Category: HVAC

What to Consider When Choosing to Replace Your HVAC Unit

Your HVAC systems come with an average lifespan of generally 10-15 years. Continuing to run them beyond that limit can mean higher utility costs and occasional breakdown and costly repairs. Yes, we understand that HVAC replacement can be costly, but it can also save you money in the long-run. When Should You Replace Your HVAC? If you are not too sure about whether it is really time for a replacement, you can always ask for a specialists’ advice from an HVAC professional like us. Sometimes, a repair may get you above the water and make your system run smoothly for another couple years. At other times, however, a repair will only add up to the expense while only delaying the inevitable, not to mention the massive utility bills you will need in the meantime. So, when is the time you should go for a replacement? As we said, an HVAC professional will be able to advise you on this. There are, however, some pointers which will convey to you the need to go for a brand new system. So, when you see that your unit is leaking fluid regularly; is making unexpected noises on a frequent basis; is making your

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Top HVAC technologies for the coming year

Technological advances are continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in every industry. Businesses that revolve around HVAC as well as the end users would do well to keep an ear on the ground so that they don’t get left behind. Here Are Some Of The HVAC Technologies That Will Be Available In 2016: Mobile Apps for Maintenance People are demanding more from their appliances than ever before. Manufacturers need to create better features every time they release models out to the market. The march towards greater complexity makes units harder to master and troubleshoot. Technicians require more rigorous training to be able to provide the level of service expected of them. Mobile apps are now being developed to help them in this regard both in practice and in the field. These apps make maintenance work a lot easier as they capture important data for decision-making and guide users on the appropriate steps to take in any situation. Smarter HVAC Systems HVAC systems are known for being reactive to the environment. They have sensors that detect the current temperature and they use the information to adjust their work rate. Nowadays, there are thermostats that can actually learn how the environment

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Why Is SEER Used for Rating Heating and Cooling Devices?

People using any type of cooling device should know what is SEER. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER is used to rate cooling appliances. The rating is based on energy efficiency performance of systems like HVAC, air conditioners and heat pumps. The rating is calculated taking into account an appliance’s cooling output for a given unit of energy that it consumes. Higher rating is given to systems that output more cooling while consuming less energy. The benefit of using such devices is that it results in lower electricity bill. Such a device is eco-friendly because it releases less green house gases. Rebates are available to users who use systems with high energy efficiency. Devices that have higher SEER ratings provide greater efficiency. Federal government has made it mandatory for central air-conditioning equipment manufacturers to sell only those units that have minimum SEER-13 rating. Buyers should know that air-conditioning equipments with SEER rating of 18 or even 23 are available. An air-conditioning system having a minimum of SEER-16 rating should be installed to realize the advantages of using energy efficient system. Users who want to calculate their savings can easily do so by using Cooling Calculator. The calculator can be used

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Why Should I Purchase a Service Agreement?

The question as to what to consider when purchasing a service agreement is one that all HVAC equipment users should ask themselves, and, then, answer relevantly. It is important to have all heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment checked and serviced regularly. Regular maintenance keeps the equipment operating efficiently, up to 30 percent more efficiently and prevents abrupt breakdowns. A service agreement not only gives the HVAC users peace of mind but also saves them money. Service agreement considerations Every AC owner and user must consider several things before purchasing a service agreement for his/ her AC. First, he/ she should understand that his/ her AC is made up of various components (some parts are static and others are mobile) that need regular servicing to function optimally. Most of these components need to be checked, cleaned, replaced or repaired accordingly in order to keep the whole AC functioning optimally. AC users should only purchase service agreements from qualified HVAC contractors. Benefits of a service agreement: Guarantees AC efficiency With a service agreement from a professional HVAC contractor, AC users can rest easy knowing that their air conditioner will be checked and serviced regularly. Most HVAC contractors schedule AC check-up and

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How Do I Know the Technician Is Qualified for the Job?

Today, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) sector is bigger than it has ever been. Now more than ever, the need for qualified technicians to do these jobs is very high. Cooling and heating systems are complex and only a person with the right technician qualifications should handle them. A person with the right qualifications will be careful to follow the industry standards of installation and safety. There are several things that you should look for when you want differentiate between qualified and unqualified technicians: Experience It is always advisable to use the services of a technician who has on-the-job training. Limit your search to technicians with over 2 years of experience in working for an HVAC company. This way, you will be assured that they know a thing or two about electrical wiring, combustion systems, refrigerant and airflow for the home environment. An incompetent HVAC technician could mess up your HVAC system. A malfunctioning exhaust system, for instance, could produce carbon monoxide. License A licensed technician will have been vetted by governmental organs and found fit to practice. There are websites that give you information on the state of your contractor’s license. Use this to authenticate their qualifications.

