Story / Marshall Counties, Iowa Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Story / Marshall Counties Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems should be inspected regularly, not just when the house is being sold. Whether central air conditioning or window room air conditioners are used, these systems can use a lot of electrical power. These tips will help prolong the life of your HVAC systems and save money on energy bills.

Shut off humidifiers during the summer

Several people with central humidifiers enter the cooling season forgetting to turn off the humidifier for the summer. A central air conditioner will not cool or dehumidify appropriately if the humidifier is running.

Inspect your air filters

It is the single, most important thing you can do for your central heating/air conditioning system.

We suggest checking filters monthly. If you've a disposable type filter, (these generally have a cardboard edge), and it's dirty, just replace it. If you have a permanent type filter, it is very simple to clean. Check to make certain that your vents are blowing air out at normal rate.

Ensure that the outdoor unit is free of shrubs

A lot of people, builders, and landscapers in Story / Marshall Counties like to disguise the outdoor unit behind shrubs or fences. There are some benefits to this, which will be explained later. But it can become a negative if not maintained or done correctly. The outdoor unit is a heat transfer device - a fan pulls the outside air through the refrigerant coils and discharges it up through the top (on most units). If the outdoor unit is crowded by a fence or shrubs, constraining the air flow, it will not work properly. Thereby lowering efficiency, reducing the life span, and possibly causing damage. Keep an 18" to 36" air space on all sides of unit. Prune back as needed. When planting, allow room for long-term growth, 5 & 10 years. Keep a 3 to four foot air space over the unit. Prune back tree branches. If building a fence, make sure it can be removed easily. The unit needs to be serviced regularly. If all major repairs need to be made, the service professional may need access to all sides on the unit.

Landscaping in close proximity to the outdoor unit

Excellent shrubs for planting around the outdoor unit are: yews, upright junipers, arborvitaes.

Use landscape rocks one foot around unit and use weed killer on rocks to kill off weeds. Do Not Use weed whacker near unit.

During the Fall and Winter, cover AC units

Covering the unit during these months in Story / Marshall Counties will help protect the coil and fan blades. Be sure to remember to take it off prior to turning it back on.

Put in an attic fan

Set the attic fan at 90 to100 degrees to keep attic cool and help remove heat before it moves into dwelling.

Tips to conserve energy

Use caulking and weather-stripping to prevent a lot of the heated air from escaping.

Change single-thickness windows with thermal-type double thickness windows.

Put in storm windows and doors to provide other insurance against heat loss.

Put in window insulation kits that use double-sided tape, clear plastic and a hair dryer.

Upgrade older equipment with higher efficiency furnaces, central air conditioners and heat pumps.

Ensure that your heating and/or cooling equipment is correctly sized for your home. Operating a unit that is too small or too large is very inefficient. Your heating and air conditioning contractor can ascertain the optimum size unit for your home.

Check your heating system ensure that it's running efficiently. Have your dealer test the system prior to the winter months.

If you replace your central air conditioner, make sure that the contractor replaces the indoor coil and the outside condensing unit. Otherwise, your system will not perform at its promised efficiency.

Install electric ceiling fans enhance the efficiency of room air conditioners in the summer and to circulate warm air away from the ceiling in the winter.

Help lower your energy requirements by wearing appropriate clothing in your home; lightweight clothing in the summer and warmer clothing in the winter.

Study the efficiency ratings mandated by the Department of Energy when you are in the market for new equipment so you can ensure you're getting high-efficiency equipment. Ratings will be prominently displayed on the yellow tag and are required by law to be on each new unit sold.

Upgrade your systems

If your heating and air conditioning system is over ten to twelve years old, consider replacement. Newer units are a great deal more cost-effective. They also come with improved warranties so there are no expensive repair bills to worry about.