Alexandra – Air Handlers Inc.

Preparing Your HVAC for Autumn and Winter Rain

As we transition deeper into autumn, increased rainfall is on the horizon, continuing into winter. While there are various ways to weatherproof your HVAC system, only some methods suit some types. Fortunately, most HVAC systems are designed to endure significant weather conditions, including heavy rain. Here are some essential dos and don’ts to protect your HVAC during intense rain.

Don’t Cover Your HVAC

Avoid covering your HVAC unit with a tarp or weatherproof covering if you plan to operate it. Most HVAC systems can withstand substantial rain without issue. Covering them can create problems, especially if the unit is in operation. Generally, your system should function well in heavy rain and wind unless submerged. However, if water accumulates around the unit, it could damage the wiring and electrical components, so it’s essential to manage pooling.

Do Divert Water Away from Your HVAC

To prevent water from pooling around your HVAC system, take proactive steps to redirect drainage. Reposition your gutter downspouts, dig a trench, or create a barrier to guide water flow away from the unit. These measures can help keep your system elevated and safe during heavy rainfall.

Don’t Obstruct Airflow

While it may be tempting to set up barriers or covers near your HVAC for protection, avoid placing anything too close. HVAC systems rely on consistent airflow to function correctly. To shield the unit from debris, ensure any barriers are at least two feet away to maintain adequate ventilation.

Do Monitor for Debris

While strong winds may not directly harm your HVAC, they can blow dirt, leaves, and debris onto the unit. After a storm, inspect your AC unit for any damage or debris buildup. If you notice any issues on the exterior, there could be internal damage as well, which should be addressed before using the system.

Conclusion

Outdoor HVAC systems are generally resilient to the elements and require minimal intervention to stay operational. However, regular checks for debris and potential damage are essential. Schedule any necessary repairs promptly to ensure your system remains functional throughout the rainy season.

Fall Weather Tips

The weather has changed and it’s obvious. It almost seems like we went from decently cool to needing our heaters with a snap of someone’s fingers! As always, make sure you have your system checked and that you’re good to go for the rest of the season (and call Air Handlers if you notice problems, (360) 357-4428).

While your heater can help keep your home warm, you may be wondering about what you can do to make sure that your heater doesn’t work overtime. If so, here are a few simple tips we have to help your system work smarter, not harder.

Curtains, curtains, curtains: While it seems simple, this is easy to forget or overlook. When the sun is out and shining, open the curtains facing the sun so that some natural heat will be pulled into the house. Of course, closing the curtains on cloudy days or after dark will act as an extra bit of insulation to keep some warmth inside.

Maximize the flow: Make sure that warm air from your vents can move as freely as possible. For instance, you may want to sit close to a vent for that warm air to hit you, but it is better to move your chair or couch so that the air can go as far as possible to more efficiently heat your home.

Block the cracks: While things like making sure windows are properly sealed are standard knowledge, you should consider blocking the spaces around your doors, too.

Keep Your A/C Working During High Heat Conditions!

We will offer some helpful tips to keep your home cooler and prevent your AC from being strained when the temperature rises.

Why can’t my A/C handle a heatwave?
Most systems are designed to cool within 20 degrees of the outdoor temperature. Therefore, if it’s 100 degrees outside and your AC is able to cool the indoor temperature to 80 degrees or below, it’s performing well. If you notice that your older system is unable to achieve this level of cooling, it may be time to invest in a new, more energy-efficient, and reliable AC unit.

Switch the fan to ‘on’
Setting your fan to the ‘on’ position instead of ‘auto’ can help circulate more air throughout your home, allowing for better temperature balance in rooms that may be too warm or too cool.

Set your thermostat higher
While it may be tempting to lower your AC to cool your home, doing so can significantly increase your energy costs. Each time you lower the thermostat, your AC has to work harder to cool your home. Instead, consider adjusting the thermostat to around 75-78 degrees and getting used to a slightly warmer environment.

