Spring is just around the corner…
Are you ready for the warmer weather? We sure are! Spring may be a few weeks away, but we’re already thinking about gardening, warm weather and sunny days. What’s your favorite part of the spring season?
As temperatures rise, you want to make sure your air conditioner is in good shape. Schedule spring preventative maintenance to ensure proper cooling system operation. A contractor can catch minor issues before they become big problems.
But, your air conditioner is only one piece (albeit the biggest piece) of the cooling equation. You also want to keep your thermostat in mind.
The Department of Energy recommends a thermostat setting of 78°F during the summer. You are likely to save more money on cooling at this temperature. But, you want to make sure you make the transition at the right time. Drastic temperature swings can raise bills and decrease performance.
During your maintenance appointment, ask your contractor about your thermostat options. You can choose to go with anything from an analog thermostat with a dial to a smart, Wi-Fi-enabled model. Programmable thermostats fall somewhere in the middle. With a programmable model, you can set the temperature based on your schedule. Your thermostat does the thinking for you. It makes airflow adjustments based on when you’re home and when you’re out of the house. This way, you are using the right amount of energy to cool your home at any given time.
Dramatic temperature swings are not good for your home comfort or wallet. But, small adjustments made by your thermostat can make a positive impact. Make sure you ask your contractor about your money-saving thermostat options.
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Do you know how much the furnace has changed over the years?
Home heating has been around for a while. It started with simple wood-burning stoves and fireplaces to today’s high-efficiency, natural gas-powered furnaces. As the years have gone by, heating technology has improved more and more. This means the furnace sitting in your basement could be extremely out-of-date if it is an older model – running inefficiently and not giving you the home comfort you’re paying for.
Efficiency isn’t even the biggest difference between new furnaces and older models. Not only are today’s furnaces held to a higher standard efficiency-wise, they contain comfort-enhancing technology that can make your home more comfortable, and do so quietly.
Here are some technology improvements that make today’s furnace’s outstanding.
Variable-speed technology. Many of today’s gas furnaces, particularly high-efficiency models, contain variable-speed blower motors. A variable-speed model can do just what the name implies – vary the speed at which the air is blown throughout your home to exactly meet your comfort demands. This leads to a better mix of air, reducing hot and cold spots.
Multiple stages of operation. Traditional furnaces have two stages, 100% capacity and off. Furnaces that can operate in multiple stages can vary firing capacity to more directly meet your homes comfort demands at a given time. This help you save money and can lead to better home comfort.
Blower delay. Want to make sure you aren’t treated to a blast of cold air as soon as your furnace kicks on? Invest in a model that features a blower delay. This assures that your ducts are warm by the time air starts moving through them.
And that’s just scratching the surface. Make sure you ask your contractor about the comfort features in addition to efficiency when you’re buying your next furnace.
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Are you having trouble staying comfortable?
The worst way to ring in the New Year is with a high electric bill and an uncomfortable home. Airflow may not be something you’ve though about, but it is a critical component of home comfort. In fact, your whole heating and cooling system depends on your equipment’s ability to access and condition the air in your home – trouble with airflow = trouble with comfort.
Here are some issues that poor airflow can cause:
- Lower efficiency
- Weaker air stream (a.k.a. it takes longer for your home to reach the temperature you’ve set).
- Poor indoor air quality
- Higher bills
- Emergency repairs
Here are some things that cause poor airflow
- Closing registers and vents
- Loose, collapsed or disconnected ductwork
- Planting too close to your outdoor equipment
- Dirt and debris on your outdoor condenser
- Dirty furnace filter
So, what can you do? These are the things you can do to make sure your equipment is receiving proper airflow.
- Change your filter frequently
- Have your ductwork inspected once a year
- Have your cooling equipment maintained in the spring and your gas furnace maintained during the fall.
Those are the big three! Call your local heating and air conditioning contractor today if you are having issues with airflow.
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Are you already sick of the cold weather?
The official first day of winter is the 21st of December. Chances are, the worst is yet to come weather-wise. Winter brings about parties with friends and family, holiday lights and assorted decor, but it also brings about cold drafts and slippery, snowy roads (unless you are fortunate enough to live in a place with mild weather). You want to make sure that your furnace is ready to tackle that cold weather when it rolls around.
Here are some winter home upkeep tips that can assure a comfortable, healthy holiday season.
- Keep your outdoor furnace vent free from snow and winter debris to make sure your furnace is properly venting out the byproducts of combustion.
- Turn off your holiday lights during the day and before you retire for the evening.
- Change your furnace filter to make sure your indoor air quality is high and it’s not blocking airflow.
- Talk to your local heating and air conditioning contractor about entering a maintenance agreement so you never forget your preventative maintenance appointment during the fall.
- Check for air leaks. If you find any, seal them up with caulk or weather stripping to achieve maximum comfort and efficiency.
- Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature. The Department of Energy recommends a setting of 68F during the winter.
Want to squeeze in a last-minute maintenance appointment? Get in touch with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
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It’s beginning to look a lot like…
WINTER! That frightful winter weather has crept into many areas of the country already. While some homeowners are blessed with mild winters, others need to prepare for subzero temperatures and snow.
