Maintenance

13 Jun 2021 Maintenance air conditioning, Cooling 0

How To Improve Air Conditioning Efficiency

House heating and cooling can easily add up to a significant part of your monthly utility bills. Estimations from the Department of Energy show that maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature can cost more than 50% of all utility expenses.

This means that Canadians spend a lot of money for the energy required to use their central air conditioning systems.

This article aims to provide you with a series of easy and almost free methods to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system, in order to enjoy a comfortable indoor temperature while also keeping tabs on the expenses.

Here are the top right no-cost tips for air conditioning maintenance.

Thanks to this advice, you’ll be able to keep your air conditioning system healthy even during the hottest period of the year.

I should start of by saying, it’s very important your central air conditioner system is properly sized from the get-go. If the system is over or undersized then you have a much more complex issue at hand. But let’s assume it is sized properly, here are some tips.

Keep your outdoor condenser unit clean.

This unit will perform at its best when it is clean and free from debris. If you don’t know how to clean the condenser, click here to see an explanatory video that will teach you everything you need to know to do this by yourself. Should you need a more thorough, in-depth cleaning of your outdoor condenser, you’ll need to hire an air conditioning repair service professional.

Vacuum the indoor vents and keep them clear from any obstacles or debris.

By vacuuming dust and dirt from indoor air supply vents, you ensure a steady airflow through your air conditioning system. Also, make sure that no toys, blinds or any type of clutter are blocking those vents.

Set your thermostat a few degrees higher during summer (and lower during winter).

Even as little as 2 – 3 degrees Celsius in temperature adjustments can help you save a lot of energy, and therefore lower your monthly bills (this applies to both summer and winter). If your system has a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to automatically adjust the temperature for different times of the day and situations.

When you know you’re going to be out for half day, you want to adjust the temperature by several degrees in order to save energy.

Never place lamps or other heat sources nearby the thermostat.

Should its sensors detect hot air, it will understand that your home needs more cooling, and therefore it will instruct the system to work harder and for a longer time than it actually should. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day to prevent the heat from the sun from warming indoor air. If you don’t really need a lot of light, there’s no point in allowing direct sunlight to enter your home.

Make sure your drain line is always clean.

The indoor cooling coil features a drain. Most often, this drain is located above the furnace in your basement. Keeping it clean throughout the whole summer is an easy thing to do. All you need is to flush one cup of chlorine bleach down the drain and then rinse it with plenty of water. Keeping this drain clean prevent blockages that might result in your basement taking water.

If possible, avoid using your oven or your dryer during the hottest time of the day.

These appliances will add warm air into your home, and therefore cause your air conditioning system to work harder to keep a constant temperature.

Properly insulate any exposed ductwork and make sure it always stays properly sealed.

This is how you can prevent conditioned air from leaking. If you notice leaks, try to fix them with UL 181-rated sealing tape, but make sure you hire a professional to fix them properly by the time of the next maintenance inspection.

You don’t need to spend a small fortune to keep your air conditioning system in perfect condition. All you need to do is to understand how it works and what the role of each of its parts is. The above tips can help you make the most HVAC efficiency out of your investment in a reliable air conditioning system. They can also help you decrease your maintenance costs and save money in the long run.

4 Jun 2021 Maintenance Cooling, Heating, HVAC System 0

How to Choose the Right HVAC System

Selecting a new HVAC system and let alone buying one, is a tough decision, considering it takes careful planning and budgeting. After all, the new HVAC system will be one of the bigger investments you will ever make. That’s why it’s crucial to talk to someone who is in this business and who can give you an honest recommendation.

As for us, we have decided to write an article on how to choose the right HVAC system and give you a general idea of things you should focus on.

Heat pump vs. furnace

As you already know, furnaces run on oil or gas, and if your property is connected to a gas line, then a furnace is an energy-efficient option to keep your home warm during the winter months. However, this is a single-purpose system, running only like a heater. That’s why a furnace is great for keeping the home warm during winter.

But what happens when you need your home cooled down in the summer? In that case, many homeowners combine furnaces with AC, meaning you have to invest in two systems.

When it comes to heat pumps, they serve as two systems in one, and you can use them for cooling and heating. The heat pump works by moving air within your home and, in that way, alters the temperature. This unit will pull heat from the air outside to keep your house warm when the winter comes.

On the other hand, during the summer months, you can reverse the function of heat pumps. It basically removes hot air from your home and sends it outside.

Why should you choose a heat pump?

Besides acting as a cooling and heating unit, there are many benefits linked to heat pumps.

Energy – efficient

Even though the majority of units run on electricity, heat pumps are known as low-energy consumers. However, keep in mind that all models have two rating systems, HSPF, and SEER. That’s why when choosing a heat pump, make sure that the HSPF rating is above 8.5 and SEER above 15.

