One thing you should never, ever do for your air conditioner.
With the summer cooling season fast approaching, it’s important that you make sure that your air conditioner is in the best shape possible. I’m sure, being this far into May, your air conditioner has already had to kick on in order to keep your home cool. Is it working to its potential?
The worst thing to find out in the middle of summer is that your air conditioner isn’t working properly…
Which is why spring preventative maintenance is SO important. Wait times during the summer peak season can be long – contractors are swamped with emergency maintenance calls and you may find yourself without the air conditioner for a few days to a few weeks.
But, that doesn’t mean that it is time to break out the toolbox and attempt to troubleshoot your system yourself. In fact, DIY air conditioner maintenance, repairs and service are the WORST thing you can do for your system. Cooling equipment is some of your most expensive, complicated appliances in your home. They require complete training and education to fully understand and troubleshoot.
Only a qualified professional should take a look at a malfunctioning air conditioner. When you embark on DIY maintenance it can result in further damage, improper solutions and shortened system lifespan. Heck, you may even end up spending more time and money trying to correct a DIY mistake than you would have spent hiring a professional.
If your air conditioner is not working, make sure you always call a professional HVAC contractor.
What else do you want to now about your air conditioner during the summer? Is your system ready to take on the heat?
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Four things you should never do with your air conditioner
Your air conditioner is one of your most important (and expensive) appliances in your home. It’s hard to imagine life without these in our cars, offices, homes…you name it! With that said, it is important that we do all we can to make sure our air conditioners last a long time and perform efficiently. Of course there are things you should do, but what SHOULDN’T you do?
Here are four things you should never do if you want your air conditioner to keep running smoothly and efficiently.
- Never plant within two feet of your condenser. Blocked airflow is horrible for your air conditioner’s efficiency. Always allow proper clearance between your condenser and your plants.
- Never use registers, vents or doors for room-by-room temperature control. Your air conditioner is sized to cool a certain square footage. If you want room-by-room control, consider a zoning system.
- Never power wash your air conditioner. Although there are ways you can clean your air conditioner, a power washer should never be one of them. These can cause damage to your coil and result in a system breakdown. Schedule a condenser cleaning appointment with your local HVAC guy.
- Never attempt to diagnose problems with your air conditioner yourself. Air conditioners are never suitable for DIY solutions, NEVER. Always call a contractor.
One thing you should always do for your air conditioner is schedule spring preventative maintenance with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
What are some of your air conditioning tips? Are there other things you would like to know about air conditioners?
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The Dos and Don’ts of Central Cooling
Do you have an air conditioner or heat pump in your home? Chances are, you do! And, if you do, you know that they are a long-term investment that are crucial for home comfort, but can have implications on your monthly finances – particularly during the summer. And, as we move closer to summer, it’s more important than ever to make sure you (and your system) are ready to tackle the heat as efficiently and effectively as possible.
There are actually a lot of things to keep in mind when it comes to the central cooling system in your home. Here are a few that should be at the forefront.
Do leave your thermostat at a consistent temperature. Don’t constantly change temperature settings. It’s actually more cost-effective to run your air conditioner or heat pump longer at lower operating levels than to go through frequent on/off cycles. That’s why when you go to buy a new system, it is always a good idea to look at your two-stage or modulating system options.
Do use blinds and curtains to help regulate the temperatures of rooms in your home. Don’t leave windows open all the time. Open windows, particularly during the spring, can have a negative effect on your indoor air quality. That’s because pollutants, allergens, dust and more are able to enter your home unfiltered and settle on your surfaces. An alternative easy-fix is to invest in quality curtains and blinds. Open them when it feels colder in a room or close them if it is getting too toasty.
Do change your furnace filter. Don’t forget until it starts causing problems! Not only can a dirty filter lower indoor air quality, but it can make your air conditioner’s job harder. A harder working system is less efficient and can suffer from repairs more frequently than a system that doesn’t have to work as hard to distribute air.
Do have your system cleaned by a local professional. Don’t take a power washer and start cleaning it yourself. A dirty system is an inefficient system. But, that doesn’t mean that you should drag out the heavy machinery and clean it yourself. With a power washer, you could end up damaging important parts of your system. You could actually end up spending more money replacing components than you would have hiring a professional.
