Heating and Cooling Dubuque

Meeting the furnace and air conditioning needs for any home or commercial business in Dubuque, Iowa is a must when it comes to a well-working heating and cooling system. New installations, repairs and maintenance for any system are vital to the home or business. The overall annual utility costs depend on the quality of the equipment along with a strict maintenance schedule for the heating and cooling system. There are several different types of furnaces and air conditioning units on the market today, and not all systems meet every client’s needs — the following are some of the systems available.

Central Heating Systems, Boilers

Central heating systems are what the majority of homes and businesses operate. This system blows heated air through the home’s duct system, thus delivering the warm air to every room throughout the structure. Each room has furnace registers built into the wall or floor through which forced warm air heats the room. This type of heating system, energized by natural gas, fuel oil or electricity, is quite common. Electricity is 100 percent efficient, and gas and oil are now over 90 percent efficient.
Boilers are a heating system, such as water heaters, with a particular purpose. Heating and cooling companies explain that unlike furnaces that carry heat within the air, a boiler carries heat in hot water. This hot water passes through radiators in the rooms of the homes. As the water passes through, it separates from the heat, which is dispersed into the air, thus heating the room. After the heat separates from the water, the water returns to the boiler for reheating. This system uses natural gas or heating oil for power. Years ago, it was common to see steam boilers in homes as a heating system. These steam boilers remain in some homes but are becoming obsolete. The way they work is by boiling water, thus causing steam. The steam carries through the house and heats the room. The water passes through room radiators while cooling, emitting heat, then returns for boiling to start the process over again. The power source for this system is either gas or heating oil.

The Heat Pump System, Radiant Floor Heating

The heat pump system is otherwise known as an air conditioner with a dual purpose. During the cold winter months, the heat pump collects heat from outside and runs it through an electrical system before the heat releases inside the home. During the hotter summer months, the opposite is true. Heat from inside the house is collected and removed to the out-of-doors. This system is also called a forced-air system that propels cool air or heated air throughout the home. Radiant floor heating is a heating and cooling system at the pinnacle of technology at its finest. This system circulates warm water through installed tubes under the flooring, which, in turn, warms the floor and room. Owners have more control over this type of heating energy, which proves highly efficient throughout the year. However, this type of heating system is costly to install. The expense comes from the fact that the system requires a heating and cooling installer who has the knowledge and experience in this type of heat source and can design the right system for the customer. Homeowners who desire radiant heat have few options for floor coverings. Carpets can mask the heat, preventing it from heating the floor, making it more difficult to heat the room; thus, carpeting is not advisable.
Central Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Ductless Mini Split Systems
According to reviews of various systems, heating systems are more cut and dried; whereas, cooling or air conditioning systems are a bit more complicated. For example, when heating a home, the system uses its energy source to develop heat for that home, and air conditioning systems use that power to remove the heat from the air, sending it to the outside.
When homeowners have a central air system, the compressor to this system sits outside. A liquid called “refrigerant” fills this compressor. The job of this refrigerant is to absorb and release collected heat from the cooler inside of the house and deliver it to the warmer outside air, thus cooling down the inside rooms of the house. Electricity is the power source for central air conditioning units. Heat pumps and central air used in heating a home are reversed to cool the home. The compressor sitting outside the house is the source by which this system is powered. The refrigerant is responsible for cooling the air, sending it to various rooms via the same heat registers and ductwork used in the winter months that send heat to rooms. It is the heating and cooling licensed professional who must install the air conditioning system. Air conditioners and ductless mini-split systems work without ductwork, and the compressor sits outside, while the handling units are indoors. Each room in the home operates on an individual basis. Lines to the outside compressor connect each room, and these lines send power and refrigerant to and from the compressor and the rooms. These units usually are located near the wall or ceiling. The homeowner can control which rooms the unit cools. If one place is not as cold or warm as the other room, it has an individual control, which has been proven to cut down on energy loss. This system is less attractive to homeowners because there are other more convenient options available.

Room Air Conditioning Units and Evaporative Coolers

These DIY air conditioning units may not be as much a DIY project as the homeowner thinks. Many times, the homeowner ends up calling a heating and cooling company to install the unit. These units are generally connected in early spring and removed in early fall and stored until the next year. Consumers need to be sure they purchase the right-size air conditioner. Evaporative coolers pull fresh outside air in through the unit through moist pads, which, in turn, cool the atmosphere by evaporation. This cooler air circulates throughout the house. This system is a simple unit and easy to operate and understand. The cost is less than that for central air. Installing any heating and air-cooling system requires the expertise of a licensed professional to make sure the unit is as energy efficient as possible and installed safely, giving the homeowner years of reliable, safe service. Choosing the right heating and cooling professional saves you time and money. Give our seasoned professionals a call today for installation, repairs and maintenance in the Dubuque, Iowa area.