Most of Us Take Heating and Cooling for Granted., HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Most of us take heating and cooling for granted. We expect our heating systems to keep us warm during the winter, and we depend on air-conditioning to keep us cool during the summer. When the house is cold in winter or hot in summer, the natural reaction is to call for professional service. Fortunately, there is an alternative. You can cut service costs drastically and keep your heating and cooling systems working efficiently by doing some maintenance and quick fixes yourself. But first, it's important to know how the basics of how heating and cooling systems function. How Heating and Cooling Systems Work All climate-control devices or systems have three basic components: a source of warmed or cooled air, a means of distributing the air to the rooms being heated or cooled, and a control used to regulate the system (e.g., thermostat). The sources of warm air, such as a furnace, and cool air, such as an air conditioner, in a house often use the same distribution and control systems. If your house has central air conditioning, cool air probably flows through the same ducts that heat does and is regulated by the same thermostat. When a heating or cooling system malfunctions, any of these three basic components may be causing the problem. Both heating and air conditioning work on the principle that heat always moves from a warm object to a cooler one, just as water flows from a higher to a lower level. Furnaces and heaters put heat into the air to make your home warmer; air conditioners remove heat to make your home cooler. All heating and cooling units burn fuel. Air conditioners use electricity. Most home heating systems use gas or fuel oil; other systems use electricity. The heat pump -- an electrically powered climate control unit -- both heats and cools air. In summer it extracts heat from the air inside your home. In winter it pulls heat from the air outside and uses this heat to warm the air inside. When the furnace is turned on, it consumes the fuel that powers it, whether it be gas, oil, or electricity. As fuel is burned, heat is produced and channeled to the living areas of your home through ducts, pipes, or wires and then is blown out of registers, radiators, or heating panels. Older systems use the heat they produce to heat water, which in turn heats the air in your home. These systems use a boiler to store and heat the water supply, which is then circulated as hot water through pipes embedded in the wall, floor, or ceiling. When an air conditioner is turned on, electrical power is used to cool a gas in a coil to its liquid state. Warm air in your home is cooled by contact with the cooling coil, and this cooled air is channeled to the rooms of your home through ducts and out registers or -- in the case of room air conditioners -- directly from the unit itself. heating and cooling atlanta ga

Perfection Air - Heating and Cooling Services Metro Atlanta GA,HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

At Perfection Air, we have over 15 years of experience and have accumulated extensive industry knowledge and competency that ensures your project or service will be done right the first time. We are proud of our tradition of excellence serving homeowners throughout Metro-Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Perfection Air has also completed many large projects in Florida, Virginia, and other surrounding states. The company teams are fully trained to work out of town and have the ability to do a very safe, cost-efficient, and time-efficient job. Perfection Air is a fully insured licensed contractor that specializes in residential and commercial installation, repair and maintenance of HVAC equipment. Commercially, our expertise includes apartment buildings, office buildings, and warehouses. Through our incomparable attention to detail, we prove a genuine concern for the safety, health, and comfort of our customers. We serve all of Atlanta and the surrounding areas, so please give us a call at 770-444-9142. We look forward to helping you with any and all of your heating and air conditioning needs. When you think about heating and cooling your home, do your thoughts turn to money and engery efficiency? The more efficient heating and cooling systems are, the less they cost to run. That means your utility bills can be lower. Energy efficiency is good for the environment, too. Before you invest in a new system, ask about the EnergyGuide label — it lets you know how energy efficient a model is compared to others like it. Products that meet certain energy efficiency criteria will have the ENERGY STAR logo. If you want to increase the efficiency of your system but you're not in the market to replace it, consider a professional or do-it-yourself home energy assessment. It can show you how specific fixes — like sealing air leaks or beefing up insulation — could help you save money and boost efficiency. If you use heating oil, consider shopping around to make sure you're getting a good price. Research a company and its service before you sign a contract. If you live where you can choose your natural gas provider, shop for a good price on gas. Shop smart for "energy-saving" products and services. Be skeptical of gadgets and products that promise drastic reductions in home cooling costs or extreme energy savings. Verify product claims with an independent source you trust. Resist high-pressure door-to-door sales calls for furnaces, windows, and other home improvement products. Find a contractor who's licensed and reputable, and remember that the Cooling-Off Rule gives you three business days to cancel a contract if you sign it in your home or at a location other than the contractor's permanent place of business. heating and cooling atlanta ga

The Green Industry and HVAC Design - Finding a New Way, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

The Green Industry and HVAC Design - Finding a New Way HVAC design has merged with green initiatives in an exciting new way. This is partly because HVAC needed to rebound from the recession and figure out a new way to do business going forward. And that is just what it has done. Now the real estate market is showing some signs of picking up again. Especially residential real estate looks promising for growth going forward in the near and distant future, so that means that there will be more big jobs that will need HVAC to progress. The green industry and HVAC design have come together to create new potentials for a new future. The main advantage of the merger between the green industry and HVAC design is of course the incentives that have been offered by the government for contractors and builders to start to look at and practice green principles in their design initiatives. While there have been sectors of the industry around HVAC that have lagged and have not recovered from the economy, that continue to suffer from high rates of rejection, this is not true for the push to get green-certified going forward. Everyone today wants to know how to save both money and time, and of course if the government is offering you an incentive to cut your energy expenses, it just makes good sense to figure out how to do that as soon as possible. In the West, particularly, there have been several reports of HVAC certifications going green and focusing completely on ecologically based concerns. For instance, some furnace repair companies are opting to install energy saving devices rather than do yet another routine repair on a faulty furnace. So HVAC has found another way to market itself. This alliance between the green industry and HVAC design bodes well for all involved. Homeowners and commercial building owners can rest easy knowing they are getting the best system for their dollar and the most efficient one too. Environmentalists are pacified and business continues to grow and thrive. It’s a pretty sure bet that governments will aim to increase subsidies and incentives in the future for even more green initiatives and particularly a further alliance between the green industry and HVAC design. Even the more skeptical contractors are starting to understand that changes are underway. It looks good to stay up with the needs of the larger community and even the world-at-large. In the end, it will just mean a stronger business structure for the air conditioning companies that are wise enough to get in the game early. The whole world today is going green. What does this mean? Everyone is trying to figure out ways to conserve energy use. This means more efficient heating and cooling systems in both homes and commercial spaces, and for the people who build these systems, they have to get in gear as well. More efficiency means less wasted energy, and it isn’t just environmentalists who benefit from less waste. It’s also every homeowner and by association, every tenant too. What does this mean for builders and contractors? It means a new day is here, and you must adjust your practices accordingly. But luckily there is incentive to do so in the form of Energy Star rebates and Manual J load calculations. HVAC Repairs Atlanta GA

Evaluating Comfort Cooling System Performance, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

EVALUATING COMFORT COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE This is the first in a series of articles on the subject of HVACR system performance, and I think it’s appropriate that we begin by taking a nuts-and-bolts look at some of the simple tests technicians can accomplish with standard test equipment when they are checking a comfort cooling system for proper operation and optimum performance. As we all know, the “beer can cold” suction line test went by the wayside long ago, and refrigeration and air flow system performance analysis requires a more sophisticated approach. The illustration in Figure One shows the data collection points I’ll be discussing. Of course, one of the most common method employed to evaluate a system is a standard set of compound gauges attached the high and low pressure access valves (shown to the left of our illustration at the outdoor segment of a typical split system). Unfortunately, this is often the only step taken to find out if a comfort cooling system is operating as efficiently as possible, however there’s much more beyond this basic process that should be accomplished in the way of performance checks. Let’s start with one that is very simple and easy to do, yet tells you a lot about the system. You’ll note that in addition to the pressure measurements that can be taken at the outdoor unit, we are also explaining that you should test the temperature of the discharge line. This is a temperature test that should be accomplished about 6 inches from the compressor, and the maximum reading you should get is 225 Degrees F. The bottom line on this test is simple: If you’re getting a 225-degree reading at this point on the discharge line, then the temperature inside the compressor itself is going to be approximately 300-Degrees. And, a temperature higher than that in a compressor crankcase will mean that some of the oil is vaporizing, which affects the lubrication process. Of course, the ultimate result of this situation is premature compressor failure. How does a compressor discharge temperature get too high? Again, unfortunately, a system overcharge is often the culprit….a system overcharge that is the result of poor service procedures like “adding a little gas” in an effort to increase the performance of the equipment. The percentage of overcharged residential comfort cooling systems is literally staggering, and they are not only failing prematurely, requiring sealed system service that increases the incidences of refrigerant discharge into the atmosphere, but they are operating inefficiently due to increased current draw….a far cry from proper system performance. HVAC Repairs Atlanta GA

