Nearly everyone knows that maintaining equipment is important for long life. We change the oil in our cars faithfully and even wash them every now and then. Also, we keep the dryer vent lint free, but for some reason we often neglect the HVAC system in our homes. The HVAC units in most households can cost several thousand dollars. So, it would stand to reason we would like these pieces of equipment to last as long as possible. By simply having your system checked once a year and keeping the filters clean you can greatly improve the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Having your HVAC system checked out once a year by a licensed technician is something which is often overlooked by many people. It is a good idea to have both the heating and cooling systems checked out at least one month before they will be put into service. This will allow for the technician to find any small problems and repair them before they can cause any major harm to the system. Also, a licensed technician will be able to clean important items such as the coils on the cooling system to help the unit run more efficiently. These coils need to be cleaned each year to remove any buildup.
Keeping the filters changed in your HVAC system can greatly improve the life of your units. Dirty filters will cause strain on the system by not allowing proper airflow. Dirty filters can also cause breathing problems in the home due to recirculating bad air. Try to change your filters at least once a month during the winter and summer. In mild temperatures, such as Spring and Fall, when the unit is not in use very often you may not need to change them as frequently. The filters should be inspected once a month, however, to make certain they are not in need of changing.
Electric resistance heating systems work by converting electrical energy into heat. Due to the high cost of electric generation and transmission, the use of electric heat is quite expensive as compared to other heating options. But the great thing about them is that they offer precision on temperature control and heat distribution. Additionally, they are capable of attaining temperatures that are not possible with heaters using chemical combustion. You are also guaranteed that the electric heating process will not produce any type of heat by-products.
Technically, electric heat can be supplied in two ways — through a centralized heating source or with the use of room heaters. Electric heaters come in different varieties. Some of the types that you should look into include the following:
- Electric Baseboard Heaters: These are types of zonal heaters that are controlled by programmable thermostats. Baseboard heaters feature electric heating elements that are safely encased in metal pipes. The encased pipes are surrounded by aluminum fins to enhance heat transfer. As the air within the heater starts to warm, cool air is drawn into the bottom, while the warm air rises above the room. They are commonly installed underneath the windows because the rising warm air can easily thwart the falling cool air from the cold glass window.
- Electric Furnaces: As compared to other types of electric resistance heating system, electric furnaces are much expensive to operate, mainly because of the duct heat losses as well as the considerable amount of energy required to efficiently distribute heat throughout the house. To keep them in tiptop form, it is recommended to replace the filters as necessary. This is vital to ascertain that the system will continue to operate at top efficiency.
- Electric Wall Heaters: They feature an electric heating element that has a reflector behind it, which aid to reflect heat inside the room, and a fan that moves air into the heater. As the name suggests, these heaters are purposely designed to be installed in the walls.
Be sure to carefully assess each of the aforementioned type of electric heaters, just like what you would do when selecting a reliable Atlanta heating repair technician, to figure out which one will be able to effectively satisfy your home’s heating demand.
Portable heaters, also known as space heaters, are commonly used as a cost-efficient alternative to expensive central heating systems. In addition to that, they can also be used as supplement to units that provide inadequate heat and warmth. Ideally, they are best suited when boosting the temperature of rooms that are used by individuals who are quite sensitive to cold.
The capacity of these heaters can range from 10,000 to 40,000 btu (british thermal unit) per hour. They can be fueled by numerous sources including electricity, propane, kerosene or natural gas. The choice on what type of space heater to purchase will mostly depend on your personal preference and specific heating requirements. Although most space heaters use convection to heat a room, there are some that rely on radiant heating. A radiant heater is the best option if you only plan to stay in the room for a short period of time. Additionally, you have to remain within the line of sight of the heater to get the warmth that you need.
When purchasing one, safety should always be your top priority. Statistics showed that more than 25,000 residential fires each year are directly associated with the use of space heaters. And about 6,000 people received burn injuries related to accidental contact with the hot surface of room heaters. These facts only show that proper knowledge on the right use of space heaters is very important to prevent the likeliness of unprecedented accidents. To ensure this, you have to take note of the following safety guidelines:
- Buy a space heater that offer additional safety features.
- Opt for thermostatically controlled heaters to avoid overheating the room.
- Select a heater that is appropriate for the size of the room where you plan to integrate it.
- Place the heater on a leveled surface and away from high traffic areas.
- Find a technician who specialize in heater repair to address serious heater problems.
