Tag: homeowners

How Can Homeowners Prepare Their Heaters for the Fall?

Get the Heater Ready for Colder Weather 

The seasons are changing, temperatures are getting cooler, and as with every season, there are certain things that homeowners need to do to make sure their property is ready to handle another winter. During the winter, people spend most of their time nestled indoors where their heater or furnace can protect them from the frigid temperatures outside. Unfortunately, if the heater isn’t properly cared for, it can fail to perform this winter. 

Homeowners can do a few things to prevent a heating problem and repairs this winter. This article is a quick guide to help homeowners ensure their heater is ready and working efficiently for the coming seasons and their air quality stays high during the winter. By following this advice, homeowners can save money by preventing repairs and lowering energy bills.  

Schedule Heating Maintenance 

The first thing on a fall maintenance checklist for the home should be scheduling professional heater maintenance. Heating and cooling accounts for around 40% of utility bills, so ensuring that it runs as efficiently as possible with routine maintenance can save homeowners money. Maintenance can save even more money by leading to fewer future issues and repairs and extending the life of the heater. 

During a heating maintenance visit from a local professional, technicians do important things like: 

  • Lubricate moving parts
  • Replace worn belts
  • Look for damaged system components
  • Clean the burner
  • Check safety devices
  • Test the gas or electrical connections

By spending a little money on annual heater maintenance, homeowners can save by helping prevent major problems, extending their lifespan, and saving on energy costs. 

Change Air Filters 

air filterAnother thing that shouldn’t be neglected to care for the heater correctly is air filters. How often they should be replaced depends on their size and type, but it’s generally around every three months. Dirty air filters can have many negative effects, such as poor indoor air quality, inefficiency, and higher energy bills. 

Replacing air or furnace filters on time, on the other hand, improves the heater’s efficiency, reduces utility bills, helps protect the heater from overheating and other problems, and improves indoor air quality, which can help improve the health of those who live in the home.  

Keep Track of Utility Bills 

smart thermostatAs mentioned above, heaters use a massive amount of energy to keep the home warm during the winter, and heating and cooling account for a huge portion of utility bills. One of the significant benefits of monitoring energy usage is that homeowners can more easily spot trouble, as a spike in utility bills is a sign of heater trouble, allowing them to get it repaired before the heater faces worse consequences.

Aside from a sign indicating the need for heater repair, monitoring energy bills can also be used to see how homeowners can save. Adding weatherstripping around doors and windows and installing a smart thermostat are two ways to help reduce a home’s energy usage and save money, and keeping track of bills allows homeowners to see how much they are saving and what more can be done.

About Total Comfort Solutions

Total Comfort Solutions is a plumbing, heating, and AC company with 15 years of expertise serving Walla Walla and the surrounding areas. They offer HVAC emergency service, free installation estimates, and straightforward pricing. Call them today for heating maintenance in Walla Walla, WA. 

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Air Conditioning Basics for Homeowners

Air Conditioning Basics

In the summer heat, it’s hard to under-appreciate the air conditioner. But, just because everyone loves to enjoy that cold air on a hot day doesn’t mean homeowners understand much about how they work. When homeowners are left in the dark about their home’s critical systems, they can accumulate repair bills and needlessly waste electricity with lost efficiency.

Take back control of the home. This guide from local air conditioning experts can help homeowners learn the basics about their home’s cooling system and how to care for it better so it will last longer and keep everyone more comfortable.

Options for Air Conditioners

ductless mini split One of the first things to learn about air conditioners is the variety of options available for cooling homes and businesses. Too many people shopping for a new air conditioning system don’t know what options are available to them simply because they have no experience with anything other than what is installed in their home. Luckily, the types of air conditioners can be boiled down to two main options:

  • Central Air Conditioning: This is the option that most people are familiar with. For over 50 years, central air conditioning has been the most common choice for air conditioning in homes, especially in new construction. Central air conditioning uses a central blower and a network of air ducts to distribute cold air.
  • Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning: Innovations in air conditioning led to discoveries that central air conditioning isn’t as efficient as possible because of the energy loss that occurs in air ducts, and they cool the entire home instead of only occupied spaces. Ductless mini split air conditioners reduce utility bills by cooling only the desired rooms and because they don’t need air ducts to work. Mini-splits use special blowers to cool the home in zones, allowing different parts of the house to be set to different temperatures.

When to Schedule AC Repairs

higher cooling billsRegardless of the style of the air conditioner, there will come a time when AC repairs are necessary. Scheduling air conditioner repairs at the first sign of trouble can help prevent the problem from growing. Some of the early signs that air conditioner repair may be needed are:

  • Inconsistent cooling
  • Higher than normal cooling bills
  • Water leaks around the unit
  • Strange noises like grinding or squealing

Calling for professional help as soon as possible is always the best thing to do so any damage doesn’t worsen. Problems that are caught early can often be repaired in a single visit.

Benefits of AC Maintenance

To avoid unnecessary air conditioner repairs, homeowners must stick to a maintenance plan with professional help. Air conditioner maintenance can help AC units last longer, need repairs less often, and save money through better efficiency. Annual maintenance on the AC by a qualified technician is recommended to maximize these benefits.

For homeowners, ensure air filters are always changed on time. Air filters reduce dust and grime in the home and inside air conditioners. Get on a schedule and ensure air filters are replaced at least every three months or more often if a home has pets or allergy sufferers.

About Total Comfort Solutions

Total Comfort Solutions is a family-owned and operated business serving its neighbors in Walla Walla, WA, and the surrounding areas for over a decade. They provide straightforward pricing, free installation estimates, and a worry-free process. Call them today for air conditioning services in Walla Walla, WA.

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