Improve the Energy Efficiency of an Existing Building in Just 1 DAY., HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Improve the Energy Efficiency of an Existing Building in just 1 DAY. Many of the new building these days are equipped with an Energy Management System (EMS) to withstand government energy efficient laws. By controlling and monitoring air condition and lights it is ensured buildings are run at most optimum condition with minimum waste of energy resulting in lower electric bills. There is however a problem with older buildings that to do not have these EMS system. These buildings, which are the majority of buildings worldwide, suffer from high wastage of energy due to air condition and lights left power on over night or sometimes even over the holidays. It is very common to drive at night, during late hours, over schools and office buildings and see many lights are left power on. This energy waste phenomenon results in larger electric bills for the owner and increase value of carbon emission, polluting the environment. Companies like Honeywell, Schneider Electric, Johnson Control and EkonControl came with new wireless building management systems that can be installed in existing building in a very short time by simply replacing the old thermostat (and light switches) with a new network thermostat to communicate wirelessly with control system that can control and monitor the whole building in a very efficient way. Using these EMS systems ensures the building’s owner large saving on electric bill within very short period of installation so return on investment is very quick. The amount of savings is mainly depends on how often the employees at the building forget to power off the air condition. In schools, for example, it is well known problem that lights and air condition are left power on overnight so in this case the savings will be over 50% reduction on the electric bills. In cases where employees are more ‘civilized’ (they power off the air condition and lights 100% of the times the room is left unoccupied), the power savings will be around 5% mainly because the system can lock the thermostat on optimum set points ensuring the compressor work less time and hence reduce energy. This kind of EMS/BMS system is most relevant for commercial buildings such as Schools, Hospitals, Large Cooperate Offices, Museums, Government Offices, etc. where there are over 30 thermostats and light switches spread over few floors where it is more difficult to control manually. Since most of these new systems are plug & play, it can be installed by any professional electrician or by the building maintenance. The software of the building management system is already embedded inside the master controller so user only needs to give each module (thermostat or light switch) an address and give each unit a name on the graphical user interface in the same manner of adding a name in smart phones. Most of these EMS/BMS systems have schedule weekly times in which user can setup group of air condition and lights to go on or off at particular times. Moreover, user can create working groups to activate few air conditions and light loads to a certain pre define condition by 1 press of a button. In few of these systems it is even possible to lock group of thermostats on a certain optimum set point so it cannot be changed manually, keeping the set point at energy save conditions. Utility payers expect to see reduced electric bill from the time the system start running HVAC Repairs Atlanta GA

Turning Mini Split Leads Into Zoning Jobs In Metro Atlanta Area, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Turning Mini Split Leads Into Zoning Jobs In Metro Atlanta Area “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” This quote from Steve Jobs is especially true in the HVAC industry. People know that certain rooms are uncomfortable but make the assumption that because their parents' homes had too hot or too cold spots, that is just how the equipment works. Those who decide they want better for their homes’ system frequently turn to the internet to begin researching ways to correct their home comfort issues. A common result for too hot and too cold Google keyword searches? Mini splits. Most contractors offer their preferred brand of this equipment, however, one Arzel contractor uses his mini split leads as a spring board for a bigger sales opportunity, a zoning system. After speaking to the homeowner and asking a few key investigative questions, the contractor can usually determine whether the consumer would be better served with a zoning solution. Make the Case for Zoning If the homeowner is trying to achieve comfort for several hard to condition spaces and they have forced air with duct work, they are a better candidate for zoning than mini splits. He explains to each homeowner who fits this criteria that their problem is getting comfort where its needed when its wanted and can be corrected at a lower cost than a new system. Although zoning can be more costly than an application using a single mini-split, more often than not, the homeowner reveals that their comfort issues are throughout the home and they were unaware a solution could correct the entire home. They pursue the mini split option because it puts a quick, relatively low cost band aid on the spot they feel the most discomfort such as an upstairs bedroom in the summertime or basement. In these instances, the contractor shared with me he tells his customers they get more bang for their buck when they improve their existing system with zoning instead of installing additional equipment to correct temperature issues in one area. While the cost of a single mini split unit is lower than a zoning system, the operating costs and overall comfort benefits for a whole home application pale in comparison. Zoning systems provide better efficiency and more comfort. There is always a place for mini split such as a converted space with no duct work, boiler applications or homes with a need for single area comfort improvement. After learning how this contractor optimizes his sales leads with zoning, I am certain there are other homeowners out their needing the guidance and knowledge of you, their comfort expert. You have to go out and share with your customers how you can raise their comfort expectations of their existing system. Remember, they don’t know what’s out their until you, or your competitor, tells them. HVAC Repairs Atlanta GA

Geothermal Heat Pump Sales in Atlanta GA, USA, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Geothermal Heat Pump Sales in Atlanta GA, USA While 2012 was an overall weak year for GHPs in the US, key states continued growth. Some have state incentive programs and some didn't. In some cases, it was simply dogged determination from local distribution, in others the state incentives helped to drive the market. There is no question that the current 30% Federal Tax Credit is helping to drive demand. Read more here about the tax credit. For long-term consistent growth, the real driving force has to be consumer and contractor education. There is a small percentage of contractors offering geothermal heat pump systems, if you can expand that base correctly you'll expand the education both in the contractor and the consumer sector. A solid contractor base would be one which has proper training and installs geothermal heat pumps often enough to do it properly each and every time. I recently read an article by Chris Williams of Heatspring Magazine. In his article, Chris addresses what he believes to be the top 4 items the industry needs to drive adoption of the technology. Here are my thoughts on his trends to drive adoption. Trend #1 - State Policy will Drive Adoption - while the Federal Tax Credit is helping and State assistance would also help, these should be temporary measures. The technology can and will stand on its own. The industry is viable and sustainable, but the major players are all simply bit players in the overall HVAC market. It will take major level adoption from HVAC manufacturers to make a major impact. Why don't the majors get involved? The truth be told, they don't have a vested interest. Equivalent equipment cost is essentially the same as what they currently sell and geo technology requires an entire new level of training and dealer development. Why invest in the 3% that's geo when you already have a substantial piece of the 97%? They pick up no revenue from the excavation cost and this is typically the additional cost over a conventional HVAC system. This is the continual hurdle the industry faces, no buy-in from the big guys; Carrier, Goodman, Lennox, Trane, York. While Bosch has started to make their presence known in the geo market, they are not an overall HVAC player in North America and have struggled adapting to the difference in distribution between HVAC and their other divisions. They do bring a recognizable name and legitimacy to the industry, this MUST be backed up with consumer marketing, infrastructure support and training. Trend #2 - Real Time Monitoring - Real time monitoring is typically done on large commercial projects that are managed as an energy service contract. This type of monitoring is not typical for a residential installation. Our contractor base can offer loop temperature monitoring at a very low cost when they install one of our GeoComfort or Bosch systems using our ecobee thermostat. Adding full blown data recording can be expensive and honestly, in most cases is needless. As the author pointed out in his note #2 on what will NOT drive the industry, the homeowner is looking for lower utilities and savings; not COP ratings or kW usage reports. Trend #3 - Communications and Industry Research - this one is a little vague and I'm not certain of the relevance. Knowing the number of employees in a specific field will not make that field grow. As far as the first three items listed, that information is available to AHRI reporting partners currently. Some of the other items would be interesting, but none of that will educate the consumer or drive industry sales. Trend #4 - the author is firing on all cylinders here. He is correct in stating that installation costs will not go down, nor will utility costs. Higher utility costs equates to a better fit for geo technology. Saving 60% on $100 is a nice savings of $60, but if you make that 60% savings on $400, that's $240 in your pocket. At those levels, more people will certainly become interested in the technology. Your can read the original article at 4 Trends Driving the Geothermal Heat Pump Industry in 2013. HVAC Repairs Atlanta GA

How Often Should I Change My Air Filters? Perfection Air HVAC Marietta GA, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

How often should I change my air filters? Change your air filters on a regular basis. Dirty filters are around 25% of the problems that result in air conditioning failures. Dirty air filters allow large amounts of dirt, irritants, and dust to flow back through your air conditioning system and contaminate the air. You and your family are breathing this very same air. Change it when you think your air filter is dirty. Think about all that dirt still getting through and floating in the air you are breathing. It is like that for your air conditioning system too. All that dirt and dust ends up collecting on the fan motors, electrical components, fan blades, coils and duct lining. After some time this buildup will cause the system components to fail, short out, or even catch fire. How often you change your filter will depend on other factors in your home. Did you know that pets and children create more dust and dirt than a home without pets or children? Pets bring in more dirt from outside. They also have twice as many feet that move faster than humans that kick up more dust from the floor causing it to be picked up and circulated back through the air conditioning system. The best way to determine if you need to change your filter is to visually inspect the filter. Do not cover up the returns with furniture or fabrics; leave the return open and visible so that you can check it often. We all have poor memory when it comes to our filters, so an obvious filter location will help. If you are like me, I cannot figure out the FILTER setting on the thermostat and be able to reset it without searching for hours for the instructions for the thermostat. Here’s the best home improvement tip of all time: If the filter looks dirty, change it. If that is monthly for your home, change it monthly. Do not rely on the filter rating on the package. The rating on the package is only a guideline to show you how much more particulate the filter can stop and is very misleading. If it is White then it can stay. If it is gray then it must go. At Perfection Air, we have over 15 years of experience and have accumulated extensive industry knowledge and competency that ensures your project or service will be done right the first time. We are proud of our tradition of excellence serving homeowners throughout Metro-Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Perfection Air has also completed many large projects in Florida, Virginia, and other surrounding states. The company teams are fully trained to work out of town and have the ability to do a very safe, cost-efficient, and time-efficient job. Perfection Air is a fully insured licensed contractor that specializes in residential and commercial installation, repair and maintenance of HVAC equipment. Commercially, our expertise includes apartment buildings, office buildings, and warehouses. Through our incomparable attention to detail, we prove a genuine concern for the safety, health, and comfort of our customers. We serve all of Atlanta and the surrounding areas, so please give us a call at 770-444-9142. We look forward to helping you with any and all of your heating and air conditioning needs HVAC Marietta GA

Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace? Perfection Air Marietta GA, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace? furnace Sometimes spending money can end up saving you money. In the case of furnaces and air conditioners this is often the case: Spending money can really end up saving you money in a short period of time. But beware: An inefficient furnace does not always need to be replaced, as there are some repairs and changes that can be made that might potentially help. For example, changing your furnace filters can help your system run more efficiently, as can making sure your humidifier is set to the proper level. Often, simple repairs such as replacing the pilot light with an electronic ignition or sealing the joints in your ductwork can end up doing the trick, thus saving you money and extending the life of your HVAC system. If you really do suspect that you need a new heating or cooling system, the first step is to contact a reliable HVAC contractor to come and check it out for you. Remember, a furnace should last for about 25 years if properly maintained. So unless yours has been improperly installed, damaged or has faulty wiring, you should get many good years of use. So how will you know when it's really time to replace the furnace? There are three main main reasons why you would need to replace a furnace: 1) It's Extremely Old and Inefficient If you move into a home that was built in the 1960s or even earlier, chances are that it has an old boiler system or furnace. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need a newfurnace, but chances are that your system will need an overhaul to make it energy efficient for you. 2) The High Cost of Running Your Furnace Find out which is least expensive in your area: gas or electricity, and try to use the least expensive resource for your system. 3) Heating Load Heating load is the amount of energy required to maintain a steady 65-degree temperature indoors. To find out your heating load, you may want to consider contacting your utility company to perform an energy audit, which will help you figure out ways to make your home more energy efficient - and possibly save you from replacing the entire furnace or air conditioner. If you find that despite your efforts your furnace continues to work inefficiently, you probably need a new furnace. Do the Math If you replace your furnace with a 97% efficient system (look for an Energy Star furnace or A/C system and compare the AFUE and BTU levels), then you would cut your heating bills to around 20%. To see if it's worth spending the money, add up your fuel bills for last winter,then multiply that sum by 20%. Divide that figure into the cost of buying and installing the new system, about $3,000 or so, and you'll see how many years it will take to recoup your investment. HVAC Marietta GA

How Often Should I Have My Air Conditioner Tuned-Up? Perfeion Air Marietta GA, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Are you confused about how often you should have your home air conditioner tuned-up? We recently had this question asked to us on Facebook and thought we would share it. Question: Our units are 5 years old now. How often do you recommend a tune-up? Answer: Every year. There are items to check that if allowed to run out of specification, will cause your major motors, i.e. your blower fan, your condensing fan, and your compressor, will ultimately fail early and cost hundreds of dollars to replace. Cleaning the coils every year ensures that you are getting the best efficiency out of the system each cooling season. An air conditioner properly maintained can last twice as long as one that isn’t maintained. That will save you thousands of dollars due to an early replacement that could have been avoided. Over and over we get calls from people told by other companies that they need a new air conditioning unit because they have a Freon leak. In about 95% of those cases we were able to fix their leak for a fraction of the cost —while saving them many more years on their air conditioning unit. If this is the case, why are people being told they need a new unit? Several reasons. First, selling them a new unit makes them a lot more money. Second, most HVAC companies are not up to date with the new technology available to fix a Freon leak. Traditionally, when an air conditioning unit had a leak, a technician would need to do a Freon leak detection which was timely and costly just to find the leak - that doesn’t include then going in and fixing the Freon leak. Many times there could be more than one leak and was missed. We specialize in a simple and affordable leak seal treatment that does not require us to detect the leak. With our simple 3-step proven process we can seal your Freon leak in about an hour and have the air conditioning unit up and running, leak free! Perfection Air is a fully insured licensed contractor that specializes in residential and commercial installation, repair and maintenance of HVAC equipment. Commercially, our expertise includes apartment buildings, office buildings, and warehouses. Through our incomparable attention to detail, we prove a genuine concern for the safety, health, and comfort of our customers. We serve all of Atlanta and the surrounding areas, so please give us a call at 770-444-9142. We look forward to helping you with any and all of your heating and air conditioning needs HVAC Marietta GA

Heating and Air Marietta GA - Using Light To Help Heat Your Home, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Heating Cover all bare floors. Carpeting or rugs add to comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation. Raise the temperature slowly to keep your bill lower. Quickly raising your heat pump's temperature activates the heat strip, which uses tons of energy. Set your thermostat to 68-70 degrees during the day in the winter, and 65-68 degrees at night to keep your home comfortable and save on heating costs. Close the flue in your fireplace and install glass doors to keep in the warm air. Limit your use of portable heaters. They’re great for "spot" heating, but running a 1,500-watt heater 24/7 can be expensive. Keep your thermostat close to the outside temperature - it’s cheaper to keep your home at 70°F when it’s 50°F outside than when it’s 30°F. Don’t block air vents with drapes and furniture. Get an energy-efficient heat pump and you could cut your heating costs in half. Duke Energy Progress offers rebates up to $300 to help you upgrade. Change the filters in your heating system every month for optimum efficiency. Give your air compressor space to work efficiently. Never stack anything against your HVAC or drape anything over it. Set your thermostat to 60 degrees if going on vacation during the winter months, but don’t turn it off. Heat your home with the sun's help. Leave window shades or blinds open during the daytime. And consider using solar heat to supplement your normal heating source. Lower your thermostat every time you leave the house. Lighting Buy bulbs for less. Check out the Duke Energy Progress Residential Lighting Program to find local retailers who offer energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs at discounted prices. Replace standard bulbs with CFLs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are more energy-efficient than regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light. Use the right bulb. Make sure you’re using the appropriate CFL bulb for your light fixture - they come in various sizes and types for different lighting needs. Replace halogen light bulbs, which can get hot enough to be a fire hazard, with CFLs - they use less energy and don’t get as hot. Use motion-detector lights for all your outdoor lighting - they’re convenient and efficient. Recycle your CFL bulbs. Check the CFL recycling page to find out how, where and why. Replace your five most-used light fixtures and/or bulbs with ENERGY STAR® products. If every American did so, we would save about $8 billion per year in energy costs. Consider using timers to turn lights on in the morning and off during the day. Choose outdoor CFLs for outdoor lighting - they last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs. Select light-colored or opaque lamp shades. Place lamps in corners so they reflect light from two walls. Install fluorescent tubes as an efficient way to light your workshop or playroom. Heating and Air Marietta GA

100 Ways to Save Energy at Home - Heating and Air Marietta GA, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Cooling Switch your ceiling fan to turn in a counter-clockwise direction In the summer; in the winter, run it at low speed, but clockwise. Close your exterior doors and windows tightly when the AC is on. Save even more by turning off kitchen and bath exhaust fans. Change or clean your AC's air filters at least once a month to keep your system running at peak performance. Make sure your AC has a rating - or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) - of 15. Not only will your AC be more efficient, you could also be eligible for a rebate up to $300. Make saving automatic: Set your thermostat fan switch to "auto" to save energy. Leaving it in the "on" position keeps air running constantly. Block the sun from overheating your home! Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes. Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs. Insulate your walls with injected foam insulation to help you save energy by keeping hot outside air from seeping through porous block walls - check with your local building supply company for details. Give your AC tune-up. Running an inefficient AC system can result in high monthly bills. Plus, you could qualify for a rebate. Open interior doors so that cooled air flows freely throughout your home. Repair leaky ducts to reduce heating and cooling costs and qualify for a rebate up to $120 toward repairs. Install attic insulation rated R-30 and sealing any attic leaks to reduce high home cooling costs. You’ll save money each month and qualify for a rebate of $75 or more. Check for household leaks to make sure air isn't escaping through openings such as fireplace dampers, doors and windows. Decorate for a cooler home by hanging light-colored curtains that allow light to enter a room while blocking some of the sun’s rays, and light-colored paint to reflect heat. Close unused air vents. If you have central AC you can close air vent in rooms you're not using so you're not paying to cool them. Plant trees to provide shade on the sunny side of your home. Use ceiling fans to cool off for less. Ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light bulb. However, be sure to turn fans off when you leave — they only cool people, not rooms. Install more ceiling fans. Because the breeze of a fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler, you can raise that thermostat and still stay comfortable. Raise the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees to save on your cooling costs. Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your temperature during the day. Heating and Air Marietta GA

The Whole House Approach - When It Comes to Saving Energy Atlanta GA, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

