How to Tell If Your Furnace Filter Needs Changed

At very least, your furnace filter should be changed at least once a year when you switch from either heat to air conditioning. The filter helps not only keep the air cleaner inside your home, but an air filter can also stop debris from entering your furnace, improving its overall performance and lifespan.

Unfortunately, when to change your furnace filter for optimum performance can vary. For example, smokers or pet owners may need to change it more often. As filters with a lower MERV rating will need to be changed more often, your filter of choice will come with a recommendation on when to change it. Of course, if you aren't using AC or heating, you won't have to change the filter as often.
If you simply aren't sure on whether you need to change your furnace filter, the filters are cheap enough that you could go the better safe than sorry route. However, you can also look at your filter to see. If you check your furnace filter and find the following, it may be time to change it:

•    The filter is gray, black, or yellow in color
•    Visible dust is around the filter housing or your furnace
•    Your home seems to be getting dustier
•    The current filter has been used longer than its manufacturer advised

If your filter is dirty and needs changed, you may also notice that the heating or cooling cycle takes longer than usual. When the filter is dirty, it blocks more air from making it into your home. As such, the cycle will need to run longer to get the same effect. As you can expect, this is running up higher energy bills as well. This means that even if you aren't so concerned with your indoor air quality, not changing your air filter is costing you in other ways as well. Give us a call today!

How to Tell If Your Thermostat is Not Properly Calibrated

Is your home feeling a little off temperature? While this can be a sign of something wrong with your HVAC system, your own thermostat could also be the culprit as well. Over time and with regular use, your thermostat can fall out of calibration and misread the temperature. This means it can begin to read the temperature incorrectly resulting in your home not getting as hot or as cool as you want it.

Testing to see if your thermostat has fallen out of calibration is something a homeowner can easily do themselves. All you need is a thermometer that you can placed right next to the thermostat. If the thermometer and the thermostat don't match up in their reading, then the thermostat has fallen out of calibration. This means that your home can either be too cool or too hot for you, likely burning up energy bills as well as making you feel uncomfortable.

To recalibrate your thermostat, you will want to call an HVAC technician. While it is possible to do it yourself, you will want your thermostat thoroughly inspected. Your HVAC technician will check to make sure the calibration issue is from natural use and not from a problem. They can also make sure the inner workings of the thermostat are cleaned as well, something that doesn't get done too often. In some cases, calibration issues can be a sign that your thermostat is on its way out. In these instances, they can make quick work of installing a new one.

If your old thermostat has fallen out of calibration and needs replaced, we highly recommend replacing it with a programmable model. This makes it easier to control the temperature when you are in the house and when you are out. This will help cut even more off your energy bills. Give us a call today!

Signs That You Should Call an HVAC Contractor

Few things are more frustrating than having to deal with a malfunctioning heater in the dead of winter or a fickle air conditioner during a blazing summer. When worst comes to worst, all you can really do is call the professionals and have them either fix the problem or replace the appliance entirely. However, you can save a lot of stress and money if you catch these issues before they bloom into complete catastrophes. In order to give you the most comfortable home possible, here are some key signs that you should call out an HVAC contractor ASAP.

Your Air Quality Is Low
There are a variety of ways that low air quality can manifest, ranging from increased sickness in the house to a noticeable scent when the air conditioner or heater are turned on. In some cases (and especially if cash is tight), this may seem like a temporary problem and mild inconvenience that will soon pass, but that's not always true. Poor air quality is often a warning sign that things will be getting much worse in the future. The filters could be clogged, which can lead to overheating and damage in the appliances themselves. Mold can grow quickly and spread throughout the home via ventilation, leading to severe health risks.

Your Appliance Is Making Strange Noises
If you hear strange noises coming from your heater or air conditioner while they're running, then those may be indicators of much worse problems. If pieces are loose inside, then they may break entirely. This isn't necessarily a common problem in state-of-the-art models, but it can be a serious issue for older appliances. In the worst-case scenario, this could potentially lead to an electrical or gas hazard that could become a fire.

