Spring is here, which offers homeowners a chance to examine their heating and cooling system between the snows of winter and the heat of summer. Nowhere is that more important than your thermostat, which controls all aspects of your HVAC system. A malfunctioning thermostat needs to be replaced quickly: here in Pittsburgh, PA, weather is usually too hot or too cold to go without it. But even if it’s working just fine, the benefits of replacing your thermostat are hard to ignore. Here’s a brief list of some of the things a new thermostat can bring you.
Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Benefits of Replacing Your Thermostat
Monday, April 27th, 2015Is It Time for AC Replacement?
Monday, April 20th, 2015Spring is a great time to assess your home’s needs, and if it’s time to replace an outdated air conditioner, now is the perfect time to do it. It isn’t always obvious when it’s time to replace an air conditioner, especially when your system is still running, so our experts have listed a few factors to consider. One thing that never changes is that it’s imperative to hire an expert for your AC work, especially for a system replacement. Our specialists can help you size and install a new replacement for your Pittsburgh, PA, home, so just give us a call today!
Ways to Avoid Air Conditioning Repair This Summer
Monday, April 13th, 2015If we could offer you an air conditioning system that was guaranteed never to break, we’d do it in a Pittsburgh minute. We can’t do that because such an air conditioning system doesn’t exist, but what our experts can offer you are some great tips on how to avoid air conditioning repair and reduce your incidence of repair.
Make Air Conditioning Maintenance Part of Your Spring Cleaning This Year
Monday, April 6th, 2015As our temperatures edge a little higher each day, our attention starts to turn towards the warmer weather. We may not be fully ready for spring cleaning yet, but this time of year is perfect for scheduling maintenance for your air conditioning system in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. Hiring a professional to perform a full tune-up on your AC system brings benefits that will last all season long, and scheduling your maintenance appointment now gets you ahead of the crowd. So what kind of benefits can you and your AC gain from a spring maintenance appointment with your Boehmer Heating & Cooling expert? Let’s take a look:
Benefit #1: Better energy efficiency.
During a maintenance appointment, your air conditioning system is thoroughly inspected, cleaned, lubricated and adjusted to optimize performance. Your AC was made to operate at a certain level of efficiency, and without regular maintenance, your system can lose up to 5% of its original efficiency each year it isn’t maintained. Annual maintenance helps your system regain its energy efficiency levels.
Benefit #2: Helps prevent future repairs.
The thorough inspection your AC system undergoes during a maintenance appointment allows the technician to spot both existing and developing problems. If the issues are small, such as frayed wiring or a stretched fan belt, these items can be repaired during the appointment. Should a bigger issue be discovered, such as a refrigerant leak, you’ll be advised of the problem so that you can make additional plans for having the problem repaired by an expert. The steps of maintenance help get you ahead of potential repairs and also help you control existing ones before they can become bigger.
Benefit #3: Extends the life of your system.
Maintenance keeps your air conditioner in good working order, which means the system won’t operate under unnecessary stress. Stress is the number one reason that air conditioners can prematurely age, which can lead to frequent malfunction, breakdown and a need for early replacement.
When you start to clean this winter’s dirt and grime from your home and yard, don’t forget to include your air conditioning system in the spring cleaning. The experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling are ready to help, so schedule an appointment today!
Air Conditioning Repair: Could It Be the Thermostat?
Wednesday, September 17th, 2014When your air conditioner malfunctions or breaks down, it can be easy to jump to the worst conclusions:
- The compressor blew!
- A fan motor is shot!
- My whole system is a mess!
Sometimes, it can be this: the thermostat.
Thermostats are sensitive instruments, and because they control when your air conditioner cycles, problems with it can look like a lot of other (potentially bad) things. If you’ve ruled out the possibility of other problems, it may be time to focus your air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh on your thermostat, with the help of a trained professional from Boehmer Heating & Cooling.
Signs of Problems with Your Thermostat
There are a few signs that your thermostat may be malfunctioning:
- Short cycling – your system is turning on and off too much and not achieving target temperatures
- Large temperature swings – you are seeing wild temperature swings in your home without changing the temperature
- Won’t turn on at all – your AC won’t start
Common Causes of Thermostat Problems
As we stated above, thermostats are sensitive instruments, so even small things can alter their proper operation. Here are some common causes of thermostat malfunction:
- Dirt and dust – dirt and dust can easily get inside your thermostat, and when they make a home on the instrumentation, they can interfere with the workings of the entire thermostat. The removal of dirt and dust requires a delicate cleaning of the inside and outside of the thermostat.
- Thermostat isn’t level – to operate properly, a thermostat needs to be level and at least 5 feet up from your floor. Otherwise, the orientation affects the readings, and the cooler temperature of the floor (unless you have radiant heat) can contribute to an incorrect reading.
