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Category: Home Tips

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Friday, 29 January 2016 / Published in Efficiency, Home Comfort, Home Tips, HVAC System Advice

The Benefits of Filters

How does my home benefit from a filter change?

A dirty filter can leave your home full of dust and pollutants We’ve stressed, and then stressed again, the importance of regular filter changes. But, how exactly does your home benefit from a filter change? Well, let’s start off with a kind of scary fact – indoor air is often more polluted than your outdoor air. So, while air quality may be low outside, there could be a red level emergency right inside your home! That’s definitely not something you want to be up against, especially during the long winter months when people spend way more time indoors. Here are a few things that can happen if you haven’t changed your filter in a while.Your carpet can also reduce your indoor air quality if not cleaned regularly
  • A dirty filter can lead to dust accumulation inside your home. It’s hard enough keeping the home clean when you’re spending so much time indoors; don’t make your job harder!
  • A dirty filter may not filter out allergy-inducing particles from your indoor air. So, if you suffer from allergies, a dirty filter will aggravate any symptoms.
  • A dirty filter can lower the quality of your indoor air and lead to poor health or headaches.
  • A dirty filter may cause HVAC system damage! Restricted airflow (from a dirty filter) can lead to inefficient performance, less than desirable comfort levels and potential system issues.
These are just a few ways that a dirty filter can ruin home comfort! Want more information about heating and cooling products to help purify your indoor air? Talk to your local heating and air conditioning contractor.  

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Thursday, 21 January 2016 / Published in Home Comfort, Home Tips, HVAC System Advice, Top Tips

Understanding Air Handler Filters

How to keep your indoor air fresh: understanding air handler filters

The better quality filter you choose, the cleaner the air in your home will be We already discussed a couple of key components of an air handler. But, the component that we haven’t discussed yet is your filter. Before your conditioned or heated air enters your ductwork, it must pass through a filter to make sure it is the highest quality possible. Here are five things you should know about air handler filters:
  1. Filters can be either permanent or disposable. With a permanent filter, you are going to have to remove it and take it outside to clean it. With a disposable filter, you will just buy the right size filter and substitute one for another when the old filter becomes too dirty.
  2. Air filters heavily impact the quality of your indoor air. A dirty air filter will lower the quality of your indoor air – it can even lead to an increase of dust throughout your home.
  3. The filter in your air handler must be changed regularly – at the very least once before the heating season and again before the cooling season. However, there are many factors that may necessitate the need for changes more frequently. For example, if you have pets, you’ll have to change your filter more frequently.Change your filter often to ensure the air in your home is the best quality it can be
  4. Filters come in different sizes and filtration powers. The greater the filtration power, the more particles the filter is going to be able to remove from your indoor air.
  5. Some filters are going to be harder to change than others. For example, if your filter is actually located inside of your air handler, you may want to consider calling a contractor instead of changing/cleaning the filter yourself.
Have more questions about your air handler? Get in touch with your local HVAC contractor. So, have you been diligent about your filter changes? Have you ever encountered an issue with your HVAC system that was solved with a simple filter change?  

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Wednesday, 20 January 2016 / Published in Home Tips, How It Works, HVAC System Advice

What Is an Air Handler?

What is an air handler?

Air handlers are better suited for places with warmer climates If you’ve decided that you don’t need to pair your air conditioner with a gas furnace, but you’re still interested in a split-system configuration, you’ll need to pair your equipment with an air handler. But, what exactly is an air handler you ask? Well, let us tell you. You may have heard an air handler referred to as an “electric furnace.” But, this would be misleading. Air handlers can have backup heating operation (in the form of heat strips) that DO run on electricity. But, if you need powerful winter heating – the electric heat strips in your air handler are not going to be the most cost effective heating method. An air handler is a great option for homeowners in more mild climates that don’t need as much heating power. These units pair with your air conditioner or heat pump and help with heat transfer. Heat pumps paired with air handlers are ideal for homes in the South (i.e. Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, etc.) And, air conditioners paired with heat pumps can be great options for homeowners in the southern tip of Florida or even Texas. You should discuss your home heating and cooling system options with your contractor before you settle on your components. So, what are the basic components of your air handler?Inside working view of an air handler
  • The most important thing your air handler contains is your indoor evaporator coil. In an air conditioner, this is where refrigerant absorbs heat (and evaporates) leaving cool air to be distributed through your home. Same with your heat pump, but it also is able to do the opposite (transferring heat into the indoor air/condensing operation).
  • Your air handler also contains a blower/air distribution system that hooks up to your ductwork. Conditioned or heated air has to enter your home somewhere, and your blower is where it all starts.
Of course there are other components in your air handler, but these are the most important. Does your home use a gas furnace or an air handler? Make sure that if you are experiencing any issues with your air handler (or simply interested in a tune-up) you call your local heating and air conditioner contractor.  

