Why Is Air Duct Cleaning Important?

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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You know that your home is clean, but do you know what’s lurking in your air ducts? After all, that’s not an area you can very well attack with a vacuum cleaner and a feather duster. What happens to all the built-up air and dust that gets sucked through your HVAC system?

Remembering to schedule a residential duct cleaning session is an important part of your HVAC system maintenance, and for a variety of reasons. The first is that cleaner air ducts can mean a reduced level of irritation to members of your family suffering from respiratory ailments or asthma. still, poor air quality affects everyone in your home. Even those without respiratory issues may find it difficult or uncomfortable to breathe when the ductwork in your home is harboring dust, dander and other irritants.

When your ductwork is significantly clogged with dust, dirt and debris, it affects more than just the quality of air in your home. It also affects the efficiency of your HVAC system. Airflow can be obstructed or restricted when it’s moving through clogged ducts, thus raising your energy bills and reducing the comfort of your home.

Thankfully, cleaning your ductwork is the work of an afternoon for an experienced HVAC contractor. Making an appointment with a heating and cooling professional in your area for a thorough duct cleaning allows you to improve your home’s efficiency and keep vulnerable members of your family healthy. Discuss your options with a local technician, and determine the best course of action for your particular situation. Before you know it, you’ll be breathing clean air and saving big bucks on your energy bills.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Saving Money on Heating and Cooling

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in HVAC Replacement
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Keeping your home comfortable throughout the year without breaking the bank is a common goal for most homeowners. After all, you want to be warm in winter and cool during the summer, and you don’t want to spend a fortune to keep up with the energy bills. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce energy waste, saving money each month while reducing the impact that your home has on the greater environment.

First, consider having the efficiency of your HVAC system analyzed by a licensed professional. An experienced contractor will be able to inspect your system, looking for any areas where a bit of HVAC maintenance or minor repairs will increase efficiency. Remember that less waste means lower bills, but it also means that you’re reducing the carbon footprint of your home.

After a full audit of your HVAC system, it’s time to start making a series of small changes that will, collectively, have a big impact. Make sure that your filters are changed or cleaned regularly. Dirty or clogged filters force your system to work harder, thus costing you more in terms of energy usage. Adjust thermostat settings when you’re away from home, or invest in a programmable thermostat that will do the work for you. Repair any damaged or worn weather stripping to prevent air leakage.

Working closely with a seasoned HVAC professional will help you to find myriad ways in which you can reduce both your usage and your bills without sacrificing comfort. Call an HVAC contractor in your area to discuss your options and find solutions that will work for your unique household.

Posted on behalf James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Beating the Dry Heat of Winter

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Humidifiers
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Staying warm and cozy through the blustery winter months is easy when you have a reliable HVAC system, but it can also wreak havoc with your skin and sinuses. Raising wintry air to a comfortable temperature inside your home invariably dries it out, leaving the relative humidity in many homes hovering somewhere below the comfortable end of the scale. Fortunately, there is a solution to dry, irritating winter air inside your home.

In addition to making the air in your home easier to breathe, a humidifier can put an end to dry winter skin and hair. Also, a humidifier can actually keep you healthier during the winter cold and flu season, because viruses proliferate more in dry air than in a humid atmosphere. Installing a humidifier can also make a positive difference for those prone to winter nosebleeds. Because heating dry air is less efficient, the installation of a humidifier can also make a noticeable difference in your winter energy bills.

There are several makes and models of humidifiers on the market. There are smaller, portable units that can be easily purchased through a big-box retailer, but they’ll have to be moved from one room to the next and carefully maintained throughout the season. Whole-house humidifiers, on the other hand, work with your forced-air heating system to change the moisture level in the air throughout your home. Contacting a local HVAC professional to discuss your options for whole-house humidifiers is a great way to determine your needs and discuss a plan of action. Call a licensed professional in your area to make arrangements for a humidifier installation before the winter heating season hits, and you’ll be able to stay warm without suffering the effects of dry heat.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Time to Upgrade Your Thermostat?

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Thermostats
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While the average life expectancy of an HVAC system can be more than twenty years, there are some relatively minor upgrades that you’ll want to consider on a more regular basis. Some will even pay for themselves in the long run, because they’ll go a long way towards reducing your monthly heating and cooling bills. One such upgrade to consider is the replacement of an old, outdated thermostat.

When your thermostat gets older, it often becomes inaccurate and less efficient. You could be spending more money than you realize on heating and cooling each month, due simply to the fact that your inaccurate thermostat is causing your system to run more often than is strictly necessary. Manual thermostats also require you to change the settings before you leave the house each day to ensure that it’s not maintaining peak temperatures while your home is empty. In order to save a bit of money with an older, manual thermostat, you’ll have to suffer through a bit of discomfort when you return home as your HVAC system struggles to bring the temperature back to a comfortable level.

