With temperatures rising, you may be getting ready to run your AC unit to battle the hot days to come. Before you do that, you should make sure your house is prepared for that system to turn on. Clearing dust buildup is an important step to keeping your air clean and healthy.
While most dusty places are easy to spot and clean, there are some areas that don’t get dusted as often. Ceiling fan blades, window blinds, and similar areas can often go unnoticed and undusted. While these places can be tricky to clean, these great tips from 2design2! will help you get rid of the dust to keep your air clean and your units running smoothly.
Keeping your thermostat at the same temperature day and night could cost you your energy bill. However, spring weather can be unpredictable. The optimal temperatures to keep you comfortable and lower energy bills are listed below.
Set your heat to 68 degrees when you wake up and are home on cooler spring days. When you leave, lower your heat to 60 degrees. On warmer days, your thermostat should be set to 78 degrees while awake and at home. Are you heading out to enjoy the warm weather? Bump the temperature up to 86 degrees before you go. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the lower the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the higher your energy savings.
The Best Temperature for Sleeping
Cool spring nights call for lowering your heat to 65 degrees while you sleep. On warmer nights, increase your cooling temperature to 78 degrees. You’ll wake up happier knowing you’re saving on your natural gas bill.
Programming your Thermostat
A smart thermostat makes regulating your room temperatures a breeze. Whether home or away, you can adjust your temperatures with a touch of your finger by sending a wireless signal from your phone to your thermostat. In addition, programmable thermostats can automatically change your temperatures to reduce discomfort.
Keep the energy savings going year-round and adjust your thermostat with the seasons without compromising on comfort at home.
Schedule A Spring Maintenance Inspection A spring maintenance inspection is necessary to maintain indoor air quality and improve your home’s comfort. In addition, it helps to extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit and reduce energy consumption. During a spring HVAC maintenance routine, the technician inspects the unit for repairs and replaces faulty components. The inspection will help to prevent unnecessary repairs and breakdowns during the spring months.
Duct Cleaning And Maintenance Your heating and cooling system is vital, but you shouldn’t forget the conduits responsible for air distribution throughout your home. Hire an HVAC technician to clean and maintain your ducts when spring rolls around. Performing a thorough duct cleaning removes allergens, dirt, and dust. The HVAC technician should also inspect seals to keep your HVAC system airtight. Visual inspections and repairs of duct damages from chewing rodents prevent premature breakdowns.
Replace Your Air Filters When springtime comes, staying on top of changing your air filters is a great idea. Cleaning or changing your air filters is an effective way of improving your system’s efficiency. Besides maximizing system efficiency, changing air filters to prepare for spring helps maintain healthy indoor air quality. When the filters are dirty or clogged, your HVAC unit works harder to circulate air in your home than usual.
Clean The Outdoor Unit Another essential step to preparing your HVAC unit for spring is cleaning the outdoor components. Debris and dirt quickly accumulate around the outdoor unit when winter brings rain and wind. Trim shrubs, weeds, and other plants growing around the unit to keep your HVAC system free of obstructions. Improve your system’s performance during spring by cleaning the outside coils.
Check For Leaks And Cracks The HVAC system might form cracks and leaks during the winter months. Since the system has several metal components, they can easily rust and cause holes and cracks. That’s why you need an expert to inspect the system for leaks, such as refrigerant leaks, before springtime. If you notice cracks or leaks, hire a technician to repair them before you start using the HVAC system in spring.
Consider An HVAC Upgrade Spring is a great time to upgrade your HVAC system if it’s on its last leg. Consider replacing an old or malfunctioning heating and cooling system before spring to save you money on energy bills and improve comfort levels. Talk to an experienced HVAC technician to inspect your current system and recommend the right one for your home’s needs.
Install A Programmable Thermostat If you want to save energy bills, investing in a programmable thermostat is necessary. If your thermostat is old or showing signs it needs a replacement, consider choosing a programmable thermostat. It allows you to control temperatures better than other thermostats while lowering energy bills. For example, installing a programmable thermostat in the spring will enable you to set temperatures higher when sleeping or away from home.
