When was the last time you changed your furnace filter?
If the answer is “I don’t know” you may want to go take a peek at it. It’s important that you change your furnace filter often – AT LEAST once before the heating season and again during the cooling season. But, you may want to consider changing it at least once a season or even once a month – particularly if you live with an allergy sufferer or have pets. A dirty air filter can cause a whole hose of problems.
Here are just a few consequences of letting your furnace filter get too grimy.
Reduced indoor air quality. This hardly needs an explanation. Your filter traps all of the unwanted particles you don’t want in your air. If your filter is clogged, the dust and dirt that was previously trapped by the filter may be recirculated through your home!
Inadequate heating and cooling. Reduced airflow can result in uneven temperatures throughout your home because it is harder for the system to move the air. This will negatively impact your home comfort.
Increased utility bills due to reduced energy efficiency. Parts of your HVAC system have to work harder to move air through your heating and cooling system. This means your equipment is going to consume more energy. This leads to increased utility bills – your electricity bill in particular!
Frozen evaporator coils. One effect of reduced airflow due to a dirty filter is a frozen evaporator coil (a part of your heating and air conditioning system that is located inside your home). Condensation that is formed during the cooling process can freeze on the outside of the coil and reduce your unit’s ability to cool your home. This may eventually lead to a complete system breakdown!
In extreme cases, furnace failure. All of the above-mentioned problems put additional strain on your air distribution equipment (your blower in particular). If this component gives out, not only are you going to be without your heating and air conditioning system, but you could be looking at a costly repair.
These are different procedures for permanent and temporary filters. Make sure you ask your contractor about proper air filter changing practices. If you can’t find your filter, make sure you contact your local HVAC professional.
How often do you change your furnace filter? How do you remind yourself?
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Do you know the right questions to ask your HVAC contractor?
Did you know that hiring your contractor can be even more important than finding a system? While it’s important to find the right system for your home, it’s not going to matter which system you choose if it’s installed incorrectly.
When it comes to your contractor… Ask for recommendations from friends and family. Check out online reviews. And, make sure that the person you hire is fully qualified to be working on your comfort system.
Once you have narrowed down your options, you have to make sure that you ask the right questions.
- If you have hot and cold spots in your home, ask about their multi-stage offerings.
- If you have pets, ask about reducing pet dander.
- If you have allergies, ask about allergy-reducing IAQ products.
- Ask about controlling humidity in your home.
- Ask if they have the appropriate permits, licenses, certifications, etc.
- Ask about room-by-room comfort control.
- Ask about reducing dust.
- Ask about high-efficiency heating systems (if you live in a place with cold winters) and high-efficiency cooling systems (if you live in a place with hot summers).
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What do you know about the other key parts of your heating and cooling system?
If you have a basic understanding of heating and air conditioning, you know about air conditioners and furnaces. Heck, you may even know about air handlers and heat pumps. But, do you know about the other equipment that helps deliver air throughout your home?
In addition to air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and air handlers (the basics) your system also includes a thermostat, ductwork and IAQ products. All are aimed at helping you get the most comfortable, healthy home possible.
Here’s a rundown of what all of these components do for your home.
Ductwork
You may have seen these metal rectangular boxes running along the ceilings of basements in homes that have a forced air heating and air conditioning system. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, and should be sized for your home. Your ductwork is responsible for delivering heated or conditioned air throughout your home. It’s a crucial component of your air distribution system. That is why it is important to have a contractor come out and inspect your ductwork for damage. Also, it’s a good idea to get your ductwork cleaned. Not only can this help make sure that you have the best air possible delivered to your home, but it can also alert you to any unseen problems in your home (i.e. rodents or mold).
IAQ Products.
Indoor air quality products are broadly defined as any system responsible for improving your home’s air quality. These systems include air filters, dehumidifiers, whole-home humidifiers, purifiers and more! One piece of your IAQ system, your filter, should be changed regularly. This is a small task that you can do without the help of a contractor (in most cases). Filter changes can avoid disrupted airflow (resulting in poor system performance) AND ensure that you have the freshest air possible.
Thermostat
We’ll call this system “the brains behind the operation” so to speak. You are probably more familiar with this part of your central AC system than any other component. You make changes to your comfort at the thermostat – adjusting comfort settings. Thermostats come in non-programmable or programmable models. A programmable thermostat is particularly helpful when it comes to maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing utility bill spending!
If you have any questions about these particular systems, you should contact your local heating and air conditioning contractor. They will be able to sit down and talk through your different system options.
