The Cold Weather is Here!

The cold weather is here! Self Heating & Cooling wants you to be ready by sharing a few tips on how to take care of your HVAC system. This will not only help to maximize your heat, but add a few extra years to the life of your system. These helpful tips will also make for a more energy efficient system and save you money on your energy bills.

1. A reminder to change your air filters every month is key especially during heavy use months like winter and summer. Changing them on a monthly basis will help save you money and prevent dust and dirt from building up in your system which could later lead to expensive repairs or early system failure. Just because you cannot see the dust doesn’t mean it’s not there. A dusty filter reduces air flow.

2. If you don’t have one now, consider having a programmable thermostat installed. This is most ideal for people who are away from their homes during the day for set periods of time during the week. Your HVAC will work less while you are away. Limit your set-backs to twice a day such as when you are at work or sleeping and only set back the thermostat about 5 degrees. This could save you around $180 every year in energy costs.

3. Keeping your air vents and return air vents clear of any obstructions such as draperies, furniture, bedding, toys, etc. will ensure air circulates properly. Obstructions will make the HVAC unit work harder.

4. Never switch a heat pump to the “emergency heat” setting on the thermostat, unless the unit is malfunctioning. This setting will turn on the electric heat and it will drastically increase your electric bill if it is used in a non-emergency situation for an extended period of time.

5. If you should hear unusual noises or excess heat or water coming from your HVAC, call a trained specialist at Self Heating & Cooling. This could be a sign that something is seriously wrong. Don’t wait for your unit to break down as this could cost you more money in the long run.

6. Have your HVAC system inspected annually by a qualified heating contractor at Self Heating & Cooling. This is critical in ensuring your system is operating properly and at peak efficiency.

Don’t be caught in the cold and paying high energy bills. Let Self Heating & Cooling visit your home today for a warm, safe winter.

Operating and Maintaining Your Heat Pump

Proper operation of your heat pump will save energy. Do not set back the heat pump's thermostat if it causes the backup heating to come on -- backup heating systems are usually more expensive to operate. Continuous indoor fan operation can degrade heat pump performance unless your system uses a high-efficiency, variable-speed fan motor. Operate the system on the "auto" fan setting on the thermostat.

Like all heating and cooling systems, proper maintenance is key to efficient operation. The difference between the energy consumption of a well-maintained heat pump and a severely neglected one ranges from 10% to 25%.

Clean or change filters once a month or as needed, and maintain the system according to manufacturer's instructions. Dirty filters, coils, and fans reduce airflow through the system. Reduced airflow decreases system performance and can damage your system's compressor. Clean outdoor coils whenever they appear dirty; occasionally, turn off power to the fan and clean it; remove vegetation and clutter from around the outdoor unit. Clean the supply and return registers in your home, and straighten their fins if bent.

You should also have a professional technician service your heat pump at least every year. The technician can do the following:

Inspect ducts, filters, blower, and indoor coil for dirt and other obstructions
Diagnose and seal duct leakage
Verify adequate airflow by measurement
Verify correct refrigerant charge by measurement
Check for refrigerant leaks
Inspect electric terminals, and, if necessary, clean and tighten connections, and apply nonconductive coating
Lubricate motors, and inspect belts for tightness and wear
Verify correct electric control, making sure that heating is locked out when the thermostat calls for cooling and vice versa
Verify correct thermostat operation.

Why Should I Have Maintenance Done on My HVAC System?

You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil. The same logic holds true for your home comfort system. Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance. Pre-season maintenance is also important. It can help to avoid a system failure in severe hot or cold weather when you need it most, and it can also keep your energy bill from getting out of control.

WHEN SHOULD I DO FURNACE MAINTENANCE?

The old adage is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Below you’ll find our Preventative Maintenance Checklist, which is our proven method to keep your system in the pink and your home in constant comfort.

»For a system that heats and cools: perform maintenance in the spring and fall

»For cooling system maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season

»For furnace maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season.

Fight Fall Allergies and Save Energy by Checking Your HVAC System

The most common way to heat a house is with a furnace. And furnaces and air conditioners need their filters cleaned every couple of months. (How often you need to change them will depend on your filter and your furnace. You can see one person's cleaning ritual in this Energy Saver blog post from this spring.)

If your HVAC system is in dire straits, you may even want to clean out your HVAC ducts. This highly informative article from the EPA explains the entire process and explains when you may need to clean out your ducts and when you will not. They go to great pains to explain that just cleaning the dust out of your ducts will not necessarily increase the air quality in your home, though. And it certainly doesn't need to be part of your yearly home maintenance.

But no matter how you heat (or cool) your home, you want to make sure that the systems you're using have clean filters. This will ensure your appliances are working like they're supposed to. It could also help the air quality of your home, which will make life a little easier on those people among you who deal with allergies of any sort.

BUYING A NEW HVAC SYSTEM?

If you have an older central air conditioner, you might choose to replace the outdoor compressor with a high-efficiency unit, or replace the entire system.

Today's air conditioners use up to 40% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as those made just 10 years ago. Look for an ENERGY STAR rating and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or "SEER" that is above 13 (the higher, the better).

If possible, install your new unit in the shade, which can allow it to run 10% more efficiently.