Year: 2014

Making the Right Choice: Replace or Repair My Equipment?

The act of replacing or repairing your air conditioner is not one that should be taken lightly. It is very important especially because it relates directly to the quality of life you lead. There are essential questions to ask when contemplating on whether to repair or replace it. Has it exhausted its useful life? How much have I spent so far on its repairs? For how long have used this air conditioner? Consult an expertMost experts especially those you have heard long working relations with will give you an excellent report on things as they stand. This will enable you make the right decision on the course of action to take. An expert will be able to determine the extent of damage to the equipment and the probability of lasting for a certain period after a repair. AgeAs equipment ages its level of inefficiency increases and should therefore be replaced. The machine may have exhausted its useful life and all it does is break down. When a machine is constantly in need of repair, then it is high time you replaced it. If it is just few times, then it can be repaired and used for a while. Cost of

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How To Find a Quality HVAC Contractor

Most homeowners know that the comfort of their home relies on having a heating or cooling system that is able to keep their home a comfortable temperature. Of course, quality equipment can be an important part of the reliability of your home’s HVAC system, but an experienced and dependable HVAC contractor is also important. In fact, now is the perfect time to call in a professional HVAC contractor for end of summer air conditioning maintenance. One of the best ways to find a leading HVAC contractor is to ask family or friends for recommendations. After all, if someone you know and trust is able to recommend a contractor, you are already ahead of the game. If you don’t have any recommendations to start from, contact some of the contractors in your area and ask for references. However, it is important that once you get these references that you actually call and ask questions. Find out what type of work was done, if it was done on time and if there were any problems. Of course, any HVAC contractor you consider should be licensed and insured to perform their services in your area. Leading HVAC contractors also offer quality products, such

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Important End of Season A/C Maintenance

When it comes to protecting your air conditioning system, end of season maintenance is certainly important. Your HVAC system is a major component in the comfort of your home and making sure you take preventative action now can help ensure it will be ready for you when the heat of another summer hits. Fortunately, summer air conditioning maintenance is quick and easy; it is also something that most homeowners will be able to handle on their own. Of course, there are some aspects of HVAC maintenance that should be left to the professionals, such as checking refrigerant levels and tuning up your equipment. At the end of the season, it is a good idea to check the condensate pan to see if there is any water sitting in it. This pan collects water during the normal cooling process, but it is important that it not be left to sit for a prolonged period of time. The drain line should carry the water outdoors, so be sure to check the line for any blockage. Water left in the line or pan could freeze, especially if it is in an uninsulated part of your home or garage. Another important part of A/C

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When Will the HVAC Efficiency Standards Be Raised?

Many people know that it is important for the U.S. to adopt some measures to help reduce the amount of energy consumed each year. In order to address this problem, back in 2009, the Department of Energy worked with experts in both the utilities and HVAC industries to come up with an effective way of increasing HVAC efficiency standards. The goal was to implement higher standards that would raise annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings from an AFUE of 78 to a new minimum of 90. This increase in HVAC efficiency could make a major impact in reducing energy consumption. The problem, however, was that these new minimum AFUE requirements would inflict a heavy financial burden on many homeowners. In order to comply with the minimum 90 AFUE HVAC efficiency standard, homeowners would need to install a condensing furnace as this is currently the only type of combustible heating unit capable of meeting the required minimum standard. Unfortunately, installing a condensing furnace is not as easy as one might think. This type of furnace has its own unique requirements and would mean homeowners would need extensive retrofitting in order to modify their homes for this type of heating system. Not

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Whole home performance evaluations

Paying high costs for energy in your home is never what anyone wants to do. However, there are solutions and answers to help you pay less when your energy bills come due. Home Performance is a complete approach to making your home more energy efficient and provide comfort in your home environment. What is Whole Home Performance?  Home Performance includes many different factors in the home. Contractors trained in Home Performance are skilled to offer complete home improvements to make your home more energy efficient. This includes insulation, energy efficient lighting and appliances, as well as furnace and air conditioner upgrades. The benefits of the Home Performance upgrade include decreasing and eliminating energy waste in the home, as well as cold drafts and musty smelling air. Your comfort, health and the long term value of your home will increase. Your home environment will also be cleaner while you enjoy lower energy bills. Cost of Whole Home Performance Your upgrade will start with a thorough home inspection and evaluation to determine the current energy use of your household. After this, your Home Performance contractor will make suggested improvements that suit your budget and the priorities you have in your home. They

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Self troubleshooting your a/c

