Do I Need an End of Summer Air Conditioner Tune-up and Service

Don't wait until your central air conditioner fails. You can save yourself on repair costs, and extend the life of your AC unit, if you catch problems early with an air conditioner tune-up. A service technician can discover problems before they become major issues or cause your system to fail. Summer can be brutal, all the way to the very end. If you take care of your AC unit, it will take care of you.

End of Summer Air Conditioner Maintenance

1. Replace Your Filter - It is vital to change our filter every 60 days and more frequently if you have pets. A clogged filter will force your central air conditioner to work harder and consume more energy.
2. Clean Dirt and Debris - Outside your home, make sure to clean any debris that has built up around the outside unit, plus trim back hedges and tall grass. Inside, clean and vacuum any dirt on the unit or your vents. Inspect the ducts for damage or leaks.

If you need air conditioning in Brandon FL, contact a professional by clicking the link to set up an appointment.

A Beginner's Guide to Hybrid Heating

It’s no secret that residential heating costs climb higher and higher with every passing year. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that you and your family require heat to make it through the winter in comfort. Fortunately, furnace manufacturers recognize the need for more efficient--and thus lower cost--furnaces. Hybrid furnaces are one of the most revolutionary ways this feat is being accomplished.

Hybrid heating involves the combination of a traditional gas or propane furnace with a heat pump. The heat pump used may be either an air source (ASHP) or a ground source pump (GSHP). The idea of such a system is that, when the weather is relatively mild, the heat pump can accomplish most of the home’s heating tasks. Yet when the temperatures dip down below freezing, operation can kick over to the furnace, which is able to provide much quicker and warmer results. 

Why Not A Heat Pump Alone 
Many people wonder why they shouldn’t simply invest in a quality heat pump and leave the furnace component out completely. Wouldn’t that result in the most efficient possible heating? In some cases, the answer to that question may be yes. Of course, that answer only applies for those who live in a part of the country whose wintertime temperature rarely drops down below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many heat pumps will still be able to warm a home below that temperature threshold, yet they will have to do so by using their backup electrical system. This system is hardly an energy efficient way to heat a home. A hybrid system, on the other hand, is able to offer the best of both worlds. Another way to get the best of both worlds is to contact a professional in both heating AND Air Conditioning in Grand Ledge MI.

Benefits of a Variable Speed Blower System

No matter how strong a furnace of a furnace you own, your home’s heating may end up being limited by your blower system. That’s because your furnace may end up falling prey to the phenomenon known as short cycling. This is essentially the result of the heat being distributed too quickly. Fortunately, installing a variable speed blower can eliminate this problem, thus boosting the efficiency of your system. 

Even Heating One of the main problems with a single speed blower system is that not all of the rooms in a house receive the same amount of heat. That’s because not all of the rooms are an equal distance from the furnace. Using ducts of different sizes is meant to help equalize heat distribution, but in most cases it simply doesn’t work out that way. And because the room with the thermostat is generally closer to the furnace, often the furnace shuts off before rooms farther away can come up to heat. A variable speed blower system helps to off-set such temperature differentials between rooms. A variable speed blower system, as its name would imply, is capable of operating at different speeds. This allows it to circulate the heated air more slowly and steadily, thus ensuring even heating throughout all the rooms of your home.

Cleaner AirA variable speed system also promotes cleaner air. That’s because it keeps the air circulating more a much longer time during each furnace cycle. As a result, a greater volume of air is passed through the filtration system. That means less dust, mold spores, and other potential allergens in your home’s air.

For more information on installing a variable speed blower, contact a professional in heating and Air conditioning in Woodlawn Chicago.

Deciding Between Natural Gas and Propane?

The type of gas you heat your home with is important, and sometimes not based on personal preference but rather on necessity.

Natural gas requires that your home have a meter. 
Those who are considering switching from natural gas to propane do not need to worry about this. Yet if your home is currently operating on propane, it is important to realize that natural gas is not an option unless your home is equipped with a meter. You see, whereas propane comes in large stand-alone tanks, natural gas is supplied through municipal pipelines. If it is not already, a pipe will have to be laid from this pipeline to your home, and a meter will have to be installed. This can require serious excavation--and come with quite a high price tag.
Propane comes with a different set of safety risks. 
Both natural gas and propane are highly flammable substances. Yet on a molecular level they are quite different, with natural gas being much lighter than propane. In fact, propane is heavier than even regular air. This means that, whereas natural gas will rise up and float away if it manages to leak out, propane will settle down along the floors of your home. For this reason, it is vital that you have your home equipped with propane gas detectors before switching over to this type of heating fuel.

For more information on all your HVAC needs, contact a professional in heating and ac service in Bonita Springs FL.

Clicking

Hearing a clicking sound when your air conditioner starts up and turns off is not unusual. Unfortunately, if that sound does not stop an electrical malfunction is a likely culprit. A failing thermostat may also be the cause. Once again, you should not ignore the issue; otherwise, a complete breakdown of your A/C system may occur.

If you are concerned with the sounds coming from your air conditioner, please contact a professional for AC repair in Bowie MD to diagnose and repair the malfunction.

Rattling From Outside Compressor

If you suddenly hear a rattling sound coming from your outside compressor, the fan is likely obstructed by a branch or other debris. Luckily, removing the object from your fan's path should stop the noise. However, if debris is not the cause, a part inside your unit may be loose or the motor is possibly be failing. Ignoring the noise is never a good choice. Calling an expert in air conditioning installation in Paradise Valley AZ to take a look at the issue can save you from a more serious malfunction in the long run.

Whistling

A whistling or bubbling sound coming from your air conditioner usually signals a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is a vital part of your system. The liquid/gas is responsible for turning the hot air in your home into cool air. Unfortunately, refrigerant is a toxic substance and should only be handled by a certified professional. If your air conditioner is whistling and you suspect your system has a leak, contacting a Falls Church VA air conditioning expert to inspect and repair the malfunction is your next step.