Month: May 2022

For a central HVAC system to function efficiently, it should match the size of your house. However, you might select an undersized or oversized system for your Spring Hill, FL, home, and this error may cost you later. Below are four signs indicating that your HVAC system is the wrong size.

1. High Utility Bills

Abnormally high energy bills suggest that your HVAC system is either too small or too big for your Spring Hill, FL house. The wrong sizing causes the system to consume too much energy to maintain the desired indoor temperatures.

2. Short Cycling

When an HVAC is the improper size, it does not stay on for the right duration per cycle. This means that it turns itself on and off more times in a day. This issue happens when the system quickly lowers the temperature around the thermostat and forces itself to turn off unexpectedly.

Short cycling is harmful because it affects the indoor humidity levels and air quality. It also accelerates the wear and tear on the system as a result of running more often.

3. High Humidity in the House

Closely related to short cycling, an improperly sized HVAC unit can actually lead to an increase in your home’s humidity. If your system shuts off too quickly, it won’t have the chance to dehumidify the air it’s circulating. Smaller systems, on the other hand, simply won’t be able to dehumidify the volume of air they need to condition homes that are too big.

4. Constant Repairs

It is normal to have about two HVAC maintenance appointments in a year. During these appointments, our technicians inspect your system to determine if it’s functioning properly or not and whether it requires replacement.

However, an improperly sized HVAC needs frequent repairs and replacements. Some parts, like fans, and capacitors, degrade faster because of overworking.

In summary, an improperly sized HVAC system causes high utility bills, restarts frequently and requires frequent repairs. Contact our qualified HVAC contractors at Senica Air Conditioning for fast and reliable AC repair services.

Image provided by iStock

This post appeared first on Senicaair.com

If you have used the same HVAC service company for some time, chances are you have a good relationship with a technician who visits you regularly. You already know how helpful it is, and how much comfort it brings you, to have this person you trust who knows you and your equipment. That person really … Continued

The post Why You Need a Dedicated HVAC Service Account Team appeared first on Arista.

When it comes down to your health and that of your loved ones, the quality of air in your home plays a critical role. And since people spend the majority of their time indoors, you want to ensure that your indoor air in Alvin, TX is breathable and free of health-threatening pollutants. But before that, you first need to understand what pollutants might be present in your household’s indoor air for you to lead to a higher quality of life.

Dust and Pollen

At times, homeowners resort to leaving their windows open at night in an attempt to save energy. Unfortunately, this leads to dust entering and circulating indoors, making life uncomfortable for elderly family members, asthmatic loved ones, or people with allergies.

Another source of dust and pollen would be your pet. After a fun day outside with your furry companion, dust and pollen get trapped in their hair, and they carry it back and it gets released indoors. Sometimes on your couch, other times on your carpet, and at times it lingers in the air.

Even your HVAC system, whose purpose is to clean your indoor air, might be the source of dust in your home. Without regular maintenance, dust from the system gets released into the air, degrading its quality.

Cleaning Products

Unexpected, right? Although they should clean your home and leave it smelling nice, a majority of these products contain volatile organic compounds and toxic air contaminants that can reduce your IAQ. At times they can irritate your eyes, lungs and throat.

Pet Hair and Dander

Dry skin and hair from pets get released in your indoor air, compromising its quality. Without proper knowledge and care, your furry friend might be the reason behind skin irritation, itchy eyes, or frequent common cold in your household.

We understand the importance of a healthy indoor environment. And for over 50 years, we’ve been ensuring that residents in Alvin, TX enjoy quality indoor solutions at customer-friendly rates. Contact Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. today for your IAQ products and services.

Image provided by iStock

In a place like Miami, it is vital to have an AC that works properly. And to do that, you are going to want to be on the ball in terms of getting your AC the maintenance and repairs it needs. To get your AC prompt service, you need to know what the signs are that it is in need of some help.

One of the different ways that you can determine whether your air conditioner needs help is when it starts to make concerning noises. Let’s discuss some of the different noises a system might make when it needs air conditioner repair in Miami.

7 Sounds Your AC Shouldn’t Make

Hearing something strange from your cooling system? If you notice these noises, it is time to schedule your repairs with an expert technician.

