Indiana Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Indiana 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 go into 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.

Check your air filters

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

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

Prune shrubs away from outdoor unit

Several people, builders, and landscapers in Indiana favor hiding the outdoor unit behind shrubs or fences. There are some benefits to this, which will be explained later. It can however, become a negative if not maintained or accomplished accurately. 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. Thus decreasing efficiency, reducing the life span, and perhaps cause damage. Keep an 18" to 36" air space on all sides of unit. Prune back as required. When planting, allocate room for long-term growth, five and ten years. Keep a 3 to four foot air space above the unit. Prune back tree branches. If building a fence, make sure it can be removed with ease. The unit needs to be serviced regularly. If any large repairs need to be made, the service professional might need access to all sides on the unit.

Landscaping in close proximity to the outdoor unit

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

Use landscape rocks 1 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 Indiana will help protect the coil and fan blades. Just remember to remove it prior to turning it back on.

Install a fan in the attic

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

How to conserve energy

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

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

Install storm windows and doors to provide supplementary insurance against heat loss.

Add 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.

Be sure 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 professional can establish the right size unit for your home.

Check your heating system ensure that it's running efficiently. Have your dealer inspect the system before 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 increase the effectiveness 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 the residence; lightweight clothing in the summer and warmer clothing in the winter.

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

Upgrade your systems

If your heating and air conditioning system is over 10-12 years old, consider replacement. Brand new units are much more economical. They also come with better warranties so there are no expensive repair bills to worry about.