All Seasons Heating and Cooling

Get Your Garden In Gear

2012-03-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

With Spring in the air, the time is right to plan your garden. And if you don’t have a garden, maybe you should get one. Landscaping improves the value and appearance of your home, and gardening itself is as rewarding as a home improvement project can get.

So, where do you begin?

Fertilize - Spring is the right time to take care of this important chore. Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips to prolong the blooming period. Fertilizing young trees and shrubs will encourage growth. And don’t forget your lawn and houseplants also need a good dose.

Prepare flower beds - Till the soil and remove dead plant material - and that goes for winter mulch too.

Control weeds - Get your weeds under control before they control you! In Spring they’re right about to put down deep roots or go to seed. Apply “Pre-emergent” weed control according to label. Mulches can help too. Use a hoe to cut off weeds at the roots.

Control pest and disease - Keep insects from feasting on all your hard work. There are control products for almost every problem you may encounter. Thank goodness!

Take care of your lawn - Thick lawn growth looks great and also helps control weeds. If it’s thinning, reseed. And get the fertilizer out. While you’re at it, make sure your mower is in good working order. If you have an irrigation system, look for any broken heads, cracked pipes, or worn hoses.

Prune - (And I don’t mean the wrinkly fruit.) There’s lots to do in this area. Prune branches to clear out dead wood or overcrowding. Prune evergreens to reduce size or maintain shape. Prune young trees before they leaf out - but prune spring flowering shrubs after they bloom.

Plant seeds and bulbs - Now is a good time for planting perennials, including Shasta Daisies, Lupine Primrose, Columbine, Poppies, and many others. Another good option is ornamental grasses - perennials that thrive in nearly any soil and look great next to colorful annuals. Annuals like impatiens and begonias grow just about anywhere, require little maintenance and bloom all season.

Tend to your roses - Proper pruning encourages new growth, while feeding them now will help ensure good flowering. Use a rose food with a systemic insecticide to control the bug problem.

Remember Houseplants - If you haven’t got enough to do so far, remember to prune and fertilize your houseplants.

If this is your first year for gardening, don’t be overwhelmed. Start slow. As you watch it grow, your enthusiasm will grow right along with it!

Enjoy Your Indoor Air

2012-03-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

In spring, many people fear the outside air, due to pollen and other seasonal allergy irritants. What many people do not realize is that indoor air pollutants may be even worse. They include pollen, molds, fungal spores, viruses, bacteria, smoke, gas combustion by-products, outgassing from carpets, furniture, plywood, and drywall, cleaning supplies and other personal care items, pet dander, dust mites and their feces and body fragments, cockroach body parts, and more. Disgusting!

Worse, it’s unhealthy. Over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies and 20 million have asthma. Tighter building envelopes in the quest for greater energy efficiency are making things worse. We spend most of our time indoors, surrounded by the indoor air pollutants. The larger pollutants, less than 10 microns, are caught in our throats (by comparison, a human hair is 30 to 120 microns in diameter). Smaller pollutants are inhaled into our lungs where they can remain trapped for years.

There are four principle ways to fight indoor air pollution and improve filtration in your home. These are source control, ventilation, air filters, and air cleaners.

Source Control - The starting point for a home indoor air quality strategy is source control. It makes sense. If you can control a pollutant before it becomes airborne, you’re ahead of the game. Source control strategies include the use of low emission paints, varnishes, and carpeting, no smoking, no pets, maintaining optimum humidity levels, regular cleaning, and regular servicing of combustion appliances, such as furnaces. Unfortunately, you cannot always control pollutant sources.

Ventilation - After source control comes fresh air ventilation. According to the EPA, the air inside your home is far worse than outside air. Yet, when it’s really hot or really cold, who’s going to open the windows? It’s uncomfortable and unaffordable.

There is a solution for some homes that improves fresh ventilation without the comfort or energy costs. It’s called an energy recovery ventilator. Not only can it improve air quality, it can actually reduce utilities in certain circumstances.

Air Filters –Has your air quality remained the same, even after the installation of that expensive filter? All filters have a “pressure drop,” or amount of resistance. Even cheap throw-away filters can become problematic if not changed on a regular basis. As dirt collects on the filter, the pressure drop rises. Far worse than low cost throw-away filters are the high pressure drop filters, which have pressure drops of 0.35” w.g. or higher (some have pressure drops exceeding 0.5” w.g. by themselves). Homeowners buy expensive filters because they want to improve the air quality and comfort in their homes. Ironically, the filters often make things worse.

Look inside the panel of a furnace or blower for a central air conditioning system and you will find the manufacturer’s rating label. Typically, one of the ratings is “Total ESP.” Total ESP stands for Total External Static Pressure. When the Total External Static Pressure is exceeded in a home comfort system, the fan slows. When the fan slows, there are a couple of possible consequences. First, there may not be sufficient air flow to ensure enough air is delivered to the end of the longest duct runs. When this occurs, these rooms may feel stuffy and too hot or cold, even though the temperature is comfortable elsewhere. Second, the air flow passing over the evaporator coil may be insufficient to ensure proper dehumidification. If the evaporator coil doesn’t fully dehumidify, it and/or the surrounding plenum box can become a breeding ground for bacteriological growth and contaminants.

Fortunately, the HVAC industry has a number of excellent solutions for homeowners who want better filtration than the minimal amount found with a throw-away filter, but do not want the comfort or bacteriological problems of a high pressure drop filter. These include residential HEPA (high efficiency particulate arresting) filters, deep pleated media air filters, and electronic air cleaners.

Air Cleaning - The fourth way to fight indoor air pollution is air cleaning. Do not buy the cheap tabletop and gadget air cleaners you hear advertised. They are a waste of money. According to an American Lung Association® report, “The reviewed data provide little reason to endorse the use of inexpensive tabletop, appliance-type air cleaners, regardless of the technology they employ. In general, high-efficiency particle collection requires larger filters or electronic air cleaners.”

We recommend a whole-house approach with a duct mounted UV light and either a HEPA filtration system or an electronic air cleaner. The installed cost of an electronic air cleaner is roughly 30 cents a day over the life of the air cleaner. What’s appropriate for your home depends on your budget, comfort system, and family. To explore all your options give us a call (757) 421-9790.

ASHC FAQs

2012-03-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

FAQs

We get asked a wide range of questions from our customers. People don’t always know what we can do for them, what our policies are, where to save money, etc. In this newsletter, we thought we would include a few of the most common ones…

How much will a repair cost?

People want a price over the phone. We understand. However, we really can’t say until we take a look at your home. Some people can give us exact details over the phone. Others describe one problem and when we arrive, we discover something else entirely. Even when the problem is correctly described, it may only be a symptom of another problem. For a doctor, prescription without diagnosis is malpractice. That’s true for us as well.

Will you match another company’s price?

At All Seasons Heating and Cooling we realize that some competitors promote the lowest price. We are more interested in offering a fair price. We’re professionals offering a professional service, not some fly-by-night. We have been serving our customers for over 22 years and plan on being around for a long time. To do that, we need to guarantee our work. We do. We do not cut corners. We use high quality parts and supplies that last. We treat our customers like members of our family. To reduce a price, we have to take something out of the job. Possibly, we can do this by reducing skill levels or eliminating an accessory item, but we refuse to compromise on quality or service. We take your safety and comfort very seriously.

