HVAC Services are heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that help regulate a space’s temperature and humidity. An HVAC system can also improve the quality of indoor air.
Installation is one of the most demanding tasks for HVAC Lexington. It involves surveying/inspecting and taking measurements to ensure that a new system is the right size for your home; carefully de-installing your old system. Installing ductwork, wiring, pipes, and electrical supply lines; and performing a final inspection.
Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your heating system working as it should. Whether that’s a regular tune-up or an HVAC inspection, the fall is the perfect time to do this because it’s before the busy summer and winter service call season. This preventative work can improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce the risk of an HVAC breakdown in the middle of a snowstorm, and extend the lifespan of your unit.
If you’re in an area that gets harsh winter weather, it’s especially important to prepare your home and your HVAC system for the cold. For instance, exposed pipes can freeze and burst in extreme cold temperatures, so it’s a good idea to wrap them with insulation sleeves, especially those that run through unheated areas like basements or crawl spaces. You can also take measures to keep heat from escaping your house, such as caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows. Likewise, changing the direction of your ceiling fans to counterclockwise can move warm air down from upper rooms and stairwells and into the living space.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to clean your outdoor air conditioning unit before winter arrives. This will ensure that it’s free from debris, which can block airflow and cause your system to shut down or to have ice build up inside the unit. If this happens, the ice can melt, seep further into the unit, re-freeze, and wreak havoc. You can remove any major debris from the unit with a hand broom or, if it’s not too dirty, with a garden hose (using caution to not damage internal components).
If your annual tune-up reveals problems that need to be corrected, it’s important to have them repaired before winter hits. Delaying this work can cause further damage to your system, and can make heating your home more expensive throughout the winter. It can even lead to a costly HVAC replacement down the road.
Check Your Filters
Air filters are a very important part of your HVAC system. They keep the air in your home clean by trapping dirt, pollen, germs and other contaminants that could otherwise cause respiratory problems, clog your system, and damage your unit. It is very important to check your filter regularly and change it as needed. This is particularly true during the mild seasons when your system isn’t running as much, and your filter may get dirty before you are aware that it needs to be changed.
Depending on the size of your house, you may have one or more filters that are located in return vents throughout the home, or they might be inside the large metal box (the air handler) in the attic or basement that houses the fan and motor for your unit. These filters will have slatted openings to allow the flow of air, and they are usually rectangular or square and larger than standard air duct vents. A filter that is too small for the opening won’t work, and a filter that is too large can create gaps through which dust, debris and other contaminants can enter.
Filters can also be purchased with a variety of features, such as those that are designed to fight allergens and others that can filter particulates down to one micron or less. Many people choose to switch to specialty filters when they suffer from a chronic condition like allergies and asthma. If you have allergies or respiratory issues, you should speak to a specialist at the local hardware store or your home warranty plan’s contractor for recommendations.
The qualifications that you will need to start an HVAC career vary greatly from state to state, but most places require a high school diploma or equivalent and some type of vocational training in the trades. Some schools, such as the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, offer a two-year program that can lead to an apprenticeship with an experienced professional and preparation for the EPA Section 608 certification exam. You will also need a valid driver’s license in most cases.
Change the Filters
In order for your system to operate efficiently, it needs to be free of contaminants and debris. This is why it is important to change the filters in your HVAC system regularly. If you don’t, the airflow in your home will be restricted and this can lead to a host of performance-related issues that will increase your energy bills.
The most common place to find an air filter is in your return vent on a wall or ceiling, but there are also filters in the unit itself. Changing filters is easy and should always be done while the system is turned off. If the air conditioner turns on during this process, it could potentially blow debris and/or loosen the filter fit, which may cause further problems down the line.
If you are not sure how to change your filter, you can always ask your HVAC service tech for assistance. They will be able to show you where the filter is located, how to remove it and insert the new one properly. They can also advise you on the best types of filters to use, based on whether you have anyone in your household with asthma or allergies.
You can usually tell when it’s time to change your filter by examining it. If it is clogged with dust, pet hair and other debris, then it’s definitely time to replace it. A dirty filter doesn’t catch dust and other airborne particles as well so more of them are recirculated into your home for you to breathe in. It will also make your system work harder than it should and this can result in more breakdowns and higher energy bills.
Before you start to change your filter, turn off the power to your HVAC unit by shutting off the thermostat and breaker. You can then start by removing the cover to get to the filter compartment. Slide the clips on the cover off or remove the screws and then remove the old filter, making sure that the arrow on it is pointing inwards towards the return. Replace the new filter, lining it up with the notches in the filter frame and then replacing the cover.
Schedule a Service Call
The HVAC system in your home or business keeps the indoor air feeling warm and comfortable in winter, cool and refreshing in summer, and it also filters and distributes that air. If your system isn’t working properly or if you notice any signs that it’s time to call an HVAC contractor, do so! Some of the signs that you should call a professional include:
MAINTENANCE
Just like your car, your HVAC system needs regular maintenance to keep it running well. Routine maintenance can include checking pipes for leakage, testing and refilling refrigerant levels, cleaning ducts and coils, inspecting fans and electric circuits, adjusting thermostats, and changing air filters.
REPAIRS
Repairs are the next step up from maintenance. They’re what HVAC contractors do when they find issues with heating or cooling systems that require them to install, repair, or replace specific faulty parts on the system. Often times, this is done on an emergency basis during the cold of winter or scorching heat of summer.
In addition to repairing and replacing parts, HVAC technicians can also help improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial properties. This means that the systems will be able to use less energy while still providing adequate heating and cooling. This can also lower your energy bills and have a positive impact on the environment.
There are many different types of HVAC systems and each one has its own set of tasks that need to be performed by a professional. Generally, HVAC professionals are trained in all three categories of HVAC, which includes: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. However, some HVAC technicians specialize in one or more of these areas. In this way, you’ll be able to find someone that can provide the specific service that you need.
