Tag: Summer

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 Temperatures Can Affect Your Air Conditioner

As summer temperatures rise and become extreme, it is not uncommon for your air conditioning system to experience problems. Usually, air conditioning systems function in outdoor temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or less. However, when temperatures exceed this, your air conditioning system will consume more energy, leading to the unit malfunctioning.

When the temperature outside exceeds 95 degrees, your air conditioning system will run at its maximum output. While this is happening, your house temperature will be around 80 degrees. Lowering the thermostat will not improve the performance of the air conditioner. This will cause the machine to work harder without being able to change the actual temperature.

As temperatures rise to extreme numbers, many people will lower their thermostats to make their air conditioners cool down their houses even further. As a result, increased energy usage and constant use can overload power grids, causing widespread power outages and higher utility bills. Other issues that appear through over usage include air filters becoming clogged faster than average and the exterior unit accumulating debris much more quickly.

During extreme temperatures, replacing the filters on your air conditioners once a month is vital. Cleaning the exterior should be done while the unit is turned off; you should use a long-handled brush to clean the fans. Lowering Freon temperatures in the unit can be done by aiming a lawn sprinkler toward it. However, if your air conditioner system is twelve years or older, it might be time to think about replacing it. Older systems often are not as efficient in cooling down your house and will consume more energy.

Tips for Lower Energy Bills

With summer here and temperatures rising, here are some tips to stay cool while lowering your electric bill:

1.) Keep curtains closed during the day
Close up curtains, drapes, or blinds. This will prevent sunlight from entering your house and heating it up. You should try to focus on covering east-facing windows during the morning and west-facing windows during the afternoon.

2.) Use CFL light bulbs
Old incandescent light bulbs produce a great deal of heat.  It gives out more energy from heat than light. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs will not only save you energy but also reduce the heat output of the lighting in your home, saving you money.

3.) Change your cooking methods
Stove tops and ovens produce high temperatures when cooking your food and they also heat your home. Keep your temperatures low by using low-heat methods such as a crockpot or microwave. You can also take your cooking outside on the grill.

4.) Use fans
Fans will not impact the temperature of the air, but they will improve the rate of evaporation in the room, which makes you feel cooler. When the air is still, evaporation takes longer, so you’ll feel warmer. When air is moving, evaporation occurs at a quicker rate, making you feel cooler.

5.) Replace your air filter
If you have an air conditioning unit, it’s best to check it more frequently, especially during heavy use. Clean air filters improve airflow throughout the home so air conditioners don’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool.

6.) Follow the forecast
Outdoor temperatures can vary greatly over the course of the day. While it may be a scorcher outside during the day, the temperature drop overnight can be quite cool. Follow your local forecast to see if overnight temperatures will be comfortable, so you can shut off the AC and open the windows, taking advantage of natural cooling to save money without sacrificing comfort.

Landscaping and HVAC

Other than your mower, the most visible piece of machinery on your property is likely your air conditioner. As you are landscaping, it’s a great time to also perform some HVAC equipment maintenance. To ensure optimal performance, make sure to trim shrubs, bushes, or branches back allowing clearance around your outdoor unit. Also, clearing away any grass clippings, leaves, foliage, and other debris will prevent possible airflow obstructions. Finally, double-check to make sure your HVAC unit is resting level on its concrete pad.

Additionally, if your unit is not already obstructed from view, there are many different plants that can help your HVAC blend into your landscaping more seamlessly. If maintaining the pruning of plants around an outdoor air conditioner seems like a daunting task, you can always build a decorative, gated enclosure to hide it from view.

Ready for Summer?

Spring is a time to throw open the windows and shutters, and breathe deeply as we air out our homes after a cooped-up winter. But summer heats up quickly, and it won’t be long before you need to close those windows again and crank up the AC. Before you do, call Air Handlers to ensure that your system is ready for the summer heat!

Energy Saving Tips

Utility bills can be scary, especially in peak seasons. They shouldn’t be. There are things you can do, large and small, that can help you reduce your energy costs in your budget. Big things, like investing in high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment, are going to have the largest impacts on your monthly statements. However, these bigger changes are not the only way you can save. Some smaller adjustments don’t require any expense on your part.

Here are some smaller things you can do to help lower/control your monthly expenses. Some of these we’ve probably told you about before (possibly more than once), but they’re all good practices!

  • Turn off the lights when you aren’t in a room.
  • Lower or raise the temperature your thermostat is set at (depending on the season).
  • Keep all your vents and registers open.
  • Keep the windows and doors of your home closed.
  • Change your furnace filter.
  • Switch to high-efficiency light bulbs.
  • Operate your ceiling fans correctly for the best distribution of air – clockwise during the winter and counter-clockwise during the summer.
  • Seal your windows and doors.
  • Set your thermostat to “AUTO” instead of “ON.”
  • Wash your clothes in cold water.
  • Take shorter showers.
  • Open or close curtains depending on the season.
  • Unplug items like televisions, kitchen appliances and more when they aren’t in use.
  • Layer up before turning up the thermostat during the winter.
  • Have a timer for your lights.
  • Take cooler showers.

Tips to Lower Your Energy Bill During High Temps

Summer is on the way. When the temperature rises, your HVAC system may see more use when trying to stay cool in your home. Here are some tips to help your system work more efficiently and to help lower your energy bill.