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Tuesday, 29 December 2015 / Published in Home Comfort, Home Tips, HVAC System Advice

Using a Heat Pump in Winter

There are pros and cons of using a heat pump in winter

Weigh the pros and cons of using a heat pump in your home this winter Are you currently weighing the costs and benefits of a heat pump? Well, an important thing to keep in mind is how your heat pump will fair during the colder months. In some areas, a heat pump paired with an air handler may make more sense, while in others your heat pump may need to be paired with a powerful back-up heating method (like a gas furnace). There are pros and cons of using a heat pump in your year-round heating and cooling method. Here are some things you should keep in mind when having a heat pump installed in your home.
  • Pro: No gas line, no problem! Generally, if you aren’t going to pair your air conditioner with an electric furnace (or air handler) you are going to go with a gas furnace – if we’re talking about split systems. If you don’t currently have a gas line leading to your home, a gas furnace may e out of the question financially.
  • Con: Power and cost. If you live somewhere that sees temperatures below freezing frequently, you may want to consider pairing your heat pump with a gas furnace. At a certain point, it may no longer be cost effective to pull heat out of the outdoor air. Of course, there’s never going to be a point in time where there is NO heat to extract from the outdoor air. But, it may not be economically feasible.
  • Pro: More efficient than other electric heating methods. Heat transfer and heat creation are two very different things. Heat transfer is what a heat pump uses, and it is the more efficient heating method under certain climate conditions.Save money on heating by keeping your drapes closed when its cold outside
  • Con: Time to heat your home. Because there is less heat in the outdoor air during the winter, it can take longer for your home to reach your set temperature.
  • Pro: Comes in a wide range of options. Luckily, heat pumps come in a range of efficiency, sizes and setups so you can ensure that the system you have installed in your home is the ideal option. And, if a heat pump with an air handler doesn’t feel like it’s going to cut it during the winter, you can always pair your heat pump with a gas furnace.
Still not sure whether a heat pump is best for your home during the winter? Call your local heating and air conditioning specialist. They will help you design a heating and air system that best meets your needs. Do you have a heat pump? How does it fair in winter in your area?  

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Monday, 21 December 2015 / Published in Home Tips, HVAC System Advice, Top Tips

Electric vs. Gas Furnace

Electric vs. Gas Furnaces: A Heating System Throwdown

Many factors affect your decision to purchase an electric or gas furnace The choices available to homeowners, in terms of heating equipment, are continually and expanding! And, while it can be overwhelming when you are purchasing a new furnace, that’s a GOOD thing. There are models that suit every budget, every comfort demand and fuel type. Two such types of furnaces are electric and gas furnaces. And, there are pros and cons to both types.

Electric Furnaces:

This category can be interpreted a couple of different ways. But, for our purposes, we’re going to say that electric furnaces are air handlers. You can pair an air handler with your air conditioner or heat pump. It contains your air distribution system, indoor coil and sometimes heat strips that provide additional heating power. These heat strips are powered by electricity and create original heat.
  • Pros:
    • Don’t have to use natural gas
    • Can be all you need to heat/cool your home year round (in some areas)
  • Cons:
    • Create original heat (don’t transfer heat)
    • Can raise electric bills
    • May have to strain to reach heating demand (in some areas), particularly if you are pairing an air handler with an air conditioner
  • Where to Install
    • Live in an area where the power supplied by a gas furnace isn’t necessary (e.g. the South, Southern Texas, Florida, etc.)
    • Don’t currently have a natural gas line running to your home
    • Electricity is the cheaper utility in your area

Gas Furnaces:

This is what most people typically associate with heating systems. These are natural gas-powered heating systems that contain your air distribution system and create original heat. A natural gas furnace can be paired with your split-system air conditioner or heat pump (just like an air handler).Heat your home naturally by letting in some sunlight
  • Pros:
    • Provide powerful heat
    • Natural gas is often the less expensive utility
    • Pairs nicely with both an air conditioner and a heat pump to provide year-round heating and cooling
  • Cons:
    • Uses natural gas lines (if you don’t have them, it can be costly and infeasible to have them installed)
    • Must have a carbon monoxide detector running in your home
    • Will generally have to purchase an additional indoor coil
  • Where to Install
    • Currently have a gas line running to your home
    • Need the power supplied by a gas furnace
    • Natural gas is the cheaper utility in your area
So, when it comes to electric versus gas furnaces, it all depends on where you live and what’s currently in your home. That’s why it is so important to consult a heating and air conditioning contractor before you settle on a system. Do you have a gas furnace or an electric furnace? Are you thinking about switching?  

