Summer brings plenty of pleasures to look forward to; however, the sweltering, steam bath–like days are nothing to look forward to. The good news is that there are a number of summer cooling tips for surviving a hot spell without sending the electricity bill soaring. The heat of summer can mean astronomical power bills if one relies solely on air conditioning to keep the home cool. Cooling Tips for Your Home · One of the most effective house cooling tips is to prevent heat buildup within the house. Many household appliances and fixtures such as lighting and electronic devices are sources of internal heat gain. Therefore, one should position the television, lamps and other heat producing appliances far from the air conditioner’s thermostat, since the heat that such devices produce causes the cooling unit to think the house is hotter than it is, resulting in the cooling system working harder than is necessary and wasting […]
Temperature Swings Lead To Burst Pipes In Home Utilities And HVAC Systems
There are precautions every home owner needs to take to prepare for the potential damage that changing winter temperatures can cause to a home’s pipes and by extension, its HVAC system and utilities. We have all heard of people whose pipes have burst in the wintertime. Some basic Home Utility Maintenance can prevent that. What steps have you taken to prevent your pipes from rupturing? Many people mistakenly believe that the formation of ice in a pipe pushes against the pipe’s walls and makes it burst. That actually is not true. While ice formations in pipes form blockages, it is not at the site of the blockage that the pipe ruptures. What, then, does cause pipes to burst in cold weather? To answer that, we first need to understand how temperature swings cause contraction, expansion and breakage. In cold weather as water cools its molecules slow their movements. As movement slows, the molecules get closer […]
How To Check When A Central Air Conditioner Needs To Be Charged
Overview Air conditioning is not only a luxury in homes, but a necessity. Whereas there are many reasons that can render your air conditioner non-functional, there are ways through which you can identify if your central air conditioner needs charged. Before assuming your central air conditioner is totally broken or scheduling a repair/ replacement with the professionals, check if the fans, vents or thermostat work as expected. If any of the above parts work fine, schedule to have a professional HVAC service provider come and check your air conditioner Refrigerant’s status, and charge it if it needs charging. Checking thermostat A programmable thermostat allows your air conditioner to switch off when no one is around and switch back on when the house gets occupied. You can check if your thermostat is working as it should by switching on your air conditioner without tampering with the thermostat. If the temperature cools, yet the thermostat does not […]
The Importance Of Changing The Air Filter In Your Home’s HVAC System
The air we breathe contains impurities ranging from dust to chemicals. Apart from maintaining the preferred temperature, the air conditioning system ventilates your house by filtering out impurities and other particulate matter. The filter prevents the large airborne particles of about 40 microns from clogging the system. Normally, a dirty filter is a health hazard because when it becomes damp, it creates an environment that favors growth of moulds. This is why you should always check your air filter’s condition. Normally, your HVAC unit works overtime during winter and summer and this is why it is recommended that you change your air filter every month. However, if you cannot mange to change every month, intervals of three months will suffice. If you have pets it is vital to change the filter regularly as pet dander can be circulated accidentally throughout the house creating problem to persons with allergies. There are several reasons for changing the […]
From Belts To Filters: A Heating System Checklist For Winter Safety
The gas furnace is designed to be a low-maintenance piece of equipment. However, this does not mean that homeowners should simply set and forget. It still requires some attention to ensure safety and reliability for years to come. Periodic maintenance must be conducted each year by a licensed and certified technician, like Amber Air Conditioning Inc. of Lake Elsinore, CA. It is not wise to try to save a few dollars by going DIY on this procedure as only trained experts truly understand the complexities of a heating system. Ordinary people may miss signs of impending failure. Technicians can spot problems at once and make the necessary repairs. The first step is to turn the power off so that the internal components can be checked without danger. This can be bothersome during the height of winter which is why inspections should be done prior to the season. Of course, it is better late than never. […]
