Archive for the ‘HVAC tips’ Category

At Casteel Heating and Cooling we are all about going green and helping the environment! Clean air and energy efficient products are important to us. That is why we offer Energy Star products! If you’re like us, then you want your home to to achieve a high level of energy-efficiency. In order to achieve an Energy Star efficient home standard you must improve the following:

Efficient Insulation System
High-Performance Windows
Tight Construction and Ducts
Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
Energy Star qualified Lighting and Appliances

There are also four steps you should take when building a new home to ensure your home will meet the Energy Star guidelines. These steps are recommended by ENERGY STAR.

Step One: Find a Builder Who Partners with Energy Star
This way you know the builder is meeting the requirements of Energy Star guidelines.

Step Two: Builder Works with the Rater to Select Appropriate Energy–Efficient Home Features
This builder will help you choose the best combination of energy-efficient features so you know that when you are constructing your home you are meeting the Energy Star requirements.

Step Three: Verifying Performance
Make sure your contractor is testing the products as they are installing them. This will ensure that everything is working properly and efficiently.

Step Four: Energy Star Label
After completion, make sure you receive an Energy Star label. It will be placed on the circit box breaker of the home. This will provide you with documentation stating that your home is in fact Energy Star qualified.

If you are a homeowner who wants to go green consider following these guidelines. Remember, the less energy we use in our home, the less air pollution we generate. So go green and help save the environment!

The cold weather is upon us! As the temperatures continue to drop, your house will require maintenance to keep it in prime condition for the winter. Below are a few things you can check around your home to make sure you are ready!

These are easy tips that you can do around your home to make sure you are fully prepared for the cold months ahead! To get a furnace tune-up for the winter call your HVAC professional, they’ll be happy to help!

Buying a heating and air conditioning system is a hefty investment. We know you want the best quality products as well as the highest quality service. Letting a contractor into your home isn’t a decision to be taken lightly for you and your wallet. We want to make selecting an HVAC professional easy for you. We recommend you fist check the company’s reviews online at Kudzu, then consider the points below recommended by Energy Star.

When you decide to select and HVAC contractor make sure you review the points listed above. You deserve the highest quality in service and products. At Casteel Heating and Cooling we pride ourselves on providing world class service, offering high quality products at affordable prices and backing our work up with exceptional warranties. Good luck on your search!

The temperature is getting lower and lower while your heating bill is getting higher and higher. Follow these six tips to help reduce your heating bill while trying to stay warm!

Try using these low cost tips to help you save money on your heating bill this winter. Let us know if any of these suggestions helped you!

It’s getting colder and colder and that old furnace of yours isn’t doing it’s job. Before you give it a good swift kick, read this. The problems you are experiencing with your furnace may be a simple issue that can be resolved quickly.

If these simple fixes did not solve your problem, then go ahead and call your HVAC professional to further assist you. These three simple check-ups can save you money, time and a phone call to a professional. So relax, you can most likely fix the problem yourself before your toes go numb this winter!

Looking to buy a new air conditioner? Well before you make a big purchase make sure it has an ARI reference number! An ARI reference number guarantees your new air conditioner will have Energy Star efficiency, the proper SEER rating and the right amount cooling. What is an ARI reference number you ask? Well to break it down, every air conditioner is divided into two main parts: the condensing unit and the evaporator. These two components must be evenly matched in order for your system to work properly. Each match has its own unique ARI reference number, get it? So the ARI reference number is a MUST HAVE!

FYI: ARI stands for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. They are an internationally recognized leader in developing HVAC standards.

So how do you check your ARI reference number? Just ask! Your HVAC professional is supposed to show you three things:

The model number of the condenser
The model number of the evaporator
The ARI reference number

These should all appear on your invoice. Make sure all the numbers on the invoice match the number to your models. Good luck with purchasing your new air conditioner!

In light of the tornado warnings this week, we thought we’d take this opportunity to talk about water damage. Be advised homeowners, when it comes to water damage, it’s better to be safe then sorry! Take a look at the list below from HVACR Business about the heating and cooling equipment that is recommended you replace if affected by water damage.

Gas valves and controls are susceptible to water damage but they are not always visible. Make sure you have your HVAC professional take a closer look at the damage.

Your electric furnace is susceptible to corrosion which can be hazardous and cause reliability problems.

If there is potential for a propane leak after water damage, your propane tank should be replaced immeideitly!

Floor heaters have electrically-heated cables or tubing circulating a fluid that are embedded below the floor boards. If your floor is exposed to water damage, chances are, so is you floor heater. The damage can weaken or even crack the tubes, so make sure you have them checked!

If even the littlest amount of water seeps in, there is potential for refrigerant leaks. This will require a major repair or full replacement.

Make sure you check your ductwork after any major storm.

No matter what type of heating system it is, (gas, oil or electricity) if it is exposed to water it should be replaced.

So remember, if any of your heating or air conditioning equipment is exposed to water damage make sure you have it checked by a HVAC professional! If it is not fixed or replaced, it can end up coasting you more down the road and it can even become hazardous. So don’t let water damage slide.

Cost

Size

Efficiency

Installation

When making a large investment such as this you want to make sure you consider all of the above factors. We know you want to get the most out of your money, but make sure you take everything into consideration before you opt for the cheaper system!

A new heating and air conditioning system is a big investment, and the last thing you want to do is get mixed up with a faulty or inexperienced contractor. First and foremost, we recommend checking on review sites – such as Kudzu – to see what type of reviews the contractor is getting. The next step would be running through this quick checklist (think of it like an interview before any work is done). Any contractor with minimal experience should be able to perform the following criteria.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you mention any of these tests to a contractor, they should know what you’re talking about. Going over this checklist with your contractor will help you decipher whether or not they’ve got the experience you’re looking for. Designing and installing your new heating and cooling system based on facts will absolutely ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Your family will be comfortable, safe and saving money!

That’s right, fall is almost a week away, and those 55 degree mornings are a nice reprieve from the summer’s heat. But, your HVAC system has been working overtime all summer — so is it ready for the fall?

This is an ideal time to have your system inspected to make sure that it is running as efficiently as possible. Giving your system a regular tune-up will point out potential problems, help you to avoid costly repairs, and save you money. We at Casteel offer a $79 Fall Tune-Up Special including a 25-point inspection. To redeem our Fall Tune-Up Special, click the Fall Tune-Up Special below, or call us at 770-565-5884.