Three Approaches To Reducing Your Air Conditioning Usage This Summer

A lot of people think that they spend the most money on energy costs during the winter. However, cost can be high in the summer time, too. Most of this expense comes from the use of the air conditioner. In particularly hot climates during the summer, air conditioning is essential in making the living environment more tolerable. With that said, there are ways to keep your home or office environment cool during the summer. Here are three popular solutions that will keep you cool and comfortable without burning a hole in your pocket.

When You Leave The House For Just An Hour, Do Not Turn Off The AC

This may be counter-intuitive to what you have been doing. On the surface, it seems more logical to turn off the AC when you will not be home. Why should you spend money in keeping the house cool when there is no one there? Actually, when you turn off your AC unit for a little while, then turn it back on again, you are using more energy than if you had just left it on. More energy used means higher cost. So, if you plan to be out for just around an hour, leave on your AC. You will be saving more money this way, and you will come back to a cool and refreshing house.

Keep Your Windows And Doors Closed

Do not forget the behavior of hot air. It likes to spread around to other locations. If it can find a way into your house, it will get in. Therefore, when you have the air conditioner on, make sure that your doors and windows are closed tightly. That will keep out the hot air and not subject your AC to work harder than it needs to. The harder it works, the more money you waste. When you keep your internal environment tightly sealed, your AC will have an easier time maintaining the optimal temperature inside. If you have a habit of leaving your windows and doors open, work on changing that.

Before You Use Your AC, Call A Service Person To Check It

Your AC unit requires annual AC maintenance to keep it working properly. The best time to have it serviced is spring, before the summer season brings in the heat. If your AC system is older, all the more important to have it serviced. Investing in good maintenance now will return you many folds in benefits when you use your AC. Your AC will run more efficiently and will save you money.

A lot of AC services have special promotions year-round. Therefore, be on the lookout for them. They tend to be more abundant during the spring and sometimes during autumn months.

It can be a challenge to save money while using your air conditioner. However, that does not mean that you have to sacrifice its use. There are ways in which you can use your AC and still save money. Seal off gaps around windows and doors to keep hot air out. Have your AC service annually. Leave it on when you are just going out for a little bit. When you make these small changes, they will add up to savings, and you will still be able to enjoy a cool environment away from the heat.

Why Professional Furnace Service, Maintenance And Repair Is So Important

A majority of homeowners don't really think about the heating systems in their homes.  They tend to take them for granted until they stop working properly during the middle of winter. Homeowners all know how critical it is getting reliable and fast furnace repair so that their home will be comfortably warm once again.

The thing that some homeowners are not aware of is that having their furnaces serviced and maintained on a regular basis can help to lower their furnace repair bills and need to have repairs done less frequently.  Many excellent Heating and AC companies offer inexpensive or free heating system checkups.  Some of them also offer furnace servicing at a discount along with their checkups.  You really should have a professional handle the yearly maintenance work on your furnace.

Why Furnace Maintenance Is So Important

Homeowners who have checkups done on a regular basis get the opportunity to have small issues handled by a professional technician before they turn into serious problems.  These issues don't fix themselves.  It's usually much more convenient and cheaper to take care of the issue before it turns into an emergency during the middle of an extremely cold night.

The following are other good reasons for having heating system services done on a regular basis:

* There can be safety risks with furnaces that are in poor repair

* Having your furnace working properly means you will enjoy the convenience of it working properly when you really need it to

* Better energy efficiency and lower power usage

The most important thing, and something homeowners have a tendency not to think about, are all the safety issues that can arise when a furnace is malfunctioning.  Many furnaces are located off in the basement or attic, so people really don't think about the energy and heat involved that the machine responsible for heating a couple thousand square feet generates.  It's quite considerable.  Dirty and malfunctioning furnaces have caused many severe fires.

Repair men, in fact, are often legally obligated to shut the gas off to any broken or defective furnace.  It could possibly save you and your family's lives.  If you find yourself in this type of situation, you will need to get your furnace fixed.  Otherwise your house will get extremely cold once winter hits.

