Today one of the best ways to ensure that your HVAC system operates year-round without interruption is to simply stay ahead of the curve. This means that as spring approaches in mid-March, combining regular spring-cleaning activities with checking your HVAC system is well worth the time and effort. It is vitally important to routinely check your residential HVAC system to make sure that all of the systems are running properly. When you know that your HVAC system is operating smoothly you can rest assured that it will do its job. Especially later in the year as the cold weather ultimately returns.
Checking an HVAC System for Proper Operation
While many homes in Washington State do not have air conditioning, the ones that do should also be prepared to check the air-conditioning portion of their HVAC system in the early spring. This will reduce the chances of not having conditioned air during the hottest times of the summer. When checking any HVAC system for proper operation, there are several things that should be looked at by you or a professional technician. For example, the outdoor portion of an HVAC system should be free of debris. In fact, an area of approximately two feet around the entire air conditioning or heating unit should be clear of leaves, grass and any other kind of landscaping debris.
Using a Hose to Remove Debris or Dirt
Keep in mind that too much debris around the outside portion of an HVAC system can cause degradation in system performance. In addition, it is a good idea to consider washing the exterior condenser unit portion of an HVAC unit. This can be done quite easily by using a hose to remove debris or dirt from the surface of this important component. The mixing of mild soap with warm water makes a solution that is ideal for wiping off any grime that may be adhering to system parts or components. If you choose to clean your HVAC unit on your own, it is still a good idea to have a professional come out and inspect the system to make sure that everything is working as expected.
Keep Your Indoor Air Quality at its Best
Once all outdoor checks have been completed, it is then a good idea to go indoors and change air filters. It is also important to note that some homes may have more than one air filter in more than one location inside of the house. Know the location of all air filters and change them regularly to keep your indoor air quality at its best while ensuring the highest level of system performance and efficiency. Most experts recommend changing filters every 90 days at the very least. Some conscientious homeowners even choose to change filters monthly. Always remember that dirty filters cause your system to work harder and will ultimately cost you more money over the long haul. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today for quality HVAC maintenance and inspections in Mount Vernon Washington and the Skagit Valley.
Staying warm in the winter helps us to feel cozy and comfortable. Here are a few simple and useful ways of staying warm even when the mercury dips below freezing. For example, making use of space heaters in the rooms that are most frequently used is a great way to take the load off of a main heating system or furnace. In many instances an inexpensive space heater can actually be more efficient that a typical central home heating system. This is particularly true when heating a very small space.
Putting Your Home Heating System on Autopilot
In addition, enough cannot be said about the advantages of using a programmable thermostat in your home. This is a completely automatic way of putting the entire house heating system on autopilot all day long. It will reduce the temperature inside during the evening hours while you sleep, and will take the pressure off in terms of you always having to adjust the temperature manually. Best of all, it serves to substantially decrease energy consumption by in many cases up to 25%. It is also recommended by experts to keep temperatures as steady as possible throughout the day.
Reduce the Workload
Wide swings in temperate can result in a system working much harder to maintain optimal temperatures all day long. The idea here is reduce the workload on the system as much as possible. This not only, as mentioned, reduces energy usage but it also helps to extend the life of the equipment. This means you heating system will last longer and that repairs will be less likely. Speaking of repairs, always have your system routinely inspected at the very minimum once every two years, where annual inspections are even better.
Dissipate Through the Ceiling and Walls
Equally important is to get into the habit of reversing ceiling fans in the winter. When you do this you are in effect allowing the fan blades to draw down heat that is hanging out up around the ceiling. As everyone knows, heat rises and this is just a very inexpensive way of recycling this heat to your benefit. It makes sense to access this unused heat, as it will likely dissipate through the ceiling and walls otherwise. Finally, if you have a wood fireplace and can source very inexpensive or even free wood, this is a sure way to reduce the amount of energy consumed in your home during the winter months. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today for the best in Mt. Vernon WA heater maintenance and repair service.