How a Contractor Can Help
Getting a contractor to your home as soon as possible is one of the best ways to nip these problems in the bud. They can identify what's causing the problem, how serious it is, and determine the best way to go about fixing it. Of course, they can also help you in other ways that people don't often think about. Your air conditioner may be working fine, and the problem may be minor, but it may also be an extremely old model that simply doesn't have the efficiency of modern air conditioners. A contractor can help you decide if an upgrade is worth it and how much you stand to save. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, give us a call today!

Know the Signs That Your Furnace May Need to be Replaced This Fall

With winter nearly upon us, it is important that your furnace is ready to keep you and your family warm in the cold months that are still to come, and if your furnace is old, you may want to consider having it replaced before winter arrives. Yet, if your aging furnace has still been keeping you warm the last couple of winters, how will you know when to replace it? You do not want to have your aging furnace fail on you when you need it most, but you also do not want to replace your furnace prematurely. If you are unsure whether you need a new furnace, here are a few signs indicating that your furnace may need to be replaced.

Your Furnace is Over 15 Years Old
Even if your furnace seems to be working fine, you may want to plan to have it replaced if it is over 15 years old. Most older furnaces were only made to last about 15 years, and once they reach this age they may give out at any point. Additionally, a furnace that is this old may lose efficiency and begin to struggle to heat your home properly. Rather than wait until you start experiencing problems with your furnace, you may want to plan to have your furnace replaced preemptively if it is over 15 years old in order to ensure your comfort this winter.

Your Bills Are Going Up
Another clear sign that your furnace may soon need to be replaced is if your operating costs have been on the rise. If you have noticed a spike in the cost of heating your home, your furnace may be having to work harder than it used to in order to heat your home. It may then make more sense financially to replace your furnace with an energy-efficient model that will cost less to run. You may also want to consider replacing your furnace if it has required costly repairs in recent years. If your furnace is aging, you will have to decide if it makes sense to continue to put money into it or if you would be better off having it replaced.

Your Furnace Constantly Runs
As your furnace ages, it may have to work harder to keep your house warm. If this is the case, you may notice that your furnace has begun to run almost constantly without cycling off. This is a clear sign that your furnace is struggling to heat your home properly, and you should consider having it replaced before it fails on you altogether.

Contact us today to learn more about how you will know when it is time to replace your home's furnace.

How a Thermostat Affects an HVAC System

 Think of the thermostat as the brain of your system. It connects to your furnace and tells it when to kick on and when to kick off. This means that when your thermostat is having issues, it affects the whole system in a big way.

One of the most common issues that a malfunctioning thermostat can manifest is short cycling. This means that the furnace doesn't run the full cycling, it instead just kicks on and then shortly turns off. This can be caused by a furnace too big for your house where it pushes out heat too quickly rather than the standard gradual heating. However, if you don't have a new furnace, then short cycling is likely the thermostat's issue. Depending on the malfunction, this could mean your home isn't being heated efficiently. While this is a problem, you should also keep in mind that short cycling is very hard on a furnace. The more a furnace turns on and off, the quicker parts will wear out and need repair.

Sometimes short cycling is caused by miscalibration. This means that the thermostat thinks it is warmer or cooler inside your home than it actually is. Luckily, if it is a calibration issue, this is a rather quick and painless fix for your technician. If short cycling is caused by an actual malfunction, then unfortunately your thermostat may need to be replaced.

Yet, many homeowners should think of a thermostat replacement as an exciting opportunity. Thermostat technology has progressed so much further than just a tiny dial on the wall. If you have gotten into creating an energy efficient home, a thermostat can play a huge part. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that will adjust the temperature for you based on your own unique living habits. Such as turning down the heat while the whole family is out and making sure it is nice and warm when everyone comes back. Give us a call today for more information on upgrading your thermostat!

4 Signs That Show Your Air Conditioner Needs Service

Just like any other appliance in your home, an air conditioner needs to be serviced often. Despite the age and model of your air conditioner, it needs to be serviced and maintained before it gets too late and make you incur more cost in the future. The problem, however, is that most home and office owners don't know when to have a service provider to service your air conditioner. Here are the signs that your air conditioner needs service.

1. Reduced Airflow
A reduction in air that flows from your AC might be a need to raise the alarm. You can gauge this from previous experiences with it and feel whether the airflow has reduced. Chances could be that the filters are blocked or clogged. If this is not the case, the compressors need to be checked or need replacement.

