Denver is a very special city because of many different things. One of the most notable attributes is its high altitude. It currently sits at 5,000 feet above sea level, which is twice as high as most of the country. While you may be aware that Denver air can significantly affect your body, it can also affect how your HVAC system functions.
Understanding High Altitude
As altitude increases, it changes many properties of the air. As the air pressure drops, the further above sea level you get, the air’s density also decreases. The oxygen content in the air also drops the higher you get above sea level. All of these air quality changes can affect the overall functioning of your HVAC system.
Decreased System Efficiency
Low-density air makes it more difficult for the internal components of your heating or cooling system to function. For example, the electric fan motor will experience a decrease in overall operating performance. A fan operating at sea level can move around 90,000 pounds per hour. However, the same fan operating around 6,000 feet above sea level can only move around 72,000 pounds per hour. This altitude change requires you to invest in a specialized HVAC system designed to prevent these performance decreases.
Problems With Low Air Density
Dense air is excellent at retaining heat. However, as air loses density, its ability to maintain heat diminishes. Furthermore, without enough oxygen in the air, a gas furnace’s ability to burn efficiently will significantly decrease. This is because gas furnaces rely on a delicate balance of oxygen and fuel to burn optimally.
Unfortunately, when your heating system can’t burn its fuel efficiently, it can affect the safety of your home. This is because incomplete combustion can lead to excess harmful emissions, like carbon monoxide. A high concentration of these emissions back up in your home can be hazardous for you and your family. These emissions can lead to respiratory issues and even death in high concentrations.
More Temperature Fluctuations
Homes at higher altitudes experience colder winters than those closer to sea level. Furthermore, daytime to nighttime temperatures fluctuate much more at higher altitudes than at lower ones. One of the best ways to help mitigate the temperature fluctuations you feel in your home is to invest in a two-stage or variable-speed furnace. A traditional furnace can only operate at its full capacity or be in its off position.
A two-stage furnace can operate at low, high, and off, giving it more flexibility to maximize energy efficiency throughout the day. A variable-speed furnace offers even more flexibility and efficiency by allowing it to operate anywhere between 40 and 100% capacity. This will ensure you can maximize efficient heating during the warmer days while enjoying maximal heating during the colder overnight hours. The reverse holds for the summer season.
Another option to help ensure a comfortable home environment is investing in zoning. This allows you to section off various areas of your home to have an independent thermostat for each location. For example, you may want two sections if you have a two-story house. Since heat rises, your second story will likely be hotter than your first story. A zone system can allow you to add heat to your lower level without running heat to your upper level. This provides more adequate control over the temperature throughout your home’s areas. The more power you have, the more efficient your system usage can be.
More Airflow Needed
When investing in a furnace for your Denver home, it’s essential to consider one specifically designed for higher altitude environments. These furnaces are more powerful and create more airflow to enhance system performance. A conversion kit can easily upgrade Many standard furnaces to operate at higher altitudes.
These high-altitude conversion kits contain various furnace components designed to run at high altitudes. These include components like a pressure switch, gas valve springs, and burner orifices. You’ll also need to have an HVAC technician derate your furnace, which is simply decreasing the input flow. For optimal performance, it’s general practice to derate a furnace by 4% for every 1,000 feet above sea level.
Humidity Control Issues
Higher altitude regions experience lower humidity air. Unfortunately, dry air can present problems in your indoor environment. Moisture is responsible for holding heat in the area. Heat will struggle to stay in the air when there’s low moisture. This can result in the need to turn up the thermostat on your heating system to keep you comfortable during the cold winter season.
Introducing a whole-home humidifier into your HVAC system can allow you to set a comfortable relative indoor humidity level accurately. Most experts recommend setting your indoor humidity level between 30 and 50% for optimal results. This extra moisture will make you feel more comfortable as the air retains more heat. You can even enjoy turning down the temperature on your thermostat to help reduce your wintertime heating bills.
The Most Popular HVAC Systems in Denver
There are a handful of popular heating and cooling system options that homeowners in the Denver area invest in. These include furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioning systems. Furnaces provide comfortable heating for cold climates. They can run on propane, heating oil, natural gas, or electricity. Typically, natural gas furnaces burn at a higher temperature than electric furnaces, making them more suitable for higher altitude climates. However, the inefficiency of burning anything at high altitudes makes electric systems, like those found in heat pumps, a popular choice.
Central air conditioning systems are often used in conjunction with furnaces to provide adequate cooling during the hot summer months. A heat pump is another alternative that offers very high operating efficiency compared to traditional furnaces. However, air-source heat pumps tend to lose their high operating efficiency at very low temperatures.
For this reason, investing in a dual-fuel heating system is quite common. This system uses a heat pump when temperatures are above freezing and switches to a furnace when temperatures drop below freezing. It’s crucial to note that heat pumps can also provide cooling during the summertime, so you won’t need a central air conditioning system if you invest in a dual-fuel heating system. With a dual-fuel HVAC system, you can ensure optimal operating efficiency, regardless of the season.
Solar systems are popular in the area due to the high number of sunny days in Colorado. While you need to keep snow load at bay in the winter, solar panels paired with an electric heat pump can be a very efficient way to heat and cool your home throughout the year.
Trustworthy HVAC Maintenance Service
Premier Heating and Air provides trustworthy HVAC maintenance service for the Denver, CO community. We can assist with all your air conditioning, heating, heat pump, and indoor air quality needs. Call us today to book a service consultation with one of our friendly HVAC technicians.