When was the last time you had your ductwork cleaned?
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Are you using your thermostat in the most efficient way for fall?
Fall can be confusing when it comes to proper HVAC settings. Some days may feel like you need a little help from your air conditioner, while the evenings feel like your gas furnace may be the only system for the job. So, what do you do?
Here are some of our tips for making sure that you are setting your thermostat properly for the season.
For non-programmable thermostats…
Make sure that you aren’t changing your thermostat settings all the time. Extreme fluctuations in temperature settings can mean that you use more energy than necessary to make your home comfortable. If you want customized comfort based on the temperatures throughout the day and your schedule, talk to your local heating and cooling contractor about switching to a programmable model. If you are ready to switched over to heat mode, set it and then forget it!
For programmable thermostats…
Adjust your programmable settings based on your schedule. Can you keep the thermostat a little warmer at night? Are the kids back in school? Is the house empty during the day? Are you ready to switch over to heat mode? This is the time to change your settings. Just remember, once you program those settings based on your new schedule, you need to stick with those settings.
If you want greater comfort control, you may want to consider a heat pump. Heat pumps use heat transfer to warm your home using electricity. And, if you pair it with a gas furnace, you can always make sure that you are using the most efficient fuel source for the weather outside. Talk to your local contractor and see if a heat pump is a good choice for your home.
Do you have a programmable or non-programmable thermostat? If you have a programmable model, have you noticed more efficient energy usage?
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Do you know all of your furnace options?
Fall has just started! Have you already had to use your gas furnace? Even though fall has just started, you want to start thinking about your furnace. It’s time to start getting that furnace ready for the heavy heat load of winter.
The best way to enjoy home comfort year-round is to make sure you head-off any heating or cooling emergencies during the mild, less busy seasons. If you have an emergency “no-heat” call during the winter, you are going to end up with waiting a longer time due to the high volume of calls that contractors receive during the winter.
If you have scheduled preventative maintenance and have determined that your old furnace needs to be replaced, you should do your research before you settle on the system for your home. For example, some units may cost more money upfront, but they could end up saving you money over its life because of efficient, smooth performance.
Efficiency. Higher efficiency systems are going to be more expensive than lower efficiency systems. However, the higher efficiency furnace is going to save you money month-to-month in efficient operation. Over time, this can more than pay for the initial cost difference. remember, furnace efficiency is indicated by the AFUE (the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating.
Stages of operation. There are furnaces that are single stage, two stage and modulating. The more stages the furnace has, the less amount of money you could end up spending on monthly utilities. When your system turns on and off, it is going to be consuming the largest amount of energy in the shortest amount of time. So, minimizing those on/off cycles can be beneficial. Also, multiples stages of operation can lead to more even temperatures. More even temperatures means greater home comfort! 
Fuel Type. When we are referring to furnaces, we are primarily referring to natural gas-powered furnaces. There are other furnaces, such as electric and oil. Remember, a good alternative to an electric furnace is a heat pump. You can even pair your heat pump with a gas furnace for greater fuel source flexibility. Heat pumps are the more efficient electric heating method because they use heat transfer, instead of heat creation.
Not sure if you need a new furnace? Schedule fall maintenance with your local heating and cooling contractor. They will be able to let you know whether it’s time to retire that old model and upgrade to something more efficient.
Have you recently replaced your furnace? How are you liking it?
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Do you think it’s time to replace your heating or cooling system?
Did you know that there are some telltale signs to look for that may indicate that it is time to replace your HVAC system? A poorly working heating and cooling system can affect how much you pay month-to-month in utilities. Plus, it can seriously affect home comfort! That’s why it’s important that you recognize the warning signs early. You can head off any issues that could result in an emergency call during the peak seasons.
Here are a couple of things you should look for…
- Vents blowing air that is not the right temperature (cold air in heating mode, warm air in cooling mode).
- A system that is getting increasingly louder.
- Increasing utility expenses (keeping temperature changes in mind).
- Visible signs of damage to your outdoor unit (condenser).
- Your equipment will not shut off.
consider a replacement (instead of a repair) if it is at or past the 16-year mark. For heating systems, the number of years increases – to about 20 years. Just make sure that if you are experiencing problems, do not attempt to fix the equipment yourself! Heating and cooling equipment is tricky. Even professionals need to continue taking training in order to service equipment properly. ALWAYS turn to your local heating and cooling professional for maintenance, repair and replacements.
Do you think the problem may be a simple fix? Check out our troubleshooting advice.