What if the work takes longer than expected?

No worries. We guarantee all of our prices before work begins. We use an up-front pricing system and will not tack on any surprise fees for overtime or extra manpower.

Can you come on the weekend?

Yes. Our technicians work rotating schedules 7 days a week. We realize many of our customers work on weekdays and we want to make our services available to them as well. And don’t worry – Just like we don’t believe in charging based on the amount of time a job takes, we also don’t believe in charging more for repairs on the weekends or outside of standard work hours.

What’s the single best thing you can do to help me reduce my impact on the environment?

We recommend a precision tune up twice a year, during the spring and fall (or 6 months apart), to ensure your system is prepared for months with extreme highs or lows in temperature. Regular precision tune ups will extend the life of your equipment, improve efficiency, comfort, and help prevent costly major repairs by catching small issues before they become major ones. Not to mention, with the money that you could be saving in utilities each month, the tune ups will pay for themselves. Great for the environment and your wallet!

Tune ups are universal. Everyone needs them every year. Other recommendations will vary based on your home and situation. If you plan on staying in your house for years, it might make sense to renovate your duct system, replace your cooling system, or replace your heating system.

Are there other ways you can help me save money each month?

Installing a programmable thermostat can help you better regulate the temperature in your home when you aren’t at home or are asleep. Turning the thermostat up or down just a few degrees can help immensely with energy savings. A programmable thermostat automates the process. The thermostat doesn’t forget.

Can you fix X?

At All Seasons Heating and Cooling we offer a large assortment of home comfort services. We can install, service, repair, or replace humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purification systems, air filters, air cleaners, carbon monoxide detectors, everything related to your ducts, attic insulation, attic ventilation, air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, thermostats, zoning systems, garage heaters, and more.

What is happening with refrigerant?

The base refrigerant for residential air conditioning systems has been R-22. This is being phased out due to its purported impact on the ozone layer. As a result, it’s getting very expensive. The replacement refrigerant is R-410a. It’s a good refrigerant, but is not compatible with R-22 and operates at a much higher pressure. It requires a totally new air conditioning system inside and outside your home. These systems cost more, but are much more efficient than past systems so you will save significant money on your electrical bills each month.

If you have additional questions, or if you are interested in one of the services we provide, please call us today at (757) 421-9790. We can help you achieve the comfort level that you have been looking for.

Attention! Owners of R-22 AC and Heat Pump Systems

2012-02-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

For those of you that have older heat pumps and AC systems, there is some bad news that you should be aware of. It happened virtually overnight. The price of R-22 has skyrocketed!

The report below was released from ACCA (Air conditioning Contractors of America).

Since early January 2012, the price of R-22 refrigerant, which is used in many air conditioning systems has risen as much as 400% in cost. We don’t know how high R-22 will go up in price. These are direct costs that we have to pay and we have no choice but to pass those costs along, which is why your refrigerant may be higher than it used to be.

Here’s Why:

The U.S. EPA controls the production and import of R-22 refrigerant. They set limits on how much can be produced and imported each year, but they failed to set limits for 2012. Until the EPA sets these limits, manufacturers must produce 45% less R-22 refrigerant than they did last year. This creates uncertainty in the marketplace and the manufacturers have increased their prices.

What’s Next?

The earliest the EPA will announce its decision is summer 2012. Nobody knows what the final 2012 limits will be. Until the EPA makes its decision, the market will remain uncertain and prices may continue to rise.

As a professional contractor, our goal is to provide you with the best possible products and services at the best possible value. Unfortunately, we have no control over the cost of a commodity like R-22 refrigerant. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope Washington resolves this issue soon.

Fortunately, All Seasons Heating and Cooling has been installing R-410A systems for the last 12 years, and the recent increase in R-22 is not a factor with the systems we have installed. It is, however, a major issue for customers with older systems that need repairs that require R-22 refrigerant. If you have an older system that uses R-22 and it needs an expensive repair; it may be a wiser choice to replace it now with a new system using R-410A rather than repairing it due to the increased cost of R-22.

Heat Pump and AC Systems are closed looped and should never leak refrigerant. Remember, refrigerant doesn’t go bad or evaporate; it leaks out and must be replaced to keep the system operating to factory specifications. Leaks can occur anywhere within the piping of a system. The loss of refrigerant will lead to higher utility bills and more expensive repairs. It is a best practice to locate any refrigerant leaks and have them repaired (if feasible) at the time of service to prevent further damage of your system.

Bottom-line: R-22 refrigerant is being phased out by the E.P.A. and the cost will continue to rise until there is little or no demand for it.

For further information: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfc.html

Low Level Carbon Monoxide Detector

2012-02-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

How low can we set the thermostat on our furnace to save money on our heating bills?

2012-01-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

We are often asked by our customers “How low can we set the thermostat on our furnace to save money on our heating bills?”

Obviously, you save more money the less your equipment operates. So, how cold can you stand it in your Hampton Roads home?

Are you a Scrooge and want to keep it 40°F in the house? There is a limit.

When a furnace is operating, all of the combustion gases are just that – gases. You don’t want any of them to condense into a liquid while in the primary heat exchanger or vent. With that in mind, manufacturers recommend keeping the temperature above 60°F.

What happens if the gases condense in your furnace or vent? When they condense, they form acids. These acids will eat the metal in the vent and heat exchanger. This will shorten the life of your system.

What’s the answer? Set your thermostat as low as you can bear but keep it above 60°F in the winter.

The bottom line is your budget and comfort. Also, if your house is well insulated and weather sealed, your bills will be reduced and your comfort optimized. Our local utility company suggests 68°F as a good budget temperature and a few degrees higher if you have small children or elderly adults in the home because they require slightly warmer temps.

Wishing for a Programmable Thermostat?

2011-12-12T06:37:00.000-08:00

Low Level Carbon Monoxide Detector Coupon

2011-12-09T14:17:00.001-08:00

Which Return Air Filter Should I Buy?

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

We frequently get asked, “Which Return Air Filter Should I Buy?” from our heating and air conditioning customers. They want to know which filters are the best at stopping dust, smells, allergens, etc.

It is a very confusing subject for many customers because of the many, many choices available and the hyped-up advertising associated with the filters.

MERV ratings are used to rate the ability of removing dust from the air as it passes through the filter. MERV is a standard used to measure the overall efficiency of a filter. The higher the MERV rating means the fewer dust particles and other airborne contaminants that are able to pass through the filter. MERV ratings range from 1-16.

Please Google the filter or brand of filter you are thinking about purchasing to get the MERV rating information. There are too many different filters and options to mention here.

The important thing to remember is to buy a filter that will give you the most filtration for your money and that will not harm your system. If you buy a filter that has too much air resistance; it will cause your system to work much harder than it was designed for.

This can cause premature blower motor, heat exchanger, and or compressor failure. Your utility bills will also rise and the comfort level of your house will decrease because of this situation caused by the “wrong” filter for your system. This is a bit scary.

All duct work is unfortunately not designed well and by installing an incorrect filter for “your” system can cause serious issues mentioned above.