Therefore, if you do not have the budget to install a central heating system or you just intend to heat up a particular room in the house, then you should really consider the use of portable heaters!
Generally, the main function of an HVAC system is to ensure that the temperature and humidity inside your home is within desirable levels. The unit is connected through a series of ductwork, which is intently designed to evenly distribute warm and cool air. However, due to constant use, time will come that the unit’s performance will start to degrade. When this happens, it is expected that mechanical problems will soon take form. To save yourself from costly air-conditioning, ventilation or heater repair, it is advised that you first do some basic troubleshooting on the unit before deciding to call a professional technician.
On that note, here are some simple steps that will help you fine-tune your HVAC unit.
Thoroughly inspect the unit
If the air-conditioning system is the problem, check if the thermostat is pointed in the ‘cool’ position. Next, ascertain that the outside unit is running properly. Remove any types of debris (i.e. leaves, foliage) that might be blocking the unit. After that, make sure that the power supply is turned on. On the other hand, if you are having problems with the heating system, start by inspecting the gas furnace.
Check the air flow and the unit’s ductwork
As a rule of thumb, there should be at least 4 inches of free space around the unit’s air vent to avoid blockage. Verify if the system’s return air grilles is wide open and unblocked. Move the furniture items that might be blocking the opening of the vent. Bear in mind that the unit’s registers or vents must be kept unobstructed at all times.
Inspect if the filter in the furnace needs to be replaced
It is highly recommended that you replace the filters on the furnace every month to ascertain that the unit will always function at its optimum performace. Remember that accumulated debris on the unit’s filter can greatly affect its air quality
After many months of not being used, many air conditioners need to have routine maintenance performed on them. As we move away from snow storms and sleet and closer to humidity and heat waves, it is important to make sure that these important pieces of equipment are kept in top shape. Taking the time to perform a few maintenance tasks on your air conditioner can help to prevent a cooling disaster come mid July. There are a few different things that need to be checked out and cleaned off before regularly using the air conditioning unit.
The first step in ensuring that your air conditioner stays in good working condition throughout the summer is to perform a maintenance check on the outdoor unit before it is actually put to use. Every unit has filters that need to be changed often. Make sure to change the central filter on a monthly basis. Unites often have other filters that will need to be changed, a quick call to a maintenance provider can solve this problem. These outdoor units need to also have any debris cleared away. Weeds, limbs, nests and yard waste of any type need to be removed.
Another great idea is to run your unit for an hour or two during the cooler spring months. Being able to pinpoint any potential problem before high temperatures hit is a good idea. No one wants to be stuck using a hand fan in August.
Having a air conditioner professional come out and take a look at the unit is also a great idea. They have tools that can give the unit a serious cleaning. They can also look at all parts of the unit and point out any potential l threats. Investing the time to clean and maintain your unit is a smart idea. It helps to prevent problems down the road. It also helps the unit run at its top performance. A properly working unit can in turn save you money.
March 31, 2010 – 12:51 am
For the most part, air conditioning units are fairly easy to maintain. By simply replacing your air filters inside on a regular basis, keeping your outside unit free from debris and overgrowth, and having regular maintenance checks performed, the unit should run smoothly without any other action required on your part. The duct work connected to the air conditioner, responsible for moving the air from the unit to the individual rooms of the house, may require some maintenance of its own on occasion. The trick lies in knowing when you may need to have a professional duct work cleaning done.
Warning Signs Of Dirty Ducts
One of the most notable signs of potential duct issues is a significant increase in dust throughout the house. If you don’t have pets or other environmental changes this could be attributed to, it may be a sign of dirt or dust that has accumulated in the ducts. It is not only important to note the amount of dust that has collected, but also how quickly the dust returns once you have cleaned.
Most houses typically have a “cold” room, or one that seems to heat up or cool down quicker than others in the house. What homeowners should pay attention to is whether or not there are rooms in the house with a significantly lower air flow going into them. This may simply be a result of poorly laid out duct work, or it may indicate a blockage in the duct system.
The most important sign to pay attention to is an increase or onset of sinus problems, allergies, or other respiratory issues. This may be a warning sign that there is not only a buildup of dust and dirt in the ducts, but there may also be an issue with mold that may require immediate attention.
Most of the warning signs mentioned may not be a sign of duct work issues when they occur by themselves, however, if they begin to get progressively worse, there may be an issue with the duct work contributing to the problem. Also, if you are experiencing more than one of the above mentioned items in conjunction with one another, it probably is best to go ahead and call for a professional inspection and consultation.