How to Properly Choose a Heating and AC System for Your Home | Fort Worth, TX
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If you live in Fort Worth, TX then you know how hot and muggy the summers get. You’re also aware of how cold and windy the winters in Fort Worth, TX get. To make sure you’re prepared for any season, dressing properly is one of the most important things you can do. It’s also important to make sure you have proper heating and AC as well in Fort Worth, TX. This ensures that you’re prepared for any weather that comes your way.
Most people think they can walk into a store look at heating and AC systems and make a purchase. Of course, you can take this route but you shouldn’t. If you want to be confident in your system it’s best to do your research first. You may even avoid a trip and spending extra money on something you aren’t satisfied with.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Heating and AC System
There are a lot of important factors to consider when choosing heating and AC. One of the most important factors to consider is the kind of system you want. You can decide to separately buy heating and AC or get it as a system. Lately, it’s becoming more popular to have a HVAC which delivers hot and cold weather. While it’s good for people to have options, both get the job done. It’s all according to your preference.
Maintenance Factors to Consider
The next factor to look into when choosing heating and AC is if it’ll require a lot of maintenance. Of course, maintenance is always needed for any system you have. What you should be sure of though is that you purchase your system from somewhere reputable. If you have to constantly keep paying them to come back to fix things, it’s not worth it. Even if you don’t have to pay them it’s a red flag you should clear of.
Of course, you’ll have to do your regular maintenance up keeping. Things such as cleaning and changing the filter. Wiping down the HVAC system and being aware of any technical difficulties are important. The best thing to do is clean your filter at least once a month. This way you are ensuring the air or heat is coming out properly. Some people like to make the effort of replacing their filter with a new one monthly but it’s not mandatory.
Pre-season Maintenance Tips
Another great step to consider when maintaining your heating and AC system is scheduling pre-season maintenance checkups. It’s best to make sure that you’re prepared in advance for any unexpected failures. Your heating and AC system could keep you warm all fall and winter, but fail you spring and summer. It’s better to be prepared than hot, or vice versa because of an issue you could have prevented.
By scheduling your pre-season maintenance checks you ensure catching issues you might not see. Anything such as uncovered leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires, or corroded electrical contacts. You also get to make sure your heating and AC system is running at optimal performance.
The best time to schedule your HVAC pre-season maintenance checkup is sooner than later. Although it’s best to be aware that most places who sell heating and AC tend to get busy at the peak of summer and winter. If you schedule your maintenance checkups during fall and spring it’s slower which means you’ll get quicker service. You may also get lucky and get a package deal since that’s the time pre-season specials tend to take effect.
If you decide to get a HVAC for your heating and AC you’ll have to take maintenance steps. The reason for this is because there is usually a condenser placed in your yard. Due to weather conditions, especially on those cold windy day’s debris may get stuck. Shrubs may even grow around it as well limiting air flow. In return this may cause your house to be less warm or cool when needed. You can take a rag or broom to wipe away debris that gets stuck. Be sure to check the condenser at least once a week.
Energy Savings Tips
Another important factor to consider for your heating and AC system is not closing your vents. Many new home owners are guilty of doing this. You may be thinking you’re saving energy when you close the vents in rooms you don’t use. While it sounds good it’s not because it makes your HVAC system less efficient. The reason for this is because heat likes to be evenly distributed within an object. When it can’t do that because of the closed vents the system works harder to create an even temperature. As the system works harder to keep out it can cause its optimal performance to decrease quicker.
When you own a heating and AC system it’s best to be aware of energy savings tips. This allows you to save money in the long run and preserve the health of the environment. It’s a win-win.
The first step to saving energy is making sure you’ve properly followed all recommended maintenance tips. Next, you want to be sure your familiar with seasonal tactics that help control energy costs. This includes adjusting your ceiling fans, utilizing attic and whole house fans, and adjusting your thermostat. All of these steps can help keep your home feeling comfortable in any weather without wasting energy dollars.
As mentioned when heat or air can’t properly distribute itself it affects performance. With that being said when that happens it affects energy savings. The best things you can do is ensure all vents are open. It’s also important to make sure your home is properly sealed. Check your ductwork, make sure there’s adequate insulation and programmable thermostats. Also check your zoning systems, and get professional energy audits as needed.