Close off vents in unused rooms
If certain rooms or areas of your home are unoccupied, it’s a good idea to shut the air vents in those areas and keep the doors closed. This not only helps in keeping the occupied areas cooler but also contributes to energy conservation and reduced energy costs.

Keep shades and curtains closed
Utilize natural shade from trees and keep your shades and curtains closed to help maintain a cooler indoor environment. Shading the sunny side of your home not only keeps it cooler but also relieves some of the pressure on your AC system.

Install ceiling fans
Ceiling fans help cool the people in the room by creating a breeze, which can make you feel cooler without affecting the actual room temperature. You can set your thermostat slightly higher and use ceiling fans to give your air conditioning system a break. They can be installed in most rooms and can be turned on or off as needed. On cooler days, you may even be able to turn off your AC entirely and rely solely on your fans for cooling.

Avoid using heat-generating appliances
On heatwave days, refrain from using the stove, dryer, or dishwasher as their operation can add to the heat in your home. If you need to use these appliances, consider doing so in the evening or even setting them to run overnight to minimize their impact on your indoor temperature.

Consider an upgrade
If your air conditioner is 10-15 years old, it may be time to consider upgrading to a more efficient and modern system. Over time, AC units have become more energy-efficient, delivering better performance while costing less to operate. Older systems tend to lose efficiency and may struggle to cool your home effectively.

Invest in preventative maintenance
Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your AC system and reduce the likelihood of malfunctions, resulting in greater operating efficiency. Just like your car, your AC system needs periodic servicing. An annual tune-up can help clear dust and debris from your system, ensuring it operates efficiently and consumes less energy. All moving parts can also benefit from lubrication, which helps extend their lifespan and reduce the risk of faults. Duct cleaning can also improve overall system efficiency, especially during a heatwave.

Consult professionals for further advice
Taking steps to reduce the strain on your AC system can help it operate more efficiently and lower your energy costs. By implementing some or all of these tips, you can protect your AC from overheating and premature wear and tear.”

At Air Handler’s Inc., we’re here to help improve your cooling system. If your air conditioner isn’t working well or your energy costs have increased, our technicians can advise you on a new more efficient system or recommend repairs to keep your existing system working perfectly.

Should You Upgrade to an HVAC System Before Summer?

As we get closer to Summer, you may be considering an upgrade to your home cooling system. Whether you’re using conventional forced air or portable air conditioning units, you’ve likely noticed a lack of effectiveness or a fair bit of inconvenience. Upgrading from conventional cooling to an HVAC system affords you numerous benefits, especially during the sweltering summer months. While both types of system aim to keep indoor environments comfortable, HVAC systems provide a more comprehensive, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution.

Enhanced Comfort and Air Quality

One of the primary advantages of HVAC systems over traditional air conditioners is the improvement in overall comfort and indoor air quality. HVAC systems are designed to regulate temperature, humidity, and air purity simultaneously. This means that not only will your home be cooler in the summer, but it will also maintain optimal humidity levels, reducing the sticky, uncomfortable feeling often associated with high temperatures. Moreover, HVAC systems come with advanced filtration options that effectively remove pollutants, allergens, and other airborne particles, resulting in cleaner and healthier indoor air.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Another significant benefit of upgrading to an HVAC system is the potential for increased energy efficiency and cost savings. Modern HVAC units are engineered to be more energy-efficient than older air conditioning models. They often come with features like programmable thermostats and energy-efficient components that work together to reduce energy consumption. Over time, the reduced energy usage translates to lower utility bills, which can offset the initial investment in the HVAC system. Additionally, many newer HVAC systems qualify for rebates and incentives, further reducing the overall cost of upgrading.

Zoning Capabilities

Some HVAC systems offer zoning capabilities, which allow homeowners to control the temperature of individual rooms or zones independently. This means you can cool specific areas of your home without wasting energy on rooms that are not in use. For instance, during the day, you can keep the living areas cool while letting the temperature rise slightly in the bedrooms. This targeted cooling not only enhances comfort but also significantly boosts energy efficiency, leading to more savings on your energy bills.

