What’s that noise?
Concerned by the noises coming out of your heating and air conditioning equipment? There are some noises that can alert you to issues in your heating and cooling equipment while other noises are just a result of day-to-day operation. Sometimes, it can be hard to discern a normal noise from an abnormal noise. Make sure you keep an ear out. If your system is not brand-new, but you are noticing a brand-new noise, it’s time to call a contractor.
Be aware of the following noises:
- Air moving in your ductwork. This is completely normal. It’s just an indication that your equipment is running. However, if you notice a loud hissing or it seems like there is a change in airflow, it may be time to call a contractor. This could indicate that there is a blockage or leak in your ducts.
- Hum from your outdoor condenser. Even the quietest, most efficient air conditioner will make some noise while it’s operating. Newer units that have noise reduction features may be quieter than an everyday conversation, while an older air conditioner may make its presence known every time it kicks on. Just make note of changes. If your air conditioner starts making loud bangs or thumps, turn it off and call a contractor.
- Squeaks during startup or shutdown. This is entirely dependent on the type of system you have. If your unit is newer, and has never squealed while starting up, this can be an indication that a part is dirty of lose. However, a squeak may be normal for an older air conditioner. Generally, a squeal in any unit is an indication that it is time for a tune up.
- Scurrying, thumps or abnormal noises from your ductwork. It pays to get your ductwork inspected. Household pests may decide to make your ductwork their home. If you hear what sounds like an animal moving behind your walls or vents, have someone come out and inspect your system.
- Popping or crackling inside your ductwork. Metal ductwork expands and contractors as it is heated and cooled. This is completely normal. However, if the pops are interfering with your daily routine, there are possible solutions you can discuss with your local contractor.
If you are looking to replace your old air conditioner with something that makes less noise, ask your heating and air contractor about models that contain noise-reduction features – like swept-wing fan blades or compressor sound blankets.
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When was the last time your ductwork was cleaned?
It’s important to do all you can to make sure your indoor air is as clean as possible. And, clean air starts with your heating and air conditioning equipment. When was the last time your ductwork was cleaned and/or inspected?
What is your ductwork?
Your ductwork is responsible for transporting air to and from your HVAC system. It can be either hard or flex, insulated, located in your floor or ceiling, and more! The important thing to remember about ductwork is that it must be properly designed for your home to achieve optimal airflow.
If you’re noticing uneven temperatures throughout your home, higher utility bills, more frequent headaches or loud noises coming from your floor or ceiling – it could be due to an issue located inside your ductwork.
A good duct cleaning can alert you to several issues…
- Air leaks
- Mold and mildew growth
- Insects
- Rodents
There are obvious health and monetary concerns associated with these problems. The presence of mold, insects, and/or rodents can reduce indoor air quality and leave your family in poor health. Air leaks can lead to hot and cold spots, inefficient performance, reduced comfort, and higher utility bills. It’s not always easy to see what is going on behind your walls.. But, having your ductwork inspected is a good way to peak behind the drywall “curtain.”
Don’t delay. Talk to your local contractor about scheduling a duct cleaning appointment this fall.
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Are you ready for fall?
As we head into September, it’s time to start preparing for sweater weather. What do you think? Are we in for a warm fall or a cold fall?
What to do in case of a warm fall…
For portions of the Midwest, fall 2016 was unusually warm. If we’re in store for the same conditions this fall, temperature swings can make setting your thermostat tricky. The days may call for the air conditioner while the evenings may make your home too chilly. The important thing to remember is to commit to the temperature you choose. Constant temperature fluctuations can result in more often on/off cycles, which can really drive up your utility bills.
An even better solution? Invest in a heat pump and a programmable thermostat. When you pair a heat pump with a gas furnace, you can use the most efficient method of heat for the temperature outside. Your heat pump works just like an air conditioner during the hot days, but can switch over to heat mode on chillier evenings. If you’ve paired it with a programmable thermostat, you can set additional comfort preferences based on your schedule. This can help you save money on utilities.
What to do in case of a cold fall…
The most important thing that people can do during the fall (especially those who experience colder falls and winters) is schedule preventative furnace maintenance. The sooner the better in the case with a cold fall. Fall preventative maintenance is crucial for not only your furnace’s overall lifespan, but how efficiently it runs when temperatures drop. During maintenance, your local HVAC contractor will be able to find small issues before they can turn into big problems.
Which would you prefer…a chillier fall? Or, a warmer fall?
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What do you set your thermostat to during the fall?
Fall can be a tricky time to set your thermostat. Some days will seem hot enough for the air conditioner, while other days will be chilly enough for your gas furnace. So, where’s the healthy medium? Here are our tips for setting your thermostat during the fall for both non-programmable and programmable thermostats.
Non-programmable
Constant temperature setting fluctuations are an efficiency killer for homes with a non-programmable thermostat. Make sure when you set your thermostat for fall, you commit to that temperature. Those looking for a more customized, schedule approach to home comfort should consider a programmable model.
