First you should look at a few things yourself. The first thing to always inspect is the filter. The filter in most AC units is located near the blower unit. These filters range in size and vary in price. You will need to remove the old one and check the size and then buy the exact same size for your unit. The costs of a new filter depend on how the quality of the filter and what you are trying to filter from the air. Generally you don’t want to buy a filter that restricts the air too much. I typically buy the low cost filters and change them often, but if you suffer from allergies you might want to get a high quality filter. Whatever you do make sure you change the filter often. Also make sure the filter is put back in the proper place and the pay attention to the arrows on the side of the filter. The arrows point in the direction of the air flow.

The next thing you want to do is make sure there are no air restrictions to the outside units. Sometimes bushes and weeds can grow around the outside units and you want to make sure that there is plenty of room around the AC units. The other consideration in keeping your home cool is to keep your thermostat at the right levels. Let’s say you want the temperature at night to be 72 degrees. Some people will turn their units off during the day in order to save money, and then turn the unit down low when they get home. This can cost you more money in the long run and cause your air conditioning unit to work harder. I recommend setting your thermostat no higher than 75 degrees during the day and then turn down at night. This way the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to get back to 72 degrees, and you most likely will not spend more money doing this way.

The last recommendation is to have your trained Virginia Beach air conditioning repairman to service your AC unit before summer arrives. We will check the refrigerant levels and make sure they are at the optimum levels. We will also clean your evaporator coils which help your AC run at peak efficiency.

Economic savings is another motivation factor in reducing energy consumption. The global economy at this time is such that we all have an interest in reducing our costs. It’s a fact that the fuels we use to heat and cool our living spaces are going up in price. Reducing our costs while reducing our energy consumption is a priority, but we also want to have the ability to be comfortable.

A  Programmable  Thermostat Saves You Money

For these reasons, much research has been done using technology on how we can save money, reduce our energy consumption and remain comfortable at the same time. Many of us might sacrifice comfort for ourselves, but who wants to see our children shivering in the cold? Over the years, the technology with regard to thermostats has changed dramatically and now we have programmable ones that will help us reduce energy consumption and save money as well.

Businesses Benefit From Programmable Thermostats

The benefits of modern thermostats are not just being discovered by home owners. Hotels, large office spaces, and condominiums as well as industrial areas are perfect matches for newer thermostats. The benefits and cost savings of these types of thermostats are so great that builders are demanding them in new installations.

Programmable thermostats today can be quite complex, but very simple to use. Newer technology and research has meant even more energy savings available for those that use the most modern technology in energy saving devices.

High Tech Thermostats Increase Flexibility

How about remote controlled or IP based thermostats? Some buildings could benefit from the installation of more sophisticated thermostats that will control not just the heating and air condition, but also multiple fan speeds for an increase in energy efficiency.

In some applications, freeze protections is required, in both large and small installations. Do you need to know what is going on? How about the ability for your thermostats to send out an alarm?

Use this four point checklist for examining your air conditioning system every year:

1. Clean the evaporator if you can get to it. If not, have a professional service provider clean it. The evaporator is typically located right above the furnace. In some models, this part of the system is not easily accessible and should only be cleaned by a professional, although other systems do make it easy for a homeowner to access it in order to clean it. When in doubt, call us the first time to make sure that this is something you can handle each year.

2. Clean the condenser coil. In most cases, you should be able to get to this part of the system because it is usually located outside the house on a concrete slab. Be sure that you are always keeping grass and shrubs from growing over this unit because if the airflow is blocked, the efficiency will suffer greatly. Use a commercial coil cleaner to clean the condenser and then flush the coil clean. Avoid using a hose for this because you could end up accidentally clogging the unit. Look for a tool known as a fin comb to clean between the tiny spaces.

3. Check fluid levels. This is another item that some homeowners might feel comfortable doing, while others are better off leaving it to professionals. With some models, it is fairly easy to see how much refrigerant is in the system. If the number is too high or too low, then it’s time to call in a professional for repairs or charging. In cases where there is not enough refrigerant, usually the issue is a leak in the system. You should always leave major repairs to a professional, although it is helpful to know how to spot a problem before it becomes a very serious one.

