Many homeowners are more than aware they have several responsibilities that must be performed to ensure their the longevity of their equipment and appliances such as water heater maintenance. A home is a safe haven, a place for relaxation as well as an investment. Without the proper appliances and equipment, or if these necessary components aren’t maintained, our homes lose their intrinsic quality. The majority of us have had to work very hard to own our homes, turn our houses into homes and we’ve worked hard to keep them that way. Therefore, it should go without saying, the maintenance of our equipment and appliances is just as vital as our homes themselves. The Importance of Water Heater MaintenanceWhile at times performing the crucial, routine, maintenance of the vital components that ensure our equipment operates at optimal efficiency can become mundane, we comprehend it’s necessary. Although there are numerous tasks that require attention at any given time, today we’ll be speaking of water heater maintenance. We all require water and a hot water heater requires maintenance to ensure it’s performing at maximum efficiency. Performing this essential task will increase its lifespan, decrease utility bills and ensure there are no safety issues that need to be addressed. As long as routine maintenance is continually performed, you can rest assured this appliance is operating optimally. In order to better assist you, regarding water heater maintenance, we’ve compiled the necessary information to perform this function yourself, prior to requiring an unexpected repair, replacement or worse, safety issues. To simplify the process, we’ve created a checklist and recommend following it in order. So, allow us to begin! 1. Inspect your water heater pressure relief valve.If you’re unfamiliar with your water heater and don’t know what, or where, the pressure relief valve is, allow us to divulge. A pressure relief valve is a safety device utilized to control the pressure that builds up and occurs in appliances such as the hot water heater. This is due to the equipment transforming cold water into hot water which causes expansion within the tank. This small device is critical to the safety of you and your home, as extreme damage (explosion) may occur if this device is faulty. Generally, these relief valves are located atop your hot water heater or near the top and appear as a lever or switch. To inspect this element, simply lightly lift the valve. Water will emerge, so don’t be alarmed, that’s a good thing and if your discharge pipe (connected to the valve) doesn’t flow to a drain pipe or outside, place a bucket underneath the pipe to collect the water. This valve, when in proper working order, will perform this function automatically as pressure rises. If this crucial component isn’t releasing water, it needs to be replaced immediately and you must turn the unit off until this takes place. Either you may replace it, though we recommend calling a professional plumber in case there are further issues which have caused the pressure relief valve to fail. Your safety is our number one concern and it’s better to be safe than sorry. 2. Ensure your water heater thermostat is set at the correct temperature.Your water heater is equipped with a thermostat, which controls the temperature of the water that your water heater emits – another important aspect of Water Heater Maintenance. In most circumstances, this thermostat is covered with a piece of sheet metal, secured by two screws and never changes from installation. However, by chance, especially if you have children or guests (especially during the holidays) the temperature may have been changed. Either way, as it correlates with the function of your pressure relief valve, saves energy and ensures the desired temperature is being achieved. We recommend checking that the thermostat is set at the proper temperature, especially if you notice any changes in water temperature, yet more importantly as part of your water heater maintenance checklist. Simply remove the thermostat cover and observe the setting. It should be set at your water heater manufacturer’s recommendation located in the manual. This is typically 120 degrees and is also recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, if you’ve noticed a decrease in water temperature or an increase, this is an indication that there may be a larger issue and you should contact a professional as soon as possible. 3. Drain your water heater yearly.Ensure the gas or electricity that supplies the water heater is off! Proceed to turn on a hot water faucet somewhere in your home, we recommend the bath due to the amount that flows and its capacity, for 10-15 minutes. Performing this allows the hot water to drain while cool water pumps back in the water heater, effectively cooling the water and making it safe to handle. Now, turn the main water valve off and proceed to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank. Ensure the drain isn’t clogged, if it is, consider utilizing tools to unclog it enough to allow water to flow. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and allow the water to flow through the hose outside or to your floor drain, utilizing a colander or some other tool to collect any debris from clogging your drain. Drain once or more, if required or wanted, by turning the water back on, allowing the water to run through your water heater and hose until it’s clear. When you have completed this process to your satisfaction, replace the drain cover, refill your water heater and turn the electric or gas back on. Never, allow your water heater to be on until it is completely filled. Doing so will result in damage to your water heater. You may also skip the cooling process, although we strongly recommend it as the water will be extremely hot and may cause burns, especially if there is built up debris. If skipping the process of debris removal as draining and flushing typically aid the removal, leave the main valve on, allowing the cool water to continue to flow throughout the tank and out of the drain. The post Importance of Water Heater Maintenance appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/importance-of-water-heater-maintenance/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/181066955789