The Whole House Approach When it comes to saving energy, every little change you make in your house has an impact. However, you’ll see the greatest difference if you take the “whole house approach.” Think of your home as a small ecosystem. No matter how efficient your heating or cooling system, or how low you set your thermostat in the winter, or how good your insulation, if your ducts leak or you have drafty windows and other air leaks, you’re fighting a losing battle to heat or cool your home efficiently. That’s just one example. The point is, while every little bit of improvement in your energy efficiency helps, approaching your house as an ecosystem where each part is dependent on the others will bring you best results. According to the Department of Energy, it’s possible to reduce your utility bills by 25 percent with diligent changes to your practices along with other changes. This article is the first in a three-part series aimed at guiding you through energy-saving, bill-lowering tips that, for the most part, you can DIY. You may be able to implement some of these tips immediately while others can be worked on as your budget or time permits. Efficient Heating and Cooling Change or clean HVAC filters regularly. Fresh filters ensure your HVAC system breathes properly, boosting energy efficiency, and ensure better indoor air quality. Block or allow direct sunlight on your windows according to the season. In the winter the sun helps warm your home, but in the summer it makes your home hotter, causing your air conditioner to work harder. Consider trees for shading during the summer or even window film that blocks the solar rays on the hottest sides of your home. Use fans in the summer to keep your house comfortable. Moving air feels cooler, allowing you to set your thermostat higher. Consider your window curtains, shades or blinds carefully. Insulated drapes help block heat and cold, for instance, while sheers allow air to flow right through. Dark colors absorb heat while light colors don’t. Choose your window coverings with your needs in mind. Run humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Raising the humidity in the air during winter makes it seem warmer, and likewise, dehumidifiers help a space feel cooler in the summer. Plus, removing humidity relieves strain on your air conditioner. Note: Check your humidity level before running a humidifier to ensure you aren’t simply creating a steam bath environment that encourages mold, mildew and rot. Also avoid making the environment too dry. Open your windows and use the night air to cool your home in the fall or spring. A box fan set in the window will draw in air and help limit your use of the air conditioner. Watch your thermostat temperature settings. In the summer, aim for between 74 and 80 degrees for greater energy savings. Under 70 degrees is ideal in winter. Keep the thermostat far from drafts, heat sources or other conditions that alter the proper temperature reading. Install a programmable thermostat. The ability to set your air conditioner to a warmer temperature or your heater to a cooler setting when you plan to be away from the home for long periods saves energy and money. Keep in mind that extreme temperature fluctuations may be self-defeating; In other words, it can take more energy to heat the home back to a livable temperature if it gets too cold while you are away. Setting your thermostat just a few degrees lower during your workday will reflect in your energy bill. HVAC Marietta GA

Heating and Cooling Tips Atlanta GA - Perfection Air, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

No-cost Use shades, blinds and drapes to help with heating and cooling. Open them to gain the sun's heat during heating season and close them to block the heat during cooling season. Make it a habit today. Adjust your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. You can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from its normal setting for 8 hours a day. Recommended thermostat settings when you are home are 68 F in winter and 78 F in summer. Leave thermostat's fan switch on "auto" so the fan only runs when the furnace runs. Setting the fan to "on" causes it to run all the time, whether or not heating or cooling is needed. Turn thermostat down to 55 F when using a fireplace. Older, wood-burning fireplaces tend to be inefficient and can be costly, drawing more heated air out of your home through the chimney than a fire can produce. So, turn the thermostat down when you cozy up in front of the fire. After the smoldering embers are out, close the flue damper to keep warm air in the house. Low-cost Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and siding with caulk and weather stripping. This prevents loss of heated or cooled air and improves the comfort of your home. Use fans in summer, even if you have air conditioning. Circulating cool air makes it feel cooler. Using an air conditioner and fan together means you can set the thermostat at a higher-than-normal setting to save energy. Keep in mind that it does little good to run fans when you are not around. Similar to an outdoor breeze on a hot summer day, air moving across your body is what makes you feel cooler. Install a programmable thermostat for your comfort and convenience. It can adjust the heat or air conditioning for times you typically are away (when you go to work) and again for times you typically are home. You also can program it to turn the heat down when you go to sleep and turn it back up before you wake up in the morning. It adjusts automatically, so you don't have to remember to do it. Schedule regular tune-ups for your furnace and air conditioner. Seasonal maintenance keeps equipment running safely and efficiently, and saves money in the long run. More ways to save Furnaces and air conditioners Choose efficient furnaces and air conditioners when it's time for replacement. Furnaces and air conditioners are expensive to operate and to replace. If you need a new one, do not assume the size of the current unit is appropriate. Look at the unit's efficiency rating. Furnaces with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of at least 92 and an electrically efficient blower motor (ECW or variable speed) are best. If you use your central air conditioner a lot, look for a model with a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 14 or more for the best efficiency. Focus on Energy (in Wisconsin) and Efficiency United (in Michigan) may offer rebates for higher-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners. Windows If you just look at energy savings, window replacement should be your lowest priority, since replacing windows involves a large investment. However, if you are getting new windows for other reasons - appearance, condensation, comfort - look for Energy Star qualified windows. Natural gas Consider switching to natural gas. Compared to other traditional energy sources, natural gas is the least expensive way to heat your home and water, dry your laundry and cook your food. HVAC Marietta GA

Tips for saving on both heating and cooling., HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Tips for saving on both heating and cooling. a. Determine a comfortable setting for your heat and then set it two degrees lower. For each degree lower, savings will be about 3-5%. Conversely, find a comfortable setting for your air conditioner and then set it two degrees higher. b. When less heat or air conditioning is required, such as at night when sleeping or during the day when the house is not occupied, or when you are on vacation, set the thermostat significantly lower for heat and significantly higher for air conditioning. If you have heating/AC zones in your house, turn the heat and AC back in zones you are not using. In most homes, trying to keep a constant temperature will result in greater energy usage than reducing heat and air conditioning usage when less temperature control is required. Some estimates indicate that you can lower your heating and air conditioning bill by as much as 10% by lowering your thermostat to reduce heat, or raising your thermostat to reduce air conditioning, by five degrees for four hours each day. However, if you are using a heat pump for heat, avoid large changes in thermostat settings (usually over two degrees), to avoid having the supplemental heat strip activate, which is quite costly. c. Do not try to heat or cool your house faster by setting the thermostat to a higher or lower temperature than desired. The house won’t heat up or cool down any faster, and chances are you won’t turn the thermostat back to the desired temperature until the house has gotten too warm or cool, resulting in excess energy consumption. And, as noted above, if you are using a heat pump, turning up your thermostat more than two degrees above the present temperature to try to heat up your home more quickly will result in a higher cost for supplemental heat. d. Install a programmable thermostat to ensure temperature settings are lowered and raised when desired. Even a moderately priced programmable thermostat will most likely allow you to adjust settings for different periods of the day, as well as weekends versus weekdays. e. When heating the house, keep the blinds and drapes open on the sunny side of the house to help with heating. Conversely, keep the blinds and drapes closed on other windows to help retain the heat. Make sure to close blinds and drapes on all windows at night to help retain heat in the house. When using the AC, be sure to close blinds and drapes on the sunny side of the house to keep heat out. f. When heating your home, if you have ceiling fans run them at low speed and set them on reverse (pushing air upwards) to help move the heated air away from your ceiling and down where the people are. If you have exhaust fans, use them sparingly since they suck the heated air out of your house. When cooling your house, use ceiling fans (pushing air down) to create a gentle breeze. The fans will not actually make your house cooler, but will allow you to set the air conditioning at a higher temperature to save energy costs and still feel cool. Make sure to turn off the ceiling fans when not using the room. g. If you have storm windows/storm doors, make sure they are shut when heating/air conditioning to keep your warm or cool air inside the house. h. Make sure your forced-air heating/AC vents and return grills, and baseboard radiators, are out in the open and not blocked by drapes and furniture, so heat and air conditioning can freely circulate. However, you can close vents in unused rooms and keep the room’s door closed to save on heating and air conditioning costs, as long as your thermostat controlling the temperature in rooms being used is not in the closed room. Also consider keeping closet doors closed to avoid using energy to heat and air condition them. If you have radiators, consider installing a reflective panel (available at home improvement stores) behind them to reflect the heat into the room. If you are using space heaters make sure there is plenty of distance from the heater to any flammable materials. i. Remember to regularly change air filters in forced air systems. A dirty air filter that restricts air flow can increase heating/cooling bills considerably, and may reduce the life of your system. In systems with hot-water radiators, bleed trapped air once or twice a season to improve efficiency. HVAC Marietta GA

10 Tips to Keep Your Heating and Cooling Budget Energy Efficient!, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

1. Not all heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is equal. As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system can have a big effect on your utility bills - and your comfort. 2. Heating and cooling costs account for nearly half the home's total energy bill. If your central air conditioning unit is more than 10 years old, replacing it with a qualified, high-efficiency model could cut your cooling costs by 30 percent. 3. ENERGY STAR® certified central air conditioners have a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) than standard models - which makes them about 14% more efficient than standard models. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency. Since sizing and proper installation of a central air conditioning system are critical to energy efficiency and home comfort, it is important to hire a qualified technician. 4. Heat pumps qualified for the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program have a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) than standard models, which makes them about 8% percent more efficient than standard new models and 20% more efficient than what you may already have in your home. 5. Natural gas furnaces qualified for the BGE rebates have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 92%, or higher, making them up to 15% more efficient than standard models. One in four furnaces in U.S. homes today is more than 20 years old. BGE qualified natural gas furnaces use advanced technology to deliver higher efficiency than standard new furnaces available today. 6. High-efficiency heating and cooling equipment qualified for the BGE rebate meet or exceed the EPA's ENERGY STAR® certified product efficiency requirements. 7. When is it time to replace your central heating and cooling system? When your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are increasing. When your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Consider replacing it with a newer, more energy efficient equipment that meets the BGE rebate efficiency levels When your furnace is more than 15 years old. Consider replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient furnace that meets the BGE rebate efficiency levels. 8. Although these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills. Be sure to ask your contractor about BGE Heating & Cooling Rebates which can significantly help reduce the difference in price between standard and high efficiency products. 9. Before buying a new qualifying natural gas furnace, make sure to tell your contractor that you want to participate in BGE's Gas Furnace with Quality Installation Rebate. Make sure to choose an approved participating contractor who can do the right job. For a list of contractors participating in the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®, click here. 10. Proper maintenance can go a long way in preventing future heating and cooling system problems. Ask your contractor about annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors often get very busy during summer and winter months, so it's a good idea to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. HVAC Marietta GA

