Monday, April 15, 2019

Best Ways To Prepare Your HVAC System For Spring

central air conditionerSince summer is approaching quickly, this would be an ideal time to schedule maintenance of the HVAC system in your home.

During the summer, you will probably use the air conditioner a lot. That means your HVAC system needs to be ready to cope with dander, pollen, and other pollutants in the air. It is best to schedule maintenance procedures in spring to have your HVAC system performing optimally during the warm summer months.

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AC Tune-Up Camden County NJ: How To Prepare Your HVAC System For Spring

Here you will find great tips that will help keep your HVAC system performing correctly in spring and throughout the year.

Use Top Quality Air Filters In Your HVAC System

Your air filter is an essential factor in preventing dirty air in your home. If the air filter is clogged, this will increase the level of pollutants in the air inside your house. You will get cleaner air in your home if you use high-quality filters in your system, mainly if you purchase the pleated air filters that have an electrostatic charge. This type of air filter can grab very tiny particles out of the air. This aspect will ensure that the air circulating in your home is clean and free of bacteria.

Also, when you have a clean air filter, you will reduce your energy bills. An HVAC system has to work very hard and use more energy if the filters are clogged. By using a clean filter, you will pay less for the power to run your HVAC system.

Check The Filter On Your HVAC System Monthly

dirty HVAC filterThe standard rule for HVAC systems is that you can go 90 days before changing your air filter. However, that is a general rule and does not apply to all homes. Homes that are located in a dusty area, have pets, or other factors will need to change their filter more frequently.

By checking it every month, you will ensure that the air in your home is clean. Using the HVAC system a lot can cause the filters to become clogged, which will mean that you should change the filters when they are dirty.

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Clean Up Debris Near Your Air Conditioner And Heat Pump

During winter months, the area around an AC unit and heat pump can become cluttered with branches and leaves as well as other types of debris. If you want to ensure your HVAC system works efficiently, be sure to clean up the area near these units.

Keeping the area clean will also keep the inside of the AC units and pumps free of accumulating debris such as insects and more. Be sure to clear at least two feet around the units. This will also help when technicians need access to do their maintenance.

A Programmable Thermostat Will Save You Money On Energy Bills

If you want to customize the air temperature within your home, you will find it helpful to install a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat can help you save on energy costs because you can set it to change at various times during the day, or depending on whether anyone is at home. The cost of a programmable thermostat is recovered in a few short months due to savings on energy costs.

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Contact A HVAC Professional To Carry Out An Air Conditioner Tune-Up

AC tune-up in a residential homeRegular air conditioner maintenance ensures that small problems don’t turn into major issues and will help your lower energy bills. A yearly AC tune-up will also keep the air in your home cleaner and healthier. This aspect is particularly important if any members of your family have a sensitivity to pollen, dirt, or air pollution.

An HVAC professional will also inspect your ducts to be sure you don’t have cracks or gaps in the ductwork. A licensed HVAC technician will check that the units are working properly and will check for any electrical wires that may be exposed. They can also test and inspect the capacitors. The technician will clean out the system and lubricate moving parts. These tasks help to make your system work properly and safely. It will help your family feel comfortable in the home even when outside temperatures climb.

Proper maintenance by the homeowner helps to ensure the efficiency of the HVAC system. However, you still need to have the system maintained by professionals because some of the repairs and maintenance can only be carried out by a trained technician. A spring AC tune-up done by a professional HVAC contractor will ensure that the air within your home is clean and free of bacteria.

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In Conclusion

Get your home ready for the coming spring and summer months by ensuring that the HVAC system is working correctly. Call an HVAC professional today to arrange for system maintenance.

To service your air conditioner, call McAllister Energy and schedule a maintenance appointment.

The technicians at McAllister Energy know how to get your air conditioner running efficiently while ensuring the environment in your home is comfortable. Your air conditioning costs will be lower by using our AC maintenance services.

Each technician works from a checklist to ensure that your air conditioner is working efficiently in the summer. We offer affordable HVAC services, and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Call McAllister Energy now for an appointment.

Call Now: (856) 665-4545

Some of the areas that we service include Camden, Collingswood, Gloucester City, Oaklyn and these zip codes 08101, 08108, 08030, 08107 as well as all surrounding areas in Camden County, New Jersey.