Speaking with your licensed and experienced HVAC professional about upgrading to a new programmable thermostat may be the answer to all of your problems. You can program the thermostat in such a manner that it saves energy throughout the day, but adjusts back to a comfortable temperature before you get home from work. No more chilly evenings or sweltering afternoons. You can even program for weekend schedules, setting your thermostat and forgetting it. Speak with an HVAC contractor in your area today about making the switch to a more efficient thermostat.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Preparing Your HVAC System for Winter

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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The chilly days of autumn are upon us, reminding everyone that winter isn’t far behind. With the extreme temperatures and weather of winter approaching, now is the time to start preparing your home. That includes your HVAC system, which will require a bit of routine maintenance and inspection before the season for heat arrives. By taking the time to get your system ready for winter’s chill, you may be able to shave money off of your electric bill. You will also be helping to extend the life of your HVAC system by caring for it appropriately.

One of the first repairs you should make to your heating system before winter sets in is to change the filters. Ideally, they’ll be changed every month but should definitely be switched out within three months. Green-minded folks may even want to opt for reusable filters, which can be rinsed and replaced. No more chucking an old filter into a landfill while you search for the perfect replacement, just rinse and go.

It’s also wise to consider upgrading your thermostat before winter arrives in earnest. An old, inaccurate thermostat can be a sinkhole of excess energy usage, costing you more money and increasing your carbon footprint. Digital thermostats, especially programmable models, can make a very real difference in the amount of energy your home uses during the winter months.

Cleaning and inspection is key, especially when it comes to heating ducts. Make sure that you set up an appointment with your local heating and cooling professional for a routine residential HVAC service call to ensure the health and functionality of your system. A professional should inspect your duct work, cleaning it if necessary, and give the system a thorough once-over to ensure that everything is in normal, working order.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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What Do HVAC Systems include?

October 9th, 2013 Posted in Heat Pumps
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The acronym “HVAC” stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC systems are the combination of various separate components. The typical HVAC system includes a:

  • Central Air-Conditioning Unit
  • Heating System
  • Ventilation System

Central Air-Conditioning Unit

A major component of HVAC systems is the central air-conditioning unit. It cools and dehumidifies the air before it circulates it throughout your home. These units are typically located outdoors due to the noise generated during the cooling process.

Heating System

Heating systems consist of either a furnace, heat pump, or a boiler.  Some homes located in colder climates have both a heat pump and furnace.

  • The heat pump warms the home during times when the weather isn’t extremely cold (temperatures above freezing).
  • The furnace warms the home when outdoor temperatures fall below freezing.

Heat pumps generate up to three times more heat than the energy they use. The reason is that heat pumps draw heat from the outdoor air and pull it into your home. They are a much more efficient way to warm your home than boilers or furnaces.

Furnaces draw their power from heating oil, natural gas, propane, or electricity. Considering the ever-rising price of electricity nowadays, propane and natural gas are typically more economical sources of energy than heating oil or electricity for heating your home.

Ventilation

Ventilation systems consist of:

  • ductwork
  • intake registers
  • outflow vents (enabling the circulation of heated/cooled air throughout your home)

Heating and air-conditioning units depend on your home’s ductwork system to provide a flow of incoming air and to distribute conditioned air.

For more information on HVAC systems, contact your local HVAC service company.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Frequently Asked Heat Pump Questions

October 9th, 2013 Posted in Heat Pumps
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Whether your home is already equipped with a heat pump, or you are considering getting one, you’ll find the following questions and answers helpful.

Is Annual Heat Pump Maintenance Important?

To keep your heat pump working safely and effectively, yearly scheduled maintenance is very important. Your heat pumps’ outdoor coils need cleaning no less than once each year. Additionally, be sure to have its electrical system inspected.

Proper maintenance helps to ensure your heat pump performs efficiently. Maintenance cuts down on the quantity and costs of future repairs.  In addition, annual heat pump maintenance results in the extended life of the system.

How do heat pumps provide heating and cooling?

Heat pumps absorb heat and transfer it from one place (location) to another.

Therefore, during the summer season, heat pumps work like air conditioners. Heat from inside your home is absorbed using refrigerant, and then it is vented outside in order to maintain a cool home.

This process is reversed during the winter season. Warmth from outside is absorbed and transferred into the home. A heat pump is ideal for effectively heating your home while temperatures outside remain above freezing.

