Tag Archives: HVAC maintenance

Ensure Home Comfort with This Spring Cleaning Checklist

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Ensure Home Comfort with This Spring Cleaning ChecklistDo you have a checklist for your spring cleaning? Making a list can help keep you organized when warmer weather rolls around and it’s time to get your house and yard in order. There’s something about writing down your tasks that helps us remain committed to actually doing them. And then, when the mission is accomplished, you can tick each item off.

One task you should add to your list, if you’re not doing it already, is some preparation for home comfort — meaning, the HVAC system and all the equipment that goes along with temperature and indoor air quality control.

Here are a few spring cleaning tasks to perform in your home.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

  1. Remove the cover from your air conditioner’s condenser if you use one. Check inside the unit for any rodent or insect nests and if you find something, have the critters removed. They can cause damage.
  2. Clear away any weeds, debris, grass or leaves from the unit so that it doesn’t interfere with air flow. Also remove overhanging limbs, shrubbery that is growing too close or yard furniture and tools less than 2 feet from the unit.
  3. Check inside your home for obstructions covering your air conditioner vents, such as carpet, drapes or furniture. Check the vents and registers for dust and vacuum if needed.
  4. Clean your ceiling and other fans. Dirt on the blades drags them down, causing the motor to strain to move them. Reverse the blades to counterclockwise for summer so that they will lift up the warm air and push down the cool air from the air conditioner.
  5. Change your air filter. A dirty air filter impedes air flow, so that your A/C struggles to cool the home. The filter also won’t keep dust out of the unit as effectively as when it’s clean. Further, your indoor air quality will diminish if you don’t change your air filter regularly.
  6. Call your HVAC technician for your annual spring maintenance, so that your A/C will run right all summer long.

For more spring cleaning tips to improve your HVAC efficiency, contact Powers Heating and Air, serving Peachtree City.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040. 

Your Spring HVAC Preparation To-Do List

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You Spring HVAC Preparation To-Do ListThe arrival of spring signals that it’s time to get your HVAC system ready for the coming cooling season. Preparing your HVAC before the heat and humidity settle in primes it to run efficiently and reliably, so you can enjoy a comfortable home all summer long. Here are some key spring HVAC tasks to tackle:

Replace Your Air Filter

A clean air filter helps maintain the airflow that keeps your HVAC system working properly. Going forward, check the filter every month, and replace when you see any debris accumulation, or every three months at minimum.

Clean Up Around Your Outdoor Unit

Good airflow through the condenser coil is crucial to the heat exchange process, so tidying up the area surrounding your outdoor unit is an important spring chore. First, rake up and remove any yard debris that has collected over the winter. Then, clear away overgrown grass and weeds, and trim nearby plants and shrubs to allow two feet of airflow clearance all around the unit.

Check Your Ductwork

Ductwork that’s damaged, leaking or uninsulated can waste up to a third of the conditioned air produced by your HVAC system. To curb that energy waste and increase your comfort, have your ductwork inspected, and if recommended, get it repaired, sealed and insulated.

Re-evaluate Your Thermostat Settings

Checking and adjusting your thermostat settings now can help you save energy throughout the coming cooling season. If you have an older, basic thermostat, now’s the time to install a programmable model that provides more streamlined temperature control. The Department of Energy also advises that using a programmable thermostat can save you up to 10 percent on your annual energy bills.

Schedule Seasonal Maintenance

Before you start up the cooling system this spring, make sure it’s in optimal working condition by having it inspected, cleaned and tuned-up by a trusted HVAC pro. Keeping it well maintained preserves the equipment’s energy efficiency, extends its service life, and reduces the likelihood of an unexpected breakdown mid cooling season.

To book a spring HVAC maintenance appointment for your Peachtree City home, contact us at Powers Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040. 

Bad HVAC Habits Homeowners Need to Kick

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Bad HVAC Habits Homeowners Need to KickIt’s easy to take your home’s HVAC system for granted and develop bad habits about its use and care that affect your comfort, energy bills and the equipment’s reliability and longevity. If you identify with any of the following bad HVAC habits, now’s the time to kick them:

Neglecting the Air Filter

Your air filter is in place to trap debris so it can’t accumulate on and harm sensitive components. Running your HVAC with a clogged filter can cause a loss of energy efficiency and premature equipment wear that leads to breakdowns or failures. You can easily prevent these costly problems by checking your filter monthly, and replacing it whenever there’s visible debris accumulation, or every three months at minimum.

