The cooling season will be here before you know it…
…is your HVAC system ready? It may only be the beginning of March, but it’s never too early to start preparing for the cooling season. When it comes to your HVAC equipment, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Here are some things you should do to prep for spring.
Clear away any winter debris. Gunk leftover from winter weather can restrict airflow. And, restricted airflow to your condenser leads to increased utility bills.
Plan your garden around your condenser. If you’re planning on planting a garden this spring, make sure you account for your HVAC equipment. You want to allow at least two feet of clearance around your condenser.
Change your furnace filter. You need to change your furnace filter at least once a season. If you haven’t changed it recently, the start of spring is a great time to do so. Plus, you’ll have a fresh filter to capture all those pesky spring allergens.
Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature based on your schedule. A programmable thermostat can reduce the amount of time your air conditioner spends cooling an empty home.
Call your local heating and air conditioning contractor to schedule preventative maintenance. When the summer heat arrives, contractors get busy. If something goes wrong with your air conditioner, it could be days before a professional is able to get to your home to diagnose the issue. During the spring, contractors are less busy. They can catch any potential issues before they can rear their ugly head during the summer.
Be good to your heating and cooling system this spring. Contact your local contractor today.
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Are you taking care of your furnace during the winter?
The answer to that question may be more important than you think. During the winter, we spend more time indoors trying to shelter ourselves from the cold. You want to make sure that your home is comfortable AND safe. Shockingly, indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air.
Here are our tips for maintaining high indoor air quality during the winter.
The first, most important defense against poor indoor air quality is investing in a quality furnace filter. Look into your medical-grade filter options to keep the pollutants, allergens, dust and more away from your family.
If you do not think that a high-efficiency filter is important for your home, you should at least make sure that you are changing your furnace filter often enough. At minimum, you should change your furnace filter four times per year – once before the start of each season. However, if you are an allergy sufferer or you have pets, you may want to consider changing your furnace filter once a month.
Start off with a clean state at the beginning of winter. This starts with your ductwork. After your furnace does its work, the warm air is distributed throughout your home through a system of ducts. You want to make sure that the air is not picking up any unwanted pollutants along the way. To avoid this, schedule a duct cleaning appointment with your local contractor. this is also a good way to catch any hidden issues your home may be suffering from – like mold, insects or rodents.
Be conscious of the cleaners and air fresheners you use during the winter. Consider natural alternatives. Remember, you can potentially breathe in anything you spray on your surface or spritz into the air.
Lastly, don’t forget to schedule a maintenance appointment for your furnace at the beginning of the heating season to make sure everything is operating properly. The time for scheduling an appointment this winter has passed; however, you can always ask your local contractor about a maintenance agreement. Many contractors will set up something with you so that they come out to check your HVAC system twice-a-year – once before the heating season and again before the cooling season.
The time for scheduling spring preventative maintenance will be here before you know it. Don’t forget to talk to your contractor about a maintenance agreement during your yearly appointment.
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Do you know what the refrigerant in your HVAC system does?
Heating season is in full swing. Do you use a heat pump to heat your home? If so, chances are your system contains refrigerant.
There are many components that make your HVAC equipment work. One of these components is your refrigeration system. Refrigerant facilitates the transfer of heat either to or from air that is distributed throughout your home. Refrigerant removes heat from the air as it evaporates and adds heat to the air when it condenses. Evaporation and condensation occurs in coils of the same name – the indoor, evaporator coil and the outdoor, condenser coil. In different portions of the cooling cycle (or heating for heat pumps), your refrigerant is either a liquid of a gas.
A few years back, the HVAC industry had to switch from R-22 refrigerant (Freon) to R-410A. R-410A does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (a.k.a. CFCs). This means that it does not contribute to ozone depletion were it to escape into the air. Other refrigerants, like R-22, do contribute to ozone depletion.
If your heat pump isn’t heating or cooling correctly, there could be an issue with your refrigerant system. Make sure you always call a contractor for HVAC system maintenance. You don’t want to attempt to repair your refrigerant system unless you know what you’re doing. Not only is refrigerant expensive, you could damage one of the other crucial components of your system (like your compressor or coil) leaving you with a much bigger repair bill and a longer time without heating or cooling.
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Are you worried about your home’s indoor air quality?
Are you starting to get cabin fever? Subzero wind chill and snow storms have been keeping people cooped up in their homes. And, since you’re spending all that extra time indoors, you want to make sure your indoor air quality is high.