2. Blowing Hot Air Instead of Cold
That sounds ridiculous! Right? You obviously wouldn't want a situation where you need some cold breeze because it's hot and all you get is more heat. So if your AC regularly starts pumping in warm air, you should consult your air conditioner service provider and ask them to service it.

3. Increased Energy Bills
Whenever your air conditioner is faulty, it becomes inefficient, and that translates to increased energy bills. You don't have to wait for further warnings from the air con. You might feel like the room still maintains its level of coolness, but the truth is that the air conditioner is struggling to maintain the temperature. You would require to have it checked and lower your energy bills.

4. Strange Noise and odor
If your air conditioner is operating in good condition, it should be almost quiet with no smell at all. If it makes some noise, it could be because of some mechanical problems and the odor would mean some moisture that has dried up in the filters. Having the conditioner serviced would effectively eliminate all these problems.

To have your conditioner well serviced and maintained, contact us, and we will be glad to assist you.

3 Common Air Conditioning Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

When the weather warms up, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable at all times. However, if you're like most homeowners, you likely end up making a few mistakes when it comes to maintaining your HVAC system. Here are a few of the most common mistakes people make with their units and how you can avoid them in the future.

Not Changing the Filters

No matter how large or small your air conditioner is, you'll need to change out the filters at regularly. Air conditioner filters keep dirt, allergens, and debris from making it inside your home. As a result, they can get clogged quickly, especially if you're running the system all day, every day. Over time, these clogs put strain on your unit and may lead to more frequent repairs. Change your filters at least once every three months and inspect them every month if you're using your system daily.

Not Scheduling Regular Tune-Ups

It's not uncommon for homeowners to only think of their HVAC system when something's broken. However, when it comes to keeping your AC unit working efficiently, you'll want to schedule annual preventative maintenance appointments with your technician. This helps keep your air conditioner in good shape and reduces the risk of unexpected repairs during the warmest part of the year. Schedule a tune-up for your AC at least once per year.

Ignoring High Energy Bills

During the heat of the summer, you expect your energy bills to increase. However, if they're higher than normal, don't assume that it's due to your AC use. When an air conditioner is failing, it becomes less efficient and has to work harder to maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. If you notice higher-than-normal energy bills, schedule an inspection with your HVAC technician. They'll be able to make sure your unit is working properly and address any minor repair issues that may impact the unit's efficiency.

Ready to get your air conditioner ready for everything the summer heat can bring? Contact us today and schedule a tune-up with one of our experienced technicians.

Begin Your Spring Cleaning With an Air Conditioning Tuneup

As warmer weather arrives, many homeowners start to think about spring cleaning. One important part of spring cleaning that is often overlooked is your HVAC system. Maintaining your air conditioner should be part of your spring cleaning schedule. A properly-functioning air conditioner is a critical part of keeping your home comfortable. These basic maintenance tasks will help your air conditioner keep your home cool throughout the spring and summer.

Replace your air filters. Replacing the air filters on a regular basis is one of the most important HVAC maintenance tasks. Dirty air filters increase energy costs and lead to poor indoor air quality in your home, which can become a health hazard. You should replace your air filters once a month.

Clean the unit's condenser coils and evaporator coils. Coils that are dirty lower the system's ability to keep your home cool. This will cause your unit to run longer and lead to higher cooling costs.  Clean your coils to keep your unit performing its best.

Check your air conditioner's refrigerant level. If you don't have the correct amount of refrigerant, your system will run less efficiently. This will increase your energy costs and shorten the life of your unit.

Clean the ductwork. Your ductwork should be cleaned and tested for leaks. Leaks in your ductwork reduce the efficiency of your HVAC unit. Your air conditioner has to run longer to keep up with the air that leaks out. 

Schedule an air conditioning tuneup. A preventive check now can save you a lot of trouble later. Don't wait until the heat of summer to find out that your air conditioner isn't working properly. Make an appointment for an HVAC inspection. Your technician will check your HVAC system and ensure that it's running at optimal levels.  

Does your air conditioner need attention this spring? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

How to Tell If Your Thermostat is Not Properly Calibrated

Is your home feeling a little off temperature? While this can be a sign of something wrong with your HVAC system, your thermostat could also be the culprit. Over time and with regular use, your thermostat can fall out of calibration and misread the temperature. This means it can begin to read the temperature incorrectly, resulting in your home not getting as hot or as cool as you want it to be.

