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Tips for HVAC Winter Maintenance

With the kids back in school and the upcoming autumn and winter vacations, now is a perfect time to perform routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system.

Prepare your air conditioner for a long night’s sleep, and learn how to securely turn on your heating system after it has been dormant. The last thing you want to happen is for your furnace to go out in the middle of a bitter winter.
A typical home’s heating and cooling costs account for approximately half (48 percent) of overall energy consumption, swiftly establishing themselves as the most expensive energy costs (U.S. DOE) voiced by Affordable Heat & Air.
When you make an extra effort to ensure that your HVAC system is in proper working order, you may significantly reduce the amount of energy that your HVAC system consumes. As far as possible, ensure that the shift from cooling to heating is seamless. Here are some pointers for performing preventive HVAC maintenance in the fall.

Tips for HVAC Preventive Maintenance in the Fall!

1) Consider replacing your HVAC system – Before you do anything, consider the age of your heating system and the amount of money you are now spending on energy. According to the EPA, heating systems that are more than ten years old are only 40-60 percent efficient. If your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is on its last legs, you should seriously consider replacing it. Gas furnaces currently on the market have efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent, which is impressive. Read on to find out why you should upgrade both your cooling and heating systems simultaneously.

The second step is to clean or replace the air filters. Clogged HVAC filters obstruct airflow and reduce the overall effectiveness of the HVAC system. Whether you’ve been neglecting to clean or replace your system’s air filters for a long, now is a good time to do so. This should be done at least once every three to six months. If you want to be extra cautious, check your air filter every 30 days to see if it is dirty or clogged with debris. Consult your owner’s handbook to determine which air filter is most appropriate for your system. A minimum MERV value of 7 should be used when selecting an air filter for your home. Make sure you have enough backups so that you don’t have to run to the store every month or two to replace them.

3) Clean and unclog all return and supply vents and registers– Make sure that all of your return and supply vents and registers are clean and free of obstructions. Check to make sure that none of them are blocked by rugs, furniture, or anything else that might be obstructing their path. Learn why you should never close any of your vents, as well as the truth behind other common HVAC misconceptions. While you’re checking to make sure nothing is blocking your vents, please take a moment to clear them of any dust that has gathered in the area surrounding them. It is essential to clean your ducts to avoid dirt and dust entering your HVAC system and cycling throughout your home.

4) have you had your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system professionally inspected in preparation for the following Fall season? Whether you are a homeowner or a property manager, you will require the services of a competent HVAC professional to assist you in the maintenance and repair of your air conditioning system. A well-maintained and serviced HVAC system is highly energy-efficient, both in terms of performance and use of energy. As a result, you should have your HVAC system inspected by a competent contractor at least twice a year for the heating system. This is done once in the autumn and the spring for the cooling system. The examination is intended to identify any issues and guarantee that the HVAC system is operating as efficiently as possible. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning inspections involve checking filters and evaluating electrical switches, belts, contacts (including motors), safety switches (including gas pressure), and refrigerant levels.

To maintain your system operating at peak efficiency, we recommend that you sign up for an HVAC maintenance agreement, such as our Maintenance Value Plan (MVP). Having a maintenance agreement for your HVAC system ensures that you receive priority service in the event of a system breakdown and ensures that your checks are conducted on schedule. This arrangement will enable you to save a significant amount of money in the long run. As winter approaches, the demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems increases. Therefore, you should always get your HVAC system tested by a licensed and certified HVAC expert contractor! Please let us know if there is anything further, we can do to assist you or have any questions or concerns.

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Is Fiber Cement Siding the Best Choice For Massachusetts Homes?

Today many people are choosing fiber cement siding for their home’s exterior. Presently, it is estimated that about 20% of homes are opting for fiber cement siding for it imitates the wood and is now being adopted in some of the historic districts. It is available in mimicking brick, stone, and cement, while demanding low in maintenance when collated with wood and costs less than the three. We talked with Tony at Roofing Contractor in Nashua NH.

It came in to spotlight 35 years back and since then it has no looking back because it costs less than brick and wood, proposes strong durability and requires very less maintenance. Jeff from Charlton roofing said that it’s best suited in hot and humid climates and also in ocean areas where it exposed more to fungus and rot. It also works perfectly fine in areas that are exposed to extreme cold temperature.

