Climatic

HVAC Money-Saving Tips for Small Businesses

Kyle — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:38:48 +0000

Coming straight from the Small Business Administration’s website are a few tips that small businesses can use to save money and stay cool this summer. Not surprisingly, most of the suggestions revolve around regular HVAC repair and maintenance.

Take advantage of an annual HVAC maintenance contract. Over time your HVAC system will decline in performance without regular maintenance. These contacts typically provide businesses with two pre-season tune-ups before the warmest and coldest months of the year.
Regularly change (or clean) HVAC filters every month during summer and winter. Dirty filters overwork your HVAC system and result in lower indoor air quality. Maintenance contracts usually cover air filter inspections and changes twice a year, but your HVAC system may require more filter changes during “peak” seasons.
The SBA also recommends an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC system. This system can be used to turn on your air conditioner or heat an hour before your staff arrives to the office instead of leaving your HVAC system running while no one is there.
Control direct sunlight through windows. By blocking as much sunlight as possible during summer months, you will be able to keep the interior of your office a few degrees cooler. In some cases you may find that solar films or solar screens for your windows, and even vegetation around the office, can also lower temperatures.
Use fans. Moving air with fans can make a room with higher temperatures feel more comfortable. Even when the temperature is set a few degrees higher on your thermostat, the moving air will make the change virtually unnoticeable.

Having regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance can ensure that your system is working properly and can help you avoid paying for major repairs in the future. Call Climatic Heating and Cooling Systems today so your company can save money in an economy where every dollar counts.

How to Light a Pilot Light

Kyle — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:05:47 +0000

For home owner’s who use a furnace to stay warm, knowing how to light your pilot light is an essential piece of furnace maintenance. In some cases, a home’s furnace can carry the duty of providing hot water in place of a traditional water heater, which makes an understanding of your home’s HVAC equipment a must.

Pilot lights can go out simply because of a draft, and if there are manufacturer’s instructions, which are usually fastened to the furnace itself, then it is suggested that you turn to those first. If you cannot find those instructions for furnace maintenance, then follow these steps.

Find the pilot light assembly. It usually has a gas valve with on, off, and pilot settings.
Turn the valve off and wait three minutes
Switch the valve to pilot setting. Hold the lighted match to the pilot opening while you push the reset button on the pilot control panel. Keep this button depressed until the pilot flame burns brightly, and then set the valve to the “on” position.
If the pilot light won’t stay lit, the opening may be clogged. Turn the gas valve off and clean the opening with a piece of fine wire. If it won’t stay lit after several attempts, call Climatic Heating and Cooling to perform your furnace maintenance for you.

Furnace maintenance and furnace installation are delicate procedures that require knowledge of HVAC systems. Safety is always a priority when dealing with furnace maintenance, so if you feel uncomfortable performing any maintenance on your own, stop what you are doing and give Climatic a call.

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Is Your AC Unit Safe in a Thunderstorm?

Kyle — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:10:37 +0000

Brace yourselves because this week’s forecast is calling for high temperatures and thunderstorms in our area. For those of you who are pining for a little more summer weather, this weather may be ideal, but for the rest of us Northern Virginia natives, we know that rain and heat combine to make an awful combination – humidity.

Humidity plagues the East Coast. It’s the reason my shirt sticks to me when I walk outside. It’s also the reason that makes air condition installation such a glorious invention. Nothing comes close to the feeling of walking into a cool home after a hot day outside. But what about when it’s raining and storming? Is your AC unit safe?

AC maintenance is necessary to keep your unit functioning properly. And although air conditioner installation can typically avoid damage during heavy rain storms, the heat and moisture can create mold and mildew if maintenance is not performed. This is especially true if you have had a cover on your AC unit during the off-season. If moisture was trapped inside the unit while a cover was over it, it is likely that buildup of mildew has occurred. Dirt and dust can also be damaging to your AC unit and having an HVAC technician come to your home to clean the unit could save you money in repairs and replacements and also save you from a 100 degree home.

If you have ever had a cover over your AC unit, have a lot of dust and dirt around your home, or have never had AC maintenance performed, now is the time to take care of business! Call Climatic Heating and Cooling today!

Don’t Pay for Air You Aren’t Getting!

Kyle — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:44:03 +0000

There has been a little bit of a dip in temperature the past couple weeks. Surely a treat to those who feel like they were duped out of a winter season and a let-down for those who loved the 80 degree temperatures we had a few weeks ago. Whatever the season, some people simply prefer the temperature to be warmer or colder than what it is outside. Everyone is different and those with roommates know that there is an unspoken war-of-the-thermostat-setting going on around America.

AC installation or heat pump installation is sure to fix your problems, but often times it can feel as if the air projected from your HVAC system might not be staying in your home. There are several possibilities why you may not be getting the exact temperature you desire for your home on a regular basis.