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When you own or occupy a home, you typically have several obligations to fulfill. The majority of these obligations are to maintain as well as ensure the longevity of your home and its components. While some of these responsibilities are more suitable to be performed by the respective professionals that are trained to address any issues that may be present, there are numerous actions you can execute yourself. Performing essential obligations on your home’s equipment yourself will not only save you money, but it will also assist you in becoming more familiar as well as knowledgeable with the equipment. Furthermore, this will provide you with the confidence and experience required, should you need to continually execute the process regularly. Flushing a Hot Water Heater – How ToOne such appliance that can be maintained and requires some simple operations to be routinely performed is your hot water heater. Although there may be issues that arise requiring a professional, repair or replacement, properly maintaining your hot water heater is vital to you and your home’s safety as well as ensuring its longevity. Therefore, we’ll be assisting you with the simple process of flushing your hot water heater. Completing this task yourself, while simple, can cause negative consequences if executed improperly. Please ensure you read the following information carefully and perform the necessary steps, in order, to avoid any possible damage/harm to your hot water heater or yourself. While we’ll be informing you of the proper method, in order to better assist you, your safety is our number one priority. Whether you feel comfortable enough to perform this task on your own or rather hire a professional, it’s essential that this process occurs yearly. In doing so, you can effectively increase the lifespan of your water heater by double. This will also assist the vital appliance in performing more efficiently and.may ensure there are no other, more critical, issues taking place. Following the steps we’ll be providing, you can be certain that this method is performed properly and understand exactly why this is essential. Step 1 – Inform yourself about sediment.When there’s an increase of sediment in your water heater, you’ll typically begin to hear unusual noises such as rumbling or popping. These sounds are formed by steam bubbles making their way through the built-up sediment. If you own a gas operated water heater, the excess sediment will cause damage or untimely failure due to “hot spots” forming within the tank. Those who own an electric water heater will likely sustain damage to their heating elements, located in the lower portion of the tank, due to excess sediment. We mention this as it’s the reason flushing your hot water heater is essential, increases its lifespan and decreases utility bills. Step 2 – Gather supplies and parts.If you’ve never performed this action and have had your water heater for quite some time, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. Due to the processes involved, you’ll want to ensure you maintain the proper supplies and equipment prior to beginning. Failing to do so, may leave you with excess sediment clogging your drain valve that will be essentially impossible to close. This will leave you with a mess, odor, and leak until you acquire the materials needed. Therefore, we recommend being prepared with the necessary equipment. Ensure you obtain pliers, a garden hose, pipe wrench, and a wet vac. These materials, if you don’t already own them, are cheaper than hiring a professional and you’ll only need to purchase them once for your yearly water heater flushing. The wet vac is essential in order to thoroughly remove debris. Due to the drain valves small opening, you may need to assemble an adapter to penetrate the opening. You can easily perform this by simply measuring your drain valve as well as the wet vac hose or nozzle and purchase PVC as well as a hose to create the adapter. Many large chain home supply stores have experts ready to assist you, free of charge, with choosing the necessary components. However, they may already have a manufactured adapter for this process (simplifying, saving time and materials) and due to the several differences in water heaters, drain valves and wet vacs, there’s no single way to recommend the appropriate pieces for every model of wet vac or water heater. Furthermore, some recommend increasing the size of your drain valve and that’s one way to go about inserting the wet vac easier. However, it may void the warranty, which isn’t wise due to the plethora of issues that may occur, requiring you to cover the costs even when the manufacturer may be at fault as you altered the appliance. We want this to be a simple process and not a big project. Should your warranty no longer be applicable and you want to create a larger drain valve, the experts at large home supply stores will be able to assist you better than any site as long as you have your measurements and model numbers on hand. Step 3 – Flush the water heater!Ensure the gas or electricity that supplies the water heater is off! Proceed to turn on the hot water faucet somewhere in your home, we recommend the bath due to the amount that flows and it’s capacity, for 10-15 minutes. Performing this allows the hot water to drain while cool water pumps back in the water heater, effectively cooling the water and making it safe to handle. Now, turn the main water valve off and proceed to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank. Ensure the drain isn’t clogged, if it is, utilize your tools and materials. Attach the garden hose to the drain valve and simply allow the water to run through the hose outside or to your floor drain, utilizing a colander to collect any debris from entering your drain valve. Perform a final flush or more, if required, by turning the water back on, allowing the water to run through your hose until it’s clear and free of sediment. The post How to Flush a Water Heater appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/how-to-flush-a-water-heater/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/181066955899 When it comes to your furnace you need to be aware of how to clean it properly so that it will function properly. The biggest enemy of a furnace is dirt and dust. Having a dirty furnace will lead to wasted fuel and can drastically lower the efficiency of your furnace. All three basic components of your furnace are affected by dirt which is why cleaning is the most important step in maintaining your furnace regularly. Parts of the Furnace that Require MaintenanceThe three parts of your furnace that need to be cleaned thoroughly are the filter system, the blower and lastly the motor. At the beginning of the heating season and about once a month of continued use you should have