The fiber cement siding is the beat and the perfect choice for Massachusetts homes for it helps in keeping the house warm because of the thermal mass. It is highly energy-efficient and it provides high ventilation keeping the house cool. 

Fiber cement is noncombustible and suits well for the places where it is exposed to wildfire dangers. It is very well benefitted for few insurance companies offer great compensation for this siding.

When the sand, wood pulp, and the Portland cement is mixed, Fiber Cement is presented as new material. It comes in stained, primed and painted or also as raw siding in panels, lap siding, shingles, and blocks. The fiber cement is available in textured or smooth surface and appearance.

The fiber cement siding is better for the Massachusetts homes for it hold better paint and is more durable which ultimately reduces the cost of maintenance. In addition, the moisture is resisted and so are the warping, termites, cracking, shrinking, insect damage and fading.

The maintenance of the regiment depends upon the product whether it has been painted on-site of factory painted. The average time span is 5 to 7 years if it is painted on-site and 15 to 20 years for factory paint. But the fiber cement’s lifespan is around 50-100 years.

The materials of fiber cement are available in various thicknesses. The products that are thin are usually low priced and are mostly used in low-value homes. The disadvantage of this product is that it becomes curling by time. But in the case of thicker siding, it lasts long and is sturdy as well. There are also products that are available in the form of interlocking panels that can be fixed vertically or horizontally in the interiors of the house. It presents a beautiful modern or industrial look which plays the durability part very well. 

The installation process usually requires professional, but with few expert tips and deep research and learning, you can fix it for yourself. The fiber cement is slowly gaining popularity in Massachusetts due to attractive, stylish and pleasing appearance for the house. It is also very sustainable and remains very important for homeowners.

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How to Market an HVAC Business in the Year 2020

There was a time when most sales leads came from word of mouth. There was a time when customers stayed loyal to a business for a long time. Today is not that time.

Homeowners of current era want instant gratification. Digitization has made them impatient and transformed the economy into I-want-it-now.

Customers want answers to messages and requests immediately. They want superior customer services within 24 hours. They want an experience that is more than what they expected.

Affordable Air Conditioning of verbiage, if a company wants to succeed in 2019, they need marketing strategies that fit the time. 

So, how does HVAC business market their wares to the contemporary consumer? Here are three effective strategies to use. 

Create a website and make it good

Where do you think the current customer looks for answers? It is on the internet. If your HVAC business does not have a website, they are losing out on a colossal segment of consumers.

But having a website isn’t enough. A site becomes a moneymaker only when it is made to stand out. The lesson is to build an online platform where potential customers can find you and make it so that their attention is captured. 

A responsive website is not enough

A user-friendly, responsive website doesn’t cut it anymore. Good loading speed and a site that fits into any screen size are something every user expects.

What they look for is something more. It is when a consumer walks away thinking ‘wow, the site made it easy’ that they return to you. To achieve the goal, every HVAC business needs to invest in mobile-friendly design.

Keep it mobile-friendly

57% of all HVAC business websites are visited through a mobile device. It implies if your business has a site but isn’t mobile-friendly, it is akin to now having one at all! Think over it.

Over half of new and old customers are accessing sites through portable gadgets such as smartphones and tablets. Would you want to ignore them? Moreover, Google ranks websites that are mobile-friendly higher than others.

Make a site that works seamlessly on a mobile device. Every potential lead should be able to contact you effortlessly without the need of zooming in and out to make text readable on a small screen.

Search Engine Optimization is vital

Building a website is step one. Creating one that catches the eye is step two. Making it mobile friendly is step three.
SoCal Climate Control Yorba Linda is the leader in marketing their SEO profile.

The last is to optimize it for search engines. Without SEO, your HVAC business will not be able to advertise to more clients and customers. 

Did you know that approximately 97% of people search for local businesses online? Of this, 82% of searches are done on a smartphone?

If you want your HVAC company to pop up during these searches, includes search engine marketing strategies such as pay per click search advertising and local search engine optimization.