Heating and Cooling System Basics Atlanta GA - Perfection Air, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Heating and Cooling System Basics Atlanta GA - Perfection Air Most of us take heating and cooling for granted. We expect our heating systems to keep us warm during the winter, and we depend on air-conditioning to keep us cool during the summer. When the house is cold in winter or hot in summer, the natural reaction is to call for professional service. Fortunately, there is an alternative. You can cut service costs drastically and keep your heating and cooling systems working efficiently by doing some maintenance and quick fixes yourself. But first, it's important to know how the basics of how heating and cooling systems function. How Heating and Cooling Systems Work All climate-control devices or systems have three basic components: a source of warmed or cooled air, a means of distributing the air to the rooms being heated or cooled, and a control used to regulate the system (e.g., thermostat). The sources of warm air, such as a furnace, and cool air, such as an air conditioner, in a house often use the same distribution and control systems. If your house has central air conditioning, cool air probably flows through the same ducts that heat does and is regulated by the same thermostat. When a heating or cooling system malfunctions, any of these three basic components may be causing the problem. Both heating and air conditioning work on the principle that heat always moves from a warm object to a cooler one, just as water flows from a higher to a lower level. Furnaces and heaters put heat into the air to make your home warmer; air conditioners remove heat to make your home cooler. All heating and cooling units burn fuel. Air conditioners use electricity. Most home heating systems use gas or fuel oil; other systems use electricity. The heat pump -- an electrically powered climate control unit -- both heats and cools air. In summer it extracts heat from the air inside your home. In winter it pulls heat from the air outside and uses this heat to warm the air inside. When the furnace is turned on, it consumes the fuel that powers it, whether it be gas, oil, or electricity. As fuel is burned, heat is produced and channeled to the living areas of your home through ducts, pipes, or wires and then is blown out of registers, radiators, or heating panels. Older systems use the heat they produce to heat water, which in turn heats the air in your home. These systems use a boiler to store and heat the water supply, which is then circulated as hot water through pipes embedded in the wall, floor, or ceiling. When an air conditioner is turned on, electrical power is used to cool a gas in a coil to its liquid state. Warm air in your home is cooled by contact with the cooling coil, and this cooled air is channeled to the rooms of your home through ducts and out registers or -- in the case of room air conditioners -- directly from the unit itself. In the next section, we'll review the different distribution systems used for heating and cooling the home. HVAC Marietta GA

Energey Saving Tips Heating and Air Marietta GA - Use Microwaves and Toaster Ovens to Cook or Warm Leftovers, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Appliances Use microwaves and toaster ovens to cook or warm leftovers. You’ll use less energy than cooking with a conventional oven. Pull the plug on that second fridge located in the hot garage or utility room. Duke Energy Progress will pick it up and pay $50 to recycle it. Set your refrigerator temperature between 30 and 42°F. Use the power-save switch if you have one. Repair refrigerator door seals if you feel cold air around the closed door or if moisture is collecting. Replace a refrigerator bought in 1990 with an ENERGY STAR®-qualified model - energy-efficient models cost less to operate than older refrigerators. Dust your fridge the next time you dust your house. Check the coils behind the refrigerator — and use coil vacuums or dusters to clean it off and keep costs down. Keep your freezer full - it uses less energy than an empty one. For maximum savings, consider filling your freezer with gallon containers of water. Choose energy-efficient appliances. They don’t just save you money, but they’re good for the environment because they use less energy. Replace your refrigerator. Look for the yellow EnergyGuide® label to compare features. Choose models with improved insulation and power-saving switches. Wash and dry several loads at once, so that your dryer isn't completely cooled down when it heats up for the next load. Avoid over-drying your clothes. It wastes energy, plus causes static and wrinkling. Separate wash loads into light and heavy fabrics for the shortest drying times. Or better yet - air-dry your lightest fabrics. Vent your dryer to the outside to reduce the workload on your air conditioner. Wash full loads of clothes when possible. When smaller loads are necessary, use less water. Hang dress clothing to air dry on portable laundry racks; they will also look better. Clean the dryer lint filter before every load to keep your dryer running efficiently. Set your dishwashers on economy mode, to use less water and electricity. Turn off your dishwasher after the wash cycle — and let your dishes air-dry. You'll save energy and keep your dishwasher from heating up your kitchen. Keep the oven door closed while cooking - the temperature can drop by as many as 25 degrees each time you open the oven door. Grill out more often during the summer. Using the oven in the heat of summer forces your AC to work harder, which raises your energy bill. Use copper-bottomed pots and pans that use heat more efficiently when cooking on the stove. Keep stove reflector pans clean to reflect more heat upward while cooking. Turn off your oven or burners when food is almost ready and let existing heat finish the cooking for you. Use tight-fitting covers on pots and pans when cooking on the stove to shorten your cooking time and save energy. Match your pot size to the burner on your stove. Heat is lost when small pots are used on large burners. Turn off kitchen and bath fans immediately after use. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Water heating, Saving Energy At Home Is Important. Let Perfection Air Help You, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Water heating Always wash with cold water, laundry detergent works just as well, and you’ll save 40 cents per load. Check your hot water pipes for leaks, which can drain your energy savings. Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads - available at home improvement stores - to reduce your hot water use. Turn off your water heater until if you plan on leaving home for a few days. And you get back. Most models will reheat the water to the set temperature in about an hour. Shorten those showers to cut hot water costs. Insulate the first six feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater. It’ll keep your comfort high and your energy bills low. Install a solar water heater to save energy and money by using solar power. Get an insulation wrap to help your old water heater heat in more effectively. Reduce your water heater temperature setting from 140 degrees to 120 degrees — it will save you money while keeping water hot enough for showers and cleaning dishes. Look for the EnergyGuide label when purchasing a new water heater — if a more efficient heater is more expensive, you'll save money over time. Make sure you are washing a full load if you like using hot water for your laundry. Stop that dripping hot water faucet. Leaky faucets not only increase water bills but also increase gas or electricity use for heating the wasted water. Install a timer for your water heater that will turn it off when you are not at home. Choose the right water heater for your needs. While they may promise savings, tankless models are pricey to install - and on-demand water heaters may actually increase your electric bill. Electronics Plug electronics into a power strip, then turn the strip off when not in use to save in energy costs. Avoid energy vampires. Even when they’re turned off, home electronics in “standby” mode use energy to power features like clock displays. Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified TVs - they’re up to 30 percent more efficient than noncertified models. Consider a laptop next time you're looking to buy a computer - they use less energy than desktop computers. Set your computer to sleep or hibernate mode instead of using a screen saver so it uses less electricity during periods of inactivity. Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use. Many chargers draw power continuously, even when the device is not plugged into the charger. Windows Install high-performance windows, screens and films to protect upholstery, wood and artwork from UV rays while saving energy. Eliminate "hot spots" in your home by using High-performance windows, solar window screens and qualified window films. Consider high-performance windows before you replace your AC system. They’re so efficient that they may help reduce the size and cost needed for a AC system. Install high-performance windows with double-glazing and spectrally selective coatings that reduce heat gain and avoid cranking up your AC. Look for the National Fenestration Rating Council label when shopping for new windows: It means the window's performance is certified. Roofing Reduce the strain on your AC by applying reflective coating. This will help you save by decreasing the amount of heat coming into your home. Keep your roof lasting longer. Reflective roofs not only reduce heat buildup, they also prevent the expansion and contraction that degrade roofs. Replace the roof with one with an ENERGY STAR® label. It will save energy and help protect the environment through superior energy-efficiency. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Energy Efficiency at Home: Atlanta GA Heating and Cooling Tips to Save Money, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Get HVAC “tune-ups.” Just as your car motor needs regular maintenance, having a qualified HVAC professional service your system annually before each heating and cooling season will ensure optimal performance and help prevent costly repair or replacement bills. Close the fireplace damper when not in use. Consider replacing it with a more efficient heat source and blocking it off if desired. If your air conditioner or furnace has seen better days, replace it with an ENERGY STAR® model. The higher the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating for an air conditioner, the more energy efficient it is. With furnaces, an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating of at least 90 percent is best. Not only will these tips help save on your bill each month, but in some situations, you may even be able to claim a tax credit for your new appliance. Do your homework before buying any new system. Consumers have many newer, efficient options to choose from, such as heat pumps and biofuel stoves. Ensure your HVAC system is properly sized. Undersized units run more in an effort to keep up, leading to higher bills, increased energy use, and strain that leads to more repair and quicker replacement. On the other hand, oversized units short cycle. Especially with air conditioners, short cycling can mean humidity isn’t removed, the house stays uncomfortable, and more energy is used. Again, it will also require more repairs and quicker replacement. Have a professional size your system using the Manual J, or at least calculate the proper size using a calculator that takes various factors into consideration. Close doors and avoid heating or cooling unused rooms. If you use central heating and air, never close off more than a couple of vents, however, to prevent a buildup of pressure that could damage the ducts or appliance. Ensure return air vents can draw air freely to prevent smothering the appliance and lowering the HVAC efficiency. Use space heaters to spot-heat areas when the outdoor temperatures don’t merit turning on the furnace. An efficient space heater can also boost the warmth in a given area, such as a child’s room, while keeping the temperature lower in the rest of the home. Choose space heaters carefully, looking for efficiency and a safe operating design. Keep air conditioners - both central and window units - in the shade. Trim down grass and remove debris that may smother it. Both tips will help the air conditioners operate more efficiently. Buy a snake, monkey, or similar animal. Not a real one - a draft-stopping one to set in front of your entry door. It will prevent warm or cool air from leaking to the outside. HVAC Marietta GA

