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Stay Cool on Hot Days By Setting It and Forgetting It
Living in Ohio, you know how inconsistent the temperatures outside can be. One day, the air conditioner is up full blast and the next it’s off completely. It can be hard to keep your house at a regulated temperature that is comfortable for the entire family, especially if you’re only turning your AC on the day of high temperatures. So, how do you prepare your AC for those hot summer days? Prepare for Hot Temperatures the Night Before If you’ve checked the weather and you know a hot day is approaching, you can prepare by turning your air conditioner on the night before. Unlike your car, your entire home needs time to get the temperature down to a comfortable setting. Avoid overworking your AC by turning it on the night before hot temperatures approach. This will give your unit enough time to cool down your home. The “Set It and Forget It” Rule If you haven’t already, we recommend investing in a Nest learning thermostat or a “smart thermostat”. A Nest learning thermostat with the ‘set it and forget it’ setting can be the answer to your dreams. You can avoid thermostat battle by setting it to a specific temperature and leaving it alone for the rest of the season – allowing you to be comfortable the minute you walk through the door. It is much easier for an AC to control humidity when it is left at a specific temperature. Every time the temperature is altered, the AC needs to make an effort to reach the desi
Why is Freon R-22 so Expensive?
If you are strapped for cash, replacing your air conditioner may be out of the question. You may be thinking you can get away with fixing a leak with Freon R-22, but now you’re appalled when you are faced with the price tag that goes along with it. Why is Freon R-22 so expensive? The reality is you are a victim of supply and demand due to the shortage of Freon R-22. You see, nearly 30 years ago the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) ruled that Freon R-22 should be phased out as it contains ingredients that have been shown to deplete the ozone. Since then the EPA has gone on to ban the manufacturing of air conditioners charged with R-22. Additionally, in 2010 they reduced the production of R-22 by 75% and then reduced it further in 2015 to 90%. But that is the least of our worries here in 2017, because in 2020 they will cease all production of R-22. After that only recycled R-22 will be used to service air conditioners. With demand for R-22 growing and production of R-22 on the verge of ceasing completely, we are faced with prices that will only continue to rise until they reach a price point that no one is willing to pay. So, what can you do to combat these rising costs? More than likely, if you need Freon R-22, it is because your unit has sprung a leak. Your best bet is to, first have your unit repaired by a professional (like one of the ones here at Forquer Heating and Air Conditioning) and then convert it over to a product that is better for the environment
Reasons to Avoid Turning Your AC on Too Early in the Season
As the weather in Ohio gets warmer and spring begins to approach summer, it may seem tempting to turn your air conditioning on and avoid the slightest hint of heat. In fact, sometimes people like to turn it on the second it gets up to 65 degrees on that early April day and then try to keep it running throughout the night when the temperatures drop back into the 50s. However, the air conditioner should only be on if the temperature outside is 65 degrees or above, and the idea is to only use it if the thermostat starts hitting 70 degrees. There are several reasons not to run an air conditioner when it is below this temperature or too early in the season: 1. Damaging your air conditioner’s oil Air conditioners have a part called a compressor, which — true to its name — compresses the refrigerant, a substance that is used to cool down the air in your home. This allows the refrigerant to circulate through tubes inside the air conditioner, and drives the heat-transfer process that leads to the cold temperature you expect from an air conditioner. However, the oil in the compressor is very thick, which means that when it is too cold, the oil can congeal, damaging the compressor and preventing the air conditioner from working when you actually need it. 2. Freezing the evaporator coil During the cooling process, the refrigerant enters the evaporator coil and absorbs heat from the surrounding air, thus removing heat from inside your home and lowering its temperat
How a Heat Pump Keeps Your Home Comfortable Through The Seasons
What is a heat pump and how does it benefit me all year? This article explains how your heat pump helps you in summer and winter, and what the maintenance is like for your heat
WiFi Set-Back Thermostats Benefit You and Pay for Themselves
Wondering how Wi-Fi set-back thermostats will benefit you? They practically pay for
The Basics on Dampers and Air Balancing in Your Home
Your home is your sanctuary. So, it is important that you find it comfortable at all times. Making sure the temperature of your home is always optimal is not always an easy task.
Discover the Benefits of Having a Whole-Home Humidifier
Discover the Benefits of Having a Whole-Home Humidifier
Five Great Ways to Make Your Furnace More Efficient
Fall is here and before you know it, winter will be upon us. That means it will soon be time to run your furnace. Anyone who has had to rely on a furnace for heating a home can attest to how expensive it can be. One way to cut down on these costs is to have a furnace that runs efficiently. Although that can seem like a daunting task, it is not. All you need to do is follow these simple guidelines. Replace the filter The furnace filter has an important job. It removes the airborne particles that can make your furnace work poorly. When these particles build up over time it allows dust, dirt and other contaminants to restrict airflow and makes your furnace work harder than necessary. Get an annual tune-up Your furnace needs an annual tune up to keep it working at its optimal level. Having a trained professional look at your furnace every year will extend the life of your heating system and prevent the need for expensive repairs. Seal your air ducts When air ducts are not properly sealed, it allows warm air to escape, making the indoor temperature of your home colder than it needs to be. When they are properly sealed, less warm air escapes and the air temperature can remain at a more comfortable level without having to turn the furnace up. While you have someone in your home to seal your air ducts, have them check to make sure the attic and windows are also properly insulated to prevent warm air loss as well. Use a zoned heating system Using a zoned heating system
How to Prepare your HVAC System for the Fall
The overwhelming heat of summer in Akron/Canton is over! It’s time to pack away your shorts, sandals, and your blow-up pools. At long last it is time for the leaves to turn color, jack-o-lanterns, over-sized sweaters, and all the other great things that come with cooler weather. This also means it is time to use your heating system, rather than the AC! But, before you switch your HVAC system over to the heat setting and prepare for the brutal winter the Ohio area brings us, here are a few things you need to do. Perform Routine Maintenance There are several benefits to having your system regularly maintained. Regularly having your system cleaned will help to improve the air quality in your home. It will also help to extend the life of your HVAC system, and it will increase the energy efficiency of the system as well. So, schedule a Forquer professional to come and check out your system, to ensure every thing is running smoothly. Check, Clean, or Replace Filters This is an easy task that you can accomplish on your own without a professional. It will go a long way toward helping your system to run efficiently. A clean filter will help to heat or cool your home much more efficiently than a dirty filter. You will also need to be certain that you take care of the filter system throughout the fall, winter, and early spring months. Once you fully replace a filter, which ideally should be done when a season changes, it will improve your HVAC’s sy
