Archive for the ‘HVAC tips’ Category

The summer months are fast approaching and the temperature is heating up. If you live in the state of Georgia, then you are already familiar with humidity! Sometimes an air conditioner is not enough to get rid of that heavy, sticky, hot feeling in your home. Dehumidifiers are perfect for the summer heat! Experts have identified the ideal level of relative humidity in a home should be between 30% to 60%.

Not only does a dehumidifier help keep you comfortable in your home, but excessive humidity can also create an excellent breeding ground for mold and mildew – invaders that can be unhealthy and destructive to a home, its occupants and its furnishings. Just another reason to fight the humidity!

Just so you understand how a dehumidifier works, let’s break it down into four simple components Fan Compressor, Reheater, Compressor cooling coils and Reservoir. These parts work together to collect the surrounding air, then, the coils use condensation to extract the moisture from the air. The dehumidifier reheats the air and exhausts it back into the room. Simple enough, right?

It’s only May, so you still have time to invest in a dehumidifier before it’s too late and your hair frizzes out of control! If you have any questions or comments let us know in the comment box or on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Are you having some problems with you air conditioner? We are going to go over the common problems according to Kudzu and explain how you can fix them. It is always a good idea to remember that you should have your system serviced annually by a qualified HVAC technician, and you should use such a technician to resolve any home air conditioning problems where the cause and solution are not both obvious. Also, we recommend that you read through your HVAC manual, to familiarize yourself with your specific unit.

Your AC Unit is not Cooling: This is the most obvious sign that something is not working properly. Make sure that your thermostat is properly set a few degrees cooler than room temperature and make sure it is switched to the “cool” setting. Once you’ve determined that it is not a simple switch error, turn off your system. It may need to be cleaned. Start by removing any debris, twigs, dirt etc on and around it. Sometimes dirt can be restricting the air flow. If these simple steps do not resolve the issue, it would be best to call an HVAC technician.

Clean Filters: Your air conditioning system needs clean filters in order to run properly and efficiently. A filter collects all the dust and allergens from incoming air in order to keep the air in your home clean. We recommend that you change these filters every couple of months. If you do not, the filter will no longer be able to collect dust, forcing your system to work extra hard, which could lead to a breakdown.

If you are facing air conditioning problems that do not have an obvious cause or solution, we highly recommended that you call an HVAC technician. It is always better to be safe then sorry! If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comment box below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Are you considering installing a new air conditioning system? It might be a good idea, since the summer heat is starting to roll in! Before you make an investment like this, you should consider all your options, so you can invest in a system that is perfect for your wallet and your home!

The most common type of air conditioning system is a split system. This means that part of the system is located outside of your home and another part is inside. The loud, heat-generating parts are outside, and the condenser coil is located inside. The split system is perfect for those who already have ducktwork in place.

If you have an older home that does not have existing duct work, you may want to consider a Mini Split system. This is set up almost the same way as the split system except that instead of one air handler to cool the whole house, you have and air-handler for each room to be cooled.

When it comes to air conditioners, size matters! It is important that you purchase an air conditioner that is the correct size for your home. It’s simple, an air conditioner that is too small with not be able to properly cool your home. An air conditioner that is too large, will turn on and off too frequently and have trouble maintaining a constant temperature, which will reduce the efficiency.

An HVAC professional will be able to determine the optimal size air conditioner for your home. So before you go and make a purchase, make sure you consult an HVAC professional.

According to Kudzu, the average air conditioning estimates range between a low $3,500- $5,500 or a high $6,500-$15,00. This all depends on the existing ductwork you may or may not have and the size of your home. These estimates are based on an average 2,000 square foot home.

Now that you have the air conditioner run down, you can make an investment that fits both your budget and home! If you have any questions or comments let us know in the comment box below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Who doesn’t like saving a few bucks here and there? With the summer heat rolling in, we’re sure you’ll have your air conditioner running 24/7…while your body may appreciate it, your wallet won’t! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your heating and cooling system accounts for 54% of your utility bill! Try these tips and watch your wallet grow, well not literally of course, but you know we mean!

Tips:

Don’t let the summer heat get the best of your utility bill. If you are looking to install a new HVAC system, make sure you consult an HVAC professional to get the right one for you. Try these money saving tips and let us know how it goes in our comment box below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

If you are looking to invest in a new HVAC product, you are probably wondering what the benefits are. We’re going to give you a breakdown of some of our products so you can get a better understanding of what you are purchasing.

Air Conditioning Powered by Trane: What better time of year to start thinking about a new air conditioning system? Today’s air conditioners are more comfortable and efficient then ever. Whatever size your home, whenever you need cool, comfortable, cleaner air, there is an air conditioner for you. If your system is more then 12 years old, you may want to consider investing in a new one.

Atlanta Air Filtration Solutions: It’s that time of year again…allergy season! Fight back with an air filtration system. It can remove up to 99.98% percent of airborne allergens from your home’s air as it’s heated or cooled. And Trane CleanEffects™ is now proven to remove more than 99% of the common flu virus from your home’s filtered air. Take that allergies!

Dehumidifiers: It’s getting hotter and hotter, and the air is getting muggy. A dehumidifier will equalize your air and lower the humidity, so you can sleep easy without feeling clammy, and stuffy at night. Excessive humidity can also create an excellent breeding ground for mold and mildew – invaders that can be unhealthy and destructive to a home, its occupants and its furnishings. So say goodbye to mold and humidity!

Spring is in the air and summer is not far behind, so make sure you are up to date with all your HVAC needs before it’s too late!

It is important to try to keep up with home maintenance for your HVAC system to ensure efficiency and to keep things running smoothly. Kudzu recommends a few things you can do yourself.

Make sure you are routinely checking, cleaning and changing your air filters. Try to do this once a month for your furnace, AC and/or heat pump. Having a clean filter will help with the efficiency of your HVAC system. Keeping a dirty filter will only lead to problems and early failure of system!

Try to make sure there are no obstructions within 3 feet of your air conditioning compressors. By obstructions, we mean anything from a fence to a bush or tree branch hanging above. This will prevent damage in the case of a storm.

Easy stuff, right? Now you’re almost on your way to being an HVAC professional…almost!

If you own an AC window unit, you already know they are not the most reliable! If you think your unit is broken, there are a few tell tail signs to look out for from DoItYourself.

Strange Noises

While noise is common with an AC unit, strange ones should not be. If you happen to notice a loud wailing noises coming from your AC unit, it is most likely that your AC unit’s fan belt is not working. It probably has fallen out of place, simply put it back on track and your problem should be solved. However, if it is severely damaged you may need a new belt.

Low Refrigerant

If you have a leaky AC, then you probably have low refrigerant levels. If this is the case you may need to consult an HVAC professional to assist you further.

Pungent Odors

What’s that smell…? Unfortunately, bad odors are a common problem with AC window units. It is usually from a build up of moisture. You can avoid this problem by frequently cleaning your air conditioner’s filters.

Blockage

If the grills on your air conditioner are blocked, then you will need to clean the units motor, fins and fan. Wipe down all of the parts with a clean cloth, but be sure not to get any of the parts wet!

So…any of these problems sound familiar? Yeah, we thought they might! Remember, it is important to take care of your AC window unit and always change your filters! At Casteel Heating and Cooling, we are always here to help!

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!