AC Tune-up Should be a Spring Cleaning Priority

Everyone always looks forward to the spring season after a frigid winter. As plant life begins to shake the snow off and bloom once more, homeowners start cleaning out their homes and repairing any damage the house may have suffered during the winter.

Experts agree that one task of utmost importance during spring cleaning is checking up heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Furnaces, which are winter workhorses, still prove useful in the spring and will need a few final tune-ups before being retired for the summer.

Ventilation and air conditioning systems, however, need more extensive checking to make sure they are fully functional come warmer weather. Air conditioning system inspection includes cleaning the outdoor component, the interior of the unit, replacing filters, etc.

Though you can do all these tasks by yourself, it is best to have them completed by professional air conditioning technicians. However, once you've had pros perform the initial assessments and necessary repairs, you can also ask them for advice on how to do subsequent minor maintenance work by yourself. It can help you save a few dollars or precious time once you call for air conditioning repair again and need to explain a problem to a technician.

A Look at Some of the Best Salt Lake City AC Units

Even though Utah’s Great Salt Lake minimizes the effects of high temperatures, summer in Salt Lake City can still be very hot due to the absence of cold fronts. As such, most residents resort to keeping their air conditioning (AC) units turned on for much of the day to stave off the heat, with varying degrees of success. Interestingly, AC units in the city are just as diverse as the people who live in it.

The most common type of AC is the window air conditioner, a self-contained unit that is affordable, simple to use, and easy to install. Despite its name, this type of AC can be installed by drilling a large enough hole in the wall, although experts largely discourage this method due to the possibility of air leaks. Meanwhile, a heat pump works by pumping indoor heat outward, or vice-versa, depending on current climate conditions.

Other households utilize central air conditioning systems, which are considered some of the most expensive and complex AC units out there. The system itself requires a lot of planning because a central AC that is too large for the house can short cycle (i.e. the cycling compressor turns on and off rather quickly) within a short period. However, such a system is considered very efficient at cooling down indoor temperatures and doesn’t emit loud mechanical noises to boot.

Things You Should Know About Hiring a Heating Contractor

The heating system is an important part of your home. If it breaks down or needs to be replaced, it is just as important to hire a reliable heating contractor to work on it. If you want to get an experienced and trusted heating specialist, you first have to know the model of your current heating system and its maintenance history. This will help your future contractor understand your heating needs.

Next, ask for referrals. Talk to friends, neighbors or co-workers and ask for a list of trusted heating contractors. You may also get member names from the local trade organization. Once you have a list of potential contractors, you should contact them and ask for customer references. Get in touch with the past clients to find out if the contractor did a good job and if they were able to finish a project on time.

If you've already settled for a contractor, make sure that your home and system will be assessed properly. The contractor should also inspect all areas of the system to make sure that they're functioning well or if they meet the manufacturer's needs.

Lastly, get a written estimate. You have to consider cost and warranties, among many things. Don't forget to ask for a written proposal or a contract as well to know the project cost, schedule and warranty information.

Bundle Up! Tips to Stay Warm During the Winter Season

Winter is coming. It's now that time of year to don comfy sweaters and thick socks, and warm up your homes to shelter you from the cold. Here are a few tips on bundling up for warmth during the cold months:

1.     Keep your home warm. Having a good HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) system that is durable and energy-saving allows you to easily adjust and regulate room temperatures inside your home to your liking.

2.      Layers, layers, layers. Big, thick sweaters are nice, but you can also warm up better by wearing thin items of clothing in multiple layers to trap body heat. The more your skin is exposed, the colder you'll feel, so wearing a scarf and earmuffs can also add to the warmth.

3.    Grab a hot drink, like coffee or tea. Decaffeinated drinks are better at keeping you warm, however, because caffeine makes the body lose heat despite the fact that the skin feels warmer. A nice, full meal, preferably with a bowl of soup, can also warm you right up.

4.      Exercise. Exercising can get the blood flowing, which then leads to the warming up of the skin. Even just simple physical activities like jogging in place can do wonders in keeping the cold away.

5.   Snuggle up. Seal and insulate doors and windows to keep drafts from entering the house, then snuggle up in bed underneath a pile of warm blankets and share body heat with family members and loved ones.

