Most of the information on this site pertaining to residential and new-construction products, designs, installations or HVAC upgraded products applies to commercial projects as well. However, by nature, commercial applications often demand, and deserve, differing levels of products and services matched by specialized HVAC experts.

Executive Heating & Cooling is proud to offer, install and service many state-of-the-art HVAC technology products to make your life more comfortable. Here are brief overviews on popular upgrade products to consider for existing residential, new-construction or commercial applications.

• Radiant Heating

RADIANT HEATING : Cozy Comforts Through Technology

Radiant heating systems offer significant comfort enhancements and warmth for private homes and commercial/industrial settings while providing cost-efficiencies at the same time. While the concept of radiant heating has been around for years, recent technological advances and refined products such as radiant floor heating systems make this indoor comfort concept desirable for today's families and businesses. In addition, air quality benefits can be derived from the installation of radiant heating systems.

As a mini-lesson, radiant heating is generated by electricity, water or air. Electric and water are the most popular forms, with water-based systems having an advantage in that water can be heated by many sources like natural gas, propane gas, oil, solar power or electricity. Heated water is sent through a network of tubes installed in floors, ceilings or walls to create warmth. Regarding water-based versions, think nostalgia. Water-based heating was (and still is) commonly used in older homes and city apartments relying on radiators for source heat. Since then, good concepts have been made better.

Electric radiant heating especially radiant floor systems is currently more common thanks to intelligent technology. Radiant heating is an increasingly popular indoor comfort upgrade for new-home constructions, home remodeling and in designing heat systems for commercial and industrial use. Radiant heating offers the potential to save on energy heating costs while providing for warmer, cozier interiors.

The radiant heating advantage over forced-air gas or electric furnaces is best understood by a simple law of physics: Heat always rises. When you turn up the thermostat on your forced-air furnace, baseboard vents push warm air out into a room, but the heat travels upward, to the ceiling. This result is that the ceiling, of all places, becomes the warmest part of the room or structure instead of where it would do the most good, at floor level, warming people, pets, furniture, etc.

Radiant floor heating works through the energy and warmth traveling a careful-design layout of tubes installed under the floor to heat the surface and be absorbed by objects, like people. Warmth is evenly distributed by the pattern of the tubes. Plus, since the heat and warmth is where it belongs, you waste less energy trying to warm up otherwise cold-tendency locations/rooms in your home. Studies have shown that such systems can cut heating costs by 20-40%. Businesses, especially warehouses and larger buildings with high-ceiling architecture or buildings with expansive windows, may be able to reduce energy costs by even higher percentages.

Radiant floors can be installed in new-built or existing homes and in commercial applications. They can be installed during remodeling stages, as new flooring is to be laid, or conveniently installed when adding a family room, an enclosed porch or when renovating the bath or kitchen. Radiant heating systems can be buried under concrete before the slab is poured, under gypsum boards when a wood sub-floor is used, placed between layers of wood flooring, underneath joists, etc. Higher-quality systems and radiant tubing usually come with a lengthy guarantee (20 or more years) and systems are designed for longevity, lasting 100 years or more.

Radiant systems are very clean and quiet. Since there are no noisy blowers or ducts/vents to circulate dust, pollens, pet dander or other allergens, they have the added potential to y enhance indoor air quality in addition to indoor comfort realized by better-distributed warmth.

Radiant heating can provide coziness or warmth to any home or commercial setting. While enhancement virtues are many, consider how these comfortizers may appeal to you:

• Tiled, ceramic, slate, marble, linoleum or concrete floors in any part of your home can be made much more comfortable. Consider how cold-prone floors like the kitchen, bathrooms, basement, foyers, hallways, etc., can be transformed into warm, inviting areas, even for bare feet.

• Think how toasty warm and well-heated your new family room addition would be with radiant floor heating.

• How much more comfy a place to hang out would your new enclosed porch or sunroom be if equipped with a radiant-heat floor system?

• Consider the great advantages of installing radiant heating in your basement when building a new home.

• How cozy would the new oak floor you're putting in your master bedroom be if you added radiant heat as re-flooring occurs?

• In your business or commercial setting, how much energy-savings, annual costs and employee comfort might be realized if radiant floor heating were installed as you extend shop space or build additional offices?

There are many other examples of how radiant heating provides measurable comfort and potential cost-savings. At Executive Heating & Cooling, we have the experience in designing and installing such systems for many satisfied customers. If you would like to learn more, we would be pleased to tell you about added benefits associated with radiant heating systems.