Multi-stage system

A single-stage system permits only one cooling or heating output, which means it’s either on or off. Based on your home needs, you can choose a system to be set to different cooling and heating strengths. Keep in mind that two-stage systems are most common, and they allow high and low options for either cooling or heating.

For instance, homeowners can run a heat pump at the highest heating stage during harsh winter months or choose a low setting during summer.

Keep in mind that these systems require higher initial costs, but they are worth it.

Variable speed pump

This unit is currently one of the most attractive options on the market. Compared to the previous model, a variable speed motor allows homeowners to decrease or increase their output based on their cooling or heating needs.

As the name implies, this system runs at varying speeds and gives you control over your indoor comfort.

What to consider when choosing a new heating and cooling system?

In the previous sections, we discussed types of heating and cooling units. But, let us now broaden this topic even more and focus on additional features of new heating and air conditioning systems.

Size

This is one of the common mistakes among homeowners. They choose the wrong size of the HVAC unit, which makes them spend more money on utility costs. That’s why you should measure the width and length of your home or living area to determine the right square footage. You can also contact a local technician to help you with this.

Maintenance

Every HVAC unit requires an annual checkup to get it ready for winter or summer. These inspections involve cleaning indoor and outdoor components, as well as replacing air filters. For that reason, it’s important to choose an HVAC unit that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.

Design

Before you order a new HVAC system, check the size of your home, and see if it already has centralized ductwork. This will help you decide whether you have enough space for outdoor and indoor components.

Additional features

Besides the cooling aspect of the HVAC unit, you can also add other features like smart controls, which will allow you to control heating and cooling from your home.

26 May 2021 Maintenance HVAC Energy Efficiency 0

Ways to Get More Efficiency Out of Your HVAC System

HVAC consumes a significant portion of our costs, which can go up to 60%. But what if you could decrease your energy costs or, in other words, increase HVAC energy efficiency? Well, let us tell you right away, it’s possible.

That’s why we decided to show you our list of ultimate tips and tricks and help you increase your HVAC energy efficiency. And remember, being efficient doesn’t have to be expensive. You only have to make smart choices.

Now, let’s focus on hvac energy saving tips!

Retrofitting

There are many reasons why you would opt for retrofitting. For instance, maybe you are tired of fixing your old unit, or maybe you are moving to a new location, or perhaps you want to buy more time before investing in the new system.

Whatever your reasons may be, according to the Department of Energy, retrofitting can save you nearly 35% annually in energy costs. Keep in mind that these upgrades affect humidity and temperatures and improve overall comfort. Additionally, you can retrofit both heating equipment and air conditioners.

Some of the common retrofitting methods of energy efficient hvac systems include:

Compressor replacement
Adding controls to condenser fan
Adding demand-control ventilation
Adding air side economizers

Use fans

Hot air rises, which means that in the summer, heat collects in a room, causing your AC to spend more energy. On the other hand, heat tends to go to other parts of your home during winter, like the attic, which no one uses.

So, what can you do to make the air move? Regardless of the season, you can turn on a ceiling fan to distribute hot air and save money on heating and cooling costs. However, there are a couple of rules when it comes to using fans.

In the summer, fans tend to cool down your skin but not the actual room. Therefore, if you are running a fan in an empty space, you are wasting energy. Keep in mind that ceiling fans need to rotate clockwise to create a cooling effect. However, in winter, make sure to reverse the fan direction and run it at low speed since hot air collects near the ceiling.

Change your thermostat settings

If you are one of those people who keep the thermostat settings to 72 degrees all year round, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Start with one degree at a time. For instance, you could set the thermostat one degree higher in the summer and one degree lower in the winter.

You can go with more degrees if you don’t mind the difference in the temperature. Alternatively, try to experiment with different settings to find the temperature you are most comfortable with.

Keep in mind that you will notice a difference in your utility bill even if you make a small change and this is one of the most energy efficient air conditioning tip.

Don’t forget about air filters

The general rule is to clean or replace your filters once a month or simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can always set a reminder on your phone as an easy way to remember. It’s also a great idea to write a date on every new filter you install, so you can check its condition without having to take it off.

However, if you have issues with air quality, like a lot of pet hair, irritating allergens, or dust, you might be able to fix this problem by installing a filter with a higher MERV rating. Be aware that all filters have a MERV rating between 1-20, and the higher it is, the better. It means that a filter with a high MERV rating can better capture tiny particles.

But keep in mind that a filter with high MERV can cause your HVAC to work harder, which is not good if you are trying to save money on the utility bill.

Turn off electronics

If you are not using media systems, machinery, computers, or other similar equipment, turn it off. This can potentially save you money on energy consumption since all this equipment generates a certain heat level. For that matter, your air conditioning device will use less energy to cool down your room.

Even when they aren’t in use, electronics draw energy just by being plugged in. According to some estimates, if you constantly have plugged-in appliances, be prepared to pay a higher utility bill.