We’re not talking about temperatures in the 40s…we’re talking about temperatures that hurt your face as soon as you step outside. Here are some things you should have on your mind before, during and after an extreme cold front roll in…
- Be prepared for chillier indoor temperatures. There is only so much your furnace is going to be able to do to keep your home warm. There will come a point when even the best furnace is going to struggle to keep up with demand. Break out the sweaters and blankets, and drink a cup of hot cocoa.
- Don’t crank the heat. As mentioned above, it may feel like your home just can’t get warm enough. Resist the temptation to blast the heat. All you’ll achieve is a higher utility bill.
- Don’t be afraid to turn the thermostat down a degree or two. If your furnace is constantly running trying to reach the temperature you have your thermostat set to, consider a lower temperature setting. This way, your gas furnace will turn off sooner – saving money on utility bills and reducing wear and tear on your unit.
- Consider weather stripping around your windows and doors. Drafts during extremely cold weather may also be making your home feel like the inside of an igloo. You can pick up weather stripping at your local hardware store to help combat these drafts.
- Make sure your outside vents are clear. Do you know where your gas furnace vents the byproducts of combustion? Make sure your vent is clear from snow and winter debris to make sure those byproducts are exiting your home correctly.
- Registers and vents indoors should also be clear. Make sure furniture and rugs are not blocking your indoor vents either. You also want to make sure they were not accidentally closed. Blocked vents and registers can result in cold rooms and system damage.
- If you’re going out of town, have a neighbor check your home. During extremely cold weather, there could be too much strain placed on your gas furnace. This may cause a malfunction. If you aren’t home, the lack of warm air circulating through your home could result in frozen pipes and a number of other health and safety issues. Have a neighbor pop into your house each day to make sure everything is running smoothly.
- If you’re using a space heater, make sure you practice proper safety. During extreme cold, you may feel like you need supplemental heat. Temporarily using a space heater isn’t necessarily a bad thing (although it can result in a higher electric bill), but you must make sure that it is properly attended and that it is nowhere near flammable materials.
Feel like your furnace isn’t ready to tackle extreme cold? Get in touch with a local heating and air specialist.
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How do you plan on heating your home this winter?
Are you prepared for winter? Having a proper method for heating your home is critical during the colder months. It’s important for comfort and for making sure things like your pipes don’t freeze and burst.
Whole-home heating systems, like furnaces and heat pumps, are the best way to assure that your home is going to be set at the right, most comfortable temperature. However, there may be times when your central heating system is not available. Here are some alternative heating methods you can use for a short time while you are waiting for your heating equipment to be ready to use.
Space Heaters.
This is probably the most common alternative heating method. These smaller pieces of equipment can be powered by a variety of different fuel sources, such as: electricity, gas, propane, oil or wood. If you’ve decided to use a space heater, make sure you employ proper safety techniques. While they can provide a significant amount of heat, there are some drawbacks.
- Make sure they are monitored at all times.
- Keep them away from flammable substances like paper or fabric.
- Don’t run them too long. They can overheat and (if they are electric) raise your electric bill.
Fireplace.
There’s nothing better than cozying up close to a lit fireplace during the winter. They can heat a room and create a festive environment. However, there are some things you should keep in mind so that you stay safe and comfortable while using one.
- Use an appropriate screen to catch embers and debris.
- Make sure to OPEN your damper when it is in use.
- Make sure to CLOSE your damper when it is NOT in use. A fireplace can act like a giant vacuum when the damper is open – all of your warm air is lost up the chimney.
- Keep flammable materials far enough away from your fireplace (e.g. paper, rugs, furniture, etc).
DO NOT use your oven.
We do not recommend using an oven or stove to heat your home, although this has been cited as an alternative heating method. This is incredibly dangerous and can, if natural gas or electric, raise your bills.
Remember, the best, most-efficient way to heat your home is by using a central heating system. If you are having issues with your gas furnace or need to replace your old one, make sure you get in touch with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
Are you upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace this winter?
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How automated is your home?
Have you given much thought to your thermostat? There are many options out there, some of which you may not know about. Some thermostats only work with single-stage equipment, others only work with single-stage equipment, others only work with a dual-fuel configuration. There are non-programmable thermostats and programmable thermostats. There are also thermostats considered “smart” that can not only effectively control your home comfort, but learn too.
If you’re considering a new thermostat for your home, here are some things you should know about smart thermostats.
Smart thermostats have a lot of the same capabilities as your run-of-the-mill programmable thermostat. You can adjust temperature based on the time of day, whether it’s the weekend or a weekday, and more. You can make sure that when you arrive home, you are comfortable. Programmable operation can help you save money on utilities; you won’t waste heating and cooling dollars on an empty home.
However, smart thermostats are able to do much more than a programmable model. They can act as part of a complete home automation system. With a smart thermostat, you can control your thermostat from your tablet or smartphone – you don’t have to be near the box on the wall. For example, if you’re heading home from work during the winter and want your home to be toasty warm when you arrive, adjust your thermostat before you get there. When you walk in the door, it will already be the temperature you specified.