Programmable
Like a non-programmable model, it is a good idea to set your schedule and desired temperatures and stick to it. Think about your home’s situation throughout the day. Is everyone out of the house during the work hours? Does your house get cold at night? The beauty of a programmable thermostat is that you can set your schedule and forget about it. This is the most efficient way to control the temperature of your home.
Want even more savings and comfort options during the fall? Consider a heat pump as your condensing unit of choice. It works just like an air conditioner but can reverse the flow of refrigerant to provide heat for your home on those chillier nights/days. This way you are always using the most efficient energy source for your climate conditions.
Make sure you contact your local contractor to discuss your energy-efficient heating and cooling options. They will know your local area and will be able to recommend a system that will keep your home comfortable efficiently.
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Are you neglecting your furnace filter?
Noticing a foul smell in the air? Air conditioner not blowing enough cool air? Look to your furnace filter. Not only is a furnace filter critical for your indoor air, but a dirty filter can affect the performance of your heating and air conditioning equipment.
A dirty filter can…
- Lower indoor air quality
- Restrict airflow
- Shorten the lifespan of your air distribution equipment and/or outdoor air conditioner or heat pump
- Cause unpleasant odors in your home
Changing your furnace filter doesn’t have to be difficult. The trick is simply REMEMBERING to do it. You can control the amount you spend on a filter by choosing different filtration power. There are even services that will send you a furnace filter as often as you need it so that you don’t forget.
Most people don’t change their filter often enough to even meet the bare minimum recommendation – once a season. For some homeowners, even once a season is not enough. Here are some factors that could influence how often you should change your furnace filter.
Have pets? Consider changing your filter once a month. Homes with a dog or cat that sheds will go through filters more quickly due to Fido’s fur floating in the air. Plus, you want your pets to be seen and loved – not smelled. Accumulation of pet furn on your filter can lead to unpleasant animal odors.
Suffer from allergies? You may also want to consider changing your filter up to once a month. Or, you can invest in a more powerful filter. Just remember, there can be such a thing as too much filtration. Don’t get a filter that is too restrictive on your airflow. Talk to your contractor about the best filtration level for your home.
Smell something funny? It could be an odor trapped in your furnace filter. It never hurts to change it out. If that doesn’t resolve the smell, and you still think it is part of your air distribution system, ask your contractor to come out and inspect your ductwork.
If you don’t identify with one of these three conditions, it still doesn’t hurt to change your furnace filter once a month. However, if you don’t think that is necessary, we recommend changing your filter AT LEAST once a season. Make a little note near your thermostat. This way, when you go to change your thermostat settings for a season, you also remember to give your furnace filter a look.
Want more advice on indoor air quality? Give your local heating and air conditioning contractor a call.
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Do you know how much the air conditioner has changed?
When air conditioners were first used in commercial applications in the early 1900s, it operated using ice. A lot has changed since the air conditioner was first created. For one, central air conditioners use refrigerant instead of ice to cool a space.
Things have been progressing at a rapid pace over the past few decades. Regulation changes and technological advances are allowing engineers to improve and refine the central air conditioner. Here are a few of those improvements.
Higher Efficiency. Efficiency standards in the early 2000s were significantly lower than they are today. Back then, air conditioners had to meet a minimum efficiency requirement of 10 SEER. In 2006, efficiency standards were raised from the 10-SEER minimum to 13 SEER. Since then, there have been even more changes. Now, minimum efficiency standards vary from region to region – with homeowners in the South having to meet a higher efficiency minimum than homeowners in the North.
Greater Home Comfort. Technological advances have made it so that maximum home comfort is now more achievable than ever. Air conditioners manufactured today contain innovative technology like variable-speed motors, swept-wing fan blades, modulating technology and more. Not to mention, you can couple your high-efficiency air conditioner with a zoning system and/or a smart thermostat and gain maximum control over your unique comfort needs.
Quieter Operation. Like greater home comfort, technological advances have made it so that air conditioners today operate at noise levels that are lower than ever. For example, air conditioners than use modulation technology ramp up to speed in stages as opposed to going through abrupt on and off cycles. This means fewer noisy on and off cycles.
Smart Thermostats. Thermostats are getting smarter and smarter. There are models that are your standard, digital non-programmable models while others can run based on your schedule and even connect with your phone or tablet for on-the-go temperate monitoring.
Ability to Select the Best Professional for the Job. The internet has made it easier than ever to select the right contractor for your installation, service or maintenance. You don’t have to rely on word-of-mouth recommendations alone. You can look at their online presence, which may even include reviews.
So, how old is your air conditioner? If it is over 10 years old, you may want to call your local contractor and talk about your replacement options.
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Are you having a hard time staying comfortable in your house?
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t hot days left. Is your air conditioner still cooling the way that it should be? If your home is not reaching the correct temperature, there are several things that may be an issue that don’t involve a service call.
Try making these adjustments before you call a contractor.
Close blinds and curtains. Rooms with south-facing windows may feel warmer than those without. The sun can really heat things up! To help counter the warming effect of the sun’s rays, close your blinds and curtains. Your room will stay cooler in the shade.
