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Mind The Gap
Check the door seal on appliances
When it comes to refrigerators, a tight door seal is important. Minor gaps due to misalignment or age will make your unit work harder. A simple test is to place a dollar bill between the gasket and the frame.
With the door closed, there should be adequate friction to make it difficult to remove the dollar bill. If it slides out easily, or falls to the floor, the door gasket may need to be replaced. This same tip will work on dishwashers, too. |
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Contact Us
By Phone: 919-676-4065 |
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April Indoor Air Alert: Allergy season is here. Regular filter changes can help maintain better indoor air quality. It's also a good time to consider a whole-home high performance media air filter. |
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Spring cleaning - get a jump on cooling
Spruce things up, check for gaps, plus ways to reduce heat build-up
Spring has come; homeowners will soon desire to open the windows, air out the house, and begin the annual clean-up, inside and out. It's also a good time to look for ways to reduce energy consumption this summer when we turn from the heating season to cooling.
With the change in seasons, look for gaps around windows and doors. Just as you don't want to lose heat in the winter, keeping the warm air from gaining ground on your cooling is important, too. As you inspect windows, consider new coverings in the form of decorative shades or blinds. These lightweight and easily adjustable window coverings can be an effective tool to reduce radiant heat build-up and reduce demands on the system. Many of today's attractive designs incorporate energy saving features.
Although programmable thermostats are often featured as a means to reduce heating requirements, they can play an equally important role with cooling in the summer. This is an excellent time to revisit the temperatures your programs will call for during the summer. Most programmable thermostats offer four events per day as well as settings that will vary between weekdays and weekends. They will also offer a means to override your programs with a manual "Hold" setting and return to it at a later time; permanent hold, or a vacation mode, is another strategy to reduce demand. Your owner's manual will help you decide what may work best for your situation.
Vents for attic and crawl space areas are sometimes overlooked. Make a visual inspection of your attic to be certain that proper venting occurs at the roof's edge and peak. Check baffles to ensure insulation is not blocking incoming airflow and that the ridge vents can function with a proper offset of inlet air from the soffit vents, or eaves. If you have gable vents, check for stored items that may be blocking airflow. When it comes to ventilation products, we recommend AirVent Corporation; they can offer homeowners ventilation advice and a wide selection of solutions.
As the weather begins to warm up, remind yourself to open the crawl space vents once freeze warnings and the demand for heating has passed. Also, inspect for critter vulnerability in the form of gaps or holes; pest screens should be intact and operable where appropriate, too. |
FAQ - Does airflow diminish over time?
My system is getting older; I don't feel as much air as before.
Today's variable speed blower motors are more reliable and longer lasting than in the past. If you recently upgraded your HVAC system to a newer model, you may not be as familiar with this lower, variable flow of air within your home. However, if you believe the airflow has diminished over time, it could be the result of either a clogged return air filter, or a build-up of dirt and debris on the blower wheel (commonly called a "squirrel cage" and attached to the blower motor). It could also be the result of an out of balance motor.
The first step is to make frequent changes of your return air filters. Filter change frequency varies based on the type of filter installed; a traditional 1" filter normally falls into a monthly cycle, or once every 90 days. The whole-home media air filters we sell from Aprilaire or Honeywell offer improved filtration and less frequent changes (up to one year in many installations). If the problem persists, the blower wheel should be checked. The curvature of the blades (think in terms of 'a cupped surface') is an important performance component. We have seen the build-up of dirt reach a point where the blade's surface is completely flat, i.e., the dirt has filled up the curved portion and hardened from the moisture present in the system. This can dramatically reduce airflow to the supply ducts. Note: Due to the high voltage present in this area, we recommend service by an HVAC technician, only. This is one of the areas our technicians inspect as part of their Energy Efficiency Check-Up to evaluate overall performance of your system. |
Maintenance Tip - Clean the other coil
Cleaning the coil on your refrigerator and/or freezer
Homeowners are often aware that a clean coil in their heating and cooling system can improve performance and reduce energy consumption; it can also extend the life of the system. The other coil in your home that needs attention is part of your refrigerator and/or freezer. Regular attention with a vacuum cleaner can make a big difference in performance and overall energy usage.
The design, location, and access to the coil will vary based on the model and age of your unit. Your owner's manual likely carries a reference to this activity and will offer some guidance for the best way to clean it. Turn the unit's power off before you start. Also, make note of the location of any screws or bolts if a cover is removed in the process - an empty egg carton comes in handy as a storage tray in situations like this. Adopt this activity as part of your quarterly maintenance schedule. This may also be a good time to defrost the freezer, too. |
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About Air Comfort For Homes
As a local professional source of indoor air quality solutions for
homeowners, Air Comfort For Homes seeks ways to improve your home's indoor air quality and homeowner comfort. We work with homeowners to develop a better overall indoor air quality strategy for a more comfortable lifestyle. |
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