For starters, your unit could be frozen, resulting in not being able to produce cold or even enough air. The coils and condenser may have ice on them, if so, turn off the unit and allow them to thaw before restarting. The cause of this could simply be from lack of regular maintenance. Also, keep in mind that air conditioning units are not made to run on a consistent basis, so make sure to give your AC a break every once in awhile. By forgetting to check the condition of your unit, you are hurting the chances of your air conditioner performing at an optimal level. So remember to check air filters, clogged drains, or if coils are frozen by doing some basic maintenance.

Also, freon or “refrigerant” may be at a low level, causing your unit to not be able to produce cold air. This compound (refrigerant), transfers heat from the coils to the blowers in your home, and without an adequate level of refrigerant in your unit the heat transfer is not completed. This may result in your entire unit shutting down, so be sure to check the refrigerant level and for any leaks to avoid this from happening.

Another issue you may want to check on is if the condenser is damaged. If it was frozen and you thawed the condenser, make sure you inspect it for any damages. It is vital for this part to be functioning properly, considering its main objective is to decrease the temperature of the liquid, and without this the unit will not work. Eventually over time all things wear out and break down, with careful consideration an upgrade may be in your best interest if the unit is on its last leg.

When you feel the hot breezy air in your home this summer, be sure to check for any of these issues. So, determine whether a part needs replacement or if the unit just needs to be installed correctly before deciding on a new purchase.

If it is more than 10 years old, you should highly consider replacing the system, especially with an Energy Star labeled unit. With these highly efficient units, you can save up to 20% on your cooling costs. With the warmer weather already starting, cutting costs now will be in your favor with the summer months just ahead.

When considering replacing or fixing the unit, keep in mind if you have any rooms in the house that are warmer or colder than others. This could be a sign of improper ductwork or inadequate insulation. Also, air conditioning units tend to go under looked when being noisy (especially because they are naturally loud when turning on). However, you should become aware that the duct system could be too small or have improper indoor coiling. Another reason could be poor installation or even the wrong unit for your house. So, stayed tuned in to your heating and cooling system for these issues.

With increasing technology there are many ways to save on your energy bill. Having older heating and cooling systems can become less efficient over time, costing you more money in your energy bills. It would also be wise to consider having a programmable thermostat, these allows you to save without having to sacrifice comfort. By setting a programmable thermostat you can reduce your heat or cooling when not home, this will allow you to cut back and save on your energy bill.

If these issues occur with your heating and cooling system, considering a unit replacement would be a wise idea for the value of your home and to save you money. So, check the age of your unit, the efficiency, and what the cost would be to repair the unit before replacing.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the levels of pollutants that are indoor can be two to five times higher. The reason why the indoor air cannot reach proper air levels is due to poor ventilation. Therefore homes that do not have well-ventilated spaces have the worst air pollution.

The following items release indoor pollutants and put you at risk for poor air quality:

• Feminine products such as perfume, nail polish, nail polish remover, and hair spray
• Air fresheners
• Central air conditioning and heating
• Cleaning products
• Cigarettes
• Paint, paint thinner, glue
• Pesticides

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

You can improve indoor air quality by limiting the amount of harsh cleaning products, air fresheners and pesticides you use. Also, another tip before remodeling or painting is to look for non-toxic, low-VOC paints.

Circulating fresh air in the winter is difficult, so consider an attic fan or window fan in the kitchen, or even a bathroom exhaust fan. Even window unit air conditioners can increase air quality. If it happens to be a mild day, take advantage of the weather and open windows for a few minutes to let in fresh air. You could also open the doors to decrease the amount of toxins and dust that build up in carpets.

When it comes to humidity, it is important to keep it between 30-60% in your home, this helps prevent dust mites, mold, and mildew from growing. You could also keep a mist humidifier in the bedroom or if your home does not have a built in humidifier, just place a bowl of water in front of where warm air derives or lingers from.

Lastly, another tip for fresh indoor air during those long winter months is to clean frequently. Dusting and vacuuming will minimize the amount of tiny air pollutants that populate your home. The most effective way to keep a home fresh is to keep things out such as cigarette smoke, excess moisture, and harsh chemicals. By following these tips you can protect you and your family this winter!

