When it’s severely hot outside, an AC system that you can rely on is worth its weight in gold. When you use your AC system on a steady basis during the hot months, however, normal wear and tear can take its toll. Just as with any service equipment or machinery that you depend on, periodic preventative maintenance is important for keeping your AC system in good working order. HVAC industry standards call for AC systems to have a checkup annually. Heat pumps should be serviced twice a year to account for both cooling and heating months.

About Preventative Maintenance

Proactive AC maintenance not only prevents a system failure during severely hot weather, it also helps keep utility costs for energy under control.There are some measures you can take on your own to help ensure your HVAC system runs smoothly all cooling season long.

• Inspect and change your air filters. Air filters that are not changed regularly become clogged and that restricts cool airflow, which makes your system work harder than it should. It’s best to inspect your filters monthly and change them when a visual buildup of dust and debris is present. They should be replaced at least once every three months.
• Keep outside components free from debris. Make sure to keep yard debris away from your outside AC components. Trim trees and bushes to allow for clear airflow.
• Inspect wires that connect to your HVAC system for signs of wear, tear or corrosion. If they appear damaged, be sure to contact an HVAC professional for assistance.

While there are some steps you can take on your own to keep your system running smoothly, there’s no replacing professional maintenance. Here are just some of the things a technician will check and do during a routine maintenance call:

• Listen for abnormal sounds
• Check for leaks in ductwork
• Check the refrigerant charge
• Audit system for unusual odors
• Visually inspect working parts for corrosion
• Lubricate moving parts to lessen wear and tear

Scheduling an Appointment

If it’s time to kick your AC’s tires, so to say, the professionals at Air Repair Inc. are here to help. Just give us a call today so we can help you make sure you stay cool all summer long!

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Traditional central heating and air conditioning systems rely upon a network of air ducts and vents so that the heated or conditioned air can be blown throughout the system and into each room of the house or building. Ductless systems do not require air ducts and vents; instead, each room or zone is set up with its own thermostat, fan and power. This is connected to the outdoor heat pump that exchanges heat with the outdoor environment. A chemical coolant, R-410a, flows in tubing between the heat pump and the indoor unit of each zone to allow for zoned climate control. Each zone can be set to a different temperature and each thermostat is programmable for optimal efficiency and comfort.

How Does Ductless HVAC Installation Work?

The installation of a ductless residential or commercial heating system involves the setup of equipment indoors and outdoors. The outside unit consists of the actual heat pump. This is housed within a metal cabinet and looks similar to the outdoor portion of an air conditioning system. The indoor equipment is set up with one unit in each zone. The home or business owner can select how the zones are arranged. In a home, the owner may desire to have each bedroom as a separate zone and then the common living areas as another zone. The indoor equipment is mounted onto the wall or ceiling and includes a small box that houses the fan, fan motor and thermostat as well as connections to the electrical system. A length of tubing goes between the box and the outdoor unit. A separate remote control may be included. The remote control works as a convenient way to control the thermostat for each zone. The installation process of a ductless system takes one or two days to complete.

What Are the Benefits of Ductless Heating Systems?

Ductless heating systems offer state-of-the-art efficiency and performance. In traditional heating systems, up to 40 percent of the heated air may be lost due to air leaks in the ducts. This sort of heat loss does not happen with a ductless system. Instead of heating up the whole house or building, home and building owners may choose to just warm the zone that they are in at the time. This reduces the energy consumption of the heating system. In this way, ductless systems deliver comfort on demand. In addition to a smaller carbon footprint, ductless heating systems can lead to a significant savings.

When it comes to energy efficient, on-demand comfort, it’s difficult to beat the convenience and affordability of a ductless system. At Air Repair Inc., our technicians offer installation and maintenance of residential and commercial ductless HVAC equipment. Call us any time to learn more about going ductless or to schedule an HVAC installation for your Hilton Head, SC, home or business.

Health experts recommend adjusting your thermostat before you go to bed at night to create an environment that’s conducive to sound sleep. Lowering the temperature in the winter or raising it in the summer at bedtime helps keep your energy bills manageable, too. No one in Hilton Head, SC, wants to wake up to a too-cold or too-hot home, however. A programmable thermostat lets you schedule your HVAC system to raise or lower the temperature before your alarm wakes you up for the day. Because these savvy devices feature multiple settings, you can program them to adjust the temperature automatically throughout the day, adding to your savings without compromising your comfort.

Choosing the Right Thermostat for You

The first generation of setback thermostats were often so difficult to program that only around 10 percent of the people that bought them actually programmed them. Today’s modern versions feature user-friendly interfaces that make them a breeze to use. The best programmable controls and thermostats come with an array of innovative functions and features, ranging from a thermostat the alerts you when it’s time to change the air filter to a WiFi thermostat that lets you access the device from your smartphone. Carrier’s Infinity Touch Control, for example, controls temperatures, humidity and air flow for up to eight zones in your home when connected to a compatible HVAC system.

Not every thermostat works with every heater or air conditioner, however, so it’s a good idea to consult an HVAC professional to ensure that you select the model best suited for your heating and cooling systems. Standard features to look for include:

• Easy-to-read digital displays
• Intuitive programming functions
• At least four setback setting for each day of the week
• Functions that let you override settings without losing programming
• Vacation hold programming

Maximize Your Savings

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports savings as high as 15 percent on heating and cooling bills when thermostats are set back 10 degrees for an eight-hour period. The percentage of savings is even greater for homes in milder climates. Simply program the device to adjust the temperature a half hour before you arrive home, and you can enjoy optimal savings while maximizing your comfort, too.

