Five Tips To Take Your Home From Summer To Fall
Changing leaves and falling temperatures mean it’s time to make some changes in your home to get ready for cool weather ahead. To take your home from the heat of summer to the cooler fall season, add the following items to your home to-do list. By working with Commonwealth Heating & Cooling and following these best practices, you’ll ensure your home runs efficiently and creates perfectly comfortable air.
Change Your Air Filter
The air filter in your HVAC system is responsible for keeping contaminants away from equipment components. As it does so, it also improves air quality in your home by removing these airborne contaminants from circulation. The transition between summer and fall is a smart time to check your air filter and change it if needed.
Schedule a Heating System Inspection
The best time to schedule heating system inspection and maintenance with Commonwealth Heating & Cooling is in the fall, before it is time to turn your system on for the first time. Inspections and maintenance improve the performance and efficiency of your heating system, safeguard against breakdowns over the coming season, and help extend your system’s useful service life. This timing works to ensure that any system issues are resolved before cold weather hits – no one wants the surprise of no heat on that first cold day of the season! Get your furnace, heat pump, or other heating equipment ready for winter with care in the fall.
Consider Repairing or Replacing your Air Conditioner
If your cooling system struggled during the summer, there may be repair issues that need to be addressed. Or, it may be time to replace your existing equipment and upgrade to a new, high-efficiency air conditioner. Contact Commonwealth Heating & Cooling to inspect your system.
Make Efficiency Improvements to Your Home
While your heating system plays a key role in your home’s comfort, there are other considerations to ensure your home stays comfortable and efficient throughout the winter. Identify and re-seal any duct leaks and use weather-stripping to make sure your home doesn’t have gaps that allow cold air to slip in.
Switch to a Smart Thermostat
You won’t need to worry about fluctuating temperatures if you have a smart thermostat, like the iComfort® S30 Ultra Smart Thermostat from Lennox. With the Schedule IQ feature, you will only need to program the thermostat once, and whenever there's a change in your routine, the thermostat adapts heating and cooling to match.
Get Help with Fall Home Preparations
For help with heating-related tasks on the above summer to fall to-do list, call Commonwealth Heating & Cooling. From furnace and heat pump inspections and maintenance to upgrading your heating system with efficient new equipment, we provide the expertise and services you need to ensure your home stays comfortable and efficient throughout the year.
Why Annual HVAC Maintenance Is Important
It may be tempting to put off scheduling service on your HVAC system if everything seems to be in good working order. However, getting an annual tuneup is important for many reasons, regardless of how your equipment is performing. Investing in routine maintenance is the best way to prevent having to deal with the inconvenience and financial burden of unexpected breakdowns and repairs. Here are some of the top benefits of regularly maintaining your heating and cooling system.
Why It’s Essential to Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance
Save on Repairs & a Premature Replacement
Having a technician service your HVAC system at least once a year will help to avoid problems from occurring and keep minor issues from turning into costly repairs. It will also lower the chances of your equipment failing completely before reaching the end of its life span, causing you to make a large purchase you aren’t prepared for.
Reduce Energy Costs
When an HVAC system is properly taken care of, it will operate at peak efficiency. This means it will require less energy to maintain the desired temperature in your home. In turn, the reduction in energy consumption can lead to substantial savings on your utility bills.
Extend the Life Span of Your Equipment
By having your HVAC equipment regularly maintained, you can help to make it last longer. If dirt and dust build up inside your unit, it’s likely to start causing parts to malfunction and deteriorate, which will result in a premature breakdown.
A reliable HVAC system is crucial to the comfort, efficiency, and health of your environment. If it’s time to schedule your annual tuneup, you can count on Commonwealth Heating & Cooling to deliver superior service. With over 30 years of experience we can provide the preventative maintenance necessary for you to get the most out of your heating and cooling equipment. Call (434)821-3407 to make an appointment, or visit us online at www.commonwealthhcpe.com to learn more about how we can help keep your furnace and air conditioner running at peak performance.
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8 HVAC Tips for Homeowners
1. Keep up with routine maintenance
If you don’t already have a proactive maintenance program for your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to schedule semi-annual service.
We can make sure your system is operating at its most efficient settings and that parts or components are in good working order.
2. Operate your HVAC system at optimum and stable temperatures
The temperature you set your thermostat is largely a matter of personal comfort, but many systems have optimum temperature ranges that ensure they’re using energy efficiently.