Reliability and Longevity

Upgrading to an HVAC system also means investing in a more reliable and durable solution. Modern HVAC systems are built with advanced technology and higher-quality materials, making them more robust and less prone to breakdowns compared to older conventional air conditioning units. With proper maintenance, an HVAC system can last significantly longer, providing consistent and reliable performance year after year. Plus, when you schedule regular maintenance with the pros at Air Handlers, you never have to worry about your HVAC system going offline for long periods of time.

Smart Technology Integration

Modern HVAC systems often come with smart technology integration, allowing for greater control and convenience. Smart thermostats, for example, enable remote monitoring and control of the system via smartphones or other devices. This means you can adjust the temperature settings while away from home, ensuring optimal comfort upon your return without wasting energy. These smart features also provide detailed energy usage reports and maintenance reminders, helping you manage your system more effectively.

Conclusion

Upgrading from a conventional air conditioning unit to a modern HVAC system offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond just cooling your home. Enhanced comfort, better air quality, improved energy efficiency, and cost savings are just a few of the advantages that make HVAC systems a superior choice. With the added benefits of zoning capabilities, increased reliability, and smart technology integration, an HVAC system provides a comprehensive solution for maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient home during the summer months and beyond. Investing in an HVAC upgrade is not just about immediate comfort; it’s about long-term savings, reliability, and contributing to a healthier environment.

How High Winds Affect HVAC Systems

Recently there have been surges of strong winds in the Olympia area, and these gusts can have unseen effects on your HVAC system and the quality of the air in your home.

Physical Damage

High speed winds can cause physical damage to your HVAC system. The wind itself can sometimes loosen parts of the system, but more dangerously objects and debris picked up by the wind can be thrown into your HVAC unit and cause more severe damage. While placement of the outdoor unit, quality of the system, and other factors can minimize this damage risk, it is still recommended that you examine your HVAC system for signs of damage or lodged debris after a period of heavy winds. If you notice anything abnormal, or if the system starts performing inconsistently, noisily, or not at all, contact the experts at Air Handlers for a service appointment.

Air Quality

When we have high winds, dirt, leaves, and other particulates can gather inside your HVAC unit or be blow inside your home. When your unit turns on, this accumulated dirt can be blown throughout your house, significantly impacting the air quality of your home. While maintaining a proper filter replacement schedule can help with some of this, heavy accumulations typically require more in-depth cleanings to remove.

Dust and Allergies

When winds blow dust and dirt inside our homes, that dust can be picked up and moved around by the HVAC system, causing the decrease in air quality already mentioned, but also causing a buildup of dust on your furniture and the rest of your home. This dust can wreak havoc on allergies, causing allergy symptoms to flare up and sometimes negatively affect your health. The best way to combat this in the short term is to regularly dust and vacuum your home, though in the long run this accumulation may build up within your vents and be harder to remove. Contact Air Handlers if you feel you may need your vents inspected and cleaned!

New Season, New HVAC?

When was the last time your heating/cooling system was upgraded? As we enter the warmer seasons, having an efficient and powerful HVAC system can significantly improve the comfort level of your home or office building. Whether you’re looking to have an HVAC system installed for the first time or wanting to schedule maintenance or an update to your existing one, the professionals at Air Handlers have you covered!

Benefits of an HVAC System

Having an efficient HVAC system for your home or building provides many perks, the first of which being able to control the temperature inside. Controlled temperatures help keep an area comfortable and fresh, as a suitable unit also helps filter the air and reduce allergens, dust, and other particulates floating around in the area.

Maintaining an HVAC System

Maintaining your HVAC system is easy with the help of the pros at Air Handlers. Whether it’s anything from connecting a thermostat to performing large scale maintenance or upgrades, we’ve got you covered! If you ever need to have your system serviced or checked for issues, simply contact us and we’ll send out a member of our team to take care of your system.

