Is Your HVAC System Trying To Tell You It Needs Maintenance?

July 10th, 2014 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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There are certain sounds that your HVAC unit can make to alert you of impending problems. If you ignore these noises, you may end up coming home to an uncomfortably hot or cold home in the very near future. Beyond the normal sounds of your unit doing its job, these clicks, buzzes and hums may be telling you it is time to call in a professional for needed HVAC service or repair. Here are some common noises that may be signs of problems with your HVAC system: 

–        Buzzing electrical panels. If you hear a soft buzzing or crackling coming from any of the electrical panels in your unit, call a professional right away. There may be a problem that could short out the unit or worse, start a fire in your home.

–        Gurgling. The sound of gurgling or bubbling liquid could mean you have a coolant leak. If you are losing coolant, eventually your unit will stop providing chilled air, so call your local HVAC service professional.

–        Sounds in the duct work. It is normal for the duct work to make some sounds when it expands and contracts. However, scratching or other animal noises could mean you have an unwanted pest in your duct work. Squealing, roaring or mechanical squeaking echoing through the ducts may be the air handler fan having problems.

–        Clicking. If your A/C relays are making a clicking noise, it could be a sign of a problem with your thermostat. 

Do not wait for your HVAC system to stop working altogether during the hottest (or coolest) time of year. At the first sound or sign of a problem, call in a professional to inspect your home heating and cooling system and get the issue resolved before it becomes a serious problem.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Do You Have A Room Or Outbuilding That Needs HVAC?

July 10th, 2014 Posted in Ductless Mini-Split Systems
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If you have added on a room to your home or have a detached garage or outbuilding, you may not have heating and air conditioning in these areas. Often, home additions or out buildings cannot easily be added on to existing central heating and air conditioning sytems, due to the location. However, there are options to give these remote areas HVAC with their own small heat pump unit. Ductless mini splits are a great option to give these areas heating and air conditioning without the need for adding ductwork on to your existing system. 

What Is A Mini Split System?

Basically, a ductless mini split system is a heat pump unit that does not use ducts and can be added to almost any exterior wall. These versatile heating and cooling units have an outdoor condenser which is connected through the wall to an inside air handler. All the necessary components are contained in the unit to keep the air cool throughout the hot summer and warm in the winter in smaller spaces. 

All that is needed to install these units is a small hole in the wall and a power source. Your local HVAC contractor can easily install one or more of these units in your home or outbuildings. They are ideal for rooms that either are not connected to your central HVAC system or may be in warmer areas of the home; a  hot, west side room may benefit from its own mini split instead of feeding off the central air conditioning system. 

These units are very energy efficient as they do not use ductwork and blow the conditioned air directly into the area. They can be an excellent addition to larger homes, new addition or out buildings to keep your entire property comfortable all year round. Call your local HVAC professional to discuss adding a ductless mini split system to your home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Give Your Air Conditioning A Helping Hand

July 10th, 2014 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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Although most newer air conditioning units are designed to operate efficiently, there are ways that you can get the most from your unit during the hot summer months. Using little tricks to give your A/C a helping hand can allow it to run more efficiently, using less energy while still keeping your home cool and comfortable. Here are a few ways to ensure your HVAC system does not need to work any harder than it has to during the hottest days of summer. 

–        Keep vents clear. Make sure that all your return air vents and supply registers are kept unblocked, allowing for easy air flow. Do not put furniture or drapes in front of these air vents to ensure there is nothing impeding air flow.

–        Manage your temperatures. Regardless of the heat outside, keep your A/C at least 78 degrees during times when you are home, higher when you are out of the house. Every degree can make a considerable difference in your utility bill. Make this easier with a programmable thermostat that can be set to automatically increase temperature settings for times you are regularly out of the home or sleeping.

–        Check your filter. A dirty filter can cost you plenty in utility bills. Save stress on your unit and money off your energy bill by replacing filters on their regular maintenance schedule.

–        Keep ducts well sealed. A small leak in your air ducts could be leaking expensive cooled air outside of your home. Have your ducts inspected by your HVAC professional along with regular maintenance on your unit to make sure every element of your system is working efficiently. 

Keeping up on maintenance and managing the use of your unit can allow it to work at its most efficient level. Not only can this save you money on energy bills this summer, it can also prolong the life of your unit, making it worth the effort.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Is Summer Humidity Getting You Hot Under The Collar?

July 10th, 2014 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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It’s not just the summer heat that can make some days unbearable. Even with an excellent air conditioner in your home, you can still feel too warm when the humidity is high. In addition to detracting from your comfort, there are many other good reasons to control the humidity in your home. Humid conditions can lead to mold, insect problems and even moisture damage in your home. 

Controlling Humidity In Your Home

If you notice that you are still hot, sweaty and sticky even when the temperature is cool in your home, you may have a humidity problem. Other signs may be a musty smell, condensation on windows and even warping of walls or floorboards. Humidity in homes should be ideally about 45%, ranging between 30-50%. If you levels are higher than 50%, it is time to get a whole house dehumidifier. 

There are two primary options when it comes to adding a whole house dehumidifier to your home. You can either opt for a dehumidifier which works with your air conditioning unit, or you can have a separate system just for humidity. These systems are quiet and work efficiently, with sensors to keep your entire home at a comfortable and safe humidity level all year round. Most units are easy to maintain, only needing a filter change once a year to keep your air clean and at the right moisture level. 

If you are ready to experience the difference a whole house dehumidifier can make, call your local HVAC professional to discuss installing a new unit in your home. You will be surprised at the level of comfort it can provide while keeping excess moisture from damaging your home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Is Your Air Conditioning Broken Down Again?

July 10th, 2014 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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There comes a point in the life of an air conditioning unit when it’s more cost efficient to replace the system than to have it repaired yet again. This is especially true of units that are ten years or older. The level of efficiency has changed substantially in the last decade in almost all A/C units, making them more energy-friendly and cost effective. If your air conditioning system is constantly having problems, it may be time to switch to a newer, more efficient model instead of paying another repair bill. 

Signs It Is Time For A New A/C Unit

Beyond constant breakdowns and high energy bills, there are some other signs that it may be time to invest in a new A/C unit. It is possible that the unit will no longer be able to be repaired enough to limp along through the rest of the summer. Some of these signs include: 

  • Uneven temperatures. If your home has hot and cool areas or rooms instead of an even temperature, it can be a sign that your unit is either too large for your home or is ready to be replaced. It is very common for homes to be equipped with a unit that is too large, causing it to cycle too quickly. Getting a new, more efficient model which is sized correctly can improve the air temperature consistency while reducing your energy bills.
     
  • Running loud. An A/C unit that is getting noisier is a good sign it may be on its last leg. The banging, clanking and other noises you hear are often the tell-tale signs that components inside the unit are wearing out. 

Instead of waiting for the inevitable death of an old air conditioner, most likely on a hot day when it is almost impossible to get a new one installed immediately, call your HVAC professional today to begin shopping for a new unit.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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