Proper installation of your tankless water heater depends on many factors, so it is important to have a qualified and licensed plumbing and heating contractor install your tankless water heater. Before selecting a contractor request estimates in writing, obtain references, check the company with your local Better Business Bureau, and make sure they have a proper permit.

In order to keep your tankless water heating running smoothly (at least once a year) you should flush it with white vinegar and water using a submersible water pump to remove the calcium deposit buildup. You can find submersible water pumps at most home improvement and hardware stores. The steps to take to perform your annual tankless water heater maintenance are:

. Turn off the water heater.

.Turn off the incoming and outgoing water valves.

.Fill a bucket with a gallon of white vinegar.

.Connect a short length garden hose to the outgoing water valve.

.Place the tub of vinegar under the hose and valves, and then connect a garden hose to the incoming water valve.

.Connect the other end of the hose to a water pump.

.Place the submersible water pump into the tub of vinegar.

.Open the outgoing and incoming water valves, and turn the water pump on. Allow the tank to flush for 15 to 30 minutes. After you are done flushing vinegar through the tank, flush some clean water through it for a few minutes to make sure all of the vinegar is out.

Heat Pump, What???

A heat pump is an air conditioner that works in reverse.  During the summer, a heat pump or air conditioner cools the inside or your home (or establishment) and sends the heat outdoors by pumping it outside.  During the winter, a heat pump works in reverse and pumps heat into your home—inevitably the process is identical to air conditioning but instead of cold air, it pumps in heated air.

So, How Does A Heat Pump Work You Ask?

A heat pump has an outdoor expansion valve that decreases the pressure of the refrigerant in the outdoor coil until the coil is a great deal colder than it is outside.  In fact, the coil is essentially warmed by the cold outdoor air.

After acquiring as much heat as possible from outside, the heat pump compresses the refrigerant to very high pressures which then raises the temperature to be in the mid-hundreds.  This heat is then pumped inside your home—and this is why it is called a “heat pump.”

What, Heat Pumps Have To Defrost?

Even though the winter air doesn’t hold as much humidity, a super cold heat pump coil can turn a bit of water vapor into frost.  Therefore, (usually after an hour or two) a heat pump coil will accumulate enough frost and ice to block airflow.  Reduced airflow means a colder coil and more frost which can affect the efficiency of the heat pump and damage the compressor.

To fight frost build-up, heat pumps will change from heating mode to cooling mode for a few minutes (every few hours) to heat the outdoor coil and melt any frost or ice.

If you follow four of these tricks you will be able to make the most out of any type of humidifier available on the market.

1. Clean the Humidifier Regularly

Keeping your humidifier clean is essential because every time you use it it builds up rust and hard water.  Make sure to clean your humidifier at least once a year.

Also, when a humidifier’s pad or filter gets stained with hard water scale, you will probably be unable to clean it the way you should.  In this case, it is best to replace it every year.

2. Assembling the Float…

If your humidifier is the reservoir kind, the float assembly may get stuck if it remains untouched during the summer.  To prevent this from happening, you can take out the float assembly after every summer, as well as thoroughly clean it and make sure it is still completely functional.  For cleaning you can try vinegar, or a special cleaner for humidifiers available on the market.

3. Check the Water Reservoir

When you have this type of humidifier, the water reservoir on reservoir-type humidifiers may get encrusted with calcium and other minerals.  Because of this, the humidifier may become a haven for bacteria.  When cleaning, use a special humidifier cleaner and anti-bacterial solution to clean the reservoir thoroughly before it gets cold, and right before you cease to use it as it gets warmer.

4. Don’t Forget About Bacteria

Bacteria will never cease to populate the water reservoir inside your humidifier.  In fact, it may even become airborne whenever you turn the furnace blower on.  To remedy this, you can kill the bacteria inside the humidifier by using a special humidifier cleaner and anti-bacterial solution to clean the reservoir thoroughly before it gets cold, and right before you cease to use it as it gets warmer.

You can use the following check list when selecting an HVAC contractor…

Will the contractor do a heat-gain/heat-loss calculation and show you the results before installing the heat pump system?

Ask the contractor his personal opinion of heat pumps.  Does he speak favorably of them?

Did he clearly explain what ductwork he will install?

Does the heat pump need to be insulated?

Does the contractor offer a guarantee of satisfaction upon completion of the installation?