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Monday, 23 November 2015 / Published in Holiday Fun, Home Comfort, Home Tips

Preparing for Thanksgiving

How to get your home ready for Thanksgiving dinner

feast Maybe you drew the short straw? Maybe you enjoy doing it? Whatever the reason may be, you find yourself stuck prepping, cooking and hosting Thanksgiving dinner. For some people, this may be a piece of cake, while others may see this as an incredibly daunting task. Either way, we have some tips that can help you prepare your home for a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here are our Thanksgiving dinner preparation tips:
  • Plan ahead. Set a menu and talk to your family about pot-lucking the meal. It can be a daunting task to cook for 12 people; lighten the load by planning ahead.
  • Keep things indoors. Setup indoor activities for children and designate areas for adults to be during the day. While we don’t want to discourage you from a game of flag football outside, it is best that people aren’t constantly going in and out of the house. You don’t want people going in and out of the house and letting your warm air out into the cold Thanksgiving day.
  • Change your filter. You and your family can breathe easier with a brand-new furnace filter. If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, it can be a good idea to change it before the big day. This will make your furnace’s job easier and it can make your home smell fresher.
  • Adjusting the thermostat. While the financial burden may be partially on you to host Thanksgiving dinner, you may actually be able to save some money on the big day. You can actually turn down the thermostat on Thanksgiving day. This is because you will most likely have more people in your home and an oven working constantly. This will naturally bring up the temperature of your home without the assistance of your furnace.
  • And of course… wear stretchy pants for lounging afterwards. (Optional but highly encouraged! 🙂 )
So, how do you run Thanksgiving dinner at your house? What other tips do you have?  

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Thursday, 19 November 2015 / Published in Home Comfort, Home Tips

Sick? It Could Be Your Indoor Air

Have a head cold? Suffering from the sniffles? The problem may start at your furnace filter

Feeling under the weather? Soup may help, but changing your furnace filter can make an even bigger difference Did you know that indoor air quality can impact the health of you and your family in a big way? If you’ve recently come down with a case of the sniffles, it could be because your indoor air quality is low. Make sure you arm your home with the proper defenses (like indoor air quality products and detectors) to make sure you and your family are happy and healthy this holiday season. Here are a few ways in which indoor air quality can affect your family’s health:
  • Carbon monoxide. There’s no questioning the usefulness of your gas furnace during the winter. But, with anything that runs on natural gas, there is the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Make sure that your carbon monoxide detector has fresh batteries and is working properly when you turn on the gas furnace for the season.
  • Mold in your home. Humidity can lead to mold growth. This can aggravate allergies or cause health problems when mold spores are inhaled. Make sure that you keep your home at a reasonable humidity level – optimal for comfort and without encouraging mold growth. You can even invest in a dehumidifier – particularly in unfinished basements that may encourage mold growth.Treat your indoor air with natural remedies instead of chemicals
  • Be mindful of household cleaners and air fresheners. Some, if not most, household cleaners, candles, air fresheners and more contain chemicals that can negatively impact your family’s health. Make sure that when you choose those products, you find ones that are more eco-friendly, or contain fewer dangerous chemicals. Or, better yet, find out how to make them yourself. This way you can have better control over what goes into the air in your home.
Have the sniffles? It could be an allergic reaction or because of your indoor air quality. Fortunately, indoor air quality products can help cut-back on issues with poor indoor air quality. Make sure you ask your contractor about indoor air quality additions when you get your equipment serviced, or when you are having a new system installed – you won’t regret it. Were you aware that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air?  