It is the middle of the afternoon on a hot July day. You remember turning your air conditioning on this morning, but now you suspect the temperature in your house is rising. You run to check the thermostat in hopes that maybe you are just having a hot flash or had been working too hard on your tasks around the house, only to find your hopes dash. The thermostat has crept up five degrees over what you had set it for, or worse yet, the thermostat shows nothing. Sweat drips down your forehead and dollar signs flash before your eyes when you think of you’re a/c not working. Now what? Before you panic and call the HVAC service technician, there are a few things to check on your own. 1. Check the Power to your Home It may seem simple, but many HVAC service technicians have been called to homes for a case of an air conditioning outage, only to find that there is no power to the entire home. This is embarrassing and expensive to the homeowner. Check this potential issue first before doing anything else. 2. Check the Air Filter Air filters on your HVAC unit should be changed

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Is Your HVAC System Protected From Power Surges?

Most homeowners consider surge protection a necessity with expensive electronics such as computers, stereos and televisions. With these items, they typically use a point–of–use surge protector that they can plug into an electrical outlet. However, most people do not realize that heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment have sensitive electrical components that also need the same kind of protection. A power surge is a short–lived spike, or a series of spikes, in electrical service voltage. Usually, a power surge lasts for only a fraction of a second; on the other hand, utility equipment failure can cause longer–lasting spikes that may last for sizeable fractions of a second or longer. No home is immune to electricity surges; therefore, all expensive appliances should have some surge protection. Since the HVAC system is one of the most important and expensive investments for a homeowner, it stands to reason that it should have adequate protection from power surges. The most common natural cause of power surges is lightning. Characterized by an instantaneous spike in voltage for a short duration, it can cause substantial damage to structures, electrical equipment and appliances. The biggest factor about lightning is where it strikes; fortunately, the effects dissipate rapidly

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Hiring a professional NATE certified technician to keep future indoor forecasts cozy

When a homeowner needs the services of an HVAC specialist, they want to know they are hiring an expert. A heating and cooling service company is not a professional company just because they ‘claim’ to be. This is why NATE certification is so important for technicians and companies to have. What does NATE certified mean? Having NATE certification means that an individual or company is indeed a professional in the HVAC industry. NATE is the shortened word for North American Technician Excellence organization. Created by some of the best HVAC professionals in the industry, this nonprofit group provides several tests that pertain to different skills needed in the heating and cooling industry. Each test was designed to enable technicians to prove their knowledge in this field. Due to all of the changes in the HVAC industry, NATE requires that technicians have to periodically retest in order to renew their certifications and remain NATE certified. This is great news to all home and business owners, because it ensures that technicians are staying educated and are skilled to work on all of the latest HVAC equipment on the market. Having regularly scheduled maintenance and tune ups on an HVAC system is a

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Save Money With Summer Cooling Tips

Many people know that keeping their home cool will be much more effective if they follow some simple summer cooling tips. Of course, some of the best tips will not only help keep your cooling equipment functioning at its best, but they can actually help lower expensive cooling bills in the process. For example, ceiling fans can help keep you feeling cooler, but they are also a great way to save on energy costs. One of the most effective tips to stay cool in summer months is to make sure that you keep your air filter clean. Most HVAC professionals recommend changing the filter at least once every three months; however, you should check your filter every month to see if it needs more frequent changing. An air conditioner with a dirty filter will not be able to provide sufficient cooling to keep you comfortable, especially when the temperatures start to climb. Other great cooling tips for your home include shutting blinds and shades in order to keep indoor temperatures from getting too hot and to planting shrubs or trees that will provide some shade for your outdoor unit. The more you can do to help ensure your air conditioner

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What Are Some Signs My Furnace Isn’t Working Properly?

With the cold season fast approaching, it is the perfect time for homeowners to make sure that their furnaces are working properly. Replacing a furnace can be very costly; therefore, it is important to look out for common furnace warning signs in order to make the necessary tune-ups. Homeowners should employ a qualified HVAC technician to perform a furnace inspection and tune-up to avoid system failure just when they need to keep their homes warm and comfortable. Common Furnace Warning Signs: Old Furnace A properly maintained furnace will last around ten years, after which, one may notice a decline in efficiency as well as an increase in the frequency of repairs. Although some high-quality furnaces may last for more than 20 years, it always pays to monitor an old furnace to avoid high energy and repair costs. Unusual Odors and Noises One of the most definitive warning signs is an unusual odor and sound emanating from the furnace. In fact, odors, rattles, creaks, and other strange noises may be signs of a more serious problem. Odors are in particular a strong indication that something is seriously wrong since furnaces should not emit odors. Experienced heating and cooling technicians can diagnose

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