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.

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!