The simplest way to choose a filter that will not cause harm to your heating and air conditioning system is to pick the filter/s you want to install and:

1) Turn on your heating and air condition system’s indoor fan motor (Fan “ON” position from auto)

2) Remove all return air filters and refasten the grille doors. (Air goes in)

3) Go to two or three different supply air registers (Air comes out) and feel the amount/force of air that is coming out of these registers. (You can also measure with a tape measure and a tissue the distance the air travels between the register and the tissue as you go away from the register until the tissue doesn’t move.)

4) Now install the new return filter/s and repeat the #3 process.

*** With the air filter of your choice in place and with the indoor fan on; if the air flow feels about the same – you are probably “good –to-go” with that choice of filter.

**** With your choice of filter/s in place; you noticeably feel LESS air; this filter/s will not be a wise choice for your system and may cause harm to your system as discussed above.

Bottom Line: Purchase the best filter you can afford that will pass the above simple test and you should be fine.

Note: You may find that only the very inexpensive blue filters that you can buy anywhere is all your system can tolerate due to your duct work design. If this is the case; you can purchase a can of Endust and spray it on the air entering side of the filter only and improve the efficiency of that filter by up to 10 times. There are no chemical smells to be concerned with. The spray improves the “static cling” only.

We hope this helps answer which return air filter should you purchase. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at allseasonshvac@cox.net or (757) 421-9790. We are here to serve you with quality and integrity.

Let us give Thanks for the warmth while we eat! Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

**Present coupon at the time of service.

Static Pressure-Why it Matters!

2011-11-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

We get asked by many customers, "Why does your company/technicians perform static air test measurements?"

Our technicians measure the amount of static air pressure in the duct work on both the supply air side and the return air side. We have our technicians record the static air test reading on service and precision tune up calls and record the measurement of the invoice.

The static air pressure measurement can advise the technician to any possible problems with the airflow. When the total static airflow is too high (over .5WC total pressure reading), the technician will look at which “side” has an issue(s) or if both the supply air and return air side has issues.

Without getting too technical, what this means to you as a homeowner, is:

Too high a reading on the return side can indicate that not enough air is being brought into the system. This can be caused by the return duct being too small, another return duct may be needed, or a duct may be crushed or pinched.
Too low a reading on the return side can indicate that there is a disconnected duct or that the duct is too large.
Too high a reading on the supply air side, can indicate a poor duct design (usually the case) and/or crushed or pinched duct work or even excessive duct runs.
Too low a reading on the supply air side can indicate that a duct could be disconnected.

The good news is that once a problem is found it can and should be repaired to help keep you comfortable.

If the problems are not taken care of, several things can happen:

Your home will not be as comfortable as it should.
Your equipment life can be shortened from the added stress that improper air flow can cause.
Your utility bills will be higher because your system is running more to keep up with the added stress that improper air flow causes.

This gives you a quick overview as to why taking static air pressure tests are an important part of any heating and cooling precision tune up and service work.

Halloween Safety Tips

2011-10-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. The excitement of costumes and trick or treating for goodies has children excited. Halloween is just around the corner less than a week away. Kids are excited and ready for all the candy and goodies they will receive. Homeowners are heading to their local stores for candy for the kids and anticipating the unique costumes.

To help keep the children safe on the trick or treating escapades; here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

If you are an old pro at this and have children already trick or treating, there may be a few tips you forgot or if you are new to this, definitely read below.

ALL DRESSED UP:

•Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

•Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

•Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.

•When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

•If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

•Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

•Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

•Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

•Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

•Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.

•Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

•To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

•Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

•Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

•Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

•A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

•If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

•Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

•Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:

•Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

•Carry a cell phone for quick communication.

•Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

•If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

•Never cut across yards or use alleys.

•Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

•Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

•Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

•A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

•Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

•Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

•Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Have a safe and Fun Halloween!

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 23-29, 2011

2011-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 23-29, 2011 to raise awareness of lead poisoning in children. For children, even low levels of exposure to lead can cause a host of developmental effects such as learning disabilities, decreased intelligence and speech, language, and behavioral problems, which can affect children for a lifetime.

"Lead poisoning can have life-altering health effects, especially on our children. But it is entirely preventable if we take the right steps to protect our children in all the places where they live, learn and play," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. "National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week gives us the opportunity to strengthen our awareness and prevention efforts and ensure parents have the tools they need to protect their children against lead exposure every day of the year."

Major sources of lead exposure among children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in deteriorating buildings. Lead most commonly occurs in the environment as a result of improper repair or renovation of pre-1978 homes. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable.

This year's NLPPW theme, Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future, underscores the importance of testing your home and your child, and getting the facts about how to prevent serious health effects.

Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your children:

- Get your home tested. Have your home inspected if you live in a home built before 1978.
- Get your child tested. Even if your young children seem healthy, ask your doctor to test them for lead.
- Get the facts. Visit leadfreekids.org or call 1-800-424-LEAD.
More information on lead poisoning prevention: http://www.leadfreekids.org/ or http://www.epa.gov/lead In Espanol: http://www.leadfreekids.org/espanol

Smart Cooling Rewards-Demand Control "Smart" Switch Programs

2011-10-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

We have had a few customers ask us about the Dominion Program, “Smart Cooling Rewards” and the effect it would have on their comfort, system and wallet.

Dominion Virginia Power will install an A/C Cycling or "smart" switch on your outdoor air-conditioning unit or heat pump system. During periods of high demand, Dominion Power will cycle your air conditioner or heat pump compressor on and off for short periods. The fan will stay on circulating already cooled air. Virginia Dominion Power expresses that this will occur during the summer season between June and September. Typically cycling will occur for about four hours per event, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and will not occur on weekends or holidays.

Dominion Virginia Power will provide the equipment and the installation is free and since the work is performed on your outdoor unit, you don't even need to be home during installation. Qualifying homeowners will receive $40 following each summer season they participate. (Click here for more information on the Dominion Virginia Power Program.

The following is our opinion (All Seasons Heating and Cooling Service Company):

The program is good as far as saving a little money on your electric bill, but your comfort will most likely be compromised. When "peak time" (periods of high demand) is in effect, your equipment will not function during those periods. We usually get a few service calls each cooling season because they do not have AC due to a program similar such as Demand Control. Some devices isolate one "leg"of your 230 VAC circuit so the compressor and water heater cannot operate during this "peak" period and this program from Dominion Virginia Power disrupts the "Y" compressor low voltage circuit to stop the compressor from operating.

If the outdoor temperature is 85 degrees or higher and your AC system is off for a period of 4 hours; the heat and humidity level in your house may rise to unacceptable levels during that time. When the power is restored and the AC system is allowed to operate again, it will have to run awhile (possibly hours) to overcome that heat and humidity load.

It depends on your schedule and your families' schedule if this may become an issue. If no one is home during these hours and for a while afterwards, it may not present a problem. If someone is usually home during this time; it most likely will present some comfort issues.

The indoor unit is not affected by their program. You should have your indoor fan set to auto in the humid months. If you set it to run continuously, there will be humidity issues. The AC's job is to cool your home and to remove humidity. When the indoor fan is set to run and the outdoor unit turns off; it just blows the moisture right off the indoor coil back into the air stream it just removed the moisture from, increasing the humidity again.