Keep the four strategies in mind, and your HVAC business will see a definite upsurge in customers soon enough.

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Commercial HVAC Companies: How to Find One You Can Count On

With the busy lives that people lead, taking the time out to question and judge HVAC services providers is almost impossible. It is the reason why most individuals select a random company for their air conditioners and suffer from sub-par service. Thankfully, there is a gamut of commercial companies that you can count on unreservedly when it comes to your HVAC system.

The question is not if there are excellent and reliable AC service providers. It is how do you find the right fit for your system. Let’s take a look at the ways that will help you find an HVAC company you can always rely upon. 

Ask people for recommendations

The foolproof method to look for commercial AC companies is friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. They will know how trustworthy their service provider is and will recommend you accordingly. Over and above, their advice will steer you clear of the bad options. Moreover, neighbors will know about companies that cater to your area.

Look for them on the internet

Google, or any other search engine, is heaven-sent. You can search for a whole list of HVAC companies on the internet. Furthermore, you can find out their background, experience, and service quality. Read reviews from past customers and look at their star rating to pick out better choices. A few questions to keep in mind when searching are:

• Do they have enough experience, especially in the AC unit you have installed?
• Do they offer the whole package of services?
• Are there any complaints registered against the HVAC company?
• Do they offer guarantees on repairs and installation?

Go through the terms of service

Once you’ve shortlisted a few HVAC service companies, go through the contract and see how precise their terms of service are. If the wording is vague, then chances are the agreement will have a lot of loopholes. A firm that offers simple contracts with clearly written terms is the better choice. They will not only provide you more exceptional service but also be upfront of all conditions.

What does a lousy HVAC company look like?

It is only when you have both sides of the story can you make an informed decision. Knowing how to look for a reliable air conditioning company is half the battle. The other is to recognize a firm that does a poor job. 

So, to conclude, here are some signs for which you should be on the lookout:

• They are unable to diagnose issues with the HVAC unit correctly.
• They never show up on time for the appointment.
• They do not consider your convenience when performing repairs and maintenance.
• All repairs take too long, even in emergencies.
• They perform the bare minimum when it comes to preventive steps.
• Their bills and orders are a mess of legalese that is hard to comprehend.

Their work is careless and always ends up with a mess for you to clear.

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Poisoning Radon – Dangers to Health and Home

Radon is very unique yet dangerous gas that is naturally produced and is highly radioactive. Water, Soil and rocks contain certain substances such as radium, uranium and thorium.

These substances are broken down and then is discharged into the atmosphere. Radon is unseeable, flavorless and scentless. This radioactive gas is generally produced at locations with deficient air supply, such as mines built underground or even sometimes inside closed properties.

Radon poisoning is very vulnerable to health when exposed for a longer duration. Says Dan, from radon testing in Andover MA

Ways of Radon Exposure on Humans

Many places such as schools, properties, office space, underground areas, etc., are all locations where one can find high intensity of Radon poisoning. Breathing the air in these areas can get one exposed to the naturally produced radioactive gas.

House can also be exposed through the same gas entering through cracks and leakage in the ground. Houses with the following type of buildings have high chances of Radon poisoning exposure.

• Spaces that are isolated
• Areas that are enclosed and airtight
• Locations that are in close contact with soil that carry the harmful substances
• House with more space allocated towards basement, closet, spaces with just crawling area, etc.

Radon Poisoning Test for Houses

Every building is unparalleled and thus is the level of radon. Each house depending on the size, shape and number of enclosed areas will differ in their radon level contamination.

The only possibility to keep a check is to conduct tests on the property that can be easily done at home and professional care is not required.

• Test Conducted Within Shorter Period of Time

Some occupants prefer the test done in shorter periods but at regular intervals. This test lasts for about two to three days and requires all air supply coming into the house be blocked. The equipment required are:

1. charcoal canisters
2. electret ion chambers
3. alpha-track detectors
4. continuous monitors
5. charcoal liquid scintillation detectors

• Test Conducted at a Longer Stretch

The accuracy of the radon test is only achieved with this long term testing that is done at homes. This test is conducted for over a period of 90 days using chamber detectors built with electret ion and alpha-track.