the furnace filter replaced or cleaned. A good way to check if your filter needs to be cleaned or replaced is by removing the filter and holding up to the light. If you happen to notice that it clogged you should replace it with a new filter of the same type and size no matter how long the filter has been in use. Cleaning the Blower AssemblyBe sure to clean the blower assembly, belts and pulleys to the blower just as well as the motor housing. Cleaning your furnace’s blower is vital if it has a squirrel cage fan. This is due to the opening in this type of blower as they all to often become clogged with dirt. In order to clean your blower, you must remove the panel that covers the filter to get access to the blower or panel on the front of the furnace. This type of panel may be slip fit on hooks or can be held by a series of retaining screws. The sliding out fan units help up by screws on a track is usually how to gain access to the inside of the furnace’s blower. If the power cord to fan assembly is not long enough to allow the fan unit to slide all the way outwards you will need to disconnect the cord. the Be sure to mark the wire connection first so you will be able to remember how to reassemble the unit properly. You can use a toothbrush to clean each fan blade and the spaces in between bladed. To remove all the dirt and debris you have made loose using the toothbrush you can use a vacuum cleaner hose to get rid of all the mess. The motor has belts and pulleys included in the housing of the motor and simply wiping the housing clean will help prevent the buildup of heat within the motor. Most motors have permanent lubrication and have been sealed by the manufactures so there is no need to do anything in this area. However, there are some motors which have covered oil port just above the bearings near the motor shaft. If this is the type of motor in your furnace it needs to be lubricated yearly. You will need to apply two or three drops of 10-weight non-detergent motor oil to each port and be sure it is not the all-purpose oil and not to over lubricate. The same procedure will need to be done if the shaft of the blower has oil ports as well by being sure it is lubricated annually. Making sure your motor will be running cool is to keep it clean and clean it properly. You will most likely have to remove an access place in order to get to all the ports. If the furnace blower has grease cups opposed to oil ports you will have to remove the screw caps that cover the caps and then fill the cups with a bearing lubricant. Bearing lubricants can be found at automobile and hardware stores. Checking the Furnace BeltsWhile you are lubricating the motor you should also check the belts as well. If you see that the belts are worn or frayed you will need to replace them with new belts of the same size and type. To replace a belt you will need to use a wrench to remove the belt. Carefully loosen up the bolts with your wrench and be sure not to loosen the bolts all the way. They just need to be loose enough to move the motor in one direction slightly. Have the motor and the blower close together enough so the belt on will no longer be pulled tight and is ready to be taken off. Take the belt off by pulling around the wheel pulley and then the motor pulley. You should also inspect for any dirt or debris that may interfere with the motor or belt. When you are sure the area of where the new belt is to be placed is clean you can now place on the pulleys the motor’s side first and then the wheel side. Slightly pull the motor back and away from the blower again. The new belt should be tight but also show give about a half inch when pressure is applied. To be sure you can test by using a screwdriver to gently press on the belt in the middle of both pulleys. Once you get the motor in the position you want you can tighten the bolts back down. The next step would be to attach the panel back to the furnace, the circuit breaker can be back on if you had turned it off and then set your thermostat back to the normal settings. Once you power your furnace back up your new belt should have the motor running quietly and efficiently. Using all these methods to keep your furnace clean and well maintained will ensure to have your system running nice and smooth. If you do not do this sort of yearly inspection and cleaning of your furnace, it can lead to easily avoidable problems. For example, a system can just simply wear itself our quickly, pump carbon monoxide into your or just stop working. This is what you want to avoid and can be done just keeping your furnace clean. The post Furnance Maintance 101 appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/furnance-maintance-101/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/181063939094 Though you’ve most likely forgotten about it, your furnace is an important appliance that serves a crucial function in your home. Besides making sure that you are continued to be kept comfortable and warm throughout the winter months, keeping your furnace well–maintained can ensure fuel efficiency, saving you money on your heating bills. An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure, and full maintenance will take only a few hours, a few dollars, and a few basic tools. The Importance of a Furnace TuneupMore importantly, many warranties contain language saying that damage to units caused by improper maintenance is not covered under warranty. So how can you renovate and reinvigorate your furnace to get the most bang for your buck throughout the year? Annual Furnace Check-UpsYou should be going to the doctor at least once a year for a check-up to make sure that everything is running smoothly and that nothing is wrong. In the same vein, your furnace should get a check-up once a year to look for problems that may have arisen. This is especially true if the unit is more than ten years old. Unless you already have significant experience in working on a heating system, it’s a good idea to delegate this to a qualified technician. Additionally, to ensure safety, make sure that all of the power to the system has been turned off before doing any work on any kind of heating or cooling system. The technician should
If your furnace runs on oil or gas, it needs some extra inspection. If this is the case, your technician should also:
After the inspection, remember to turn the power back on. Ongoing Furnace MaintenanceHere are some tips on how to be a responsible homeowner and give your furnace the regular maintenance and care it needs. To get the most out of your furnace on a daily basis, ensure that you