Rattling

When your air conditioner starts to rattle it means that there is a part starting to loosen within your system. Whether it is a bolt, screw, or another part, you’ll want a technician to address the source of the sound before it worsens.

Clanging

This is the sound that follows a rattling noise that went on for too long. Now the loose part is free to bounce around in your AC unit. Get this addressed quickly before it causes major damage.

Hissing

Hissing can indicate more than one problem. The easiest solution that you may need is a new air filter in order to reduce hissing caused by air forcing its way through a layer of debris. Beyond this, you’ll need a technician to address the core cause. This is because, in other cases, hissing may indicate a refrigerant leak or a leak in your ductwork.

Bubbling

If you notice a bubbling noise in your AC, it is another likely indicator of a refrigerant leak. That bubbling sound is created by air infiltrating your liquid refrigerant supply.

Another potential cause of that bubbling noise may be a clogged condensate drain which one of our technicians is also happy to handle.

Screeching

A screeching sound indicates that, somewhere in your system, metal is scraping against metal. This may be caused by a loose fan blade or by a dry blower motor belt or even dry bearings. When you hear this noise, make sure to reach out to our team before things get worse.

Buzzing

A buzzing noise is likely caused by an electrical problem in your air conditioner. Buzzing or humming may mean you have loose or frayed wires in your system.

Silence

Last but certainly not least, don’t brush off a silent air conditioner. These systems aren’t operating at a whole new level of quiet. What a silent AC is doing is nothing at all! Silence means no operation whatsoever. If your air conditioner isn’t working at all, you can count on our team to either repair it or get you started with a system replacement.

The only sound you should really hear from your air conditioner is the sound of the whoosh of cool air. Anything beyond that should prompt a call to professionals like us.

Contact the experts at Air On Demand today to schedule your AC services.

The post Do You Hear That? You May Need AC Repairs! first appeared on Air On Demand.

This post appeared first on AironDemand.com

When you’re managing high end residential properties, quality is something that’s always on your mind. Homeowners not only expect it, but demand it, not only from the systems and furnishings in their homes, but from the service providers that take care of them. When it comes to quality HVAC, chances are you’re not an expert. … Continued

The post 10 Ways to Spot Quality HVAC for High End Residential Properties appeared first on Arista.

It is critical to find the best commercial pressure washer for your job. The wrong choice could result in a pressure washer that is underpowered, or a solution that just disappoints.

The first place to start when choosing the right pressure washer is to ask yourself these questions:

• Focus on the application. What are the exact needs that you will be using the pressure washer for?
• Consider the work environment. Will you need it to be ultra-portable, or will it be used in a specific area? Is air power important? Gas, electric?
• Will you be using cleaning chemicals?
• What specialty accessories will you need?

The cleaning capabilities of industrial pressure washers are diverse. Pressure is required for each application in order to break the bond between dirt and the area it is adhered to. High-quality pressure nozzles and wands can blast away dirt, grime, and tough stains and quickly clean various surface types.

Some applications Pressure washers are best for include:

• Sidewalk cleaning
• Gum removal
• Industrial kitchens
• Bathroom cleaning
• Graffiti removal
• Plate and frame heat exchangers
• General cleaning
• Gutter cleaning
• Water and mud stain removal

There is extensive use of pressure washers in almost every industrial sector. The following industries can thrive with the right pressure washer:

Airports utilize large pressure washers to clean runways of rubber and paint deposits to enhance the safety of arriving and departing aircraft. Airport workers also use smaller pressure washers to maintain service vehicle cleanliness in addition to other general cleaning applications.

• Municipalities

Municipalities rely on pressure washers and knowledge of chemistry to keep a handle on graffiti removal and control. Municipal workers also use pressure washers to keep vehicle fleets clean. These fleets include police, fire, emergency vehicles, buses, and trucks. Pressure washers are also used to clean and restore local statues and monuments. Recently, pressure washers were used to clean the gigantic faces on Mount Rushmore.

• Food & Beverage Industry

Cleanliness is the watchword in the food and beverage industry. Both hot and cold water pressure washers are used extensively to maintain the property, plant, and food equipment. Pressure washers are used daily to clean vats, mixers, packaging equipment, cutting and blending equipment, etc. Can you imagine what a job it must have been to keep a food plant clean using all manual methods?