How to Stay Safe with Your Heating and AC System
Although we do everything we can to ensure our system is in top shape and running smoothly issues can still occur. It’s best to be prepared in advance, not only for the safety of the system but you and your family. Being aware of issues that can occur will keep you ahead of the game.
Safety Issues That Can Occur
It’s important to watch for any loose connections from the expansion and contraction of the heat pump units. It is possible for these to cause electrical fires. If the pressure release valve is faulty, blocked, or not properly placed a fatal accident could occur. Also watch out for broken pilot lights and heat exchanger leaks. If not tended to they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clogged air filters can also cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home.
You can avoid these issues by making sure your filters are cleaned or replaced every one to three months. The next best thing you can do is buy carbon monoxide and smoke detectors if you haven’t already. If you already have them make sure the batteries in them still work. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. The only way you will know it’s in your home is if you have a carbon monoxide detector.
Also make sure that children or pets can’t reach any furnace or boilers. Children and pets are both curious and sometimes accident prone. If you keep these items out of reach you can prevent potential burns from pilot lights and pressure release valves.
Staying Safe During Weather Changes
When the weather changes it can affect many things in the house. Problems such as power failures or big storms take place and you have to be prepared. Teaching your family and self how to operate your system can help you to be safe and at ease.
Educating you and your family members on where the circuit breaker box is and how it works is also important. In the event of a power outage you can turn off the circuit breakers to prevent any harmful spikes. These spikes can occur when power is turned back on.
Investing in a surge protector is also a safe and smart action to take. They’re great for when everyone is away from home especially for a long period. In the event that an electrical spike occurs the surge will shut down power to your system.
If unfortunately, a natural disaster attacks your home the safest option is to leave your system off afterwards. Reach out to a professional or the company who provided your system and let them inspect it.
Why You Should Use a Programmable Thermostat with Your Heating and AC System
It’s a good idea to invest in a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one. Using a programmable thermostat, you can set temperatures for various times throughout the day. This allowing you to create a more comfortable environment with least effort. It also helps you save money which is a win-win.
Keeping Items Away from Your Thermostat
If you have any items that produce heat near your thermostat you need to move them. The reason is because the thermostat will pick up on this heat and be confused. It’ll think that it needs to make the room more cooler therefore causing it to use more energy when it doesn’t need to.
If your thermostat is in a room where sunlight directly hits it make sure you keep your blinds closed. Even if sunlight isn’t directly hitting it, it’s good to minimize the amount of time you leave the blinds open. The same way how items that produce heat can confuse the thermostat the window can too. By keeping blinds closed during the heat of day you can save energy.
Another thing you should be aware of especially if you own a dryer is if it’s in while the stove is. It’s also a good idea to inform family members not to use the dryers while the oven is on. The reason for this is because especially during the heat of the day it generates more heat inside. With the dryer on your home will warmer and using the oven adds more heat to the mix. This as previously mentioned also causes the system to use extra energy.
Things to Consider When Replacing Your Heating and AC System
When it comes down to it no matter how long your system worked it’s always a time to replace it. Some people are fine with keeping the same system for years as long as it works. While that’s all fine and dandy, and you may think its savings you money it’s not. The longer you’ve had your system and have gone through all the ups and downs the more maintenance it’ll need. After about ten years it also won’t be at its optimal performance.
Its best to replace your system at least by the tenth year of owning it. Some people push for fifteen years depending upon how well they maintained their system. If you’re spending nearly more than half the cost of an AC for repairs it’s time to replace it. Doesn’t make sense spending the total cost of a new system for several repairs just to fix an old one. You’ll never be satisfied and always out of money.
If you notice that your energy bills are constantly going up that’s another sign it’s time to replace. It defeats the purpose of saving energy and money. Another thing that also prevents energy saving is when the system struggles to keep your home comfortable. When it’s time to replace your system, you’ll notice because the system will stop keeping your home comfortable with ease.
Ultimately, choosing a system for your home isn’t as easy as it may seem. A lot of factors come into play to ensure your complete satisfaction. If you’re ready to begin your search check out One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating in the Fort Worth, TX area for more information.