We do not believe it will harm your equipment as long as there are no power surges during the power restore period. A surge protection device can be installed if needed for added protection. Your equipment has factory installed time delay devices to protect the compressors from short cycling.

Another idea instead of the program from Dominion Virginia Power is installing and using programmable thermostats. You can easily program your own schedules and temperatures to save money without having "Big Brother" do it for you at possibly the expense of your comfort.

The savings from using a programmable thermostat may well exceed the $40.00 incentive that Dominion Virginia Power is offering to send you at the end of each summer that you use their "smart" switch and you will not have to sacrifice your comfort.

Excessive Dust in the Home

2011-10-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

We are often asked what can be done about excessive dust in the home. To answer this question, we have to ask several questions.

1. How often do you have to clean to keep up with the dust or is this an impossible feat? (Everyday might be considered excessive.)
2. Where is the dust accumulating? Is it all over or just in specific rooms?
3. What is the house’s social life like? Are there children and pets coming and going in and outside constantly? Is the outside yard dusty or near a dusty source?
4. Is your house built on a crawl space and does it have an attic?
5. What year was your house built and have you had any improvements or changes made to the house?

With the above questions answered; we can narrow down the source and then suggest solutions to end your excessive dust issue permanently. Sounds good, right?

If you feel as though you must dust several times a day during the heating and cooling seasons; your duct work may be at fault. If your duct work is located in an attic or crawl space and is leaky, you may notice dust after each heating or cooling cycle. You may see little particles of insulation or dirt on shelves or your TV screens and furniture. Leaking duct work is one of the most overlooked and common causes for excessive dust.

Solution: Have your heating and cooling expert inspect your duct work for air leaks and then seal the leaks with mastic and or mastic tape. This will drastically reduce your dust, improve your indoor air quality, and reduce you utility bills, and improve your comfort.

If your ducts are not part of your problem and are sealed correctly; the house envelope is the next most likely source of dust. Your house envelope consists of its walls, windows, doors, ceilings, foundation, and roof. A home’s envelope can be tested for tightness by using an instrument called an infiltrometer or “blower door”. This instrument measures the amount of air infiltration and exfiltration in your house. The leakier your house, the more dust you are likely to experience among other serious issues.
Solution: Have your house professionally tested by a Building Analyst using an infiltrometer. The analyst will be able to pin-point your sources of air leaks and give you solid solutions on how to permanently reduce the leakage.

While the whole-house testing is the correct method to use in determining your dust issues among other house related concerns and All Seasons Heating and Cooling Service Company has a certified building analyst on staff. Please call 757-421-9790 for more information or to schedule your testing appointment.

If you would like to tighten your house by weather stripping/weatherizing it yourself; here a few suggestions at places to start that the average DIY person can tackle and get good results.

• Be sure your exterior doors (including a garage access door) are tight and have weather stripping on all edges and a “sweeper” plate.
• Install outlet and light switch gaskets on all outlets and light switches to help reduce air leakage.
• Seal plumbing drain and water pipes under the sinks or anywhere they go through a wall with expand-a foam or silicone. (Silicone caulking works best for small cracks and holes, the foam can be very messy and hard to clean if you are not very careful!)
• Be sure to weather-strip your attic access openings and to insulate the panels or doors.
• If you feel air by your windows, inspect the space around the window (take off a piece of trim to inspect it for any gaps) and caulk it to seal it.
• Recessed (canned) ceiling lights are an area to be concerned with concerning air leaks. There are kits you can purchase at the “Big Box” or hardware stores to help seal out air leaks safely if you have older style recessed lights. The newer style lights are air tight.
• Be sure your exhaust fans exit outside of the house, not in a wall or attic or crawl space. (Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans and dryer vents.)

These are only a few suggestions on where you can seal your home’s air leaks to help reduce dust and lower utility bills. There are many more areas that should be inspected and you can find some at the energy star web site

See you next time! As always, please contact us with any topics you want answers to.

With Fall Comes the Turning on of Your Heating System. Are You Prepared?

2011-09-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

As the days become shorter and we begin to see the changing of the foliage we all realize that fall is here. With fall comes the turning on of your heating system. Are you prepared?

HOW DOES MY FURNACE WORK?

When the temperature inside your house drops below the setting on the thermostat, fuel is delivered to the burners, ignited inside the combustion chamber. The flame is verified electronically and after a few minutes, the furnace blower fan turns on, pushing air through the cold air return vents. This air is pulled through the furnace filter and past the furnace’s heat exchanger to warm it. Then it’s circulated through the heating ducts into all part of your home.

Meanwhile, the toxic combustion by-products are vented out of your house through the furnace vent connector and vent.

When the temperature inside the house reaches the setting on the thermostat, the furnace shuts off automatically. This process goes on and on throughout the heating season.

Your furnace is designed so the combustion by-products never enter the circulating air that warms your home. The portion of the heating system through which this circulating heated air travels is entirely separate from the portion of the heating system in which the combustion process takes place and the combustion toxic by-products are vented from your home.

It is very important to make sure your furnace is safe to operate and is operating at its peak efficiency.

**** Hire a licensed qualified gas contractor to perform a tune-up of your furnace. ****

A professional tune-up is needed each heating season. This is not a DIY project! Most homeowners do not have the knowledge or specialized equipment to thoroughly test a furnace for correct operation.

Your furnace has built-in safety devices to prevent ignition if problems may occur. These safety devices are called limits. Modern furnaces have self-diagnostic electronic boards that help the service technician pin-point the trouble areas which lends to a quicker and correct repair.

Natural and liquid petroleum gases have odorants built in so you can smell a gas leak. If you strongly smell gas, get out of the house and then call 911 to reach the fire department. Do not call from within your house because any spark could cause an explosion. They will come out or send out the gas company to shut off the gas.

If you know what appliance the gas is leaking from and the smell is faint, (for example; your furnace) cut off the gas supply to the furnace or appliance and call your contractor to come out and find and repair the leak. Open a few windows to ventilate the house.

Each year carbon monoxide is suspected to cause 500 accidental deaths and over 15,000 Emergency Room visits each year. At high levels, it can kill in just minutes. Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer. Its symptoms often masquerade as other illnesses, like the flu. Unless suspected, physicians are likely to overlook carbon monoxide as the source of the patient’s woes until it is too late.

If you own any fossil burning appliances, you should have carbon monoxide monitors installed. A low-level monitor that starts detecting CO at 5 PPM (part per million) and alarms you is highly recomended. A UL (Underwriters Laboratory) approved monitor detects CO at levels starting at 70 PPM for 4 hours of duration. This can be too much exposure for small children and older adults or people with sensitive immune systems. The UL approved monitors (such as Kiddie) are sold at the big box stores and almost anywhere. They unfortunately do not give you the protection needed if you are in the categories above. They are far better than nothing and may keep you from dying, but not from becoming very ill in some cases. You should have one monitor for each floor of your house.

A quick note: If your house is all electric, but you have an attached garage, you should also by code have a CO monitor in your home. Many people start their cars in the garage and then walk away and let them run to warm up and that can release a lot of CO and toxic fumes in your home. (Most doors and garages are not air tight.)

