The Professionals Share Their HVAC Secrets Here
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!
Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.
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.
When your contractor comes to fix your unit or install a new one, he should walk around your home and investigate what's going on with your current set-up. They should be looking for how much insulation you have, where your windows are and what quality they are and more.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.
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 you are uncertain about which HVAC contractor to call when you experience an equipment failure, take the time to ask friends and family for personal recommendations. By doing this, you will be able to feel more confident about the choice you make, because you will have gotten the opinions of people you already know to be trustworthy.
Be sure to check your evaporator coil drains frequently when your air conditioner is running. If this tube backs up, you can find water damage to your walls, ceilings and floors. If you end up with mold just use a solution of bleach and water to clean out the tube.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
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.
Change your air conditioner filter quarterly, or four times a year. This not only keeps the air coming into your home easier and cleaner to website breathe, it takes a lot of stress off of your AC unit itself. You get to enjoy health, money savings and reduced energy use altogether at once.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Make sure things don't get too hot or cold where your thermostat is. Any electronics or heat sources like lamps or televisions nearby can trick the thermostat into thinking the home is warmer than it actually is. This just means it runs your air conditioning longer than necessary, wasting energy and money.
If you are going to use the Internet as a source for good HVAC contractors, you need to be very careful. You never know who is behind the glowing reviews that are posted all over the Web. There is a chance that the contractor is posting their own reviews or paying others to do so.
Get bids from several companies before deciding who you are going to hire to install or repair your HVAC system. Most people know to avoid the company that has the highest quote, but you should also stay away from the one with the lowest. The price may be lower due to shoddy workmanship an/or using low-quality equipment.
When buying an air conditioner, you want to find out with a SEER rating of 13 or higher. 13 is the minimum standard set by the government, so higher ratings, while not mandatory, are going to offer you better efficiency. SEER ratings can go as high as 19, so keep this in mind as you shop.
In order to save money overnight, buy an air conditioner with a switch that sets it to be fan-only. This will push hot air outside and bring in cool air from near the ground. Turn this on just before bed so that you can cool the house as you sleep.
If you are buying a new HVAC unit, make sure that the one you choose fits your home. Your contractor should inspect your home and your duct work before they install a new unit. If the ductwork needs replacement or repair, this should be done before the new unit is installed.
If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple way to reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree in temperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.
Keeping your home's HVAC system working properly is a must if you want to avoid extremes of heat and cold. However, sorting through all of the different options that are available to you can be tricky. Let the information that you have read here guide your next purchase of an HVAC system.
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.”
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