Archive for June 2016
3 Ways to Stay Warm this Fall Season
Winter is just around the corner and the temperatures are not going to get much warmer from here. It is our job to help you and your family stay comfortable through seasonal changes and these three easy-to-do maintenance tips will help you keep warm between our visits. Maintenance Tip 1: Check Filters Every 30-to-60 Days In…
Read MoreCooling 101
To help you better understand the cooling process, please look over the material below. This is general information that you will find helpful when working with a dealer. Central Air Conditioning A Residential Split System Central Air Conditioning system keeps your entire home cool in the warmer months, while it helps lower indoor humidity levels.…
Read MoreSeasonal Tips for Heating Systems
Maintenance Follow manufacturer’s routine maintenance directions. Have entire system checked once a year by a qualified service technician. What Homeowners Can Do: Check Filters Permanent – Clean with mild detergent, per manufacturer’s recommendations, every 30 to 60 days. Replaceable – Replace every 30 to 60 days. Windows and Doors Keep closed when system is running.…
Read MoreHeating 101
Furnaces A Residential Furnace keeps your home warm during the cold months, and can be an integral part of a central air conditioning and/or indoor air quality system. The basic components of a furnace system are: A burner, through which gas (natural or propane) or oil is delivered and burned. A heat exchanger, where…
Read MoreImprove Air Quality and Extend the Life of Your Equipment with Proper Duct Cleaning
A maze of heating and air conditioning ducts runs inside the walls and floors of 80 percent of American homes. As the supply ducts blow air into the rooms, return ducts inhale airborne dust and suck it back into the blower. Add moisture to this mixture and you’ve got a breeding ground for allergy-inducing molds,…
Read MoreMedia Filters vs. Standard Furnace Filters
Most houses with forced-air furnaces have a standard furnace filter made from loosely woven spun-glass fibers designed to keep it and its ductwork clean. Unfortunately, they don’t improve indoor air quality. That takes a media filter, which sits in between the main return duct and the blower cabinet. Made of a deeply pleated, paper-like material,…
Read MoreHow To Clean An In-duct Humidifiers
A neglected in-duct humidifier can breed mildew and bacteria, not to mention add too much moisture to a house. A common mistake with humidifiers is leaving them on after the heating season ends. Don’t forget to pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain the unit. A unit with a water reservoir should be…
Read MoreMaintain The Calibration of Your Thermostat
While thermostats rarely fail outright, they can degrade over time as mechanical parts stick or lose their calibration. Older units will send faulty signals if they’ve been knocked out of level or have dirty switches. To recalibrate an older unit, use a wrench to adjust the nut on the back of the mercury switch until…
Read MoreHow To Turn Up The Distribution Side of a Forced-air System
Tuning up the distribution side of a forced-air system starts with the blower. The axle should be lubricated; blades cleaned and lower motor checked to insure the unit isn’t being overloaded. The fan belt should be adjusted so it deflects no more than an inch when pressed. Every accessible joint in the ductwork should be…
Read MoreHow To Properly Maintain Heating Equipment
Heat pumps and oil-fired furnaces and boilers need a yearly professional tune-up. Gas-fired equipment burns cleaner; it should be serviced every other year. Step 1 A close inspection will uncover leaks, soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. In furnace (forced-air) and boiler (hot-water) systems, the inspection should also cover the chimney, ductwork…
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