Limit Your Exposure to Asthma Triggers
If you have asthma, you know how hard it can be to avoid triggers like pollen, pet dander, and dust. Even coming indoors is sometimes not enough to alleviate your symptoms, as indoor air is often just as polluted as the air outside. However, it is possible to limit your exposure to asthma triggers inside the home just by using your air conditioner.
The filter on your home’s air conditioning system is capable of removing significant amounts of mold, dander, pollen, and other contaminants from the air. Air conditioners can also help reduce the humidity inside your house in warm weather; too much moisture in the air makes it easy for mold and mildew to flourish in your home. If you or someone in your family has asthma or another respiratory condition triggered by mold spores, this can be a big problem.
Reduce the Risk of Contaminants Into the House
Air is pulled into the air conditioning system and is then
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What Is Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio?
A central air conditioning units’ energy efficiency is regulated by the US Department of Energy and every unit is assigned a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating that measures how efficient a system is; the higher the SEER rating, the more substantial the energy savings.
SEER is calculated as the total cooling output, measured in British thermal units or Btu, delivered by the unit during its regular yearly usage period, divided by its total energy input, measured in watt-hours, over the same time period.
As these ratings can be a little hard to understand, we have put together the following guide to help you through the basics, so you can make a more informed decision when it comes time to purchase your new air conditioner.
Myth #1:
SEER-Rated Devices Are Too Expensive
While it is true that more efficient appliances cost more, they typically pay for themselves with
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6 Typical Air Conditioner Problems With Possible Solutions
Central Air Conditioning is one of those things that you miss the most only have you don’t have it. This is especially true on the first few hot and humid spring and summer days when you first try to turn on your system and nothing happens! A typical central air conditioner will only last between 12 to 15 years, so if your AC unit is about this old you may want to start budgeting for a new one. However, before you call a professional HVAC technician here are six typical Air Conditioner problems with possible solutions:
Problem #1: Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On.
Possible Solutions:
- Make sure the thermostat is set to “Cool” not “Heat” or “Off”.
- Be sure the thermostat is set below the current room temperature.
- Check the circuit breaker that controls the air conditioning unit and the one that controls the furnace. Reset any popped fuses or replace
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It’s Time for Your Yearly Air Conditioning Check Up
One of the best things you can do for your home’s air conditioning system is to maintain it properly. The average residential central AC runs as much as 3,300 hours every year. That is the equivalent of driving 214,000 miles in your car. While you’d never dream of driving a vehicle that long without regular maintenance, when it comes to air conditioners the same set of standards don’t seem to apply. In fact, many homeowners go years and years without ever tuning up their AC units. If this sounds like you, you could be wasting thousands of dollars a year by running a system that’s not running as efficiently as possible.
Maintain A Comfortable Temperature
With regular professional maintenance, your air conditioner will operate at or near its original factory performance for longer. This improved efficiency means that the unit doesn’t have to run as long or work as hard to maintain a comfortable
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Spring Into The Season
Warmer weather is upon us, and spring is a great time to freshen up your home with those projects you have been putting off all winter. Sure, you will clean out your closets, organize your junk drawer, cycle out heavy winter sweaters and snow boots for swimsuits and sandals, and revive your home’s landscaping. But these simple, affordable tips can give your home a brighter, lighter feel as we head into spring and summer.
Accessorize
No, we are not talking about updating your wardrobe. Knick-knacks, photo frames, throw pillows, window treatments and other décor items give your home personality; swapping them out to welcome in a new season is a great way to breathe new life into a tired winter house. Even if you don’t go all out and purchase new accessories, consider moving things you already have into new areas of your home or bringing out pieces you’ve been keeping in storage. Another great way to re-accessorize is to get
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Don’t Wait Until It Breaks!
Even if you never get your hands dirty changing an air conditioning filter, inspecting a furnace or boiler, fixing a leaky faucet, draining your water heater or unclogging a sink drain, there are a few simple air conditioning, heating and plumbing tips every homeowner should know. Do it yourself or hire a professional – these tips can help you get started.
Air Conditioners
Schedule a professional inspection twice a year. In between professional tune-ups, you can clean the outside unit yourself with a garden hose, keep it clear of debris and shrubbery, straighten bent fins and change the filter every two to three months.
Furnaces and Boilers
According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, homeowners should schedule an annual professional inspection of chimneys, flues and furnace vents for leaks, built-up debris, and to ensure connections are secure. Inspectors should also check the furnace or boiler
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Avoid Air Conditioner Meltdown
There is nothing better than entering a nice cool house on a hot summer day. And few things are worse than sweltering in the heat as you wait for the HVAC technician to come fix your broken air conditioner, knowing it is going to cost hundreds of dollars to repair.
The most common reason for a sudden air conditioner meltdown is frozen pipes and tubes.
Why do Air Conditioners Freeze
There are lots of things that can cause your AC unit to freeze. A qualified AC professional can help you find the source of the problem, but it does not hurt to understand how freezing occurs so you can take steps to prevent it.
- Refrigerant Charge: If your AC is running low on refrigerant or the fluid is improperly charged, the system can freeze. Leaks are a common cause of refrigerant problems; these can occur when moving parts rub together or vibrate over time. Leaks are also likely to be found where fittings
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Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home’s Cooling System
During the warm summer months it pays to do as much as you can to improve the energy efficiency of your home’s cooling system. Whether you have invested in money-saving technology such as an HVAC unit or just want to take simple steps to ease the burden on your air-conditioner, you will definitely see the difference on your next utility bill.
When it comes to turning up the heat in your home, some of the biggest culprits are the appliances you use every day in your kitchen. From the oven to the stovetop to the dishwasher, kitchen appliances use heat to do their jobs and this is usually transferred into the room. Your air-conditioner is forced to work overtime to compensate for the higher temperature.
Here are five easy ways to get a cooler kitchen:
1. Get Smart About Cooking
You have to cook, but there is no kitchen law that says you always have to use the oven or stovetop to
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Conduct Routine Maintenance on Your HVAC System
As with most other pieces of household equipment, it pays to carry out regular maintenance checks on all of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment in your home. The benefits of properly maintaining these units include lower utility costs, greater comfort for the occupants of the building, and lower service and maintenance costs; in most cases, the HVAC equipment’s effective service life will also be prolonged. Proper HVAC equipment maintenance is also essential to ensuring that the occupants of a building are protected from exposure to issues of poor IAQ (indoor air quality), as well as to ensuring their safety and comfort.
Prepare A Checklist
There are a number of points to bear in mind when it comes to maintaining an HVAC system, and it is useful to prepare a checklist prior to beginning any checks; special attention should be paid to any equipment that is vulnerable to excess corrosion
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What to Look for When Shopping for a New HVAC System
Central heating and air conditioning is becoming an increasingly popular addition to many homes, no matter where you live. However, choosing the right unit for your home should be a carefully thought-out process. While cost is perhaps the top priority for many buyers, there are actually five important features to look for when you are shopping for a new heating and air conditioning system.
Cost
Cost is a big deciding factor for most consumers. Buying a new HVAC system for your home is a huge investment, but the price tag should not be the overriding factor. Cheap isn’t always best, as a higher cost usually means more advanced features or energy saving technology. Use the cost of the unit as a guide, rather than the main consideration for choosing a system.
Size
When you are shopping for an HVAC unit, it is important to know the exact square footage of your home. Buying a system that is
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