This 95% efficient furnace by American Standard con convert 95 cents of every dollar you spend on fuel into heat for your home.
A dependable and reliable furnace is an important part of any typical residential home today. That is why it is so crucial to pay particular attention to the proper care and maintenance of this essential home appliance for maximum furnace efficiency. For example, one little-known trick is to consider rearranging the rooms in your home as a way to improve airflow. By moving furniture you may be able to lower utility expenses. Simply moving furniture away from a window or wall where it is drafty or cool reduces heating requirements.
Door Socks
Best of all, if you have a favorite spot for your beloved couch or chair you can easily move them back in the spring. Equally of concern are drafty doorways. Doors that have gaps can actually allow heat to escape around the frame through those gaps. One of the best ways to deal with drafty doorways is to cover gaps with something known as door socks. These are readily available in most big-box stores or hardware stores in your local area. Door socks can even be made out of old unused personal socks that would otherwise be discarded.
Create a Seal
It is also worth considering proper insulation for windows throughout your home. Because you spend a lot of money heating the interior of your house you want to make sure that heat does not escape through windows that are old or improperly fitted. One quick fix in this regard is to consider using plastic film and placing it over windows with tape to create a seal. This will greatly reduce heat loss especially in drafty older windows. While this kind of plastic may not be the most attractive it can easily be removed in the spring.
A Great Way of Saving Energy
Finally, the simple idea of just lowering your thermostat can greatly reduce energy usage and improve furnace-heating performance. Consider lowering the thermostat and wearing a sweater indoors. Extra blankets at night will keep everyone warm while you effectively lower your energy bill. As an added note, closing vents in unused rooms is also a great way of saving energy and improving furnace efficiency. Along with closing vents it is recommended to close the doors in any spare rooms that are not in use. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today for the best in Mount Vernon Washington furnace repair, maintenance and installation today.
With energy costs steadily on the rise it is increasingly important for homeowners to make full use of all available options when it comes to increasing residential energy-efficient. Here are just a few useful ways of making your home more energy efficient in order to reduce your carbon footprint and to save you money. For example, insulation plays a key role in keeping a house at a comfortable temperature and so that the temperature does not fluctuate excessively. Keep in mind that wall insulation as well as attic insulation can be increased as necessary to improve insulating efficiency.
Isolate and Repair any Drafts That Exist
In addition, there are many modern ways of using recycled insulation to increase your home’s efficiency. Everything from shredded blue jeans to recycled paper and other similar materials can literally be blown into the attic or the walls of a home to improve efficiency. Equally important is to make sure that you identify, isolate and repair any drafts that exist within your home. When draft areas are detected they should be sealed using silicone caulking or some other type of foam sealant. Even pet doors can create a serious problem when it comes to allowing conditioned air to escape to the outdoors.
Allowing The Sun To Warm The Interior of Your Home
Another great way to improve energy efficiency in any home is to consider using passive solar heating. This can be as simple as allowing the sun to warm the interior of a home by opening all window coverings on the side where the sun is currently shining. Having regular and routine maintenance performed on a home’s heating system is another great way to better manage efficiency. Units that are properly maintained and routinely inspected perform better and ultimately will save you money.
Wood-Burning Fireplace Will Produce More Heat Than a Gas Fireplace
As an added note, making full use of a wood fireplace can also be a great way to lower energy costs. A wood-burning fireplace will generally produce more heat than a gas fireplace and can be used to burn (in many cases) free fuel sources. This can include everything from fallen trees to cut branches and even wood pellets. Getting creative in this regard will have a big impact on annual energy usage. Finally, reversing ceiling fans and lowering the temperature by a few degrees on the thermostat can have a substantial impact on overall energy usage during the winter months. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about the best in Mount Vernon Washington heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair.