The required materials are available in any hardware shops and it is vital to follow all instructions written in the package. The device kit used for testing is generally kept either in the basement or ground level of the house.

After completion, the device is packed and sent for testing. The results usually take around two weeks to be known.
Also check with a local Home Inspections in Lowell MA for getting the best opinion.

Solution to Eliminate Radon

A 4pCi/L or above level of radiation is detected during the tests then a certain amount of renovations are required to be made in the house to eliminate the problem, such as

• Crack and leakages in the foundation of the house needs to be sealed.
• Installing a fan system and vent pipe in the soil can help the radon to vent outside rather than them entering the house.
• Setup gas-accessible sheets with plastic sheets above the same, so as to prevent the radon from entering even through the gas-accessible sheets into the house.

Surroundings are prevalent of harmful gases such as radon and exposure to this naturally formed radioactive gas can cause major ill-health such as cancer to many living beings.

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Benefits and Limitations of Using Tar for Roof Repairment

As an informed homeowner, you must be aware of the pros and cons of tar before using it as a roof repairing ingredient. A large number of people think that roofing tar is appropriate for any roof. But, that is not at all true. There are specific roof shapes and qualities that are appropriate for roofing tar. Houses that have a flat roof can use tar to repair damages. It is generally used as the first layer in gravel and tar roofing. People also use tar to fill in cracks and holes in the roof.

Fix small holes by roofing tar

Residential roofing tar is of two kinds – waterproof and durable. Both the varieties are versatile. The asphalt used in repairing roofs is a dark oily mixture which is made from petroleum and coal byproducts. If you find that there are holes or cracks on your ceiling, you can opt for roofing tar to fix the damage. For leakage, you do not need to replace the entire roof. It saves you from spending a considerable amount of money and also is a brilliant solution for small roof damages.

Advantages of roofing tar

Jeff from Webster roofing says that Roofing tar is an excellent option for flat roof homes. Tar is a perfect resistor of ultraviolet rays and keeps from excessive heating of rooms. It does not allow water and snow to stay or collect, which is very common in the case of flat roofs. Since it is an easy roofing solution, placing it does not take a lot of time.

Experts can place it within half a day. It is one of the prevalent roofing solutions selected by house owners as most roofers know how to apply it. Gravel and tar roofing can be a smart investment as it will not weigh heavily on your pockets. It is apt to say that the time till which this roofing solution serves you will be way more than the amount of money you spent on it.

Drawbacks of gravel and tar roofing

During the roofing process, asphalt can give out toxic and harmful fumes. Installers and experts must wear protective masks during the application of gravel and tar roofing. Residents should stay away as tar and gravel can harm health. Applying tar on the house roofs is very easy, but you should always hire professional roof installers for the process and avoid any mishap.

Health issues associated with the roofing solution

Smelling roofing tar can cause chronic headache and make you feel nauseated. Such effects can be for short term duration. If the above-stated symptoms do not resolve within some hours, then you should see the doctor as soon as possible. Pregnant women should stay away from such noxious odors. However, there is not any confirmation that fumes from tar can affect childbirth. Exposure to these harmful gases can also increase the chances of skin and lung diseases. It may also lead to stomach and bladder cancer. People working with tar are also diagnosed with leukemia. If you happen to be an asthma patient, avoid inhaling harmful tar fumes. It irritates the respiratory tract and can trigger breathing problems.

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Home Owners Guide to Air Conditioning Maintenance

The air conditioner is a sophisticated electrical appliance that consists of coil, filter, compressor, fins and many other parts. An AC unit can work efficiently, only when all the parts are working perfectly fine. Even, a small abnormality in any of the components can impact its efficiency. This is the reason why you should spend time and money on maintaining your AC unit. In this article, we will provide some basic maintenance tips for your air conditioner unit from https://www.affordableheatandair.biz/

Filters

Every air conditioner unit is equipped with one or more filter, which is responsible for trapping the dust particles in the room environment. As the day passes, the dust gets accumulated in the filter beyond its withstanding capacity, thereby forcing the AC unit to work more, resulting in increased energy consumption. To avoid this case, the filters should be cleaned periodically. If the filter is worn out or damaged beyond the level of cleaning, then it should be replaced immediately.