• Boats & Marinas

Go to any marina or boatyard and you’re sure to see pressure washers being used to clean boat bottoms of marine growth such as barnacles and algae. Pressure washers fitted with wet sandblasting attachments are also popular for preparing metal surfaces for painting.

Owners of commercial and residential buildings use pressure washers to clean awnings, siding, windows, loading docks, trash containers, and basically, anything that gets dirty. Pressure washers can also be fitted with special hoses and nozzles for power to act as drain cleaners to prevent blockages. Pressure washers are like computers today – how did we ever get along without them?

Gas or electric? Gas-powered washers are typically the most powerful. Some models even provide supreme portability as well as heavy-duty maintenance and rugged outdoor work. In contrast, electric power washers can be small, compact, and ready to handle lighter cleaning tasks, whether inside or outside.

Gas Powered

For maximum cleaning power in remote locations where there is no electrical hookup, gas-powered industrial pressure washers, like the GPW-4000-G Gasoline Powered Cold Water Pressure Washer is the perfect selection. This all-purpose heavy-duty pressure washer blasts dirt and grime with 4000 PSI of cleaning power, features a 1.7-gallon fuel tank, and includes a heavy-duty cart that can hold up to 2 gallons of cleaning solution for a longer running time. For best results, use APC-100 All-Purpose Cleaner – our biodegradable grease emulsifier that is specifically designed for use with high-pressure washers.

• Rugged design and gas-powered convenience
• Works great on sidewalks, crevices and for gum removal
• Five quick-connect nozzles to match different applications
• Can use hot water for additional cleaning power
• Soap siphon tube for easy injection of chemicals

VIEW OUR GAS PRESSURE WASHERS

Electric Powered

If you don’t have to take your pressure washer far distances, or in very harsh environments, then electric pressure washers are a great choice. The Goodway GPW-1200 Portable Hi-Pressure Washer is our finest portable, carry-around heavy-duty unit that was specially designed for easily transporting up ladders, stairs and into tight locations. This compact, high-performance industrial pressure washer blasts away dirt, grime and debris with 1200 PSI of cleaning power at 1.8 GPM and also offers just the right amount of water power to clean a wide variety of applications – from cleaning industrial kitchens to fulfilling general cleaning duties with ease.

• Stainless steel construction for long life
• For cleaning on rooftops, ceiling HVAC drip pans and more
• Variable pressure nozzles to better match your application
• Can use hot water for additional cleaning power
• Soap siphon container for easier injection of chemicals

VIEW OUR ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS

Make use of the chemical cleaner for extra assistance in removing tough stains and deposits. Mix chemicals with hot water and you have an unstoppable team. Hot water cleaning lowers the surface tension of water as the cleaning solution melts chemical bonds down like butter, for easier, faster deposit removal. It also cuts cleaning time in half – cutting through grease and loosening stuck food on contact. It’s a proven fact that increasing water temperatures by 10 degrees doubles the reaction rate and cleans applications up to two times faster. In fact, hot water cleaning is so efficient, that in some cases, deposits can be completely removed with water pressure alone.

Why not broaden your pressure washing cleaning capabilities by connecting a few convenient nozzles and attachments? Accessories and special pressure washer additions give you more control of water pressure, streaming patterns, and functionality, for faster and greater cleaning results.

• GPW-SBA-40 Sandblaster – is a versatile, wet sandblasting attachment that you simply attach to the wand, but the intake hose into a supply of sand, and fire away
• A universal swivel – is a directional attachment for more gun flexibility when cleaning gutters and tight spaces
• Drain cleaning attachment – turns into a drain cleaner for sinks and slower drains – for cleaning drain lines, or pipes with IDs up to 6”
• Hot water option – is for thorough cleaning and removal of tough, greasy stains
• Hose reel – is convenient in industrial and rugged environments that require extra strength equipment and extended the reach of applications
• PWNT-0040 Turbo Nozzle – is a pinpoint nozzle with a floating head that spins at 3000 RPM for wider coverage of large cleaning areas

VIEW OUR PRESSURE WASHER ACCESSORIES 

Stick to these four questions and you’ll be pressure washing grim away in no time:

• Focus on the application. What are the exact needs that you will be using the pressure washer for?
• Consider the work environment. Will you need it to be ultra-portable, or will it be used in a specific area? Is air power important? Gas, electric?
• Will you be using cleaning chemicals?
• What specialty accessories will you need?