What Everyone Should Know about Geothermal Heating, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

What Everyone Should Know about Geothermal Heating Are you interested in going green? If so, then you will find quite a few different technologies and techniques that can help. These range from recycling plastic, glass and paper to installing solar panels on your roof. However, if you want to go green and reduce your energy expenses, while maintaining the most comfortable home possible, then you should know a thing or two about geothermal heating. What is this technology and can it be of use to you? Fist, you might be under the impression that to use geothermal energy, you have to be near a natural geothermal feature - like a hot spring or something similar. This is actually untrue. Geothermal technology can be used anywhere within the US, and it does not necessarily rely on natural geothermal features. The underlying premise here is that the earth beneath your feet is able to maintain a constant temperature throughout the entire year. Just a few feet below the surface, the temperature never varies, whether it is the height of summer or the depths of winter. A geothermal heat pump takes advantage of this. A geothermal heat pump uses the constant temperature beneath the soil to cool or heat coolant, which is then used to condition your air. For instance, during the summer, a geothermal heat pump sends heated coolant into the earth to a heat exchange. Here, heat is transferred to the surrounding soil, cooling the fluid in the coolant lines. The fluid then completes a circle and is used once more. The single most important benefit here is that geothermal technology allows you to reduce the costs of heating and cooling your home. Because the earth around your home maintains the same temperature throughout the year, your heat pump does not have to work as hard to heat or cool the air sent into your home. This slashes the amount of electricity used by your system, lightening the load on the local power grid. Therefore, you can see that using a geothermal heat pump offers savings for your power bill, but also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. These solutions can also be integrated with solar and wind power systems to provide the most comprehensive savings possible. Of course, geothermal systems are not right for everyone, as they do require a considerable amount of space for the initial installation. Speaking with a certified HVAC installation company will help you determine if this is the right path for you to take. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Heating & Cooling, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Heating & Cooling Just exactly how the city of Atlanta earned the nickname "Hotlanta" is up for debate. Some claim it's because of a thriving music scene that has become a breeding ground for hip-hop artists, as well as rock, pop, and folk music stars. Others claim it's because Atlanta has been one of fastest growing cities in the U.S. since the turn of the millennium. Then again, sometimes the simplest explanations are best. It might not get as much press as other hot spots like New Orleans and Miami, but Atlanta is no slouch when it comes to hot, humid summers. Record highs in Atlanta have topped 100 degrees every month June through September, and temperatures of 90 degrees or more have been recorded in April, May, and October. All that adds up to one thing: Atlanta air conditioning is a top priority for A-T-L homeowners and needs to be kept in tip-top condition. Atlanta Air Conditioning Costs We'll get to suggestions for purchasing the right air conditioner in a moment, but first, let's take the opportunity to discuss what's at the top of every Atlanta homeowner's need-to-know list: cost. ServiceMagic.com has provided thousands of contractor referrals for homeowners across metropolitan Atlanta, and we follow up on each and every one to ensure our customers are getting the best quality service from our contractors. From the information we gather from those surveys, we're happy to provide you with a reliable estimate of what an average air conditioning installation in Atlanta is going to run. Based on our data, an average A/C installation in Atlanta runs about $4,100, with high and low numbers coming in at $9,000 and $1,100, respectively. Why the huge gap between the extremes? There are a number of factors that influence how much air conditioning in Atlanta costs to install, including the price of the unit, the size of the home, and whether the home is "A/C ready" or needs appropriate ductwork installed, as well. Efficient Atlanta Air Conditioning: SEER Ratings The place to start when it comes to finding an air conditioner is to pay attention to SEER ratings. All air conditioners manufactured today have SEER ratings of 13 or better, though units with ratings as high as 20 are available for purchase (the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the A/C). In a climate like Atlanta's, where homeowners can run air conditioners for six months out of the year or more, you're wise to go with the highest SEER rating you can afford. Why? An A/C with a SEER Rating of 13 is 30 percent more efficient than one with a SEER rating of 10, and up to 50 percent more efficient than units with SEER ratings of 6 or less (not uncommon in air conditioners that are more than 15 years old). Translate that into dollars and cents, and you'll find that you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your electricity bill with a high-efficiency unit. And if you'll get those kinds of savings by upgrading to a 13 SEER unit, think about what an A/C with a SEER rating of 20 or more will do for your wallet. Don't get left in the heat! Use this link to Install Central Air Atlanta Air Conditioning and Energy Costs Just as it's no secret that venturing outside on an August day in Atlanta is a little like being thrown into a pressure cooker, it's also no secret that air conditioners aren't inexpensive to run. In fact, it has been reported that 5 percent of the energy use in the U.S. each year can be attributed to residential air conditioners alone. Of course, for Atlanta homeowners, your air conditioning is going to account for a lot more than 5 percent of your annual energy bills from your utility company. It's important to talk to contractors in-depth about how much energy your air conditioner will use. You may experience some sticker shock when you see the difference in installation cost between basic units and highly-rated energy-efficient units. Yet, the monthly and annual savings from these highly-rated units are just as likely to catch your eye. Atlanta Air Conditioning and Proper Installation Installing air conditioning in Atlanta with a high SEER rating is a waste of time if it isn't done correctly. Improperly sized units, poor installation, and overlooked leaks in your home's ductwork, can easily negate any energy savings you were hoping to enjoy. Most homeowners donýt realize it, but you should install the smallest possible A/C system. Ideally, your air conditioner would run continuously, sapping moisture from the air and allowing warmer absolute temperature to feel more comfortable through low-moisture ambient temperatures. Thus, hiring an experienced contractor is a vital step in ensuring your new A/C cools your home properly and as efficiently as possible. If you're ready to install air conditioning in Atlanta, or need to replace an older unit that's seen better days, contact at least three contractors who specialize in air conditioning installations to get bids on the job. That's a good rule of thumb wherever you live in the U.S., but it's even more important in Georgia, where contractors aren't required to obtain licensing to operate. Comparing multiple bids, and checking up on references, is the only way to ensure you get the best deal, and the best contractor, for your Atlanta air conditioning installation. Heating and Air Marietta GA

What Everyone Should Know about Geothermal Heating, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

What Everyone Should Know about Geothermal Heating Are you interested in going green? If so, then you will find quite a few different technologies and techniques that can help. These range from recycling plastic, glass and paper to installing solar panels on your roof. However, if you want to go green and reduce your energy expenses, while maintaining the most comfortable home possible, then you should know a thing or two about geothermal heating. What is this technology and can it be of use to you? Fist, you might be under the impression that to use geothermal energy, you have to be near a natural geothermal feature - like a hot spring or something similar. This is actually untrue. Geothermal technology can be used anywhere within the US, and it does not necessarily rely on natural geothermal features. The underlying premise here is that the earth beneath your feet is able to maintain a constant temperature throughout the entire year. Just a few feet below the surface, the temperature never varies, whether it is the height of summer or the depths of winter. A geothermal heat pump takes advantage of this. A geothermal heat pump uses the constant temperature beneath the soil to cool or heat coolant, which is then used to condition your air. For instance, during the summer, a geothermal heat pump sends heated coolant into the earth to a heat exchange. Here, heat is transferred to the surrounding soil, cooling the fluid in the coolant lines. The fluid then completes a circle and is used once more. The single most important benefit here is that geothermal technology allows you to reduce the costs of heating and cooling your home. Because the earth around your home maintains the same temperature throughout the year, your heat pump does not have to work as hard to heat or cool the air sent into your home. This slashes the amount of electricity used by your system, lightening the load on the local power grid. Therefore, you can see that using a geothermal heat pump offers savings for your power bill, but also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. These solutions can also be integrated with solar and wind power systems to provide the most comprehensive savings possible. Of course, geothermal systems are not right for everyone, as they do require a considerable amount of space for the initial installation. Speaking with a certified HVAC installation company will help you determine if this is the right path for you to take. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Perfection Air Marietta GA - What Is HVAC?, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