Consult your owner’s manual to find out the most energy-efficient temperature range.
It’s also a good idea to avoid fluctuating temperatures too frequently, as this can make your HVAC system work harder and less efficiently.
3. Seal your home from drafts
Most people think about stopping air infiltration in colder winter months, but it’s also crucial during AC season.
Any air leak in your home robs your HVAC system of efficiency since that heated or cooled air is lost.
Ensure that all windows are shut and that doors have good weather seals before turning on the HVAC system.
4. Beef up your installation
Particularly in older homes, inadequate insulation is another factor that can lead to losing heated or cooled air from the HVAC system.
If you’re unsure about your home’s insulation levels, consult with an energy auditor or insulation professional for guidance.
5. Turn down the thermostat
Setting the thermostat to the coolest temperature in the winter or highest temperature you find comfortable can seem like a small step, but the energy savings can be substantial.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, reducing your home’s temperature 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours at a time during the heating season can save you 5 to 15 percent in heating bills each year.
6. Use a programmable thermostat
If you don’t have one, installing a programmable thermostat can go a long way in to help reduce energy use when you’re not home.
The less your HVAC system has to work to maintain comfortable temperature levels that aren’t necessary because no one is home, the more savings you’ll see on your heating or cooling bill.
7. Change your filters regularly
Changing your HVAC system’s air filters once a month, or as directed by the furnace or filter manufacturer, helps ensure your system has smooth, uninterrupted air flow.
New filters can help your system work more efficiently, saving you money in the process. For example, new filters in your air conditioner can account for an energy consumption savings of 5 to 15 percent.
8. Use window treatments to help control temperature
Window coverings can have a big effect on your home’s heating or cooling load.
In cooler months, harness the sun’s free warmth by keeping curtains, blinds or drapes open on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight in.
Close them at night to add an extra layer of insulation between the glass and your home interior.
In the summer, keep window coverings closed during the day to reduce temperatures.
Why Should I Care About The R-22 Phase Out?
You may have heard about R-22 in the news recently, but if you’re like many homeowners, you’re not exactly sure what R-22 is and how it impacts you.
R-22 is a refrigerant often used in residential air conditioners. Commonly known as Freon, R-22 has been found to have negative environmental impacts. As of 2020, the United States is no longer producing or importing R-22. That means that the only R-22 available will be found in recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies.
So, does this mean you have to stop using your R-22 air conditioner or replace existing equipment? No. Instead, this phase-out period is an opportunity to switch to a refrigerant that’s not as harmful to the ozone. Lennox has led the way in manufacturing systems that use chlorine-free R-410A refrigerant. Since R-410A contains no chlorine, it is considered ozone-friendly.
As R-22 gets phased out, many manufacturers are offering alternative refrigerants. However, changing from R-22 to one of these alternate refrigerants can damage equipment and compromise overall system performance.
Some Helpful Tips
If your air conditioner uses R-22 and you run into an issue such as a leak or a compressor burnout. You might need to repair or replace the unit.
If you decide on repairing your unit, you can consider some R-22 alternatives such as R407C or RS44B. R4207c is more expensive since the line set must be flushed to get out the R-22, which is POE oil-based. You also might see your labor costs go up and your unit’s efficiency go down.
If your AC unit is 10-15 years old, you may want to consider replacing the unit or your entire system.
The Key Takeaway
The most important thing you can do is to continue properly maintaining your unit. This means getting regular check-ups to ensure system health. Appropriate maintenance also minimizes potential environmental damage and maintenance costs.
Lennox is here to help you understand the R-22 phase-out and provide guidance on how to move forward without it. Contact Commonwealth Heating & Cooling to schedule an evaluation of your R-22 unit and find out what your options are.
What to Expect: HVAC Visits During COVID-19
We may ask the following questions prior to our visit:
Have you had contact with any Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, OR with anyone with known COVID-19?
Do you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g., cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath)?
If you do answer yes to any of these questions, we will need to schedule our appointment 14 days out for our safety and yours
Safety First
Health is our priority. If a technician notices any signs of illness, they will be instructed to stay home and self-quarantine.
Sanitizing
Our team is carrying disinfectant and use it regularly.
Distancing
Technicians will avoid handshakes and maintain safe distance during their visit.
Our Recommendations for COVID-19
Given the guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on community gatherings, many of us are spending much more time at home. So, it’s essential to continue to maintain a healthy and comfortable home environment.
