4 Signs It's Time to Have Your HVAC System Serviced

As a homeowner, one of the things that you will need to stay comfortable is a functioning HVAC unit. With a HVAC unit that is working properly, you will be able to stay cool in the summer months and warm during the winter months. While most HVAC units work properly, there are times when you may have to get it serviced or replaced. Whenever you are looking to address any issues you have with your HVAC unit, it is important to hire a reputable HVAC contractor.

Utility Bills Keep Increasing

According to USA Today, one of the signs that you need to get your HVAC unit serviced is when the utility bill keeps rising. Whenever you are getting unexplained changes to your utility bills, it is possible that there is something wrong with the HVAC unit. Anytime your bill consistently goes up, you will want to contact a HVAC company to inspect your unit, make any necessary repairs or get it replaced.

Uneven Temperatures in Your Home

Another sign that you will want to look for when looking to get your HVAC unit serviced is when the temperatures in the home are not consistent. Throughout the home, the temperature on the thermostat should be the actual temperature in every area. If not, it is time to get it looked at. Whenever the temperatures in the home are uneven, there could be a defect with the unit and you should therefore get assistance from a HVAC company to help you find a way to address this issue.

Little to No Airflow

As well as there being uneven temperatures throughout the home, you will need to get your HVAC unit serviced if there is little to no airflow. Any HVAC unit that either has weak or no airflow is a sign that there is a potential defect. As a result, you should contact a HVAC company to find out more about how you can resolve this issue with your HVAC unit.

Your Last Tune Up Has Been Longer Than a Year

When owning a home, it is important to get your HVAC unit serviced at least once a year. If you have not gotten your HVAC unit tuned up in one year or longer, it is a good idea to get it serviced as soon as possible. Getting your HVAC unit serviced once a year will ensure that the unit is working properly and/or if there is anything that needs to get repaired or replaced.

It is important to make sure that your HVAC unit is working at all times. The best way to ensure that your unit is always working at its best is to look for signs that it needs to be serviced. These four signs are the things to look for to determine whether or not you need to get our unit serviced and complete any necessary repairs so that you can remain comfortable in your home at all times.

Multi-Zone AC Summer Tips: How to Keep Cool & Cut Costs

In many areas around the world, air conditioning units are an absolute necessity throughout summer. While some appliances are more efficient and cost-effective than others, air conditioning units are notoriously expensive, particularly when used frequently. In a report published by the U.S. Energy Energy Information Administration (EIA), air conditioners account for 12% of U.S. home energy expenditures, with that figure rising to 27% in hot and humid regions. 

Homeowners are constantly on the lookout for ways to reduce their utility bills while maintaining comfortable temperatures within their homes. One of the most effective ways of efficiently regulating the temperature and airflow is investing in a multi-zone mini split air conditioner. However, even these efficient appliances can be expensive if they are not suited to the building they’re installed in. 

Perhaps the most common reason that someone would install a multi-zone AC system is for the cost savings. Unfortunately, many people fail to purchase the right system or use the device inefficiently, leading to high utility costs. With the right approach, multi-zone AC system costs can be reduced significantly while keeping your home cool.

1. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Without a programmable thermostat, running an AC unit efficiently requires you to be at home whenever the temperature needs adjusting. Although a thermostat requires an initial investment, it is relatively cheap and can save you money over the long term. In many cases, a thermostat pays for itself in a single summer. 

A leading contributor to high utility costs is when people leave their AC system running for extended periods. Whether they forget to switch off the device or the high temperature means it needs to be left on continuously, this practice makes for expensive running costs. 

Programmable thermostats allow you to set specific times for your unit to come on and off. Rather than leave the AC running while you’re at work, you can set it to turn on half an hour before you arrive home, ensuring your house is cool and comfortable when you arrive. Many modern thermostats are smart-technology-enabled, allowing you to monitor and control your home’s temperature remotely from your phone, laptop, or smart device. 

2. Keep on Top of Maintenance

Air conditioners need to be maintained in order to function properly. Also, a lack of servicing leads to increased utility costs due to inefficient operation. One of the most straightforward maintenance tips for your AC is to clean or change the filters regularly. 

No matter how clean you keep your home, dust particles, hairs, and other airborne objects can accumulate and clog the filter. As well as compromising the quality of the air being circulated, clogged filters force your system to work much harder to regulate the temperature. This causes a needless increase in your electricity bills. 

Some filters are cleanable, meaning they don’t need replacing very often. Read the guidelines on how often and how they should be cleaned but keep an eye on their condition. If you’re using replaceable filters, read the instructions on how often they need to be replaced. For most AC units, filter changes should occur roughly once every 90 days.

