Services

Today’s lesson is on Hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFC’s.  Don’t worry we won’t ask you to pronounce it.  HCFC’s are chemicals used in refrigerants within the HVAC industry.  Unfortunately it has been found that HCFC’s are damaging to the ozone layer.  So the US along with other countries are phasing out the manufacturing of ozone depleting substances.  You may wonder what does this have to do with my HVAC system?  Well  R-22 Freon is one of the items on the list.  The EPA has been  phasing out the production of  R-22  since 2010 and will continue to over the next couple of years.  By 2020 this ban will not allow for any more production of R-22.   With R-22  production dramatically decreasing each year it has and will continue to drive the price up.

No matter what the problem, we’re here to help. Before you call for service, try these simple tips for troubleshooting furnace issues.

Check These First 

No Heat / Insufficient Heat

·         Do you have a new or newly remodeled home? Was any work done on your fuel or electricity lines recently? Check to see if your gas or electricity has been turned off. If this is the case, having it turned back on may solve the problem.

·         Check to see if your thermostat is on, and what temperature it’s set at. If your thermostat is turned off or set incorrectly, turn on and/or reset thermostat.

·         Check your home’s circuits and fuse box. If you have an open circuit breaker or burned-out fuse, switch on the circuit or replace the fuse.

·         Remove any snow drifts resting against your outdoor unit.

·         Review our list of Heating System Symptoms & Repairs

It is defined as a odorless, colorless gas produced by burning fuels from items such as your car, fireplace, furnace or other gas burning appliances. Inhaling CO deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen. In fact, CO poisoning accounts for over 20,000 emergency room visits each year. Not to worry there are ways to help prevent this from happening. Here are a few – Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and make sure to test them regularly, don’t heat up your car or run a generator in the garage (even if you leave the garage door open), and have your furnace serviced yearly by a qualified HVAC company. As always, if you think you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, get medical attention immediately!o.

The average life of a furnace is between 15-20 years and between 12-15 years for an air conditioner. Keep in mind that these are averages and units that are maintained on a regular basis usually last longer than ones that are not. Call 436-8475 to schedule your yearly safety check and maintenance appointment today!

The fan motor inside higher efficiency indoor and outdoor units is designed to change its speed based on your home’s heating and air conditioning requirements. Working in conjunction with your thermostat, it keeps the appropriate -temperature air (e.g. warm air on cold days) circulating throughout your home, reducing temperature variances. The variable-speed motor also increases dehumidification and is quiet because it runs at a lower speed most of the time. Plus, the consistent air circulation eliminates noisy start ups and shutdowns.

Sometime people ask what does the term “seer” mean when referring to my outdoor unit?

Seer stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a rating that measures the cooling efficiency of a heat pump or air conditioner. The higher the number the more efficient the unit.

Here are a few maintenance tips from Jemma you may want to perform on your HVAC system:

• Replacing your filter. While you should check your filter on a regular basis it is important to change it when needed  to help prevent pollen and other particles that can help allergens from getting into your home. You may also want to consider an American Standard Accuclean to further reduce seasonal allergies and particles in your home.
• Testing and cleaning your cooling systems. Having a maintenance check or your HVAC system can help to increase the efficiency of how your system runs. You can also identify and fix small issues with your HVAC system before they become expensive repairs.
• Clearing your outdoor condenser. Making sure the outdoor air conditioning condenser is free of any weeds or vegetation, and that air can move freely around the unit.

To get professional assistance in maintaining your HVAC system contact our office today!!

While homeowners may love the cool temperatures an A/C unit can provide, they may not love how the unit looks in their yard. There are several ways homeowners can accomplish landscaping around outdoor units – many for a low cost and small time investment.

Plants, hedges and shrubs can also help hide your A/C unit. Choose an evergreen plant for year-round coverage. Plants that lose their leaves should be avoided to reduce the amount of raking you’ll need to do. Hedges are also a popular option, and can be trimmed to whatever height you prefer. Plants or flowers also help to hide your outdoor unit.

Whatever you choose to use you will want to ensure that the plants chosen can thrive with constant warm air blowing from the unit. No matter what type of plant you choose, be sure to maintain and trim them regularly to prevent overcrowding your A/C unit. You should also be sure to clear the area of twigs, leaves and other debris that can restrict airflow around the unit.  It is also recommended that you do not choose plants that have thorns.  Thorns could puncture a hole in the condenser coil.

If you do choose to landscape around your outdoor unit, ensure you leave enough space for safe and efficient operation of the unit.

Save Energy with a New System

Of all the energy used daily by the average American household, the largest portion goes to the heating and air conditioning system.  In fact, the systems that keeps you comfortable can use up to four times more energy than anything else in your home.  Which means that replacing yours with a new more energy efficient model may have an impact on your monthly energy usage.  Call us today for a free in home estimate.

.

As the weather cools down and you turn on your furnace make sure to check the area surrounding the furnace and hot water heater. It is important to make sure that you don’t have any chemicals or flammable material of any kind located around either appliance. It could be a fire hazard.

If you notice your thermostat is blank, getting dim or has a low battery alert on the screen try first to change the batteries. It can be a quick easy fix and get your HVAC system up and running again in no time. If that doesn’t resolve the problem contact the office and schedule a service call.

Clay County (Limited Area) – 816-436-8475
Platte County (Limited Area) – 816-584-0059
KC North – 816-453-1200

Make sure to check your furnace filter on a regular basis. A clogged or dirty filter can starve your system of air flow and can affect the indoor air quality as well as put added stress on your system.

One of the guys brought this coil back to the office. Don’t let this happen to your HVAC system. This can be prevented by keeping a furnace filter in the system. The coil should look like the left side.

Turn on your ceiling fans! A ceiling fan will help circulate the air in your home. The air temperature is not reduced but you feel cooler due to the breeze.

Jemma Johnson currently thinks she is the president of the company. She joined the family in September of 2013. Her current interests include playing with her toys, taking rides in the car, sleeping, running around the back yard and following her mommy around EVERYWHERE. Jemma is very social and loves to meet new people. She would like to let you know that if you call the office and hear her in the background she is just trying to introduce herself.