Lastly, a well-maintained furnace will operate much more efficiently.  You will be able to maintain your home at a more comfortable level and potentially save a lot of money on your electric or gas bill.  In addition to saving money, another benefit is being able to feel good that you are reducing air pollution and carbon emissions.  You are actually doing a socially conscious thing when you keep your furnace well-maintained and in good repair.

Finding A Reputable Professional Furnace Repair Service

Checking out repair services when there isn't an emergency or when your house isn't ice cold is of course much better.  You may want to consider having your furnace maintenance work done in the late summer.  Heating system repair technicians are not as likely to be busy during that time of year, so it should be easy to schedule an appointment at a convenient time for you.

Professional Cooling System Installation

If you are hoping to be completely ready for the warmest months of the year, you need to ensure that the air conditioning system in your residence or business location is in top condition. Your geographic location will likely determine how critical an AC sytem will be to your comfort during the long summer days and nights, but most everyone will want to make certain that their system is working well. Proper installation of an air conditioning system is crucial, because numerous things can go awry which could result in inefficient operation of the unit.

Generally speaking, residential air conditioning customers will be unable to perform an AC installation on their own, even if they are accustomed to doing many home improvement tasks solo. Air conditioners these days are extremely complicated pieces of equipment, and that is a good thing. Technological advances have been able to boost efficiency and comfort, but with that comes a more complex installation procedure.

Professional air conditioning technicians possess the know-how to get your unit installed properly and to help you choose just the right location and power supply for it. Far too frequently, homeowners misjudge how much cooling power they really need for their spaces. An AC pro can explain the numerous factors that must be considered when choosing a cooling system, including the area's square footage, the insulation present and how often the unit is likely to be used.

In commercial settings, professional guidance is key in terms of selecting a replacement system or a brand new unit. This is because such situations involve several more variables, particularly with regard to the hardware required and optimal location of units. Vital elements to be considered include:

- building layout

- building structure, materials and available insulation

- machinery types

- number of individuals typically present in the space

- need for 24 hour cooling (or lack thereof)

A professional air conditioning installation technician will make certain that each of these factors is taken into account so that the very best possible decisions are made. Errors in either direction can cause serious inefficiencies which ultimately become frustrating as well as expensive. Cooling systems which are not operating at proper levels can experience undue wear and tear, eventually necessitating costly maintenance that would not otherwise be required. In addition, such situations can produce discomfort and irritation for those who work or shop in your premises.

There is no denying the fact that installation of air conditioning systems calls for a great deal of advance planning so that the right choice of units can be made. The insights of an AC professional can prove invaluable for anyone wishing to guarantee that they get an appropriate system and skilled installation. Some may think that AC installation is a task which lcan be tackled by a typical do-it-yourself aficionado, but that really is not the case. Failing to secure skilled, knowledgeable assistance in such an undertaking can result in unnecessarily high maintenance and operational costs produced by a system that is simply not up to the level of worked being asked of it. Therefore, it is best to take the time to find a talented team of AC professionals to help.

How To Service Your Home’s Central Air Conditioning System

With the summer just around the corner, this may be the best time to check your central air conditioning system to ensure it is functioning properly. It’s always advisable to have the system checked first especially if it has been off for months. Some problems are minor and can be handled as a DIY while others, however, need a qualified technician to repair. Discussed below are a few tips on how to maintain and service HVAC systems in your house. 

The first step in troubleshooting all electrical appliances is making sure it isn’t plugged in and turned off.  For the air conditioner, you will need to ensure both the condenser and evaporator are off. 

The Evaporator 

The evaporator should be the first place you look when maintaining any air conditioning system. You need to make sure the evaporator is clean and free from any impurities. The evaporator can be found in the ducts above the furnace.  Although not readily accessible, the evaporator should be cleaned at least once in a year. Most evaporators have a thick insulation lining, which has to be moved aside to access it.  Some air conditioner manufacturers however protect the evaporator with a metal sealing. If you find a sealed metal box, it would then be advisable to have a trained professional do the cleaning.  

If only an insulation is wrapped on the evaporator, remove the insulation carefully while preserving the tape, and then unscrew the access plate. 

You will need a stiff brush to clean the evaporator’s underside. To make your work easier, use a hand mirror while cleaning the bottom. The mirror will help you see the evaporator’s blind spots.  If possible, slide the evaporator a bit to access the entire bottom. You however need to be careful not to bend pipes attached to it. 