Test The Air Conditioner Some AC units might not function optimally due to prolonged inactivity during the winter. Therefore, you should check your air conditioner to ensure it performs optimally before the weather warms up. In addition, ensure that the unit produces cold air.
How long the AC takes to cycle on, strange smells from the vents, and strange noises, can alert you to an issue of potential malfunction. If you notice any of these signs, hire an expert for repairs in preparation for spring. Also, consider replacing your AC if it’s old or beyond repair.
Clean Your Drainpipe The last thing you want to deal with this spring is a leaking HVAC system. A blockage in the system’s condensate drainpipe can cause it to overflow. Moss growth, dirt, debris, and dust can cause drainpipe blockages. As you prepare your HVAC system for spring, ensure the drainpipe is clean and clear of dust particles.
Part of good HVAC maintenance is seasonal tune-ups. A preventative maintenance strategy will include; assessing, cleaning, and adjusting your cooling system to ensure it is optimized to perform its best in the coming months. Usage changes throughout the year. When you switch to heat after a long summer of cooling, you will want to call a professional to look at your air conditioning.
After relying on air conditioning to stay cool, some damage or maintenance issues may need to be addressed. Professionals in AC repair can quickly detect any problems with your cooling unit that could impact your heater in the winter and issues that could arise when temperatures start to rise again.
Winter AC Maintenance
When you get your AC maintenance done in the winter, you will also enjoy reduced service costs. Typically, costs rise when there is a greater demand for AC repair throughout late spring through summer. In addition, as fall breaks and the weather begins to cool, most people have already switched to heating, so there is a more significant time for professionals to attend to any air conditioning needs.
You can also catch potential hazards with your cooling system that could result in an AC replacement without treatment. Pushing your system to perform when it requires repair only worsens the strain on your system; this can cause a total breakdown when you need it most. Of course, no one wants that to happen, and we always encourage our clients to address potential problems before they actually cause any discomfort or distress.
You will also find that servicing your cooling system in the winter can improve its performance in the long run. For example, seasonal maintenance includes cleaning or replacing dirty air filters, restoring or replacing parts that have worn out, and checking your thermostat to ensure it’s communicating correctly with your system. This optimization ultimately leads to better overall performance, which will reduce energy use and help you stay extra comfortable while saving money throughout winter.
Ensuring the Best Deal Possible
Are you considering making significant changes to your air conditioning system this year? Winter is the best time to schedule AC replacement. You will likely get a better deal on installation costs, and manufacturers sometimes offer discounts and reduced prices during the colder months. Also, rather than having to wait for an installation in the middle of summer, you can have your AC installation performed by Air Handlers when you don’t need a cooling system to stay comfortable on a day-to-day basis. Then, once summer is in full swing, your new system will be fully optimized and ready to cool your home.
Schedule An Appointment Today
Contact Air Handlers to schedule your next maintenance appointment, including air filter and replacement, duct cleaning, and diagnostic care. Suppose you are thinking about upgrading or replacing your old air conditioner. In that case, we can also help you decide which model would be best and suggest several suggestions that suit your budget, home size, and preferences.
As winter approaches, many people look forward to getting home, putting up their feet, and relaxing. This can quickly become an unexpected nightmare if your home furnace suddenly stops working, leaving you snowed in and unable to get help.
To prevent a situation that would leave you stressed and require expensive emergency services, we run through a list of things to look out for to determine if your home furnace has a problem. We also provide some simple fixes you can try on your own for minor challenges. However, it should be stressed that if you suspect a significant issue with your home furnace, you should get help from a qualified professional rather than go on your own.
Faulty Filters
Filters are essential but often overlooked components of the furnace system. They are built to remove unwanted particles from the generated airflow. A build-up of dust and dirt over time leads to a clogged filter. During the process of dust and dirt passing air through the vents, a clogged filter puts more pressure on the furnace. A clogged filter may even lead to a total shutdown of the furnace as the heat exchanger might stop working due to overheating caused by an over-clogged filter.
If your environment generates a lot of dust and dirt, ensure that you change your filters regularly. Most furnace manufacturers specify between a month to three for a change of your filter. A filter change is essential if you have a child-friendly environment so your air filter does not become an air pollutant.
