Things to check before you call an HVAC professional: 1. Make sure the power is on. 2. Check for dirty filters. 3. Make sure the thermostat is properly set. 4. Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
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Having a natural gas furnace offers plenty of convenience and savings for your home over the other types of heating systems including electricity. It not only works quickly to heat up water but it offers you a reliable method for meeting the needs in your home without pollution or being expensive. You probably are aware of these facts though and many of them probably played a role in your decision to purchase a natural gas furnace.
To keep your natural gas furnace operating as it was intended you need to be conscious of the routine maintenance to be performed on it. Don’t simply take it for granted and then give it attention when problems develop. If you take care of your natural gas furnace it will work better and last years longer.
The air filter on your furnace should be replaced every other month. If you live where it has to be operating daily then you will want to change the filter monthly instead. Once a filter gets clogged you won’t have as much airflow coming out. This causes the equipment to work harder to produce the same amount of heat for you. As a result more energy is consumed and you will see your heating bills increasing. You may find replacing the air filters for your natural gas furnace is expensive but it will cost you less than the additional fuel consumption.
Periodically check each of your heating ducts and registers for blockage. If any of them are blocked remove the objects so the air flow can happen freely. Don’t place furniture in front of places where the air comes out or your natural gas furnace will have to work harder.
It is a common practice to use duct tape so you can seal all the seams on the duct work of the natural gas furnace. A better alternative is to use aluminum foil because duct tape will dry out. This will leave a brittle mess and it won’t be sealed off like it should be. Aluminum foil tape is more expensive than duct tape but it works better and lasts for a very long time.
It doesn’t take much time or effort to properly maintain your natural gas furnace. Keeping it in top working condition will ensure your home stays warm when you need it to be without costing you more money to operate it. You will also have to repair or replace your natural gas furnace less often.
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Commercial air conditioning systems are huge cooling units and consuming mammoth electricity. Added to that if the cooling system is pressured with obstructed air ways and dirty filters, you can imagine.
Unlike home air conditioner, where the space needed to be cooled is less, for industrial air conditioners, it is a completely different story. By the time you figure out where the problem is, it might be too late. Hence, regular maintenance through air conditioning servicing agencies is a must.
Problems and their possible remedies:
You may encounter day today problems with your air conditioner. Here are some simple steps to assess the problem.
A/C is not turning on
Most likely the a/c fuse might have got blown up. Change the fuse. If there is still no change, then you may have to look for broken wires or loose connections in the electrical wiring. It is also possible that the switch is broken inside. Call a technician to check for these faults and replace the blown or loose or broken parts.
No cooling or very little cooling even when the temperature is actually pretty low
Check if any windows are open in the room. This might cause delay in the cooling process as hot air will keep raising the temperature. Close them if open. Next check if the belt of the compressor is loose or slipping. Over oiling might result in slipping. So tighten or replace as needed.
If the condenser filter is clogged, the cooling will not be efficient. You also need to check if any refrigerant is leaking out.
Odour
Odour can mean a lot of things. It can even mean a dead mouse in the air ducts. So cleaning the air ducts as important as cleaning and wiping the cooling unit itself for health reasons. If the condensed water doesn’t have a proper outlet, then it drips inside the cooling unit and becomes stagnant, giving odour.
Noise
Loose nuts and bolts are the main cause for noises. Tighten the bolts and nuts and see if any of the parts inside the a/c are touching each other to create such noise.
Sight glass problems
When there is refrigerant leak or when the system is undercharged, the sight glass gets clouded. This is an indication to repair leak and refill refrigerant.
Maintenance
Once a month: Clean the filters with mild detergent and dry before replacing.
Twice a year: Lubricate the motor and tighten the screws. Clean the water collecting tray and add bleach to it.
Once a year: Clear the air ducts for debris and dead matter, clean the evaporator fins of dust and debris, wipe and clean the coils with corrosion-free detergent.
Air conditioning repair and maintenance are an important part of owning air con. Do it regularly to avoid problems.
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Economic shopping habits can help us or hurt us. Buying a bulk brand cereal over a brand-named cereal is good way to save a little bit of money here and there. However, there are larger purchases that don’t always pay off when you take the cheaper route. Buying a cheap TV or refrigerator may end up being more of a headache to you than if you had spend the extra money to get a higher quality one. The same principle holds true with your HVAC system repairs. You can spend the money to have regular repairs and maintenance done, though it may seem like you’re spending more money up front, but you’ll really be saving yourself money and frustration in major repairs. These payoffs end up being substantial over time.
How can regular maintenance of your HVAC system benefit you?
Would you notice if your HVAC system was not working properly? You may not. The signs of a malfunctioning HVAC unit may not be as obvious as you think. You may not notice a change in temperature or a significant chemical smell, but that doesn’t mean that your system is running efficiently. You don’t want to wait until there is a significant problem to remember that you have a heating and air conditioning system. Even small problems can quickly turn into large, and very expensive ones, but regular maintenance is a great way to be proactive.
So if you can’t sense a problem, what are the signs that something is wrong?
Unfortunately, problems will show in your utility bills. When your HVAC unit is not working properly, your electric or gas bills could be affected. Why pay the extra money every month? Having your HVAC unit serviced will prevent problems from occurring and bring down your utility costs. Don’t just assume that spikes in your utility costs are because of a down-turning economy.
