Keeping your AC Unit Running Smoothly

To keep your AC unit running smoothly and electricity bills as low as possible, it is important to make sure that your outdoor unit isn't being affected by nature. Here are some tips to make sure your unit runs smoothly:

• Plant shrubs around you unit to protect it from wind and provide shade. Make sure the shrubs are far enough away from the unit that branches or leaves aren't interfering with the performance or servicing. 
• Don't place things on top of your unit. Common items that we see are garden hoses or landscaping products. Placing things on top can restrict air flow and reduce efficiency. 
• When mowing the lawn, make sure grass isn't blowing into the unit. Grass clipping and debris can block airflow or interfere with internal coils.

These are easy steps you can take to make sure your unit runs as efficiently as possible. If you think your unit isn't running correctly no matter what you do, don't hesitate to a professional for air conditioning replacement in Umatilla FL.

Clean Filters

It can often be overlooked, but changing or cleaning your air conditioner's filter is really important.
Dirty filters can decrease your unit's energy efficiency greatly and can cause other component to fail prematurely. Dirty filters block airflow, meaning your unit is going to have to run longer than it normally would to cool down your home, in return increasing your electricity bill. It is recommended that you clean or replace your filter once a month. Regular maintenance is much easier and cheaper than dealing with larger issues down the road.

If you do encounter issues with your unit, don't hesitate to ask a Paradise Valley AZ air conditioning repair professional.

Calibrating your Themostat

Over time, your thermostat's reading of the temperature in your home may start to slip. It is important to calibrate your thermostat to the correct temperature so your AC doesn’t run more often than it needs to. It is important to make sure that your thermostat isn't receiving additional heat from nearby electronic devices or sunlight.

To test how accurate your thermostat is, tape or place a thermometer on the wall a few inches away from your thermostat. Let them both sit for 15 minutes and then compare the thermometer's reading with the thermostat temperature. If you notice that the thermostat isn't correct, you should calibrate it to the correct temperature.

If you need help calibrating your thermostat or need help with anything else, reach out to a Gainesville FL air conditioning service!

3 Signs That Your Furnace is in Need of Repair

We depend on our furnaces a lot in the winter months to keep our homes warm, and often we don't give it a lot of thought or attention. But it's important to stay in tune with your heating system, so you can recognize problems before they become too big. By watching for some of these signs, you may be able to notice an issue before you wake up on the coldest day of the year with no heat. Call for furnace repair if:

1. Your heating bills are higher than last year at this time. Bills fluctuate some depending on weather conditions, but if there's a big difference from year to year, it could be a warning sign.
2. Your furnace is making different noises. You know what your furnace usually sounds like, so if it starts making uncharacteristic rattles, or bangs, you probably want to call for service.
3. You experience uneven heating. If you're constantly checking the thermostat, and feel like you have cold areas in the house that weren't that way before, your furnace may need a tune-up.

There are still cold days ahead and we want to make sure our community members are staying warm and healthy. If you're experiencing any of these issues, contact a Waldorf MD heating expert for an evaluation.
 

For Optimal Efficiency, Choose the Right Size Furnace for Your Home

If you've had to deal with furnace repair, or your current system is reaching the end of its life span, you might be considering a replacement soon. Some homeowners might think that getting the biggest furnace available will keep their home toasty warm on the coldest days of winter, but this is one of those situations where bigger isn't always better.

A bigger furnace might have the capacity to heat a larger home, but that doesn't mean it is the best choice for every home. A large furnace has the ability to heat up quickly, but then it will turn off before the thermostat tells it to. That means it will run frequently and in short bursts, which is not only inefficient, but will probably shorten the life span of the furnace. It may also leave your home colder than you desire, since it tends to turn off before the room temperature gets to your desired level.

One way to think about it is if a couple drives around town in a 15-passenger van. They might think that getting the largest possible vehicle is the best choice, but since there's only 2 of them, they are spending a lot of money on space they don't need, as well as wasting money on gas, since it's not as efficient as a smaller vehicle.

If you're thinking about replacing your furnace, it's important to get the right size for your home. Factors such as local climate, the size of your home, window areas, and insulation levels need to be considered when choosing the correct system. It can be a complicated choice, and a reputable heating company has the experience and information to help you choose the correct size for your home.

For many homeowners, upgrading to a more efficient furnace is a wise choice, but it's important to have the right size to realize the savings from a newer, more efficient system. For assistance in deciding on the right furnace for your home, contact a reputable company for heating service in Lorton VA.

How to Optimize Your Home to Minimize Heating Costs during Wintertime

When winter comes and the temperature is quite low outside, you do not want to come inside to a cold home, or have to spend an outrageous amount of money to get your home to stay warm. Instead of turning up the heating system until you are satisfied, you can make use of simple and practical ways to optimize your home. Here are some ideas provided by a Burke VA heating contractor.

Use Plastic Film on Windows

Applying plastic film to the windows of your home is a common method to reduce cooling costs during summertime, but it is also just as effective for wintertime usage. It is easy to find this film online or at local home improvement stores, and applying it is a task that any homeowner can accomplish.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

If you do not have a programmable thermostat, you need to get one. Having one is extremely useful throughout the winter because it allows you to easily maintain the temperature, even for specific parts of the day. Instead of trying to fumble with unclear settings, all you have to do is set your ideal 

temperature.

Take Advantage of Solar Heating

During the day, even if the temperature is cold outside, you should utilize solar heating. As soon as the sun comes out, you should open the windows to bring the sun and heat inside, which is an easy, effective, and cost-free way to optimize your home for warmth and reduce the need to rely on your heating system.

Adjust Your Cooking Methods

In the summertime, you are best off making foods that are cooked on the grill, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker. However, during wintertime, when it is cold, you should use the oven and stove top on a regular basis. The residual heat that your home receives from using these cooking methods will reduce your heating costs.

Optimizing your home is done by investing in improvements, making adjustments to your home, or changing up how you live within your home. However, you can find various ways to optimize heating system usage.

If you have any questions or would like to make improvements to your home to reduce heating costs, contact a professional for heating in Miller Place NY!

Best Cleaning Practices for Aluminum Coil for Your Air Conditioner

Manufacturers use aluminum coil to make all sorts of products, from ornaments to air conditioners. In order to keep aluminum coils in good condition for many years to come, it is necessary to clean these parts regularly. Here are some of the best cleaning practices for aluminum coil for your air conditioner.

Use Water

While there are many cleaners made especially for use on aluminum coils, it is important to keep in mind that most of these cleaners have harsh chemicals. While these cleaners may do a good job of cleaning the aluminum coil, they may also cause serious damage over time.
To prevent damage, it is best to flush aluminum coils with water regularly. Hot water will loosen and remove debris, such as dirt and dust. As long as you flush the aluminum coils with water regularly, you don't have to worry about excessive buildup.

Choose Cleaners Carefully

Sometimes, water simply isn't enough to properly clean aluminum coil. This is especially true if the aluminum coil hasn't been cleaned in a while. In such a scenario, you have little choice but to use a cleaner. Just choose carefully and you likely won't damage the aluminum coils too much.
Try to avoid cleaners that have chlorine. Repeated exposure to chlorine is known to erode aluminum coils. Even if you use a cleaner that doesn't have chlorine to clean the aluminum coils, make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of chemicals.

For more information about the best cleaning practices for aluminum coil, don't hesitate to contact your local Palm City FL air conditioning provider.