Is Your Industrial HVAC Technician Legit?

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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When it comes to commercial or industrial HVAC installation, maintenance and repair, you want to ensure the company and technicians you hire are up for the task. Many HVAC companies offer commercial service, but not all have the experience and expertise needed for large, industrial operations. Before hiring a HVAC contractor, take the time to vet and choose the best one for the job. Here are some tips to ensure your HVAC technician is legit for industrial projects.

  • Does the HVAC company do both residential and commercial work? While there is nothing wrong with doing both, this means they are spread thin. There are many more residential customers than industrial, which means they may not have the resources available when you need them for your business.
  • Experience in industrial HVAC systems. There is a big difference between servicing a commercial HVAC system for a small restaurant and one for a large manufacturing outfit or hospital. Make sure they have experience and references from industrial projects, not just smaller commercial jobs.
  • Years of expertise. Choose a HVAC contractor that has been specializing in industrial systems for decades. You want technicians that can work on older HVAC systems as well as newer ones.
  • Services offered. While you may just need a repair or maintenance service now, consider the needs you may have in the future. Choose a company that offers retrofits, HVAC automation and complete installation of new systems to meet all your current and future HVAC needs.

Your industrial HVAC system can have a large impact on your business. Make sure you find the best contractor to service your system to get the best value for your investment.

Posted on behalf of:
JS Thomas Service, Inc
4085 Nine McFarland Dr
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 475-2600

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How to Choose the Right Thermostat

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Do you have an older thermostat for your HVAC system? If your thermostat does not have programming or remote access, you are missing out of some phenomenal features that offer convenience and energy savings for your home. If you are ready to upgrade your thermostat, here are some features to consider that will help you choose the right model for your needs.

Programmable

First and foremost, you want a thermostat that is programmable. This one feature can save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bills if you use it correctly. You can program your thermostat to use less energy during hours you are sleeping or away from home, while keeping your home comfortable.

Remote Access

Many thermostats now offer Wi-Fi access. This allows you to control your thermostat from a computer or even your smartphone. You can turn your thermostat up or down when you are away from home, helping save you even more money on energy costs.

Auto Changeover

When the days are warm and the nights are cool, you want your thermostat to know when to send heat and when to turn on the A/C. An auto changeover switch allows your thermostat to use both heat and air conditioning to maintain the preferred temperature in your home.

Keyboard Lock

Don’t want your kids turning up the A/C to high when you are not at home? Choose a thermostat with a keyboard lock to leave changing the temperature to the people who pay the bills.

The new features available on today’s thermostats make it easier to keep your home climate controlled while using less energy. Talk to your local HVAC service company to learn more about the models available and for professional installation.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
264 Buchanan Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
(770) 505-7426

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How to Inspect Your Furnace or Air Conditioning Ducts

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Do you have uneven heating or cooling in your home? If you have central air and heat with a duct system, you may have a blockage in your duct system. Many items can find their way into the ducts and cause a blockage. This can cut off air to one or more rooms in your home, causing uneven temperatures. It can also cost you more on your energy bill and put extra stress on your HVAC system. Here are some tips on how to inspect your ducts to find blockages.

  • Check air flow. Turn on your heat or air and check all the vents in your home for air flow. If any do not have air coming out, there may be a blockage in that duct. If low air is coming from all ducts, check your air filter – it could be clogged and need replacement.
  • Remove vents. If there are vents with low to no air, remove the vent cover. This is often where debris gets caught, pushed up against the vent cover. Clean away any debris and check the duct for any blockages as far as you can see using a flashlight.
  • Make sure valves are open. If the vent and filter are clean, but there still is no air going to certain rooms, make sure the valves for the duct are open. Most systems have valves in the ducts to close air flow to certain rooms.

