Should I Leave the AC on During the Day When I’m Out?

July 15, 2020

Without your air conditioner, your Mount Airy home would be hot and uncomfortable all summer long. As great as your air conditioner is, though, operating it comes at the cost of a higher utility bill. It makes sense to limit the amount of time that you operate your air conditioner so that you don’t end up with a utility bill that makes your wallet’s heart skip a beat. If you’re not home during the day, that may seem like a great opportunity to turn your air conditioner off. However, turning your air conditioner off during the day might not actually save electricity, and it could lead to other problems. Heat and Humidity Heat is only one part of what makes summer air uncomfortable. The other ingredient of summer discomfort is humidity. Since air from outside enters your home throughout the day, the humidity that’s in the air comes into your home as well. Your air conditioner is responsible for removing this humidity as part of the cooling process. If you leave your air conditioner off entirely while you’re away, it won’t have a chance to remove the humidity. This can lead to problems such as sticking doors, moldy food that’s...

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Why Does My AC Smell?

June 16, 2020

You may notice an odd smell in your home that seems to get worse whenever your air conditioning system is on. Identifying what it smells like can go a long way toward figuring out what the issue is. Here are some smells that you may notice and what they mean. Smelly Feet The scent of smelly feet means that your air conditioning system is either dirty or clogged. This bad smell is coming from water that has pooled because it cannot drain properly. This means that your AC system is in need of a thorough cleaning. Gunpowder This smell indicates that your outdoor AC unit has had either its motor or circuit board short out. You’ll need to have the unit serviced by a professional HVAC contractor. of Mount Airy, NC, diagnoses and resolves problems with your air conditioning system. Our certified technicians can handle any make and model. Rotten Eggs This smell is usually the result of a dead animal in your HVAC system. Birds and rodents can get into your air ducts, die and start to decompose. A professional can remove the animal remains from your ducts, which will remove the smell. Exhaust Fumes Since air conditioners are...

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What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

May 13, 2020

It’s important for a few reasons to get the right-sized air conditioner for your home. The right size of AC unit will run efficiently, keep your utility bills down and continue to operate for a long time. Here’s how to make sure you select the right-sized unit. It’s Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears You can liken getting the right-sized air conditioner to the fairytale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” A system too big can’t run a full cycle. It will instead kick on and then quickly shut off as it’s cooled your home too quickly. This costs you a lot of money. An AC system that is too small can’t cool your home. It will run continuously in a vain attempt to cool your home properly. This, too, will cost you a lot of money. An air conditioning system that’s just the right size will cool your home efficiently by running a full cycle. It will then shut off for a while before starting the next cycle. This is the best way to save money on your utility bills. “Old School” Way of Getting the Right AC System The “old school” way of getting the right-sized AC system for...

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Energy Saving HVAC Tips For Earth Day

April 16, 2020

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year. A great way to take part is to save energy in your home. Heating and cooling your home consumes half your energy, so reducing these costs is a priority. Here are ways you can reduce your energy consumption for Earth Day. Change Your Air Filters Dirty air filters make your heating and air conditioning system work a lot harder than it needs to. You should check your system’s filter every 30 days and replace it when needed. They need to be replaced at most every 90 days. Earth Day is a great time to pull out your system’s manufacturers manual and see what they recommend. Schedule HVAC Maintenance A well-maintained HVAC system uses less energy than one that has been neglected. You should have a professional technician tune-up your system annually. Energy savings will often pay for tune-up visits. For those living in Mount Airy, NC, offers furnace and air conditioning maintenance performed by NATE-certified technicians. Inspect and Repair Duct Work In the average home, 30% of heated and cooled air is lost in the ductwork. You should occasionally inspect your ductwork and seal any leaky sections. Earth Day is a...

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What Should be Included in HVAC Maintenance?

March 12, 2020

Regular care and inspection are necessary to keep your HVAC unit running efficiently. Without proper maintenance, your system could be working harder than it has to, leading your energy costs to rise. It could also lead to high repair or replacement costs. Professional maintenance involves more than you might realize. Here are four things that are involved in HVAC maintenance checks. 1. Changing of Filters The filters of your heating and cooling units are a very important part of your system, but, of course, they get dirty with use. This can cause your unit to perform poorly, leading to inefficient use and excess wear on parts. Inspection and replacement of filters are some of the easiest and most essential ways to keep your system in peak condition. 2. Thorough Inspection of the Complete System An annual inspection by a qualified HVAC professional can detect any issues so that they can be addressed immediately. This can save you both money and frustration. You don’t want to find yourself without heat on the coldest day of winter. Nor is an unexpected repair or replacement something anyone wishes to face. can provide regular maintenance to keep your system running great. 3. Cleaning and...

