Proper Heating and Air Conditioning Depends on Regular Maintenance

Many of the regular maintenance routines can be effectively performed without the assistance of an HVAC specialist and can save money when the units are working properly. Performing regular tasks like filter changing and duct inspections will allow your heating and air conditioning systems to run smoothly for years. However, when they are neglected, it can cost you a lot more money to replace the entire unit. Filters are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of installing a new furnace. Running the system with a dirty filter or leaking ducts will cause it to be less efficient and more costly to operate, along with increasing the risk of damaging the unit.

Duct Cleaning

If your home has a ductless split system, you can skip these steps for cleaning the ducts. Otherwise, duct cleaning is an important part of maintenance that is required for efficient furnace and air conditioning operation. The ductwork in some homes is old and cracked, which lets air escape where it should be sent into the rooms. The leaks make the unit work a lot harder than it needs to, so sealing them is beneficial to lowering energy costs. Walk around the basement area and visually inspect the ductwork for any evidence of leaks like cracks or kinks. Seal leaks with mastic sealant, if any are found. Duct tape is not reliable for sealing these types of leaks because it will not last as long as metal tape or the sealant.

Change the Filter and Clean the Outdoor Unit

Filters need to be changed every three months to ensure proper heating and air conditioning or at least when the new season begins. The filter is located inside the furnace housing, and it should easily slide out for replacement. You can find the measurements on the filter to take along with you when going to purchase a new one. They are available in most home improvement stores for a small price. In addition to changing the filter at the beginning of the season, you should locate the outdoor unit and make sure that nothing is blocking the airflow. Remove any debris or dirt around the area. You should never cover the outdoor unit with tarp or anything to protect it from the weather. They are designed for outdoor use, so no cover is necessary.

Getting Professional Help

If you decide that any of the advice above presents a problem and may require a professional, find a reputable one in your area. If you have friends or family that have hired one recently, get their suggestions and opinions. Sometimes, HVAC repair agents are listed in the yellow pages under furnace repair, duct cleaning, or air conditioner repair. In addition, you can search listings online for more convenience. By using the internet, you can find help without even leaving your home. The internet search will populate a list of local specialists in your area, but be sure to check their credentials, like accreditations and certifications. Whether you hire help or do it yourself, the bottom line is that efficient heating and air conditioning of your home depends on regular maintenance.

Advantages of Installing Ductless Air Conditioning

When it comes to choosing the type of air conditioning to install into your home, there are a few advantages to picking the ductless air systems. Window air conditioners of the past are out-performed by the ductless units that are available today. If your home does not have ductwork present, then the central air option used to be unavailable. That is, unless you want to spend the extra money to renovate the property. The window air conditioners were previously the only options for homes without ductwork. Nowadays, ductless air conditioning is changing the way homeowners cool their homes and a few of the reasons are listed below.

Inexpensive to Operate

The window air conditioners are loud and costly to run, while the ductless air systems are energy efficient and quiet. The condenser unit is located outside the house so there is virtually no noise associated with the ductless air system. One of the reasons that they are so cost-efficient is that they do not lose cool air through gaps and leaks like central air systems can. The airflow is constant and shuts off when the room temperature reaches the limit that you set. There is no air loss that occurs traditionally with some of the older central air units, so that saves you money on your cooling bill. You can also turn off certain unused rooms by using the digital remote control, if you wish. This saves even more money for the homeowner by not wasting energy on cooling a room that no one is using. 

Doubles as a Heat Source

The ductless systems and heat pump models provide air conditioning, as well as heating functions. It can be flipped for heating the home in the cold months, as well as cooling it in the warm months. Some homeowners install them to use in place of their furnaces to save on heating costs. There is also less dust flying around the house compared to the duct system furnace. Some systems come with air quality benefits that actually take impurities from the room, like dust, dirt, mold, and smells in the house. The ductless split system requires two outside units, one for cooling and one for heating. They work in the same manner, by taking outside air and heating it before being radiated into the rooms. 

Cools Every Room in the House

The ductless AC is perfect for all rooms, even in two-story homes. The units can be situated in rooms without windows, whereas the window air conditioners require window installation. This means that you can put the air handlers wherever you want them. The ductless units are placed throughout the house and are controlled with a remote that lets you decide how cool that you want the rooms. It also has programmable controls that allow you to set the desired temperature for each room. The air handlers can be placed at the top of a wall or in the ceiling, depending upon the room and your preference. The system can be quickly and easily installed on your own, also, so that is another advantage over hiring a contractor for installation of central air conditioning.

In-Floor Heating Gives Perfect Home Comfort

One of the most soothing types of home heating solutions is the radiant heating or in-floor heating, as it is sometimes called. It is called in-floor heating because that is where the heat is circulated from and gives off a radiant heat that provides perfect home comfort. This type of system supplies the warmth directly to the tiled floor in order to warm the people in the room. The heat radiation is sometimes referred to as infrared heating and is similar to the heat that is provided by an element on a stove that you can feel across the room. 

There are many advantages of in-floor heating, and there are different types, as well. Each room can be adjusted to a preferred level, whereas other systems heat the entire house with one thermostat. Furnaces run continually and can drive up electricity, but the in-floor heating is separately controlled so it can be regulated better. There are three types of in-floor heating solutions available, and each has its own advantages. 

Electric In-Floor Heating

This type of radiant heating uses electric cables placed into the flooring and isn’t as cost effective as the hydronic method. The electricity costs run higher in some states and that would be a deciding factor. Most often, the electric company will charge too much to run, unless the cables are built into a very thick concrete floor that will act as a thermal mass for retaining heat. If you charge the heating elements throughout off peak hours though, it could actually save money on electricity. If the concrete thermal mass is thick enough, it can hold the heat for about ten hours. Add-on rooms would be a nice place to install the electric in-floor heating instead of having to extend the current heating system to heat the extra room. 

Hydronic In-Floor Heating

The most popular of the radiant in-floor heating system is also the most cost-effective of them all. The hydronic system uses liquid for warming the rooms as it pumps heated water through tubing from a boiler. The tubing is laid out in a pattern below the floor that runs the length and width of the room. Each tubing loop is filled with hot water that is regenerated by adjusting the room temperature control. Zoning valves, thermostats, and pumps make up this heating system. The installation needs to be done by professionals, and the cost varies by company and location. 

Air-Heated In-Floor Heating

Air-heated radiant floors are not as cost effective as the others are when used for residential purposes. The reason is that air pumping through the floors cannot hold heat unless coupled with solar heating and cooling systems. With the solar heat systems, there is still a need to run a furnace at night for heating the home, driving up the cost to run. This kind of in-floor heating system can be advantageous in certain areas, but are seldom installed in residential applications. Speak to your local HVAC expert about the options that would be best for you and your family. The in-floor heating of your choice will provide a cozy atmosphere and a perfect home comfort.