4. Have the thermostat tested regularly. Every year it is essential that you have a professional service provider check the thermostat so that you know it will keep your home at the temperature you want. Testing the thermostat is a rather complex process that most homeowners won’t want to tackle on their own.

Of course there are also other things you can be doing to keep your air conditioning system in top shape and also save money on your electric bill. For example, running your dehumidifier can actually make the system work harder because the extra airflow makes it seem like there is a larger space to cool. If you use a dehumidifier, make sure that it isn’t turned on at the same time as the air conditioner.

Also avoid flipping the air off and then right back on again within five minutes. This puts a heavy load on the system and can cause problems, like blown fuses or even more serious permanent damage to the compressor.

It is critical that you let your professional Virginia Beach air conditioning contractor handle any and all repairs to the evaporator and condenser parts of the system. Both of these units are sealed, and the entire system should be checked annually by your professional in addition to the regular checks done by the homeowner.

Comfort is not the only reason why we use air conditioners. These appliances can also turn out to be extremely beneficial as far as purification of air is concerned. Most of the modern air conditioning units have an anti-fungus filter they can trap mites and pollutants which cause allergies and odors. Therefore that air that you breathe in is pure and fresh. Dust particles and mildew spores can be detrimental to your health as they could expose you to the risks of long term ailments in the future.

Now that you have a clear idea about the advantages that are offered by air conditioning systems, it is even important that you know a few things about their servicing and maintenance. Owning an air conditioner cannot be the solution for all your problems. If you do not maintain them in a proper fashion, they could break down completely. These things need to be cleaned and serviced by your Virginia Beach air conditioning repair contractor on a regular basis so that they are able to last longer and provide quality service.

Basic Maintenance of an AC Unit

One of the single most basic things of AC maintenance that you can do to help with saving some money on the cost of air conditioner service repairs is to change out that air filter on a regular basis! Don’t put it off! The filter of your air conditioner needs to be changed out every few months or so, or more often depending on how frequently the system is used. It’s a good idea to check the opening of the filter between changes to be sure that the air conditioning unit always has a consistent air flow and the air filter isn’t putting any extra stress on the AC system or circulating unclean air.

Repairing an Air Conditioner Coil that is Frozen

One more part of the AC that is a source of quite a few headaches that often require servicing is a coil that is dirty. The coil is the part of the unit that contains pressurized gas or coolant and when the coil becomes filthy, condensation can then build up and freeze. This is one of the biggest issues and is directly caused by not servicing your AC unit on a regular basis; and by not doing things like replacing the air filter as needed. A frozen coil may also cause the compressor of the AC unit to ‘burn’ or break and then you will be left with a costly air conditioner repair issue. It is pretty easy to clean the coil of an air conditioner. All you need to do is turn the AC off and hose the coil down with water and maybe even a light cleaning solution. If you have a unit that is located on the outside you want to as well make sure that it is free of any debris that may cause you other maintenance problems. If the time is taken to do the simple maintenance that is needed with air conditioners they will last for decades and cool you in even the hottest of weather. In short frequent air conditioner service will save you money.

AC units have many filters that consistently work to keep germs away,dust and bacteria from working their way in to the enclosed rooms of a house. Over a bit of time filters need to be cleaned. It is not only necessary to clean them to so that they function effectively but also to ensure that these filters do not get permanently damaged and be beyond repair. Air condition service can ensure that you get cool and clean air. Replacing these filters can be a costly affair and it is a good idea to opt for regular air conditioning service to avoid such hassles.

Every product suffers depreciation over time. A two year old air conditioner would most certainly not have the same efficiency as one that is completely new. However, what you can do is take care of the machine to reduce the extent of depreciation. Air condition service is the only way to upkeep the efficiency of the machine.

With surging energy bills, it is more important today to cut down on excess power consumption. Air conditioners tend to consume more power for the same cooling effects as they turn older and suffer wear and tear. Air conditioning service can easily offer you a savings of a few hundred dollars in energy bills over a year. The savings would easily surpass the amount you would spend on air condition service. Cleanliness is a big issue with air conditioners, whether it is a window model, split or a commercial centralized system. It is not possible to clean them yourself and the only solution is your professional Virginia Beach air conditioning repair service.