One of the best ways to tackle poor indoor air quality during the winter is with a clean home. This cold weather may make you want to curl up on the sofa under a blanket with a hot cup of tea, but braving the chill and taking some time to clean is well worth it.
Here are some household chores that can raise the quality of your indoor air.
Vacuum and rotate your mattress. Your mattress can play host to all sorts of unpleasant odors and bacteria. You want to make sure that where you lay your head down at night is fresh.
Clean fan blades. The blades of your ceiling fan can be dust traps, especially if they aren’t in use.
Dust. If you are noticing dust on more surfaces than usual, it could be an issue with your furnace filter. Change your furnace filter once-a-month during the winter. It is the best line of defense against poor indoor air quality – trapping harmful particles before they have the chance to circulate through your air.
Avoid wearing shoes indoors. Have a go-to pair of slippers or stick with socks. You could be tracking all sorts of unpleasantness from the outdoors into your home – lowering indoor air quality and making it necessary to clean your floor more often.
Deep clean carpets. Carpets, like ceiling fan blades and mattresses, can be bacteria traps. Deep cleaning your carpets at least once a year will help you get all those deeply embedded particles out of your home.
Don’t forget to roll up your sleeves and get ready for spring cleaning! Yes, the season is still a while away, but taking care of some chores regularly during the winter can help you save time.
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Has the National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory in your area?
Are you sick and tired of the cold? The most recent cold front sweeping the nation has been long-lasting and downright dangerous in some areas. Burst pipes and cold drafts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to subzero wind chill.
Here are some things you should be conscious of during extremely cold weather so you and your family stay safe.
- Give space heaters proper clearance and never leave them unattended.
- Double-check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Know the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Avoid cotton clothing and dress in multiple, loose layers.
- Wear mittens instead of gloves.
- If you are shoveling snow or exerting yourself outdoors, take constant breaks.
- If you travel, make sure you have at least a half a tank of gas and a three-day winter survival kit.
- Have a fire extinguisher on hand and know how to use it.
- Never operate a generator inside your home.
- Have your chimney and gas furnace inspected and cleaned once a year.
If you suspect something is wrong with your gas furnace, give your local contractor a call and NEVER try to fix it yourself. Gas furnaces require the expertise of a skilled hand for troubleshooting maintenance and repair. There is no “DIY” in “HVAC.”
Do you use supplemental heat during extremely cold weather?
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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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Is your furnace ready for the heating season?
The first day of winter is less than two weeks away. Chances are cold temperatures have already started sweeping into your area. Have you made sure your gas furnace is ready to tackle Old Man Winter?
It’s important to know best practices for heating your home during the winter. You want to make sure you take steps to stay happy and healthy. See our tips below to make sure that you spend less time thinking about the comfort of your home, and more time choosing the ugly sweater you are going to wear to your next holiday party.
Winter HVAC Tips
Worried that your gas furnace isn’t going to reach your set temperature fast enough? Resist the temptation to dramatically raise your temperature settings! Raising the temperature your thermostat is set to does not make your home heat any more quickly. All you’re doing is raising your heating bill and damaging your equipment.
Do you have a portable space heater for supplemental heating? Make sure you turn off any portable heating equipment when you aren’t in the room. An unmonitored space heater is a major safety hazard.
Speaking of safety… make sure your fire alarm and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries. Test all of the detectors in your home to make sure they are ready to alert your family if there is a fire or the presence of CO in your home.
Do you have a fireplace? Make sure you close the damper when you aren’t using it. When your damper is open, your chimney acts like a vacuum. it sucks up the warm air in your living quarters. This can raise utility bills, cause longer system runtimes, and lead to increased system wear and tear.
Proper airflow is key to the efficiency of your HVAC equipment. Make sure you change your furnace filter before the start of the heating season. Not only is a dirty furnace filter a way to decrease airflow, but it can also dramatically lower the quality of your indoor air. Noticing more dust around your house? This could be due to a dirty furnace filter.
The most important thing you can do to prepare for a cold winter heating season is schedule preventative maintenance with your local heating and air conditioning contractor. They can make sure that everything is in working order and running as efficiently as possible.
Are you ready for winter?
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Has warm weather officially moved out of your area?
Hello December.
Fall is ending, and the first day of winter is going to be here before you know it. Are you ready to put away the cooling equipment for the winter? If you have an air conditioner, this may be a question you want to ask yourself before the first snow falls.
Here are a couple things you will want to do to get your air conditioner ready for a long, cold winter.