Next Steps:

Click here to view all our Pressure Washers

This post appeared first on Goodway.com

This post appeared first on HVAC.com

Putting aluminum wiring in houses was popular during the 1960s and 1970s, so a lot of older homes have it. You may be wondering, “what is aluminum wiring in a house?” or “how can I tell if my house has aluminum wiring?”

The most important question you should be asking, however, is this: Is aluminum wiring in a house dangerous?

The short answer is that, yes, aluminum wiring is dangerous — it presents a serious fire hazard if installed incorrectly. Here’s all you need to know about aluminum wiring in a house.

What is Aluminum Wiring in a House?

Aluminum wiring is a type of electrical wiring used in some residential construction projects or in homes with aluminum electrical conductors.

What makes this type of wiring different than others is that it’s made from aluminum instead of the usual copper.

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, copper prices were rising significantly. As a result, a lot of builders opted to use the more affordable aluminum wiring instead. While this is perfectly fine in some situations, aluminum wiring in residential homes presents several potential problems.

How to Tell if Your House has Aluminum Wiring

Here, we’ll explain how to tell if your house has aluminum wiring. If you don’t feel comfortable examining your home’s wiring, you can always consult with a professional to handle the inspection for you.

Keep in mind that you should never attempt to resolve electrical issues on your own. Doing so may result in serious (even fatal) injury to yourself and/or your home. 

Here are some ways to determine if there is aluminum wiring in your home:

• Find out if any electrical updates were made in your home during the 60s and 70s. 
• Have an experienced professional examine the electric panel and circuit breakers. 
• Check for the word “aluminum” on the insulation jackets of the wiring. 
• Check for stripped wire ends at outlets and light switches. 

What’s Wrong with Aluminum Wiring in House?

The main negative side effect of aluminum is that it expands more than copper does when heated. Wires heat up when electricity runs through them, which obviously occurs often.

Too much heat expansion forces the wire to poke out from under terminal screws and connections with light switches and outlets. 

This can loosen the wires, exposing them to air, meaning they are more likely to corrode and oxidize. Gaps between the wiring and connectors may lead to overheating, an inability to power your appliances, and even house fires. 

Another issue with aluminum wiring is that it’s less flexible and far more fragile than copper wiring, making it more prone to breaking, fraying, and damage. This is especially true if it’s been improperly installed.

All of these issues together — loose connections, oxidation, corrosion, breaking, etc. — make aluminum wiring less desirable.

Is Aluminum Wiring in a House Dangerous?

Aluminum wiring is an acceptable material when it’s been properly installed with the right materials. However, it can be dangerous when you consider all the problems it can present if it’s been installed poorly.

The connections between aluminum wires and outlets or switches can deteriorate quickly, becoming a serious fire hazard. 

Additionally, as electrical resistance collects inside a wire, it becomes hotter and hotter, eventually becoming so hot that it can ignite a fire on the materials around it. Loose connections, oxidation, corrosion, and easy breakage all make aluminum wiring potentially dangerous in a home.

When you think of how many electrical connections exist in a residential home, it’s easy to see how dangerous bad wiring can be for your safety.

Should I Replace Aluminum Wiring in My House?

Even if no immediate danger is detected, it’s best to replace your home’s aluminum wiring. Rewiring your home can be an expensive project, but the good news is that you have a couple of options:

• Choose an electrician who offers financing options.
• Wait until there’s an immediate problem and save up in the meantime (you’ll still need regular inspections, though).

John C. Flood specializes in updating home electrical systems. One of our certified electricians will inspect the aluminum wiring in your house, catch any potential dangers or issues, and guide you through our recommendations and next steps. 

Ready to schedule a service? If you’re in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia area, contact us today to learn more about our expert services.

The post Is Aluminum Wiring in a House Dangerous? appeared first on John C. Flood.

The trick to evaluating air conditioning service contracts Did you know that there are no government-imposed standards when it comes to air conditioning service contracts? That means all air conditioning maintenance is not created equal. Never assume that you’re comparing apples to apples when evaluating service contracts from different providers. In a way, this is … Continued

The post Spring AC Maintenance Checklist & Comparing Service Contracts appeared first on Arista.

This post appeared first on HVAC.com