The Right Size Heating And Cooling System

June 21st, 2012 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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Replacing an older, inefficient heating and cooling system is a great way to save money on your energy bills.  Heating and cooling accounts for more than half the energy usage in the home and new heating and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than those installed just ten years ago.

When choosing a replacement system, it is very important to choose a system that is properly sized for your home in order to maximize efficiency and comfort while minimizing the initial cost and operating costs over the life of the system.  An air conditioning or heating system that does not have enough capacity will not be able to keep your home comfortable, but the most common mistake is to install a system that is too large.

Don’t let your HVAC contractor simply install a system that is the same size as the existing system.  Before homes were tightly built to minimize air leaks, it was very common to install a system that was too large and if you have improved your home by installing weather stripping, additional insulation, or energy efficient windows then replacing the system with a similarly sized system will result in a system that is much too large.

Make sure your HVAC contractor does a proper calculation that takes into account the size of your home, your location, how well insulated the home is, the number of occupants living in the home, number and type of lights in the home, and other factors that affect the size of the system.  A system that is too large will have a higher initial cost, higher operating cost, more breakdowns, will not keep your home and family as comfortable as a properly sized unit.

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Why Can’t My Air Conditioner Keep Up?

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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Summer is almost here and soon temperatures will be really heating up.  If this summer is anything like last summer, many parts of the country will be seeing record highs.  These high temperatures will be keeping your air conditioner working hard to keep you and your family cool and comfortable this summer.

It’s not unusual for an air conditioner to be working extra hard in hot weather like this, but if your air conditioner is working overtime and your home is still not comfortable, it may be time to call your heating and air conditioning company to have the system checked out.

Before you make the call, it pays to check your air filter first. A dirty furnace filter can significantly reduce your central air conditioner’s efficiency and you can save the cost of a service call if a dirty air filter is the cause of the problem.  If you find a dirty air filter clogged with dust, pet hair, and other debris, install a new air filter and see if it helps.  If your system is still struggling, then it’s time for the experts in air conditioning repair.

Your HVAC technician will service the system including adjusting the refrigerant levels and making sure the system is working properly.  If the system is working as designed, you may need to have your duct system sealed and inspected.  It is estimated that leaky air ducts can reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency by up to 20%.  Sealing leaky air ducts can make a big difference, especially if your duct system is routed through non-conditioned space like an attic, basement, or crawlspace.

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Changing Furnace Filters

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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Your furnace filter (or air filter if you have a heat pump) does double duty:  it helps improve indoor air quality by reducing the dust, dander and debris in the air, but more importantly it keeps the heat exchanger and coil clean.  A dirty heat exchanger or coil will reduce the efficiency and decrease the life of your heating and air conditioning system.

A dirty air filter will also reduce the efficiency of your system and lead to premature breakdowns.  A clogged furnace filter restricts air flow which makes the system work harder and less efficiently. Changing your furnace filter regularly will help keep your central air conditioner, forced air furnace or heat pump in top operating condition.

How often do you need to to change your furnace filter?  The short answer is to change the filter whenever it gets dirty which can vary greatly depending on how often your system has been running, whether you have pets, and other things. As a general rule, a standard fiberglass furnace filter should be changed every one to two months during the heating and cooling seasons.  A pleated or high efficiency filter will capture more dust and dirt particles and should be changed a little more frequently.

Your HVAC technician will replace the furnace filter during your scheduled spring and fall service visits, but you will need to change the filter between service visits.  Changing the furnace filter is a job that almost every homeowner can handle.  If you have never changed the filter, ask your HVAC technician to show you how to do it during your next service visit.

Furnace filters come in many different sizes so write down the size for your system and buy half a dozen air filters next time you are at your local home improvement center.  That way you will be sure to have one on hand when you need it.

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