Common Causes of Heating and Cooling System Fires
It may surprise you to know that the second leading cause of home fires involves heating equipment. And air conditioners and heat pumps are comparable in the numbers of fires, so it’s important to be aware of potential problems related to both systems before they become actual fires. Here are some things to consider:
Creepy Critters in Your HVAC
During this time of year, you expect to see a lot of creepy critters around the house - but as Halloween decorations, not pests in your HVAC. Ironically, there are probably both. When the temperatures start dropping below 70 degrees some of those critters may start seeking out places to escape the cooler temperatures.
Fall Home Improvement Tips for Energy Efficiency
Fall is here, and while the days are still warm, the evening temperatures are slowly dropping. It’s a good time to start preparing your home for the cooler months. Taking time to go over a home improvement checklist can save you money and increase your comfort in the seasons to come.
Keep Forgetting to Change Your Air Filter?
Changing your air filter regularly and as recommended is one of the most important maintenance steps you can take to extend the life of your equipment and improve the performance of your heating and cooling system. Unfortunately, there’s no little alarm that goes off to let you know it’s time to change your filter, and you might simply forget.
Best Ways to Childproof Your HVAC Registers
Small children seem to have a way of being everywhere at once. You’ve probably discovered all kinds of things down your register vents – toys, food, paper, keys – things that mysteriously show up despite constant vigilance. If you have a little one, then you might want to consider childproofing yet one more thing – your HVAC registers.
Best Practices for Thermostat: Vacation Mode
There are many reasons why programmable thermostats are a good idea. For example, they can save you almost $200 a year in energy costs when used properly. But in addition to energy savings, they can be helpful for scheduling the temperatures you want to maintain at home when you’re away on vacation.
How to Save Energy When Using Your Air Conditioner
Saving energy means saving money -- and during the hottest months of the year when air conditioning use goes into overdrive, knowing a few ways to conserve energy can help make a big difference when it comes time to pay your cooling bills.
How Hail Can Damage Your Air Conditioner
Hail is a marvel of nature – hail can range in size from a pea to a baseball (or larger) and, being made of ice, it can leave a mark. The National Weather Service reports that hail causes $1 billion in damage to property and crops each year. Anything caught outside in a hail storm is vulnerable to the smashing and flattening caused by hail – and that includes your air conditioning unit.
Keep Your Outdoor Air Conditioner Free From Debris
We’ve all seen those air conditioning units cleverly surrounded by concealing hedges, while it may look nice, it may be putting an unnecessary burden on the equipment’s performance. Keeping your outside cooling unit free from dirt and debris is crucial for maintaining free air flow. This not only allows the equipment to work more efficiently, but also helps it last longer.
The Best Place to Install Your Air Conditioner
Air conditioning technology is continually pushing for improvements that reduce the environmental footprint and make cooling systems more energy efficient. The environment and your wallet benefit from high-efficiency equipment – but you won’t see these benefits if your air conditioner is improperly installed.