Has he explained what parts and labor the warranty covers and for how long?

Does he offer an extended warranty?

Does he provide 24-hour emergency service?

Will he provide an owner’s manual and clear instructions for home owner maintenance?

Has all associated water line connections been included in installation cost?

Has the contractor included a storage tank in his estimate?

Has the homeowner’s responsibilities and requirements been listed?

In addition, have the contractor provide you with five local references for you to contact.  Also have the contractor show you a license and proof of insurance.  Make sure that there’s a good fit between personalities, you want to be sure that you feel comfortable asking questions!

In general, humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps ease coughing and congestion due to a cold.  When it comes to a warm-mist and cool-mist humidifier, they are equally effective in humidifying the air.  Also, by the time the water vapor reaches your child’s lower airways; it’s the same temperature regardless of whether it started out warm, or cool.

Another benefit of cool-mist humidifiers is cost. Cool-mist humidifiers are less expensive than warm-mist humidifiers are because you are essentially not paying for the heating component.  In turn, you also pay less in energy costs.

After each time you use a humidifier—whether it be cool or warm, you should make it a priority to keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. Wiping down the humidifier daily with a 10 percent bleach solution — 9 parts water to 1 part bleach — is one way to safely keep it clean.

You should remember that the internal environment of your house is also a part of your surrounding environment. It is a more important part of the environment as you spend most of the time at home, or at the office. Air vents and ducts help keep the air clean as well as the environment. However when they are initially installed most of the time their maintenance is forgotten about. Keeping those passages clean should be equally as important as keeping the house clean.

It is true that all of these come equipped with humidifiers and air purifiers, but with constant use and time, it is inevitable that they will get contaminated by external air borne particles like dust and mud. They may eventually contaminate the air you are breathing and cause problems such as small headaches to allergies and bigger issues like asthma over prolonged inhaling.

Professional duct cleaners not only clean the vents and ducts visually, but also cleanse it to the core. It is like a conditioning for your air conditioning. They take care of the dust, mites, and air borne particles and diseases, all of which possess the probability to make your life unhealthy.

Once through the cleaning process, you will notice an immediate change in the air. Your respiration system will feel lighter and fresher. This is an effect produced both by physiology and psychology. At the work place you will have a healthier environment to work in, which provides better results and efficiency.

If you have senior citizens or children in your house, it becomes important to keep the air cleaning system sanitary and updated with time. You will notice less dust setting on your furniture, and lesser allergens in the air that make you sneeze or cough and cause various health issues. The plants and flowers in your house will testify to the results if you notice their grow habits.

Small changes can produce big changes very often. The same works with air ducts and vents present in your house and working space. It will lead you towards a healthier mind and body by increasing the efficiency of the “self.” Once you get it done, you will feel a difference.

Breathe easy, clean, and healthy air, by implementing “ACTION Heating and Air” which provide you with exceptional services at competitive prices. Their experienced crew are the best in the business, providing results a customer wants to see.

Once you decide on radiant floor heating for your log home, the question then becomes what type of radiant heating system you will choose. The radiant floor industry is divided into two segments: floor warming – which is usually done electrically in limited areas such as bathrooms and typically requires a supplemental heating system – and floor heating – which is done throughout the entire home and is usually accomplished with hot water re-circulated through tubing hidden in a conductive panel under your finished floors. When building a log home, extremely cold seasonal climates must be considered and so the whole home, floor heating solution makes the most sense.

At Action Heating and Air, along with many other fine home builders, the radiant heat brand of choice is Warm board, the only radiant flooring system which is also a structural sub-floor. A Warm board radiant floor system is an optimum fit for log homes: Warm board has industry-leading high heat output due to the radiant panel’s high conductivity, a low construction profile and compatibility with virtually any flooring type [hardwood, tile, carpet and even laminate]. Also worth noting is that Warm board works with relatively lower water temperatures than other radiant heat systems and so it easily interfaces with alternative fuel sources like solar and geothermal.

Warm board’s low mass is extraordinarily well suited for any home that needs to be brought up to heat quickly, especially vacation homes that are unoccupied for lengths of time. Ultimately, the extreme efficiency and smart technology of Warm board will lower your long term energy costs and maximize your log home’s comfort level.