Some smart thermostats do even more. They can learn your schedule and preferences. They can judge when you’re most likely to be home or away – automatically adjusting temperature based on your schedule. Imagine your thermostat knowing that you like your home cooler while you sleep and being able to make that adjustment without any input from you.
The goal of a smart thermostat is to maximize comfort, give you complete control of your home’s temperature and save energy. If you are interested in installing one of these thermostats in your home, talk to your HVAC contractor during your fall preventative maintenance appointment.
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Have you checked your floor vents recently?
Are you beginning to feel a chill in the air? We’re diving deeper and deeper into fall, and the weather is only going to get colder. Are you ready for chillier weather?
While we’re preparing for winter weather, it’s important to keep our pets in mind. Anyone who has a pet knows how much of a mess they can make. Messes can lead to poor indoor air quality and fuzzy furnace filters. If you have pets, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your heating and air conditioning equipment.
Pets lay on vents. There’s nothing like the feeling of warm air on a cold fall or winter evening. Your pets feel the same way, often lying down on vents and registers to feel that warm breeze. If this is a habit of your pet, make sure they have not accidentally closed any of them. Closing vents and registers is bad for your heating and cooling system. Your equipment is designed to heat or cool a certain amount of space. When you start closing registers and vents, you mess with that calculated load. This can reduce efficiency and system life.
Pet hair means more frequent filter changes. Pet hair can quickly block your furnace filter. Plus, the things they track indoors, along with the cleaners you use to clean up any mess, can lower indoor air quality. If you have pets, it’s a better idea to change your furnace filter as frequently as once a month (just to be safe).
Don’t leave the door open when letting your pets outside. It’s not your job to heat the neighborhood. Make sure you keep the door open briefly while letting your pets outdoors. However, make sure you have a good view of your door. You want to be able to let your pet back indoors when they are ready. chances are if you feel cold, your pet does as well.
Want to up the quality of your indoor air? Talk to your heating and air contractor about indoor air quality products – like whole-home air cleaners, humidifiers and UV lights.
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What do you set your thermostat to during the spring and fall?
Deciding when to switch from heating mode to cooling mode, and vice versa, may not be easy. It’s important to keep air circulating during the spring and fall, but you may not need the power of your gas furnace or air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. So, what should you do?
Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your heating and air conditioning equipment during the mild seasons.
Don’t turn off your equipment. It’s important to keep the air flowing during the spring and fall, especially if you are an allergy sufferer. If you notice that your equipment is not kicking on as often, and the air is getting stale, try setting your fan to the “ON” position on your thermostat.
Commit to your thermostat settings. It can be hard to determine when it is time to change your thermostat from one mode to the other. The important thing to keep in mind is to not keep switching between the two. On and off cycles are the most energy-consuming portions of a heating or cooling system’s run cycle. Minimizing these cycles is key.
Don’t simply rely on open windows. This goes hand-in-hand with the first point. It is important to keep your air clean during the fall and spring. The weather may be mild, but the allergies can be brutal. If you have to open the windows, do so sparingly.
If mild weather is common in your area, consider investing in a heat pump. A heat pump paired with a gas furnace can be the ideal, year-round heating and cooling setup. This way, you are always using the most efficient heat source for the season. Heat transfer (the heating method used by a heat pump) is a more energy-efficient heating method than heat creation (the heating method used by heat strips and space heaters). During milder nights, when you don’t need the power of the gas furnace, your heat pump can kick on and keep you cozy.
Want to know more about best practices for operating your heating and cooling equipment during the mild seasons? Get in touch with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
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Temperatures are starting to cool off! Have you scheduled preventative maintenance?
We can’t stress the importance of fall furnace preventative maintenance enough. There is nothing worse than expecting your furnace to kick on during a cold winter’s day and being greeted by cool air or no air at all!
Fall is the ideal time to schedule a furnace preventative maintenance appointment with your local contractor. Here’s why.
Contractors are less busy. It can be difficult to get in touch with a contractor during peak seasons. Heating and air professionals are busy answering emergency service calls day in and day out. If something goes wrong with your furnace during the winter, it could be days, or even weeks, before a contractor can make it to your home.
Catching problems before they arise. Maintenance during the fall can save headaches during the winter. Not only will this help you stay comfortable throughout the heating season, but it could end up saving you money. The cost of a service call and a minor repair is going to be a lot less than the cost of an emergency service call and a brand-new system.
Speaking of entirely new systems… Yearly clean and checks can help maximize the life of your gas furnace. Heating equipment is going to cost more than the average appliance. You want to make sure that your investment in home comfort pays off for as many years as possible.
Keep tabs on your indoor air. You can also see if your contractor inspects ductwork in addition to servicing HVAC equipment. You never know what may be lurking in your ductwork. You want to make sure harmful particles are not being distributed around your home.
An easy way to make sure you always have a fall preventative maintenance appointment on the books is to talk to your contractor about a maintenance agreement/contract. This way, you will have a standing appointment to have your equipment checked before the heating season and the cooling season.