So your air conditioning unit or furnace just broke down and you are forced to act quickly and replace it with a new one. One of the most common mistakes people make when searching for new HVAC products is rushing to the first one they come across. This article outlines some of the mistakes you should avoid when purchasing your next heater, heat pump or air conditioning unit. Overlooking SEER (Seasonal Energy efficiency Ratio)Rating Choosing a New Heater The SEER rating of your unit determines how efficient it is. A SEER rating of 16 or above will not only improve your unit’s efficiency, but will also reduce energy cost. Modern units have a minimum SEER rating of 13 compared to old one that can drop as low as 8 SEER rating. Rebate Opportunities Taking advantage of rebates in different states can help you save money when choosing your next HVAC unit. You can get as […]
Signs Your Furnace May Be In Malfunctioning
Having your HVAC or furnace system malfunction can lead you to a state of complete panic. Not having your house at the comfortable temperature that you need it at can be uncomfortable and irritating. So can paying a lot of money for repairs or replacements. However, you do not have to get a degree in quantum physics to know some furnace warning signs that your warrant your attention. Furnace Warning Sign #1: An Aging Furnace? How old is your furnace? If it is older than eight years, you may need to keep in mind that it may need replaced in the near future. Some furnaces can last 20 or more years, while some do not even last eight. The older the furnace, the more likely it is to malfunction and require attention. Furnace Warning Sign #2: A Thermostat Problem If you have recently noticed your furnace cycling on and off, or that no matter what […]
Furnace Tips To Get Through The Winter
Most of us have at least 5 weeks left of cold, snow and ice. There are some basic maintenance steps to take to make sure your furnace will continue working through the winter. Just think of the furnace as your car and how you routinely do maintenance. It is easy to forget about the furnace since it is not something you see in your day to day life. The most common type of heating system is a gas furnace. If you did your preseason check, the follow-up maintenance should be relatively quick and easy. Probably the most important thing to check is the carbon monoxide detector. It should be located near the furnace and free from any obstructions. Check the battery and do the test beep. Make sure the furnace has room to breathe. There should be nothing stored near the furnace or leaning up against it. This can be a fire hazard especially with […]
Save Money By Preparing Your Home For Winter
With winter right around the corner, many homeowners are beginning to worry about how they will manage the high cost of keeping their home warm and cozy. Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce energy use and keep heating bills as low as possible. While there might be an initial investment, many energy saving tips are quick and easy and require very little money to begin reaping the rewards of significant monthly savings on your heating costs. Homeowners can lose a great deal of heat through the walls and attic of their home. In order to help retain heat and increase energy efficiency, it is important to make sure you have adequate insulation. Depending on the area of the country where you live and the particular design of your home, the amount of insulation you will need can vary. For most homeowners, a minimum of 12″ of insulation in the attic should be […]
4 Tips To A Warmer Home
Staying warm during the winter is easy to do when you know how to keep the heat in your home. There are places in your home that you might be losing your heat and it can cause your power bills to increase and your home to stay too cool. These four tips can help you keep your home warm and cozy no matter how low the thermometer dips outside. Be sure to put these tips into play in your home to insure your warm and cozy. Use Drapes When you have curtains or heavy drapes over your windows you will notice a substantial difference in the home. It helps to hold the heat in when you keep them closed and you can relax knowing the heat is not leaking out. These curtains and drapes can really make a difference in the rooms that have larger windows and openings. If the temperatures get bitterly cold […]