All Seasons Heating and Cooling installs Low Level Carbon Monoxide Monitors. Call us today, 757- 421-9790, to have your monitor installed. Please do not put this off, your health and safety will be at risk.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

2011-08-31T05:48:00.000-07:00

Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but instead of using heat found in the outside air, they rely on the stable, even heat of the earth to provide heating, air conditioning and, in some cases, hot water.

Many parts of the country experience seasonal temperature extremes. A few feet below the earth’s surface the ground remains at a relatively constant temperature. Although the temperatures vary according to the latitude, at six feet underground, temperatures range from 45 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ever been inside a cave in the summer? The cave is at a cooler temperature than the air outside because the air underground is constant. During the winter, that same constant cave temperature is warmer than the air outside. This is the idea behind geothermal heat pumps. In the winter, they move the heat from the earth into your house. In the summer, they pull the heat from your home and discharge it into the ground.

Studies have shown that approximately 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable energy from the ground. The earth's constant temperature is what makes geothermal heat pumps one of the most efficient, comfortable, and quiet heating and cooling technologies available today. While they may be more costly to install initially than regular heat pumps, they can produce lower energy bills - 30 percent to 40 percent lower, according to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who now includes geothermal heat pumps in the types of products rated in the EnergyStar® program. Because they are mechanically simple and outside parts of the system are below ground and protected from the weather, maintenance costs are often lower as well.

As an added benefit, systems can be equipped with a device called a "desuperheater" that can heat household water, which circulates into the regular water heater tank. In the summer, heat that is taken from the house and would be expelled into the loop is used to heat the water for free. In the winter, the desuperheater can reduce water-heating costs by about half, while a conventional water heater meets the rest of the household's needs. In the spring and fall when temperatures are mild the heat pump may not be operating at all, the regular water heater provides hot water.

Remember, a geothermal heat pump doesn't create heat by burning fuel, like a traditional furnace does. Instead, in the winter it collects the Earth's natural heat through a series of pipes, called a loop, installed below the surface of the ground or submersed in a pond or lake. Fluid circulates through the loop and carries the heat to the house. There, an electrically driven compressor and a heat exchanger concentrate the Earth's energy and release it inside the home at a higher temperature. Ductwork distributes the heat to different rooms.

In the summer, the process is reversed. The underground loop draws excess heat from the house and allows it to be absorbed by the Earth. The system cools your home in the same way that a refrigerator keeps your food cool - by drawing heat from the interior, not by blowing in cold air.

The geothermal loop that is buried underground is typically made of high-density polyethylene, a tough plastic that is extraordinarily durable but which allows heat to pass through efficiently. When installers connect sections of pipe, they heat fuse the joints, making the connections stronger than the pipe itself. The fluid in the loop is water or an environmentally safe antifreeze solution that circulates through the pipes in a closed system. The wells can be vertical when outdoor space is limited or in a horizontal plane when there is more outdoor area.

Another type of geothermal system uses a loop of copper piping placed underground. When refrigerant is pumped through the loop, heat is transferred directly through the copper to the earth. This is not common in Hampton Roads.

Surveys taken by utility companies have found that homeowners using geothermal heat pumps rate them highly when compared to conventional systems. Figures indicate that more than 95 percent of all geothermal heat pump owners would recommend a similar system to their friends and family.

Geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer mechanical components than other systems, and most of those components are underground, sheltered from the weather. The underground piping used in the system is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and is virtually worry-free. The components inside the house are small and accessible for maintenance. Warm and cool air is distributed through ductwork, just as in a regular forced-air system.

Since geothermal systems have no outside condensing units like air conditioners, they are quieter to operate.

Many people think geothermal is new technology which can make many people reluctant to use it or even consider it. Reality is that geothermal is an idea that is more than 150 years old. (It has been documented in history that during ancient Roman times they used Geothermal for heating and bathing.)

Pros
• Efficient and eco-friendly. Geothermal heat pump systems transfer heat instead of creating it, so they don’t rely on fossil fuels. Geothermal heat pumps get high ratings from the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Durable. Underground loops are protected from external elements such as inclement weather and vandalism, and they rank high in safety with no open flame, flammable fuel or fuel storage tanks; no combustion is involved. Pipes are fusion-welded to prevent leaks. The pipes have a life expectancy of 50 years or more.
• Inexpensive to operate. With fewer mechanical operating components, Geothermal heat pumps require less service than conventional heating and cooling systems and have a high reliability rating, keeping maintenance costs low.
• Space-saving. Hardware for Geothermal heat pumps is smaller than conventional heating and cooling systems and requires a smaller mechanical room, which frees up floor space for other uses. This depends on application.
• Comfortable. Geothermal heat pump systems maintain humidity at a constant comfort level.
• Quiet. Geothermal heat pump systems have no outside compressors, which eliminates exterior noise.

Cons
• Expensive initial investment. Installation costs can be several times higher than comparable conventional systems. (There are tax advantages such as a tax credit of 30% of the total cost of a new Geothermal heat pump, includes existing homes and new construction—both principal residences and second homes qualify.)
• Difficult to repair. Repairs to underground pipes, though seldom necessary, can be difficult and expensive.
• Require backup. In extreme climates and rural areas, the systems may require an emergency backup heat system.
• There is a water pump. All Geothermal systems require a water pump to circulate the water throughout the condensing part of the system. Some pumps are larger than others and are noisier. Most are very quiet in closed loop applications. The open loop water pumps applications are noisier, but are usually located in a garage.

Resources:
Department of Energy(www.energy.gov)
Environmental Protection Agency(www.epa.gov)
Energy Star (www.energystar.gov)
Consumer Energy Center (www.consumerenergycenter.org)
Natural Home and Garden (www.naturalhomeandgarden.com)
Geothermal Energy Association (www.geo-energy.org)

2011 Hurricane Season Preparedness

2011-08-16T05:35:00.000-07:00

If you have lived in or currently live in an area that is subject to hurricanes, then you should be aware of the precautions to take BEFORE a hurricane will affect your area. If you are new to this, please read carefully and take the precautions suggested.

A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone having winds greater than 64 knots (119 km/hr or 74 mph) originating in the equatorial regions, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin and usually involves heavy rains. The combination of the wind and rain can be devastating.

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is ongoing and is forecast to have above-average activity. The season officially started on June 1 and will end on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. Based on the average over the last 150 years of storms, the Atlantic Hurricane season ramps up in August.

The following names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2011.

· Arlene- June 29-July 1st-Tropical Storm-affected Central America, Yucatan Peninsula, Florida, Mexica (Veracruz), Texas

· Bret-July 17-July 22-Tropical Storm-affected United States East Coast, The Bahamas, Bermuda

· Cindy-July 20-July 23-Tropical Storm-affected areas None

· Don-July 23-July 30-Tropical Storm-affected Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Yucatan Peninsula, South Texas, Northeastern Mexico, Southwestern United States

· Emily-August 1-August 7-Tropical Storm-affected Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Turks, and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, South Florida

· Franklin

· Gert

· Harvey

· Irene

· Jose

· Katia

· Lee

· Maria

· Nate

· Opehlia

· Philippe

· Rina

· Sean

· Tammy

· Vince

· Whitney

Despite living along the coast, and even after major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008, a 2009 survey revealed that most residents are not prepared for a hurricane. The U.S. Government's National Hurricane Center advises the following actions for hurricane disaster preparation.