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Modern Heating and Cooling Technology

Technological advancement has very many benefits to citizens of different countries. The heating and cooling technology has been through some remarkable evolution in the recent years. The systems have seen a lot of improvement that makes them more efficient to use. Heating and cooling technology has been made more energy efficient. This means that the amount of energy required to use them has been spiraling down in the past few years. This means that you will be able to make use of these systems with more efficiency in the energy utilization. Therefore, the electricity bills will no longer be a problem as they will be manageable. Energy efficiency ensures that the environment is taken care of. This is because there is less emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere. There is also efficient use of resources that are used in energy production. This reduces the rate of depletion of these resources and thus conserves the environment. Depletion of the ozone may also be caused by refrigerants used in the cooling and heating technology systems. However the world is moving from the use of harmful refrigerants due to technological advancement by eliminating chlorine use. Systems now make use of a refrigerant

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What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: How To Prevent It

Carbon monoxide poisoning may happen if CO from sources such as water heater, or heating system, or other similar gas, oil, or fuel burning appliances build up in an enclosed area. If proper ventilation is not attached to these systems, this can result in build-up of CO above safety levels in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space. Breathing the air in such a space with an over-concentration of CO may lead to CO poisoning in people and animals living in that space. The common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, chest pain, sleeplessness, weakness, dizziness, etc. The problem is that the same symptoms may result from many other underlying conditions, so if a CO built-up in a space is not detected, the symptoms may aggravate and may lead to serious illnesses. It may also lead to death in extreme cases. In fact, each year four-hundred deaths are reported in US which are caused by unintentional CO poisoning. What is carbon monoxide poisoning? The poisoning occurs mainly because our red blood corpuscles have a tendency to attract carbon monoxide quicker than they do oxygen. This means that CO can quickly replace oxygen in our blood, and this will prevent proper oxygen circulation

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Lack of Maintenance Can Cause Furnace Problems

When the fall season approaches, most homeowners turn their attention to maintenance and repairs that may have been put off over the summer months. One of the most important tasks to complete before the cold winter months arrive is making sure the heating system, beginning with the furnace, is in excellent condition and ready to keep your family warm. Although any one of the many components to a heating system may need repairs, following are five of the most common problems that need to be addressed. 1. Lack of Maintenance If maintenance on any furnace is neglected, it may cause a breakdown just when heat is most needed. Unfortunately, this often happens during the coldest of winter nights, when the furnace has to work the hardest. Even if your furnace does not actually quit working, it may cost more in wasted fuel if it is not properly maintained. 2. Ignition Control or Pilot Light Problems If the ignition control component or the pilot light system is malfunctioning, the result may be sporadic heat or no heat at all at times. 3. Filters Clogged or Dirty If the filters are clogged, the result will be a restricted air flow, causing the

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HVACR Industry Instructors Try to Keep Pace With Technological Advancements

Currently, the HVACR industry is undergoing many technological advancements. As a result, HVAC instructors are struggling to devise new methods to ensure that the new era of service technicians has the relevant expertise. In the past, even when new furnaces were introduced, there were only a few different kinds of control boards that were used by all manufacturers. Thus, while there was lots of different equipment to repair, it was all basically controlled in the same way. Hence, in the old days, maintenance and repairs were reasonably straightforward. Nowadays though, manufacturers have adopted the use of high end equipment. This is based around data highways, rather than thermostat wires. Such proprietary technology is much harder to service, if you are not the dealer for the equipment. With the design, controls and virtually everything related to HVAC systems becoming more complicated, many teachers are going back to basics to train the current crop of tech students. The physics of electrical theory and applied thermodynamics never changes. Warm air flows to become cold, subcooling and superheat are vital principals, and psychrometrics is essential. Students faced with the task of repairing a new, complicated system will find their ability to implement the fundamentals

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Just how much money do you spend?

Ever wondered how much money you spend each year on keeping your home comfortable? Have you ever looked at your energy bill and thought to yourself I need to lower my bill? Here are two things that just might surprise you. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Give us a call today and we will be more than happy to come to your home or office to help ease your mind. Just How Much Money Do You Spend?

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