Are fall allergies bringing you down?
If you are a fall allergy sufferer, you are not the only one. Although spring is the more recognized allergy season, fall can be just as bad, if not WORSE, for some people.
But, before you load up on allergy medications, make sure you are doing a few simple things around your home to keep indoor air quality high and allergen levels low, while maintaining the best comfort possible.
Change your furnace filter regularly. A dirty furnace filter can decrease airflow, decrease efficiency, increase utility bill spending and push previously trapped particles back into your indoor air. A good rule of thumb is once per season, but some people may need to change it as frequently as once per month.
Do a thorough fall cleaning. Like allergies, spring is usually the season associated with a good, deep cleaning. However, it can be a good idea to do a fall deep clean to make sure you have the freshest air possible, year round. Plus, it can provide a nice clean slate for the cooler winter months – when you will be spending more time indoors.
Resist the temptation to open the windows and doors. Not only can an open window or door let in a draft when you just want a nice breeze, but it can increase HVAC system demand (if your equipment is on) and let in unfiltered air (increasing allergen levels in your home). Do yourself a favor and resist the temptation to open the windows and doors during mild fall weather.
Schedule a duct and HVAC system cleaning. A clean unit is a better working unit. Clean ducts mean better airflow and cleaner indoor air. Also, a duct cleaning can alert you to unseen problems your home may be facing (i.e. rodents, mold, bugs and more)!
Remember, a more long-lasting, permanent fix to high allergen levels in your home is to invest in indoor air quality products that work directly with your heating and cooling system. Make sure you ask your contractor about IAQ products during your fall furnace maintenance appointment if you need to reduce allergies and increase indoor air quality.
What do you do to keep your home allergy free?
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How does airflow affect your heating and cooling system?
What exactly is airflow? You can probably guess that airflow in heating and air conditioning is just that – the measurement of air flowing through your heating and air conditioning system. Airflow is important when it comes to the performance and longevity of your HVAC equipment. Restricted airflow can lead to problems, including: hot and cold spots, increased utility bills spending, decreased efficiency and even system malfunctions that lead to an early replacement!
So, what kind of things can lead to restricted airflow?
- Improper clearance around outdoor heating and air conditioning equipment.
- A dirty/clogged furnace filter.
- A filter that is too efficient for your particular HVAC system.
- Collapsed, missing or blocked ductwork.
- Leaves and debris around your outdoor heating and air conditioning equipment.
- Dirty equipment.
- Closed registers and vents throughout your home.
A way that you can avoid restricted airflow is by scheduling preventative maintenance with your local heating and air conditioning contractor. They can come out and clean the appropriate parts of your system and make sure that everything is operating the way that it should be.
What was the last time you changed your furnace filter?
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Are you using your thermostat in the most efficient way for fall?
Fall can be confusing when it comes to proper HVAC settings. Some days may feel like you need a little help from your air conditioner, while the evenings feel like your gas furnace may be the only system for the job. So, what do you do?
Here are some of our tips for making sure that you are setting your thermostat properly for the season.
For non-programmable thermostats…
Make sure that you aren’t changing your thermostat settings all the time. Extreme fluctuations in temperature settings can mean that you use more energy than necessary to make your home comfortable. If you want customized comfort based on the temperatures throughout the day and your schedule, talk to your local heating and cooling contractor about switching to a programmable model. If you are ready to switched over to heat mode, set it and then forget it!
For programmable thermostats…
Adjust your programmable settings based on your schedule. Can you keep the thermostat a little warmer at night? Are the kids back in school? Is the house empty during the day? Are you ready to switch over to heat mode? This is the time to change your settings. Just remember, once you program those settings based on your new schedule, you need to stick with those settings.
If you want greater comfort control, you may want to consider a heat pump. Heat pumps use heat transfer to warm your home using electricity. And, if you pair it with a gas furnace, you can always make sure that you are using the most efficient fuel source for the weather outside. Talk to your local contractor and see if a heat pump is a good choice for your home.
Do you have a programmable or non-programmable thermostat? If you have a programmable model, have you noticed more efficient energy usage?
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Do you know why you may choose gas heat over electric heat?
As we head into the fall, it’s time to start thinking about maintaining or replacing your heating equipment. If you’re thinking about replacing an old unit, it’s important that you take some time and figure out which system is going to be best for your home. Do you need a gas furnace? Can you get by with a heat pump? Do you need to invest in a gas pack or a dual-fuel system? There are several options that you will want to keep in mind.
At the core of this decision is whether you need electric heat or gas heat. We’ve discussed the difference before – it really all comes down to which is the cheapest utility in your area. Lately, gas seems to be the more affordable energy choice. However, you may receive many benefits when you choose an electric heating method (like a heat pump) to work alongside a gas furnace.
Let’s dig a little deeper.