- Loose wires – faulty connections with the wires can cut off the power to the thermostat, or make the power flow intermittently, disrupting operation.
Thermostat repairs are best handled by a professional, and it’s important to make them as quickly as possible before the issues can cause more problems. If you need thermostat or any other air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh, be sure to call the company that has been around for 80 years: Boehmer Heating & Cooling.
How Technicians Determine the Size of Your New AC
Wednesday, August 20th, 2014In order for an air conditioner to work well for a home, it must be properly sized for the home. The installers need to determine how large a cooling load a new air conditioning system must produce in order to keep the home at the temperature that the homeowner wants for comfort.
Sizing is a complicated process. It’s easy for an amateur to assume that the more powerful an AC, the better it will cool a house. However, an oversized air conditioner can be a major a problem as an undersized one: it will lower the temperature so rapidly that it will shut off the cooling cycle before completing it, only to turn back on a short time later, and continue to repeat the process. This is called “short-cycling,” and it leads to wasted energy and a shortened lifespan for the system.
For your air conditioning installation in Brentwood, PA, call on Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We’ve helped keep homes comfortable in the Greater Pittsburgh Area since 1933.
How Sizing is Done for an AC
The way that technicians find out the cooling load (in tons) an air conditioner needs to supply to both keep a house cool and not to short-cycle, they perform a heat load calculation. This complex calculation collects data about the house to determine how well it traps heat and keeps heat outside. The more heat that stays inside a home, the more powerful an AC is needed to combat it.
The basic part of the heat load calculation is the volume of the house; square footage along is enough to determine how much space the AC must cool down. The technicians then analyze other parts of the home to see where heat is entering and where it is being generated.
Heat can enter a home through poor insulation, especially in the attic, so the technicians look over the insulation in the walls and ceilings. They also factor in the number of windows and the directions they face to see where radiant heat is entering the house.
Technicians look over the number of heat generating appliances in the house and how often they run: washing machine, laundry machine, oven, entertainment center, lights, etc. The number of people regularly in the home also affects how much heat is inside it.
Once the technicians have gathered all the pertinent data (and there’s even more than we’ve listed here), they can plug it into the calculation and return with the amount of cooling load necessary to keep the home comfortable.
The heat load calculation is one of the many reasons to rely on professionals for your air conditioning installation in Brentwood, PA. The only way to receive the right AC working at its best is to leave the job to the experts. Call on the experienced team at Boehmer Heating & Cooling the next time you need a new AC sized and installed.
What Does the SEER Number Mean for My Air Conditioner?
Wednesday, August 13th, 2014Just as a car has the miles per gallon rating (mpg) to assess how well it uses its energy source (gasoline, in this case), so, too, does an air conditioning system. This rating is called SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and it tells you how efficient a specific air conditioning system in Brentwood will be. Understanding what SEER means for your air conditioner is important when installing a new or replacement AC, so our Boehmer Heating & Cooling technicians have taken some time to explain this below.
What Is SEER?
As mentioned above, SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and it is a number placed on all air conditioning systems. SEER is rated on a scale of 1 to 23; energy efficiency improves with each higher point.
Today’s air conditioners have to be manufactured with a minimum SEER of 13, a law that went into effect in 2006; prior to this the minimum required SEER was 10.
What Is the Importance of SEER?
SEER isn’t just a number; it tells you how much energy your air conditioner will use to cool your home. According to Energystar.gov, each point higher on the SEER scale equates to an approximate savings of 10% on your annual air conditioning costs. As an example, let’s say an AC with a SEER of 16 will cost you $300 for the year; the same model with a SEER of 21 would cost you $150. By comparing SEER numbers, you can estimate the annual cost of your air conditioning and how much you can potentially save with each SEER number.
How Is SEER Calculated?
SEER is calculated by measuring the amount of cool air an air conditioner expels for every unit of energy it consumes to do so.
Benefits of an Energy Efficient AC
The clear benefit of an energy efficient air conditioner is the savings you can achieve in monthly utility bills. If you have seen your energy bills rise due to an aging or seriously malfunctioning system, it may be time to think about replacement.
The second benefit of purchasing an energy efficient system is the benefit to the environment. Less energy means a smaller carbon footprint and less greenhouse gases for the planet.
Have questions about what SEER means to you? Call Boehmer Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
Is It Too Late for Air Conditioning Maintenance?
Wednesday, August 6th, 2014A great time to schedule air conditioning maintenance is in the spring or early summer to protect your air conditioner during the cooling season. But when it’s the middle of summer and you still haven’t called a professional AC company for maintenance, is it too late?
Air conditioning maintenance is an important service for homeowners who want to lower energy bills and prevent the need for repairs. During maintenance, a technician cleans various components of your AC system, such as the condenser and evaporator coils. Dirty components may interfere with the heat exchange process that is needed to cool the air. The technician also adjusts any loose or bent parts and lets you know about any parts that may need repair sometime in the near future. This service is essential if you want to see the following benefits with your air conditioner.