Easy Seasonal Care

Modern HVAC systems require very little when it comes to seasonal care as a homeowner. Historically, many heating and cooling systems would need winterized, covered, or otherwise protected/modified for the colder seasons, but with modern HVAC technology, many newer systems need little to no seasonal prep or changes.

Whether you already have an HVAC system that’s due for an upgrade or you’re looking to have a brand new unit installed, the experts at Air Handlers are up to the task. Give us a call to schedule your upgrade or maintenance, or to get more information on how we can take your home’s temperature control to the next level with a new system.

Spring is (Almost) in the Air!

As February nears its end and March is coming in quick, you may be wondering what is on the horizon for your HVAC system! There are a few things to consider when it comes to the transition of Winter and Spring, and depending on your heating/cooling system, there may be some updates or maintenance to be performed.

Remove Your Outdoor Cover

While not everyone uses a cover, and not all units need one, you should double check that your unit doesn’t have a cover on it before trying to fire it up in the Spring. Check the outside portion of your HVAC system and remove its cover if you put one on before Winter.

Replace Your Air Filters

If you haven’t done so recently, you should probably replace the air filters in your heating/cooling system. This should be done regularly, so including it as part of your de-winterizing is an easy way to make sure it gets checked off the list.

Clean Your Air Vents

It’s also a good idea to periodically clean the air vents inside your home, ensuring they don’t have a buildup of dust, debris, and other contaminants. Firing your HVAC system up for the first time in a while can kick up settled dust and allergens, and cleaning your air vents can help minimize this burst of sneeze-inducing particulates.

Clean the Area Around Your Outside Unit

Sometimes things can accumulate around the exterior portion of your HVAC system during the winter, such as branches, leaves, etc. It’s a good idea to clean the area around your system to ensure there is nothing leaning against it, blocking airflow, or otherwise touching/affecting it.

Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up and Inspection

Last but not least, you should contact your HVAC technicians to schedule a routine inspection and maintenance appointment. These experts will check your system for complications or potential upgrades and ensure you’re good to go for the hot Summer months that come soon after Spring. Air Handlers has many talented HVAC experts who would be happy to help prepare you for the new year, so give us a call and schedule your appointment today!

New Year’s Resolutions for your HVAC

As we enter the new year, people across the world are committing to new resolutions in an effort to make changes and improve their situations. People aren’t the only ones who could use some New Year’s spirit, as HVAC systems around the country could benefit from some resolutions and changes to their maintenance. Here are just a few New Year’s resolutions you can plan for your HVAC system that will help improve the health and efficiency of your home!

Change your air filters regularly. This resolution is simple yet incredibly important, as clean filters are essential to the proper operation of your HVAC system. Air filters help keep dust, dirt, allergens, and other particles out of your air system, which keeps you breathing easy and your system running longer. Some systems have different recommendations for filter changing schedules, but in general you should replace your air filters every 1-3 months depending on system usage.
Schedule routine maintenance checks. It never hurts to be prepared, and having a maintenance schedule planned out ahead of time ensures your system stays up and running with as few surprises as possible. When you schedule maintenance and checkups ahead of time, you not only eliminate having to book something last minute, you also avoid a large majority of crises that could have been caught before they became an issue. Contact Air Handlers to build a maintenance and checkup plan so we can take care of your system for you!
Upgrade your thermostat. If you are still running a manual thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable one this year. Not only will this help lower your utility bill, but it’ll also keep your system running longer. Most manual thermostats keep the heating and cooling systems running far longer than needed, and they can easily be forgotten about or left on unnecessarily. A programmable thermostat allows you to automate the temperature control of your home, particularly by setting a temperature schedule so your heating/cooling system isn’t running at full blast all night long.
Clean your air ducts. It’s not uncommon for air ducts to become dirty, or even damaged, over the course of a year. When dust and dirt settles in your air ducts, that same debris is blown throughout your home every time you turn your system on. Most of this material completely bypasses the filters because it’s settled after the heating and cooling system, not before, and thus allergens and air pollutants can negatively affect the air quality in your home. You don’t have to clean your ducts every year, once every 3-5 years is usually sufficient. Just keep in mind that dirty ducts mean dirty air, so it’s best to be cautious and keep them clean.