For multi-zone appliances, remember that each indoor air dispensing unit has its own set of filters. However, you may not use rooms in different zones as often, meaning filter changes might not be needed as often. 

All HVAC systems, even quality appliances like an LG ductless mini split, require regular servicing. Hire a professional technician to inspect and service your AC unit once per year. They can check for issues, clear unwanted debris, change the filters, and repair any other problems they find. An annual service can help keep your unit in good condition while improving its efficiency and extending its lifespan.  

3. Repair Any Window Defects

Some of the biggest contributors to energy inefficiency in a home are poorly sealed windows and doors. Badly sealed windows leak air, making it virtually impossible to effectively maintain the temperature. It also means your conditioning unit has to work hard and continuously to treat the air. 

If your home is old or you suspect that it has leaky windows, hire a professional organization to carry out an energy audit. This can help you identify areas of your home that are causing inefficiencies. If there are inefficiencies in your home, an audit can lead to long-term cost savings. 

Fixing air leaks or replacing old windows reduces your utility costs and makes the temperature much easier to regulate. For minor air leaks, DIY weather strips are affordable solutions. 

Upgrading home insulation also increases the building’s energy efficiency, reducing bills and making it easier to regulate the temperature. 

4. Use Ceiling and Portable Fans

A ceiling fan is a perfect accompaniment to an air conditioning system. It helps circulate cool air, creating a more balanced inner climate. Similarly, portable fans help keep your home cool while increasing energy efficiency and reducing utility costs. 

While fans don’t change the temperature, they circulate air, move warm air away from the skin, and facilitate evaporation, making you feel cooler. Ceiling and portable fans are also helpful for ventilation. Portable fans can be placed near household appliances, windows, and doors for better air circulation.

5. Ensure Your A/C System Is the Right Size

The size of an air conditioning unit is one of the most crucial factors in terms of temperature regulation and efficiency. Air conditioners should be chosen specifically to fit the exact size of an area. Depending on the square footage, a certain number of British Thermal Units (BTUs) are required. 

While most people understand that an undersized unit won’t have the necessary capabilities for circulating air in a large room, many don’t realize that an oversized conditioner also creates inefficiencies. AC systems that are too large for your home tend to short cycle, meaning they switch between on and off cycles too frequently, causing them to work harder. This increases your utility bills and makes the unit more likely to break down.

Upgrade Your Air Conditioning System

Although air conditioning systems are built to last, many older appliances lack efficiency. While effective, traditional ducted HVACs are expensive to run and waste a significant amount of energy. A multi-zone mini split system is a highly efficient air conditioning solution that allows for custom temperature regulation in different areas of a building. 

If you’re looking to reduce air conditioning costs without sacrificing comfortability, consider upgrading your existing system to a more modern and efficiency-based one.

Top 8 Tips for Reducing HVAC Energy Costs and Lowering Your Energy Bill

You should never have to worry about keeping warm in the cold months or staying cool in the summertime while also trying to keep down your energy expenses. If you know how to manage your HVAC system, you won't have to worry about the weather and your energy bill. 

While you may think smart energy management is reserved only for professionals, there are actually various things that you can do to help reduce consumption in your home. Behavioral changes and home improvements are just some examples. An efficient heating system is also important, so scheduling an appointment with your HVAC specialist at least once a year or every six months, if possible.    

However, you should also do your part by finding simple ways to cut costs by following practical energy-saving tips. 

What to Do to Reduce HVAC Energy Costs and Energy Bills 

1. Take advantage of a free energy audit. 

Some utility companies make free energy audits a part of their service package. Take advantage of this offer as this is an excellent opportunity to find out which areas of your house use up a lot of energy. It will also give you an idea of what you need to do to improve your HVAC’s efficiency. 

If your utility company does not give out free energy audits, you can do it on your own. You’ll find a lot of practical how-to tips online. You can also ask your HVAC specialist to help you out. 

2. Use a programmable thermostat to reduce cooling and heating automatically. 

When you turn down the thermostat while you are asleep, in the office, or away from home, you save on costs because you do not waste energy. You don’t have to set it every day if you use a programmable model; all you’ll have to do is set it to automatically turn down to several degrees from its normal setting at certain times of the day. 

Another advantage of using programmable thermostats is their capability to determine when the air filters need cleaning or replacement and if your HVAC system has some issues. 