The Benefits of Air Conditioning Maintenance
- Energy Efficiency: Air conditioning maintenance can restore a large percentage of efficiency to your unit. When an important part of the system needs to be cleaned or adjusted, your air conditioner must run for long periods of time to compensate. This can hike up energy bills significantly, but maintenance can help you manage costs for the remainder of the summer.
- Reduce the Need for Repairs: At this time of year, air conditioners work extra hard to keep you cool. This adds wear and tear to your system, which means you may need repairs before the end of the season. With air conditioning maintenance, a technician often catches repair needs early on so that you can address them before a serious problem arises that could leave you without air conditioning when you need it most.
- Increased Lifespan: No air conditioner can last forever, but you may actually increase the lifespan of your air conditioner with a yearly maintenance call. Damage is caught early on, so that your AC won’t fail prematurely.
Our technicians offer professional maintenance on a variety of air conditioning systems, no matter what the time of year. When you decide it’s the right time for air conditioning maintenance in Baldwin, call the experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. Call us today to schedule an AC maintenance with us.
Can I Wait for Air Conditioning Replacement?
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014Replacing an air conditioner is a big decision, and shouldn’t be rushed into. But at the height of summer, it can be difficult to overcome the daily heat and humidity with an aging system. When faced with the question to replace now or later, one of the best choices you can make is to consult with a professional. Boehmer Heating & Cooling has helped Baldwin residents with their cooling needs for over 80 years. Below are some questions that may help with your decision about when to replace your current AC:
- How often do you need repairs?
Have you found yourself calling frequently for air conditioning repair work over the last 2 years? At some point, the inconvenience and cost of multiple, frequent repairs may indicate you’d be better off with a new system.
- How well is your current system cooling?
One of the telltale signs that an aging air conditioner is ready for replacement is an inability to cool your home. Whether you are experiencing uneven cooling, or your system struggles to reach the set temperature, if you aren’t getting the cooling you need, your indoor comfort is compromised.
- How old is your system?
The average lifespan of an air conditioner is about 12 years, but if your system is 8 years old or older, you may be missing out on savings in the form of energy efficiency. This is because in 2006, federal regulations changed, requiring that all air conditioners be manufactured with a minimum SEER of 13; the previous law mandated it be 10.
- How efficient is your system?
Even if your AC meets the minimum SEER regulation, an older system can still have problems being energy efficient. The best way to asses this is to review your monthly energy costs with a specialist.
Work With a Professional
If the answers to the questions above have pointed you in the direction of needing replacement for your AC sooner rather than later, the best way to ensure you install an air conditioning system that fits your home is to work with an AC installation expert. Many factors go into determining what air conditioner will work best for you, and some of these factors can be complex or even overlooked.
Since 1933, Boehmer Heating and Cooling experts have helped Baldwin customers with their cooling needs. Call us today and schedule an appointment.
How Can I Save Money on Air Conditioning?
Thursday, July 10th, 2014Running your air conditioning in Baldwin, PA can get expensive, but this summer you may be able to cut costs significantly with a few energy saving tips and by considering investing in energy-efficient solutions for your home.
To start saving money on air conditioning today, try some of the following tips:
- Set a programmable thermostat: There’s no point in running the AC at full blast when no one is home. Today’s digital thermostats have many features to help you increase efficiency. If you enjoy coming home to a cool house, set the thermostat to come on thirty minutes before you arrive. You can also set your thermostat to automatically switch to lower and higher temperatures at warmer and cooler times of the day.
- Clean or replace air filters: By inhibiting proper airflow and forcing your AC system to work harder than it needs to, dirty air filters not only reduce indoor air quality, but also energy efficiency. Replacing filters on a regular basis or washing reusable ones can help you save every month.
- Turn on fans: Ceiling and room fans help circulate the air, distributing it evenly throughout your home. Your skin tends to feel cooler with moving air, so you’ll likely be able to lower the temperature and save energy. Open all bedroom doors for increased circulation, and open windows at night to cut down on cooling costs.
- Regular maintenance: If you schedule regular maintenance by an HVAC professional, your system is far more likely to remain energy efficient than without it. During a maintenance visit, a technician checks for any issues that may inhibit efficiency, cleans AC components, and adjusts refrigerant levels. Air conditioners that are regularly maintained are less likely to need unexpected repairs.
- Invest in energy-saving solutions: If you have an older system, you may consider buying a new energy-efficient AC unit. This isn’t always necessary though; you can also have a professional add insulation to the outside of ducts to prevent the loss of cool air that often escapes through the ductwork of your home and costs you money.
For energy-saving solutions for your air conditioning in Baldwin, PA, call the AC experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We offer quality air conditioning services from installation and replacement to repair and maintenance.