While today’s modern HVAC systems are incredibly advanced and reliable, they do on occasion require replacement. That said here are a few simple and easy to understand tips that can ultimately help residential homeowners save money over the short and long-term. For example, when installing an HVAC system in your home always choose to work with a reputable contractor. Take the time to explore your options when it comes to local contractors who will stand by their work. This is one of the best ways to make sure that your HVAC installation goes as expected.
Installing a Used HVAC Unit
In addition, always avoid the urge to install a used unit. Opting for a new energy efficient system is the best way to get maximum return on your investment on this type of equipment. Installing a used HVAC unit is a sure way to create more problems and more expenses later on down the road. In addition, when having an HVAC unit installed make absolutely sure that the right size unit is installed for the actual square footage of your dwelling. Anytime you are unsure it is best to go with a unit that is slightly larger than to go with one that is too small. An undersized unit will ultimately result in problems.
Adequate Insulation So That Energy Is Not Wasted
Equally important is to make sure that the proper amount of insulation currently exists within your home. A reputable and trusted contractor will install the right sized HVAC system for your structure while also making sure that there is adequate insulation in the home so that energy is not wasted. Insulation is important because it assists an HVAC unit in achieving the desired temperature without using an excessive amount of energy. This will translate into lower utility bills and a more efficient system overall.
Renovating or Remodeling A Home
Finally, one great tip is to install an HVAC cage when possible. This protects the unit from theft and is a good insurance policy for just a few hundred dollars. Keep in mind that the cost of an HVAC system is one of the biggest expenses when renovating or remodeling a home. That is why it is so important to make smart and wise decisions when it comes to the installation of this important household appliance. When the work is done right and the best unit is selected you can enjoy years of worry free operation. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about HVAC installation in Burlington Washington that is proven and reliable.
Today more than ever before it is important to consider all options when it comes to saving energy and saving money. The term Energy Star is an important aspect of selecting the right type of appliances for your home or business. When you purchase appliances or equipment that boast the Energy Star label or logo, you can be sure that you are buying an energy efficient product that will ultimately save you money and also help to save the planet. As an added bonus, with Energy Star appliances, anytime there is an increase in the cost of energy, the value of your appliances automatically increases in terms of the ability to save you money.
Replacement Will Be Less Frequent
Energy Star approved appliances are considered to be higher quality in terms of how they are designed, manufactured and built. In other words, this type of appliance will provide years of trouble-free service while operating in a quieter and more efficient way. They can be expected to last longer meaning that replacement will be less frequent. Everything else aside, saving money each and every month on energy bills is perhaps one of the most enticing reasons to choose this type of appliance. In addition, the idea of incentives and rebates is hard to resist.
High-Efficiency
For example, the incentives and rebates offered by Cascade Natural Gas right here in Washington State have real value in terms of saving consumers money. Typical incentives include hundreds of dollars offered to those who choose to install high-efficiency natural gas furnaces or high-efficiency tankless water heaters. In some cases, these incentives can be over $800 or more. Even increasing attic insulation can make one eligible for incentives and rebates. Energy Star appliances are a big hit because of their amazingly high rates of efficiency meaning that they will almost always entitle a homeowner to some type of incentive or rebate.
The Next Time You Are In The Market For A New Appliance
In addition to installing Energy Star appliances there are many other ways that homeowners can save money around the home. This can include everything from simply installing faucet aerators and showerheads that are specifically designed to save water. This not only lowers water usage but it also reduces costs associated with heating water. Keep these simple ideas in mind the next time you are in the market for a new appliance. From boilers to fireplaces and geothermal heat pumps as well as ductless heat pumps and many other types of common household appliances, qualifying for Energy Star incentives and rebates is easy. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about Energy Star incentives and rebates in Mount Vernon Washington and the surrounding communities.
Maintaining a heating and cooling system in a proactive way rather than repairing a system when it breaks will ultimately improve efficiency, prevent delays in future repairs and save you money. Most importantly, proactive routine maintenance on an HVAC system will keep your family safe year round. Just as it is important to keep a car’s engine properly maintained to avoid having an engine seize, an HVAC system requires the same care and consideration.
