How to Prepare Your Home for the Hot Summer Months Ahead
Are you finding that your air conditioning unit is not giving you the level of comfort you need but your budget is not ready for a new unit? When it comes to decisions like choosing between a high-efficiency air conditioner and improving the air unit you already have, it helps to have some professional guidance. Interestingly, there are several ways a homeowner can have minor repairs done by an HVAC specialist that will dramatically improve the way your cooling machinery operates.
How a Poorly Working AC Affects Your Home
Some people do not think about how having a fully operational air conditioner affects other elements in the home. It is not only about feeling too hot, but also about keeping all of the items in your home free of heat-related problems.
For example, when there is too much heat and humidity in certain parts of the house, any fabrics can start to grow mildew.
Moreover, issues can occur in HVAC units due to mold forming inside the ducts since there is too much moisture because of a cooling unit that is not functioning properly.
One other problem outside of corroding machinery is that if mold is growing on walls and ceilings, these walls and ceilings will need to be cleaned and repainted.
How AC Maintenance Can Save You Money This Year
Understanding how air conditioning units work will help homeowners grasp how maintenance can save them money on utility bills. Any machine will operate optimally when it is new. Over time, lubricants build up and need to be replaced on moving parts. Other pieces of the equipment need to be checked for connection loosening.
There may also be wear-and-tear because certain parts of HVAC units are exposed to the outdoor weather elements. The general idea is that a machine that has to work harder because it is impaired from not having been maintained will draw more energy and therefore cost more to operate.
What to Expect From an Inspection Visit
An inspection visit from an HVAC technician to prepare your home for the summer heat usually involves finding the areas where heat escapes or invades the house. Since most inspections about air conditioning are observational, no repairs will be made at that time.
The HVAC specialists will give you some advice, they will let you know what they think might need to be improved, and they will then leave the decision up to you. Your next step to get work done will be to actually call and make a maintenance appointment.
The HVAC Specialist's Maintenance Visit
When you invite an HVAC specialist into your home to do some summer inspection and maintenance of your air conditioning units, they will perform an extensive list of tasks that will give you some reassurance that there aren't larger problems on the horizon.
For example, they will use specialized testing equipment to see if there are any problem areas in the machinery. They will also do basic maintenance that includes insulating pipes or removing plants from the outside of the compressor.
Finally, they will give you an idea of how well your machine is performing and whether or not you should expect to replace the unit shortly. In many cases, homeowners will get information about energy efficiency and replacing air conditioners because the federal government is pushing homeowners to use models that could save them significant amounts on utility bills while saving the planet.
Considering the Cost of Repairs to Fight the Summer Heat
Sometimes, what looks like a good budget decision is actually paying more in the long term instead of in the short-term.
Unfortunately, technology has grown so advanced with air conditioning that it often pays to replace a unit before the warranty is finished. For example, a unit that is 10-years-old might have a SEER rating of four-percent while a newer model designed with greener intentions could have a SEER rating close to 40-percent. In layman’s terms, this means the newer model will be over 30-percent more efficient and could reduce current cooling utility bills by one-third.
Knowing When it is Time to Replace the AC Unit
You turn the thermostat up, but is the air conditioning actually working? If you are dealing with an antiquated thermostat, there is a good chance that the model of air conditioner in your backyard matches it. In some cases, a new thermostat with all the modern bells and whistles is all that is required to upgrade the system.
Alternatively, it could be time to consider a new installation of your HVAC machinery. Thankfully, Uncle Sam wants to help you make the transition to energy efficiency.
Some government rebates pay for parts, but grants can pay for labor.
Everyone likes to get a break and get something for free, and the government has been placing a focus on doing exactly that for homeowners that decide they want a greener lifestyle. Along with a lengthy introduction on the Energy Star website to saving on utilities, the federal government also offers several rebates.
In some instances, homeowners find that their city or state government offers help with paying for professionals to install this HVAC equipment. This is especially true for homeowners that are retired, living with disabilities, or have a low-income financial situation.
Get started with budget saving air conditioning solutions today!
Now that you have a better understanding of what we offer, we can help you get started with preventative services, inspections, maintenance or repairs of your current air conditioning.
Of course, if you decide to install a new system like a high efficiency air conditioner, we will be happy to help you with selecting a model that will help you get the rebates you are entitled to.
To get started, give Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. a call in the Colonial Heights, VA, area at (804) 526- 8415. Thank you in advance for choosing us, and we look forward to hearing from you.