For around-the-clock comfort, it’s hard to beat a programmable thermostat hooked up to a well-maintained HVAC system. Enrolling in a preventative maintenance program makes it easy to ensure that your heating and cooling systems achieve peak performance. Scheduled maintenance visits also help prevent the need for an HVAC repair or replacement, saving you money now as well as later.

Whether you’re shopping for a programmable thermostat or you’d like to schedule HVAC repair or maintenance services, the experts at Air Repair, Inc. can help you enjoy the highest level of comfort in your home while lowering your monthly energy bills at the same time. Just give us a call today to find out how we can help improve your home’s comfort level!

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• Constant Furnace Cycling Driving You Crazy?

With chilly weather and increased heating activity, this is a common time for furnace issues to crop up. Constant cycling of your furnace can be annoying, especially if your home isn’t heating properly. It’s important to evaluate the issue to ensure that you can improve your home comfort.

Why Does My Furnace Cycle On and Off?

A call for heat occurs when your thermostat records that the room temperature has dropped below the desired temperature setting. When the desired temperature is reached, the call for heat ends. Colder weather may lead to longer periods of equipment operation and shorter times in between cycles. However, unusual cycling may signal a problem with your controls or equipment. If the furnace quickly turns on and off without doing much to heat your home, you are dealing with an issue known as short cycling.

Airflow is one possible cause, often easily rectified. Check your air filter to be sure that it is clean enough to permit an easy flow of air through your system. You should begin a heating season with a new filter, and you should check its condition each month to verify that it isn’t clogged with excessive dirt and debris. You can also verify that there aren’t blockages over vents that might be affecting the ability of air to circulate through your home.

Thermostat problems could also trigger constant cycling. Check your batteries to be sure that they aren’t bad. A bad thermostat could also be a concern, an issue that your heating contractor can identify.

Sensors and overheating issues may also lead to cycling problems. Internal components and issues require the expertise of a professional as DIY diagnostics can be costly and imprecise. They can also lead to compromised system safety in the case of combustion heating equipment. If your system issue isn’t resolved by an air filter or battery change, it’s time to contact your heating service provider.

Heading Off Heating Repair Issues

Although system malfunctions can be unpredictable, it is important to consider annual maintenance of your furnace to limit your risk of problems like short cycling. A tune-up allows your heating service provider to check for leaks, broken parts and other component failures. Residue can be cleaned from heat exchangers and sensors as well. Venting equipment and safeties are tested to ensure that your combustion equipment is operating safely. Up to 95 percent of system problems can be avoided by remembering to service your unit ahead of the winter heating season.

Air Repair Inc. can provide thorough diagnostics to pinpoint the source of your short cycling issue. We can also optimize your system so that you can count on better home comfort and energy efficiency in the coming months of cold weather. Feel free to contact our office to discuss your needs or schedule an appointment.

Common heater problems can create a lot of stress at inopportune moments. Instead of panicing, take time to do some troubleshooting so that you don’t spend money on an unnecessary service call from your HVAC contractor. In some cases, issues like your heater blowing cold air can be resolved without help.

Troubleshooting Problems with Your Heater

One of the simplest checks of your heating system begins with a review of thermostat settings. This is especially important if you have children in the house or if you are just turning your unit on for the first time this winter. An incorrect setting can lead to a burst of cold air, so be sure that you have the heating function selected. Additionally, verify that the temperature setting is greater than the current room temperature. You may also want to verify that the battery for your thermostat is good, making a replacement as needed.

Another issue that you may face, especially at the start of the heating season, is the system being slow to warm up. If the air blows cold at first but heats after a few minutes of operating, then you may not need to be concerned. This may be a matter of cold air being moved out of the ducts as hot air is forced through. If the problem continues, you may need to consult with a heating services provider. In some cases, electronic controls and timers may be malfunctioning, requiring heater repair. Additionally, dirty sensors or problems with the fuel supply can play a role.

Other troubleshooting steps to complete before you call for heater repair include:

• Check your air filter to make sure that it isn’t clogged with excessive dirt
• Verify that the pilot is lit
• Check gas valves to be sure that the supply isn’t hindered
• Verify that electrical switches are connected and on
• Check the fuse box for a tripped switch
• Make sure that your fuel supply hasn’t been interrupted by an outage with the provider
• Note any error codes on display panels

Head Off Heater Repair Needs Ahead of Time

It may be early in the season, but many companies providing heating services are beginning to see a marked increase in repair needs. It’s important to maintain your system so that you can avoid these early issues by having a thorough inspection and tune-up in the fall months. It’s not too late to have that tune-up completed now, and it could save you further problems with comfort and safety as the winter months progress. Your technician will make adjustments, cleaning burners, sensors and heat exchangers to ensure that your equipment operates as efficiently as possible. Safety mechanisms and venting components are also inspected to ensure that your furnace operates according to manufacturer standards. Home heating is considered to be the second greatest cause of fires in residential structures, making careful maintenance of your system a critical concern.

Air Repair Inc. can answer questions about any heating issues that you can’t resolve with simple troubleshooting efforts. We provide 24/7 repair services in emergency situations, and we can schedule heating maintenance at your convenience. Call our office to schedule an appointment or learn more.