Thermostat malfunctioning
Your thermostat is an integral part of the safety features of your home furnace. It shuts down the furnace when it exceeds the maximum temperature specified to conserve energy and prevent accidents. This operating temperature varies from furnace to furnace. Your thermostat may be malfunctioning if it continuously shuts down before it even reaches this specified temperature. This continuous shutdown can make your living area very uncomfortable. A simple fix for this is to check the thermostat’s battery and replace it to get your furnace working at its optimum. The thermostat setting should also be reviewed to prevent inadequate heat production by the furnace or total shutdown.
Lack of maintenance
If you fail to maintain your furnace correctly, you should not be surprised when it breaks down. However, to cut down costs from a total breakdown, you should plan for annual tune-ups and maintenance by qualified professionals.
Size issues
When your furnace needs to heat more, it may be a pointer to the fact that it is the wrong size for the space provided. To solve this problem, get a professional to estimate your needs and help you determine which furnace system would be the perfect fit for the space provided. Ensure that you are guided by professional advice from picking a furnace up to its installation.
Gas
If your furnace is not starting up, a simple solution is to check the gas valve and carefully turn it to see if it was turned off. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the affected area immediately and contact the fire service.
Vents and Pipes
Vents in gas and high-efficiency condensing furnaces are vital to maintenance because they take emissions outside the building. Most times, these emissions are explosive and mustn’t be covered to prevent fire outbreaks.
There is also the danger that the pipes leading to the vents will become clogged with ice leading to severe problems. Exhaust vent pipes need to be shortened to prevent clogging from ice. When the lines are too long, a build-up of moisture might occur because the force pushing out the exhaust is not enough to go the length of the pipes. This makes it more likely for ice clogging when the exhaust finally reaches the outside.
To prevent these problems, ensure that the outside units are clear and clean before it becomes too cold. In screening pipes and vents, you should use materials that will not inhibit exhaust flow.
Electric ignition
Furnaces have an igniter that automatically lights up the gas when switched on. If the furnace fails to light up, the usual suspect is the ignition wire which should be inspected. If the situation persists, you should turn off the igniter and reset it. If it is an electronic igniter, it is not wise to attempt to light it manually as it is a highly complex system that should be kept from tampering.
Noise
Continuous rattling, screeching, and other unwanted sounds often indicate a more serious mechanical or electrical problem. However, these noises also arise due to wear and tear, and a trip to a qualified professional would get all issues cleared up.
It is essential to be proactive as a home furnace owner and to deal with issues as soon as they arise to ensure that your furnace is always in good condition.
Qualify for a cash rebate or special financing from Lennox for installing a qualifying high-efficiency heating system. Valid through 12/2/22, must be installed by 12/9/22. Contact us for details, limitations and eligibility 360.387.4428!
It’s no secret that we live in a rainy environment. As we post this, the drizzle is falling in Olympia. So, how does this weather affect your heating and cooling system? Here’s the short answer: rain isn’t harmful to your unit. Here’s a more in-depth explanation:
Outdoor units are made to withstand most weather patterns.
Seasonal rain patterns will not harm your AC unit, and some rain can help remove vegetation or debris that could remain lodged in the unit.
Your unit’s hardware is designed for durability. But the system is not at peak performance when it’s buried with buildup. This means that if your area has been short on rain during the spring and fall months, you may want to spray the unit down with a hose. Any electrical wiring, such as those used in the condenser coil, will be insulated from damp or rainy conditions.
What about more severe weather?
Severe weather conditions, such as flash floods, are a different story. Any water that submerges the outdoor condensing unit could result in a short circuit, ultimately damaging the unit. This can also be a concern when lightning is present, posing a risk of striking the unit directly.
Storm Damage:
Even though heavy rains cannot damage your AC unit, the winds accompanied by the same rain can leave dirt, leaves, twigs, and other debris to damage the condenser fan grille. Even objects falling on your unit, such as tree branches, from the storm can cause damage. It is important to note that if there is damage on the exterior, the interior might be at risk too. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect the unit’s exterior and interior once the storm subsides.
