Does The Brand Make A Difference When It Comes To HVAC Systems?

When you are preparing to purchase an HVAC system for your home, it's easy to assume that all systems are alike, no matter the brand. However, once you dive a bit deeper into your research, you'll soon find that's not true. Just as it is with buying a new car or any other big-ticket item, you'll often find that you get exactly what you pay for in terms of quality and dependability. Thus, before you get your HVAC system, here are some reasons why a brand does indeed make a difference.

A Decades-Long Investment

When you are looking for an HVAC system, it's important that you remember it will be a decades-long investment in your home. Typically, a good HVAC system from a name-brand company will last at least 20 years before needing to be replaced. If you skimp on a cheaper system, you will ultimately be paying more money in the long run.

Energy Efficiency

Though most of today's modern HVAC systems are very energy efficient, this does not mean all systems are alike. In fact, there can often be a big difference in the energy efficiency of various systems. Because of this and the fact that each home is unique, it's best to rely on the advice of an experienced Trane dealer when making your decision.

Noise Levels

If there is one thing you don't want to find out about until after it's too late, it's having an HVAC system installed at your home that is extremely noisy. An area that is often overlooked by many people during the buying process, a noisy HVAC system can make you and your family miserable in a hurry. To make sure you get a system that is nice and quiet, research different brands online, read online customer reviews and seek advice from a trusted HVAC professional.

Programmable Thermostat

One of the most innovative breakthroughs in HVAC systems in recent years, always makes sure the brand of HVAC system you select includes a programmable thermostat. Along with helping to keep your energy costs low, the programmable thermostat will also help you keep your home's temperature consistent. As an added bonus, top brands of HVAC systems usually have programmable thermostats that can be controlled via an app that can be downloaded to your smartphone.

Now that you are aware of just how important it is to choose the best brand of HVAC system for your home, don't rush through the buying process. Instead, do your own research, talk to experienced HVAC professionals, and use your common sense and best judgment when making your decision.

Parts of Your HVAC System That Are Most Likely to Break Down and How to Prevent That

Your HVAC unit has several functions in your home: heating, air conditioning and ventilation. As the seasons change, different parts direct it to work in different ways to keep your home comfortable. Some components, however, may start acting up when you least expect it. Here are four components that are most likely to break down and how to prevent problems.

The Thermostat

The first component you need to keep an eye on is the thermostat. The thermostat is what ultimately controls how your HVAC works. However, a malfunctioning thermostat can cause the HVAC unit to run incessantly. This can cause the price of your utility bill to increase as well as reduce the life expectancy of the HVAC. Fortunately, there are some signs to watch for that point to a broken thermostat.

Your thermostat may reflect inaccurate temperature readings or may remain blank. You also might notice that the temperatures remain constant even when you set it to change or that the heater or AC doesn’t turn off even when the house has reached its desired temperature.

The best way to keep your thermostat in good condition is with preventative HVAC maintenance. If your thermostat isn't functioning at all, an experienced professional can easily replace it with a new one.

The Air Filter

You’d be amazed at how many problems can arise from something as simple as a dirty filter. Mild problems include reduced airflow while more severe issues can be along the lines of damaging the heat exchanger. The indoor air quality of your home may suffer if allergens aren't removed. You should always swap out filters within or after three months. This will increase or decrease depending on how many people live in your home and if you have any furry pets.

The Evaporator Coil

The cool air that flows through your home is thanks to the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is what soaks in all the heat from the air and works in tandem with another component called the condenser to produce cool air. When the evaporator coil is damaged in any way, you’ll notice pretty quickly.

Like the thermostat, there are various signs to look out for if there is an issue with the evaporator coil. The most noticeable sign is setting the thermostat to a low temperature and still getting hot air blowing through the vents.

The Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is the component responsible for transporting heat from location to location. If it malfunctions, you may start smelling strange odors, and dust may accumulate in your home. Keep in mind that if a faulty heat exchanger warrants immediate attention. Without repair or replacement, your HVAC can malfunction entirely.