1. First, get important papers and special photos in order and secured in plastic. Identification is difficult and time-consuming to replace: so be sure to include social security cards, birth certificates, high school diplomas or GED certificates, titles or deeds to property, as well as your hurricane insurance policy. Photos of special occasions or loved ones cannot be replaced, so including these is important as well.

2. Think ahead and take video or photos of your property before you leave. This will help later on with any insurance checklist claims for damage that may need to be filed.

3. If you are advised to evacuate – DO IT! Be sure to turn off the power, water, and gas to your house before leaving. Lock your doors and take your essential valuables, paperwork, and photos and pets with you.

4. If staying with relatives is not an option, consider booking a room in a hotel or motel in another nearby town or state. Make sure to get directions and put them in the car ahead of time. It is easy to forget that piece of paper in the rush out the door. A cheaper route might be to find temporary hurricane shelters. Usually nearby towns not in the direct path of the hurricane will provide these for people in need.

5. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your pet will have a place in a motel or hotel. Keep this in mind, and try to find alternate housing like pet friendly hotels and motels or dog boarding kennels in areas out of the path of the storm until it is safe to return home.

6. Designate a spot, in the hall closet, to keep a bag of clothes for each person in the household. Make sure to include sleeping gear if you plan on going to a temporary shelter.

7. Along with overnight clothes, consider stocking your Hurricane Kit with the following: extra cash, generator, batteries, flash lights, battery operated radio/television, bottled water, toilet paper, non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly; and if you have small children—diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food.

8. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two. Remember that ATM's will be non-operating, so have at least some hard cash in your Hurricane Kit (see no. 6, above) to see you through the storm.

When TV and computer games no longer operate, board games or a deck of cards come in handy! Arts and crafts, crayons and downloadable coloring pages are always great distractions for the kids - so make sure you've stored some of these supplies in a tote bag or in the car trunk.

9. If you decide to tough out the storm, stay downwind in your home. This means if the wind is hitting the living room windows, go to the room opposite the living room. It is best to stay away from any windows because debris can fly through at any given time.

10. Plywood is a 'hot' commodity for those of who decide to stay. Boarding up windows that will take the brunt of the wind and rain is a wise decision. If board is not available, help protect your windows from the wind by criss-crossing them with layers of duct or packing tape. This will not be much protection, but may help keep some glass from being spread. Learn how to build and install plywood hurricane shutters is your best bet. If you can afford it, metal hurricane shutter are available and can be installed by a professional.

11. Finally, STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be to videotape or take photos of the storm, be sure to shoot from indoors - where it's safer, and dry!

More disaster information, evacuation routes, and preparedness literature can be found at the following sites.

Virginia Hurricane Preparedness: www.vaemergency.com

National Weather Service: www.weather.gov

National Hurricane Center (

U.S.

): www.nhc.noaa.gov

FEMA: www.fema.gov

Red Cross: www.redcross.org

NewsChannel 3, WTKR: www.wtkr.com

WAVY-TV 10: www.wavy.com

13 News, WVEC: www.wvec.com

43 Fox: www.fox43tv.com

**Informational list and knowledge for this blog on Hurricane Preparedness was prepared using all of the above referenced websites.**

Indoor Air Quality Issues

2011-08-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

In the past 20 years, an emerging and expanding body of evidence has shown that indoor air quality has tremendous impact on human health. Americans-especially infants, the elderly, and persons with chronic diseases-typically spend 90% of their time indoors where they can be exposed to very high levels of air pollutants.

—American Lung Association® report

Are you aware that the air inside your home may not be healthy to breathe? There are many factors that can contribute to poor indoor air quality in our homes. A few unhealthy air sources examples can be found at different sources such as:

Laundry room chemicals
Garage items
Car exhaust in the garage
In your attic
In your crawl space
From your pets
Your carpet
Something you may cook
Your cleaning items
Outdoor air coming in that has pollen and many other contaminates
Bathroom humidity and items such as hair spray etc.

Indoor air pollutants are all around us. They include pollen, molds, fungal spores, viruses, bacteria, smoke, gas combustion by-products, out-gassing from carpets, furniture, plywood and drywall, cleaning supplies, personal care items, pet dander, dust mites including their feces and body fragments, cockroach body parts, and more. Disgusting!

Wow! What can you do about it???

While there are many products on the market, most don’t perform as claimed (unless you live in a controlled laboratory.) Some products might be helpful, but none can do it all and all are limited. Listed below are a few solutions that could be of some help to you and your family.

Hardwood floors or tile are better than carpet. There is little to no off-gassing and the floors do not hide and store contaminates like carpet or rugs.
Have your duct work sealed to reduce unhealthy air from coming in through the ducts that may be located in your attic or crawl spaces. Use mastic, 181, pastes, or tape to do the sealing.
If you have cats or other animals that use a litter box; try using the most dust free litter available.
Use a vacuum cleaner that has a Hepa Filter in it to keep the dirty air from recalculating back into the room.
Vacuum, mop, and dust often. (Don’t forget the fan blades if you have ceiling fans.)
Try not to back your vehicles in the garage where the exhaust is going into the house directly and then pull the vehicles out of the garage ASAP.
Have your garage professionally sealed to help prevent carbon monoxide and other chemicals from entering your home. A CO monitor is a good idea so you know if there is a dangerous level in your house.
Be sure your bathroom has operating exhaust fans that exhaust the humidity and fumes to the outdoors (Not just back into the attic.)
Schedule an appointment with a company that offers infiltrometer (“Blower Door”) and infrared scanning and testing to locate your hidden air leaks and to find any construction issues with your house that may cause health or energy concerns, and to have solutions to solve these issues.
Try to use a quality return filter/s in your home and change or clean them every month. Be sure to choose a filter that is compatible with your HVAC system. A simple way to determine if a new filter will work with your HVAC system is to turn the AC fan to the “ON” position and take out your return air filters. Next measure the air flow strength coming out of a couple of different supply air registers. You can just feel the air strength or you can take a tape measure and a paper towel or tissue and measure how far away from the register you can get and still feel the air or see the tissue move. Now put in the filter/s of choice in all of the return air grilles. Take your measurements again. If the air strength is about the same; great, use can use that filter. If the air strength is noticeably less or reduced; do not use that filter. With less air coming out of the registers there will be more resistance in the ducts which will harm the HVAC system over time and cause you higher energy bills.
Ultra violet lights placed correctly in your duct work may help with killing odors caused by different types of bacteria.
Electronic whole house air cleaners may also help in reducing small and light air borne particles when the system is operating. Room air cleaners can also help and can operate continuously and collect particles closer to the floor.
Be mindful of where you store your household chemicals. If there is a return air filter nearby; the chemicals may be drawn into your HVAC system and ten distributed throughout your house. Not a good thing.

There are no perfect or complete solutions to air quality, but the suggestions above may help reduce unhealthy air in your home. If you locate and remove the source; you can improve your air quality. For more information, please visit: www.epa.gov. or Google "clean air in your house".

Tips On Keeping Your Home Burglar Free While Away On Vacation

2011-07-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Keep your home burglar free.

