HVACR Business - September 2009

winter air is the bane of homeowners throughout much of the country, and the reason why so many homeowners invest in humidifiers to make their homes more comfortable in the winter.

two-stage system are very appealing for consumers.

Humidifiers can make a tremendous difference in IAQ, and they also help to lower heating bills because humidified air feels warmer. So, a 69° F temperature at 35% humidity feels just as warm as 72° F at 19% humidity.

About 85% of the systems we install these days are high-end furnaces and two-speed heat pumps, and a significant selling point is the long-term energy savings. When the system is run on continuous-fan mode, not only is the house heated and cooled evenly, but it also will result in a savings of about $250 each year.

About Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning

Life is good in a small town. my father, Arnie, started a heating and cooling business in New Haven, Ind., in 1963 and built a reputation on being service-oriented. I grew up in the family business, and now Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. has 15 employees, and more than 45 years worth of solid relationships with residential customers in town. It’s gratifying to have the confidence of so many residents, especially when they refer new customers to us. — Richard Hartman

A whole-house humidifier attached to the ductwork in a home is the most efficient way to control humidity throughout the entire house. Coupled with an ECM motor running on continuous mode, a humidifier set at a comfortable relative humidity will allow the homeowner to lower the thermostat three degrees, thus reducing heating bills by up to 5%.

explaining Rebates and Other Cost incentives

Below and on the following page is an example of the comparison of options for new systems that we provide for our customers. We keep track of the rebates and discounts being provided by both OEMs and the local utilities, but these same deals may not be available in your area.

Clean, breathable air

During our discussion of the two-stage system, we ask our customers about their families’ allergies and breathing problems. We do this because the two-stage system is key to improving IAQ, and those with allergies or smokers in the house need to know about the superiority of a HEPA filtration system.

Whisper-quiet operation

Most people don’t notice that their furnace is noisy until they’ve been around one that isn’t. The reality is that conventional hvacr motors are pretty noisy because they run only at full-speed. In contrast for example, a two-stage variable-speed Genteq ECM motor runs slower (and quieter) in low stage, and it slowly ramps up to high-speed operation, eliminating that sudden blast of air we associate with the furnace turning on.

Fortunately, we’re in an economic climate where we can present our customers with savings opportunities on top of yet more savings opportunities, which makes purchasing a high-end system really attractive. In our area, we have been able to clue our customers in to some local rebates being offered to homeowners by our regional gas company; when added to some manufacturers’ rebates and the federal tax incentives for installing energy-efficient systems, these can amount to a couple of thousand dollars off the bottom line of a SEER 17 system.

Whether people have allergies or not, every home can benefit from a HEPA filtration system equipped with an ECM motor. A HEPA filter removes up to 99.97% of all respirable particles . 3 microns or larger by running air through three filters:

energy-expense reductions

If you want to get the customer’s immediate attention, talk about cost savings! Everybody is looking for ways to save money these days, so the reduced energy costs associated with a

We always present our customers with a comparison of expenses, rebates, and energy reduction costs for several systems, so they clearly can see the benefits of various systems, the expected operating costs, and the period of time in which the system will pay for itself. More often than not, the educated customer will choose to install some form of high-end system that is cost-effective for them.

In our experience, homeowners want to know more about the technologies available to them. Homeowners with older homes are extremely interested in making their houses less drafty and dusty; those with newer homes are eager to replace the barebones, “builder’s model” furnaces that barely get the job done. In addition to discussing options such as add-on humidifiers and air-filtration systems, we talk a little about the “green” component of modern hvacr systems – for example, the energy savings made possible by ultra-efficient Genteq ECM motors. We find that the combination of this efficiency with the other factors mentioned above – improved IAQ, even air temperature, increased air flow, quieter operation

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• a polyester filter that removes larger, visible particles

• a charcoal filter that removes smoke and odors

• the HEPA filter, which removes the most minute respirable particles from the air

A HEPA system makes a noticeable difference in air quality — not just for those with allergies and asthma, but also for households with pets and smokers in the family.

Proper humidity control

Indiana’s climate makes us desperate to escape the humidity in the summer, and then desperate for a little humidity during the cold, dry winters. And of course, we’re not alone — cold, dry

Option 1
Premium ultra high-efficiency multi-stage gas burner furnace AFUE 95% with ultra high efficiency
add-on electric two-stage heat pump SEER 17 with upgraded external air filter, premium evolution thermostat,
humidifier, 10-year parts and labor warranty, and complete installation.