If after your inspection, you are still having air flow issues, call your local HVAC service team for a system efficiency analysis. There is possibly a blockage in your ducts that may need to be cleared by a professional.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

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Adding Heat and Air to Home Additions

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in Ductless Mini-Split Systems
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Are you expanding your home? Whether you are adding on another bedroom, bathroom or even expanding your garage, you want to ensure these new spaces have adequate climate control. However, depending on where you are at in your remodel, it may be tricky or expensive to connect new additions to your existing HVAC system. Here are some HVAC solutions to consider at different stages of remodeling.

Planning Stage

If you have not begun building your addition, you still have options. It is easier to connect your new space to your existing HVAC if the construction has not started. Consult with your HVAC provider to determine how much it would cost to add more duct work to connect the new room.

Mid-Construction

If you have already begun to build, it may not be too late to add in duct work. Talk to your contractor and local HVAC installer about the difficulty of connecting your new room. If you are adding on to your garage, this can be a great opportunity to add climate control to this area.

Post-Construction

For additions that are already in place, you can still add air and heat with a mini-split. This is also an option in the planning and mid-construction phases. These isolated HVAC units do not require duct work and are efficient for climate control in rooms that may not need heat or air all the time, like a garage.

It is easier to connect a new space to your HVAC system before construction is completed, but it can always be added later. Mini-splits can be an economical option when adding new duct work can be labor intensive. Talk to your local HVAC installer for options to get the air and heat you need for your new addition.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

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Finding the Right Moisture Balance for Air Quality

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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Home air quality is not just about filtering out allergens, dust and mold. Moisture has a big impact on the quality of air you breathe, whether it is too dry or too humid. Regulating your moisture balance in your air can be tricky; some homes may be too dry part of the year and too humid during other months. To get the right balance, you need to manage moisture and keep it at an appropriate level.

The right humidity level for homes tends to be right around 50%, within the 40-60% range. However, if you go above or below these levels, you may notice issues. Here are some of the problems that can occur when the humidity is too high or too low:

  • Too high. When humidity stays above 60%, your home could begin to have mold problems. You may notice musty smells, see mold on walls/windows/ceilings and notice water stains. Mold can be hazardous, especially for those with immune or respiratory issues, and cause expensive damage to your home.
  • Too low. When the air becomes to dry, which can happen when using air conditioning constantly, it can become uncomfortable. It can dry out nasal passages and cause other health issues.

To manage humidity, you can add a humidifier or dehumidifier to your HVAC system, or use portable models. Portable models are fine for individual rooms (like a basement that has mold issues) but are not efficient for whole-home air quality. Your local HVAC service provider can add either a humidifier, dehumidifier or both to your HVAC system to help you keep a perfect level of moisture in your home for health and comfort year-round.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

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Furnace or Heat Pump – How to Decide

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in Heat Pumps
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If you are building a new home or replacing your heat source in your existing home, you may be considering your options. Both heat pumps and furnaces are popular heat sources, each with their own benefits. But, there are differences and advantages, depending on what your needs are for your home. Here is a quick comparison of the two to outline the differences.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps use the outdoor air to keep the home warm during the winter and cool during the summer. They do not use fuel for heat, but pull in heat from the air to heat the home, or pulls in cold air to cool it. Heat pumps warm the home like an air conditioner in reverse, and they can also cool a house during the summer. Heat pumps are energy efficient for climates that do not have extreme winter weather, offering a substantial energy savings.

Furnaces

Furnaces can offer a wonderful heat source, using oil, gas or electricity for fuel. Furnaces have one purpose – to heat the home. Furnaces burn fuel to make heat and distribute through the home, usually with a duct system. They are wonderful for cold weather, especially regions that often fall below freezing during the winter. However, they only heat and do need to be paired with an air conditioner for cooling during the summer for complete year-round climate control.

In a nut shell, heat pumps are an efficient option for regions that do not have severe winters, while a furnace can offer better heat for below freezing temperatures. Talk to your local HVAC service company to learn more about your heating options for your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

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