Is Your Outdoor AC Unit in Danger of Theft?

June 3rd, 2019 Posted in HVAC Equipment
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Your outdoor AC unit is not just a valuable component to your home, it can be valuable as scrap metal and for other materials. Thieves are often on the lookout for unsecured air conditioning units that can be easily dismantled and sold for materials. There are a few ways to reduce the chance of theft of your outdoor AC unit with a few preventive steps.

Improve Visibility

If your AC unit is surrounding by trees, bushes or other landscaping items that block it from view, this can be enticing to thieves. Having a place that is shrouded from view while they dismantle the equipment can reduce their chance of getting caught. Clear visibility and add outdoor lighting at night near your AC unit to reduce temptation for thieves.

Connect Your AC to Your Home Security System

If you have a home security system, check into connecting your HVAC system. Many newer home security and home automation systems can communicate with your HVAC system, which can alert you if your AC unit becomes disconnected during a theft attempt.

Lock Up Your Unit

One of the best deterrents to keep your AC unit safe is to lock it inside a condenser cage. These sturdy cages protect your AC unit and make it less likely that a thief will attempt to dissemble the cage to steal your unit. It is important to make sure that the cage does not interfere with airflow, so contact your local HVAC service to have one installed.

These few steps can help minimize the chance of a thief stealing your AC unit. This can save you the cost of replacement and the inconvenience of living without your AC if it is stolen.

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

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3 Reasons Your Furnace Is Short-Cycling

June 3rd, 2019 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Does your furnace turn on, run for a few minutes, then shut off again, just to restart again a short while later? This is called short-cycling and it is a sign that something is not working correctly in your furnace. This constant starting and stopping causes more wear and tear on your furnace and will drive up your heating costs each month. There are a three common reasons for short-cycling – some easy to fix, others that are larger problems.

Thermostat Malfunction

One of the simplest reasons your furnace is short-cycling is a communication issue in your thermostat. If your thermostat is older, or just malfunctioning, replacing it could stop the short-cycling problem, lowering your energy bills and reducing wear on your furnace.

Overheating Issues

If the heat exchanger in your furnace is overheating, this can be the reason that the furnace turns off after just a short period, then restarts when it cools down. This can be a serious problem; it can cause cracks in the heat exchanger that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks in your home. However, it is usually caused by restricted air flow or a dirty filter, which can be easily fixed.

Your Furnace is Too Large

If you have a new furnace and short-cycling is occurring, your furnace may be too large for your home. Bigger is not always better – when purchasing a furnace, it should be right sized for your home or it can cause problems. A furnace that is too large will heat too quickly and often the air is not distributed properly, causing the unit to turn on and off more often.

If you are not sure what is causing your short-cycling problem, the best solution is to have your furnace inspected by a local HVAC service.

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

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4 Ways to Cut Down Commercial Heating Costs

June 3rd, 2019 Posted in Commercial HVAC Service & Repair
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Utility costs directly impact a business’ bottom line. Climate control in commercial buildings can be expensive, especially in large facilities. Finding ways to lower heating and cooling costs can decrease overhead and increase profits – yet many facilities are still poorly equipped when it comes to the efficiency of their HVAC systems. Here are four ways to help minimize building heating costs:

  1. Improve Insulation. While all commercial buildings are insulated to some extent, many are not insulated to the extent they should be for energy efficiency. Adding insulation to exterior walls and roofs, as well as insulated windows can help manage temperature fluctuations.
  2. Invest in an energy recovery ventilator. Reduce the load on the HVAC system with an energy recovery ventilator. This ventilation system recycles energy from released air from the building and preconditions air coming into the building, helping improve the efficiency of the HVAC system.
  3. Building automation system. Automated controls with remote access can help building managers improve their HVAC efficiency. With access to all controls from any computer or mobile device, multiple buildings and zones can be managed from anywhere, cutting down on heating and cooling costs.
  4. Keep up with HVAC maintenance. Scheduled, routine maintenance is one of the best ways to improve HVAC efficiency and prevent breakdowns. Find a quality commercial HVAC service that offers cost-efficient maintenance plans to ensure the existing equipment is kept well-maintained to reduce energy use.

