It can be a bit daunting when you have to call an HVAC company to repair or replace your system. If you’re like most people, you haven’t a clue whether it’s a big problem or a small problem, and you’ll likely have to describe unfamiliar noises or effects as well as you can.
A winter power outage can cause problems on several fronts, from exposing a home’s occupants to hypothermia, to frozen pipes and defrosted or spoiled food from the refrigerator. In our region, we should always be prepared for winter power outages, which can be caused by the following:
Furnace efficiency is built-in when the unit is manufactured. Every furnace has an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating assigned to it. Today’s new standard efficiency furnaces have 80% AFUE while high-efficiency models have AFUE as high as 95%. In years past, however, furnace efficiency ratings were significantly lower.
You likely already know that a clean filter helps prevent air flow restrictions in your HVAC system, but you may be wondering if it’s necessary to change your air filter more often in the winter. The answer to that question really depends on how often you make filter checks now. Ideally, you should inspect the filter monthly during heating season and change it at the first sign of debris buildup, or at least every three months.
Are you worried about the high cost of running your home’s HVAC equipment and you want to improve efficiency to save energy? If so, bringing your household systems and components into sync is an ideal way to get started.
It can be extremely frustrating to have a heating or cooling system that doesn’t work. At these times, one of the thing you should not do is try to fix the equipment yourself (unless, of course, you are a licensed HVAC pro). Here are some things you shouldn’t do with DIY HVAC repairs.
Now that the holidays are over and the new year has begun, you can sit back, catch your breath and enjoy a well-deserved break. Afterwards, it’s a good time to give your HVAC system some maintenance TLC so you know it’s going to stay running reliably and efficiently for the rest of the winter. Here’s some helpful advice on various post-holiday HVAC maintenance tasks you should tackle:
Everybody wants to save money on their heating and cooling bills, but sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what to do, or if you do know, to remember to do it. Make these HVAC resolutions for 2018 to save money and energy while keeping your home comfortable.
When temperatures reach the freezing and below freezing range in the Middletown area, keeping the air inside your home from getting stuffy can be a problem. Stuffy indoor air can make it harder for you to breathe comfortably and can even increase your risk of catching colds and other illnesses. Keep the following winter ventilation options in mind, so you can get more fresh air in your home this winter.
HVAC systems have been around a long time now, so you would think most contractors would have installation down pat. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. When HVAC installation is done incorrectly, it will likely run inefficiently, costing the homeowner more money on utilities, and perhaps wearing out parts before their time and even causing a breakdown.
Chris Kuiken is an expert in the fields of heating, air conditioning, construction, and building science... More »
CR Wolfe
1 (845) 343-5803
Serving Middletown, NY area since 1945