Maintain your HVAC equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having Alpine Heating and Cooling do annual pre-season check-ups. We get busy once summer and winter come, so it’s best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups and spring maintenance around the time the daffodils starting blooming for the La Conner Daffodil Festival and in the fall around the Festival of Family Farms.
A Typical Spring Maintenance Check-up Should Include the Following
- Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
- Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.
- Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
- Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
Cooling Specific
- Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Heating Specific
- Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat ex-changer. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat ex-changer causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
Actions To Do Yourself
- Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.
Are you a new home owner in Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon, La Conner or surrounding areas in Skagit county? If so, you understand how much those utility bills can impact your budget. The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of this going to heating and cooling costs. It’s important to make smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that can help save on energy costs, improve your overall comfort at home, and help fight global warming.
Did you know the energy used in the average house is responsible for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the average car? When power plants burn fossil fuels to make electricity,they release greenhouse gases. By using less energy at home, you help reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming. ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that helps us all save money and protect our environment with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether you are looking for recommendations about energy-efficient equipment, getting a quality installation, HVAC maintenance, or ways to make your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program can help!
Consider giving Alpine Heating and Cooling a call if any of these statements apply to you:
- Some of your rooms are too hot or cold.
- Your home has humidity problems, excessive dust, or rooms that never seem to get comfortable.
- Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.
- Your heating and cooling equipment is more than 10 years old.
- You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature.
- You used EPA’s Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick to compare your household’s energy use to others acress the country and your score is below five.
As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
Change your air filter regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
Seal your heating and cooling ducts
Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more.
Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.
Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment
If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by more than $115. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.
Contact Alpine Heat to ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment
Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent – costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment’s life.
While many homes in the Pacific Northwest do not have air conditioning, some newer homes include this option as a way to enjoy a comfortable living space year-round. Summertime is a time of year when it can get hot and sticky even in Washington State. That is why it is important to consider some great money-saving tips when it comes to home air conditioning. For example, something as simple as turning off your HVAC system at night while you sleep can save a considerable amount of money.
Simply Turn The System Off While You Sleep
Keep in mind that the evening air is naturally cooler and that is why it is a good idea to simply turn the system off while you sleep. Opening windows and allowing the breeze to enter is free and can actually serve to improve indoor air quality. Another great way to save money on air-conditioning this summer is to make full use of thermostats and timers. The modern thermostats make it easy to keep your system operating as efficiently as possible.
Windows That Are Sun-Facing
In addition, make full use of shade around your home. Something as simple as planting foliage, trees and other types of natural cover can keep your house cooler during the summer. Along the same lines, it is a good idea to make full use of curtains, blinds and drapes as well as awnings in order to keep your home cool. This is especially true of windows that are sun-facing. When choosing blinds or curtains for your home choose light colored products that will only serve to improve reflectivity and keep your home cool. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today for the best in Burlington Washington HVAC system maintenance and care.
Now more than ever before it is important for homeowners to stay proactive when it comes to upgrading an HVAC system that has exceeded its useful life. There are many reasons for this including the fact that aging wiring can cause serious fire related hazards. Thousands of home fires occur every year across the country due to faulty wiring. An HVAC system is just as susceptible to old and damaged wiring as any other part of the home. This is one of the main reasons to upgrade an HVAC system when it’s time.
Technological Advances and Modern Manufacturing
In addition, always remember that an outdated, old or poorly maintained HVAC system can be very inefficient. Today, technological advances and modern manufacturing allow for the development of highly energy-efficient HVAC systems. In short, these units are optimized to use less energy while keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summer and warm during the winter. Another key consideration when it comes to upgrading this particular system in any home is that older units may not be easily repaired.
Better Quality Of Air Distribution
This is largely due to the fact that older systems may not have parts available. Finding parts for an outdated HVAC system can be difficult and in some cases impossible to locate. This results in added expenses and headaches. As a matter of fact, the money spent on locating older repair parts could easily be used to upgrade to a newer more energy efficient system. Keep in mind also that newer HVAC units will provide for better air distribution overall. This means a healthier indoor environment and less possibility of mold forming around a home.
Substantial Savings
Finally, another reason to consider updating an older HVAC system is that you can take advantage of tax deductions and other incentives. There are many local, state and even federal programs that offer substantial savings to those who upgrade to a newer and more efficient HVAC system. As an added note, a newer system will be quieter and simply make your home look more modern and attractive. With so much to offer it is clear to see why more people than ever before are turning to newer and more advanced HVAC systems for their homes. Contact us to learn more about Skagit Valley HVAC system repair, maintenance and installation.
