If you think about all the possible things that could go wrong with your automobile's engine, and also understand that your heating and air conditioning system is the engine of your home, you'll start to fathom the myriad of possible problems your HVAC system could have without the proper maintenance. I've previously mentioned
five of the most common air conditioning repair problems I run into nearly every day.
I'm often asked by customers, "What can I do to prevent repair problems besides just changing the filter?" They want to know if the break down could have been avoided and how. Here are a few more ways to help ensure your air conditioning system keeps up during the dog days of summer.
Check to ensure all air vents are open and free from obstruction.
Proper airflow is critical for all air conditioning systems. Return air grills (where room air is brought back to the air conditioning system) are particularly important.
The sides and top of the outside equipment must be clear of debris.
Check around the outdoor unit, the Air Conditioner or Heat Pump, and clear any vegetation or brush away from the sides of the unit.
Level the equipment pad.
As the area around the Air Conditioner or Heat Pump settles, the pad that supports the unit can unlevel. It's important for continued reliability that the Air Conditioner be level, or in the case of a Heat Pump only a slight slope occurs. A professional air conditioning company can help in this area.
Pest Control can really help.
In many areas around the country, ants and bugs can be attracted to the electrical components within the outdoor Air Conditioner or Heat Pump. These bugs may actually cause the unit to malfunction and not start. An environmentally safe pesticide spread around the base of the unit can help prevent insect infestation.
If you don't have one yet, get a programmable thermostat now.
The EPA estimates that the proper use of a programmable thermostat can save as much as 15% more on the Air Conditioning portion of your home's energy costs.
For optimum comfort, it's important for the Air Conditioner to have longer run cycles.
Longer run cycles (cycles = the length of time that the system operates to cool the home) helps remove more humidity from the air and provides a much more comfortable living environment. Short cycles may not adequately remove moisture from the air and could lead to a "clammy" or "damp" environment. In many instances, the indoor air blower can be adjusted to provide maximum dehumidification, improving overall comfort. A professional Air Conditioning company can help in this area.
Posted on: 7/31/2008 4:31:11 PM by Sam
Plumbing leaks and failures are no fun. In some circumstances they can cost a small fortune to rectify. The good news is many are preventable with just a little awareness and maintenance. Here are three quick tips that should help to keep the water flowing the way it should.
1. Read up: Before you attempt to fix or call a plumber about complicated plumbing equipment (garbage disposals, water heaters, water filters, etc) read the owner’s manual cover to cover. Plumbing products sometimes have safety features, reset switches or other hidden features that could appear to be problems, but are easily corrected. Also check any circuit breakers and fuses.
2. Ignorance is not bliss: If you see a water stain on walls, ceilings or floors, don’t wait around to see if it will go away. Any water spot is an indication that water has penetrated from somewhere. It’s best to find out where the source of the leak is right away, before the hidden damage makes itself known in the form of bacteria, microbes or even permanent damage to the structure.
3. Don’t always DIY: It is possible to repair minor problems with some effort. There are many
online resources available that show how to replace or repair simple household plumbing fixtures. However, unless you really know what you’re doing, it’s better not to attempt to repair difficult plumbing leaks and pipes on your own. If you’re intimidated and concerned about making leaks worse (which can happen more often than not), it can actually save you more time and money to just hire a professional to get the job done and out of the way.
Visit our
plumbing page for more information on how we can help fix your plumbing pains.
Posted on: 7/28/2008 8:11:35 AM by Sam
It the midst of the summer cooling season power usage is at its peak. Extreme temperatures, along with severe weather can occur any time. This often means power outages and blackouts when our infrastructure gets overloaded or damaged. In a heat wave, this scenario spells big trouble for many people, especially for rural homes, elderly communities, or dense urban areas where there’s no place to get relief from the sweltering heat.
But there is a solution.
A major equipment manufacturer has just released a
new line of whole-home residential generators. Unlike small, gas powered generators that are increasingly more costly to operate, these new “commercial-grade” home generators are designed to
power your entire home in the event of a power outage. They also regulate and control power output to prevent damage to today’s sensitive electronic equipment, like HD televisions and computers, and they restore power to your entire home in as little as 10 seconds. That’s three times faster than similar models. Another important benefit is they operate on your home's current supply of clean burning natural or LP gas, so you never have to worry about keeping the generator filled with fuel.
What does all this mean to you? Food doesn’t spoil when the refrigerator goes out, uninterrupted air conditioning or heating, and a safe haven from the storm to name just a few of the benefits. Your home will likely become the gathering place for friends and family seeking desperate relief from the heat or severe weather.
For more information on these revolutionary new generators, see
how they work with an interactive tool, or call Service Experts now at
888.HEATCOOL to schedule a personal consultation to see if a whole-home generator meets your needs.
Posted on: 7/3/2008 10:00:00 AM by Sam