As we’ve discussed before, heat pumps have the ability to perform heat transfer – cooling a space in the summer and warming a space in the winter. Heat transfer is the more efficient electric heating method (when compared to heat creation). Heat creation (employed by equipment like back-up heat strips, space heaters, electric furnaces, etc.) consumes more electricity.
If you choose a heat pump over an air conditioner and pair it with a gas furnace, you can cool with electricity, heat with gas AND heat with electricity. Heat pumps today are more efficient and operate better than heat pumps in the past. If you experience weather where you need a little bit of heat, but not he power of a gas furnace, then a heat pump could be the right idea.
Need more advice? Make sure you contact your local heating and cooling expert. They can give you some insight into which type of heating method is used in homes in your area.
Do you have a heat pump or gas furnace? If you have a heat pump, have you noticed utility savings during the fall?
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Tricks for keeping cool in your home during the summer
Fall may be creeping closer and closer, but summer temperatures are still very much present. Has it been hotter than usual around your home this summer? There are a lot of things you can do around your home that can help keep things cool when temperatures soar.
Ultimately, you want your equipment to be running as efficiently as possible and operating smoothly. Here is a list of things you can do to make sure that you stay cool during the summer.
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Use blinds and curtains to block sunlight.
- Rearrange your furniture so that you aren’t blocking any vents or registers.
- Keep registers and vents open.
- Check to make sure your pets have not accidentally closed a vent while lying on it.
- Change your furnace filter regularly, particularly if you have pets.
- Shade your south-facing windows.
- Seal any air leaks around your windows and doors.
- Shade your air conditioning condenser (the box that sits outside).
- Have your ducts cleaned each year.
- Have preventable maintenance performed on your air conditioner each year.
Make sure you mark your 2017 calendar for a spring clean and check. It’s never too early to plan ahead!
If you think that your air conditioner is not performing to the best of its ability, contract your local heating and cooling contractor.
Do you do these things every year? What other tasks do you have for keeping cool during the summer?
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High humidity in your home could be affecting more than comfort.
Did you know that indoor humidity levels can heavily affect the comfort of your home? In fact, controlling the humidity in your home can make it feel warmer or cooler in your home, depending on how you adjust it.
But, did you know that high indoor humidity can have a slew of negative benefits that can affect comfort and even your health? Here are some things that humidity can affect.
Wood warping. Remember, extra humidity in the air is essentially more water in the air. This can cause doors to swell, floors to warp and a host of other problems. So, if it feels like your doors are sticking, you could have a humidity problem.
Feels too hot. A humid home is a hot home. Reasonably lowering the humidity levels in your home can actually make your home feel cooler (you may even be able to raise the temperature the thermostat is set at to save some dough on utilities).
Indoor air quality issues. Dust, mold, allergens…all things that thrive in a humid environment. These things may become problems in visible places. BUT, even more concerning, they can become a problem in the places you can’t see – like in your walls or in your ductwork!
Wood rot caused by window condensation. Condensation can form on your windows and drip down to your floors or windowsills, causing rot.
Lowering the humidity dramatically can also cause problems. We’ll address those during the winter.
In short, it’s important that you are able to effectively control humidity levels in your home. Make sure you have the proper dehumidification and humidifying products that your home needs. These products may even be a part of your heating and cooling system.
Make sure you ask your contractor about the dehumidification properties of your system (or your new system if you are in the market). They’ll be able to match you with the system with the right features for your home’s needs.
Have you ever had any of the problems mentioned above? Did it turn out to be a humidity problem?
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Knowing what to do with your HVAC when you leave town.
Are you going out of town on a last-minute vacation? If so, have you given any thought into what you should do with your heating and air conditioning equipment?
It would seem like what do should be easy. Since you aren’t going to be home, you should just turn it off, right? That’s actually not the best thing to do. On paper it seems that turning off the equipment while you aren’t there is going to be the best way to save money, but it may actually end up costing you more.
First, we have to remember that your heating and air conditioning system isn’t just in charge of the temperature of your home. Yes, that is the main reason that you have it in your home. But, it actually does so much more. Your HVAC system is in charge of…
- Circulating air
- Controlling humidity
- Controlling indoor allergens and air pollutants
If humidity levels skyrocket while you are gone, it may lead to condensation (i.e. MOLD) issues in your home. Tackling a mold issue could end up costing you so much more than keeping your air conditioner on for the few days you are out of town.
Further, getting your home back to your ideal temperature when you get back in town can be a big energy suck. That’s definitely going to be reflected on your end-of-the-month utility bill.
But, what should you do??
Well, you can turn the thermostat up so that the system is still running at intervals (i.e. dehumidifying) while you are gone, but not consuming as much energy as it would if you were in town. Plus, when you get back home, it won’t take as long to get your home back to temperature.
Did you already know this? What other things do you do around the house before you go on vacation?
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How are you spending those last few weeks of summer?
