Day: March 17, 2014

How to Clean a Boiler Heating System

Millions of people live in houses where the primary source of heat comes from the boiler. This type of heating system accounts for over 60% of what you spend every year on energy bills. Over time, your boiler can get filled up with deposits and sludge. Most breakdowns occur in the winter when boilers – having been inactive for long periods – are forced back into life. Common boiler problems include drips and leaks, weird noises, loss of pressure, and misreading temperature setting. How Important Is Boiler Cleaning? Regular maintenance will extend the life of your boiler and improve its efficiency. Cleaning the boiler regularly is the best way to prevent the problems of scale and corrosion. Research indicates that energy costs can increase greatly if the efficiency of this heating system is affected by insulating deposits. Poor boiler cleaning will result in efficiency loss or energy losses. If only 3/100 of an inch of soot is deposited on the tubes, the efficiency of your boiler will drop by over 2.5%. That is $1250 per every $50,000 spent. Water impurities will leave solid deposits as steam evaporates. Boiler explosions were common until people learned how to regularly clean their boilers. Proper cleaning

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How to Diagnose Manual and Automatic Zone Damper Issues With Your AC System

Are you having trouble regulating temperature within your home? Chances are, the larger your house is, the harder it will be to regulate the temperature inside it to keep everyone comfortable and happy. These issues can result in areas that are too hot in the summertime and too drafty and cold in the wintertime. As you are attempting to find an even balance, you will end up dueling with your thermostat to keep problem areas and the rest of your home balanced. There is something you can do, however, which is to consider getting a zone damper system. What is a Zone Damper System? A zone damper system is simply installing motorized doors to restrict airflow in specific rooms within your house. If you have a bad HVAC damper, you can no longer achieve proper airflow through the ductwork. This results in too much or too little airflow through the duct and improper temperature regulation within your home. Manual Zone Dampers vs. Automatic Zone Dampers Certain HVAC units are equipped with manual zone dampers for regulating the amount of air conditioning or heat being delivered in a room. A zone control system like this uses levers, which are located outside

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How to Locate Top Quality Heating Contractors

When it comes time to have your heating and cooling units worked on you want to know that the company you work with is a top quality company. You may be a little concerned as to how you can pick the right contractor for your home. Whether it is new construction or you just need some repairs or replacements at home, here are a few tips to help you choose the right contractor. Customer Service Skills While you want someone knowledgeable with the heating and cooling industry, you also want someone that knows how to handle customers. Do they make you feel comfortable with the process and answer all your questions? How do they handle your calls? Do they call back in a prompt time frame or are you waiting for days with no return calls? These are just a few ways to know if the customer service of the company is one you want to deal with. Proper Insurance And Regulations Make sure your contractor you are considering has all the proper insurance and follows the regulations set forth by the state and county you are in. Check with them to see what type of coverage they have and

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How to Winterize Your Air Conditioner

Other than the usual functional reasons why you should consider winterizing your air conditioner, many homeowners do it because it helps to save some money in the long run. During the winter season, the only way you can protect your air conditioner is to winterize it. It is one way of ensuring that your air conditioner is prepared for the cold weather. Winterizing your air conditioner technically means preparing it for the cold season ahead. There are several ways in which one can ensure that this is done properly. The first step always involves turning off the system by disconnecting the switch at the breaker panel. When you disconnect the switch, you will be guaranteeing your safety and the safety of the system. This is because the switch can accidentally turn on and cause water to seep into the unit and freeze or it could accidentally electrocute you. In order to prepare your AC for the cold weather you will need a number of things. One of these items includes a garden hose, which will be used to remove any dirt, leaves, twigs, branches and any other debris that may have collect and got stuck to the compressor. Another item

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