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Electric vs Gas Furnaces

February 13, 2020

When it comes to replacing your furnace, it’s important to find the right upgrade. Your options include electric and gas furnaces. Each option has pros and cons. The following information can help you determine which type of furnace will meet your needs. Installation Gas and electrical furnaces require professional installation services. Experienced and certified technicians know how to safely install furnaces. Professional technicians possess the knowledge, tools and specialized equipment for installation services. Electric furnaces are powered by high-voltage electricity. Gas furnaces are powered by combustible gas. If the components aren’t installed properly, it could result in a carbon monoxide leak, electrical outage or injuries. Maintenance Electric and gas furnaces must be properly maintained to maximize efficiency. If you’re looking for a furnace that’s easy to maintain, an electric furnace may be right for you. With each use, gas furnaces emit carbon monoxide. You’ll have to install carbon monoxide detectors. Both types of furnaces can develop cracks. In gas furnaces, carbon monoxide can leak through these cracks. When you schedule annual maintenance appointments with , technicians will check your gas furnace for carbon monoxide leaks. Pros and Cons Electric furnaces offer several benefits. They are easier and less expensive to...

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What Heating Systems Are Best For The Environment?

January 6, 2020

Of course, you want your home to be warm and comfortable during the winter but not at the expense of the environment. These days, there are choices to reduce your carbon footprint and lessen your contribution to climate change while still maintaining a pleasant indoor habitat in the winter. Here are some of the best ways for heating your home while limiting your negative environmental impact. Solar Power Throughout large swaths of the United States, solar energy is a great way to power your home. There is a fairly large initial investment, but your energy bills thereafter will be significantly lower. You can even make money if you generate more electricity than you consume. If you have south-facing windows, you can also generate heat in your home by simply opening the blinds on sunny days. Geothermal Geothermal systems take heat from four to six feet beneath the surface of the ground and use it to heat your home. Even in the winter, this underground area can provide warmth. A geothermal system has buried pipes that collect heat while a compressor is utilized to send it throughout the home. For customers in and around Mount Airy, North Carolina, can install this...

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3 Benefits of Crawlspace Renovations

December 18, 2019

The crawlspace is a room in your home that is usually out of sight and out of mind. However, it has a big impact on your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. That’s why more and more homeowners in Mount Airy are choosing to renovate their crawlspaces. Here at , we’ve renovated countless crawlspaces, and we know first-hand how the procedure can transform a home. What are some of the benefits of crawlspace renovation? 1. Improved air quality Did you know that up to 40% of the air inside your home comes up from the crawl space? That’s the air you and your family breathe day in and day out, so you want to make sure it’s as clean and healthy as possible. Encapsulating the crawl space lowers the levels of moisture and unhealthy contaminants in the air, which makes it safer to breathe. 2. Greater energy efficiency Unrenovated crawlspaces are susceptible to extreme changes in temperature. When this air inevitably makes its way into your home, your heating and cooling system has to work hard to stabilize the temperature. Not only does this consume more energy, but it also raises your bills and puts stress on the system. Crawlspace renovation...

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The Pros and Cons of Space Heaters

November 8, 2019

On winter nights, there’s nothing like being warm and cozy. Space heaters offer a way for you to heat one area in your home without changing your thermostat. Before you buy a space heater, though, you should know what to expect. Here are the pros and cons of space heaters. Pro: Reduce Utility Costs Heating costs can rise substantially during the winter months. That’s one of the reasons that space heaters are popular. To maximize your savings, buy an energy-efficient space heater that’s suitable for your home’s size. Pro: Easy to Install Installing a space heater is quick and easy. After you take it out of the box, the only thing you have to do is plug it into an outlet. Be sure to read the directions before you use your space heater. These directions will tell you everything you need to know about the space heater and installation process. Once you’re done with the heater, you can store it neatly in a closet. A space heater is portable. This makes it easy for you to use it in another room. Con: May Cause a Fire Space heaters can overheat and start fires. If you have pets, flammable objects and...

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Early Fall Issues Your HVAC System Might Encounter

October 17, 2019

If you’re looking forward to turning off the air conditioning and turning up the heat for fall, you’ll want to watch out for some issues. Common problems are easily resolved through simple DIY tasks that will only take a small amount of time. If you need some professional help, you can always reach out to . We’re familiar with all of the following early-season issues you may encounter with your HVAC system. Issues When You First Turn on Your System If you turn your heating on for the first time and it’s emitting funny smells or noises, don’t be alarmed right away. However, these should clear quickly. You may have a bigger problem if the system is still making weird noises or odors a day into operation. If no heat is produced by the unit, schedule a service call with . Debris and Dirty Air Filters You’ll want to check the air filter to ensure that it’s clean and free of excessive pollutants. Allergens can quickly spread throughout your home with a dirty filter. It’s a great idea to change them every month or at least at the interval that’s specified. Furthermore, outside foliage and other debris may cause clogs...

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