Perform a pre-season checkup

While this might cost a bit of money, we promise you it’s worth it. A regular checkup is one of the best air conditioning tips to save energy and ensure your unit runs efficiently. If your unit has heating and cooling options, make sure to schedule two checkups per year. For instance, you should perform one checkup in the spring before the summer season and one in the fall before the winter season.

If you face any issues, you will be able to address them during milder times of the year. Also, if you your HVAC is exposed to sunlight in can consume more energy to cool down your space. That’s why it’s crucial to protect it from the sun.

Find a leaky ductwork

Big oscillations in temperature could mean you have leaky ductwork. For instance, if some of your rooms are getting hotter or colder than others, or you have noticed signs of dirt and dust around your vents, it can indicate you are dealing with leaky ductwork.

You can schedule a pressure test to identify this problem, and they can perform a repair of any accessible ducts in your system.

12 May 2021 Maintenance Kitchen, Kitchen Decor 0

Ways To Update Your Kitchen On A Budget

No one likes to have a limiting budget when it comes to kitchen updates, but you have to work with what you have, right? So, if you are looking for budget kitchen ideas, maybe we can help. Even though this kind of project requires a lot of money, sometimes small cosmetic updates can make a significant difference.

That’s why we have prepared a couple of kitchen ideas on a budget you will find beneficial! Without further ado, let’s start changing the way your kitchen looks.

Re-use your appliance

If your appliances are still in decent condition, why spend money on new ones. And, before you part ways with your kitchen sink, give it a good scrub and alternatively use a gentle abrasive cleaner to make it spotless clean again.

Since you saved money on a new sink, use it to buy a new and modern tap, which will definitely outshine the look of your sink.

Paint

Painting is one of the cheap ways to update the kitchen. You can lighten up tired and gloomy space by giving you window frames, doors, ceiling, and walls a couple of coats of bright or neutral color. If you are painting over timber paneling, make sure to apply tannin and stain blocker first. You can find this at your local hardware store, as well as suitable paint for your kitchen area.

Cabinet makeover

The next thing on your list should be kitchen cabinets. If they are in bad shape or pained in a shade that doesn’t match with the rest of your home, consider repainting them. One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to cabinets is that they can’t be fixed, and that’s why many homeowners decide to get rid of them.

However, this is one of the biggest mistakes which will consume a significant portion of your budget. So, instead of buying and installing new cabinets, you can paint your old ones and return them to their previous shape. Regardless of what material your cabinets are made from, you can always find the right paint to fit the existing unit.

On the other hand, if painting them by yourself is too challenging, you can always hire a spray-painting service.

Replace cupboard doors

This is also another quick fix that can transform the look of your kitchen. You can explore two options here. For instance, you can completely remove some of your cupboard doors to accomplish that open shelving, modern look, or you can replace cupboard doors with new ones.

Paint backsplash

Give your backsplash a new look with tile paint. Additionally, you can transform your benchtop with a resurfacing kit that provides you with different stone lookalike finishes. On the other hand, if you don’t have a backsplash, consider adding one because it can really amp the personality of your cooking area.

A backsplash will feel modern even if you choose subtle colors like white. But, if you want to experiment with texture, you can go for a patterned one.

Replace worktops

Worktops will dramatically change the look of your kitchen. Suppose you are looking for budget-friendly options, go for laminate. But, if you have some spare cash to spend, consider adding some extras like heat rods which you can fit into the surface to create a built-in draining board or a permanent pan stand.

Consider new floors

If your kitchen floors are old and outdated, you should consider replacing them. However, most kitchen designers will advise you to simply run the floor underneath the plinth instead of wall-to-wall. This will significantly cut your costs and allow you to use the money on something else.

Focus on lighting

This small update can refresh the look of your entire kitchen and make this space more work-friendly. You should look for modern and affordable fixtures. Keep in mind there are always good deals locally or online. Some of the ideas we found interesting:

Hang pendants over the peninsula or your island.
Add a dramatic pendant over the sink.
Add tiny lights under cabinets to illuminate your counter and create a better ambiance.

Change hardware

You could think about upgrading your hardware or add a new faucet for a better impact. This is probably one of the best kitchen decor ideas on a budget. Choose sleep polished chrome, black, or go for bold mixed metal statement. For instance, if you have stainless steel appliances, you could install a brass faucet. It will provide a very modern look to your kitchen.

Update island

You don’t have to replace the entire island. And, regardless of its shape, you can always paint it or add corbels to improve the character of your cooking area. You can also extend the island by installing a new countertop with an overhand.

Add elegant touches

After the living room, the kitchen is where we spend most of our time, so we need to feel comfortable in this space. To amp your current kitchen, by simply adding elegant touches like art pieces, different types of decoration, a silver tray, scented candles, flowers, and many other things. This is one of those budget kitchen renovations that doesn’t require a lot of money.