Heat pump installation produces warm air to heat your home. The air travels through a duct work system that carries the air from one place to another. If that duct system wasn’t installed properly by home builders and contractors, then the air could be leaking out of the cracks and loose joints. That means only a fraction of the air you are paying for actually makes it to your home.

The same is true about AC installation. Climatic’s professionally trained staff will inspect the duct system of your home to ensure your home is receiving the maximum amount of air you are paying for. This will ultimately reduce your electric bills as your system won’t have to work twice as hard to produce the same amount of air for your home.

Another reason for the change in your home’s temperature may be your windows. If you have ever had a window salesperson come to your door and perform a demonstration, then you know this to be true. Windows can be guaranteed to reduce energy bills and installing shutters can even reduce 50% of your heat energy bill.

Call Climatic today and we can come inspect your HVAC system. There’s no sense in paying for the AC and heat that you aren’t getting!

No Air Conditioner in College? Been There…

Kyle — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:34:36 +0000

It’s been quite some time since I was in college, but I remember scraping by on a few bucks just like every other student in America. I lived in a small house with a few other guys, and our house was heated with oil from a large tank in our backyard. Under the impression that the tank was full, we believed we had little need for HVAC repair and maintenance. But once winter rolled around, we found ourselves in a home so cold that you could see your own breath. It was unbelievably cold! Oil prices had skyrocketed beyond our means and my roommates and I were huddled under layers of clothes and stacks of blankets for the remainder of the winter. I felt like I was roughing it in an old western in a shack out on a prairie. Needless to say, HVAC repair and maintenance was never again overlooked in our home. Being that cold is miserable.

In a similar story, I moved home during college break and returned back to that same shanty I lived in during college just to check on it and move around some heavy items. My roommates had left and I was making room for the new ones. That meant I was disassembling and carrying a huge L-shaped desk upstairs. When I opened the door to the house, it was clear that the air conditioner had been turned off all summer. The humidity was unbelievable and eventually I had to leave the house. It felt like I was wearing a snowsuit and running the mile in July. I understand the importance of AC maintenance and wish that kind of heat and humidity on no one. If you need AC maintenance or installation, do yourself a favor and have it checked out before the temperature hits its peak this summer, and you’re without air conditioning. I can’t imagine reliving the horror again and hope you never have to!

Call Climatic Heating and Cooling to avoid the summer heat and the winter’s chill!

Cool Summer or Hot Summer?

Kyle — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:04:19 +0000

Northern Virginia saw one of the warmest winters on record this year. Now many residents of the Washington, DC metro area are dreading the extremely hot summer that they believe is coming. After all, it only makes sense that a warm winter would lead to a blistering hot summer. But a recent blog post from the Washington Post states otherwise. But despite what we hear from weather reports, I think we all know that the weather has a mind of its own.

The blog is reporting that a warm winter actually produces a cooler summer. And before you begin visualizing gorgeous 70 degree weather every day, a “cooler summer” is typically only 4 degrees lower than a hot summer. That is why air conditioner installation still remains a necessity. Whether you have a heat pump or air conditioning unit, heating and cooling installation is going to be important for the next few months.

Since we know that hot weather will be approaching, despite the 4 degree decrease in temperature, it is important to have your heating and cooling installation services in place. Planning ahead can save you time and money when it comes to heating and cooling your home. Everyone knows that prices for any item, whether it’s food, clothes, or gas, will skyrocket during peak seasons. If you have had trouble with your heating system this past winter, or simply need maintenance, the summer is a fantastic time to get it checked out. It may seem a little unconventional, but it will definitely save you in the long run.

Just like air conditioner installation is a necessity for most homes, the real cost comes from air conditioner refrigerant, and Climatic owner Sonny Swan covers that topic in a great blog post.

For your heating and cooling installation needs, contact Climatic today. We want to inform you and help you save money this summer!

Why is the Refrigerant for My Air Conditioner So Expensive?

Kyle — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:17:46 +0000

By Sonny Swann

Anyone who has had a repair to their air conditioner recently can be left wondering why it was so expensive. Much of the cost increase can be attributed to the rising cost of the refrigerant, R-22. As a result of the Montreal Protocol and the 1990 Clean Air Act, the EPA has a begun a phase out of all ozone depleting substances, including R-22. R-22 is commonly called Freon by homeowners. Beginning in 2010, freon could not be used in new HVAC installations, and it has been replaced by R-410a, commonly called Puron.

How does this affect you? The industry recognized the refrigerant would be needed in the years to come for servicing and repairing and would need to be continued to be produced until 2020. Despite that, the EPA recently proposed an accelerated phase out of R-22 which caused the price to increase by 400% over the past two months. There is still enough R-22 available for your HVAC service company to complete repairs, but those repair bills will be considerably higher. Industry experts are predicting the cost of Freon to continue to rise.

Here are some guidelines on how to act on this information:

If you system is over 10 years old:

This would be a good time to take a proactive look at replacing your system with a more efficient one that uses R-410a.

If your system has R-22 and is operating well:

As long as the system is operating well, you can feel comfortable using it. Your service provider will have R-22 available, but expect higher repair bills.

