Spring Cleaning Your HVAC System

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Spring has sprung! There are birds chirping, warm breezes… and pollen in the air! Accompanying the warmer temps and colorful flowers is everyone’s least favorite part of the season — pollen — and with it comes allergies. By taking care of your home’s HVAC system you can ensure that the dreaded pollen stays outside, and you can breathe carefree inside. Plus, it’s always good to inspect your HVAC system at the start of any season. Preventative care now can eliminate more costly repair bills down the road!

Check out these tips for keeping your home pollen-free this season.

– Use the correct air filter. Typical air conditioner filters are designed to keep debris and large dirt particles out of the equipment and are not meant to keep plant spores out of your lungs. A high-energy particulate air filter (HEPA filter) will remove allergens from your home. For maximum effectiveness, change your filter every other month. Switch it out more often if you are located in an area with high pollen counts.

– Contact Us to Install a Whole-house UV Air Purification System. If anyone in your family suffers from severe allergies or has breathing issues, we offer a solution that can dramatically improve your indoor air quality. Our licensed installers can add a whole-house UV Air Purification System to your existing system to help eliminate harmful contaminants and improve the air in your home. Contact us today for complete details.

– Make sure your ducts are cleaned out. Pollen, dust, and debris can accumulate in your ventilation, cooling, and heating ducts over time. As air flows around your home, these contaminants also circulate. To keep your home pollen free and improve the air quality, make sure you have your air ducts cleaned out regularly.

– Check that your ductwork is properly sealed. If there are holes in your duct system, allergens and dust can easily invade the air in your home. Thoroughly sealing your ducts will prevent pollen from infiltrating your home’s ventilation system. Plus, build-up in your ducts can add up to 30% to your cooling bill.

– Consider a whole house humidifier. Humidifiers are designed to improve air quality in your home and can help minimize the effects of air particles, such as pollen, that get inside. These particles often need dry conditions to thrive and moisture in the air helps to eliminate them.

– Signup for our Annual Maintenance Contract. Did you know that having a professional service your unit 2 times a year can DOUBLE THE LIFE of your heating and air system? That’s a huge savings on your original investment, and can help minimize major service calls or break downs. Contact us today for complete details.

Clean ducts and air filters allow your HVAC system to run efficiently, decreasing energy costs and preventing your unit from failing prematurely. To avoid low air quality and extra costs this season, be sure to proactively contact your HVAC technician to pollen-proof your home. Remember – just because you can’t see airborne materials, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. Contact us today for more information or an on-site consultation.

Apex Heating and Air - Spring HVAC System Prep

Is Your Heat Pump Prepared for Spring?

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With snow on the ground and cold weather still ahead in the forecast, you may not be putting much thought into warmer months. But it’s not too early to starting looking ahead to Spring. Follow these spring cleaning maintenance tips to smoothly transition your HVAC system into the next season and help to reduce energy costs.

  • Check the air filters: Changing the air filters is a simple fix and something that you should do at least once a season if not more. Clogged filters can increase energy costs by 15% or more and damage your system as it struggles to function. Swapping them out or cleaning them will also help to improve air quality and reduce allergens in your home, such as mold and dust.
  • Do some yard work: Clear sticks, branches, leaves, grass clippings, and other debris away from your outside unit. This will help to promote airflow and reduce damage to your system.
  • Examine the unit: While you are at it, inspect your outdoor unit for any damage that may have occurred over the winter, such as dented or missing panels. These panels are intended to protect you and the system, so be sure to notify your technician if there is a problem especially if electrical components are composed. If it’s safe to do so, you should also go ahead and hose down your unit to remove dirt and grime.
  • Inspect the ducts: Turn on your system and listen for unusual sounds, such as grinding, clicking, or rattling. These noises could indicate loose or leaky ducts, a frayed belt, or issues with the motor. Duct cleaning can also reduce the amount of wear and tear on your system and promote air flow.
  • Schedule a tune-up: While there are definitely preventative steps the homeowner can take, it’s important to also call in a professional. A certified technician will examine ducts for leaks, check refrigerant levels, lubricate unit components, inspect electrical connections, clean coils, and more.

Lastly, be sure to contact your HVAC technician to sign-up for an annual seasonal maintenance contract. Regular HVAC preventive maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation, peak performance, and priority during peak times and discounts off parts/labor.

Following these tips will extend the life of your unit and reduce monthly energy costs. Don’t hesitate to contact us for additional information!

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7 Hot Heating Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

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Before the winter cold sets in, ideally in advance of that first hard snow, it’s important to make sure that that your furnace is operating safely and effectively. And your wallet will surely thank you for taking these dollar-saving energy efficiency-increasing measures.

  1. Flip your thermostat: Believe it or not, it’s easier than you think to forget this simple task. The fall weather fluctuates between scorching and chilly on a daily basis, you get caught up in end-of-year festivities, and before you know it, you are still cooling when you should be heating. While you are at it, make sure that your thermostat is still functioning correctly. When you turn it on, listen and make sure the system starts running immediately. And it should go without saying to test the system well in advance of needing heat regularly.
  1. Change your filters: Replacing your filters is something that should be performed seasonally, at a minimum, if not monthly. It’s a quick and easy task that can go a long way in preserving the life of your HVAC system. Failure to do so can result in a clogged filter, which reduces airflow so that your system has to work harder (thus increasing your utility bill) and decreases air quality.
  2. Clean the chimney: If you use your fireplace during the winter season, inspecting your chimney is an absolute must. If there is an obstruction or buildup of soot, you risk carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly. And don’t forget, gas fireplaces need inspected as well.
  1. Check the cracks: Cold drafts coming in from doors and windows mean heat is also leaking out. In fact, industry estimates show that approximately 10% of a home’s heat loss occurs in these areas. Consider easy upgrades to conserve energy, such as weather stripping, caulking, and even heavy drapes.
  1. Test your carbon monoxide detectors: Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless gas that is impossible to detect on your own. For your family’s safety, it is absolutely imperative to test your detectors and make sure they are working properly.
  1. Clear the area around your furnace: Don’t turn your furnace area into a storage area! Remove objects from around the furnace and on top of or in front of air vents, especially those that are flammable. And certainly never store items such as lawn mowers, gas-powered tools, and paints nearby!
  1. Get a tune-up! An annual tune-up on your furnace will ensure your system is in perfect working condition and operating at peak performance. Our qualified technicians will check and clean burners, check all safety controls, check all venting and terminations, check for loose or frayed wires, look for leaks or deterioration, and more! Schedule an appointment today!And remember: if you aren’t familiar with how your heating system works or are unsure, always contact a professional.