Basic maintenance should also include cleaning other parts of your unit of debris such as dirt, which can waste fuel and lower efficiency drastically. All the main parts of the furnace -the filter system, the blower, and the motor- should be cleaned regularly. Your furnace can be a valuable tool and a great friend. Take care of yours and it’ll take care of you. It will lead to a much much happier and warmer household for you. The post The Importance of Tuning up your Furnace appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/the-importance-of-tuning-up-your-furnace/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/181063938909 Replacing the filter of your furnace is crucial to your home’s comfort and the efficiency of the system as well. If you have to think long and hard about when was the last time you have cleaned or replaced your air filter, now would be a good time to do it or at least consider it. There are several reasons why replacing the furnace’s filter is important. If you have a clogged filter you will have an inefficient system. When the filter for your furnace is clogged with grime, dirt and grime your system will have to work twice as much to move air through your home. Your energy bills will increase as well as the carbon monoxide while draining your budget. Not only do dirty air filters hurt the cost of your pockets, but they can also harm your health. With a dirty air filter, it allows dust dander and mold to circulate throughout your home. Meaning your family is susceptible to breathing in these things which can bring some health concerns worse such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory concerns. Having a clean filter is able to trap these nasty contaminants in order for your family to breathe freely. Another reason clogged filters need to be replaced is your furnace’s lifespan will be reduced significantly. When your system has to work harder in order to heat and cool your home, the result is much more than an increased amount of energy bills. It also can potentially cause your system to overheat and burn out. The stress placed on the blower and the entire unit can lead to unanticipated failure. A clogged filter is actually one of the top reasons people call when they have a system that has completely failed. It is much cheaper to replace your furnace’s filter before it is time to when an easy swap of the air filter will fix the problem. By neglecting your air filter you are causing an all too much costly mistake that could have been avoided. Although a clogged air filter does not always lead to your furnace failing it does lead to more costly maintenance. Ductwork that needs to be cleaned regularly due to dust circulating through your home or a blower that just stops working can both be avoided with simple routine air filter replacement. Surely spending your money elsewhere is more appealing than replacing and repairing parts of your furnace. This is why considering making air filter replacement a part of your usual schedule is needed. Your home will also be cleaner with a clean air filter. Having a clean air filter cuts down on the amount of dust accumulated in your home as it will not circulate through your home’s furnace. This will reduce the time spent on cleaning such as dusting and more time to spend doing the things you love to do. Most likely with all the benefits, you are now aware of you are more willing to commit yourself to change your air filter more frequently. The question now is how frequently does the filter need to be changed? This will depend on the demand actually placed on your filter and the type you use, but a good general idea is to change it every other month. The good news is that the act of replacing a filter for your furnace is a very simple job once you know what you’re doing. Meaning there are ways that you could accidentally make a mistake which could be purchasing the wrong filter for your furnace or by putting it in backward. If the air filter is placed in backward this will block the air flow instead of cleaning the air. Here are some simple steps you can use to make this an easy to do task. What filter do you currently have? You can find this out by first turning off the furnace if it is currently on. Remove the filter for your furnace located inside the furnace or inside of the return air vent. Check for an arrow on the actual filter which indicates the airflow direction. Have a permanent marker handy to draw the direction of the airflow on the outside of your furnace. This way you will always know the correct way to install the filter when needing to replace it. Take note of the filter size which will be printed on the frame made of cardboard. Now some filters that have a plastic frame opposed to cardboard indicated the frame is a reusable model. If this is the case in your situation this actually means you will have to clean it periodically by using a vacuum and water, preferably outdoors. Be sure the filter is completely dry before you reinsert it into the furnace. Now you need to get the right replacement filter for your furnace. To purchase furnace filters you will be able to find them in local home centers, hardware stores as well online. Typically the disposable filters are 1 or 2 inches thick. There is access in stores and even online to check ratings of furnace filters which is known as whole-house air filters, use this for a right-sized model that was effective at removing smoke, pollen, and dust when the air is passed through at both high and low speeds. Most places can also test the thickness of furnace filters even some up to 5 inches and they often provide superior air cleaning. However, if your furnace is not already equipped to handle a thicker type filter it would need to be modified by an HVAC professional. Now that you have purchased the new air filter for your furnace it is time to put it inside. Looks for the markings which will indicate which side of the filter should be facing the furnace. Then take the filter and slide it into place and be sure to replace any cover that goes over it. A good idea is to keep a record of the date you have changed the furnace’s air filter that way you will know exactly when you need to change the filter again. The post Why Replacing Furnace Filters is Important appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/replacing-furnace-filters/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/181030639474 When surviving the unpredictable winters that plague Manassas and the surrounding Virginia region, our furnaces are put through the works