3. Seal or weatherize your home. Insulate the attic.

Regularly check your windows, vents, doors, and walls for air leaks. Make sure that all openings and cracks in your home, particularly between vents and walls or windows and walls, are sealed right away. Caulking is ideal for air leaks found between two unmoving objects, while weathering is the best technique for leaks or cracks involving two movie objects (i.e., doors and windows). 

Also, it is vital to regularly check your attic (if you have one) as air can leak out from there, too, especially if it has small openings. As such, you have to ensure that your attic is properly insulated. If air keeps leaking from the attic, expect an increase in your energy bill. 

4. Insulate other parts of your home as well. 

Proper insulation helps keep the heat in during the winter season and keep it out in the hot summer months. So, you should insulate not just your attic but other parts of your house as well. 

The areas that you should pay attention to are your crawlspace, floors, walls, and basement. Specific insulation recommendations are dependent on the kind of home you have and your location. Check out the Department of Energy website or find an HVAC specialist who can help you out. 

5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. 

If you are using the traditional incandescent light bulbs, you shouldn’t be surprised that your utility bill is high. This type of light bulb eats up more electricity than LEDs (light-emitting diode bulbs), halogen incandescent bulbs, and compact fluorescent lights or CFLs. These energy-efficient bulbs have a longer service life and consume significantly lesser electricity than the traditional ones. 

6. Use energy-efficient appliances. 

Of your total household energy consumption, around 13% comes from appliances. Switching to energy-efficient appliances will help bring down energy use. So, when you purchase appliances, choose the ones that have annual operating costs that are lower than the other models. Additionally, look for the Energy Star label, as this is a federal seal that guarantees the appliance is energy efficient. 

7. Schedule annual maintenance and upgrade your HVAC when needed. 

Scheduling an annual HVAC cleaning and maintenance is essential if you want to keep your system in top condition and your utility rates at reasonable levels. Also, if you have been using your HVAC for more than 10 years, it’s time to get an upgrade. Switch to a unit that has an Energy Star logo as it ensures energy efficiency. 

8. Change your energy consumption practices. 

Your behavior has a huge impact on your utility bills. For example, even if you are not in your bedroom, you leave the lights on. Simple adjustments in your practices or behaviors can help significantly reduce energy consumption. Common examples include washing dirty dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher and line-drying your clothes instead of using the dryer.

Reducing your HVAC energy costs and lowering your energy bill is essential if you want to save money, keep your family safe, protect the environment, and increase your home’s value.

Air purifiers: What you should know about them despite the lack of scientific evidence for their health benefits

If you've successfully sealed your home for energy savings, give yourself a pat on the back. It's a good idea to keep drafts out of the house to save money. What's the snag? Pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold, and other irritants can be trapped in a tightly sealed home, causing respiratory problems.

An air purifier is one potential solution. According to manufacturer figures, about one in every four U.S. households owns a portable indoor air purifier, which includes those that come packaged with a fan, says Perry Santanachote, home editor at Consumer Reports. This is unsurprising. Manufacturers make "remedies" for us to purchase or, at the very least, buy into as indoor air quality becomes a problem for consumers. Is it, however, worthwhile to invest in an air purifier?

“Air purifiers can be helpful in avoiding allergens, but they aren't a panacea,” says Manav Singla, an allergist, an immunologist with MedStar Health locations in Maryland. “I don't tell any of my allergy sufferers to get an air purifier, just as I don't tell them to put hardwood floors in their homes.” 

Air purifiers can work best for people with animal allergies who own a dog or cat or who leave doors and windows open because they remove airborne particles like dander and pollen. Since dust mites live in carpet and bedding, they are ineffective for those who are allergic to them.

The evidence for the effectiveness of air purifiers is mixed. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology conducted a review of research on eight asthma interventions, including air purifiers, in 2018. “Despite a large evidence base spanning decades, the evidence base as a whole is inadequate to support concrete conclusions about the efficacy of many commonly used products and strategies for enhancing patient outcomes by reducing environmental allergen exposure,” it concluded. It also advocated for further testing.

According to a 2010 study by the academy, “the primary function of air cleaning and filtration in the living environment for those with allergic respiratory diseases can contribute more toward disease prevention than treatment.” Although portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters tend to be advantageous in households with forced-air HVAC systems, “regular maintenance schedules and the use of high-efficiency disposable filters appear to be the best choices,” according to the study.

Remember that your furnace and/or air conditioner are basically whole-house filtration systems, so an air purifier might not be necessary. The issue is that many homeowners use inexpensive, thin air filters that do nothing to actually clean the air. Furthermore, most of us fail to adjust the filter as much as we can. The installation of a media cabinet, which can accommodate a deeper (up to five inches) disposable filter, can significantly improve filtration capabilities. These filters usually last eight weeks to six months and cost less than $35 each.

