Tag Archives: AC Maintenance

Vacuum hose cleaning a dirty HVAC vent on a wooden floor.

How Often Should I Clean My Air Ducts?

Recently we have been focusing on quality of your indoor air where AC maintenance and cleanliness takes a leading role. One area in particular that should be getting cleaned are your air ducts.

Air ducts can quickly become a host for dirt and dust, fungi and bacteria. With dirt and dust as food, and the comfortable temperature in your air ducts, mold spores can happily move in. Ducts clogged with excessive dirt or debris can in turn be released into the home.

As you can guess, finding one or several of these things in your air ducts will have a negative impact on your indoor air quality. But, it can also eat away at the efficiency of your system too. Having particles in your air ducts will cause your AC system to work harder, ultimately leading a shortened lifespan of your system.

AC Maintenance

Some of those particles are going to be trapped in your furnace filter, but not all of them. With time and neglect, those particles will build up in your AC system. AC maintenance is important, especially as the weather continues to warm. Part of that maintenance is to have your air ducts cleaned by professionals you trust, like those at Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning.

With indoor air quality, efficiency and the overall well-being of our system in jeopardy, we know it’s important to clean the air ducts. But how often do they need to be cleaned? This answer will depend on where you live, and how often you use your AC system. If someone in your home is more sensitive to the indoor air quality, for example they have allergies or asthma, it may mean you need to clean them more often.

According to The National Air Duct Cleaners Association, the short answer for an air duct cleaning schedule is three to five years. That being said, there are many factors that can determine if you should have them cleaned closer to the three-year mark, or the five-year mark.

Your personal preference will play a big role, as well as the following:

  • Whether or not you have smokers in the home
  • You have pets with a lot of hair and dander
  • There has been damage to your AC system
  • Those in the home have allergies or asthma
  • You’ve recently done renovations or remodels
  • You moved into a new home

If there is visible mold growing on the sheet metal of the air ducts or other parts of your AC system, it is a good indication to have your air ducts cleaned. You’ll also want to clean them if there are any rodents or insects in the ducts.

Cleaning your air ducts is an important part of your AC maintenance. Remember, if you clean your air ducts you should also consider cleaning your entire system. This will in turn keep your air ducts cleaner longer, without pollutants from any other parts of the system spreading. Regular AC maintenance will keep your system happy and the people in your home healthy. Call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning for any maintenance questions or concerns!

HVAC technician inspecting air duct in a residential home.

Consider These Things When Choosing A New Furnace

Planning ahead for the worst-case scenario is often the safest bet. It’s the middle of February and the last thing you want is for your furnace to give out on you. But what if it did? Would you know how to go about choosing a new furnace?

When you are looking into buying a new furnace, ultimately you are looking for a machine that will keep your home warm and comfortable. You want something that is efficient, reliable and quiet. You probably also want a machine that is low maintenance and has a long lifespan. Ideally, all of this will be available for a reasonable price. But what specifically should you be looking for?

1. Size

Choosing a new furnace that is the correct size for your home is extremely important. If the furnace is too small, it won’t keep the home warm enough. A furnace that’s too big is going to cost more than a properly fitted appliance. Besides the extra cost, a furnace that is too big usually means the machine will kick on and off too often meaning more wear and tear, ever-varying temperatures, and even more unnecessary costs in utilities.

When choosing a new furnace consider the size of your home, the design, the construction and the climate to determine your heating need. All of these variables can be put in an equation to find the load calculation. Even if you are replacing an existing furnace, it is important to do a new load calculation. You want to be certain that the load calculation is done properly. That is why it is also important to choose contractor that you can trust to determine the heating needs of your home.

2. Efficiency

Choosing an energy-efficient furnace can mean avoiding lost or wasted heat.  The amount of fuel in the furnace that is converted to heat is called the annual fuel utilization efficiency number, or AFUE.

In the long run, it is usually a better value to buy a furnace with a high AFUE and a higher price tag, but lower monthly costs. However, that’s not always the case.

Take some time to consider how much you will be saving with an energy-efficient furnace. It’s also important to factor in how long you will live in your home, your climate, and if there are rebates for a high-efficiency furnace.

3. Choose a Professional You Trust

While there are many things you, as a home owner, can consider when it comes to choosing a new furnace, it is important to choose a profession that you trust. Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning is the company to help you with your furnace needs. The experienced professionals at Complete Comfort know how to select a furnace that is the perfect size for your home. Complete Comfort Heating & AC will help you get a furnace that is powerful and efficient while minimizing operation and maintenance costs. There is nothing to lose with a complementary consultation!

Other things to consider

Even with a brand new furnace, there are still other factors that can help or hurt you when it comes to efficiency and keeping your costs low. Make sure your air ducts are properly maintained, you have proper insulation, and the weather-stripping around doors and windows is up to the task of keeping your heated air inside. And remember, programmable thermostats can save you a lot of money on your monthly bills!

Person adjusting a digital thermostat.

Tips To Stay Warm Without Breaking The Bank This Winter

Winter is a beautiful time of year. The world is white around you, and the chill in the air seems to bring people together. Throw in some cozy blankets and a cup of hot cocoa and what’s not to love?

But staying warm during the cold months can come at a cost if you’re not careful. There are a few simple things you can do in the upcoming months to stay cozy in your home, without breaking the bank.

Before it gets too cold, make sure you seal off any leaks around doors and windows, and repair any cracks or gaps on the home’s exterior. Then, take a look at your thermostat settings.

  • Programming your thermostat effectively can help you save money and energy during the winter.Many people keep their thermostat set at 72 degrees, but by lowering your thermostat even just 2 degrees you can save on utility bills and easily be just as comfortable. Consider programming your thermostat a few degrees cooler in the hours you are away from home as well. Utilize those slippers and cozy blankets previously mentioned to stay warm despite the changes to your thermostat.
  • Another tip is to switch the fan setting on your thermostat from “auto” to “on.” You may think this is a bad idea as it will use more electricity, but in the long run it will keep the air flowing in your home which will make the house as a whole more comfortable and avoid uneconomical extremes in temperature.
  • When you’re cooped up inside during the winter months, having your fan “on” will also keep the air circulating and filtered; that includes any particles, pollutants and allergens in the air.
  • You can also use your ceiling fans to circulate warm air near the ceiling by running the fan in a clockwise direction. Look closely at your fan to switch direction, and be sure to switch it back to counterclockwise in the summer months.
  • Many people think they can save money by closing air vents in unused rooms. But your furnace is going to keep pumping out air through your heating and air system, whether your air vents are open or not. This is true no matter what type of blower motor you have in your home. If registers are closed pressure will increase by making the duct system more restrictive, and pressure is not good.
  • Take some of the strain from your system by leaving the air registers open. Keeping the doors inside your home open will also enable your system to be more efficient, and your home will stay more comfortable.
  • If you have curtains or blinds, open them during the winter when the sun is shining. The sunlight will be a nice pick-me-up for your mood, and the heat created from the sun shining on the window will also be a pick-me-up for your utility bill. Keep your windows clear on the east side in the morning, and the west side in the evening. When the sun is not shining on your windows, keep them insulated by closing curtains or blinds to keep out the cold.

If you have an older HVAC system and would like to consider the benefits of installing a system with higher efficiency, or run into any problems with your heating this winter, be sure to Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning for friendly and quality service.