Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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..
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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
Home Humidifiers Balance Moisture and Save You Money, HVAC | Heating, Air Conditioning Marietta GA | 770-444-9142
Home Humidifiers Balance Moisture and Save You Money
Determining whether you need a home humidifier is easy. Your home should have a constant humidity level between 35 and 50 percent (a little more in summer, a little less in winter). Any time your home's humidity level drops below that, you'd be better off humidifying the air. If you live in the Western United States, there's a chance your home could use a humidifier year round. If you live elsewhere, you probably don't need a humidifier except during the winter months, when constantly running furnaces dry out the air in your home. Regardless of where you live, however, home humidifiers can have a big impact on everything from improving your health to saving you money.
The Benefits of a Humidifier
Most homeowners mistakenly think that the main benefit of a humidifier is to alleviate the minor health irritations (dry noses, throats, and skin) that are commonplace with dry air. While home humidifiers do help with these nuisances, they also perform a few other useful functions.
Home Humidifiers are Good for Your Health: Most people don't realize it, but dry air is actually the perfect breeding ground for many viruses that cause flu and cold symptoms. This factor is one of the primary reasons cold and flu seasons start about the same time that everyone's furnace starts working overtime. Maintaining an ideal humidity level in your home is a good preventative measure against getting the sniffles, or something worse, during the winter months.
Humidity Is Good for Your Home: When the humidity in a home drops, so does the moisture level of everything it's made out of, and everything in it. Doesn't sound like a big deal, until you realize that low humidity can cause wallpaper to peel, wood flooring to dry out, separate, and crack, and wood furniture to crack and split. That being the case, setting up a home humidifier can save you from some serious repair bills down the road.
Humidity Makes the Air Feel Warmer: A final reason to install home humidifiers is because dry air feels cooler than humidified air. This is largely due to the amount of moisture dry air wicks off your skin. Put 2 and 2 together, and you'll quickly realize that the warmer you feel, the less your furnace will be running. In other words, installing a home humidifier can also save you money on utility bills, since you won't set your thermostat as high when your home's humidity is maintained at an ideal level.
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Types of Humidifiers to Choose From
Most homeowners choose from two types of home humidifiers. Desktop models are easily transportable, can be moved from room to room, and are available in both steam humidifiers and cool mist varieties. They are handy, but they also require a lot of maintenance and attention, and they only humidify one room at a time.
The other option is a whole house humidifier. Compared to small steam and cool mist humidifiers, these larger units are installed directly into your central heating and cooling system, and deliver humidity to the entire home instead of just one room. If your home suffers from the type of dry air common in most homes during the winter months (furnaces can easily reduce humidity levels to 5 or 10%), a whole house humidifier is easily the best choice for you.
If you're interested in a whole house humidifier, talk to a contractor who specializes in their installation in order to get your project underway.
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