Do use zoning equipment to control the temperature of specific rooms in your home. Don’t use registers. Your central cooling equipment is sized to cool specific square footage. When you open and close vents, this can mess that up and cause damage to your unit. Instead, you should invest in a zoning system. A zoning system divides your home into rooms or groups of rooms for customized home comfort.
Do have you central cooling system maintained regularly. Don’t just wait for a problem to arise. If you have an air conditioner or heat pump, you should be scheduling preventative maintenance with a local HVAC contractor in the spring before the summer cooling season. That’s because you want to discover any minor issues before they can cause big problems during the peak season – when contractors are busier and wait-times are longer.
For additional central cooling tips, you can always contact your local heating and air conditioning specialist.
What are some of the things you do to lower utility bill expenses during the summer?
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It’s National Home Improvement month! Consider adding these things to your list.
Did you know that May is National Home Improvement month? It’s a great time of year to roll up the sleeves and knock some of those things off your to-do list. The weather is mild, the flowers are blooming and summer is right around the corner.
Here are some things you should consider either doing (or scheduling) during the month of May. Of course, not everything is going to have a DIY solution. For those things, turn to your local contractor.
And that’s only the beginning. There are many other projects you can do around the house that can add to overall hominess and (in some cases) add value.
One of the most important things on that list is to schedule maintenance with your local HVAC contractor before the summer arrives. Don’t forget!
What are some of the home improvement projects you’re taking on this spring/summer? We want to know.
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Your HVAC Spring Cleaning Checklist
It’s time to dust off the grime from winter and get ready for summer! We all know that during the spring it is a good idea to do some heavy-duty cleaning, but how does this impact your HVAC system and indoor air quality. here are the things you should do around your house to prepare your HVAC equipment for summer.
Dust and mop. This is a chore that you should do more often, but it is very important during the spring (especially if you have been keeping the windows open a bit more often than usual). Dust, dirt and allergens can accumulate on your surfaces when you keep windows and doors open. You don’t want them laying around unfiltered ready to be released into your indoor air if they are disturbed.
Clean windows. Cleaning your windows and letting in some sunshine during the spring can actually make it feel warmer during those cooler spring days. Besides, a dirty window isn’t a pleasant sight. You don’t want a layer of dirt and grime acting as drapes for your windows, EW!
Change furnace filter. A dirty filter is an ineffective filter. It’s always a good idea to change your filter, at a minimum, once before the heating season (fall) and again at the start of the cooling season (spring). Just make sure you briefly turn off your equipment before you change your filters and/or hire a professional if it is in a tough-to-access place.
Get system cleaned by a professional. You want your cooling system entering the summer in fighting condition. That’s why it is a good idea to have your system cleaned by a professional to maximize airflow and performance.
Duct cleaning. There are a lot of gross things that can be lurking in your ductwork. Call a duct cleaning professional to get those ducts shiny so you’re not breathing in anything that’s been trapped in your ductowork. And, as an added bonus, a duct cleaning appointment can alert you to other problems your home may be having that you may not have been previously aware of – like mold.
Clear clutter around your home. Clutter around your house can accumulate dust and other substances that can aggravate allergies and lower indoor air quality. Having more things around = having more places for unpleasant things to hide. Just remember, if you are cleaning an area that hasn’t been touched in years, it can be a good idea to wear a mask.
Remove plants or weeds that could be encroaching on your air conditioner. Again, you want to maximize airflow around your air conditioner (or heat pump) to prepare for the summer cooling season. Weeds or other plants could be slowly creeping up on your system and violating that 2-foot clearance we’ve talked about previously.
Also, don’t forget to schedule preventative maintenance with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
What else do you have on your spring cleaning checklist?
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What’s your favorite part of spring?
Whether it’s taking a stroll to your local park and whipping out a picnic basket or getting yourself swimsuit ready for summer – spring can really be a great time of year. Here are some of our favorite things to do during the spring…what are yours?
Of course, spring is also the time to schedule preventative maintenance with your local heating and cooling contractor. Schedule preventative maintenance now and rest easy during the summer.
