How To Decide On Whether To Repair Or Replace Your Heat Pump

If you have had your heat pump for well over a decade, it may be the right time to replace it than to have it repaired. While most heat pumps are rated to last for up to 20 years, different environmental factors might shorten its life expectancy. While most of us would want to keep our units as long as possible, an upgrade would be necessary in some cases. Here’s how to know if your heat pump is beyond repairing and if you need to get a new one:

How frequently did you maintain your unit?

If you’ve been properly maintaining your unit, it would be 25% more efficient than an improperly maintained one. It’s a thing to note that religiously maintaining your heat pump could have a huge impact on energy bills, the longevity of the unit, and overall efficiency. This would also be a significant factor on whether you should just have it repaired or get a new one and start from there.

Is it still functioning well?

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s one message that a lot of people are keeping in mind. But how can you tell whether it’s time for an upgrade? If it’s working just fine and is efficient enough for your needs, you could just have it repaired and spare that pretty penny. If not, then it’s time for a new one.

How is the age to performance ratio?

As appliances age, their performance deteriorates. This goes for any piece of hardware that’s lasted for nearly a decade of service. Even with proper maintenance, heating and cooling efficiency rates decline over time. That’s why you would want to consider going for better-performing and newer units in the market.

What you should expect when repairing a heat pump

If you proceed with repairing your heat pump, you should be aware that most would agree to the task if the unit is still under warranty, is less than 10 years old, hasn’t been repaired yet, and repair needed is only minor. The reason for this is that repairs could range from cheap to expensive. Even pricey enough that you could almost get yourself a new one. For heat pumps that require major repairs, it may not be much of a good investment since they could break down at any time again and their efficiency rating isn’t as great as newer models would.

How to proceed with replacing a heat pump

First off, you’ll need to find yourself a new unit. Be sure to ask around for the best units available. Of course, units that are within your budget. Go for the ones that are most efficient. They will save you more money in the long run. The next thing you need to do is hire a professional that can handle the installation and removal of the old heat pumps Myrtle Beach. Don’t go with cheap and shady services. Always go for ones that have stellar ratings. This way, you can ensure that your new unit is installed properly.

Need a new heat pump for your home? Call Grand Strand Heating And Cooling today!

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

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Top AC Tips – From Usage To Maintenance

Keeping your home cool in the summer is a lot easier if you have a properly working air conditioner. However, that would involve a couple of things like getting the right AC unit, maintaining your AC unit, or air conditioning repair if you have an older unit that’s already in use. There are a number of ways on how to keep our AC unit it top shape. It’s not quite as hard as you might have initially thought. Repairs, however, might be tricky. But for the most part, basic use and maintenance would suffice to keep your AC running properly. Here are some tips on how you can do so:

Understanding the different types of AC units

As you may have already known by now, air conditioning units come in all shapes and sizes. First of all, you need to get an AC unit. But before that, you should know what you’re going to buy. There are tons of different options out there and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Let’s check out the different types: Window type AC units Portable AC units Split type AC units Central air conditioning systems. Do take note that some AC systems work best in certain scenarios. Do your research beforehand to see which type if best suited for the environment you’re planning on installing the unit.

How AC units work

AC units basically takes away the heat from inside a room and dumps it outside. This is done through a system that includes refrigerant, a compressor, condensers, evaporator coils, and expansion valve. These components are present in all AC units, but may vary in size and design.

How to maintain window type AC units

Some HVAC systems involve heating and cooling within the entire house. Maintaining HVAC systems work in a similar way, but might be more difficult to do. Maintaining window type AC units, on the other hand, is a lot simpler. All you have to do is regularly clean the filters and occasionally wash away the dirt from the condensers and evaporator coils.

How to repair window AC units

Most wall mounted have similar issues that you might encounter in the long run and especially for older AC units. In cases where the compressor won’t turn on, the unit not turning on, or the unit not cooling, you should call in a professional to have a look at it and do the air conditioning repair Myrtle Beach.

Keep your home cool with proper maintenance

Air conditioning units have filters that are used to sift the air and catching dust in the process. When the filters get too dirty, it gets clogged up and your AC unit will struggle to suck in air and maintain the temperature in the room. To keep your home cool, clean the filter at least once every two weeks. For the condensers and evaporator coils, you could have periodic cleaning anywhere from 3-6 months depending on your location. Clean coils mean more efficient heat transfer and better cooling.