What Is HVAC? When it comes to your home, ensuring that you are comfortable at all times is very important. To combat summer heat and winter cold, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) provide important benefits. Technically, anything from a window-unit to a central heating and cooling system falls under the heading of HVAC. However, it is most commonly associated with whole-home systems. These can provide immense amounts of comfort, and can also help reduce your utility bills if you have been relying on space heaters and window AC units So, this is what HVAC is, wait, there is more to it.. There are several components to an HVAC system. The largest component is the outdoor unit. There is also an indoor unit, where the cooling cools and blower are located. You will also find the filter located on the indoor unit, as well. Another main component of an HVAC system is the ductwork. These are the lines that bring the conditioned air to each room of your home. Usually, the ductwork will be either under the home or in the attic, keeping the lines out of sight. There are many parts to your ductwork: the main supply is the main trunk that carries the highest volume of air. Side branches allow each room in your home to be heated or cooled. HVAC systems also come in different types. Increasingly, having a heat pump is the most popular option. However, there are also AC/furnace types that can be used. There are even hybrid gas furnace/heat pump systems that can be used to attain better savings on utility bills. Of course, not all HVAC systems are created equal. While all of them have to fall within federal and state guidelines in terms of performance, that does not mean that they are all of the same quality or the same efficiency. If you are purchasing a new HVAC system or upgrading your old one, then it is imperative that you work with an industry leader to ensure that you are able to be the highest quality, most efficient system on the market. In addition to greater reliability and savings on your utilities, you will also find that the top providers are able to give you other advantages. For instance, innovators in the industry can help you determine if a solar/power grid hybrid system is to your advantage (for the best savings on electricity), or if you need a different type of system altogether. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Go Green With These Top HVAC Tips For A More Efficient Home, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Go Green With These Top HVAC Tips For A More Efficient Home Going green means decreasing your carbon footprint. There are many ways that you can do this, from recycling to driving less to buying a hybrid vehicle. However, there are some very important ways that you can slash the energy use within your home and make it more energy efficient. The less electricity you use, the lower your impact is on the environment. Here are some of the most important tips for a greener home. Ceiling Fans Did you know that ceiling fans can cut your cooling costs by almost 50%? These simple devices offer dramatic savings on your energy bills, and they can even add style to a room, as well. Of course, you need to make sure that the ceiling fans you purchase and install are Energy Star rated so that you reduce your power usage as much as possible. Programmable Thermostats In most homes, the thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature manually. This is quite convenient. However, it can also be wasteful. Your heating and cooling needs change during different parts of the day. Investing in a programmable thermostat allows you to set your temperature for each part of the day, and can allow you to save money and energy throughout the day and the night, as well. Ditch the Single-Pane Windows If your home has single-pane windows, then you are wasting more energy than you might realize. By investing in double-pane windows, you can increase your energy efficiency and decrease the amount of time that your HVAC system has to run. Double-pane windows keep your conditioned air where you need it - inside your home. They also help prevent energy loss by temperature transfer. Go Solar Solar energy has been around for a very long time. However, new advances in solar technology have both increased the efficiency of solar panels and decreased the cost to homeowners like you. You'll find that adding solar panels to your home can provide some substantial benefits. There are even solar HVAC-specific systems that allow you to tie your heating and cooling system directly into your solar panels. This allows you to operate your HVAC system on solar power, but also tie into the power grid when there's not enough energy from sunlight. These are only a few of the ways that you can green up your home. Other options include replacing your roof with light colored shingles, as well as making sure that all areas of your home are adequately insulated. Heating and Air Marietta GA

The Secret To DIY HVAC Maintenance, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

The Secret To DIY HVAC Maintenance Maintaining your home HVAC system can seem like a daunting thing. However, it does not need to be confusing, frustrating or problematic. In fact, there are several things that you can do to maintain your HVAC system and even improve its performance and efficiency. Here are the top ways to ensure that you remain as comfortable as possible, no matter the season, while spending less money on your heating and cooling needs. The most important thing to do is to check the filter in your HVAC system. Over time, your air filter will become clogged up with dust, debris, allergens and pollutants. When this happens, it restricts the amount of air that the system can move, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to achieve the same results. Obviously, this requires more energy. Therefore, you pay more. However, it also creates dramatically higher wear and tear, so you might actually be cutting short the lifespan on your system can a significant amount. You should also take the time to clean out your air vents every month. Dust and debris buildup in your vents can block air from actually reaching the rooms of your home, but it can also force your heating and cooling system to work far harder than it should. By dusting and vacuuming out your air vents on a monthly basis, you ensure that your system operates correctly and you can enjoy better indoor air quality. If you are having problems maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, you can take several steps. These will not only help you stay more comfortable, but reduce the power consumption of your heating and cooling system. One of the most important tips is to ensure that your attic is properly insulated, as this is the prime area for heat and cooling loss. Another important tip is to make sure that you have all air leaks in your home sealed. Check the attic, the basement, all crawlspaces and the space around doors and windows. These areas can cause serious problems and allow your conditioned air to escape from your home. This causes your HVAC system to run longer and more frequently than it should, increasing wear and tear, as well as increasing power consumption in your home. Perhaps the most important thing to do is to actually have your heating and cooling system inspected by a professional. Whether you have noticed that your cooling system is not doing its job correctly or that your home doesn't stay as warm as it should, an HVAC professional can help.

Green Furnace and Heating Options for Your Home, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Green Furnace and Heating Options for Your Home It seems like everyone is going "green" these days. There are solar power options, wind power, organic products and more, all of which are supposed to better the environment one way or another. However, the fact remains that one of the most important ways to "go green" is to cut your carbon footprint. Of the many factors that contribute here, your home energy usage is one of the largest. As such, your HVAC system can be a large contributor to your overall energy use. However, there are green furnace and heating options available that can help you slash your energy usage, without cutting down on your comfort. One of the best options is to invest in a high-efficiency heating system, such as the SLP98V. These systems provide plenty of heat for your home, but they operate at considerably more efficient levels, helping you save money on your electric bill each month. If you prefer to use a different green furnace, then you might consider new dual-fuel heat systems. These operate on both gas and electricity. In essence, these furnaces combine an electric heat pump, with the reliability and performance of a gas system. When the weather becomes too cold for optimum efficiency in the electric system, the furnace switches to gas and your efficiency is increased. Because gas is only used to heat your home during the very coldest times of year, this is an excellent way to increase your savings while decreasing your overall home heating costs. Another option here is to look at new solar heating systems for your home. These systems combine the energy generation and immense savings of home solar panels, with the performance of the best heating systems on the market. In essence, the company installs the number of solar panels you want on your home, and the power produced from these offsets the cost of operating your new home furnace. This provides you with free energy. During certain times of the year, you can actually operate your furnace without having to worry about any electric costs. Even during the coldest months, you will still be able to offset the cost of heating your home by a considerable amount. These are only a few of your options in green furnace and heating options on the market today. Speaking with a reputable HVAC company will help you determine which path is best for your needs, and allow you to go green today. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Now You Can Have A More Comfortable Home for Less, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Now You Can Have A More Comfortable Home for Less Creating the most comfortable home possible is more than important. Whether you are too hot in the summer or cold in the winter, the right heating and cooling system can make an enormous difference. However, the fact remains that buying a new HVAC system can be expensive. For those on tight budgets, this can make upgrading your HVAC system seem impossible. After all, who has thousands of dollars to spend on purchasing a new comfort system? Actually, you don't have to have tons of disposable income, or go into massive debt to get a new heating and cooling system for your home. One of the most innovative programs announced in recent years allows you to get a new high-efficiency heating and cooling system for your home for less than $100 per month. That puts a new system within your reach, no matter how budget-conscious you might be. Why should you worry about replacing your existing system, though? First, if you have an older heating and cooling system, chances are good that it is not energy efficient. This is largely due to two factors. Modern manufacturers have made great strides in reducing the energy consumption of heating and air systems produced today. In addition, over time, your system will naturally become less efficient through simple wear and tear. Therefore, your older heating and cooling system might be costing you a considerable amount of money each month, even if you invested in a top-quality solution. There are several incentives on the market that can be combined with low-price offers from respected HVAC manufacturers. For instance, many people are eligible to save an additional $500 on the purchase and installation of a new HVAC system through a federal HVAC tax credit. That's an additional savings on top of the low payments. You might also have state and local tax credits that can be applied to the purchase of a new unit, saving you even more money. One of the best reasons to have a new heating and cooling system installed is because you will be able to reduce your carbon footprint. Going green is vital today - the growing awareness of how common electricity use can actually accelerate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most common reasons homeowners want to make a switch to a more efficient HVAC system. With the right HVAC company, you can save a ton of money and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Improve the Way Your HVAC System Works, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Improve the Way Your HVAC System Works Keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer is important. Your home should be as comfortable as you want. The best way to make sure that your home maintains the perfect temperature for you and your family year round is to invest in a central heating and air system, or HVAC system. However, if your system is not working properly, it can cause some serious headaches. Here are some of the best ways to improve HVAC operation the same way the pros do. Your Filter The first thing to check is your air filter. If you're not sure where it's located, it's usually installed on the top or side of your inside unit. If you have a permanent filter, make sure that you remove it and clean it thoroughly on a regular basis. However, a disposable filter is usually a better option, as cleaning a permanent one indoors can release trapped dirt and pollen back into your home. Make sure that you check your filter monthly, and replace it as needed. If it is very dirty, replacing it can make vast improvements in HVAC performance. Service and Maintenance While your HVAC system is not quite the same as a car, your air conditioner and furnace do require regular maintenance and service. The outdoor unit needs to be cleaned to prevent mold and mildew from building up within the cooling fins, and the system needs to be checked for coolant, as well as for several other key factors. If you really want to ensure that you get the best HVAC performance possible, then make sure that you have your HVAC system serviced at least twice per year. Of course, you need to ensure that the person servicing your HVAC system is certified and trained; working with the right company is vital. High Efficiency System If you have an older HVAC system that is nearing the end of its lifespan, you might do well to consider installing a new high-efficiency HVAC system. Energy Star rated systems offer far better performance, but also use far less electricity. This allows you to cut down on your utility bills, while enjoying better HVAC performance throughout your home. Additionally, with a new system installed, the installation company can also check your ductwork for problems, and ensure that your entire home is properly heated and cooled throughout the entire year. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Relieve Indoor Allergies with Clean Air, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Relieve Indoor Allergies with Clean Air According to recent studies, indoor air quality is actually worse than what you will find outdoors. Many allergens, pollutants and microorganisms thrive in the air in your home. These can cause allergic reactions, or even make you and your family sick. The EPA estimates that the quality of indoor air is actually up to five times worse than outdoor air. As you can see, there are some very important reasons that you need to invest in the right filtration method. However, finding the right solution can be difficult. There are many, many different options for home air filtration to increase indoor air quality, ranging from plug-in filters to more exotic systems. However, not all of these are created equal. The best solution is to look for a whole-home filtration solution that does not require additional electricity or emit any ozone, which can irritate the lungs. In fact, the right filtration solution can actually work with your central heating and air system to provide pure, fresh air throughout your home. Any such solution should offer you some important benefits, though. For instance, you need to make sure that it provides the same protection as required for inpatient and surgical facilities. This ensures that you have the purest air possible, and that the filter keeps out as many harmful elements as possible. You should make sure that the filtration system can remove over 95% of particles in your air, and that those particles are as small as.3 microns. The filter should also remove other hazards, such as microorganisms and bioaerosols. Any such filtration system should remove these elements down to.01 microns. Of course, any filtration system for your home also needs to be easy to use. For instance, if you have to clean the filter, you can encounter problems. One of the most significant problems is that cleanable filters can actually release the trapped allergens, pollen and pollutants back into your air during the cleaning process. It's better to have a removable, disposable filter than one that can threaten the health of your family. Another important consideration is the length of life offered by the filter. You should choose one that can work for up to a full year. Of course, the actual lifespan that you see will be determined by the conditions in your home, but the longer the filter's OEM-stated lifespan, the more use you will get out of it in the end. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Air Conditioner Check-Up, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

