Archive for the ‘HVAC tips’ Category

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.

Homeowners need to stay abreast on new changes with federal regulations on Energy Star ratings and energy efficient products. There are many reliable products out there, and many of those products can pay themselves off in a short amount of time. But, according to Celia Kuperszmid-Lehrman, Deputy Home Editor at Consumer Reports, doing your own research is very important because there are a variety of “products whose energy-saving claims are mostly hype.” Keep in mind that some energy-saving projects aren’t worth doing unless they’re absolutely necessary. For example, replacing your current windows with Energy Star rated windows can be quite pricey, and take many years to pay themselves off.

If you plan to buy new energy-saving products or foresee it within your immediate future, stay abreast on new Energy Star federal regulations, new technologies, and research your products!

To read more about what you should keep in mind when buying new energy-saving technology and products visit www.PRNewswire.com.

When cooling or heating your home, you want to make sure that air gets to the proper areas. If your air flow is lacking, and you’ve already checked and replaced your filter, your air ducts may be leaking and costing you money. 25-40% of your air can be lost due to air duct leaks, and in turn result in decreased efficiency of your HVAC unit and an increase in your utility bill.

Symptoms of are duct leaking are:

• High summer and winter utility bills
• Difficulty in heating or cooling different rooms in your home
• Certain rooms that seem stuffy and uncomfortable
• Some or all of your duct work is located in an attic, crawlspace, or a garage
• Some of your flexible ducts are tangled or kinked within your system

If you feel that you may have a leak, have a professional test your air flow to determine if there are leaks within your system that need repaired. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Air duct testing and repairs to leaky duct work could be the most important home improvement homeowners can make.” Luckily, we here at Casteel Heating and Cooling are experts at testing and repairing leaky duct work.

For more information on how we can help you with possible air duct leaks, visit us at Casteelair.com, or feel free to call us at 770-565-5884.

On our blog we have written fairly often about indoor air quality and all of the factors that can affect you and your family. This time, we would like to expand on one factor in particular — VOC emissions. What is a VOC? VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound) come from synthetic materials used to make your carpet, and are a major contributor to indoor air pollution. Formaldehyde, Xylene, Methylene chloride and Vinyl Chloride are just a few of the VOC’s found in carpets.

Have you ever noticed that “new carpet” smell? That smell is actually VOC emissions — that’s right, emissions! The compounds actually release gaseous emissions into the air, which are then sucked into your A/C system and circulated throughout your home. VOC emissions can cause a variety of health effects which include difficulty breathing, confusion, dizziness, sinus and throat irritation, skin irritation, vomiting and nausea, and can also exacerbate asthma and allergies. Although these emissions decrease with time as well as lose their odor, they are still present.

You can easily limit exposure to yourself and your family by doing a few things. First you can replace some or all carpet in your home with hardwood or tile flooring. If you find that you need to replace the carpet, make sure to ask if it is a low VOC emitting carpet. Also keep in mind that the less synthetic material in the carpet, the lower the VOC. If either of those options are not a viable solution, or if you would like to further reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants, we offer superb air filtration solutions. For more information on how we can help reduce your indoor air pollution, visit us at www.casteelair.com, or call us at 770-565-5884.