You should also check and clean the condensation tray to prevent fungus growth. You will need one tablespoon of bleach to clean the weep hole. If the weep hole is clogged, use a piece of copper or straightened coat hanger to unclog it. It would be advisable to check the condensation tray every once in a while especially if it's extremely humid. 

With the condensation tray clean and dry, slide the evaporator unit back to its position and re-wrap the insulation using the duct tape sealant.  Turn the air conditioner on to see if there’s air leakage. Mark the leaking points then use the duct tape to seal them off. 

The Condenser

Almost all central air conditioning systems have the condenser placed outside the house. It is for this reason why the condenser is prone to dust, leaf debris, and even snow.  This is the reason why this part should be cleaned very often to prevent the whole system from malfunctioning.  Be sure to clean the duct coil from the intake side.  The system needs to be switched off when cleaning the condenser. 

Clear off any weeds, vines or grass that may be growing around the condensation unit. You will also need a commercial coil cleaner to clean any debris deep within the coil.  If the fan has collected dust, using a soft brush to dust the dirt off these pins. You will however have to remove the protective grille to access the fan’s fins.  Never use running water to clean these fins, as this will only attract more dust, which may turn into mud on the fins. 

You should be very careful when cleaning these fins as they are delicate, and any force could damage them. Most manufacturers use light aluminum to make fan pins, which makes them very sensitive. If there are bent fins, straighten them using a fin comb. 

The best way to prevent damage on the condenser during fall and winter is by placing a cover over it. This prevents leaf blockage and ice damage to the same.  You can also use a commercial condenser cover for maximum protection especially in extreme weather conditions. 

Ensuring the central air conditioner is serviced at least once in a year can help prolong its operating life and reduce repair costs significantly. Should any repairs be needed, have a professional take care of them, as this will also help care for the system even more.

Find A Professional Heating And Cooling Repair Service

Does your HVAC system need repair? Are you tired of hiring fake repair companies which make everything worse? In that case, you definitely need a professional HVAC repair company that can restore your system to its former glory. However, with this niche becoming so saturated, it’s become difficult to find a professional and diligent company that works tirelessly to produce the best results.

The repair service you hire should be able to go out of their way to achieve your objective without causing further damage to your system. Also, the contractors should remain professional and ethical without compromising on the safety of your property. Hopefully, with the few tips outlined in this article, you will be able to find a quality heating and cooling repair company that goes above the call of duty to honor the project’s demands.

Professionalism 

Definitely, this is the first thing to look for in a repair company for your HVAC system. The results produced should surpass any levels of professionalism set by the industry. As a client, you certainly want the best results within the shortest time possible. 

Also, the contractors working on your project should be able to communicate freely to help you understand how to maintain your system properly to prevent any further damage. Overall, the attention to detail should be impressive to produce satisfactory results.  You can assess the level of professionalism by reading through the testimonials and reviews from former clients. If everything checks out, it’s time to make the hiring decision.

Licensing And Insurance

HVAC repair projects should always be handled by licensed, certified and insured contractors. Remember, these systems cost lots of money and definitely no beginner should be handling the repair job. Before hiring any repair company, you should ask for proof of certification and licensing to make sure the contractors are properly accredited. Also, if the company plans on subcontracting the job, the same rule applies to the subcontractors. 

Make sure all the documents are in check before you sign the contract. Another thing to check for should be the insurance cover for the project. Definitely, the contractors should be properly insured to guarantee that any accidents don’t bring liability to your doorstep. Regarding insurance matters, you should check with the insurance company to make sure all the policies are current to prevent any further inconsistencies in the future.

Exceptional Customer Service

HVAC repair companies should operate 24/7 to make sure that all clients are catered for regardless of the time of day or night. On that note, the customer care department should be exceptional to guarantee that all clients concerns, questions or issues are handled immediately they happen. Even better, the company should be reachable through email, phone number or any other means necessary any time of the day or night. The customer care personnel should also be warm and courteous without dismissing any client.

Besides these outlined factors, there are many more things to consider when looking to hire a heating and cooling repair company. For instance, you need to assess the price of the repair service. Consider all these issues and find the best repair company to handle your project.