Flooding:
Central AC units are built to withstand different weather conditions. Although, if your area is experiencing heavy rains with floodwaters exceeding 15 inches, it is advisable to get your unit inspected by a professional contractor.
Corrosion:
Many homeowners prefer to cover their AC units for the winter if their internal parts are exposed. Avoid covering your unit with plastic wraps or garbage bags, as the moisture from the condensation can become trapped, causing rusting and corroding metal parts. Instead, it is advised to use a covering that allows ventilation. Lack of ventilation or proper openings in the cover can increase the growth of mold and mildew, causing further damage to the unit.
It’s good to know that you won’t have to worry about your AC unit withstanding normal weather conditions. But, these simple precautions can go a long way when facing a more severe forecast. Of course, if you need to get your unit serviced, contact Air Handlers today!
One of the home duties that should be prioritized is the health of the family members, especially where allergies or Asthma are noticeable. Unfortunately, it is not well known that the air inside our homes can be just as polluted as that outside. Installing screens for windows and doors is one way people secure the health of their family members when it comes to allergies and other respiratory challenges. However, another reliable way to improve air quality inside your home is by using air filters in your air conditioning system or heater.
Electrostatic filters serve as the perfect air filter, especially for pet owners, as it goes a long way to curtailing any dandruff or fur, which can result in reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers.No doubt, the relationship between electrostatic filters and indoor air quality cannot be overemphasized, as the uses of electrostatic filters increase the extent to which healthy and hygienic indoor air is achieved.
It is found appealing as it is a safer way to acquire allergy relief. In addition, you can significantly reduce Asthma, allergy, and respiratory symptoms when agents like dust, pollen, mold spores, and animal dander are prohibited with electrostatic filters.
You can increase and keep ventilation when you make use of an exhaust fan, especially in the bathroom and kitchen and when you are making use of the dishwasher. This action serves as a defense against moisture and indoor pollutants that may pose a threat to your home.
Getting rid of dust and pollen with a filter removes the particles causing allergy issues with your house, rather than simply adjusting your body to allergies through pills. Using the electrostatic filter is a much more natural way to help your allergy problems inexpensively.
Electrostatic air filters attract and capture tiny air particles through the use of static charges. These filters are found efficient, time- and money-saving, and help protect and maintain not only your respiratory condition but overall well-being as well.
Using Electro filters can help reduce, if not prevent, further triggers of asthma attacks, allergies, and other respiratory health conditions in your home.
The functionality and the extent to which electrostatic filters work solely depend on maintenance and monitoring. The outcome of a regularly monitored electrostatic filter is always quality indoor air with fresh and clean air, thus ensuring healthy living for the entire family.
Choosing a professional HVAC company can prevent health risks like allergies and other respiratory issues for household members. Lastly, let the professional company check your air conditioning filter once a month to ascertain the level of reliance and effectiveness.
As summer temperatures rise and become extreme, it is not uncommon for your air conditioning system to experience problems. Usually, air conditioning systems function in outdoor temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or less. However, when temperatures exceed this, your air conditioning system will consume more energy, leading to the unit malfunctioning.
When the temperature outside exceeds 95 degrees, your air conditioning system will run at its maximum output. While this is happening, your house temperature will be around 80 degrees. Lowering the thermostat will not improve the performance of the air conditioner. This will cause the machine to work harder without being able to change the actual temperature.
As temperatures rise to extreme numbers, many people will lower their thermostats to make their air conditioners cool down their houses even further. As a result, increased energy usage and constant use can overload power grids, causing widespread power outages and higher utility bills. Other issues that appear through over usage include air filters becoming clogged faster than average and the exterior unit accumulating debris much more quickly.
During extreme temperatures, replacing the filters on your air conditioners once a month is vital. Cleaning the exterior should be done while the unit is turned off; you should use a long-handled brush to clean the fans. Lowering Freon temperatures in the unit can be done by aiming a lawn sprinkler toward it. However, if your air conditioner system is twelve years or older, it might be time to think about replacing it. Older systems often are not as efficient in cooling down your house and will consume more energy.
