Spring Is The Perfect Time For A New HVAC System

March 25th, 2014 Posted in Uncategorized
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Spring is the time for renewal, especially if you have been considering replacing your old HVAC system. March through May is typically a mild time of year in most regions of the country, making it an ideal time to install a new heating and air conditioning system. New varieties of HVAC systems are typically more energy efficient, saving many homeowners hundreds of dollars off their energy bills. Plus, as these systems wear out, frequent service calls can cost a bundle, making it worth the investment in a new HVAC system. 

Is It Time To Replace Your HVAC System?

It is true that a new HVAC replacement system can be a large expense. However, a poorly running HVAC system can cost you plenty in repair bills and high energy costs. If you have already been experiencing a higher frequency of breakdowns or noticed that your energy bills have increased, it may be time to replace your old HVAC system. Is your HVAC system: 

  • Over seven years old?
  • Not keeping rooms in your home at a consistent temperature?
  • Running excessively or constantly turning on and off?
  • Causing higher utility bills?

If any of these are true regarding your HVAC unit, it may be time to start looking at a new system. What better time to do that then spring, right before the hot weather hits? 

There are many different types of HVAC systems available, ranging in seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings. When comparing HVAC units, look for the SEER rating to determine how much the unit could help save in energy costs. The higher the SEER rating, the more money you could save each year. Talk with your local HVAC professional about the best size and efficiency model for your home, then schedule a time this spring to get your new unit installed!

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Don’t Wait To Get Your Annual HVAC Service

March 25th, 2014 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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Although spring has just arrived, now is the time to get your HVAC system serviced for its annual check-up. While in most regions the temperatures are still mild, it wont be long before the days begin to get warmer, instigating calls to local HVAC companies for A/C service. Annual tune-ups of your A/C unit can ensure that it’s ready to keep you and your family cool through the hot summer months; plus, it can extend the life of your unit by a few years or more. 

Recommended Annual Service

Spring is the best time to schedule your residential HVAC service, getting it ready for the hot months ahead. Although you can perform this service any time of the year, scheduling this service every spring is what most A/C professionals recommend. After sitting dormant for several months, the unit needs to be cleaned, oiled and inspected before beginning months of regular use. Some of the things which need to be checked each spring on your A/C unit include: 

  • Filters – Filters should be cleaned, inspected and replaced if necessary.
     
  • Refrigerant – Low levels of refrigerant can be a sign of a leak. Refrigerant should be checked, looking for any signs of leaking.
     
  • Condenser –  An inspection and cleaning of the condenser, condenser coils and evaporator should be performed.
     
  • Thermostat – Calibrating the thermostat can ensure that your A/C unit is not working overtime. 

The entire unit will be inspected, oiling the motor and checking electrical components as well. Your local A/C professional can identify any issues that should be fixed before summer, reducing the chance of an A/C breakdown during the hot months. Many HVAC companies may even offer a spring service special, making this a great time to save money and get your unit ready for summer.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Are All A/C Filters The Same?

March 25th, 2014 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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The air filter in your home heating and air conditioning system helps remove respirable particles from the air, making your home safer and healthier for your family. Most air filters in A/C units need to be changed every 30-90 days, depending on the type of filter, and the amount of airborne particles in the home. However, there is a difference in the level of quality and efficiency of air filters, which can impact the overall performance. For homes with larger families, especially furry family members, choosing a higher quality air filter may improve the air you breathe. 

Choosing The Right A/C Filter

There are several varieties of air filters, each with different ratings and effectiveness for cleaning the air in your home. Two of the rating factors used on air filters are the clean air delivery rate (CADR) and the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). CADR shows the percentage of particles removed from the air, multiplying the percentage by the amount of air flowing through the filter. MERV ratings gauge the size of particles that the air filter can trap, with higher values giving increased filtration. 

In addition to ratings, each type of filter can have different quality and longevity standards. Some of the most common filters used include: 

  • Mechanical – A common type of disposable filter, these use fiber strands to filter out particles.
     
  • Pleated – Pleated filters come in different varieties. The cheaper models use fiberglass, which only filter out larger particles and can be irritating to people with respiratory problems.
     
  • HEPA – High Efficiency Particulate Air filter, or HEPA filters, can remove over 99% of particles in the air. 

Talk to your HVAC professional about which filter would give your home the most protection against airborne particles. They can recommend the filter that would be the best fit for the size and capacity of your home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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How Did Your Furnace Perform This Winter?

March 25th, 2014 Posted in Furnaces
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If you made it through the winter without needing service performed on your furnace, you’re probably happy with its performance. However, just because it did the job doesn’t necessarily mean that it performed optimally. Now that most of the coldest weather is behind us, it is a good time to take note of any possible signs your furnace may be headed for a breakdown. Here are some indicators that it may be time to call your HVAC professional. 

  • Noises – Did you notice any strange noises coming from your furnace this winter? If you periodically heard any knocking, squealing or other sounds, there is a good chance that you narrowly escaped a breakdown during the cold weather.
     
  • Shutting off – Did your furnace shut off on its own, needing to be restarted? Did you have trouble restarting it after it was shut off? This can be a sign of thermostat problems or other issues.
     
  • Higher heating bills – If your heating bills seemed higher than usual, yet your rates have not increased, your furnace may be on the decline. As your furnace wears out, it must work harder to heat your home, usually resulting in higher energy bills.
     
  • Yellow flame – Your pilot light should be a bluish color, not yellow. A yellow pilot light can mean there is a problem with the gas. 

Any of these signs should be a warning that your furnace is in need of an inspection. Instead of waiting for next fall or winter, schedule your furnace service now to fix any possible problems that may be on the verge of causing a breakdown. Since your HVAC professional will already be at your home, schedule your annual A/C service as well, getting you ready for the warm summer months ahead.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Tips To Reduce Your Heating And Cooling Utility Bills

March 25th, 2014 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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A large portion of most utility bills throughout the year is spent on temperature control of the home. Whether it is heating in the winter or cooling in the summer, your monthly energy bills can skyrocket with heavy use of your HVAC system. However, there are ways to reduce the load on your system, making it more efficient,  and possibly saving hundreds of dollars each year on your utility bills. 

Tips To Reduce Heating And Cooling Costs

There are a few basic ways to save on heating and cooling costs. First, make sure your HVAC system is working properly and efficiently. Secondly, ensure you are conserving the temperature-controlled air in your home. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish both of these steps: 

  • HVAC service – Your HVAC system needs regular air conditioning service to work efficiently. Annual inspections and tune-ups will keep the unit clean, well lubricated and running smoothly.
     
  • Insulation – Increasing the insulation in your attic and crawl places can preserve the temperature in your home, reducing the strain on your HVAC system.
     
  • Ducts – Your ducts should be cleaned and inspected to ensure they don’t have any leaks or cracks which are losing air.
     
  • Windows and doors – Replacing your windows and doors with energy efficient models can have a large impact on your utility bills.
     
  • Programmable thermostat – Having a thermostat that can be programmed to turn off when not in use can result in significantly increased efficiency and savings. 

Your HVAV professional can discuss the best ways to save money on your energy bills during your annual service appointments. Talk to them about adding a programmable thermostat or other energy saving devices to your existing HVAC system.

Posted on behalf of Western Aire

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