  1. Keep curtains closed during the day. Close up curtains, drapes, or blinds. This will prevent sunlight from entering your house and heating it up. Try to focus on covering east-facing windows during the morning and west-facing windows during the afternoon.
  2. Use CFL light bulbs. Old incandescent light bulbs produce a great deal of heat.  It gives out more energy of heat than light. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs will not only save you energy but also reduce the heat output of the lighting in your home, saving you money.
  3. Change your cooking methods. Stovetops and ovens produce high temperatures when cooking your food and they also heat your home. Keep your temperatures low by using low-heat methods such as a crockpot or microwave. You can also take your cooking outside on the grill.
  4. Use fans. Fans will not impact the temperature of the air, but they will improve the rate of evaporation in the room, which makes you feel cooler. When the air is still, evaporation takes longer, so you’ll feel warmer. When air is moving, evaporation occurs at a quicker rate, making you feel cooler.
  5. Replace your air filter.
  6. If you have an air conditioning unit, it’s best to check it more frequently, especially during heavy use. Clean air filters improve airflow throughout the home so air conditioners don’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool.
  7. Follow the forecast. Outdoor temperatures can vary greatly over the course of the day. While it may be a scorcher outside during the day, the temperature drop overnight can be quite cool. Follow your local forecast to see if overnight temperatures will be comfortable, so you can shut off the AC and open the windows, taking advantage of natural cooling to save money without sacrificing comfort.

Are you ready for a warm up?

It’s almost that time of year again. The weather is going to get warmer and you’re going to want a cool place to retreat to. Is your system ready for the weather change?

Clear away any debris. Gunk built up can restrict airflow. Restricted airflow to your condenser leads to increased utility bills.

Plan your garden around your condenser. If you’re planting a garden, or even considering expanding one, make sure you account for your HVAC equipment. You want to allow at least two feet of clearance around your condenser.

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Change your furnace filter. You need to change your furnace filter at least once a season.

Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature based on your schedule. A programmable thermostat can reduce the amount of time your air conditioner spends cooling an empty home.

Call Air Handlers Inc. to schedule preventative maintenance. When the summer heat arrives, more calls tend to come in. Why wait until something is wrong to have us check your system? We can catch any potential issues before they can rear their ugly head during the summer if you call us today!

Some Summer Tips for your HVAC

Summer is here (in a way). While the extremely hot temperatures haven’t hit our area, what has come has been muggy some days. This increase in humidity might have some of you turning on your AC, even if only for a short time. Even without heavy usage, it’s still a good idea to practice these maintenance tips for your HVAC system.

Summer Thermostats

Summertime means schedule changes, especially for kids out of school for the summer or families planning to travel for vacation. Make sure to adjust your thermostat settings to account for your family’s new schedule and any vacations that occur. Examples include:

  • Later wake-up times in the morning, since there’s no bus to catch for kids
  • With family members home all day, adjust setbacks for more occupancy hours rather than a vacant home from 8am to 5pm
  • Summer sports and activities that keep you out of the home for periods of time
  • Later bedtimes

Improve Your Airflow

Good airflow through your air conditioner helps the system function efficiently and deliver better comfort throughout your living areas. These HVAC maintenance tips show you how to improve airflow through your cooling system this summer:

  • Change your air filter on a regular basis. In the summertime, filters often fill up with debris quicker than in the spring because the system runs more frequently. Check the filter each month to determine if a change is necessary.
  • Clean off the exterior air conditioner. Do this whenever you do lawn maintenance or cut grass. Grass clippings, mulch, leaves, and other outdoor debris can gather on your condensing unit and block the fins that allow heat to leave the system.
  • Clear the area around the outdoor unit. In addition to cleaning, make sure there are no plants or other items in the two feet of space immediately surrounding the unit. Prune shrubs and branches nearby and pull up vegetation that has grown around the unit’s base. Relocate outdoor storage away from your unit to eliminate any airflow obstructions.
  • Ensure vents are open and unblocked. Walk through your home and check every vent, register, and return air grille. All vent and register louvers should be set open. Move rugs, furniture, and other items away from the vents and grilles to allow air to freely circulate through the ducts, into your home, and back to the air conditioning system.

Fighting the Dust War

It’s the time of year when you may be starting to run your AC unit (or at least be making sure it’s ready for the hot days to come. If so, then you should also be making sure that you home is ready for your system to com on. One thing you should be considering is dust buildup.

Most of the time, dust may collect and you clean that spot. However, there are some places that aren’t dusted as often, such as the blades of a ceiling fan or the window blinds. These places can sometimes be tricky to clean, but don’t worry! We found some good tips for you at HGTV.com. These tips will help you get rid of the dust in these hard to handle areas and help keep your unit running smoothly.

Air Conditioning Tips

Summer has been trying to leave us for some time now. However, among the few days of cool relief, we keep seeing days near or over ninety degrees. Until these days are gone to make way for Autumn weather, you should make sure your air conditioning unit is still working properly to keep your home comfortable. Here are a few common air conditioning problems to keep an eye out for:

  • Less/No Cool Air

Can you hear your unit working but you’re not feeling any cool air? If so, your refrigerant levels might need to be checked. Refrigerant helps make sure your air conditioner is actually cooling the air that blows out of it.

  • Fan Not Rotating

Your condenser fan may have burned out and need replaced. Another possible issue is humidity. It can cause more condensation to form, so you should also watch for water not draining correctly or a restricted drain.

  • Not Cooling Properly

A good first step is to try lowering the temperature on your thermostat. If that doesn’t work, check the air filter. A dirty air filter can cause major cooling troubles. Another possibel issue is that your air conditioner is not properly sized. This is a frequent issue when homes are constructed.

  • Short Cycling

Short cycling, or turning on or off repeatedly, can mean one of multiple things. Your condenser or evaporator could be dirty and in need of cleaning. After cleaning the unit and ensuring all blockages are removed, you may be good to go. Humidity also plays a part. If your home cools to the correct temperature, but then humidity causes your home to quickly heat up, it could result in your air conditioning working harder to keep your home comfortable.

If you’re facing these or other air conditioning troubles, give Air Handlers Inc a call. We can help you check your system and make sure everything is working properly.