Tag: air handlers

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!

Prepare for the Fall Season

Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes plummeting temperatures and other environmental changes. Staying warm during this time can be quite costly, but there are several tips that we can use to help keep our energy bills low and the cold outside.

More Ways to Stay Warm

There are more ways to keep warm than just running your heater. If your home has one, a fireplace or wood-burning stove can be a great way to keep the cold at bay without boosting your energy bill. If your home doesn’t have a fireplace or stove, you may have the option of having one installed. Installing a wood stove or fireplace may be expensive in the short term, but in the long term, it will save you significantly on your energy bills. Of course, we recommend that you always remain safe and alert when operating a fireplace, and if you are looking to have one installed, have a professional do it to minimize risk.

Keep Out the Breeze

Even the faintest of breezes can drastically affect the temperature of your home. A cold breeze can drop the temperature of a place by up to 30%, even if it just seems to be faint. Keep your windows and doors closed, use sealant to fill cracks or gaps, and cover up any other areas where air may be getting in or out.

Open Those Curtains

It may seem counter-intuitive to remove the insulating layer from your windows, but curtains block more than just light from the sun. Curtains that block sunlight also block its heat, and since the sun is a constant and effective heat source, keeping those curtains shut is preventing you from taking advantage of that free heat. Keep your curtains open when the sun is out and shining, and you’ll feel your house warm up as a result.

Cook a Hot Meal

While eating warm meals certainly helps keep the cold at bay, that part is actually secondary to this tip. By cooking nice, warm meals, you are using your stove and/or oven, which can help keep your house warm. It may not seem like much, but even just baking some cookies in the oven will have it running for long enough to help warm up your home, or at least the kitchen.