with days the coast into the 50s and drop well below freezing. You’re definitely going to want to have the most efficient settings for your heater ready to go to save on heating costs while keeping your house warm throughout the winter. Rising heating costs and soak up half of the home budget, meaning efficiency is key. Here are some high-efficiency, low-cost options to keep your home comfortable this winter. Why High-Efficiency Heating Systems?The biggest reason you should be considering high-efficiency heating systems? Simple – the long-term cost savings. With the potential to cut heating costs by nearly half, the investment in high-energy system really does pay off. Some high-efficiency systems have cut home heating costs down by a staggering 70%. When factoring efficiency, you must factor in the correct size to account for the home’s heating needs. A systems “size” is its functional capacity to create heat adequate for the target space. Your HVAC contractor can conduct a heating load calculation to tell you if your system matches your heating requirements. Finding the Right Heat Pumps for Energy EfficiencyUnless you enjoy reading up on HVAC terminology, you may not know what a heat pump is, but when it comes to efficiency in the home, the heat pump is the prime candidate. According to Dictionary.com, a heat pump is a device that transfers heat from a colder area to a hotter area by using mechanical energy, as in a refrigerator. Heat pumps are insanely efficient sometimes bringing in four times the electricity that goes into it. Heat pumps are also awesome for the mild winters we sometimes experience here in the Virginia suburbs. Along with being easy on the environment, the configuration of heat pump uses less energy while still providing large amounts of heating, and since they don’t burn substance to generate heat, they produce no harmful gases. This also means they don’t generate dangerous carbon monoxide, a potential danger in every homeowner’s mind. Air Source Heat PumpsWhen considering heat pumps for home efficiency, it’s important to note the types which include two main types of heat pumps – air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps. “Air-source heat pumps capture heat from and release heat into the air surrounding the equipment. When cooling, the systems use the heat-exchange properties of refrigerant to remove heat from the air around the indoor air handler/evaporator coil and transfer it outside, where it’s released into the outdoor air.“ Liquid refrigerant is circulated between the outdoor and indoor units of each heat pump changing the state of the liquid to gas and back to liquid again. Here’s where the magic happens – once the refrigerant enters its gaseous state, it absorbs the surrounding heat and travels into your home where it converts back to a liquid and releases the heat into your home. Viola – you’re living in an energy efficient, warm home. Geothermal Heat PumpsGeothermal heat pump works very similarly to air source pumps, but rather than the air, they use the soil under your home or a nearby water source. Initially, geothermal heating equipment can be associated with a higher price tag, but you’ll be glad you forked out the big bucks when your heating bills drop by up to 70%. Geothermal equipment called loops are buried below the home deep in the soil that hovers in the 50 – 60-degree ranges gathering and release heat to and from the home. Geothermal provides the most in energy efficient heating and typically cover their initial investment costs after about 5 years through energy savings. The post Consider Energy Efficient Heat Pumps for your Heating System appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/consider-energy-efficient-heat-pumps-for-your-heating-system/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/180055197409 If you’re hiring any kind of home improvement professional, it’s vitally important to hire the ones with the right certification, accreditation, and licensure. “But, these guys are cheaper and they seem nice!” or “But they have pretty good online reviews!” They may be, and you could hire them and not have any issues, but is your home and your family members worth the risk of hiring an unlicensed HVAC tech? Our vote – absolutely not. 3 Reason to Hire a Licensed HVAC ContractorWould you hire an unlicensed doctor to remove your appendix or an unlicensed home builder to construct your new addition? The same goes for your expensive HVAC system. Having the correct licenses to work within a designated industry is more than just having a piece of paper with some numbers on it. Types of HVAC Contractor LicensesHVAC licenses vary by state, and since we’re a Virginia HVAC Contractor, let’s focus on the type of licenses for Virginia heating and air conditioning repair companies.
Licensed HVAC Contractors means KnowledgeLicensing means understanding codes and industry regulations as it related to home heating and air conditioning, and ventilation. Having an industry recognized license also means the contractor maintains ongoing education credit and certifications integral to providing homeowners with the latest, greatest and safest means of installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC equipment in your home. HVAC Contractors with Licensure means Bonded and InsuredSomething can always go wrong – it’s Murphy’s Law, right? Which is why we have to plan for the worst. And it’s another reason why hiring a licensed contractor is the right move. As we mentioned, a contractor with a license has to provide proof of insurance including workers compensation insurance. This means that should the worst happen in your Manassas home, you’re protected. Did you know hiring a company without workers compensation insurance means you could be liable for accidents that happen on your property even if you paid the company for services rendered? Hiring a Licensed HVAC Contractor can Save You MoneyWhen you’re well versed in the industry knowledge around heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, you know how to save your clients money through efficient use of negative pressure, positive pressure, and airflow. If your contractor is operating according to old knowledge, your low quote may mean high costs down the road when small problems have grown into big problems. When it comes to hiring an HVAC contractor to install and maintain your heaters, boilers, and AC units, going with licensed mean peace of mind, safety, and long-term reliability. The post 3 Reasons You Should Hire a Licensed Virginia HVAC Contractor appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/3-reasons-you-should-hire-a-licensed-virginia-hvac-contractor/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/180044994519 Hey – we make mistakes, we’re human, right? Well, the HVAC industry is no exception. Comprised of humans like us, sometimes HVAC contractors tend to have a few hiccups, but there are some major ones you should look out for when hiring an HVAC contractor. 