How to Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter

It’s official; winter’s on its way. Autumn’s already taking its bitter toll, and temperatures are about to plummet further. While you might not want to think about upcoming snow, turning your attention to HVAC maintenance now is the best chance you have at staying snug.

Having somewhere warm to hide can make an otherwise bleak winter feel cozy, but that’s never going to happen if you don’t put proper prep in place to keep your heating running smoothly. Fall behind here, and you’ll be the desperate soul trying to contact a repair company in the cold depths of winter.

Avoid that cool reality by taking care of these winter HVAC maintenance tips while you have the chance.

#1 - Schedule an annual inspection

An annual HVAC inspection is vital for winter health. After a summer of disuse, you can’t simply start your heating system and expect it to run like clockwork. Instead, every homeowner should schedule an inspection once autumn rolls around. While this process can cost you about $200, it also ensures your HVAC lasts the full fifteen years, thus saving you money in the long-run.

During an inspection, professionals will service and check your systems, as well as booting everything up to ensure smooth running. That way, you’ll be able to turn everything on without once worrying about a last-minute lack of heat.

#2 - Replace your filters

Like oil in a car, filters in an HVAC need replacing. While neglecting this won’t necessarily stop your heating from working, it can cause your HVAC to run harder, thus damaging those systems and ultimately increasing bills. Replacing filters is a simple process that can make a massive difference to the efficiency and therefore the heat your HVAC can produce.

#3 - Conduct an annual clean

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but winter HVAC clean should also be a priority. Dust and grime always build in unused heating vents. Like outdated filters, this can impact efficiency. Excessive dust could even damage your systems on startup. Make sure it doesn’t happen by doing a thorough clean before you boot your heating the first time. A simple case of dusting and wiping down should make all the difference.

#4 - Check your thermostat

Now is also the ideal time to check your thermostat. If you don’t have a programmable option, then it’s highly recommended you get one installed for increased winter efficiency. If you already have a programmable thermostat, you’re going to want to consider when you do and don’t set it. Setting your thermostat for critical times like early evening and first thing in the morning is vital, while you’ll want to make sure you turn it off when you’re at work etc. This will both help your HVAC to function and ensure that you can always enjoy decent heat without breaking the bank.

Whatever you do, don’t leave HVAC maintenance until the last minute. Take care of these tips now to ensure a warm winter that you can enjoy.

With warm weather upon us, many of us will be reaching for the AC controls. If you have air conditioning at home, when was the last time you had your system inspected? If it’s been more than a year, we strongly recommend booking an inspection and making it an annual tradition. There are so many advantages to be gained from ensuring that your AC units are checked on a regular basis.

Why is an annual AC inspection so important?

AC inspections are important for a number of reasons. The most important is to check that your system is functioning as it should be. When the heat of the summer months descends, and your AC system is working overtime to keep your home nice and cool, it can succumb to general wear and tear. Having an annual inspection enables engineers to spot signs of damage and to act before any existing problems get worse. Inspections flag up issues and potential red flags, and they can also improve the efficiency of your units. If your AC is working perfectly, you’ll reap the rewards in terms of enjoying a pleasant home environment and saving money on your energy bills.

Another reason to make sure you schedule an annual AC check is saving money on AC maintenance and repairs. If there are problems that are identified during a routine service, they can be addressed and remedied before they develop into issues that are costly to fix. There’s also a much lower risk of faults that could affect the function of your system and leave you sweltering and sweating at home.

Keeping up with general maintenance and routine inspections can also help to prolong the life expectancy of your AC units, which will save you money in the long-term.

What happens during an AC inspection?

When you have your air conditioning units checked, experienced engineers will go through a list of tasks and jobs to test the function of each unit and identify any potential problems. If the unit has a clean bill of health, you probably won’t need to do anything until your next inspection. If there are issues, which require attention, your engineer will explain exactly what they’ve found and provide you with information about what can be done to eliminate faults, improve efficiency and functionality and save you money in the future. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask away. You’ll be given a quote and a timeframe for the work. In cases where there are major issues, or the unit is damaged beyond repair, you may be advised to consider investing in a new AC unit. If this is the best option, your engineer will be able to discuss your options with you and make recommendations based on your requirements and your budget.

If you’re due an AC inspection, or you have any questions about your air conditioning system or the benefits of having regular routine services and checks, we’re here to help. Call F.G Lees & Son today!

HVAC Maintenance: Preventative Care That You Can Take To The Bank

Imagine for a minute having to work in an office that didn’t have a working HVAC system in place. During the winter, temperatures would drop below freezing, and in the summer, you could be roasting in your cubicle with light from the sun beating down on your head. It doesn’t bear thinking.

That’s why it’s so important that organizations that use HVAC systems do preventive care. When your heating and cooling systems work, you don’t think about them. But when they stop doing their job, it’s hard to focus on anything else.

The Financial Case For Preventive HVAC Maintenance

The case for performing preventive maintenance on your HVAC system is similar to the case for maintenance on your vehicles or equipment. A small expenditure today can prevent a significant outlay in the future.

Let’s say, for instance, that your HVAC system cost $5,000 to install and that with a maintenance cost of $200 every five years, it will last fifteen years. Your heating and cooling costs are, therefore, $5,400 for the period.

Now suppose that you spend nothing on maintenance and your HVAC system lasts seven and a half years. Over the same fifteen year interval, you’ll end up paying $10,000, a massive $4,600 more than if you’d done some preventive maintenance.

Preventive Care Priorities

When it comes to preventive care for HVAC systems, where should your focus lie?

• Change the oil. Like cars, HVAC systems have moving parts which require lubrication.

• Change the filters. Filters can become clogged with dust, forcing the motor to work harder. Changing the filters improves air quality while ensuring that the machinery continues to work within accepted tolerances.

• Change the belts. Some models of HVAC systems use belts that can wear out and cause damage if they fail.

• Annual cleaning of boilers. Boilers can attract soot which reduces efficiency.

• Fire testing. Fire testing ensures that the boiler remains safe.

• Clean air coils. Clean air coils help to facilitate better heat transfer.

As you can see, performing these preventing care measures is inexpensive but can have a substantial knock-on effect on your overall maintenance bill. Organizations that perform preventive care can save a lot of money.

Create A Preventive Care Schedule

Keeping track of what needs to be done and when can be a challenge. But if you create a schedule, you can stay abreast of tasks that need doing once per month, once per quarter and once per year.

Create Digital Records

Most professionals recommend that you keep a schedule and maintenance history on a computer. Doing so eliminates the chance of losing paper copies of work that needs to be done.

Analyse Data For Patterns

Keeping a record of your HVAC maintenance history allows you to analyze it for patterns to see where problems are most likely to emerge.

Put Stickers On Your Equipment

Putting stickers on HVAC equipment keeps maintenance professionals up to date about when it was last serviced.