The best way to prevent any of these issues is with regular preventative HVAC maintenance. When you get regular maintenance done, your HVAC professional will often be able to notice damaged parts before they actually start to affect the comfort of your home. These repairs will also be more affordable than they would be if you needed emergency repairs.

With proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your HVAC. Plan on seasonal maintenance, before and after the summer season to keep your system running all year long.

How to Know if Your Home Needs an Air Filtration System

It is an unfortunate fact that many families are constantly exposed to airborne contaminants as soon as they step into their homes. That is why you might want to spend a little bit of time determining if your home needs a high-quality air filtration system that will eradicate a variety of toxins and allergens.

The Age of Your Home

Over time, all of the materials that your home was built with will begin to shrink and expand. That type of movement is completely natural, but it could result in quite a few openings around doors, windows, vents, and pipes. If your home is more than a decade or two old, then an air filter could be exactly what you need to remove any stray particles that get through those openings.

Signs of Lingering Health Issues

While indoor pollutants don’t cause all respiratory illnesses, ongoing exposure will increase your family’s risk of many different health problems. That includes severe seasonal allergies, asthma attacks, and even certain diseases. The occasional respiratory issue probably isn’t a big deal, but you might want to consider some type of filtration system if your family is constantly struggling with itchy eyes, sore throats, and runny noses.

Unpleasant Odors

Modern filtration systems are incredibly advanced, and they could help you deal with any lingering odors that are in your home. Many odors are caused by microscopic particles that are floating in the air, and catching those particles in a filter could have an immediate impact on any smells that are inside your home. It might be tempting to use an air freshening spray around our home, but those scents are only going to mask the unpleasant odors temporarily.

Testing Your Indoor Air Quality

Even if you haven’t noticed any of these other issues, you should still consider professional air testing. A reputable indoor air quality testing company will be able to give you a comprehensive report on what contaminants and pollutants are in your home. Once you have that report, they can then help you come up with a personalized plan for filtering out unwanted airborne particles that could be impacting your quality of life.

Adding an air filtration system to your home is a great way to improve your family’s health and overall comfort. Those systems can often be installed in one or two days, and your family will most likely notice the benefits almost immediately.

Signs Your Furnace Is in Need of Repair

Is your furnace starting to act up? Are you noticing an increase in your energy bills or perhaps experiencing strange noises or odors coming from the unit? Here are some warning signs that something may be wrong with your furnace and it needs repair.

Strange Noises

High pitched buzzing or howling noises normally come from the blower fan or motors inside your furnace. If you hear these sounds after the unit has been running, it is a sign that there may be a problem with either the fan blades hitting part of the furnace or perhaps the motor itself is failing. Both problems are easily fixed by a professional, but early detection can prevent more costly repairs in the future.

Poor Heating

You may notice that you seem to be using much more energy than normal to keep the house warm. If this happens, it may be time to have a furnace repair. You might also notice that the air coming from your vents seems significantly colder than in years past, even though you are running the thermostat at a higher temperature. An experienced HVAC technician can check for problems with your furnace and determine if a repair is needed.

Strange Odor

Do you smell something funny from the vents in your home? Some smells are normal for certain models of furnaces because they have a sealed combustion chamber where all of the fumes from the burned gas get contained until they get out of the unit. However, if you notice an increase in an unusual odor coming from your furnace, it may be time to have a technician check your furnace carefully for any possible problems that may exist.

Dirty Air Filters

It is very important to keep the filters on your furnace clean and changed out regularly to prevent problems with the unit. When dirty filters are used in your furnace, they can restrict airflow and even cause overheating of the system, which may shorten its life span significantly. Having your filter changed regularly is also important because it will save you money on your energy bills by allowing your furnace to run efficiently. So, it doesn't have to work as hard and use up more energy than necessary to heat your home.

Normal wear and tear can cause problems in your heating system, which will require repair from time to time. If you experience any of these warning signs, contact a reputable HVAC company for an appointment. You may be able to have the problem diagnosed and repaired quickly before larger problems arise that could cost you more money in the future.