5 Mistakes Made by HVAC ContractorsIn the article written by Energy Vanguard’s Allison Bailes, they cover some of the top snafus made by heating and air conditioning techs and we’re going to go through the top five today. While not all HVAC contractors make these mistakes (ahem – KCS Heating and Air), a lot do so it’s important to keep a homeowner lookout on these common mistakes. Combustion SafetyA lot of the time when HVAC contractors get calls about carbon monoxide, they immediately check the furnace for cracks and if nothing is found, chock it up to a false alarm, replace the carbon monoxide detector batteries and go on their merry way; however, this has the propensity to leave the homeowners in a dangerous situation if it truly wasn’t a false alarm. “The problem is that most HVAC contractors don’t know much about backdrafting of combustion appliances. Nor do they test for it.” As an HVAC contractor, they should be testing for gases and depressurization when it comes to responding to carbon monoxide calls. HVAC professionals should take these precautions lest they are met with a phone call the next day at the homeowners are in the hospital suffering from CO2 poisoning. Ignoring Air FlowWhen it comes to HVAC, airflow is everything but it’s also really not understood well by most HVAC contractors. Ductwork is often the wrong size for the home leaving inefficiencies and leaks. If HVAC contractors truly understood airflow, most ductwork systems would be much larger than they are. “Mike MacFarland of Energy Docs, an HVAC contractor in California, told me last year at Building Science Summer Camp that he pretty much never does a system changeout without also doing a duct changeout. Why? Because he knows that the existing ductwork, even if it’s relatively new, probably wasn’t sized right, is too leaky, and would lead to more trouble and expense than just starting over.“ Ignoring Home PerformanceHVAC contractors find themselves in crevasses, crawl spaces, and attics of homes yet fail to advise the homeowner on possible performance upgrades like insulation and air sealing, yet often it’s never mentioned to the homeowner. In the world of “home comfort,” it seems like a lot of heating and air conditioning contractors forget the latter word, even though it would benefit not only their business but the living conditions of those in the home. HAC – Forget the VOften in the wild world of home comfort, we focus on heating and air conditioning, but ventilation finds a backseat to furnaces and AC units. With new construction codes requiring homes to be built tighter than ever, ventilation is nearly a requirement of all HVAC professionals in order to correctly move air throughout the space. From measuring air flow to negative and positive pressure, and pressure balance, if your HVAC contractor doesn’t understand ventilation, you need a new contractor stat. HVAC Math Problems cause ProblemsNot understanding HVAC math can equal big problems for homeowners. With the constantly changing technology in the HVAC world, “the way things were” mentality has got to go. HVAC systems are so different now and as such, the math and mentality towards them must also change. Calculating heat loss and gain vary depending on the system, the home size, and other things. “HVAC systems are complex technology. If you’re relying on rules of thumb or doing things the way you’ve always done them, then you’re not serving your customers well.” When it comes to the world of HVAC, mistakes can happen, but the ones listed above are more than just simple mistakes, their incorrectly understanding the HVAC world as it is today. When selecting your HVAC contractor, it’s important to keep an eye out for these common mistakes and choose a contractor who you feel comfortable in making your home comfortable. The post 5 Biggest Mistakes HVAC Contractors Make appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/5-biggest-mistakes-hvac-contractors-make/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/180037902559 Many homeowners, new or old, find themselves asking “How often should I expect to replace my air conditioner and furnace?” Some dread the thought of the costs associated with purchasing a new air conditioner and furnace along with hiring a professional to install it properly. This information is imperative since you want to replace it while you have the funds, not when one or both quit working out of nowhere and you don’t have the funds. This would put most in a situation they’d rather not be in, such as having to take out a loan, borrow from friends or family, deduct from savings, or worse, not be able to make the necessary purchase and afford the installation. Don’t worry, however: in this article, we’ll go over some basic advice to avoid these situations. First, you’re not alone. These are some of the most enduring questions in all of HVAC contracting. When should a customer repair aging equipment, and when should one replace the entire system? The many advancements in technology have prolonged the life cycle of almost every product in the industry, while at the same time it’s creating a need to replace equipment more often in order to take advantage of the most efficient systems available in the marketplace. As efficiencies increase, operational costs decrease, and homeowners become more aware of the importance of HVAC equipment, a growing variance has emerged between the life expectancy of equipment according to contractors and the customer’s expectations of their equipment. HOW LONG SHOULD A SYSTEM LAST? According to Climate Control Technologies in Glendale, California, there are many factors that go into determining how long a system should last. It varies based on run-time hours per day, proximity to corrosive contaminants, how well the equipment has been maintained, whether any major repairs or retrofits have been made, and whether the equipment services mission-critical spaces and can’t afford to break, according to professionals in the field. Based on these variables, they see a lifetime range of 10-30 years, with 20 years being the average. There are also differences depending on exactly which piece