Functional Air Conditioning in Salt Lake City Schools: Enhancing the Learning Environment

"For some, air conditioning units are a simple means of escaping the heat indoors during the warmest of days. However, a recent study conducted by University of California-Los Angeles researchers suggests there's more to air conditioning in Salt Lake City than just maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. Maintaining properly ventilated and air conditioned classrooms can help students learn more effectively, as the physical environment plays a key role in the learning process. The study, which states that the learning environment is just as vital as educational materials, was initiated after issues concerning classroom environmental inequality were left unresolved. Environmental inequality is part of a larger debate that focuses on the unequal quality of education across American schools. In many cases, students in less affluent neighborhoods were forced to study in classrooms that were being ravaged by intense heatwaves. "

http://www.harrisaireserv.com/2013/09/functional-air-conditioning-in-salt-lake-city-schools-enhancing-the-learning-environment/

How to Pick an Air Conditioner Installer in Utah

According to the official website of The Weather Channel, the average warmest month in Salt Lake City, Utah is July. If you are thinking about finally getting an air conditioner for your home, you better do it before summer starts. Choosing an AC vendor can be bit challenging, though, if you do not have the right information. For instance, did you know that you need to make an energy load calculation to determine which unit best suits your needs?

If you're uncertain how to proceed, you may want to pick a trusted HVAC company that will conduct the necessary measurements to determine which air conditioner unit is appropriate for your home. Aside from the size of your home, these technicians might also check which areas tend to get the warmest and thus require cooling the most. By choosing the right AC unit size, you don't need to spend more money than you have to.

Experience and reputation also matter when selecting an AC installer, so choose someone who's been in the business. After all, longevity is usually a sign of good service. However, always ask for references and always verify if the contractor is licensed to perform installation. Once you've picked the right company to install an AC unit for your home, you can look forward to a cooler summer season next year.

Calibrating Your Heating System's Thermostat

When doing some maintenance work for your home's heating system, one of the things you shouldn't forget to do is to check if your thermostat is still calibrated. Although an uncalibrated thermostat may seem like a small problem, faulty controls can affect your furnace's performance.

Uncalibrated thermostats could give you wrong temperature readings as well as incorrect temperature controls. For example, when you turn the knob to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, a faulty control could read that incorrectly as 75 degrees, which would heat up the house more than you want to.

To check its calibration, simply place a paper towel on the wall, then tape a thermometer to it. The paper towel should act as a shield to keep the thermometer from touching the wall directly. Once the mercury in the thermometer settles, compare the reading with the thermostat. If there are differences between their temperature readings, then it's time to pry open that thermostat and check inside.

Dust is the archenemy of your thermostat. Pull on the faceplate and it should snap off, or unscrew it if necessary. You can use a soft brush for cleaning the inside, as well as rubbing a new dollar bill onto the contact points. Blow off dust that the brush can't reach; also check if the thermometer inside the thermostat is in a straight position.

If problems still persist, then it could be time to repair your thermostat, or check your heating.

How to Buy an Air Conditioner

It does sound incredible for anyone to intentionally leave the refrigerator door open for a rush of cool air in the thick of a heat wave. This is just what Mookie did, the character played by Spike Lee in his 1989 film, Do the Right Thing. In reality, this action only makes the room hotter because the heating pump behind it extracts and releases more heat in the room. Here are tips to buy yourself an air conditioner:

  -- Shop for an air conditioner during winter – brands are often on sale and in stock;

  -- Choose between a window, wall, or portable air conditioning unit – wall units need a hole in the wall, while portable units need a window for the ventilation hose

  -- Measure the room to be cooled – buy an air conditioner with the appropriate cooling capacity

  -- Check the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of air conditioners – units with higher ratings consume less energy

  -- See if the louvers are adjustable – purchase models that have rotating louvers to circulate air

  -- Reckon special features – some brands offer remote controls, timers and filters to remove odors, dust and especially allergens

  -- Compare products – search consumer sites and other reliable sources for advice and feedback

Try the air conditioning at the store – listen to the noise that a unit makes and see if it can be operated easily. Don't even think of looking to your fridge for a blast of cold.