Frugal Guide to Air Conditioning

Posted on August 4, 2011 by admin

Need to keep your home cool this summer? If your home doesn’t have air conditioners, ceiling fans or central air think about installing it now to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Using window air conditioners and fans to cool your home is an inexpensive option; however, if you install a central air unit you can use it to both cool and heat your home.

Some frugal tips to use to cool your home more efficiently include:

Keep fans going to circulate air continuously throughout your home.
Seal all air leaks throughout your home.
Put tinted window film over windows to block sun, heat and UV rays.
Close doors to keep individual rooms cooler.
Keep your thermostat set on one consistent temperature; don’t change the setting throughout the day or several times.
Minimize the use of your oven in your home during the summer; that way you don’t introduce more heat into your home. Use a crockpot, a toaster oven, a grill or microwave, or make something that doesn’t need to be cooked like salad and sandwiches.
Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day.
Wait until night time when the sun goes down to use appliances like your washer, dryer and dish washer.
Plant shade trees near your home to provide shade from the sun.
Install a programmable thermostat that can control the temperature or change it throughout the day.
Clean or replace your air filters regularly.
Only cool rooms that you are using and seal off any rooms that you are not using.
Get your HVAC system regularly serviced to make sure it is in proper working condition.

Purchase air conditioners for as low as $99 to $199 dollars at the local Home Depot, Lowe’s or Wal-Mart. Also, there are a lot of HVAC companies to choose from to install or maintain a new HVAC / central air system. Look at local HVAC companies to see if they offer any coupons online. Also, check the Valpak coupons, as well as other coupons from Reach magazine that are mailed out to see if there are any coupons for HVAC systems.

Many different local HVAC companies advertise in Reach and Valpak and also have coupons available to save money on a new system or on servicing an existing system. Don’t stay outdoors in the heat too long and remember to cool off by going inside, drinking water and resting. Stay cool for the remainder of summer and have a great summer!

http://www.coloradoan.com/

Furnasman

http://Furnasman.com/

Heating Repair – Do It Yourself Or Not?

Posted on October 11, 2010 by admin

Sometimes you can handle heating repair tasks on your own, but other times your safety is at risk if you do. Learn when you need to hire a professional and when you can safely tackle something as a DIY project.

Heating repair is one form of home improvement that you need to be very careful with. Some aspects of your HVAC system you can easily fix on your own, but others are best left to a professional. As a good rule of thumb, if you are not confident in your ability to fix something, you should not do so.

Safe to Do Yourself

Some tasks are tasks the average homeowner can handle. For instance, changing the furnace filter in your unit takes just a few minutes and requires no special skill. Simply remove the old filter and replace it with a new one. You can also vacuum or brush the heat exchanger surfaces once per year. Just remember to power off the unit before performing these maintenance tasks.

Replacing a thermostat is another task that you might be able to handle on your own, if you are comfortable working with wiring. You may also be able to light the pilot light on your unit if it goes out. Before doing either of these somewhat simple tasks, check with the owner’s manual for your HVAC system, and follow all instructions carefully.

Repairs That Need a Professional

Sometimes you are safer if you hire a professional to deal with your heating repair needs. No matter what the situation, if you are unsure about the safest way to do something, call in a pro. However, certain situations almost always require the skill of a trained, licensed contractor.

If your furnace stops working, take the time to troubleshoot the situation before calling in a professional. Make sure the thermostat is set properly, and check to see that the pilot light is lit if the model has one. Check the batteries in your thermostat as well. If the furnace has an electrical switch that turns it on and off, make sure it is on. If you have an oil burner, check the oil levels. If none of these situations are the cause of the problem, then you need a professional contractor to look at the unit and determine what is wrong. Attempting to fix other situations in your furnace could put your safety at risk.

If you need to add ductwork or adjust the layout of your ductwork in your furnace system, consider at least consulting with a professional. Failure to install ductwork properly could lead to energy loss through leaks in the system.

Finally, if you have determined that heating repair is not the answer, but rather you need to install a new furnace or HVAC system, you must use a licensed professional. Doing so ensures that the job is done to code and your family is safe. It also ensures you will not run into problems when it comes time to sell your property.

Finding the Right Contractor

When you need heating repair services, take the time to find a highly recommended contractor. Ask others who have had heating work done, or look at reviews on third-party websites. These resources will help you find a contractor with excellent skills and a solid reputation.

http://www.azecobuilding.com/

Furnasman

http://Furnasman.com/

7 Things to Look for in a Home Heating and Air Conditioning System

Posted on March 19, 2010 by admin

Purchasing a new home heating and air conditioning system is often more important than people recognize. Not only does your HVAC system need to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the hot Richmond summer months, it needs to run at high efficiency to save you money, have noise reduction features for quiet operations and both balance air flow and keep it at the right moisture level.

In this way, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home all year long and for many years to come. It is truly an investment in your home that you should not rush into purchasing, just like any other investment. Take your time, check the facts and ask questions of your HVAC contractor.

To help you make the best decisions in purchasing your new HVAC system, here are 7 things to consider:

Reliability. Chances are, your heating and cooling system is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you will purchase for your home. That’s why it’s important to choose proven products from a reputable manufacturer.
Efficiency. A new ENERGY STAR®-labeled system, when properly sized and installed, can save you up to 20% on your annual heating and cooling costs. Plus, it may qualify you for utility rebates and tax credits.*
Quiet operation. The sound of a standard furnace can be as loud as 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a kitchen garbage disposal! Air conditioners can produce sounds as high as 80 decibels. Look for technologies and features that help keep operating sound at a comfortable level.
Consistent temperatures. With a typical furnace or single-speed air conditioner, indoor temperature can vary as much as seven degrees from the thermostat setting. Variable speed and/or two-stage systems give you the assurance of precise temperature control.
Balanced humidity. To maintain proper moisture levels in your home, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity. You might also consider a variable speed and/or two-stage comfort system and dehumidifier.
Proper Airflow. A typical furnace motor runs at one speed and circulates a constant volume of air, so it responds to changing comfort demands by repeatedly cycling on and off. This frequent cycling increases air stratification and stagnation. For optimal air circulation, choose a variable speed model.
Healthy air. One of the best ways to combat indoor pollution is to attach an air cleaner to your furnace or air handler. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.

Here at Marshall Mechanical, we partner with Lennox because of their superior heating and air conditioning equipment and because they are the innovation leaders in high efficiency technology. Their products are superior in many ways. But we will always talk with our customers to find out exactly how they use their HVAC system and take into consideration their home specifications to make the best choice for each individual family and home.

For a free consultation on what heating and air conditioning system is the best choice for you and your Richmond-area home, please call the HVAC professionals at Marshall Mechanical at 804.323.0189 today.

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Furnasman

http://www.furnaceman.com