Are cold days on the horizon?
Thanksgiving is this Thursday, which means winter is just around the corner. The temperatures are dropping, and, for many areas of the country, the need for cooling is dwindling. For those of us who switch over to heat during the winter, make sure you take the steps to ensure that your cooling equipment is protected.
If you’re done with your air conditioner for the season, here are some things you should add to your to-do list.
Schedule a condenser cleaning with your air conditioning contractor. Your contractor is going to be able to do the best job getting all the debris and dirt off of your air conditioning condenser (the box that sits outside). Of course, you can always spray down your unit by yourself, but if you want a thorough cleansing, call a professional. If you do decide to spray down your air conditioner, make sure it is not too chilly. You don’t want anything freezing.
These are just a few things you can do to get your home ready for winter. Want more advice? Check out our previous post on getting your home ready for winter.
What do you do every year to make sure your air conditioner stays safe during winter?
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Can a home be TOO efficient?
Over the past few weeks, we have been going over winter preparation. Seal your home. Insulate your home. Keep that pesky cold weather outdoors! But, is there such a thing as “too much of a good thing?” Well, there can be if you do not have adequate ventilation.
Now, we are not talking about keeping those air leaks unsealed or opening windows and doors. But, you need to make sure that you have IAQ systems in place that can help improve indoor air quality. If you don’t, this could lead to some problems.
The problems associated with a poorly ventilated home are:
- Stuffiness
- Poor indoor air quality
- Humidity levels that are TOO high
- Mold growth
Also, invest in indoor air quality products. Whether this is a dehumidifier, whole-home humidifier, whole-home air cleaner, UV light, or something else, it is important that you not just keep your air conditioner and furnace in mind when you go to replace your HVAC equipment. In fact, there are even systems that can help bring in fresh air and introduce it to your HVAC system so that you can avoid stale air. Do your research, ask your HVAC contractor questions and avoid introducing pollutants into your indoor air through open windows and doors.
The goal of sealing your home tight for the hot and cold seasons is to reduce air loss and decrease energy consumption. Make sure you are tackling the problem in the appropriate manner.
What do you do to avoid stale air during the winter? Did you make sure to ask your local HVAC contractor about your IAQ system options when you were purchasing your most recent heating and cooling equipment?
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Are you ready to block those cold drafts?
Are you getting your shopping lists together and prepping for Black Friday? With all of the holiday hullabaloo, it may be easy to forget about your end-of-fall home to-do list. After all, who wants to think about insulation and gutters when there are presents to buy and dinners to plan?
Well, this is a big mistake. Weatherizing for winter can be a big help when it comes to comfort and finances. Who wants to spend their paycheck on the gas bill when they could be spending it on making the holidays more festive? Here are some things you should do to weatherize your home and how you can get them accomplished.
Seal air leaks. Start at your attic and work your way down to your basement. Ensure that your attic contains adequate insulation. Remember, warn heat rises. You don’t want the warm air in your home escaping outside.
That goes for your chimney as well. Make sure the damper is closed when you are not using your fireplace. Otherwise it will act like a big vacuum and will suck all that warm air out of your home.
Make sure you check around your windows and doors. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal any leaks. Don’t forget to go outside and make sure that those cracks are sealed outside as well for a truly tight seal.
Insulate. Insulation is going to be your best defense against the cold. Remember, the water in pipes can expand during the winter and crack your pipes. This can lead to major repairs (and headaches). This is particularly important if you have plumbing located in exterior walls.
Remember, a little bit of prevention can help avoid major headaches later. In addition to getting your home weatherized, make sure you have a contractor come out and inspect your gas furnace. This way you can avoid a potential emergency “no heat” call during the winter when you need your furnace the most.
What else do you do to weatherize your home for winter?
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Don’t let winter catch you unprepared.
Winter will be here before you know it! Is your home ready for the colder temperatures? This fall has been very mild; it may be difficult to think of snowy days and subzero temperatures. BUT, for many areas of the country, meteorologists are predicting an unusually cold winter. Are you sure your home is up to the challenge?
There are some things you should add to your home maintenance to-do list before winter arrives. Take advantage of the semi-warm weather now!
- Clean your gutters.
- Schedule a professional home energy audit.
- Have your ducts cleaned and inspected.
- Adjust your programmable thermostat settings to reflect the season.
- Change your furnace filter (or clean your permanent one).
- Seal any air leaks.
- Invest in weather stripping.
- Clear leaves and debris away from your outdoor equipment.
- Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Clear clutter away from your indoor equipment.
- Rake the leaves in your yard.
- Schedule furnace maintenance with a local HVAC contractor.
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Deck the home with weather stripping and insulation!
Thanksgiving is just a couple short weeks away. The holiday season will be in full swing! And, while the holiday season can be a great time of year for food and family, it can be challenging financially.
As we’ve already discussed in previous blog posts, the cost of heating your home during the colder months is going to make up the better part of your utility bill spending. That’s why it can be helpful to do small maintenance tasks around your home to save where you can.
Perform a home energy audit/assessment. This can be the first step to creating a more energy efficient home. If can give you a good baseline and indicate where your home may be underperforming in the efficiency department. You can perform one yourself or hire a professional.
Seal air leaks. These may be discovered during a home energy audit. Make sure, whether they are in your attic or around your windows and doors, you are taking the appropriate steps to successfully close those leaks. Sealing leaks can result in shorter run times for your heating and air conditioning equipment and less energy consumed. Less energy consumed means more money in your pocket. Air leaks can be sealed with insulation or weather stripping. Ask a professional which is the best solution for your particular situation.