AC Check-Up Any time is better than never, but spring is the ideal time to budget for an ac tune-up. Early air conditioner maintenance can prevent many small problems from becoming more expensive problems later on. Furthermore, if your air conditioner check up is scheduled for spring, you'll also beat the long waits and higher prices that come with peak season HVAC repair visits. Reasons to Schedule an AC Check Up There are two main reasons to schedule annual ac maintenance with your local HVAC contractor: saving money and saving money (no that isn't a typo). For starters, you greatly increase the chances that your A/C technician will catch small problems before they become big ones by schedules regular check ups. Repairing a small refrigerant leak shouldn't cost much more than the service call. Buying a new compressor when low refrigerant levels burn your current one out, however, can cost a thousand dollars or more. The other way an annual check up saves you money is by ensuring that your A/C unit is working at optimal efficiency. When your A/C is running well it uses less energy to cool your house, and lower energy use means bigger savings for you on your monthly utility bills. AC Maintenance Scheduling an AC Check Up An ac check up is easy to schedule. All you have to do is contact a local HVAC technician about coming out to perform basic air conditioner maintenance. As mentioned before, the best time to do this is in the spring or early summer, before everyone else turns on their air conditioner and realizes it needs to be worked on. If you call early enough, an HVAC contractor will be able to come out when it's most convenient to you in order to make sure your unit has been serviced and is running properly. Wait until later in the summer, however, and you'll find all of the pros are booked, and if need them desperately, it'll cost you.. Can't stand the heat? Use this link to Install Central Air AC Check Up 101 An air conditioner check up is an important part of making sure you get long lasting, and efficient performance from your air conditioner, as is knowing which services to insist on when your technician arrives. Here's a short checklist of common maintenance procedures your HVAC contractor should include with a routine maintenance call: Check for proper refrigerant levels. Low levels indicate a leak that needs to be found and repaired immediately. Low refrigerant levels can burn out your compressor, resulting in the most costly repair when it comes to A/C, period. Check all electrical components and controls to make sure they're working properly. Clean evaporator and condenser coils. Dirty evaporators and coils reduce the energy efficiency and cooling ability of your unit. Oil motors as needed. Calibrate thermostat to make sure your A/C isn't working overtime. Check the condenser for any possible problems. Check, clean, and/or replace filters. An annual air conditioner check up is the easiest way to keep your air conditioner in top condition for years to come. To ensure you'll get worry free, and money saving, performance from your A/C, schedule a regular maintenance call today. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Installing Central Air Conditioning, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Installing Central Air Conditioning Central air conditioning installation is one job that can make a dramatic change in the overall comfort of your home. At the flip of a switch, no matter what it is like outside, you'll be able to relax indoors at whatever temperature you choose. Central air conditioning installation is likely to add value to your property, and even save you money on energy bills if it is replacing several window units. If you're thinking of installing central air conditioning, there are a few things to consider before you begin the project if you want to get the most for your money. New or Existing A/C Systems Knowing your plans for A/C installation will help your service provider give you a more accurate estimate. For example, if you are installing a new condenser or heat pump into an existing system, odds are you will want to use the same brand as the older system. Completely replacing your system will call for tearing it out and having it disposed of, which could mean additional cost to you. Central Air Conditioning Installation for Remodels Letting your air conditioning installer know what the situation is like beforehand will give them a better idea of what they'll be dealing with. Providing this information will help them to better size up the kind of central air conditioning installation that is best for your home, and allow them to give you a better estimate. If installing A/C is a part of a larger remodeling project, you may be able to save money depending on when the system is put in place. How Much Power Will You Need? A central air conditioner's cooling capacity is rated in Btu's (British thermal units) per hour. As a rough rule you need 12,000 Btu's for 1,000 square feet of well-insulated space or 400 square feet of poorly insulated space. A house's structure, window area, sun exposure, and the climate will also affect your cooling needs. If you have high ceilings, your cooling needs will be different; it takes more cooling power to maintain a comfortable temperature in the house. Talking to a professional about the structure of your home and the most effective way to cool it is a good idea in these situations. Following the suggestions of a person in the know, even if it seems more expensive initially, could end up saving you plenty in the long run. Central Air Conditioning Installation to Replace an Aging System Air conditioners have become increasingly energy efficient in the last decade. If your system's cooling ability has decreased significantly since it was first installed, you may want to consider having it completely replaced. If your service professional is tying into an existing system, the older system's age will help determine its compatibility with the newer system. Understanding Accessibility Central air conditioning installation requires access to the home's heating and cooling duct system. The more open access there is to the ductwork, the less labor that will be involved and the less expensive the project will be. When installing central A/C for the first time, especially in an older home, the amount of space available for ductwork might be extremely limited. In these situations, mini-duct or ductless air conditioning might be a better option than the effort and alteration it would take to install conventional ductwork. Heating and Air Marietta GA

Repair Central A/C - Electric, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142

Repair Central A/C - Electric Central A/C is one of the most satisfying additions to the home that the modern age has brought us. While it used to be common only among the wealthy, more and more homeowners are becoming quite accustomed to the advantages of having a climate controlled home in the summer. This, unfortunately, makes the hassle of an air conditioner on the fritz an even more common problem. Repair Central A/C: The DIY Route A/C repair is one of those tasks that few homeowners are prepared to take on themselves, as the knowledge and equipment involved are usually specialized enough to require a trained technician. There are, however, a few things that you can check yourself that might enhance the performance of your central air conditioning. If the compressor doesn't turn on, check the fuse and breaker. If it runs but doesn't cool, the refrigerant could be low. If that's the case, call a service professional. Check to see if the condenser coils on both sides are dirty. If they are, brush and vacuum them. (This is a good idea to perform at least twice a season.) If the A/C is performing inefficiently (partial cooling), check to make sure the condenser is clean; also check to see if the filter is clean. If the water leaks at the furnace, it could be a clogged drainpipe from the evaporator coil pan. Check the pipe and clear it if it is clogged. Repair Central A/C: Hiring a Professional The things most homeowners can do themselves when it comes to A/C repair are limited at best. In many cases, a problem will be too involved for even many die hard do-it-yourselfers to tackle. Once you've established that the problem is beyond the scope of anyone but a pro, there are a few things to consider. The best time to repair central A/C is before the weather gets hot. A/C repair technicians get pretty busy during the summer months, and their services being in high demand makes it more difficult to schedule a visit. By calling for service before the cooling season begins, you will be more likely to find a convenient appointment time, and you may even save a couple bucks, too. At the very least, you'll be prepared for any hot weather that comes your way before it hits. Getting an annual air conditioning inspection is another good way to keep your unit running at peak performance. Since some A/C problems come about very gradually, you might not notice that there is anything wrong at all before you're stuck in sticky, sweaty weather with a malfunctioning condenser. A yearly inspection will identify any existing problems before they get large enough to become pricey, and might even diagnose potential problems that haven't even occurred. A/C Repair vs. Replacement In the life of every mechanical device, there comes a time when it's more appropriate to throw in the towel than it is to patch it up. If your air conditioner has given you several decades of fine service, but simply can't cut the mustard without yearly repairs, you might be better off with a newer model. Not only will a new unit come with some sort of guarantee for great performance over the next few years, today's air conditioners are far more efficient than those of even 15 years ago. You're likely to have a more comfortable home and save some money on your monthly energy bills in the process! Heating and Air Marietta GA