Going on vacation is supposed to be relaxing, but every time you go away, most people can’t help but wonder what state is my home going to be in when I get back. Did I remember to turn off the coffee pot (the answer there is almost always no!), did I close the garage door, did I lock the back door? Will someone break in while I’m gone? These questions can make your vacation more stress-filled than stress-relieving. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you how to remember to turn off the coffee maker before leaving for an extended period of time, but here are a few things you can do to make your empty home less attractive to potential burglars.

Leave interior and exterior lights on, or put them on a timer.
Have someone you trust pick up mail, newspaper, and any packages you might receive while you’re gone.
Disable automatic garage doors.
Leave the radio or TV on to create noise in the home. This makes it difficult for a burglar to determine if someone is home. Leaving a TV on can lead to higher electric costs. Consider using a battery operated radio to help conserve energy or in the event of a power outage.
Turn the ringer on your home phone down or put it on silent while you are away. Criminals will roam the streets listening for loud rings that are not picked up, since this is a sure sign that no one is home. Also, be careful not to leave a voice mail message advising that you are on vacation.
Make sure you shut and lock all windows and doors.
Shut the shades or drapes you normally close. Make it more difficult for someone to look in, but not so much the house looks closed.
Don’t hide a spare key, criminals prey on our fears of being locked out and will look around for that spare hide a key that you left.
Park in the driveway. It gives the appearance that someone is home.
Take your laptops and cameras with you. If you don’t; consider marking them with a number (such as car registration numbers or a driver’s license number), this will make it easier for police to return them to you if they are stolen. Keep a record of marked objects incase something happens.
Try to lock up important papers and valuables in a safe or bank deposit lock box.
Do not use Facebook, My Space, Twiiter, etc. to let your online friends know you are going on vacation or that you are having a great time while you are gone. Save this for when you get back and are at home. No sense advertising you are away.
If you have an agency for security, be sure they have your contact numbers (they most likely do) in the event of a break in.
If you have a do it yourself security surveillance system, be sure you have a tape in the machine and all is operating correctly.

The ultimate goal is to give your home the appearance that someone is there, or will be home soon. Don’t forget - you can always ask your neighborhood watch (of you have one) and your neighbors to keep an eye on your house and let you know if anything out of the ordinary happens.

Have a peace-of mind and enjoy your trip!

How To Save Money On Your Utility Bills

2011-07-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

We get questions all the time from various people wanting to know how to save money on their utility bills. There are many ways and things homeowners or renters can do to lower their monthly utility bills. Listed below are just a few methods of doing this.

· The simplest way to cut down on your air conditioning bills is to raise the setting on your thermostat.

· If you are using ceiling fans or fans, raise your setting at least 2 degrees to off-set the cost of running the fans. Three or more degrees will start saving you money.

· Replace all the bulbs you can with high efficiency LED or CFL light bulbs

· Buy gaskets that go behind the outlet and switch plates and install them in all your outlet and wall switch plates. By doing so, you will help seal a lot of air leaks that come from your crawl spaces and attics.

· Be sure your exterior doors have door sweeps and are weather striped. If you can see any daylight through you doors, they need more work.

· Caulk around your windows and your sinks drain and water lines to help seal out any outside air from coming in and keeping the inside air in. Silicone caulking works best for this instead of expand-a-foam which is very messy.

· Be sure to clean or replace your air conditioning return air filter each month. This is simple to do and has a big impact on your bills, comfort, and equipment life.

· Have your heating and air conditioning system professionally tuned-up each year so it works at its peak efficiency level. Be sure they inspect your duct work for leaks as leaky ducts are major contributor to higher bills, less comfort, and sometimes excessive dust.

· Be sure to turn off your TV’s, DVR boxes, DVD players, lights, and computers when not in use.

· Close drapes or curtains on the sunny side/s of your house when they are in direct sunlight. This will help keep your home cooler. If you don’t, the radiant heat will warm up your house quickly and cost more to keep it cool.

· Try to grill outdoors when it is hot to avoid using your stoves and ovens which contribute a lot to your heat load.

· If you can do your laundry in the early morning or later at night it will help keep your house cooler because the dryer puts out a lot of heat into the room.

· One last tip for this week, is to weather strip and insulate your attic access door or panel. A lot of energy is lost through these access doors and panels. You can use a thick foam board or faced backed insulation and glue it to the back of the door or panel. If you have pull-down stairs, build an insulated box over the top of them with a hinge.

If you use the tips listed above, you will save money on your utility bills and have more money at your discretion. Hope you return next week to learn more.

Finding a Quality Heating and A/C Provider

2011-07-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! I hope you had a fun and safe holiday. This week’s blog subject is about finding a quality heating and air condition provider and to answer why some folks think the prices for repairs and replacement equipment is too high.

Let’s start off with how to pick a quality contractor.

Some key points to consider:

Ask your friends and neighbors who they have used and what their experiences were with that company.
If you are new to the area and haven’t met your neighbors, Google air conditioning providers in your zip code.
When you have found a name of a contractor/provider; go online to the Better Business Bureau site and see if the company has any issues and how they were resolved and if they were resolved.
Go online and check to see if they have a contractors’ license and a tradesman license. This site will also tell you if there have been any complaints filed against the company. http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/regulantlookup/
Visit the company’s web site and see if it is a professional site that is useful to you. It should have testimonials, coupons, information, etc. If there is no web site, be very weary of the company as they may not have been in business very or long or have other issues.
When you choose a company, be sure they are insured and have workman’s compensation insurance and business liability insurance. If they have it and all quality companies do; they can give you the insurance company name and policy number or show you a copy of the Certificate of Insurance. This is the best proof, just be sure your check the date to make sure it is current.
Be sure to ask if their technicians are N.A.T.E certified (North American Technical Excellence) or R.S.E.S certified (Refrigerant Service Engineer Society). Having certified technicians means the company cares enough to invest in their employees so they are a cut above other technicians.
Be sure the company you choose performs background and drug testing of all their employees. This helps to ensure the people they send to your house are safe and don’t have prior criminal or sex offender records and are not on drugs.

By taking the steps listed above, you should be able to find a quality provider in your area that will stand behind their work.

The next question you may ask from time to time is, “Why are your prices so high?”Most people, unless they own a business or are aware of true business costs really don’t know what it take to operate a business. It is very expensive to operate a quality business and these costs are part of the price you pay for excellent service and quality parts with guarantees.

A small sampling of the costs to run a business are:

Business insurance
Workman’s Compensation insurance
Health, dental, vision insurance
Office supplies
Computers, software, and upkeep
Furniture
Mortgage/rent/utilities
Vehicles (loans, upkeep and fuel cost)
Inventory
Uniforms
Paid benefits for all employees
Payroll and payroll taxes, etc.
Continuous training and education

The point of this article is to point out that there are many more costs than just the part and labor, dispatch and testing fees to install it. If these costs are not paid; the company will not remain in business to serve anyone or honor their warranties and guarantees.