of equipment is being considered. As a consumer and professional, I expect furnaces to last 20 years, said one professional in the field. Air conditioning units, because they are outdoors and subject to the mercy of the weather, typically have shorter life expectancies of 15 years. Most professionals agree their definition of ‘end of life’ for any appliance is when the equipment has been in operation for more than two-thirds of its expected life and is in need of repairs that exceed 25 percent of the full replacement cost of a new unit. Additionally, if repair parts are no longer available or some component, such as refrigerant, has or will become obsolete, as it has in the past, the equipment most likely will need replacement. A properly installed and sized heat pump/cooling system with minimal maintenance should last 15-20 years. According to professionals in the field, gas furnaces should last even longer. Gas furnaces that are properly sized and installed with little maintenance should last 20-30 years. Oversized equipment is going to fail sooner. The application, sizing, and maintenance are all major factors for how long a system is going to last. Additionally, there are many other factors that should be considered. Homeowner behavior has an effect, as well. Are they frequently opening the door to the outside? Is the thermostat continually being changed? Environmental issues, such as salt air near coastlines or the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) introduced to the indoor air via air fresheners, personal hygiene products, scented laundry products, etc., all play a role in the equipment’s performance and life expectancy. So be sure you have the properly sized equipment for your home. Bigger is not always better, especially in this case. A lot of issues arise from the on-off cycling. For air conditioning, the start-up period is the hardest for the compressor. Lubrication is not as good at as it was when first purchased, and some oil that gets pumped out takes time to return. Initial electrical current is high for most motors, other than the newer, electronically controlled ones, where the controls prevent this. For furnaces, the temperature extreme differences between off and on cause expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger, which places more stress on it. So, technicians tend to look more at cycling, starting and stopping, as a factor that could shorten the equipment’s life. Proper sizing is critical due to this effect on cycling. Units with newer components and controls may last longer because of this — if their electronics last. HVACR systems are harsh environments for electronics. COASTAL RESIDENTS While determining the best estimate for life expectancy for systems is difficult enough on its own, the issue is further exacerbated when the location is taken into account. In a coastal/subtropical environment, there’s a much shorter lifespan due to the variety of particulates from saltwater, sulfur, and chemicals used when the residential communities were once tomato fields and orange groves, according to many professionals in that area “We tend to see eight to 14 years, depending on where the home sits and how well the system is taken care of. We must also factor in that we cool for 2,800-3,000 hours a year and the miles add up quickly. Unfortunately, for techs, plenty of their customers are from up North and they have the same expectations for their a/c systems down here.” Said one company in Florida. The expectations in Northern states and Canada are definitely much longer than many in the Southern U.S. Canadian HVAC owner, said he has many clients with original high-efficiency furnaces that are 30-33 years old and air conditioners that are 30-40 years old or older. They see many furnaces and air conditioners that are seven to 10 years old and are no longer operational,” he continued to say. “The utility uses a life expectancy of 16-20 years. Our clients can proudly say theirs is almost double that. Doing it right always pays.” DISCUSSING THE DISCONNECT Even if, and when, contractors give customers an honest assessment of how long they can expect a piece of equipment to reasonably last, many tend to push those limits to the max. Differences also exist between different generations of customers. “Folks older than 45 tend to think things should last longer,” said one professional. “This group would say 20 and 15 years, just as I did. Consumers under 35 are more accustomed to buying things more often. This group would expect furnaces and air conditioning units to last 12-15 years. For those between 35 and 50, it depends on how they were raised. The more conservative group has longer life expectations. The older group tends to take better care of things and expects them to serve their needs longer. The younger group tends to take things for granted until they no longer function and then use credit to replace them.” A sales representative from Minnesota, believes customers generally feel like a system will last 10 years longer than the factory warranty calls for. “As heating contractors, we will install and reinstall the parts to keep it running,” he said. “And, yes, we explain the value of buying new instead of putting money into such an old piece of equipment during every visit. Still, only the equipment owner has the true answer to how long equipment will last.” All owners, professionals, technicians agree and believe consistent maintenance has a substantial impact on a piece of equipment’s life cycle. And, when it comes to maintenance, they believe quality always beats quantity. Proper and complete testing and checking could easily increase the life expectancy by 25 percent or more. Some compare it all to keeping a vehicle on the road for years at a time. Keeping things clean and charged will always prolong the life of the equipment, just like it would for your vehicle. Vehicle owners choose their mechanics carefully, and they should do the same when it comes to their HVAC equipment. As you can see, there are many factors that can determine the life expectancy of your air conditioner and furnace. Environmental factors and regular maintenance place a large role on when you should expect to replace them. Furthermore, there’s a lot of fraud involved. When going for maintenance, always check reviews, and the rates of competitors to avoid being massively stiffed. If your equipment is several years past its prime, yet still appears to be running fine, understand that it may go out at any time due to an unforeseen reason. The next piece of equipment you