Call us today, so that we can help you with all of your home HVAC needs. We offer in-home free estimates. To learn more, call us at (856) 665-4545 or click here to get in touch with us.

The post Best Ways To Prepare Your HVAC System For Spring appeared first on McAllister Energy.

Monday, April 8, 2019

How To Manage Dry Air In Your Home

allergiesThere is a straightforward reason why winter brings on dry air: whenever temperatures are low, humidity levels are low as well. Cold air is unable to hold a sufficient amount of water or moisture which is why there is much less moisture during the cooler season. Cool air simply holds less moisture compared to warm air. However, moisture is not increased by just raising the temperature inside the house. The air will still be dry despite the fact that it is warm. That is because there are other factors involved also.

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Issues That Dry Indoor Air Causes

There are several different problems that are caused by dry air, which includes cracked and itchy skin. Dry air also causes dry throats and noses. Due to environmental factors, upper respiratory conditions and diseases might also grow worse during the winter. That has to do with the way that the body functions.

The nasal passageways, throat, and nose contain moist membranes. These membranes help filter microorganisms, dirt, and dust to help prevent them from getting into the lungs. Whenever those membranes become dry, it causes them to become less effective at being able to capture particles. This results in problems like cough, colds, and itchy throats. Dry skin that is caused by dry air might appear to be a minor problem. However, if it is not managed properly, the condition can become even worse. Dryness may result in cracks that open up the skin and cause it to be much more vulnerable to getting infected. Chapped and cracked skin might be embarrassing and painful for some people, especially if these are visible to others.

Dry air can also cause static electricity. Fabrics may stick together as a result of this as well. Although it is harmless on its own, static electricity might cause mildly painful shocks whenever the skin touches a metal surface.

Dry skin might cause damage to property and homes as well, especially structures made out of wood like furniture, floors, ceilings, and walls, Dry air also affects paper, causing sculpture, artwork, notebooks, books, and similar items to become brittle and warped.

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How To Make Dry Air Work The Best For You

Preventing dry air is the most effective way to manage it. The following are the best ways how to do this:

1. Repair Any Air Leaks Inside The Home

seal air leaksWarps and cracks in joints, doors, and windows may let cold air in. That causes the indoor temperature to go down and force the heating system to have to work even harder. So before winter starts, a basic inspection of your home should be performed in order to identify any problems areas. Insulation solutions should be installed whenever necessary in order to prevent the loss of heat.

2. Understand How Indoor Humidity Works

The lower the outdoor temperature is, the lower the amount of moisture can be held by indoor air. Overall, the ideal indoor humidity level should be about 45%. It is too high when it goes above 50%, and it is too low when it goes under 30%. A hygrometer, or an instrument for measuring the humidity, can come in handy in these situations. If you do not have one of these, you may need to look for common signs of extreme humidity. Here is how you do this:

Whenever windows start to fog or condensation begins to appear on ceilings, walls, or glass panes, the humidity level might be too high. On the other hand, the humidity levels might be too low if wooden structures start to warp or crack, or static electricity increases.

3. Control Dry Air Inside Your Home

house plants and indoor air qualityIncreasing indoor humidity during the winter is the best way to improve indoor air quality. There are several different ways that can be done. The first thing that you can do is grow indoor plants. Make sure to water them as needed, and for additional moisture spray the leaves. Moisture is excreted by plants which evaporate into the air. In turn, the process increases indoor humidity levels.

Next, fill up a bowl with water and then put it near a source of heat. Heat will increase the amount of water evaporation, which will increase the level of moisture in the air. You can also help to reduce the amount of dryness in the air when you dry clothes indoors. A bathroom door can be kept slightly open while you are taking a shower. The steam can help to maintain levels of humidity at a level that is comfortable for household members.

However, keep in mind, these solutions only work in relatively small areas. For a more effective and comprehensive solution, you should consider buying a whole house humidifier. This device will help to solve the problem of maintaining even humidity levels in all rooms in the home without having to use different tactics for each. The whole house humidifier operates along with the HVAC system to provide the entire house with moisture, which prevents dry air as well. You can program it to make sure that the indoor air is regulated so that it provides comfort where and when it is most needed.

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Conclusion

McAllister Energy is a reputable HVAC company that provides high-quality heating and cooling system services at an affordable price. The NATE certified technicians on our staff are capable of doing an excellent job for you.