At Air Handlers, we’re committed to keeping your air clean and comfortable. Contact us with any of your HVAC needs, and we wish you a fantastic new year!

Keep Your Furnace Hot During the Winter

The Winter Solstice is this Thursday, the 21st of December, and that means it’s going to be getting even colder outside, and for longer. While our homes protect us from the elements, freezing temperatures are one of the few things that can still make it inside and make us cold and uncomfortable. Your furnace is your biggest defense against this, so keeping it running warm and efficiently is essential to staying warm and cozy during these cold months. There are several things that can affect your furnace’s performance, and while some require repair experts to fix, some can be done by you right at home.

Thermostat Errors

The thermostat is one of the first places you should check if your furnace isn’t keeping your house warm. Sometimes the thermostat is simply not set correctly, and sometimes it is malfunctioning entirely. First, make sure your thermostat is set to keep your home to a comfortable temperature, and that the “heat” or similar setting is enabled. If your thermostat isn’t responding, the wiring may be faulty or the batteries could be dead, depending on the unit. Check your batteries regularly and replace them if they aren’t working properly. If the wiring is faulty, you may need to consult a repair expert to get it fixed, but sometimes it can just come down to a loose wire. If the wiring/batteries are good, then the thermostat itself may need to be reset or replaced.

Faulty Filters

Filters are one of the most forgotten yet essential components of your heating system. Filters will get dirty over time, no matter how clean the home is. The dirtier a filter gets, the less efficient your heating system will be. As a filter gets clogged with dust and other particulates, it prevents proper airflow to the furnace, which minimizes its heating potential. The easiest way to fix this issue it to replace your filters regularly. Each furnace will have different recommendations for filter replacement times, typically between one and three months, but the best way to go is to check your filters once a month and replace them if they’re dirty.

Mechanical Issues

If the thermostat or filters aren’t the problem, your furnace may have a more serious issue. There are a few other simple things to check, such as making sure the furnace’s breaker hasn’t flipped or that your heater vents aren’t blocked, but more serious issues should be worked out with a repair professional. Electrical, gas, ventilation, and others could be severely inhibiting your heating system, and could be dangerous to attempt to fix on your own. The safest and most effective plan is to contact an expert team, such as Air Handlers, to evaluate and fix your heater so you and your family can remain warm.

Winter-Proofing Your Home

With temperatures dropping as we near winter, it’s a good idea to prepare your home for the cold! Follow this checklist to make sure your home is prepared to stay warm and get through the cold weather.

Check Your Furnace: You do not want an under-performing furnace this time of year. Have an expert come out and check that your furnace is in good condition and ready to run!

Reverse Your Fan: Many people don’t realize that fans are meant to be used year-round! While fans normally push air down, cooling the room, most fans have a switch that reverses the direction they spin. Reversing your fan causes it to pull air up instead of pushing it down, which pulls the cold air up and allows warmer air to circulate through the room.

Reduce Drafts: Even just a little bit of airflow from a door or window can affect your home’s temperature. While your windows and doors are sealed properly is important, sometimes drafts can come in from the edges of windows or bottoms of doors. Rolling a towel up and placing it at the base of your door or windows can help prevent drafts and keep your home warm!

Update Your Doors and Windows: Some doors and windows are better at maintaining temperatures than others. For example, single-pane windows let allow much more temperature transfer than double-pane windows. If your home has outdated doors and windows, replaced them can significantly help your temperature control.

Close Your Interior Doors: If your home uses local heating systems for each room, such as baseboard or radiator heaters, keeping the interior doors closed will significantly help each room stay warm. Most of these units are meant to heat a small area, not an entire home, so closing your doors allows each heater to maintain a much smaller area.