The next topic is, “Why does the new equipment cost so much; my old one was less than half that price?”The answer is the above costs increase (internal costs for the manufacturer, the distributor, and the dealer) and the cost to manufacturer to produce the new equipment has sky rocketed due to the rising commodity markets. The last six or seven years have had significant increases. The good side is that the air conditioning and heating equipment has become very energy efficient and continues to get more efficient. Our industry is changing rapidly with the focus on comfort and energy conservation. Hopefully, the markets and economy will level out and the prices will begin to as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog, see you next week and if you have a particular topic or subject you would like answers to, please contact us (757) 421-9790 or by email allseasonshvac@cox.net.

Cooling Tips

2011-06-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

During the summer months, the top questions most homeowners ask is how to save money while air conditioning their home to a nice cool temperature. The summer months can raise everyone’s electric bill substantially. All Seasons Heating and Cooling would like to share our top tips to staying cool and that help from paying out more money to the electric company than necessary.

1. Good HVAC Habits
First thing is to make sure you have a planned maintenance program for your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system so that it is running at its peak performance level.

If the coil on the outdoor unit is not cleaned at least annually, it becomes blocked with dirt and various fibrous materials - sometimes almost completely blocked. A rule of thumb is that the operating cost of the air conditioning is affected in direct proportion to the percentage of coil blockage. 10% blockage can cause approximately a 10% increase in operating cost. Heat damaged motors and other electrical parts also occur because of the inability of the condenser to reject the substantial heat from the compressor due to the blocked coils. This does cost you more money in the short and long run.

2. Clean Filter
A dusty filter reduces air flow. Examine your air filters once a month and clean or replace filters when necessary. Keeping your filters clean can cut the energy used by 5 to 15%. Your HVAC systems air filters should be changed not when they're dirty but on frequently planned intervals. Your home's air filters are like your cars oil filter. Only clean oil works effectively as a lubricant. If you wait to change your car's oil and filter when it’s dirty, the performance, fuel efficiency, and life of the engine decreases. This is the same for your home's HVAC system.

Extra: If you are looking to replace your thermostat, you may want to choose one that offers a warning LED each month to remind you to change the filter. Also, sign up for a monthly email reminder from All Seasons Heating and Cooling and we will send you a monthly reminder to change/examine your filters.

3. Use Fans
Fans can also help cool your home. No one is saying that a fan can replace your air conditioner, but a fan can give supplemental cooling. Substituting fans for air conditioners on milder days can save 60% or more in energy costs. Appropriately setting the fan on your air conditioner can help you save as well. Set the fan speed on “auto” to the fan works only when the air conditioner is running. When you set the fan to “on”, it will run all the time and you introduce more humidity into your house. This is not a good thing. If you use ceiling fans when your air condition system is on, you can raise your thermostat setting two degrees and save a few dollars to off-set the cost of running your ceiling fans while maintaining your comfort.

4. Close the Blinds and/or Drapes
Natural light is great, but the sun's heat will increase the temperature in your home. Be sure blinds and drapes are closed on the east side in the morning and then the west side in the afternoon or in the rooms you have direct sunlight to help reduce the sun's thermal heat. If you are intent on letting the light in, think about installing a reflective film on the windows to block some of the heat. This also helps protect your furnishings from fading due to the UV rays.

5. Reserve Heat Producing Tasks
You should also reserve heat and humidity producing tasks like cooking and doing the laundry to early morning or late evening. A clothes dryer uses up a lot of energy and produces heat. Try using a clothes line instead. If you grill outside, you can keep your kitchen much cooler.

Keep heat-producing appliances, such as televisions or lamps, away from the thermostat. The heat they produce can fool your thermostat into continuing to cool.

6. Maintain the Ducts and Vents
If you are using a central air conditioning unit, make sure the air ducts are properly insulated, especially those that pass through the attic or any other unconditioned areas. You may want to have a specialist check for holes or leaks in the ducts. Duct tape can offer a temporary repair, but you will want to have any holes or leaks professionally sealed or repaired. The average duct system in a house leaks up to 20% or more. It should be 6% or less. Be sure furniture does not obstruct air conditioning air supply or return air vents. Closed or blocked vents will affect your comfort and the performance of your air condition and heating system.

7. Check for Household Leaks
Make sure air isn't escaping through unnecessary openings such as fireplace dampers, doors and windows. Take a good look at the seals around doors and windows to see if weather stripping or caulk needs to be applied. We offer whole house testing that can help you determine where your air is escaping in your house. (Click here for more information on whole house testing)

8. Set the Thermostat to the Best Temperature
Turning your thermostat to 78 degrees is the best setting for your air conditioner during warmer months. Reducing your temperature to 72 degrees will increase your cooling costs up to 12 to 47 percent. Also remember, setting it really low at first will not help your home cool faster. It will use more energy and if you forget to adjust it, you will be running far less efficiently than you think.

Also, have you considered a programmable thermostat? Programmable thermostats can be set to adjust the temperature of your home according to your schedule. The temperature on programmable thermostats can be set to change based on whether or not the home is occupied or whether residents are asleep or awake. For example, in the morning before occupants wake up, the thermostat can be preset for a slightly warmer temperature. The thermostat should be programmed for both heating and cooling seasons to save the most money. Today’s thermostats are easy to program and have large numbers that are easy to see.

9. Invest in great landscaping.
If you want to reduce the amount of money that you spend on cooling your home then you can also use great landscaping to provide natural cooling properties for the home. Strategically placed shade trees are the top choice for affordably reinventing your landscape to allow you to turn off your homes cooling system. If you can shade the outdoor unit of an air conditioning unit, it will be more efficient. Just be sure not to have shrubbery closer than 2-3 feet of the unit and never closer than 6 feet above it.

10. Get out of the house.
The more time that you spend at home the more it is going to cost you when the electricity bills come. First, when you are home, you are cooling off the place and as you get adjusted to the temperature it may require more and more cool air to make you feel cool enough. Second, you are using the lights, computers and appliances when you are home which drives energy bills up more. Get out and get active. Spend time in the pool. Find ways to cool off away from home. Let someone else pay to keep you cool!

If being outdoors is not your thing; be sure to turn off lights, computers, TV’s etc. when you are not using them. Also replace your light bulbs with high efficiency ones, tighten up your house by weather stripping it and being sure you have enough insulation. If you need help, just give us a call (757) 421-9790 and we can get you the information you need.

Hello HVAC World

2011-06-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had questions about your HVAC system but didn’t know where to find the answers? We have launched our blog to help homeowner’s find the answers to the questions that they have about how to keep their homes comfortable and energy efficient all year round. We will share helpful information about a variety of HVAC topics. Our goal is to help you find the answers you’re looking for right here. If we don’t cover a subject you are interested in; just contact us and we will include it.

Why is it important for homeowners to know that maintaining their heating and cooling equipment is important and what to look out for? After all, isn’t that what your contractor is for? Sure, you can leave it up to the professional– we have been taking care of our customers’ HVAC needs for over 21 years. But, the truth is, (an aware versus an unaware) homeowner will recognize signs of trouble faster, and get help before a small problem turns into a major repair because you live there. A well-maintained heating and cooling system lasts longer and performs more efficiently. This can add up to significant energy savings and fewer breakdowns.

So, check in with us each week to learn more about your system, its maintenance and all of your equipment options. With a little bit of help from our experts, you can stay comfortable, reduce repair bills and keep your energy costs under control.