Tag Archives: AC Tune up

Technician performing HVAC maintenance, cleaning air vents in a residential setting.

Why Should I Care About Indoor Air Quality?

Last week on the Complete Heating and air’s blog we talked about a few ways to improve your indoor air quality. This week we wanted to share a few more reasons why you should care about the quality of the air inside your home.

The quality of our indoor air affects the quality of our health. Most people spend the majority of their time indoors, and indoor air pollution is typically higher than the air outside. Spending more time outside and breathing fresh air is a great way to improve the kind of air your breath. However, during the winter months most people don’t get outside as often as they may like to. And if you live in Utah, you know the air quality outside with the inversion is not a superior option.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the average person breathes more than 3,000 gallons of air each day. Exposure to poor air quality can leave your eyes nose and throat irritated, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. There are many things you can do to improve your indoor air quality. You can find our list of suggestions here, and a much more in depth guide from the EPA here.

But one thing you can do that will make a big difference in the quality of your indoor air is to have your HVAC system inspected annually for regular maintenance and for any damage. Instructions for the service and maintenance of your system is important for you to follow, especially instructions on when you should change your filter.

Besides the suggestions from last week, an AC tune up can make a huge difference when it comes to improving your indoor air quality. The heating and cooling system in your home plays a major role in your comfort. If you take a minute to stop and think just how much you depend on your HVAC system, an AC tune up each season is a no-brainer and a necessity. Typically, you want to check your system before each heating and cooling season, to make sure everything is working properly before you are stuck in weather that is too hot, or too cold.

The inspection and preventative maintenance that accompany your AC tune-up will leave you with the peace of mind that your heating and cooling isn’t going anywhere, as well as improve your indoor air quality. Ideally, your AC unit should be inspected each spring before the “cooling season” begins.

Schedule a professional AC tune up

When you have an AC tune-up performed, you can avoid unexpected breakdowns, improve efficiently and system performance, operate more safely, prolongs your system’s life, improve the overall level of comfort and reduce your utility bills. By enlisting the help of the professionals at Sandy Heating and Air Conditioning you know you’ll be getting the attention you and your AC need.

Typically, an AC tune up will include:

  • Measurement of important system components
  • Inspection of wear or damage of components
  • Measuring refrigerant levels for the best performance
  • Tightening, adjusting, lubricating and or flushing components
  • Checking overall system air flow and operation

If you’re still not convinced that you need an AC tune up, keep in mind that to keep a warranty in effect, many manufacturers require an AC tune-up. And an uncleaned or unmaintained system can lose up to five percent efficiently! So take a simple step by calling Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning to improve your air quality, prolong your system and save you money in the long run.

 

 

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.