With some heat pumps, why does it sound like my furnace is running?

Most heat humps distribute air throughout your home by making use of your furnace’s fan. In addition, heat pumps use your furnace as a backup source of heat when temperatures drop below freezing. In such instances, your heat pump is assisted by your furnace to achieve the desired temperature in your home.

For more information about heat pumps, contact your local heating and air-conditioning service company.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

October 9th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Most homes are equipped with a heating system and an air-conditioning unit.  Keeping your HVAC system from breaking down requires more than knowing how to turn them on or adjusting the thermostat.

To keep your home heating and cooling system running free of unexpected breakdowns, schedule residential HVAC preventative maintenance each year. This is important as it’s estimated that 90% of all heating system and an air-conditioning unit failures are due to dirt or rust that could have been avoided by routine maintenance.

Also, remember you are breathing air that is filtered by your heating and air-conditioning systems. Unchanged filters result in you and your family breathing air that is contaminated and harmful.

Finding Professional Help

If you don’t already have a good HVAC technician, then it’s essential that you find a reliable heating and air-conditioning service company.

It’s never a bad idea to ask family and friends for recommendations. A friend or family member might have recently hired a company or know someone in the industry. Such inquiries can result in valuable information and solid recommendations.

Be sure to ask them if they:

  • Were pleased with the service
  • Have any advice
  • Suggest questions to ask the technician
  • Know of any companies to avoid

Doing an online search will likely yield many heating and air-conditioning service companies. Nevertheless, don’t choose the first company that you discover.

Instead, invest a little time in finding out more about the heating and air-conditioning service company. You always want to hire the company with service technicians who are experienced and very knowledgeable in the industry. Lastly, it’s recommended to choose a company that has many satisfied clients and reviews.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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The Best Times of Year For A Heating & Air-Conditioning System Check

October 9th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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The efficient performance of your heating and air-conditioning system requires preventative maintenance.

Systems that are poorly maintained almost always increase your energy costs, expenses, and the chance of premature system failure. Furthermore, regular residential HVAC maintenance  is less expensive than repair and replacement costs.

It’s excellent practice to have your residential heating and air-conditioning system serviced each year. And as a rule, it’s best to schedule your annual system’s check before you need to use it. Typically, spring or fall seasons are ideal because once the winter (heating) and summer (cooling) seasons are in full force, service professionals are quite busy. Therefore, to save yourself the hassle and time, schedule your check before everyone does.

An easy and helpful way to remember when to schedule preventative maintenance each year is by planning to have it done with the time changes.

  • Spring check-ups will be scheduled when you set the clock forward.
  • Fall check-ups will be scheduled when you set the clock back.

Here’s an excellent checklist for preventative maintenance:

  • Controls and thermostat settings should be checked to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
  • Drains should be inspected for and cleared of any blockages.
  • All moving parts should be lubricated to ensure efficient running of the motor.
  • Coils, burners, and blower components should be cleaned. Any damaged equipment needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Air conditioning should be checked for proper levels of refrigerant.
  • Ensure duct work is inspected for damage.

Lastly, it’s important to do your part by cleaning or changing your filters every month.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Heating System Tune-ups Save Money and Promote Safety

October 9th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Although you might not be thinking of cranking up your furnace, cooler weather is not far away. Now is the time to schedule a heating season tune-up, including:

  • combustion adjustment
  • professional cleaning
  • safety check

Ensuring that your home’s heating system undergoes an annual “tune–up”, is a great investment.

Failure to schedule regular HVAC service is usually penalized with:

  • Increased fuel bills (up to 15%) resulting from inefficient operation. This is essentially the same as burning money. It’s always better to have a trained HVAC service professional perform the necessary tests to determine your system’s combustion efficiency prior to, and after it is tuned up.
  • Accelerated wear and tear of equipment. You can extend the life of your equipment by as much as 10 years with annual maintenance.
  • Avoidable and preventable HVAC system repairs. Maintenance costs much less than repairs. Furthermore, it’s never convenient to experience a breakdown. Regular maintenance helps you to avoid such breakdowns.
  • Life-threatening carbon monoxide gas. Yearly heating inspections are also important for the safety of you and your family. Occasionally, issues with a heat exchanger or flue system problem can allow deadly gas leaks in your home. Unfortunately, too many people die each year because of such tragic leaks. Trained technicians are able to spot warning signs in HVAC systems.

Today’s HVAC systems are incredibly more sophisticated than those in the past. Well–equipped and trained service professionals use a variety of electronic devices and tools to ensure your system is properly serviced. If you’re ready to have your unit tuned-up, contact a professional to do the job right.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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