HVAC Maintenance Service Tips

Don’t Ignore Air Conditioning Problems.

When you have a big air conditioning problem – like an air conditioner that quits during the hottest day of summer – it goes without saying that you’ll call for service. Smaller air conditioning problems are easier to ignore, but this is the last thing you should do. By calling for service as soon as you notice the symptoms of an ailing cooling system, you can prevent the expense and inconvenience of a big repair job. You’ll also avoid the higher utility bills that typically accompany a poorly functioning air conditioning system. You should have your air conditioner checked when you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Decreased air flow from the registers;
  • Strange noises coming from the air conditioner;
  • Moldy odors coming from the ductwork when the air conditioner is running;
  • The air conditioner cycles on and off more frequently than it used to;
  • The breaker for the air conditioner in the electrical panel keeps tripping (or the fuse keeps blowing);
  • Ice appears on your air conditioner or piping, either inside or outside the house;
  • Your outdoor fan in the air conditioner won’t come on.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, call us today to have your air conditioning checked and serviced to avoid larger problems down the road.

Tips provided by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Indoor Air Quality Facts

Here are a few facts that you may not have known:

  1. Asthma causes 14 million missed school days per year.
  2. Children are more vulnerable than adults to many airborne contaminants.
  3. Asthma cases have almost doubled in the last decade.
  4. 94% of all respiratory ailments are caused by polluted air.
  5. The EPA ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five
    environmental dangers.
  6. Indoor air is 2 to 100 times more polluted than the WORST outdoor air.
  7. Americans spend more than 90% of their time indoors.
  8. 87% of American homeowners are not aware that pollution is worse indoors.
  9. Tight homes are the primary reason for the rise on indoor air problems.
  10. Cats, dogs and birds produce huge amounts of allergens.
  11. Americans are becoming very cautious about the food we
    eat to stay healthy.
  12. We don’t consider that the air we are breathing could be harming us.
  13. We inhale approximately 15,000 quarts of air each day.
  14. The air we breathe each day weighs more that the food we eat each day.
  15. We can only see about 1% of the airborne pollutants with thenaked eye.
  16. Clean air can extend the life and increase the efficiency of
    a comfort system.
  17. Keeping relative humidity between 40% and 60% minimizes
    adverse health effects.
  18. Dust mites range in size from 30-60 microns.
  19. 100 microns can fit on the end of a human hair.
  20. Nine out of ten homes have a particulate problem.

Heating Tips

The average family spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with at least half of that spent on heating and cooling (http://www.energystar.gov). Energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment sized and installed correctly, with properly sealed ducts, can save homeowners as much as 45% inheating and cooling costs annually.

  • Keep it Clean – A dirty air filter can increase your energy costs and lead to early equipment failure. Clean or change the air filter in your heating and cooling system monthly. Some filters only need to be changed every 3 months. Also, have your equipment checked seasonally to make sure it’s operating efficiently and safely – check-ups can identify problems early. Dirt and neglect are the #1 causes of system failure.
  • Tighten Your Ducts – If you have a forced air furnace or heat pump, then a duct system is responsible for circulating warm air throughout your home. Leaky ducts can reduce your system’s overall efficiency by 20 percent. Sealing your ducts can save over $100 annually on energy bills and help you consistently heat every room.
  • Don’t Oversize – If you’re replacing old equipment, make sure your new equipment is properly sized for your home — bigger isn’t always better. An oversized system will cost more to buy and operate and will cycle on and off too frequently, reducing your comfort and leading to early system failures and repair costs. Correct size and proper airflow will ensure that your equipment works efficiently, saves you money, and helps protect our environment.
  • Increase Your Efficiency – If your heating equipment has been poorly maintained and is 15 years or older, it’s probably time for a more efficient replacement. Ask us about ENERGY STAR when buying the following equipment:
    • Furnaces – One in four furnaces in U.S. homes is more than 20 years old. Old furnaces cost more to operate per year than new, ENERGY STAR qualified models that are 15 percent more efficient than standard models.
    • Heat Pumps – Today’s electric heat pumps are much more efficient than those installed just 10 years ago. When installed in a home with a well-sealed home envelope, heat pumps will provide great value and comfort for your energy dollar. A qualified ENERGY STAR electric heat pump is 20% more efficient and can save you more than $100 annually.
    • Programmable Thermostats – Regulate your home’s temperature with four programmable settings and you can save as much as $100 annually on your energy bills.