Avoid The Busy Winter Months
Considering the fact that winter is one of the busiest times of the year for professional heating and cooling experts, it is always recommended to have this type of maintenance performed in the summer or at times when contractors in the professional heating and cooling business have more time to address your concerns. Simply avoiding the busy winter months to have your heating system or furnace inspected makes smart sense. Best of all, planning your heating system annual maintenance at the right time can ensure a quick appointment and more timely service.
Peak Performance and Optimal Operation
While a heating system may seem dull and uninteresting on the surface, there is typically a lot going on internally in one of today’s modern HVAC units. These systems are carefully engineered and require numerous adjustments to ensure peak performance and optimal operation at all times. Most notably is the fact that when a system is properly adjusted it will operate more efficiently and save money on utility expenses. Everything from filters to safety equipment and feedback systems must be thoroughly inspected, checked and adjusted as necessary to ensure that everything is operating within specifications as outlined by the manufacturer.
Save Money By Having Routine Maintenance Performed
All said, a properly serviced furnace or HVAC system will ensure years of trouble-free operation for the entire lifetime of the equipment. As an added benefit, routine maintenance will simply extend the useful life of a furnace or HVAC unit. This is another way that you save money by having routine maintenance performed in order to stay proactive. Experts in the industry recommend annual inspections of a furnace by a licensed HVAC service professional as a way to avoid problems and costly repairs. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling for the best in HVAC system repair and maintenance in Bellingham and the surrounding communities.
Today, more than ever before it is financially sensible to ensure that your HVAC system is free of problems and that it operates efficiently over the long-term. Having HVAC routine inspections performed along with scheduled maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure a long lifespan and excellent performance when it comes to HVAC equipment. In fact, a lack of routine regular inspections and maintenance will ultimately end up costing homeowners more money over the long term.
Service Life and Reliability
Here are some of the typical benefits associated with having routine inspections performed on HVAC equipment. For example, those who have their systems inspected routinely can expect a longer useful life for their HVAC equipment. Keep in mind that replacing a complete HVAC system can be an expensive proposition and that is why it is well worth maintaining existing equipment as long as it is in good operating order. Most experts agree that a lack of proper maintenance and routine inspections can greatly hinder service life and the reliability of a typical residential or commercial HVAC system.
Service Life and Efficiency
In fact, many estimates suggest that service life and efficiency can be reduced by as much is up to 50% when regular maintenance and inspections are not performed. Keeping detailed records of data and monitoring performance of an HVAC system provides a more complete picture of the overall condition of the equipment. This helps to quickly identify any potential problems or defects that could lead to more serious and more expensive issues. In addition, equipment that is properly maintained, inspected and cleaned will simply operate more efficiently. Keeping a system operating at the highest levels of efficiency equates to saving money in terms of energy usage.
Routine Inspections
Dirty equipment such as a dirty heat transfer surface or tubes that are clogged makes it more difficult for equipment to transfer heat efficiently. This results in equipment working harder to do the same job and ultimately using a greater amount of energy. Routine inspections not only check for good functionality but they also look for parts and components that are dirty and that may require cleaning. At the end of the day, routine inspections will improve efficiency and save money on energy.
Greater Levels of Efficiency
Finally, routine inspections of HVAC equipment mean that the homeowner is now proactive rather than reactive. Waiting for unexpected problems to arise in an HVAC system can be a very costly way to manage this important home appliance. That said being proactive and having preventative maintenance and routine inspections performed on HVAC equipment will ultimately be less expensive and less resource intensive than waiting for something to break or malfunction. Those wishing to extend the useful life of their HVAC equipment will enjoy greater levels of efficiency and save money by being proactive rather than reactive and simply need look no further than routine HVAC system inspections. Contact Alpine Heating and Cooling today for the best in Bellingham HVAC system maintenance and repair.