While not every home in the Pacific Northwest and the Skagit Valley has an air conditioner, many newer homes do indeed have some type of air conditioning system. For those Skagitonians with AC, there are some easy and effective ways of saving energy when it comes to keeping your home cool during the hottest days of summer. For example, having an air conditioning tuned up and cleaning or replacing filters on a monthly basis can improve efficiency and save money over the short and long-term.
Keep Your Home Just A Little Bit Cooler
Also important is to make full use of window treatments like blinds and shades during the day to keep the heat of the sun under control. This is a free way to keep your home just a little bit cooler during the hottest times of the summer. Another great way of saving energy when it gets warm in the Pacific Northwest is to make full use of ceiling fans.
Reduce The Amount Of Heat That Accumulates In Your Home
Ceiling fans are great way of keeping airflow moving throughout a home while also reducing the temperature by just a few degrees. Another great tip for reducing energy usage during the summer is to use appliances like the dishwasher and washer and dryer at night in order to reduce the amount of heat that accumulates in your home. Many people today also choose to set their water heater temperature at around 120°F. This is a safe temperature and will also help to reduce energy usage as compared to keeping it at a hotter temperature.
A Few Pennies A Day Can Add Up
If you have additional freezers or refrigerators in your garage consider deactivating them, unplugging them or turning them off when not in use. This will reduce the amount of energy that these appliances use even when they are not actively keeping something cold. Along with appliances unplugging anything including TVs and DVD players can also save money. While it may not be a substantial amount of money, a few pennies a day can add up over a year’s time. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about cooling your home during the summer and saving money on energy!
As spring arrives and summer approaches it is important to maintain an HVAC system at peak operating performance year-round. Keep in mind that it is vitally important to avoid neglecting your HVAC system really anytime of the year. Keeping a system in top condition year-round helps to ensure that it will work when it is needed the most. All HVAC systems require regular cleaning and proper lubrication. This is especially true following the winter months. This reduces the chances of breakdowns especially during times of the year when you want your AC to be working at peak condition.
Improve Overall Health and Well-being
Another important factor to consider when it comes to continued ongoing maintenance on an HVAC system is that it improves the air quality in your home. It helps to reduce dust buildup and limits the amount of time that a system operates with a possible clogged air filter. Good indoor air quality can greatly improve overall health and well-being. Also important is that regular and routine HVAC maintenance and upkeep will improve efficiency and save money. A system that is clean and that operates efficiently will not have to work so hard for the results you are expecting.
Save Money and Keep Your System Working Without Interruption
It is a proven fact that a dirty HVAC system with coils that have layers of dust and dirt on them can increase energy usage by up to 30% or more. Leaks are another serious concern that can end up increasing energy usage as well. Whether your system is leaking or it is clogged, having regular maintenance and inspections can save money and keep your system working without interruption. Working with an experienced and knowledgeable team of professional HVAC experts is the best way to make sure that your system is cared for in the right way.
Return Your System To Full Functionality
Homeowners are choosing to have regular routine maintenance inspections of their HVAC systems. Whether it is low refrigerant or a malfunctioning component, a seasoned and experienced technician will find the problem quickly and return your HVAC system to full functionality. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about our HVAC system maintenance repair and upkeep for homes and business in the Skagit Valley including Mount Vernon WA, Burlington WA, Anacortes, Bow, WA, Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood.
Many people today may not be aware of the fact that a significant increase in a homeowner’s monthly electric bill could be directly related to a lack of adequate attic insulation. As a matter of fact, The Department of Energy recommends that homeowners increase attic insulation as one of the best ways to decrease electrical energy consumption. This makes sense simply because an abundance of insulation helps to keep heat inside your home and it avoids waste.
Adequate Insulation
Simply stated, when there is sufficient attic insulation the end result is outstanding performance when it comes to preventing heat loss or transfer. When heat transfer is prevented, electric bills are lower. Even those who think they have adequate insulation may find that old insulation may not be working as it was intended. It is best to have a professional inspect your attic to determine whether or not the existing insulation is doing what it was intended to do.
Properly Installed In The Beginning
One thing that a professional technician will look at is whether or not the insulation was properly installed from the very beginning. A technician will also check for loose, broken or uneven sections of insulation as well as sections that have become settled over time. These are all conditions that can have a big impact on preventing the transfer of heat. In addition, there are circumstances where a contractor may not have used the right type of insulation with an approved R-value. Keep in mind that an R-value is the measurement of an installation’s ability to effectively prevent heat transfer.
Trusted Heating and Cooling Professional
The higher the R-value the better the insulation will be at stopping heat transfer. Regardless of what the reason is for insulation not performing the way that it should, it’s never too late to improve the insulation in your attic as a way to save money on energy. Those wishing to save up to 20% on electric bills can also do something as simple as seal insulation air leaks. Contact a trusted heating and cooling professional today to arrange an insulation inspection in order to save money over the long term. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about Mount Vernon Washington heating and cooling services that get results.