August is here, which means fall will be here before you know it! Now is the time to get in those last-minute summer activities. This summer has been exceptionally warm. Now, as temperatures start to cool a bit, you can fit in those activities that may not have been as possible at 100°F.
Go on a camping trip. The daily grind can be taxing. We’re surrounded by advertising, computers, smartphones, television…So much overstimulation! That’s why it’s a great idea to just take a few days to get away from it all.
Visit a state park. This can go hand-in-hand with camping. Take some time to explore the parks in your area.
Take a few last trips to the swimming pool. Labor Day will be here before you know it. And, with it the end of the swimming season. Now is the time to get those trips to the swimming pool in before it gets too chilly!
Host a barbeque! Not only can grilling be a great way to get together with family and friends, but it can also be good for your air conditioner. The oven can really heat up a kitchen – increasing cooling demand and resulting in longer run times. Plus, having people over can heat things up as well. Taking the party outside is a great way to minimize utility costs associated with hosting a get together.
Check and see if you live near a drive-in theater. If you do, many close in the early fall. Now is the time to experience some nostalgia while seeing the latest summer blockbuster.
Take some time out of your busy day and go on a picnic.
These are just a few suggestions. If it is still too hot to get out and explore the outdoors, staying in and enjoying the AC isn’t too bad either.
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This summer is heating up! Do you know how to stay safe in the heat?
The summer heat has been intense. And, as we reach the peak of summer, it’s important that we remember some safety tips for hot weather. Of course, the best way to stay safe during those hotter days is to stay indoors and enjoy your central air conditioning system. But, for those occasions that do mandate an outdoor excursion, safety should be at the forefront of your mind.
Here are some things you should keep in mind during extreme heat waves.
Always stay hydrated. Yes, this includes when you go to the pool as well. If you are outside – whether that’s for work or play – make sure you have a water bottle of some sort with you at all times.
Take advantage of shade. There are many ways that you can take advantage of shade. You can set up patio furniture and outdoor spaces in the shade, wear a hat or bring an umbrella.
Be safe at the pool. Not only should you hydrate at the pool, but you should make sure to put on sunblock and shower before you enter the water.
Wear sunblock when you aren’t at the pool. You may directly attribute sunburns to spending too much time at the pool, but you should wear sunblock on exposed areas of your body every day of the summer.
Keep your pets in mind. Our furry friends love the shade too! Make sure you are bringing them indoors during the heat. A shaded dog house isn’t always enough!
Invest in an outdoor fan. If you are having people over during the evening and plan on taking the party outdoors, have a fan ready! Not only can fans help you feel cooler, but they can keep mosquitoes away.
Dress for the weather. And, this isn’t just about wearing shorts and t-shirts. Loose-fitting clothing and lighter clothing is actually a better idea during extreme heat waves.
Work on that lawn during the evenings. You should not be outside working on your yard during the peak temperatures of the day. Push it off as long as you can (just don’t disturb your neighbors).
Do not leave children and pets in hot cars. Even if it is just for a few minutes. You’d be surprised how quickly a car can heat up.
Know the symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration. If you or a family member start displaying symptoms of any of these conditions, seek immediate medical attention.
What other things do you try to keep in mind during hotter summer days?
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Welcome to summer 2016!
This Monday, June 20th, marked the first day of summer. And, as many people around the U.S. can attest, it’s already been a hot one! During the summer, it is important that you and your family stay safe and healthy. High summer temperatures can mean spending more time indoors enjoying the AC.
Here are some HVAC related things to keep in mind during the summer.
Indoor air quality is important. Like winter, people spend a lot of time indoors during the summer. That makes it more important than ever to make sure you have a clean filter and keep your windows closed. Open windows (on more mild days) may invite a gentle breeze, but you will also be breathing in unfiltered air. Remember, it is always a good idea to regularly change your furnace filter – at the very least once before the heating season and again before the cooling season.
When you go outside, be safe! Make sure you hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The summer sunshine does make spending time outdoors more inviting, just as long as you take the proper precautions. Make sure you spend time in the shade and make sure drinking water stays at the forefront of your mind – even if you are doing activities that conceal the heat – like swimming!
If there seems to be a problem with your cooling system, turn it off. Going without air conditioning during the summer can be a scary prospect. But, if your system is blowing warm air or no air at all, make sure you turn your system off before any more damage is done. And, while it can be tempting to avoid wait times and service charges, NEVER try to fix your own air conditioner. You could do more harm than good. Plus, you could void your warranty! Always call your local HVAC professional and whip out the fans or a temporary window unit while you wait.
These are just some of the things you should keep in mind during the summer. Air conditioning has made the season that much more enjoyable for everyone. So, make sure you treat your system to yearly maintenance during the spring. Heck, you can even schedule a check-up now to make sure that everything will operate smoothly for the entirety of the cooling season.
What’s your favorite thing about the summer? Ours is central cooling!