The filters of the central air conditioners are located along the duct’s length, while the room air conditioners filter is located at the backside of the face grill.

There are two type filters viz. reusable and non-reusable. Air filters should be checked regularly and replaced in a shorter interval if it is located in dusty conditions.

Coils

The evaporator and condenser coil of the air conditioner unit can get accumulated with dust and dirt over the period. Though the filters can trap the dust and dirt, the evaporator coil can still get dirt due to unavoidable reasons. The accumulated dirt can decrease the airflow and can act as an insulating layer that will reduce the efficiency of the evaporator coil. To prevent this problem, you should clean the coil, at least once in a year.

The condenser coil that is located in the outdoor can get dirty quickly due to the dispersed dust and suspended particles. You should try all your means to reduce the debris and dirt in the area surrounding the condenser unit. Falling leaves, dryer vents and lawn mower are some of the potential sources of debris and dirt.

Coil Fins

The aluminum fins on the condenser and evaporator coil can get bent and can impede the airflow. There is a tool called a “fin comb,” which can get back the fins to its actual condition.

Condensate Drains

Insert a stiff wire into the unit’s drain channel to remove the possible clogs. Clogged drain channels can cause excess moisture in the room environment, which can result in discolored walls and carpet.

Check Window Seals

Before turning on your AC unit, check the metal seal between the window frame and air conditioner for any leaks and rust. This metal seal can wear and rust over time due to moisture, weather, and elements, thereby allowing the cold air to escape outside your home.

Preparing for Winter

During winter, cover your air conditioner to keep it protected it from the debris and dust. You may also remove and store the AC unit in a secure place for better protection.

Hiring a Professional

It is always better to hire a professional contractor for all your AC installation, repair, and maintenance needs.

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Insulated Vinyl Siding Benefits

Insulated Vinyl Siding Benefits and Why a Home Owner Should Consider It

When investing in siding, you might want to consider insulated vinyl siding over the alternatives. Investing in insulated vinyl siding comes with many inherent benefits. In this article, we will be going over some of the benefits of insulated vinyl siding and why you should be considering it.

Benefits Of Insulated Vinyl Siding

1. Better Energy Efficiency.

One of the main benefits that you get from investing in properly insulated vinyl siding is better home energy efficiency. Not only will you be doing your part to protect the Earth, but you will be protecting your wallet from wasted energy and higher utility bills. By having insulation built into your siding, you will be able to minimize wasted energy by retaining heat during the winter and keeping cool air in during the warmer months. It will significantly cut down on your energy bills year round no matter what climate you live in.

2. Better Noise Control.

Another benefit that you can get from insulated vinyl siding is the ability to have better noise insulation. Because sound will not be able to penetrate as easy as it could with non-insulated siding, you will be able to minimize noise from leaking in and out of your home. Therefore, if you are located near a busy highway or street, you will be able to keep the noise from roaring through your home which can provide you with peace and quiet when you are trying to rest.

3. Enhanced Durability.

Another excellent benefit that you can get from investing in insulated siding is the ability to get enhanced durability. While vinyl siding is durability on its own, having added insulation allows for even more durability especially for impact absorption.
Because insulation can increase shock absorption, it can be great for those that live in harsh climates with hail or strong winds.

4. Better Moisture Management.

While vinyl siding can help with moisture control on its own, getting insulated vinyl siding can boost moisture management even further. Because insulated siding can feature a perm rating of 5.0, it can help your home and siding breathe much better to protect against moisture buildup and damage.

5. More Comfortable Temperatures.

Because insulated vinyl is going to be able to help regulate your home’s temperature from room to room, it is going to provide a much more consistent and better climate controlled temperatures throughout your entire home. This is going to make it much more comfortable in your home.

As you can see, insulated vinyl siding is a great investment for any homeowner. It comes with many added benefits over non-insulated vinyl siding that can make for a much more comfortable and peaceful home. At the same time, it can prove to be very beneficial for cost savings over the long haul due to its ability to assist in better overall energy efficiency. If you are looking to invest in new siding for your home, it is worth the added cost to opt for insulated vinyl because of the many benefits it can provide you as a homeowner.