Although, you may not always see jumps in your bills from month to month, there may be effects over time. The problems will continue to get worse, rather than better, causing gradual increases in your bills. Having routine maintenance done will prevent leaks, gaps, or buildup in order to provide you with an efficiently-running machine. While attending trade school, HVAC technicians learn through extensive hands-on training how to detect, trouble-shoot, and correct even the smallest of problems to save you money and hassle later.
It May Just Be Time for a New HVAC Unit
The idea of purchasing a new HVAC system can seem daunting, but you may just be in need of an upgrade. Like with a car, there comes a point when you are just patching up recurring problems. Eventually, you just have to scrap the whole thing and start over. The same goes for your heating and air conditioning system. While this may seem like a substantial amount of money up front, which it is, it will save you more over a longer period of time in repairs and in energy costs. Don’t let that initial unit price tag frighten you into making a decision for the short-term rather than the long-term.
Some Ways to Save Money in the Summer
A few degrees can make a big difference. Even though it gets hot outside, try to avoid putting your air conditioning on its coldest setting. Like taking the stairs when you’re trying to lose weight, every little bit counts. Check the coolant levels before the hot weather hits. That way you’ll be sure that you are prepared with the best functioning system. Fans are also a great way to keep a house cool, so don’t feel like you need to solely rely on your air conditioning. They will create some air movement to make you feel better and it will actually help your air conditioning run more efficiently.
Some Ways to Save Money in the Winter
Before winter sets in, have your heating ducts cleaned. Change the air filters, too. Unwanted debris from the air can also hinder your HVAC system as it heats your home. Having your furnace checked out during the wall will avoid wasting energy throughout the winter. They may also spot any chemical leaks that could cause you problems later. Weatherproofing your windows can make a big difference in keeping your home warm. Why blast your heat when all of the warm air is escaping through the windows? Keeping your heat down even just a few degrees from where you would like it will make a big difference. Everyone likes the cozy feeling of a sweater or hoodie anyway.
It takes just a little bit of preparation, but taking these extra steps could potentially save you a significant amount of money on your utility bills. While saving yourself money, you are also doing your part to help the environment, too.
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Many companies will try to sell you maintenance packages with your ducted and ductless (wall split) reverse cycle (refrigerated) air conditioners. They will inform you that you must perform maintenance every year but this is not always the case. Below are some basic maintenance tips that will save you a costly maintenance call out fee.
Both ductless (wall splits) and ducted reverse cycle (refrigerated) units require very little maintenance at all. The main thing to do is to clean the filter in the return air grille once every 3 to 6 months or as required.
The return air grille for a ducted system is the big grille located usually in a hallway or sometimes a wall. The installer should show you how to open and clean this filter. The easiest way to clean them is either with a vacuum or with warm soapy water. If the air conditioner suddenly cools less or sounds noisy, it is a good idea to give the filter a clean.
A good indication that the filter needs cleaning is if it becomes noisier underneath it than usual or if the air conditioner starts to cool/heat less than normal. If your house has gone through a time where a lot of dust has been kicked up (for example when moving in) it is often also a good idea to clean the filter.
Other than this the main maintenance for a reverse cycle air conditioner is just to keep the outdoor fans of the unit free from any obstructions such as sticks. These basic maintenance tips will give you years and years of reliable air conditioning use.
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How Crawl Space Liners Benefit Air Quality
To safeguard the indoor air quality crawl space liner systems are manufactured using a heat laminating process to chemically bond all the materials together. In the best liner kit systems, no glues are used, so there is no emission of Formaldehyde. Unlike conventional insulation products, crawl space liners will not cause itching or skin rashes and will not hold moisture, eliminating a place for mold to grow. Energy Star rated liners have a closed cell foam vapor barrier sealed between outer skins of interwoven white scrim and aluminum foil that is extremely easy to cut and work with (this is why certain liners are Energy Star Rated and qualify for Obama’s “Cash for Caulkers”).
By creating a dry environment in the crawl space or basement, the moist, damp and musty conditions that promote the growth of mold spores/allergens are eliminated. When mold is left un-treated and mold spores begin to mix with the indoor air, the air quality is reduced dramatically and can cause serious respiratory problems as well as other ailments.
Energy Star Rated (cash for caulkers)
Liners that meet the reflectivity and insulation values help cut the homeowner’s energy costs. Look for products that have been awarded the 2010 Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Certification. This certification can earn up to a $1500 savings on taxes if the homeowner qualifies – and most do!
Homeowners can expect lower energy costs year-round when installing a Energy Star rated liner kit. Summer energy costs for running the A/C are also reduced because less energy is needed to cool dry air. The big plus to the reflective aluminum foil is it holds heat in while denying the entry of water, insects and natural but yet poisonous gasses, such as Radon.
Homeowners and contractors should look for the white scrim side of the heat shield liner kit because the finished look transforms any raw space into a safe, clean storage or living area without the exorbitant expense of a major renovation. Homeowners looking to cut costs should look for liners with the Do-It-Yourself option. The best value a homeowner gets from installing crawl sapce liner system is that they just improved the indoor air quality and health of their home from the time of installation with no waiting, while also helping out the planet at the same time.
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