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Spring cleaning tips for healthier indoor air.
It’s spring cleaning time! I know, I know…not the most exciting thing about spring. BUT, it can do wonders for creating that homey feeling and can improve your indoor air quality. But, you want to be careful. There are actually a couple of things you can do while spring cleaning that can lower indoor air quality.
So, what do we recommend you do? Well, we’ll tell you…
Use Natural Cleaners
We spritz, spray and wipe all sorts of chemical cleaners while spring cleaning. And, all of those chemicals can have a negative effect on the quality of your indoor air. So, explore natural alternatives for those harsh chemicals. For example, did you know that baking soda can be used to remove odors and stains from your upholstered furniture? Just sprinkle a little on and vacuum it up.
Use Natural Air Fresheners
Air fresheners may smell nice, but there is nothing natural about them. Ever stick a candle too close to a light colored wall? You can actually see dark patches from soot climbing up your walls! Imagine the stuff you don’t see that could be entering your lungs? Luckily, you can make your own candles at home by adding safe, essential oils to natural waxes.
Vacuum and Dust Those Hard-to-Reach Places
Don’t just focus on what you can see immediately when you walk in a room. Make sure you are moving things around while dusting and vacuuming so you get to those places that may not be easily accessible on a regular basis. It can be good to wear a mask while doing this so you don’t inhale too much dust and debris.
Airing Our Your Home
On those warm spring days, it can be more than tempting to throw open the windows and air out your home. And, while it can be good to air our your home briefly, you shouldn’t go overboard with the open windows. Yes, an open window can alleviate some of the stuffiness you feel during the winter, but it can also let in pesky allergens and dirt. If you do open the windows, make sure you keep it brief and that your window screens are in good condition.
Don’t Neglect the Outdoors
For your heating and air conditioning equipment, it is a good idea to remove any dirt and debris from your condenser. When stuff builds up on your air conditioner or heat pump, it can reduce airflow. When airflow is reduced, it can lead to a system that has to work harder (translation: consume more energy) to cool your home. So, make sure you aim grass clippings away from your condenser and consider hiring a contractor to come out and clean your system for you.
What do you do during the spring to make sure that your home sparkles for summer?
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Time to start on your spring home maintenance checklist!
Springtime is great for getting out and checking things off of your home maintenance to-do list! The weather is better, you’ve shrugged off the winter blues and are looking forward to summer. Start things off on the right foot by not ignoring those things around your home that need attention during this beautiful season.
Summer will be here before you know it! Here are a few things that you should knock off your to-do list before hot summer temperatures roll in.
- Clean ducts for clean indoor air! If you haven’t already, make sure you schedule a duct cleaning appointment with a local specialist. Your ducts can be the home to all sorts of dust, dirt and debris. Since your ductwork is your primary air distribution network, these particles can hop a ride on your air streams and into your living spaces.
- Seal air leaks. Air leaks may primarily be on your mind during the winter. After all, an unexpected, shockingly cold breeze can quickly alert you to the problem. But, air leaks are just as important to seal during the summer. Invest in weather stripping or caulking for those areas of your home that may be the source of air leaks. Air leaks can dramatically raise your utility bills and lower home comfort.
- Time to clean out those gutters. Whether you hire someone to do it or do it yourself, you want to make sure to get all of the debris out of your gutters. Springtime is the rainy reason! Make sure your gutters are in good enough shape to handle the extra downpour.
- Get a tune-up for your lawnmower. April showers doesn’t just bring May flowers – it also bring higher grass. A luscious, fresh-cut lawn looks great. Just make sure your lawnmower is up to the job. A tune-up is going to cost less in the long run than having to replace your lawnmower sooner rather than later.
- And, last but not least…schedule springtime preventative air conditioner maintenance with your local heating and cooling specialist. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You don’t want to have to schedule an emergency service call during the peak season and suffer without air conditioning when you could have headed-off any problems with preventative maintenance.
What else do you have on your spring maintenance to-do list? Make sure you don’t forget to schedule annual preventative air conditioner maintenance with your local HVAC contractor.