- Make sure you clear any leaves or debris away from your outdoor equipment. When it comes to the efficiency and longevity of your heating and air conditioning equipment, airflow is key. Restricted airflow can cause many problems such as decreased system lifespan, increased utility bills and decreased comfort during the summer. Clearing autumn leaves and debris away from your air conditioner before the start of winter can make the process of turning your air conditioner back on during the spring simpler.
- If you noticed issues with your air conditioner during the cooling season, consider replacing your equipment during the winter. This way you won’t spend days during the hotter months without your air conditioner. Just make sure you have your contractor come out before the start of the cooling season to make sure your system is properly charged.
While you’re preparing for winter, don’t forget to give your local heating and air conditioning contractor a call for preventative maintenance. This will ensure that your heating equipment is ready to tackle the cold weather.
How do you prepare for winter? Have you changed your furnace filter yet?
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Are you ready for colder weather?
The holiday season is fast approaching. What does that mean? Well, colder weather will be arriving sooner rather than later. Is your home ready to keep you comfy during the winter?
There are many things you should do to get your home ready for winter. If you don’t take these steps, you could end up with an uncomfortable home or astoundingly high utility bills.
- Seal air leaks around your windows and doors. Air leaks can hurt comfort and your wallet. There are products out there than can quickly seal up air leaks around your windows and doors – like caulking or weather stripping.
- Clean your gutters. Don’t forget to have all the leaves removed from your gutters before the first snowfall.
- Close your chimney damper when it isn’t in use. Did you know that your chimney acts like a big vacuum when your damper is open – warm air rises. If you have a chimney, make sure you close your damper after each use.
- Make sure your attic is insulated. Again, warm heat rises. You want to make sure that your heated air is not escaping out of cracks in your attic or roof.
- Don’t be afraid to turn the thermostat down a degree or two. Small adjustments can make a world of difference. Turning your thermostat down a few degrees is not going to affect comfort too terribly.
- Have someone come out and perform an energy audit on your home. Find out where you could save money on your monthly heating costs.
- Schedule preventative furnace maintenance with your local heating and air conditioning contractor. Ultimately, preventative maintenance is going to be the best way to keep your home safe and comfortable this winter. Your contractor may also catch small issues that could be causing higher utility bills.
What are some of the other things you do to get ready for winter’s chill? Have you scheduled your preventative maintenance appointment yet?
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Are you guilty of any of these bad homeowner HVAC habits?
We want our heating and air conditioning systems to last as long as possible. To do that, we’ve got to keep a few things in mind. Here are some things that you may be doing that could affect how long (and efficiently) your heating and cooling equipment operates.
- Constantly adjusting the thermostat.
The toughest part of an air conditioner or gas furnace’s job is start up and shut down. When you are constantly adjusting the thermostat, it can lead to more frequent on and off cycles. Plus, just because your home is set at a warmer temperature during the winter, doesn’t mean your furnace is going to warm up your house any more quickly. It will just run longer – causing additional wear and tear. - Planting too close to your equipment.
Blocked airflow is an efficiency and performance killer. Planting too close to your equipment cannot only cause blocked airflow, but the plants can grow into your condenser and affect components. This can result in a costly emergency repair. - Closing registers and vents.
Heating and cooling equipment is designed to heat or cool a certain amount of space. When you start closing registers and vents, this alters the amount of space being heating or cooled, making your air conditioner act as if it is improperly sized. This can lead to problems like longer run times, shorter system life and a frozen evaporator coil. This also applies to furniture placement. Make sure your furniture is not blocking registers and vents. - Using a condenser cover.
Again, this can affect airflow – decreasing system life, lengthening run times and negatively affecting comfort. - Forgetting to change the furnace filter.
Not only can a dirty filter block airflow, it can significantly lower the quality of your indoor air. Disposable filters don’t have to be an expensive purchase, and changing a filter is relatively easy to do. Try to change your filter once-a-month, but at the very least, one time per season. - DIY repairs, maintenance and installation.
If you think hiring a professional is expensive, just try and fix your HVAC equipment yourself. There is a reason why technicians go to school, attend additional trainings and carry licenses. HVAC systems are complicated pieces of equipment and require a skilled hand for installation, maintenance and repairs. - Not scheduling preventative maintenance.
The worst habit of them all. It’s good to have your contractor come out and look at your air conditioner during the spring and your gas furnace during the fall. This way they can catch minor issues before they become a big problem. Your contractor will make sure that your equipment is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money during the peak season. Contractors are even making it easier with maintenance agreements – never forget to schedule an appointment again.
Have you scheduled fall preventative maintenance yet?