Fiddling With the Thermostat Settings

If your living areas frequently feel too hot or too cool and you’re in the habit of changing the thermostat temperature settings to compenstate, you’re wasting energy and adding to the equipment’s workload needlessly. A better alterntive is to use your programmable thermostat to make temperature adjustments based on your usual daily routine. If you’re still experiencing discomforting temperature variations, get your HVAC pro’s advice about installing zoning to give you greater control.

Putting Off Routine Maintenance

Having your HVAC system professionally serviced twice a year is essential to keep it operating efficiently and minimize the likelihood of breakdowns and failures. If you often forget to schedule maintenance appointments, opting for a preventive maintenance agreement with a trusted, local HVAC company is a hassle-free way to keep your equipment in peak condition.

Not Paying Attention to Airflow Issues

Failing to maintain good airflow through your HVAC system can cause serious problems with its performance and reliability, and erode your comfort too. Actions to avoid to keep the system’s airflow healthy include shutting registers in some rooms, intentionally or accidentally blocking the return air vents, and allowing airflow through the outdoor unit to be stifled by tall vegetation and/or yard debris.

For helping identifying and kicking bad HVAC habits so they don’t comfort and efficiency in your Peachtree City home, contact us at Powers Heating & Air.

 

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

What to Ask When You Buy an HVAC System

What to Ask When You Buy an HVAC System

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What to Ask When You Buy an HVAC SystemYour HVAC system contains complex and costly equipment that’s crucial for your home comfort in our climate, so replacing it for the first time can be a stressful experience. There are two ways to make HVAC purchases less nerve-racking – choose your HVAC installer carefully and ask smart questions so you can make an informed decision.

 

Important Things to Do and Know Regarding New HVAC

 

Getting the most from a new HVAC purchase involves more than just choosing the equipment, because installation quality directly affects its performance, efficiency and lifespan. This means you need to look for a well-established, reputable HVAC contractor with lots of installation experience.

Then, base your choice of installer on how a contractor answers these important questions:

 

How is the equipment sized and selected?

The capacity or size of your equipment affects its long-term performance. If it’s oversized, it will short cycle and waste energy. Equipment that’s too small won’t keep your home comfortable. A contractor worth hiring will tell you they’ll size and choose the right equipment for your home based on Manuals J and S.

 

Does my home need new ductwork?

A skilled installer won’t hook up your new equipment to the existing ductwork without verifying that the duct system is properly designed to provide ample, balanced air distribution, and free from defects and leaks.

 

What efficiency rating is best?

Higher-rated HVAC equipment is more energy efficient, so it costs less to operate but typically has a higher price tag. A knowledgeable HVAC installer can help you compare upfront cost versus long-term energy savings for different equipment models so you can choose one that matches your budget.

 

What advanced features are worthwhile?

Higher-end HVAC systems have a range of optional features that can boost comfort and energy efficiency. A dependable HVAC pro can tell you which features are most worthwhile for your needs, and may recommend that you opt for a variable-speed air handler, furnace or compressor, or install a smart thermostat or zoning system.

 

For expert help making wise HVAC purchases for your Peachtree City home, contact us today at Powers Heating & Air.

 

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040. 

End of Winter Maintenance To-Dos

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End of Winter Maintenance To-DosAs the icy chill of winter gives way to springtime warmth, you’ll want to make sure your HVAC system is able to make the transition from heating to cooling. A little end of winter maintenance can go a long way towards aiding this transition, plus it’ll help you keep your HVAC system in peak condition year-round.

 

If you’re wondering what should be on your end of winter maintenance to-do list, here are a few maintenance tasks you should tackle before spring arrives.

Change the Air Filter

A clogged-up air filter can put a dent in your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency, resulting in unnecessary wear and tear on your unit and a higher electricity bill each month. You may also notice an increase in allergies and asthma symptoms, as a dirty air filter can also affect your home’s indoor air quality. A regularly scheduled replacement of your HVAC air filter can help prevent these and other issues.

Check Your Thermostat

It’s a good idea to check your thermostat’s current settings and make the appropriate adjustments for the upcoming spring and summer months. In addition to reprogramming your thermostat, it’s also a good idea to check and replace the battery located inside. A bad battery can prevent your HVAC system from working properly.

Inspect the Air Ducts

Your HVAC system’s air ducts can also use some well-needed attention. Make sure there aren’t any segments that are physically damaged or disconnected. Also, watch for dust buildup within the ductwork as well as on the air intake and supply vents.

Plan for Springtime Service

Last but not least, you should have a seasoned HVAC technician perform a thorough inspection of your HVAC system before the start of spring. Using sophisticated tools and training, your HVAC technician can uncover hard-to-spot problems and correct those problems quickly and safely.

For more advice on end of winter maintenance, turn to the professionals at Powers Heating & Air in Peachtree City.

 

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.