• Pool Heaters

POOL HEATERS: Some Basic Info

Outdoor swimming pools are traditionally quite expensive to heat because so much contained heat is lost due to evaporation. For instance, it takes 1 BTU to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree; but every time 1 pound of 80-degree water evaporates, 1048 BTUs are lost. Use of a pool cover will help to minimize this loss of heat, but not always to the extent where you may find the water is most comfortable for taking a dip.

There are solar-powered pool heaters and gas/electric pool heaters to better regulate your swimming water to pleasant, comfortable temperatures. These heaters operate by cycling the water past a heating element back into the pool. Heaters can be operated on a timer or manually, but most often a thermostat is used to turn on the heater when the water drops to a certain temperature. This is the more carefree way to ensure the water is right for a relaxing swim or dip in the pool.

A solar heater is by far the most cost-effective option for outdoor pool heating. Solar heaters can either be built onto an existing heating system or used independently. Because it generates its power from the sunlight, the energy a solar-powered heater costs is naturally minimized. The disadvantage, of course, is that an extended period of cloudiness and days of rain, making the water colder, can inhibit the effectiveness of the unit. And, of course, solar-power is not a true option if you happen to have an indoor pool.

Gas or electric pool heaters are more traditional and the most dependable means of ensuring that your outdoor or indoor pool's water temperature is adjusted to the level you prefer. Gas or electric heaters are built into your existing gas or electric system, heating the pool with power from those sources. Generally, the most cost-effective varieties of these units are the high-efficiency models; these can convert up to 97% of the energy used to heat pool water temperature.

Executive Heating & Cooling can guide you in choosing the best heating system for your needs and preferences whether you have an outdoor or an indoor pool. Most important, our staff has many years of experience installing and servicing swimming pool heaters and similar water-amenity heaters, including hot tubs and Jacuzzis. Our knowledgeable staff will be pleased to help you make the right selection for your pool situation and are thoroughly familiar with all aspects of pool heater installations.

• High-Pressure Air Systems

High-Pressure Air Systems: Integrated Performance and Beauty

The team at Executive Heating & Cooling is experienced in installing top-technology high-pressure HVAC systems. These whole house systems unify and match up heating, cooling and ventilation components for harmonious performance. This state-of-the-art approach to integrate HVAC elements is an excellent choice for homeowners or commercial property owners who not only want superior indoor air quality, but also seek décor-conscious solutions to their HVAC needs.

The benefits of such systems are plentiful. Our specialists will be pleased to consult with you about high-pressure air systems that are ideal for historic homes renovation, preservation goals of historic structures and for maintaining HVAC integrity for sophisticated commercial/architectural projects.

Highlights of the whole-approach HVAC system are captioned below:

• Can be installed in any home or structure regardless of age, design or existing heating/cooling/ventilation system. Smaller, flexible ductwork can be installed in limited-space confines and is compatible with existing forms of ductwork such as:

- Electric heating
- Hot water heating
- Steam (and radiator-style) heating
- Baseboard heating
- Radiant in-wall and in-floor heating.

• Rather than creating warmer/cooler spots in a home or building, high-pressure air systems use an aspirated approach to constantly blend and ventilate air to every location in the house/structure. This is compared to traditional systems and their companion ductwork that basically discharge or dump out volumes of forced air from outlet points (ex: wall registers). With traditional systems, this is what results in unwanted blasts or pockets of hot and cold of air.

• Removes substantially more moisture from the air than conventional systems. Humidity levels are measurably decreased for very reliable, energy-efficient cooling.

• The high-pressure air system is aptly named: The system is ultra efficient and pumps air approximately 2000 ft./minute for maximized ventilation. Comparatively, normal circulation systems pump at 500 ft./minute.

• A major benefit is that the system eliminates the need for unattractive metal ductwork, offering visually aesthetic advantages. Virtually obscured HVAC components make such systems a perfect choice for preserving the original, unique look of historic or period homes/buildings – to permit retention of architectural style and integrity.

• System eliminates drafts due to superior design and performance characteristics.

• Extremely compact and very flexible ducting fits practically anywhere for a virtually non-noticeable appearance.

• Sound-damping supply tubes can be run throughout any home, even when space is an issue; sound-deadening attributes make system operation near-noiseless.

• Modular air handlers can be installed most anywhere; their comparatively miniature size allows ease of installation even in compromised-space situations.

