Serving North Georgia Since 1999
Serving North Georgia Since 1999
There are some pretty common AC myths out there—are you believing them? And does it matter?
As for the latter question, yes, it matters. It matters because believing these myths could lead you to use your air conditioner inefficiently. When you use your cooling system inefficiently, you pay more than you should have to in order to keep cool and comfortable in your own home. You don’t want that, right?
Well then read on as we uncover just a few of the most common AC myths out there.
Air conditioners are complex pieces of machinery, and it’s natural to have questions about them. Probably the most common question HVAC professionals get about air conditioners is “how much will my AC installation cost?” The short answer to this question is “it depends.”
It depends on the type of air conditioner, the conditions of your home and your current ductwork if you have any, and it depends on your budget, when it comes down to it. While we can’t give you a clear-cut answer to this particular question, there are others that we can directly address. Read on!
With summer right around the corner and temperatures already considerably warming up, it can be nerve-wracking to be in need of an air conditioner replacement. But if your AC isn’t performing as it used to or has broken down completely, you don’t really have a choice.
This is a big investment and we know it’s not one that comes easy, but we really do have to urge you to consider your options and who you’re working with for the job, rather than rushing into a purchase that might not be the best choice for your particular home.
If you’re on the fence about replacing your air conditioner or not sure what system is even the best for your home, we encourage you to read on!
When you need to replace your HVAC system, or even schedule a tune-up or small repair, you have a decision to make on who to call. It may seem like a minor decision, but it can make a major difference to your HVAC system’s efficiency and longevity!
It’s a good idea to establish a relationship with an HVAC contractor before you trust them to do work in your home. Fortunately, we’ve provided a bit of a guideline below on the questions that you may want to ask your HVAC contractor before inviting them to install or service your climate control system.
Your household’s central air conditioning system is one of the most important features of your home in regards to comfort and quality of life. It’s also one of the most specialized. As a homeowner, there’s a number of tasks you can take on, like fixing a leaky faucet or tightening a nail in a piece of furniture. But when it comes to your air conditioning needs, repairs require specialized knowledge and training.
Just like the vehicle you drive, or any other large piece of equipment, your air conditioner needs routine maintenance to keep working as it should. It’s a lot easier, not to mention cheaper, to address problems when they’re just starting out than waiting until months later when you can’t ignore them because your AC broke down. Maintenance helps you avoid large repair needs and keeps your cooling costs down, but of course, there is still a chance your system will need repair. How can you tell?
We get it—when an HVAC professional suggests maintenance for your air conditioning system, it can be an easy recommendation for you to dismiss. Unless something is wrong with your cooling system right now, like you noticed a sudden loss of cooling power, you may be tempted to put off maintenance, particularly if your air conditioner has been working “just fine.”
The fact of the matter is, though, that just like maintenance for your car, routine AC maintenance is vital to the performance of your cooling system as well as repair prevention. An as a trusted resource in your community, our team has the responsibility to share with you why regular maintenance is so important, and when you should schedule it.
While homeowners in some parts of the country are still using their heaters for the foreseeable future, here in the Woodstock area we’re just about ready to turn them off for the season and turn our attention to our air conditioners. Since this is the case, we hope you’ve already had maintenance done on your cooling system. Professional maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect your air conditioner. We’ll adjust and clean components that need it, then make recommendations for repairs as needed.
Maintenance helps slow the accumulation of wear and tear and ultimately helps your air conditioner last longer. You also can rest assured knowing you’ll rarely be surprised by unexpected repair needs.
All that said, it’s always a good idea to know the signs that your AC is in disrepair, even if you have had maintenance done already. There are various symptoms a malfunctioning cooling system can display, but there are 3 ominous sounds in particular you should be particularly aware of:
It can be easy for our customers to dismiss the need for air conditioning maintenance. Unless something is terribly wrong with your cooling system after all—like, say, you noticed a sudden loss of cooling power—you can be very tempted to put off a tune-up, particularly if your AC has been working “just fine.”
The thing is, “just fine” isn’t always good enough! Just like maintenance for your vehicle, routine cooling system maintenance is essential to the system’s performance, longevity, and overall efficiency. It’s also the best way to prevent the worst of repair needs. What does maintenance do, though? Read on as we uncover some of the truths of maintenance, and please give us a call when you’re ready to schedule your next tune-up!
Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition) system runs ’round the clock, 24/7, all year long. You can’t expect it to last forever, but you can expect your furnace to last for about several years—depending on the model, you may get 15-20 years out of your furnace and 10-15 years out of your air conditioner. It’s a big investment to replace your furnace or air conditioner, so we have five tips for you to try to extend the life of your HVAC system.
1. Schedule two HVAC tune-ups per year
Contact a home services company to give your furnace a tune-up in the fall and your air conditioner a tune-up in the spring. This preventative maintenance usually includes a good inspection, cleaning, lubrication and any necessary adjustments. (Save $20 on a Tune Up)
2. Change the air filter regularly
Disposable fiberglass filters should be replaced every 30 days, but check your filter and furnace manual to see how often you should be replacing the filter. A dirty filer will make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air and that can cause extra wear on the system.
3. Clean your ducts
Be sure to keep the return air vents clean and prevent the build-up of dust and debris. You might also want to have your ducts professionally cleaned so that your system is delivering the cleanest air possible.
4. Give the HVAC system a break sometimes
Does your HVAC system really need to be running almost 24/7? Can you give it a break when you’re on vacation? On a cool evening could you open the windows and give the a/c the night off? You’ll be saving energy and giving the system a break.
5. Upgrade your insulation
The better your home is insulated, the less your HVAC system will need to run to maintain the temperature. The first place to check for sufficient insulation is your attic.
When to Replace Your HVAC System
Even if you follow these tips and take good care of your HVAC system, eventually it will need to be replaced, but when? If you’re approaching the projected end of life for the unit, you can’t go wrong replacing it because you will be saving money with the new, more energy efficient replacement. But if you want to prolong the system as long as possible, contract with a reliable home services company for your annual tune-ups and then ask the HVAC tech for their input on when to replace. Be honest with them about the maintenance you’ve carried out on the unit—even if that means confessing that sometimes you didn’t replace the air filter for a season or two. Hopefully you can get to know the techs from the home services company and get to where you can trust their input on when to replace your furnace or air conditioner.
Summary
Take good care of your HVAC system and it may well last longer than the average lifespan, but also know when to replace it before it becomes unreliable or so inefficient that it’s costly to keep it running.
Could you ever imagine living without your water heater? It’s one of those components to your plumbing system that’s impossible to think of going without. Another one is a fully functional kitchen sink. Many homes today have even one more component they can’t think about being without—their garbage disposal.
These components are all convenient, but if you’re not properly caring for them you could find yourself without them and with a huge repair bill to boot. Keep reading to learn how to best protect your kitchen sink to avoid costly and time-consuming plumbing repairs.
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2630 Northgate Ave., Suite C,
Cumming,
GA
30041
Business Hours: 8-8
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