All The Help You Need To Maximize HVAC Success
A properly maintained HVAC system will last a long time. When it doesn't work right, your wallet quickly empties. This article has some great tips to get you started, so read on!
When purchasing a new HVAC system for your home, be sure it is energy efficient. These days, most new HVAC systems are energy efficient; there is a energy star label on the equipment. However, to be sure your utility costs do not go through the roof, choose equipment that is energy efficient.
If you want to save money once a new HVAC system is put in place, be sure to pick ENERGY STAR rated products to use. They are very energy efficient so your new system won't cost you a ton when it comes to your utility bills every month, recouping some of your installation costs.
Make sure you ask for an estimate in writing before choosing a specific HVAC vendor. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. You'll want to compare not only the cost of the equipment, but also the set up and the overall energy costs.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Don't forget to disconnect the power first. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Make sure that your contractor provides a home assessment. Not every HVAC solution is for everyone. Your home could have special needs for heating and cooling. Your contractor should do a walk around of your space to judge what is best. If they aren't be sure to request one.
Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air that's in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
An investment in a smart thermostat is truly going to save you money. You can program it to turn on and off at certain temperatures or times, allowing you to ensure that your air conditioner or heater isn't running when it doesn't need to be, saving you a ton.
If your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
Consider all of your alternatives before installing a central air conditioner. You can only cool certain rooms, use whole-house fans, or even make use of a geothermal system. The more efficient the system you set up, the less you'll spend on utility bills over time as you use it.
If you don't want to install ductwork in your home, consider a mini-split system instead. They work form the outside in, allowing your whole home to cool without a central air conditioner. This allows you to enjoy all of your indoor space in a cool, comfortable way all summer long.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively, make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.
Always ask for references before you allow anyone to start doing work on your HVAC system. Call several of them to make sure that they are legitimate. Many people take the word of the contractor when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants, fencing, even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything, including walls, but the more space you give it to breathe, the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
Change your filter on a regular basis. This is one of the easiest HVAC tips that you can do yourself. It is also one of the least expensive things that you can do to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Clogged and dirty filters can make your unit work 5-10% harder.
Think about installing a digital programmable thermostat to keep your heating and cooling bills low. These digital thermostats have timers that allow you to completely control your HVAC use. You can set the heat and cooling to only turn on when you are home and to turn off when you are at work.
It is important to pick out the right HVAC company for your needs as you will need professional assistance. Reliable companies keep a close eye on their technicians and ensure they honor their appointments. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. Once they are able to locate a problem, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.
A great way to reduce the stress on your HVAC unit is to install ceiling fans in your home. During the summer, you read more can have them blow downward to cool the air and make your home feel more comfortable. In the winter you can reverse the direction and circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling.
If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home and tell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems work in your area or in a home like yours.
You should make sure the contractor you hire to repair or install your HVAC system has a hotline for emergencies that is available all day. Your system can go out after hours, and if you need help, you want someone who can be there at any time of the day.
Now that you went through this article on HVAC, it shouldn't be hard to understand what you need to do to keep things running well for a while. The tips described should help you avoid unnecessary bills from repairs and maintenance of your HVAC system. Keep these tips handy so you can refer to them as needed.
Honolulu Councilman Proposes Short-Term Rental Compromise
A proposed crackdown on short-term vacation rentals on Oahu has been amended to address several areas of criticism from rental operators, a move that is getting a mixed reaction from the community.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration introduced Bill 41 last year. The proposal would require bookings to be no shorter than 180 days, increase fees and fines, and compel some condo owners to operate their units as hotel rooms, among other land use changes. The mayor said he aimed to shut down the short-term rental business.
Brandon Elefante, chairman of the City Council’s zoning and planning committee, has since proposed an amendment, written in part by the Department of Planning and Permitting, that “attempts to clarify, simplify and reorganize Bill 41 and focus directly on issues related to short-term rentals,†according to the council.
“With so many moving parts to this issue, it is important that all the pieces fit together cohesively,†Elefante said in a statement. “We welcome community input as this process is complex and multifaceted. We want to find a path forward that is fair and enforceable.â€
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