If your system has R-22 and the compressor fails or you have a refrigerant leak:

This is where the cost of repairing an older unit may be counter productive. Investing in a major repair of a system that uses the older refrigerant can be very costly, only slightly less than a new system. Many homeowners will benefit in efficiency and cost of ownership by upgrading to a new system at this time.

If you’re in doubt about if you could benefit by upgrading your system, or don’t know what type of refrigerant your system uses, contact a qualified service company for advice.

Sonny Swann holds a degree in mechanical engineering and numerous certifications in the HVAC industry. His family owns and operates Climatic Heating and Cooling, where he serves as Vice President.

AC Maintenance – Prepare for Summer Now!

Kyle — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:56:51 +0000

It’s been another odd week of weather lately, as temperatures took a small dip and gave a quick break for those who aren’t quite ready for summer. But don’t get too comfortable. If living in Northern Virginia has taught you anything, you know that the temperature and weather is completely unpredictable. We’ve seen snow in October, floods last fall, and even earthquakes. However, many meteorologists are predicting a very hot summer, and to avoid the heat, you must be prepared.

AC Maintenance

AC maintenance is absolutely necessary as you begin to prepare your home and family for summer. The temperature will continue to rise, and after a winter that saw no snow, I can only imagine how hot it will actually be mid-summer. Your AC maintenance is the one thing that is keeping you from scorching heat. Your home is typically the one place you can go to escape the unbearable temperatures. Having AC maintenance done on your HVAC system will allow us to fix any problems and often prevent major issues that may occur during the summer months. This will keep you and your family happy and you will be able to walk into a nice cool home after a day in the sun.

HVAC Repair and Maintenance

Whatever system you use to cool your home, HVAC repair and maintenance is crucial. Your HVAC system will most likely need repairs or maintenance after a season full of weather’s ups and downs. Whether it’s a simple fix or regular maintenance, having your HVAC system inspected could save you a lot of money in the long run as we check for its efficiency in your home and help prevent any major repairs if possible.

An HVAC system’s duct work is often poorly crafted and most of the cool (or warm) air leaks from cracks and loose joints. Our team seals those leaks so all of the air you’re paying for goes into your home. No more wasted money and uncomfortable temperatures in your house.

Call Climatic Heating and Cooling today, and we’ll help you save money and stay cool this summer.

Welcome Back Spring!

Kyle — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:21:30 +0000

The air conditioning has officially been turned on in my home as the heat started to make things somewhat uncomfortable. It was inevitable that it would have to be turned on, and at first I thought it was a little too early. But when leaving the windows open at night didn’t provide the desired temperatures, I knew it was time.

AC Installation & Heat Pump Installation

AC installation and heat pump installation can be a major commitment to families across the Northern Virginia area. We understand that you want the best service at the best price possible. This is why the Climatic team conducts a site visit to assess your overall heating and cooling needs, and recommend the equipment that will give you the best return on investment and reliability, at a fair and competitive price.

Don’t let the word “heat” throw you off too much as many people use heat pumps for both their heating and cooling needs. Heat pump installation is a single piece of equipment that can be switched over to provide cooling air, and switched back in the winter to provide heat.

Our AC installations and heat pump installations are followed by an inspection from one of our site managers to ensure that the Climatic standards were met. Along with our 24 hour emergency service availability, it’s easy to see that Climatic Heating and Cooling is a perfect choice for your AC installation or heat pump installation.

Heat Pump Maintenance and Air Conditioner Installation

Kyle — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:45:13 +0000

At this point, I think it is safe to assume that Punxsutawney Phil was completely wrong in his prediction of six more weeks of winter. I am declaring that winter is over. At least I hope so. When the 70 degree weather fell on Northern Virginia, I believed it would only be here for a couple days at the most, but from the looks of the ten day forecast, it is here to stay, and will only increase in temperature from here on out. That being said, it’s time to crank up the air conditioner or switch over the reverse valve on your heat pump.

If you have put off purchasing air conditioner installation up until this point, chances are that your home is uncomfortably warm. I believe that the best time for air conditioner installation is over the winter or very early spring. If there is any need to use an air conditioner during these times, it is very minimal, and by the time the hot summer months come around, you will be well prepared to take on the heat. Air conditioner installation is the best way to maintain a comfortable climate for you and your family.

Not everyone has had an air conditioner installed in their home. In the case that you have a heat pump, now is probably the best time to switch the reverse valve so the cool air begins to fill your home, and the warm air is pumped out. Since you heat pump functions as your heater and your air conditioner, you should have heat pump maintenance done before summer arrives. Doing all of your home’s climate management on its own makes heat pump maintenance an absolute necessity. This will ensure that your heat pump is performing at its highest functionality and reduces the risk of repairs and maintenance during times when you need cooler temperatures the most.

Call Climatic Heating and Cooling for all of your air conditioner installation and heat pump maintenance needs before summer is here!