McAllister Energy offers first-rate HVAC replacements, repairs, tune-ups and installations. Our experts have the necessary expertise and skills to offer the most affordable and effective HVAC solutions for your home.

Call Now: (856) 665-4545

Call us today, so that we can help you with all of your home HVAC needs. We offer in-home free estimates. To learn more, call us at (856) 665-4545 or click here to get in touch with us.

The post How To Manage Dry Air In Your Home appeared first on McAllister Energy.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

What Is The Best Temperature To Keep Your House In The Winter?


To reduce the amount of heat lost through the home’s envelope, be sure that conditioned air is not leaking out.

This post was originally published on www.McAllisterEnergy.com

Recommendations from the majority of HVAC experts tell us that the thermostat that controls your home comfort should be set somewhere between 72° F and 66° F. This depends on the time of day or night and whether anyone is occupying the home during this period.

Nevertheless, most people set the thermostat according to the type of clothing they are wearing and their body temperature. Furthermore, factors such as these affect the overall cost of heating the home.

Heating Tips: What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat In Winter?

The ideal winter thermostat setting varies with each individual, and there is a wide range of factors influencing what makes up the perfect temperature. Following is more information on this matter.

Experiment With Different Thermostat Settings To Determine What Works For You

ASHRAE recently conducted a series of psychological studies of people that have been conditioned to believe that 72° F is the ideal room temperature. What they found in one of these studies was that participants were equally comfortable with the thermostat set at either 68° F or 72° F. Consequently, they were unable to tell the difference between the two settings.
If you would like to conduct a similar study of your own ideal winter temperature comfort level, this can help. Starting with 72° F as a reference point, begin setting the thermostat a few degrees lower. This will help determine the ideal winter temperature comfort level in your own home. During this experiment, you will discover the ideal temperature range to maintain in your house during the winter.

Now is the time to let you know that The US Department of Energy says it is possible to reduce the cost of heating your home by as much as 15% just by setting the thermostat 10° to 15° F lower in the winter for 8 hours each day. The best time to take advantage of this is when you are sleeping or when the house is unoccupied during the day. If you have trouble remembering to set the thermostat to take advantage of these savings, install a programmable or smart thermostat to do it for you automatically.

Dealing With Heat Loss and Monitoring Humidity Levels

Small cracks and openings are notorious thieves of conditioned air. To prevent drafts of cold air from getting in and heated air from leaking out, seal up those cracks. This will help lower your heating costs.

What is more important is that these measures will help you to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the winter. It will also help to prevent the growth of mold which will improve the indoor air quality. Also, remember to close window treatments and curtains at night.
Along with cold drafts and air leaks, humidity levels have an impact on ideal winter temperature levels in the home. According to the DOE, the ideal humidity levels fall somewhere between 25% and 40%.

Don’t forget, humid air is capable of holding more heat. For that reason, when the air is too dry, the air feels colder. Consequently, you may turn up the thermostat and the heating system must work more to keep your home at the ideal temperature. Doing so leads to increased heating costs. Plus, dry air can cause sinus troubles.

Instead, invest in a whole-house humidifier or place as a portable model in your home to add moisture to the air. Doing so will allow to turn down the thermostat, lowering your home heating costs.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular opinion, 72° F isn’t the most ideal temperature to keep your thermostat at. What is true is that the perfect winter temperature is the one that helps you stay warm and comfortable. Even though it may reduce heating costs by setting the thermostat a few degrees lower, that choice may not help improve the comfort you feel in your home. At the same time, there are things you can do to lower the heating bills that will do nothing to compromise indoor comfort levels.
The NATE certified HVAC technicians on staff at McAllister Energy can be trusted to service your heating system correctly.

You can depend on McAllister Energy for top-rated HVAC installations, repairs, replacements, and tune-ups. Our technicians are experts in the field with the experience, skills, and tools to provide you with practical service at affordable prices. It is our goal to improve your comfort and increase your home’s energy efficiency while reducing heating costs. Give McAllister Energy a call to schedule a free, in-home estimate.

Best Ways To Prepare Your HVAC System For Spring

Since summer is approaching quickly, this would be an ideal time to schedule maintenance of the HVAC system in your home. During the summe...