First of all, it is possible that the refrigerant that is meant to keep things in the air conditioner cold is leaking. While minor leaks may not necessarily cause a huge problem from a functional standpoint there is a serious environmental concern. Some older models use a form f fluorocarbon called Freon. This refrigerant is highly damaging to the ozone layer and needs to be handled carefully and correctly to avoid it getting into the atmosphere. AC repair from your Virginia Beach qualified technician can discover leaks early and patch them and refill them before the issue becomes serious. Regardless of whether you need work done or you are simply looking for maintenance issues dealing with coolant should always be addressed by a professional.

Probably the most common issue plaguing a home’s air conditioner is the accumulation of dust and debris on the evaporator coils. This seemingly innocuous problem can actually cause ineffective heat transfer and that can result in the system overworking to compensate. As things build up they need to be cleaned off and some measure of cleaning can be done on one’s own. While some preventative maintenance is well within the skill set of a homeowner and their vacuum cleaner it requires the skill and tools of a professional AC repair technician to full get everything clean.

A common problem of window units that require AC repair is that the condenser fans blades get bent from falling tree branches and severe inclement weather. These blades keep the fan running and radiate heat. These are easily damaged and need a person with the precise knowledge to put them back in alignment. They are rather fine and need a specialized tool and so they are best not fiddled with.

Virginia Beach AC repair is easily forgotten and taken for granted. We frequently simply want these things to work with no consideration of what is necessary to keep them running at peak efficiency. The truth is that an annual inspection and routine maintenance can vastly extend the life and usefulness of an air conditioner.

This need not happen if you know some basic facts about air conditioners and how to properly maintain them. Let air conditioning repairs be done on the most complex of things, for example, if the system needs refrigerant because of low levels due to a leak. The detection of the leak and the handling of the refrigerant are best left to professionals.

What you have inside your room is called the evaporator of the air conditioning unit. This is where the cool air comes from. In front of the evaporator, there is an air filter. As the name implies, it filters dust and other particles from the air before the air enters the unit. The most basic maintenance you can do is to clean this filter regularly. The occurrence of this task depends on how often the unit is used. To be safe, cleaning the filters should be done on a monthly basis. Running water will do. Typically, air conditioner manuals have instructions on how to properly maintain the filter. It is best to consult the manual if ever there are special instructions on how to do so.

Your professional also recommends having no obstructions in the path where the air is coming out of the unit. In fact, this is also true for air coming into the unit. There should be a complete, unimpeded air flow to the air conditioner. Any blockage to this flow will result in a decreased performance leading to air not being cooled and even icing of the evaporator.

On the outside, this is where you are likely to find the other two main components of an air conditioner. These are the compressor and the condenser. The former is the heart of the system which pumps refrigerant throughout the unit. It is this flow that gives the air conditioner its cooling ability. If this flow is restricted, cooling is affected. The latter is where the heat taken by air from your room is taken out into the surroundings. If you have tried to put your hand into the air coming out of the condenser, you will notice that it is hot. It should be. If not, then there are problems to the unit. Problems to these two units usually require air conditioning repairs.

There is not much maintenance you can do to these two units outside except to ensure that there are no restrictions to the air flow of the condenser and that its coils are clean. If you want to be sure, give us a call.

Part of having a healthy home environment is being able to breathe clean air. While you might assume that the air in your home is much better to breathe than outside air, this is not always the case. In fact, many homes contain harmful pollutants. Making sure that the quality of air in your home is good should be one of your top priorities. Clean air in your home will help keep you and your family healthy.

The Causes of Poor Air Quality

Almost everything that you do in your home can lead to some form of indoor air pollution. No matter whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or playing with your pets, these activities can lower the quality of the air in your home and cause you to experience serious health issues. Over time, contaminants like pet dander, VOCs, radon, and mold can accumulate in your home, lowering the quality of the air and posing a big health risk to everyone who resides there. You and your loved ones might experience anything from minor eye or throat irritation to more serious respiratory infections and illnesses, so it’s important that you keep an eye on the quality of the air in your home.

