Does My System Really Need Regular HVAC Maintenance?

do not display

Too many homeowners bypass regular HVAC maintenance, thinking they'll just wait until something breaks and spend money as needed. This may or may not be wise, depending on what goes wrong. As any HVAC tech will tell you, you can often detect a potential problem with a routine maintenance call, and by addressing it early, you can prevent that small problem from growing into an expensive repair.

What Regular HVAC Maintenance Entails

Generally, preventative maintenance is scheduled in the spring and fall, just prior to the heavy cooling and heating seasons. Among the tasks in spring that the HVAC tech will perform:

• Change the HVAC filter.

• Clean the evaporative coil.

• Clean the condenser coils.

• Check the condensate drain and clean obstructions.

• Check refrigerant levels and fill as needed.

• Test airflow.

• Check wiring.

• Test the function of electronic controls.

• Check the thermostat for proper calibration.

• Check blower and condenser fans.

In winter, the HVAC tech will change the filter and check the air handler, controls, airflow, and wiring, while also checking these functions on the furnace:

• Clean and inspect burners and heat sensors.

• Inspect the heat exchanger and the CO detector.

• Lubricate blower and inducer fans.

• Check the vent system for leaks or blockages. Look at exterior surfaces of venting.

For a heat pump, a technician should check the systems mentioned above, plus the defrost function on the heat pump. Inspections may also include a look at the ductwork.

Checking all these systems via regular HVAC maintenance can ensure that the HVAC is more likely to run without breakdown through the height of the cooling and heating seasons. When all parts are in good repair, the system runs more efficiently, without friction and the high heat that can lead to breakdown and the need to replace parts. Furthermore, a more efficient system means you'll be spending less on utility bills.

Above all, it's important that the air filter is changed regularly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, or if need be — that is, if conditions in your house, such as pets or extreme dust, make filters become dirty faster — change them more often.

To learn more about regular HVAC maintenance, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

How to Best Conserve HVAC Energy

Do Not Display

With winter coming up, your HVAC system will soon be working hard to keep your Broken Arrow home heated. This can lead to high energy bills all winter, but there are ways to prevent this from happening. Read on to find out how you can conserve HVAC energy during winter while having a warm and comfortable home.

Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance

HVAC maintenance helps ensure that your HVAC system is working right. HVAC technicians check for problems with your HVAC system during maintenance visits and take care of any issues that come up. This helps lower the risk of your HVAC system needing major repairs during the winter. With regular HVAC maintenance, your system will also run more efficiently, which means it won’t need to run as often or as long in order to heat your home. Having an efficient HVAC system is a good way to conserve HVAC energy and lower your energy bills.

Switch Your Thermostat

Replace your manual thermostat with a programmable or smart thermostat. These types of thermostats allow you to easily adjust the temperature in your home and have your heating system come on at certain times. With a smart thermostat, you can control your thermostat from anywhere on your smartphone or tablet. Being able to lower the temperature during certain times, such as when you’re out during the day, can help you conserve HVAC energy and save money on your bill.

Replace HVAC Filters

Don’t let your HVAC filters go too long without being changed. Otherwise, your HVAC system will have a harder time heating your home during the winter. Check your HVAC filters each month and replace them with new ones. This helps prevent you from having dusty or dirty HVAC filters in your home.

Prevent Drafts

Drafts of cold air can cause your HVAC system to run more often in order to heat your home. Seal up gaps that can let cold air in during winter and you’ll save energy when it’s cold out.

If you’re ready to schedule HVAC maintenance or you need more advice on how to conserve HVAC energy in your home, please contact Air Assurance.

Pests and HVAC: How to Keep Them Apart

Do Not Display

The idea of animal or insect pests getting inside your HVAC is certainly unpleasant. Fortunately, this is not a common occurrence. However, it does pay to be vigilant and watch for certain signs that you may have unwanted intruders in your HVAC system. Read on for some tips for dealing with pests and HVAC.

Ductwork, Pests, and HVAC

In most homes, the ductwork is out of sight — either up in the attic, down in the basement, or hidden away in a chase. Unfortunately, it's hard to keep an eye on the ducts this way. You won't necessarily know if the segments have become disconnected or have cracks, holes, or other damage.

Once there's a breach, air can leak out and humidity can get in. So can insect pests, theoretically, although most would have trouble sustaining life with those high-pressure rushes of air through the pipes. However, it could happen. Of possible concern is the presence of rodents, roaches, or other insects, creating a bad link between pests and HVAC.

If you detect an unpleasant smell emitting from your vents, you may want to have your ducts inspected and cleaned. Certainly, you should get them repaired so there are no holes or cracks. If you have access to your ductwork, you can repair them with mastic sealant and foil tape.

Condenser Unit

The outdoor condenser unit can be attractive to different types of pests, such as mice or some insect species. Do not cover the unit in winter, as this may invite creatures to seek a sheltered habitat. Have the unit inspected regularly, and if the HVAC tech finds evidence of an infestation, contact your pest-control specialist. Keep the area around the unit clear of weeds, tall grass, leaves, and other debris that may harbor pests, thus creating problems with pests and HVAC.

Vents

Pests may gain access to your HVAC system through flues and vents. If this is a concern, examine your vents to make sure there are no odors or other signs of infestation. Clean your vents regularly, vacuuming as needed.

For more on pests and HVAC problems, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

Which HVAC Units Are the Most Environmentally Friendly?

The cold comfort that your HVAC unit provides can feel like a lifesaver on hot summer days. But have you ever thought deeply about the environmental harm that the unit causes? Most air conditioning units run on electricity derived from the burning of fossil fuels. Many also use ozone-depleting HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). Luckily, there are several ways to make your HVAC unit more eco-friendly and reduce the environmental risks it poses.

Size Matters

Having an air conditioner that's the right size is great for your comfort as well as the environment. An undersized unit will struggle to balance the cooled air in the condenser with the expended air drawn out from your home by the evaporator. It will waste electricity as it tries to keep the house cool.

Thermostat Scheduling

A programmable thermostat offers an easy way to make your air conditioner greener. Simply program it to turn your AC off when you're away from home and automatically turn it on when you return. That will save a significant amount of energy — and help save the planet.

Proper Maintenance

A clean and well-maintained HVAC system is more environmentally friendly. The recommended maintenance practices you should carry out include:

• Regularly replacing dirty filters with clean ones

• Having your HVAC unit tuned up by a professional at least once a year

• Sealing and adequately insulating your ductwork

Two-Stage Cooling

Typically, it's the compressor of your AC unit that uses the most electricity. It works hard to expel heated vapors to enable the refrigerant to return to its previous cooled state. A two-stage compressor automatically compresses less on the cooler days and more on the hotter days, saving energy. Therefore, when replacing your old unit, it's a great idea to look for a model that has a two-stage cooling option.

Energy Star Certification

When looking for an eco-friendly air conditioner, go for a model that has the Energy Star label. Energy Star-rated products adhere to strict energy-efficiency guidelines.

The environmentally helpful HVAC changes you make, no matter how small, will save you money and help the environment in the long run. If you need environmentally friendly HVAC products and solutions in the Broken Arrow area, please contact the experts at Air Assurance.