Summer 2012

Reasons Why You Need Your Air Ducts Cleaned

If your home air conditioning system uses air ducts and it seems to be working fine you may put off maintenance. Running your AC system when the air ducts are in need of cleaning may have adverse effects on the quality of your air and the operation of your system. Here are some indicators that it is time to have your air ducts cleaned.

1. Decreased Air Flow
   If enough dust and debris builds up in your air ducts, the flow of air into your home can be reduced. You may find yourself running your AC harder than usual and with poor results. Have your ducts inspected for blockages to determine if cleaning is necessary.
2. Reduced Indoor Air Qualit
   When dust builds up in your duct system, it can affect your indoor air quality. Dust circulating through the air will also be circulating over the different components of your heating and cooling system. Just because dust and dander are not affecting the residents does not mean that they are not affecting your system.
3. Indoor Conditions and Habits
   If you have pets, smokers in the home, or if your house has been recently renovated, your ducts may be more susceptible to indoor air pollutants.
4.  Lack of Maintenance
   If you have been neglecting your cooling system, you may want to consider a cleaning before getting started on a regular maintenance plan.
5.  Obvious Issues
   If you’re really unsure about whether your ducts need cleaning, take a look for yourself. Open the registers and look inside. If you see anything there that concerns you, call a professional for a second look. They will share their experience and expertise with you to help you make the next move.

Repair or Replace: When Do You Need a New Air Conditioner?

There are a lot of things to consider when deciding to repair or replace your air conditioner. The first is the age of your system. Air conditioners can last a long time with regular maintenance and repair. If your system is only a year or two old you’ll certainly opt for repair. If you’re having trouble with an AC that is 8 or 10 years old, however, it may be worth replacing. Even if the necessary repairs are not that expensive, many of the advancements in the industry over the past decade may make it worth investing in a new system.

Before deciding to repair a damaged air conditioner, consider its efficiency. Look back at its performance and costs of operation last summer. If it wasn’t efficient at the beginning of last season, you might want to look at newer options. Look for information about the system, including its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). If your system is outdated and has a low SEER, then even with repairs it will not be capable of running as efficiently as newer models. You may be able to fix your current air conditioner for less money than you’d spend on a new system, but over time the financial benefits of a new, high efficiency machine can easily outweigh the one–time–savings of repairing an older AC.

If you do decide that your old system is ready for replacement, the next step is to talk to a qualified HVAC technician. They will be able to help you through all the steps involved in deciding on, purchasing and installing a new air conditioning system. Remember, you don’t have to stick with what you’ve had. If your old ductwork is leaky or compromised, you may want to consider a ductless system. Maybe a heat pump is right for your heating and cooling needs. With so much to consider, the best thing to do is ask the pros. Call us any time.