If you do decide to buy an air purifier, the first decision you'll have to make is whether you want a portable or whole-house model. A whole-house system will work if you have ductwork and a forced-air system. Portable stand-alone models would be needed in homes with radiant heat but no air conditioning.

If your home has forced ventilation, Travis Jackson, a home heating, cooling, and air purification specialist in Warrenton, Va., recommends hiring a qualified professional to examine your entire system, including equipment and ductwork. “An inspection looks for underlying problems like unsealed ducts, moldy stagnant water, soil, or vapor-emitting glue-filled seams. It's possible that what the machine needs is a good cleaning,” he says. This form of inspection can be free or cost up to $100, depending on your place and provider.

You don't need an indoor air quality evaluation unless you have reason to believe the air in your home is making you sick, Jackson says. They're time-consuming, costly ($800 to $1,200), and usually unnecessary.

You must measure the square footage of the space you're attempting to treat, whether it's a single room or your whole house, with any form of purifier. The size and efficiency of any unit determine its price. Here's what else you should be aware of.

Air purifiers that can be carried around
There are many styles to choose from. To extract particles, basic mechanical models use a fan to push air through a filter. Higher-grade HEPA filters are qualified to absorb even the tiniest particles, such as dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander.

Electronic air purifiers work by creating an electric charge that attracts particles to metal plates in the machine, which you then wipe clean. Other models have a UV light and claim to destroy mold and bacteria, but Santanachote says Consumer Reports hasn't checked them and there's currently no proof that they do what they claim.

An activated carbon filter is used in certain purifiers to absorb odors and/or eliminate gases. Carbon filters that are thicker and heavier are more powerful, but they are more expensive. Santanachote believes that thin mesh ones are a waste of resources.

A portable device will set you back at least $200. Models that purify vast spaces and are highly rated will cost up to $700. Furthermore, replacement filters range in price from $20 to $200 (some models have washable filters), and you'll need to account for power because experts recommend running purifiers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Don't be fooled by slick looks or mistakenly believe that higher prices equal better results. Look for AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) accredited versions (AHAM). Then look at the machine's Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which explains how well it eliminates cigarette smoke, pollen, and dust. It's easier if the number is higher. According to Santanachote, a score of less than 60 is bad, and a score of more than 240 is excellent.

If a floor model is available, look inside for a thick filter that covers a large area. Better still, request that it be plugged in. By its very nature, an air purifier — which is essentially a fan and a filter — is noisy, especially at higher speeds. You'll want to hear it for yourself if that's a problem. One solution is to buy a larger-capacity purifier and operate it at a slower, quieter pace.

Air purifiers for the whole house
A whole-house air cleaner is an easy, quiet, no-fuss solution if your home has ducts. There are units with several filters to collect airborne particles as well as an activated carbon filter to eliminate odors if you want to go all out. These range in price from $2,500 to $5,000, plus installation. Models with germicidal UV lamp technology to irradiate bacteria and mold spores in the air stream or on the filter cost even more, but research showing their effectiveness is lacking once again.

A UV light system can also be added to your HVAC system, but they aren't inexpensive. There are two types of air purification systems: object cleaners and in-duct air purification systems.

An object cleaner placed next to your air conditioner's coil — a dark, damp breeding ground for mold and bacteria — floods the area with UV light, killing organisms before they can reach your ventilation system. These range in price from $350 to $800. Replacement bulbs range in price from $100 to $300 for a one- to two-year lifespan.

A UV in-duct air purification system is your second, more expensive choice. Consider UV light to be the sun's rays. “By inserting the ‘sun' into your ductwork, the UV light bulb releases vaporized hydrogen, which attacks germs, bacteria, mold spores, fungi, and odors as the air circulates into your home,” Jackson explains. As the treated air is pushed out of vents in your home, some models claim to clean countertops and other surfaces.

An in-duct UV system can cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500, depending on the size of your home and the size of your HVAC system. Bulbs will last up to three years and range in price from $300 to $400. The majority of units can be assembled in under two hours, and you'll usually be paying a flat rate that covers all parts and labor.

While some users swear by UV air scrubbers, Singla points out that since allergens are not living tissue like mold, UV filtration is of limited use for the average customer with allergies. Bottom line: Whether you or a family member suffers from extreme allergies or is susceptible to respiratory infections, you may want to focus on keeping your living space clean and your HVAC device in good working order before investing in an air purification system.