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Tuesday, 03 November 2015 / Published in Home Tips, HVAC System Advice

Your Air Conditioner During the Winter

Here are some things to consider about your air conditioner…

Prepare your air conditioner for next year's cooling season today Happy first week of November! Temperatures are dropping, the leaves are falling, and we are definitely putting cooling season in our rearview mirrors. If you have an air conditioner, it’s important that you take some steps to make sure that it remains in tip-top shape during the heating season. After all, you don’t want to flip over to cooling mode on the first hot day of the year and be greeted by unconditioned air! So, if you’re buckling down for a long, cold winter, here are some things you should keep in mind.
  • Brush leaves and debris away from your air conditioner. Blocked airflow can really produce some big problems when you go to turn your air conditioner on for the first time during the cooling season. Why not head off that issue now, instead of worrying about it later? Also, if you hose your air conditioner off to remove the gunk, make sure you dry your unit. You don’t want ice accumulating on the condenser.Replace your air conditioner now to enjoy cool temperatures next summer
  • Air conditioner on its last leg? Consider replacing it now. It’s much better to stay ahead of the game so you don’t end up waiting for cool air during the peak season. Schedule an air conditioning system consultation now to ensure home comfort later.
Of course, if you have a heat pump or use your air conditioner year-round – these tips may be be for you. What else do you do to get your air conditioner ready for the colder months?  

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Thursday, 29 October 2015 / Published in Home Tips, HVAC System Advice

Prepare Your Furnace for the Holidays

Your waistline isn’t the only thing that should prepare for the holidays.

Like Halloween treats to your waistline, colder weather strains your HVAC equipment. Halloween candy. Thanksgiving dinner. Holiday baked goods! All of these extra calories can put an extra strain on your waistline – just as increased heating demand can put a strain on your gas furnace. While tight jeans can be a comfort nuisance, that’s nothing compared to a gas furnace outage during some of the coldest weather of the year. So, like hitting the gym, your gas furnace needs a plan of action to make sure that damage isn’t done while temperatures drop. Here are some things you can do to decrease the strain placed on your indoor heating system.
  • Schedule a clean and check appointment. Start the holiday season out on the right foot with a clean and check appointment! This can make sure your contractor catches anything that could pose a problem during the heating season.
  • Change your filter. Ensure proper airflow and reduce strain by making sure your filter is clean and ready to go.
  • Get your ductwork inspected. Again, this can make sure that you have correct airflow going to all parts of your house. And, you can make sure that there are no leaks – causing your gas furnace to have to run longer or shorter (depending on the location of the leak).Replace your furnace filter regularly to keep indoor air quality fresh
  • Having a holiday party? Turn the thermostat down a few degrees. The natural body heat and any indoor cooking appliance can give off extra heat and lower the demand for your gas furnace.
  • While we’re talking about the thermostat… make sure that it is sending the right signals to your equipment. Your thermostat should be a part of your maintenance appointment.
  • What about vents? Make sure all of your vents are open. This way you assure that your gas furnace is meeting the demand it was designed to meet.
Ultimately, an emergency repair during the holidays is going to really put a damper on the spirit (and cut into those meal and gift budgets). Head-off these problems today and thank yourself later. What else do you do to get your furnace ready for the holidays?  

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Tuesday, 20 October 2015 / Published in Home Comfort, Home Tips, Top Tips

Smart Tips for Fall

Get your home winter ready with our smart home tips for fall!

Seal any air leaks in your home for better home comfort The weather’s cooling down. The leaves are changing color. And, it’s time to start thinking about hunkering down for the winter. It’ll be winter before you know it – make sure you aren’t putting off all of those fall-time chores! Before temperatures get really chilly, there are some things you should do around your home in the fall to ensure a safe, comfortable environment. Here are a few of our smart home tips for fall.
  • Plug any air leaks. Air leaks stemming from windows and doors can be a drain on your wallet and home comfort. Caulk around your windows, look for leaks in your attic and ensure your home is properly insulated.
  • Rake up those leaves! Especially if they are around your condenser. If you have a heat pump, you could be using the outdoor unit well into fall and close to winter. Proper airflow is critical for maximum comfort and performance – don’t let the leaves bog your unit down.
  • While we’re discussing leaves… Make sure you clean out those gutters as well.
  • Ensure top notch air quality. During seasonal transitions, it is a great idea to remember to change your disposable filter or clean your permanent filter. Your filter is your best line of defense against nasty indoor particles that can negatively impact indoor air – especially when your house is closed off tightly during the winter.Schedule fall preventative maintenance with your local contractor
  • Freshen up those batteries. Your carbon monoxide detector and fire alarms are crucial for keeping your home safe. Now is a great time (before you turn on that gas furnace) to make sure these devices are running properly.
  • Inspect that ductwork. Ductwork that is installed improperly, collapsed or dirty can impact home comfort and indoor air quality. Have your contractor come out and inspect that ductwork.
  • And while we’re talking about contractors… Make sure you schedule fall furnace preventative maintenance. It is better to catch any issues before they can become big problems during the winter.
You also may want to have someone clean and inspect your chimney, paint your home, or more! What do you do during the fall to get ready for winter?  

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