2015

Why Is My Heat Pump No Longer Defrosting Itself In Winter?

During colder months, an outside heat pump is more likely to develop an excessive coating of frost. Heat pumps are designed to periodically melt the frost away. Owners of air-source heat pumps that are not defrosting adequately may have a faulty defrost control board. In winter months, a heat pump transfers heat from the outside air to your interior living space. Refrigerant is cycled through a compressor and an evaporator, absorbing heat energy outside and then releasing heat energy inside.

Diagnosing Common AC Problems

What do you do if your AC unit starts blowing warm air? Or if it barely blows any air at all? Your first instinct might be to call in the professionals for AC repair, but if you take some time to troubleshoot your system you can sometimes save yourself some money, and at the very least, you can save yourself some time. It Could Be Ice Sometimes your evaporator coils can get too cold, and when they do, they will freeze the water vapor present in the air in your home.

DIY Heating Maintenance: 2 Tips To Keep Your Old Gas Furnace Safe And Functional

Preparing your old gas furnace for winter goes beyond just checking the pilot light and changing the air filters. You also need to maintenance and repair the parts of your furnace that supply and maintain the fuel in your furnace. If you're ready to keep your gas furnace safe and functional this upcoming cold season, turn off the gas supply and all other power sources to your furnace, then follow the maintenance tips below.

Improving The Overall Efficiency Of Your HVAC System

Heating and cooling are two of the biggest costs that you have to contend with as a homeowner. Part of this has do to the fact that the motor used on AC units and furnaces is bigger than the motor used on other continuously running appliances such as a refrigerator, but that does not mean that you have to accept your HVAC operation costs as immutable. In fact, there are steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and keep your costs lower.

5 Tips To Prolong The Life Of Your Air Conditioning Unit

There's nothing like a hot day to make people appreciate their air conditioning units. If you are like a lot of people, you don't think much about the unit outside your home until it fails to cool your home. To make sure that doesn't happen, use the following tips to ensure that your air conditioning unit continues to function well. 1. Change the Unit Air Filters Air filters do the necessary job of blocking harmful particles from entering your home.

Why You Should Convert Your Heating And Cooling System From Oil To Gas

If you're a homeowner that's looking for a smart investment or upgrade for your heating system, there are reasons why you may want to consider converting your oil unit to one that burns gas. Gas heating units burn cleaner than oil indoors, with highly efficient fuel usage that doesn't release fumes each time it the system sparks. Gas is more readily available than oil, with costs that make it a more affordable option for routine heating needs.

Central Air Vs. A Mini-Split System

The standard for an air conditioning system is to install a system that uses one centralized air-conditioning unit to push air through ducts to all of the rooms in your house. Just because this is the standard does not mean that this is your only option. Depending on your air conditioning needs and/or the size of your house, you might be able to save more money and keep your house comfortable by using a mini-split system.

2 Reasons To Consider A Forced-Air Heating System

Replacing the heating system in your home can be quite confusing, mostly because it can be hard determining which heating system would work best for you and your home. In most cases, your choices will come down to a forced-air or radiant system. Comfort and cost are just two reasons to consider a forced-air system. Cost One of the biggest benefits of a forced-air system is that it is going to be cheaper in terms of both labor costs and the cost of the equipment.

Is A Heat Pump Right for You?

Typically, people will use two appliances to provide heating and cooling for their home. You have your central-air AC unit and your furnace. You have twice the cost and twice the amount of space in your home that you have to dedicate to your appliances. If you want to save money and space, you can consider using a heat pump, but you have to make sure that a heat pump will work well in your climate.

3 Valuable Hot Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Picture waking up and turning the nozzle to your shower, only to wake up to ice cold water. This can be a rude awakening for anybody, and can be a reality if you don't do your due diligence in always caring for your hot water heater. If you want to make sure that your water heater is working, you'll need to follow some critical tips to help you out. As you follow these tips and work hand in hand with a water heater installation and repair expert, you are safeguarding your utilities and the quality of life in your home as a whole.

3 Problems That Could Cause Your Thermostat To Stop Working

When a furnace will not kick on and start running, your first instinct might be to think that the furnace is broken. While this could be the case, there is also a chance that it might be the thermostat that is preventing the furnace from running. The thermostat in your home controls when the furnace turns on and off, and if the thermostat is bad, it might not be communicating properly with the heating system:

Signs That Your Home Furnace Is On The Verge Of Breaking

As a homeowner, it is up to you to make sure that you are keeping an eye out for problems with the furnace. This way, you will not have to worry about going without heat during the coldest part of the year. Simply take a moment to review the following signs that your home furnace might be in trouble. There Are Loud Banging Sounds           Sure, the average furnace may make an occasional sound when it kicks on, especially if it is just turning on after many months of being off.

Wait! Before You Call The Heating Company...

Are you a new first-time homeowner? If so, you may never have had to deal with things like furnaces, air conditioners, hot water heaters, and the like. Now you can't just call the landlord when something goes wrong. Knowing when to contact your heating/AC company and when not to can save you time, money, and aggravation, so here are some tips for things you can try first and when you should call in the pros.

How To Cut Down On Odors In Your Food Processing Plant

Although many people think that food processing plants probably smell great, as someone who operates or works in one of these factories, you probably know that the opposite can be true. In any place where a lot of food is being prepared, it is normal for there to be an odor. However, following a few tips can help you cut down on this odor, which can make things more pleasant for you and the employees and can help your food processing plant's reputation throughout the community.

3 Important Questions to Ask When Replacing Your Central Air Conditioning Unit

Is your old central air conditioning system about to kick the bucket? If it's more than a decade or so old, there's a good chance that you're about due for a new unit. Not only can having a new AC unit installed improve your energy efficiency and save you money on monthly utility bills, but it can also keep your home more comfortable and increase its value. Still, before you schedule an appointment to have a new unit installed, there are some important questions you need to ask the contractor.