See if your HVAC equipment is compatible with a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are preferable to non-programmable models. Want to know why? Programmable thermostats provide increased temperature accuracy, greater comfort and energy savings through scheduling capabilities. Plus, there are Wi-Fi enabled models that can give you remote access to your thermostat – you can make adjustments away from the physical box on the wall.
Lower the temperature your thermostat is set at before holiday get-togethers. Did you know that the more people are in your home, the warmer it feels? Makes sense when you think about it – more body heat. AND, if you are the one cooking the turkey, the oven can provide additional heat.
Schedule a furnace clean and check with your local HVAC contractor. This is by far the BEST thing you can do for your furnace during the fall. Nothing puts a damper on a party more than a “no heat” call. And, the cleaning tasks that your contractor will perform may give your furnace a boost in efficiency. Do some research and hire a local qualified HVAC contractor.
Are you hosting the holidays this year? What other things do you do around the home to get it ready for the holidays?
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Stop right there! DIY furnace maintenance is a big no-no!
Your heating and air conditioning equipment is an investment in both comfort and utility bill savings. In fact, are you aware that HVAC equipment comprises the majority of your utility expenses? That’s why it pays to invest in efficiency.
Because your heating and air conditioning equipment is so important, you have to make sure that you are taking care of it. Scheduling preventative maintenance for your air conditioner in the spring and your gas furnace in the fall is a must for efficient performance. However, the key word is “scheduling”. It is never a good idea to try and maintain your furnace by yourself unless you are a licensed heating and air conditioning contractor.
Of course, there are a few little things you can do (like changing a furnace filter), but beyond those little things, you should not touch your heating and air equipment. Here are some reasons why.
Heating and air conditioning equipment is complicated. In fact, some heating and air conditioning equipment requires special training for even a trained HVAC contractor. That high-efficiency gas furnace isn’t going to do you much good if it is installed incorrectly.
DIY is dangerous. A gas furnace deals with natural gas, ignition equipment and proper ventilation. Improper installation or maintenance that tinkers with any of the systems that deal with making this equipment safe can gave severe repercussions.
It is going to end up costing you more in the long run…trust us. Think it’s expensive to hire a professional? Just tally up the costs of going with just anybody. You may think you’re saving money now, but you could pay all of those savings back in replacement, repairs and inefficient performance! Trust us, pick up the phone and save yourself the hassle.
Do you have a trusty local contractor that you rely on for maintenance each year?
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Identifying various furnace issues
It’s never a good day when you go to turn your furnace on, and you aren’t greeted by warm air. But, don’t break out the tools! It doesn’t matter what the circumstances may be, we strongly discourage DIY HVAC repairs.
This is particularly important to remember when it comes to gas furnaces. These units deal with a lot of components that must be hooked together correctly. If you try your hand at a DIY repair, you could end up dealing with much bigger issues than a cold home.
Here are some more minor issues that could be the cause of a no heat call. Check these things first, but drop the wrench as soon as things get too complicated. ALWAYS call an HVAC professional.
Check your thermostat settings. If your thermostat is set to a lower temperature than the temperature of your home, you are not going to receive warm air. If it’s cold in your home, raise the temperature settings on your thermostat.
Did you remember to have the gas turned on? If you’ve just recently moved into your home, and your furnace is the only appliance that takes gas, this can be a very real concern. Think back to move-in time. Did you remember to give the gas company a call?
Check the power. Is it plugged in? Gas furnaces need electricity as well as gas to run during the winter. Maybe you forgot to turn it back on/plug it back in after you changed your furnace filter? Your unit may also not be receiving power due to an issue at the circuit breaker. Check to make sure a circuit has not been tripped.
Remember, cutting corners now can have major financial repercussion in the future. Take the time to hire the right contractor for the job.
Have you had to turn your gas furnace on yet?
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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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Do you know what to do with your HVAC equipment when you throw a party?
Halloween is next week, which marks the very beginning of the fall and winter holiday season! The beginning of the holiday season means lower temperatures, holiday parties, time with family and so much more! It can also be a little hard on the wallet.
Remember, your heating and air conditioning equipment is the biggest energy consumer in your home. That’s why making small changes to how you run your units can have a significant impact on your budget. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you are hosting an even in your home.
Do some simple things to improve comfort and decrease energy usage while you’re having a gathering. Follow these simple tips.
Go indoors…Go outdoors…But stick to one! Constantly going indoors and outdoors can impact comfort and increase energy usage. If it’s cold out and your furnace is running, the stream of air from an open door can increase heating demand, resulting in longer run times and higher bills. Have an indoor party. Have an outdoor party. But, try to keep it to one or the other.
Make adjustments at your thermostat. Keep this one in mind if you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner! More people in your home, plus a working oven can really bring on the heat. This means that you can get away with lowering the thermostat a degree or two without sacrificing comfort.
Replace your furnace filter. Your furnace filter is going to be your best defense against allergens, dirt, debris and other unpleasant air particles. Plus, a dirty air filter can decrease airflow and increase utility bills. Remember, under many circumstances you’ll want to change your furnace filter once a month, but you should do it at least once a season.
Natural air freshening and cleaning methods. Everyone lies a clean, fresh smelling home – especially if they are hosting a party. Try out some natural cleaning and air freshening methods instead of spraying harsh chemicals into your indoor air. You may save a little money, and your indoor air quality will be higher.
These are just a few things you can do. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Schedule a furnace maintenance appointment with your local contractor so that an emergency “no heat” call doesn’t interrupt your holiday celebrations!
What do you do to save money during the holidays?
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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.