purchase, try to get one that’s best suited for your area, needs and uses. After all, who wouldn’t want to save themselves time and money? The post How Often Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner and Furnace? appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/how-often-should-you-replace-your-air-conditioner-and-furnace/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/179847702379 As we get into summer, and as air conditioners across the world again get fired up, HVAC companies will get hundreds of phone calls from customers whose A/C’s won’t keep up. A very common diagnosis for air conditioners that can’t keep up is low refrigeration. Before you give the go head to your HVAC professional to “charge” the system, which is the term used to refill to the appropriate level, there are a few things you need to know. One of the things you need to know, and many people ask is what is Freon and what its purpose is in an air conditioner. First, Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that has been linked to ozone depletion, so it has quickly been phased out of use. Since 2015, it has been illegal to use Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), including the ozone-depleting refrigerant gas R22, in refrigeration, heat pump and air conditioning (AC) systems. R22 is commonly used in AC systems predating 2004 and its ban has had a major effect on air-conditioning costs. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should or need to go out and buy new HVAC equipment right away. Unless, of course, you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, have equipment that contains the refrigerant known as Freon, and are concerned if your equipment will be compatible with new refrigerant that meets federal guidelines, which a professional should be able to inform you of over the phone. We are providing you with a short history of Freon and what has happened to its use, so that you may better understand how to determine the best course of action with your air conditioning units. The History of FreonCFCs were first synthesized in the 1890s, however, they were extremely dangerous and flammable. In the 1920s, another team was formed by General Motors to find a safer alternative that was more stable and nontoxic. Frigidaire, a division of GM, received the patent for a refrigerating apparatus. In 1930, GM and DuPont came together and formed Kinetic Chemicals to produce Freon. Freon is a colorless gas that is also known as R-22. Dupont trademarked the name Freon. CFCs have been used in refrigeration and aerosol cans for many years, but in 1974, a researcher at the University of California hypothesized that CFCs were destroying the ozone layer. It took years of research by the National Academy of Science, but eventually, the United States banned the use of CFCs in aerosol cans. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol, which is an international environmental agreement, established the phase-out of CFCs. Not only does Freon itself harm the ozone layer, but the manufacturing of Freon releases another product into the atmosphere. This gas, called HFC-23, is also harmful and contributes to global warming. Although Freon is highly restricted and regulated in its use, older appliances still use and release this harmful gas. Some people have even used this compound to “huff.” Inhaling Freon produces a high that is similar to what is felt from drinking alcohol, and doing so can freeze the lungs or cause brain damage. This is another lesser known reason why the refrigerant has been banned along with other HCFC’s. Things you need to know About Air Conditioning Freon1) Know what kind of refrigerant your air conditioner or heat pump uses and how low it is.R22, which is commonly known as freon, was the most prominent refrigerant in use until a few years ago when the EPA mandated production be stopped. In its place, R410a (Puron) refrigerant has taken over as the primary refrigeration used. Once you know the type, the HVAC professional should be able to give at least a range of estimate on how the system is on refrigerant. 2) Why is my refrigerant low?Air conditioners and heat pumps are closed loops systems. Unlike gas in your car, refrigeration doesn’t just disappear over time. If your system is low causing a lack of cooling, there is likely a leak in the system. 3) To leak test or not?Knowing that your system has a leak, there are two ways to go about repairing. If you’ve never had the refrigerant recharged on your system, you can do so without a leak test. Depending on the age and condition of your air conditioning, your system might have a slow leak which may be able to hold the new refrigerant. However, if you’ve already had refrigerant added in the past or are concerned that the leak is more significant, a leak test is required before adding any additional refrigerant. 4) What kind of leak test will be done?Everyone has their opinion on which leak test is the best, but many times the technician on site will offer up an opinion on which he thinks will identify your issue in the most cost-effective way. There are devices that detect refrigerant that is out of the system, that a technician can run along joints and coils of the A/C system. We can evacuation the system and put it under high-pressure nitrogen test, where the joints, coils and other problem areas are coated in soap bubbles to detect air leakage. There are additional tests outlined by the EPA here, which meet their high standards. The bottom line is that your HVAC professional should detail the type of test and cost before proceeding. 5) Where’s the leak and how much is the repair?Depending on what the leak test shows there are really two distinct directions. It is likely an easy fix in a visible joint or valve that can quickly be repaired, or it’s something more significant in the evaporator or condenser coil. The former because of the limited expense is an easy go-ahead if it’s an R410a system. If you are dealing with a coil and an R22 system, you should probably discuss the replacement of the full system because of the significant expense of both the equipment and refrigerant. Knowing these things will assist you in making the appropriate decision, and taking the best action concerning your HVAC equipment. At the very least, you’re a certified air conditioner freon expert! The post What is Air Conditioner Freon Anyways? appeared first on KCS Heating and Air. from https://www.kcsheatingair.com/what-is-air-conditioner-freon-anyways/ from https://kcsheatingandair.tumblr.com/post/179841054934 |