Check these 4 things before calling an AC repair tech

You do need professionals for sure but you don't need them all the times. There are times when your own service towards your HVAC system can suffice and can save you from costly repairs as well. You need to know what those times are. But also note that it is always dangerous to go beyond your DIY technical limits so the times where we suggest call professionals, do call them because that is where your DIY limits end.
If your Air Conditioner has stopped working entirely or is giving compromised cooling, check out the following things before calling a repair tech.

- Filters and filters

Tired of listening to filter change reminders and advice all the time? Well, we do it time and again because that is where some of the most common HVAC problems lie. Clogged filters hinder airflow and that overburdens the system. As a result, the system trips or if not that, gives a very compromised cooling. So, check for filters right away and if found clogged or damaged, change them.

- Check your Thermostat

You may not check Thermostat knowing that yours is a programmable one and you programmed is this morning. But anything could be possible. You never know if some naughty kid or a nosy guest had changed the settings so do check it to ensure that the settings are well set. If the problem is that of insufficient cooling and it's an unusually hot day outside, consider lowering the thermostat temperature a few degrees than usual.

- Closing vents isn't a good idea

So you must have heard of this idea of closing the vents in unused rooms to save energy and to cool the rest of the home faster. Well, this doesn't really work that way. As the vents of some of the unused rooms are closed, the air has to travel all the way to the mouth of the vent and then return back. This creates an imbalance in the airflow and burdens not only the ductwork that wears it faster but also the compressor that may then fail earlier than it would usually. So in case, you're experiencing discomfort, hot and cold spots, air pressure problem or tripping, open the vents in unused rooms and if you wish to not waste that cooling, open the doors so that the cooling can spread outside.

- Reset Circuit Breaker

If your Air Conditioner circuit breaker is tripping frequently, try this before calling a repair tech, who will charge you a hundred dollar for sure; Reset the circuit breaker. Turn the button off and then on. But remember to do this only once. Don't start that on-off play with your circuit breaker that you used to play with switches in childhood.

If even after trying all of these, the problem persists, here's where your limit finishes and a professional's begins. Look out for a reliable and professional service and let a professional diagnose and repair your system.

What was the last time you had your AC repaired? Did you try these before calling a professional?

Make the most of your Programmable Thermostat

We observe interesting things on our appliance tune up or repair visits to homes. People often buy home comfort appliances but fail to make the most of them. Often times, the reason of fatty bills is the improper use of appliances. Therefore, we suggest customers read the user manuals properly before beginning to use their appliances and also seek a professional's help to get to learn how can the appliances be used effectively and efficiently. If you have a Programmable Thermostat at home but always turn it off when not in need, there's something you need to explore about it. And don't worry, we'll help you in that.

How do Programmable Thermostats work?

Simply very simply. Although, it's difficult to say with precision the complete working of a Thermostat since tens of Programmable Thermostat makes are in the market, each with its own idiocentric features, a general working principle that all programmable thermostats follow is that they  turn on and off at a given temperature or get automatically set to a programmed temperature on their own. Different thermostats offer different settings, however, the three most common settings that they allow are here under:

5+1+1 day Model

This model allows one schedule for 5 days of the week while 2 separate schedules for Saturdays and Sundays

5+2 days Model

Thermostats that have 5+2 settings allow scheduling of one schedule for entire week while one schedule for the weekends i.e Saturday, Sunday

7 days Model

7 days model is one of the most adopted ones currently in Toronto. This type of Thermostats allow setting different schedules for different days of the week.

Make use of energy saving points

Set energy saving points. Energy saving points is the temperature at which you want your HVAC system to work when you aren't at home. After setting up energy points, the thermostat automatically switches to those points when you aren't at home.  

Make use of Hold Button

Here's another trick to save energy and improve the efficiency of your HVAC appliances. Put the Thermostat on a constant hold when there's a change in your schedules. This will help save a lot of energy.

Set Temperatures Wisely

That is important or else you'll be using your Thermostat and still will be missing the great advantages of it. Analyze the schedule of the family members and set the thermostat accordingly. It is wise to set the turn on time a little before the time for the homeowners to come so that the home is cool as they enter. Similarly, set the Thermostat to turn off a little before you're supposed to leave.

Mount it properly

For your Thermostat to work efficiently, it is important that it is able to sense the surrounding temperature properly. For that, mounting the Thermostat at a place where it can sense proper temperature is important. In case the Thermostat receives direct sunlight, it will function with faulty efficiency. To make the most of your Programmable Thermostat, mount it at a proper location.

Bottom Line

There are simple tricks that most homeowners miss and end up having fatty bills. If you're using any HVAC appliance at your home, go through the user manual in detail. Follow the do's as well as the don'ts. In case you fail to understand some features, ask your service provider or explore the stuff online in order to not miss any benefits.  

Also, Find out Lennox Programmable Thermostats

Brace your Heating System for a chilly chill Winter

Spending Winters in Canada is not easy. The temperature in several areas drops up to -30 degrees as the Winter paces up. While one cloth over another does help beat the blows of intense Winters when in the outside environment, an alternative should be sought when one is within the four walls of a room. And the alternative is of course to maintain a moderately warm indoor temperature. So how to maintain the temperature and how exactly to get yourself fully ready for Winters? Here are some quick tips to brace yourself up for Winters.

Pre-Season Tune-Up

How about having your Furnace suddenly stop working in the intense cold weather? Well, let's talk on realistic grounds, there are times when the weather conditions are so harsh that even an emergency HVAC service can't reach you as in the case of extreme snowfall and blocked roads. In order to avoid such circumstances, schedule a pre-season tune up with some reliable HVAC service provider. As things get fixed before the season begins they continue to function smoothly. So yes, schedule a pre-season tune-up every Winter.

Give your Furnace Filters a bath

Filters are for trapping pollutants and they do their job quite very well. How about giving them a bath to get themselves refreshed for fighting pollutants more efficiently? Things that get used get dirty too. The same goes for Furnace filters. Before the Winter begins, clean your Furnace filters properly. Since Filters aren't much expensive you should probably think of replacing them by throwing the older ones. And replacing/cleaning filters really really improves efficiency. Promise!

Check exhaust vents

Exhaust vents or chimneys are the vents from where the burned gases exhaust. Just like the Filters get clogged, the chimneys and vents also get dirty. And their dirt is of extreme threat. As the exhaust vents are blocked the Carbon Monoxide which is a residue gas comes back into the house and we repeat, Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. As you call professionals for appliance tune-up, also ask them to check your chimneys for proper exhaustion.

Lower your thermostat

What??? Lower Thermostat? Did we said that mistakenly? No!

Many homeowners set their thermostats high as the Winters begin. This is an inappropriate practice since it puts a burden on the Heating System suddenly as it begins to get in used after a long break. And this sudden burden may result in serious consequences so the right way is; Lower your thermostats as the Winter begins and raise the temperature slowly as the temperature rises. .   

Close vents in unused rooms

If you've a large home you must be having rooms that are not frequently used. In some homes, the ductwork includes vents in areas that are hardly used for example basement, attic or crawl spaces. In order to keep your Heating System work with full efficiency without excessive heat loss, close vents in unused rooms.

Incorporating the above-mentioned practices will help you bracing your Heating System perfectly for harshest of Winter and will consequently help you save on energy bills while also providing sizzling indoor experience.  

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