• Outlets come in several designs and sizes to accommodate installation; different finishes are available to coordinate your blend-into-décor objectives.

High-pressure air systems are engineered to be compatible with any home's current layout. Their compactness and unobtrusive ducts make them perfect for special situations and just as perfect for your special household or commercial setting. Their outstanding performance features and unique décor advantages are truly worth consideration.

If you are intrigued by the comfort, performance and attractiveness of high-pressure air systems, contact us for more information. We'll be delighted to share our product knowledge and successful experiences in recommending and installing such systems.

• GHP (Geothermal Heat Pumps)

Geothermal Alternatives: Technology for Our Times

Geothermal systems also referred as ground source heat and cooling pumps are an environment-friendly alternative to traditional methods used for heating homes and businesses. With the potential to help users realize energy-conscious goals and long-term cost efficiencies, geothermal-based systems are drawing increased interest among consumers. While particulars on how geothermal systems work are somewhat complex, and we'll be happy to provide more information when you contact us. Meantime, Executive Heating & Cooling offers an overview for readers and customers:

Heat pumps from ground sources are constructed using tubing that is buried underneath your property. This specialized tubing is filled with an antifreeze fluid that circulates through all of the piping. During the winter, this fluid attracts heat from the relatively warm earth (heat source) underground and brings it into your home providing heat. During the summer, the fluid attracts heat from your home and discharges it into the relatively cooler earth (heat sink) to provide cooling.

A major advantage of geothermal-based systems is that they actually combine three major systems into one: heating, cooling and some capabilities for water heating. Other advantages and disadvantages to consider include:

Advantages:

• Can result in extremely low energy bills. Studies show an approximate 50% savings in energy bills can be realized over conventional heating and cooling systems.

• Geothermal is environmentally friendly and possibly safer as well. Systems use less electricity to run and do not use any types of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels employed by traditional methods cause combustion, which produces and releases carbon monoxide and other possible-hazard gases, contributing to pollution.

• Low maintenance requirements involved. This is especially true when a closed-loop system is installed, versus the open-loop type. Properly designed and installed geothermal heat pump systems generally require checking and cleaning only at extended intervals.

• Year-round comfort is provided through geothermal applications/installations. Most important to consider, geothermal systems don't require installation of a furnace or an air conditioner. A properly installed geothermal heat pump system eliminates the expense and upkeep of these HVAC components and can accomplish both tasks.

Disadvantages:

• While initially somewhat expensive to install, reductions in energy use and subsequent cost efficiencies may gain back outlay expense in a relatively short time. Depending on the type and extent of system design/installation chosen, reports indicate that cost outlays for geothermal systems which are ultimately self-sufficient may be recouped in just a matter of a few years. This of course depends on other factors like the ranges of energy prices for different parts of the country and also on what type of traditional method (i.e., energy costs) the geothermal system was chosen to replace.

• Geo systems may have a tendency to work better in some areas of the country than others. If you are considering a geothermal alternative, we can help you research the information you need to make an educated decision.

Executive Heating & Cooling has installed several geothermal applications for satisfied customers who now enjoy the cost-savings and convenience of going geothermal. Contact our staff and we will assist you in learning more about benefits of applying geothermal technology to your home, commercial or industrial situation.

• Snow-Melt Systems

The certified technicians and professional staff at Executive Heating & Cooling are experienced in the “hands-on” needs particular to commercial customers, a valued sector of our client base.

Over the years, we have designed, engineered and completed many commercial projects requiring our HVAC expertise. These commercial installations and service have involved completely new, or largely overhauled, gas furnace/forced air systems, split systems, total boiler systems, and after-installation service and maintenance.

Citing examples of our commercial capabilities, Executive Heating & Cooling has spec-designed and installed entire-system heat and A/C roof units for several commercial clients. We also work directly with commercial/industrial builders to optimize choices for total revamps of HVAC systems. We apply advanced levels of techno-knowledge, skills and HVAC experience to address commercial situations from the ground-up, completing large-scale projects to specs and criteria – to surpass the expectations of commercial customers.

If you have a commercial or industrial project that needs the “best of the best” to focus on your objectives and timetable – and want the job done right the first time – our expert team is waiting to serve you. Executive Heating & Cooling would be pleased to consult on your needs and demonstrate our extensive commercial and industrial HVAC capabilities.

If you have an interest in learning more about these terrific, innovative products, contact us. The experts here love to share their product knowledge with customers. We’d be delighted to speak with you about any of these exciting home/business comfort upgrades.