Testing to see if your thermostat has fallen out of calibration is something a homeowner can easily do themselves. All you need is a thermometer that you can placed right next to the thermostat. If the thermometer and the thermostat don't match up in their reading, then the thermostat has fallen out of calibration. This means that your home can either be too cool or too hot for you, likely burning up energy bills as well as making you feel uncomfortable.

To recalibrate your thermostat, you will want to call an HVAC technician. While it is possible to do it yourself, you will want your thermostat thoroughly inspected. Your HVAC technician will check to make sure the calibration issue is from natural use and not from a problem. They can also make sure the inner workings of the thermostat are cleaned as well, something that doesn't get done too often. In some cases, calibration issues can be a sign that your thermostat is on its way out. In these instances, they can make quick work of installing a new one.

If your old thermostat has fallen out of calibration and needs replaced, we highly recommend replacing it with a programmable model. This makes it easier to control the temperature when you are in the house and when you are out. This will help cut even more off your energy bills. Contact us today for more information!

Do You Have an Air Conditioning Unit or a Heat Pump?

When most people think about a way to heat a home, one of the last things they will think about is an air conditioning unit. However, it is important to know that an air conditioning unit can do more for a home than you may think. An air conditioning unit is typically designed to keep a home at a comfortable temperature, regardless of what the weather conditions may be outside.

When a homeowner switches the settings between heating and cooling modes, your home will be able to stay on top of all the weather-related changes that are taking place throughout the year. While we all understand that an allocated heating system does what it is supposed to do, heat a home. However, an air conditioning unit can provide a home with so much more. However, even if a cooling element does not exist, the unit can still serve as a reasonable heating option.

Do you know if the heating/cooling apparatus outside of your home is an air conditioner or a heat pump? Discovering this important information can save you a significant amount of money when it comes to energy bills and service calls. However, we understand that it is not easy to determine if the device is, in fact, an air conditioner or a heat pump just by standing outside and looking at it.

A heat pump and an air conditioner look very similar, but one can identify if the device is an air conditioning unit or a heat pump in the following ways:
• Switching your system to the heat setting and checking if the device outside turns on as well
• Find the unit's model number and search the model number online
• Look through the top of your condensing unit and look for a brass pipe that is horizontally shaped

When an air conditioning unit is compared to an electric heater, we will discover that an air conditioning unit will not consume as much energy as the heating unit. When an air conditioning unit is placed in the heating setting, the heat will be pumped from the outside in. An air conditioning unit can serve as a form of heating, but the efficiency can greatly depend on the temperatures outdoors.

If you have questions about your air conditioning unit or your heat pump, please do not hesitate to contact our team!

Why is My Heating Pump Blowing Cold Air?

If your heating pump is set to heat your home, then there is no circumstance under which it should be blowing cold air into your home. Unlike a furnace that may have a bit of a warmup time, heat pumps maintain a steady temperature and heat your home more gradually. So, if there is cold air coming out, it could be a problem. If you believe your heat pump is having issues, then any of the below could be causing the issue:

• You're Not Used to It – If you have a new heat pump and have never been exposed to them before, it can be a bit of a change. Instead of blasting out rather hot air like a furnace, a heat pump produces relatively lower temperature air. It is still warm, but it is not on the same level as a furnace. You may think something is wrong, but it is just a more gradual heating experience.
• Faulty Reversing Valve – The reversing valve is what switches your heat pump from heating to cooling. If your heat pump is blowing cold air, it could be stuck on cooling and will require a professional HVAC service to repair it.
• The Heat Pump is Frozen – Heat pumps are prone to freezing over on particularly cool days, so much so that they come with their own defrost function. However, if you constantly must run the defrost to get your heat pump running again, you may want to consider alternative heating for those super cold days.
• Maintenance is Needed – Like a furnace, a heat pump will suffer from a lack of regular maintenance, and often in a more tangible way. Debris can build up in or around the heat pump that restricts air flow. The pressure changes can then cause freezing which will result in much cooler air being produced.

Please feel free to contact us today with any questions and/or service needs that you may have. Our team of HVAC professionals is here to help.