HVAC Archives - Page 6 of 10 - Action Heating & Conditioning

Our home is the largest investment most of us will ever incur. Keeping our home comfortable is always a priority. This is why our HVAC system is so important. It is no secret that heating and air conditioning equipment is costly. When there is an equipment failure, the costs are often shocking to the homeowner. But, should they be?

Most repairs on HVAC systems are easily identifiable with bi-annual inspections and tune-ups. Worn components can normally be replaced by scheduled appointment and without significant downtime. The problem lies in homeowners not purchasing the bi-annual maintenance agreement.

Compare the care of the HVAC system with another large ticket mechanical device, such as the family automobile. Both of these items require tune-ups, fluid checks, and regular cleaning. However, most people take much better care of their automobile than their HVAC system. People would never dream of taking a car from a garage after six months of storage and driving on a three-month road trip. But, that is exactly what we do with our HVAC system.

Why does it cost so much to repair or replace an air conditioning system? Usually, it is because we have let minor repairs become major repairs. With any mechanical system, failure of a part or component can have a domino effect on other parts. This means, replacing multiple parts instead of repairing one.

Even when we suspect a problem with our air conditioning system, we do not take action until the system is no longer cooling. Since most people work during the day and are only home in the cool of the evening, they may not realize that the system was not cooling as it should have been for many days or weeks. When we find ourselves with a hot home and no air conditioning, we want help NOW.

Often scheduling after normal business hours or on weekends or holidays is necessary. If the parts are not in stock, it often costs additional charges to get them quickly. Air conditioning companies have to absorb these costs. Technicians put in long days and overtime deserves compensation. They try hard to keep standard parts in stock, but it is not possible to keep all parts to all systems on hand, at all times. Expedited orders cost more, for the part and for the shipping.

Finally, the age of the system factors in. For example, air conditioners made before 2004 use R-22 refrigerant. R-22 is very costly and a leak is a good reason to look at replacement of the system. Most of these expenses are controllable with bi-annual maintenance. Call today and aloow Action Heating & Air Conditioning your air conditioning company to assist you in keeping costs down.

What can you do in or outside my home or business to reduce your heating and cooling utility billing?

We will explore a variety of things you can do to keep your down. Some you may have heard of before and some may be new ideas that you can implement in your home. The more tips you utilize, the lower your monthly costs will be.

Thermostats and Settings

Thermostats are one of the simplest and cheapest ways to control costs. In winter, you can keep the settings a little lower during periods you are out of the house and during the hours you are sleeping. Keeping the setting at the lowest temperature you can comfortably tolerate when you are home is also recommended. Conversely, this same method can be applied in the summer months with the air conditioning. However, instead of lowering thermostat settings, you raise them. So you kick the temperature up a bit when you are out of the house and when sleeping. Just this little measure, can add up to measurable savings. Programmable thermostats are economical and take the hassle out of remembering to change temperatures. You can pre-program the unit and it will do the work for you.

Holes and Leaks

Inspect your house for sources of holes and leaks.

Places to check:

holes where pipes or cables exit through an outer wall
doors where you can see light around edges
around windows
duct work that has become separated
electrical outlets
chimneys

Any leaks should be repaired and holes caulked or covered in some way to eliminate losing heat or a/c that should be staying inside your home.

More tips for the homeowner

Homeowners can cover windows in the winter with plastic to reduce drafts and heat loss through the glass. You can also use the sun to help warm the house by opening window coverings to allow in southern exposure light. You will want to keep those coverings buttoned up during the summer so as not to work against your air conditioner.

Make sure your vent registers are kept clear so you maximize air flow. You can also close off those registers in rooms that you do not use. This will redirect the air to the rooms you are occupying.

Maintenance

Making sure your heating and cooling equipment is functioning properly and efficiently, contact your HVAC professional for a tune-up and check prior to the start of each season.

Action Heating and Air Conditioning are here to help. Our staff can perform a check of your home and identify any issues that need to be addressed, especially those that will save you money. If you are in the market for a new heating or cooling units, they can help you make a decision that fits your needs and budget.