Close vents. There is a misconception that closing vents and registers in unused/infrequently used rooms is a great way to save money. However, this is not the case. Your air conditioner is designed to cool a certain amount of space. When you start closing vents and registers, you could potentially damage your unit. Not to mention, if you forget to open them again, it could affect the comfort levels of that room. Make sure your vents are open.
Poorly placed furniture. Last time you arranged your rooms, did you make sure to take the placement of your vents and registers into account? If your living room is hot, your couch could be blocking a vent. Try rearranging your furniture if you have a hot living space.
Humidity levels. A humid home is a hot home. How high do you have the humidity set in your home? If your home is too humid, you may want to consider dropping the percentage. This can also help prevent mold growth.
Here are some things that should be dealt with by a contractor.
Poorly sized air conditioner. Did your contractor perform a Manual J load calculation when they installed your air conditioner? If not, you could have an undersized system. An undersized system will result in long run times, potential system damage and uncomfortable living spaces.
Leaky ductwork. When was the last time you had your ductwork inspected? Leaky ductwork can mean that your cooled, conditioned air is not being distributed to every part of your home. It’s a good idea to have a contractor come out and look at your ductwork once a year, especially if you are noticing areas that suffer from extreme cold and extreme heat.
When it comes to installation and repairs, it is best to call your local heating and air conditioning professional. As summer ends, it is a good idea to start thinking about fall preventative furnace maintenance. Remember, it’s never too early to schedule an appointment for the fall.
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Having a properly sized air conditioner is important.
Did you make sure your contractor properly sized your air conditioner when you had it installed in your home? Proper sizing is a critical step in the air conditioning purchasing process. Your contractor should not simply base equipment size on rule-of-thumb measurements. In fact, they may not want to go off the size that you currently have in your home. An improperly sized air conditioner can have serious implications for your home comfort AND wallet.
If you are noticing any of the following things, your air conditioner may be too small.
- Your home never reaches your programmed temperature.
- Your equipment constantly runs.
- Your electricity bills are high.
Home comfort is paramount during the summer, but at what cost? An undersized air conditioner can have a major impact on your wallet. Not only will your system have a harder time reaching your desired temperature, but the constant operation can damage your unit – resulting in shorter system life. An air conditioner is an investment in your home comfort – you want to make sure your investment lasts.
If any of the following are happening in your home, your air conditioner may be too large.
- Your air conditioner short cycles.
- Your electricity bills are high.
- Your home is humid.
When your air conditioner is too large, it doesn’t run long enough to get the appropriate amount of humidity out of the air. High humidity in your home can have a negative impact on comfort. A humid home is a hot home – you could find yourself lowering the temperature your thermostat is set at because your home just does not feel cool enough. Plus, high humidity levels can encourage mold and mildew growth, resulting in poor indoor air quality and unpleasant odors.
Think your air conditioner is improperly sized? Reach out to your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
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The latest updates from Maytag HVAC
Have you noticed something different about our split-system air conditioners and heat pumps? We’ve introduced some exciting changes to our units that can help the lives of both contractors and homeowners.
In April 2017, we revealed an all-new jacket design for our split-system air conditioners and heat pumps. This new jacket features sleek panels that make service simpler for contractors. When service is simpler for contractors, homeowners win. Simpler service means less time at your home during service or maintenance.
In addition to our split-system unit changes, we’ve also introduced two new packaged products in 2017 – the PPA3RF packaged air conditioner and the PPH3RF packaged heat pump. Both units have been redesigned to include two Micro-Channel coils – the durable, eco-friendly coil choice. Plus, these models are high efficiency – each reach 16 SEER! And, if we’ve learned anything, it always pays to invest in efficiency.
If you’re interested in an exceptional Maytag unit, make sure you get in touch with your local HVAC contractor.
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Decide whether the statements are true or false.
True? False? You decide.
- Lowering your thermostat temperature cools your home down more quickly.
- Closing vents and registers in unused rooms is a great way to save money.
- It’s a good idea to briefly open a window during the winter to air your home out.
- If you want more cooling power, invest in a bigger air conditioner.
- You should change your furnace filter once a season, or more frequently, especially if you have pets.
- Schedule preventative maintenance once a year – before the summer.
Answers.
- False. Lowering your temperature settings may ultimately result in a cooler home, but it does not result in quicker cooling. All it does is make your air conditioner or heat pump run longer – raising utility bills.
- False. Your air conditioner is designed to heat and cool a certain amount of space. Closing vents and registers can negatively impact home comfort and damage your cooling equipment.
- True. Opening your windows briefly during the winter can help alleviate stale, stagnant air during the winter. However, keep it brief. You don’t want your heating power escaping outdoors.
- False. Like number 2, your air conditioner is designed to cool a certain amount of space. Your contractor should perform a Manual J load calculation to determine the size of your new air conditioner.
- True. A dirty filter lowers indoor air quality and can restrict airflow. Restricted airflow results in decreased home comfort, potential system damage and higher utility bills.
- False. You should schedule preventative maintenance with your local HVAC contractor TWICE a year – once for your air conditioner during the spring and, again, for your furnace during the fall.