5 Tips ~ Preparing Your HVAC Unit for Spring
Along the Emerald Coast in Florida’s Panhandle our seasonal temperatures vary from day to day and your home or business HVAC unit must be properly maintained in order to work most efficiently and keep your residence comfortable. Check out these 5 Tips for preparing your HVAC unit for the Spring and Summer seasons and ACHI's best practices.
If you have ever experienced an outage of power or disruption in air conditioning or heating in your home, you know the discomfort that a lack of air conditioning or heating can cause. Avoid an unforeseen emergency repair by keeping your HVAC unit properly maintained and regularly serviced by a professional HVAC technician. Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is proud to be a continued leader in the local HVAC industry providing, for over 35 years, new HVAC unit installation, special projects, Emerald Coast Bronz-Glow application, ongoing maintenance service, and repair 24 hours a day & 7 days a week. Our reputation has been comforting since 1983, we are the comfort experts and look forward to providing you with 5 Tips on How to Ready Your HVAC Unit for the Spring/Summer Season!
- Change Your HVAC Air Filter(s): The most routine monthly maintenance imperative to the efficiency of your HVAC unit is a simple change of the filter. A clean air filter can reduce your energy usage by 15 percent. How often should you replace your filter? Ask yourself a few questions to determine whether you should replace your filter every 30 days or more… do you have animals in the house, are you sensitive to allergies, or do you live near the coast? If you answered yet to any of the following the most likely suggestion would be to replace your temporary filter every 30 days or take out and rinse your permanent filter monthly.
- Install a Smart Thermostat: Technology allows for the addition of a smart thermostat providing you immediate access to ensure your home or business temperature is comfortable prior to your arrival home or set at the most energy efficient temperature if you are away. A programmable thermostat may also detect any deficiencies that your HVAC unit may be experiencing if the temperature is not being maintained or regulated – allowing you to avoid potential costly repairs with a routine service call.
- Remove Debris & Clear Drainage Lines: Have you noticed where your air conditioners drainage lines are located? If you have not located these drainage lines located on the exterior of your home be aware of potential blockage that may cause back up. When moister is unable to escape from your lines the risk of mold becomes greater. Small wires may be useful to clear out any small pieces of debris that have collected in your line and be sure to keep the surrounding area clear of brush or loose landscape.
- Establish a Relationship with Your AC Company: Most homeowners understand the longevity of their home maintenance and the importance of establishing a trusted source for home maintenance service providers. Ask your Air Conditioning and Heating company for references and rates for routine services vs. emergency repairs. Your trusted AC and Heating provider should be transparent in their rates and provide estimates prior to any scheduled repairs, installations, or maintenance services.
- Invest in a Maintenance Partnership or Annual Maintenance Agreement: Ensure that your AC unit warranty remains effective by the continued annual or semi-annual maintenance services provided by a certified HVAC professional. Check with your HVAC manufacturer on warranty requirements and communicate those requirements with your trusted AC and Heating provider.
Contact ACHI, locally owned and operated since 1983, for more details on what your HVAC unit requires to ensure the warranty is valid and ask our team of comfort experts about the ACHI Maintenance Partnership for ongoing seasonal maintenance services
Increasing Your Home's Energy Efficiency
Did you know? According to Energy Star as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
Let's discuss how you can create a more energy efficient home or business by making a simple update to your Air Conditioning and Heating unit and incorporating new habits in your home maintenance routine!
Maintain Your Equipment
- Replace Your Air Filter
Your HVAC equipment can not run efficiently if it is not properly maintained! How do you maintain your unit on a regular basis? The most important piece of routine maintenance can be done in under a minute - regularly replacing your air filter. Checking your filter monthly and changing more often in extreme hot or cold climate seasons can prevent premature unit failure and major maintenance necessity.
- Routine Professional Maintenance
Get the most life out of your equipment and maintain your warranty by scheduling ongoing annual or semi annual maintenance by a certified technician. The shoulder seasons are the most convenient seasons to schedule your HVAC maintenance to ensure that your unit is prepared to provide the most efficient heating and cooling services prior to the peak cold or peak heat that comes along with most winter and summer seasons.
Use a Smart Thermostat
There's and app for that? Absolutely! Save money, time, and energy when you update your thermostat with a programmable Smart Thermostat. Ideal for homes that are not occupied continuously throughout the day - conveniently adjust your temperature settings for the most energy efficient daily heating and cooling conditions based on your personal preference! Set your thermostat to your preferred climate prior to your arrival home at the end of the day or during sleeping hours where Energy Star recommends setting your temperatures up or back between 4-8 degrees depending on the season.
Look for ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners when replacing or updating your current HVAC system for the most energy efficient ratings for your home or business and contact ACHI for maintenance, repair, installation, and new unit purchases at (850) 374-6948!
Discover the Benefits of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier | Ventilation and Air Quality
Indoor air quality may not be high on your priority list, but it tops ours. As having a direct effect on respiratory health as well as perceived indoor comfort levels, we put a high priority on the standard of your ventilation and air quality. Discuss with your home comfort provider whether the installation of a dehumidifier best suits your individual needs.
The purpose of a dehumidifier, an electrical appliance that extracts water from the air, is to reduce and maintain comfortable levels of humidity in the air. Most often installed for health and/or reasons of comfort these machines work in conjunction with your HVAC unit and are most often installed in an inconspicuous place in your home or business allowing the appliance to maintain a comfortable balance in your home. Ideal for areas of heavy moisture, clean and fresh air re-circulation, and even used to extend the life of solid hardwood floors by maintain shape and integrity with the controlled moisture levels in the environment, dehumidifier installations are on the rise.
Control the moisture levels throughout your home, business, or commercial space by incorporating the utilization of a dehumidifier. If you are considering the installation of a whole house dehumidifier in your home, allow our expert technicians to provide guidance throughout the process, from installation to annual maintenance, Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is the preferred provider for all your home comfort needs. We take pride in providing residents with exceptional customer service, professional installations, and maintenance as the trusted local source for Air Conditioning & Heating services for over 35 years.
How Often Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?
Spring has finally arrived and warmer weather is upon us. With the temperatures rising, it's as as easy as a call to your local Air Conditioning & Heating Company to avoid any uncomfortable days in your home or business due to an an inefficient HVAC unit.
Heating and air conditioning equipment, for the best outcome, should be inspected twice per year. The heating system should be checked in the fall and the air conditioning system checked in the spring, in advance of extreme warm or cool temperatures.
Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. offers customers an Annual Maintenance Program for peace of mind and the most efficient and effective use of their home or business heating and cooling systems. Call (850) 267-3538 to schedule your spring air conditioning maintenance service with Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. - Your trusted local Air Conditioning and Heating Company, servicing all of Okaloosa and Walton Counties for more than 35 years!