Investments into efficiency can greatly impact energy costs for heating and cooling, often paying for themselves within a few years with lower utility bills. Contact a local commercial HVAC service to schedule an energy analysis for your commercial building to explore options to cut your energy bills and overhead.

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

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Fall Checklist for Your Furnace

June 3rd, 2019 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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When the trees begin to lose their leaves and the air becomes a little cooler, you know what time it is – time to tune-up your furnace. There is a good chance your furnace has not been on since March or April, and it needs a little maintenance before it begins heating your home this winter. Here is a quick fall checklist of furnace maintenance items to do before the winter months arrive.

  • Change the filter. It is always good to start the season with a fresh filter. Most furnace filters need to be changes once a month or every other month, depending on the amount of use and the type of filter.
  • Burn off the dust. The first time your furnace turns on, it is usually a little unpleasant. Dust in the vents and inside the furnace can create an odor. Fire up your furnace for a test run and open the windows and doors to air out the house while you burn off the dust of summer.
  • Clear vent areas. Blowing cold air is different than hot air. For safety, make sure nothing flammable is near vents or the furnace, and that the areas in front of vents are clear.
  • Schedule your tune-up. It can behoove you to schedule your annual furnace tune-up every fall to make sure everything is still in good working order. Routine HVAC maintenance can help efficiency and inspection of the equipment can identify issues that need repair before winter arrives.

Don’t wait for the cold weather to begin worrying about your heating system; get your furnace ready for winter this fall by crossing these maintenance items off your list.

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

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Benefits of Replacing AC and Furnace Together

June 3rd, 2019 Posted in HVAC Replacement
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Your air conditioning unit and furnace work together for climate control in your home, but they are still separate systems. It is likely that one will wear out before the other if they were installed at the same time, most likely the AC unit as AC units tend to have a shorter lifespan than furnaces. However, replacing one without replacing the other can cause issues for efficiency and impact overall costs. Here are some benefits of replacing both at the same time.

Cohesive System for Efficiency

Replacing both AC and furnace at the same time gives you a chance to match the systems for the best efficiency. Your HVAC professional can help you find a AC and furnace that use the same air handler, reducing the equipment needed and costs. Plus, matched systems are designed to work together for efficiency, giving you lower energy bills year-round.

Newer Technology

If one system needs replacement, it is a good time to upgrade to newer technology for lower energy costs and convenience. However, you will not receive the full benefits if you have an older furnace or AC unit impacting the new system.

Save on Installation

It costs more to install two systems separately then together. Even if your furnace may have a few years left in it when it is time to replace your AC, it can save you money to do it at the same time. You can either repair your AC to extend its life a little longer or replace your furnace sooner to a more efficient system.

When one half of your HVAC system needs replacing, it is wise to consider the benefits of replacing both together. Discuss your options with your local HVAC professional.

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

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Climate Control for a Better Night’s Sleep

June 3rd, 2019 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Do you toss and turn every night and wake up in the morning unrested? There are many factors that can impact sleep, including the air in your home. Climate control can make a big difference in how well you sleep at night. Here are some ways you can improve your sleep with some adjustments to your HVAC system and air quality in your home.

Cool Down for a Comfortable Sleep

While you may like to snuggle under warm blankets at night, keeping the air cooler around you can help improve your quality of sleep. Setting your temperature at nights lower can help you sleep better. If you have zone or room controls, change the thermostat setting in your bedroom to 60-65 degrees for the ideal sleeping temperatures.

Another way to cool down is to use fans in windows. This can reduce cooling costs and provides refreshing moving air while you sleep. The white noise of the fan can also help many people block out other noises and sleep better.

Check Your Humidity

High humidity can cause all types of problems in your home, but it can also impact your sleep. Heavy, muggy air can make it difficult to breathe easy when you are trying to sleep. Check the level of humidity – typically the best level for indoor air quality is around 40-50% to keep the air comfortable and reduce mold and mildew problems. If it is too high, talk to your local HVAC professionals to have a dehumidifier installed in your home.

Changing the air quality and climate in your home can be the solution to finding a good night’s rest. Try these tips to improve the comfort of the air in your home and you may begin noticing you feel more refreshed each morning.

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

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