Who Is Affected by Poor Air Quality

Although anyone can be affected by contaminants in the air, there are certain individuals who may be at more of a risk. Children and senior citizens will be in greater danger due to the fact that their immune systems aren’t particularly strong. Also, anyone who has asthma or allergy problems may also be affected more seriously by poor air quality. Instead of allowing your loved ones to suffer, you should make sure that your air conditioners and all of your other heating and cooling systems are working properly as well as checking for air quality issues. If there is a problem with one of your systems, then this can lead to a decline in the quality of air in your home. Getting your air conditioners, furnaces, and other systems checked regularly is a good way to keep your home at an acceptable level.

Indoor Air Quality Testing

In order to keep the air in your home clean and healthy, it’s a good idea for you to get it tested from time to time. This testing can help to determine whether or not the air in your home is safe. If you contact professional home air quality testers, you’ll be able to pinpoint the problems in your home and address them. It may turn out that you simply need new filters for your heating and cooling systems, or you may need more complicated procedures, such as Virginia Beach furnace repair or air conditioning repair. Sometimes, all it takes is a problem with one system to reduce the quality of air in your home, so getting timely furnace repair or repairs for your other HVAC systems can really help keep your home at a good level. No matter what the problem is, you can count on your home air quality testers to help you find the right solutions that will make your home a healthier place for you and your loved ones to spend time.

Furnace rebates

At first sight, it may seem odd that any commercial organization would offer incentives to consumers who will be buying less of their product, so it is necessary to understand the background to the situation. Although energy companies make their money by selling electricity and are happy to do so, they do not have an infinite supply which they can sell. To sell more, the infrastructure needs to be developed to cope with the increasing load. This takes money, and in any case energy suppliers are always under constant pressure from environmentalists to do something about the consequences of energy consumption upon the environment.

Furnaces used in Virginia Beach domestic properties can use a lot of power, depending on how often they are used and for how long. If you use your furnace a lot, there will be more of a case for upgrading it immediately to one which will use less power. There is inevitably a considerable cash outlay in replacing any major piece of equipment, and this is always the major deterrent to buying anything new. Even if the existing equipment is malfunctioning and definitely needs replacing, the temptation is to buy used equipment to save capital outlay. This is no use to the fuel supplier or the government, as the used equipment is likely to use the same amount of power as the equipment which was replaced.

Virginia Beach commercial premises that make use of furnaces can obviously save even more money as they will have far greater use. Whereas a typical residential Virginia Beach furnace may be switched on when the family needs it, a commercial furnace will usually be constantly in use during the hours of operation. The energy used per day will therefore be far greater, and there will be more obvious immediate incentive to change to an energy efficient model. Commercial furnaces can be bought with loans which can be paid back with the money saved, and the rebate will lessen the initial capital outlay.

The furnace rebates are typically applied once the new product has been bought and installed, so that the supplier can verify that the appliance meets the Energy Star standards. This means that you will need to have the full retail price of the product before you can buy it and claim the rebate. It is always better to save for this rather than borrow money, as the interest on borrowings is severe. Although you will need to use energy at the old rate until you can buy the new furnace, it will still be the cheaper option. You will then be debt free when you claim your furnace rebates.

Furnace rebates are very easy to find if you know where to look. Furnace rebates are excellent to have as companies provide customers with money back for purchasing their product. State governments may also provide furnace rebates for individuals who purchase high efficiency furnaces. So keep reading on how to find your furnace rebates.

• Check with the company or manufacturer to see if they provide furnace rebates to customers. This is the most basic step because many large companies such as the Home Depot and Lowe’s will include information on the furnace as to whether or not a furnace rebate is included.  Your Virginia Beach HVAC specialist will also be able to inform you of any available rebates.

• Do a general search online if you have already purchased a furnace and are still wondering whether or not you can get a furnace rebate. You can do this by looking on the manufacturer or the company’s website where you bought the furnace.
• Search individual websites, or blogs to find out whether or not you qualify for furnace rebates. If you are looking for government funded energy rebates on high efficiency furnaces, check with your state or local Virginia Beach government website. Be sure to have your furnace rebates signed and mailed in before their expiration period, otherwise you will not be eligible.

Article Source:  http://www.mailinrebates.org/furnace-rebates

If you are looking for a professional Virginia Beach heating contractor, then please call us today at 757-498-1323 or complete our online request form