As a homeowner, you may feel that there are SO many things you don’t know about the way your house and its pieces operate. One of the most mysterious systems to most people is their heating & cooling system. Below, we’ve broken down the basics by providing you with some of the best, most comprehensive HVAC resources on the web. Check it out:
Thermostat Management 101
Managing Your Thermostat
How do I program my thermostat? What can my thermostat do to save on energy costs or provide better home comfort for my family? These are all valid questions. This infographic explains it well: a majority of your energy bill each month goes to your HVAC system and a 1-degree difference on the thermostat can make a HUGE difference in the energy usage for your home.
This graphic provides a LOT of great advice for saving money on your energy bill including the use of LED holiday lights and the purchase of a smart thermostat.
Winterproofing 101
Winterproofing Your Home on a Budget
Thanks to this infographic from The Mint, you can see how much your home and other homes in our area are spending on heating costs and we’ll agree – the energy usage can be astronomical. There are many steps you can take to winterize your home and reduce the expense of energy this year. For example, keep your curtains open on sunny days to disperse natural heat through your home or test for leaks around windows and doors and get your home as airtight as possible.
Indoor Air Quality 101
Indoor Air Quality and Your Health
Your indoor air quality also referred to as IAQ can impact your health and quality of living. Since lung disease is the 3rd most common cause of death in the United States and asthma and allergies are TOO common, it’s pretty evident just how important clean air can be. We can’t completely control the air quality outside our homes, but we can help to eliminate contaminants inside. This infographic outlines the major factors that affect IAQ and what you can do to combat these issues right away.
HVAC Myths 101
8 HVAC Myths — Busted!
So many beliefs about HVAC are simply untrue. The writers at 2 Wired 2 Tired lay down some serious real talk in their infographic which dispels several HVAC myths. Beneath all of the misconceptions, there are some major takeaways for homeowners: You should rely on a programmable thermostat, you need to change your filter quarterly at a minimum, your HVAC system size matters, and shutting your vents isn’t such a great idea after all. So much more can be gleaned from this infographic and 2 Wired 2 Tired.
Repair & Replacement 101
Your Central Air Unit: Is it Time to Repair or Replace?
It can be difficult to know when your HVAC system starts to depreciate, whether you should invest in repairing it or go ahead and replace it. A lot of factors affect this decision including the severity of the needed repairs, the age of the system, the cost of the needed repairs, the warranty, the SEER rating, and whether or not your system is sized properly for your home, among other things. This infographic is a great start for this information, and we’re also happy to consult with you on this decision also!
Home Energy Savings 101
Home Energy Savings
No appliance or use of energy in your home requires more energy each month than your HVAC system. We take that very seriously and aim to do everything we can to help you reduce costs. Still, there are many things you, the homeowner, can do to help lower those costs also. This infographic offers ways to conserve in every room of your home.
Duct Cleaning 101
Duct Tales: What You Need to Know About Keeping Your Air Ducts Clean
We agree with Air-tech’s recommendation to have your ducts cleaned quarterly. By involving a professional, you can ensure that your ducts are inspected for debris of all kinds including the buildup of pet hair or dust as well as signs of mold or pest infestation. Without this routine inspection, you run the risk of finding the problem WAY too late and having bigger problems to deal with.
Come back and visit our blog frequently for the latest HVAC resources for homeowners like yourself and when you’re ready to schedule an installation, repair, or routine maintenance call, choose Sheldon's Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing’s.