Need professional HVAC services for your home? Call Grand Strand Heating And Cooling today.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

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Your Guide To Using Your HVAC Systems More Effectively

Many people own heating and cooling systems, but not everyone knows how to properly use and maintain their heating and cooling systems. In fact, not everyone knows that there are certain health, safety, and environmental regulations that every owner should be sure to follow. In this article, HVAC professionals in Myrtle Beach share some tips on how to use the systems more effectively.

Guide To Effective HVAC Use

Old units use more electricity

Check the lifespan of your unit to determine how much time you could still use your system. Aside from using a lot more energy, an old HVAC Myrtle Beach system may also cause indoor air quality. Plus, choosing to continue your use of old heating and cooling systems will cost you a lot on maintenance.

High-tech systems could save 30-40 percent on energy costs

Although it is a huge financial decision to upgrade your unit, the savings it will generate you from electricity costs and maintenance costs will be more than worth it. Plus, a system can last 10 or more years depending on usage and climate conditions. So consider it an important investment every ten years.

Your HVAC systems should have good controls

According to many Myrtle Beach HVAC experts, the design of a heating and cooling system affects its productivity and energy savings. There are specific designs and control panel for every system that allows you to effectively manipulate heating and cooling temperature in every part of the house. Check to make sure your system has a good control panel so you will not unknowingly put a strain on the unit.

There is an appropriate unit size depending on the home to be heated or cooled

The size of an HVAC system affects airflow in any room. Also, there is a heating and cooling load calculated for each room of the house which an HVAC system should comply with. Each unit specification should be compatible with the calculated loads of every room to ensure efficient use of your HVAC system.

Conduct regular HVAC maintenance

To ensure continuous operation at its best, you should have your heat pumps systems regularly checked and maintained. Now, this shouldn’t be expensive at all. You can check air filters, refrigerant, and burner on your own regularly. For best results, change air filters every month. If you notice something amiss with your system, call a Myrtle Beach HVAC professional at once and have your system checked.

Dealing with any possible problem with your HVAC units early on would not only save you repair costs but will also prevent stress in the use of worn out heating and cooling systems.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://www.hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

http://hvacmyrtlebeach.com/using-hvac-more-effectively/

6 Home Heating And Cooling Tips For Less

When we talk about heating and cooling, we immediately think about efficiency and costs. It’s a general rule. The more efficient your system is, the lower the costs. Newer, more efficient systems offer more savings the more you use them. Aside from your utility bill, efficient systems also help the environment too.   If you’re in the market for a new HVAC Mrtyle Beach system, don’t be too quick to make the purchase. Check out the EnergyGuide label first. When products reach a specific efficiency level, they will be labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo. However, if you don’t want to buy a new system but want to increase the efficiency of your existing unit, you still have a number of options. You might want to consider a professional’s opinion regarding this. Some systems, particularly the older ones, might be less efficient than others. That’s why professional advice would be best.   According to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 50% of the energy use of a typical household is spent on heating and cooling systems. When you think about efficiency, there are a few things to consider, newer models, cost to purchase, energy consumption, and operational costs.  

How do I tell if my system is up to efficiency standards?

  EnergyGuide label – when you purchase heating and cooling systems, heat pumps, and anything similar, pay attention to this label. The person selling you these systems will let you know about the EnergyGuide label and what it stands for. ENERGY STAR logo – when you see this logo on HVAC units that means it passes the energy efficiency criteria that was set by the DOE.  

What to do to cut down energy bills?

  Doing a home assessment – most of the time, a huge part of how effective heating and cooling systems operate depends on how your home is laid out. To save on energy, do a visual inspection. Check out every spot of your home and determine problem areas. Check if ducts are all working and that everything is properly insulated. You could complete the assessment by yourself through following the guide on the DOE website. However, if you want a more reliable assessment, you can have professionals do it for you.  

Be on the lookout for energy efficiency offers

  Ask your local salesperson about tax incentives if they have any. Sometimes, if you buy energy efficient systems it allows you to qualify for tax incentives. Although, this does not apply to all units. However, you can check out energy.gov/savings to learn more.  

Don’t let the small details slip

  Even the smallest details can translate to increased efficiency. Installing a programmable thermostat lets you easily take control of your home’s temperature without having to manually change the settings. You could also check the filters every now and then to see if they’ve accumulated too much dust for the system to suck in air. You could also opt for a budget-billing program. Although not necessarily cheaper, it will keep your bills from soaring due to seasonal spikes. This, however, is not available throughout all providers.  

Want to increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit? Call Grand Strand Heating And Cooling today!

  Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

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The Ideal Myrtle Beach Air Conditioning Guide

Taking care and properly maintaining your Myrtle Beach air conditioning unit is important to ensure that you will have no problems using your furnace throughout the year especially during the coldest and hottest months. It will surely be a huge inconvenience if you will have to bring your furnace in for a repair during these months when you most needed it.

Moreover, properly taking care of your heating and air conditioningunit will help increase its lifespan and save you money down the road from paying for costly repairs and replacements.

Below is an easy-to-follow maintenance guide that you can do for your Myrtle Beach air conditioning unit.

1. Install filters on your hot air supply registers

This will help prevent dust and other particles from getting through the registers and finding their way inside your air conditioning unit where they can cause more damage. Remember to confirm with your unit’s manufacturer on the most suitable type of filter to use and strictly follow their instructions for installing the filters. Doing this wrong may result in restricting smooth and clean airflow from your furnace. Go back after a couple of weeks of installing the filters and clean or replace them, if necessary.

2. Seal any gaps between wall openings and ducts

To relieve your furnace from exerting a lot of effort in cooling or warming a room, make sure your room is completely sealed. Aside from checking windows and doors, you should also take a closer look at wall openings where your air ducts go through. You must ensure that there are no gaps between the wall openings and the air ducts. Use a general-purpose caulk for sealing any gaps that you see around the room.

 3. Conduct an overall inspection of your Myrtle Beach air conditioning unit before calling in a professional
If you suspect something is wrong with the furnace, do an overall inspection first before immediately calling a professional. This will help you better explain the situation to the repairman and sometimes, depending on the problem of your furnace, you can both resolve the situation through the phone. This saves both and your repairman some time and money, particularly from traveling between your house and the service center. If possible, make notes of everything that you’ve observed from your inspection to be sure you don’t miss anything when you relay the information to your repairman.

4. Schedule your unit for annual furnace cleaning

Call your local HVAC technician and inquire about arranging a schedule for an annual clean up of your heating and air conditioning system. Cleaning your unit at least once a year will prevent the dust and other debris buildups inside and outside the system. Keep in mind that it’s important to prevent debris from building up in your system as they could easily block the air passages and, eventually cause bigger problems.

Looking for a certified and experienced Myrtle Beach air conditioning professional to work with? Call Grand Strand Heating And Cooling now.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling
Acme Contractors
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-491-6400
http://www.hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

Quick And Easy HVAC Troubleshooting Tips

During these cold months is when you need your HVAC in tip-top shape. Having your furnace break down or give up on you, when you needed it the most, is not only devastating and stressful but also costly and a cause of the delay. It would be extremely difficult to find a legit and highly skilled local service contractor at this time of year to assist you with your problems. And if you’ve already got one, they often have a busy schedule that they wouldn’t be able to get to you in weeks, which really wouldn’t work for you.

So before you try and call an HVAC service contractor, consider these quick and easy troubleshooting tips first.

• Check your thermostat

As simple as this may sound, you’ll be surprised how many homeowners call service contractors for emergency repair when their only problem is that they failed to adjust their thermostat at the right temperature setting. Check whether yours is at the right setting and adjust as you see fit. Do this regularly especially after cleaning as the thermostat could easily get moved when dusting.

• Clean or replace your filter

According to HVAC experts, sometimes the problems you are having with your furnace could easily be fixed by cleaning or replacing your filters. If you have non-disposable filters, make sure you’ve cleaned them completely before putting them back. If you have disposable filters, have extras at home that will last you for several months so you won’t have to brave the cold and rush to the nearest home depot to purchase a filter.

• Replace your thermostat’s batteries

If your thermostat is run by batteries instead of being wired to your home’s electrical system, you should remember to replace the batteries when the sign is flashing on your thermostat. But if you missed the warning sign and your thermostat suddenly shut down, check the batteries first before calling for a professional HVAC service provider.

• Find out if your furnace is receiving electricity

Another common reason for your furnace problems is that it’s not receiving sufficient electricity to function. To find out and confirm, turn ON your fan. Often, it is set to Auto, which means it will switch on when the equipment is turned on. Switch it ON and see if it will function. If it does then you can tell your furnace receives sufficient electricity. Otherwise, you’ll need to call in your local electrician for assistance in ensuring your furnace receives electricity.

• Reset your circuit breaker

Sometimes, your furnace just needs a reset. To do this, go to your breaker panel and find the circuit for your furnace. Switch it off and then back on to reset the electrical connection and, thus, your furnace as well.

Be sure you work only with licensed and highly skilled HVAC professionals for all your furnace problems.

Call Grand Strand Heating And Cooling.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling
Acme Contractors
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-491-6400
http://www.hvacmyrtlebeach.com/