance and repairs. The easiest way to look at it is: the newer the system and higher the SEER rating, the more comprehensively efficient, cost-effective, and overall worth it’s going to be long-term.

Does Purchasing Your Replacements Preventatively Pay Off?

The short answer is, absolutely! Waiting until your HVAC system breaks down completely to replace it only means you’re spending the total cost of the replacement on top of all the money you’ve already wasted on repairs and inefficiencies over time. By getting your system replaced preventively as soon as you notice it’s starting to lose its edge you can save yourself all the hassle. Plus, you won’t have to suffer without heat or air conditioning while you wait for a replacement, or try to get your system replaced during the busiest time of the year. You can even take advantage of special sales and promotions, and really take your time to shop around and consider precisely what type of HVAC system your property could benefit from most.

Just remember to consult our seasoned HVAC replacement specialists at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling if you have any questions, or when you’re ready to get the ball rolling! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855 for a free consultation*, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.

January 31, 2021
How to Prepare Your HVAC System for the Phoenix Winter
It may not get too cold in Phoenix during the winter, but cooler temperatures still bring a welcome break from the need for non-stop air conditioning – and that means a transition from your cooling to heating systems. So do yourself a favor and make sure your HVAC systems are prepared for the switch by taking a look at the steps below!

Shut Down Your Air Conditioning System

If you have a heat pump, you won’t have to worry about this step since it uses the same outdoor unit to heat your home. However, if you have an all-in-one air conditioner/furnace combo, you should take a little time to go outside to your outdoor unit and switch your air conditioning unit off in the little box nearby to protect it during the coldest months.

Clean Out Your Air Conditioning System

After a long summer, and monsoon season, your air conditioning system is likely caked with dust and debris, especially around its fins and coils. And while this may not seem like a big deal now, it is likely to compromise your system’s efficiency next season if you leave it to get even filthier. That’s why, we recommend most property owners to spend at least a little time cleaning everything out between the seasons. It’s even easier than you think, simply:
- Turn your unit all the way off;
- Remove all large debris from around the system’s fins (leaves, sticks, etc.);
- Unscrew and open up the top of the unit to expose the copper coils wrapped around the inside of the unit;
- Spray the coils down with water using a gentle/medium hose pressure, taking special care to avoid the fan motor, or any other electrical components;
- Generously apply professional HVAC coil cleaner and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to effectively dissolve any dust/grime buildup;
- Rinse again to remove any leftover cleaner and/or grime;
- Use the hose one last time, on the same lower setting, to clean off the fins and other external components.
Once the unit is completely clean and dry, a cover can be added to further protect it from the elements during the off-season – unless you have a heat pump. Because heat pumps use the same outdoor unit for heating and cooling, if you have one you will want to leave your outdoor unit uncovered all year long.

Schedule A Tune-Up For Your Heating System

Like any eye exam or annual check up at the doctors is good for you, getting your HVAC systems checked out every season is good for your property’s overall health and efficiency. A thorough inspection will let you know what kind of shape your heating system is in, what kind of maintenance or repairs it might need before it starts getting cooler, and at the very least will prevent you from suffering through winter without heat because of any unexpected breakdown.

Ready to schedule your check up, or get your HVAC systems professionally cleaned? Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling has your back. Whatever you need to get you property ready for the new season, just let us know and we will make sure it’s taken care of as soon as possible! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855 for a free consultation*, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.
December 31, 2020