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Have you scheduled your fall furnace maintenance appointment yet?
It may only be the first full week of fall, but you want to make sure that you have fall furnace maintenance on your radar. Do you know what a contractor actually does during a preventative maintenance appointment? Understanding what your contractor does can really shine some light on why scheduling an appointment is critical for long-term heating system health.
Remember, fall maintenance is the best way to avoid an emergency “no heat” service call over the winter. It is also a great way to catch minor issues that could affect the performance of your system. Better performance can mean savings on your utility bills each month.
If you have a furnace in your home, your contractor will:
- Clean components like the burner and heat exchanger (if necessary).
- Look over your venting system and make sure that it is operating correctly.
- Check the equipment for rust, soot, leaks, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires.
- Clean the indoor evaporator coil if necessary.
- Check the refrigerant level.
- Make sure the compressor and outdoor fan motor are operating properly.
- Inspect all electrical connections.
- Clean the furnace or air handler blower assembly and check for proper operation.
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Happy first day of fall!
It’s time to put away the swimsuits and break out the sweaters! It’s the first day of fall. It’s time to put summer behind us and look towards winter. The first thing on your fall to-do list should be scheduling preventative maintenance with a local HVAC contractor. You want that furnace (or whichever heating system you use during the winter) to be ready to go when you need it! There’s nothing worse than switching your thermostat over to heating mode, and NOT receiving warm air. But, fall isn’t just preventative maintenance season. It’s the start of many sporting seasons, has many great holidays and the weather is great for many parts of the country. As the weather cools, you may not be able to spend as much time outdoors, but luckily you have your heating system to make things nice and cozy. What is your favorite part of fall?Like this post? Share it!
You should always take online air conditioner reviews with a grain of salt
Are you scouring the internet for air conditioner, gas furnace or heat pump reviews? You may want to take the reviews that you do find with a grain of salt.
There’s no doubt about it. A new HVAC system is a big investment. When you go to buy a new system, you want to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck. With the ever-increasing influence of the internet on the purchases we make, you may want to go to Google and type in “air conditioner reviews” in order to start things off. Actually, the first place you should start is with your contractor.
Recommendations, installation and maintenance will most likely be taken care of by your contractor. That is why you SHOULD turn to online reviews, BUT for your local contractors.
It’s hard to run from a bad online reputation. Slowly, but surely, online reviews are going to become even more important than word-of-mouth recommendations.
After you start calling your local contractors, here are some red flags that can alert you to a contractor that may not be the right person for the job.
- Quotes given over the phone or on the back of a business card.
- Offers a “too-good-to-be-true” price.
- Doesn’t perform a load calculation and chooses equipment size based on existing equipment.
- Doesn’t ask questions about your HVAC system expectations.
- They do not inspect your ductwork or go over your indoor air quality options.
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Small things you can do to keep your HVAC system running well.
The first day of fall is only a week away. Do you know if your heating system is running properly? It’s a frustrating feeling to turn on your heating system and not be greeted by warm air.
Don’t despair! The fix may be simpler than you think. Before you get a contractor on the phone, here are a couple of things you can try to see if they are causing your heating issue.
Ask yourself the following questions…
Is my thermostat set to the correct temperature? If you’ve set your thermostat to 70°F, and its 72°F outside, your heating system is not going to kick on – it doesn’t need to. Make sure that if your home feels too cool, you set your thermostat at a temperature above the temperature of your home and the temperature outside.
Is your gas turned on? If your furnace is the only thing that operates with gas, and you are new to your home, you may have forgotten to have your gas turned on. If this is the case, call up your local gas provider.
Is electricity making its way to the unit? Has a circuit been tripped? If so, your heat pump or furnace may not be receiving power.
Is my thermostat in the correct mode? If you’ve changed the temperature, but not the mode on your thermostat, you will not receive the correct temperature air. So, make sure if you need heat, your thermostat is set to heating mode.
Have I changed my furnace filter recently? Poor airflow could be killing efficiency and performance. Make sure you remember to change your furnace filter before the beginning of the heating and cooling season at the very least! Remember, every home is different. For example, if an allergy sufferer lives in your home, or if you have pets, you may need to change your filter up to once a month.
These are simple things you can do to get up and running. HOWEVER, if these do not work… DO NOT attempt to service your furnace by yourself. DIY is appropriate for many things, but servicing, installing or maintaining your heating and air conditioning equipment is not one of them! Always call a professional if it seems like the problem with your HVAC equipment is more complicated.