Sep 21, 2022 | Residential Air Conditioning, Residential Heating
As unusual weather patterns like relentless heatwaves and bitter cold fronts become more common, the value of having a reliable HVAC unit becomes more apparent. But sometimes, it stops working when you need your HVAC unit the most. Where can you turn for help to pay for repair or replacement? Your homeowner’s policy has helped you with various household repairs in the past. But does homeowner insurance cover AC units? The answer depends on multiple factors. Let’s look at the issue in more detail. What the Standard Homeowner’s Policy Covers Your homeowner’s policy defines the specific conditions under which you’re covered. For example, the typical homeowner’s insurance offers protection against fire. So, if a fire strikes your home, you could expect your insurer to pay for damage to your HVAC. Your insurer’s HVAC system coverage generally also covers vandalism, theft, lightning strikes, and storm damage. For example, it’s not uncommon for an outdoor HVAC unit to need major servicing after a hit from a giant tree limb blown by strong winds. Your homeowner’s policy also offers AC unit coverage but in a different manner. Generally, insurers treat HVAC systems as part of the house while seeing individual AC units as personal property. Flood Insurance The average homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover floods. So, if your home is in a flood zone, you’ll need a flood policy to repair a flooded HVAC. You can look for your area on federal flood maps. But even if you aren’t in a historically flood-prone region, you might find flood insurance a comfort due to changing weather patterns that could impact your HVAC....
Aug 31, 2022 | Residential Air Conditioning
It’s a perplexing time for the housing market in the United States. In June 2022, home prices hit an all-time high. The median home value hit $416,000—13.4% higher than the same time the year prior. Yet, actual sales of homes are slow. According to the chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, sales of existing homes are actually down 14.2%. Yun notes that “falling housing affordability” is affecting middle-income home buyers. So, when homeowners ask, “how much value does AC add to a home,” it’s important to note that while market value is important, so is saleability. A high-value home that nobody buys is a frustrating asset. According to real estate professionals, central air conditioning may impact the latter more than the former. Unfortunately, there are no simple answers to questions of real estate value. The market is, too often, in flux. The good news is, for homeowners willing to embrace complexity, answers do exist. Discover the factors that affect how central AC systems impact a home’s value. Then, learn how to determine if an AC upgrade is right for your house. What Gives a Home Market Value? A home’s market value is determined by a wide range of factors. While the relevance of each factor will vary, experts believe specific factors will continue to carry significant weight—even as times change. The most relevant factors include: Neighborhood “comps”—or, what comparable homes in a neighborhood have recently sold for Location (desirable local amenities, economy, and resources) Home size in usable square footage Estate acreage Premium interior features (hardwood floors, high-quality insulation, renovated basement) Curb-appeal enhancing exterior features...
Jul 11, 2022 | Residential Air Conditioning
Although air conditioners are one of the most heavily used systems in the home, they can still last for over 15 years when properly maintained. An important part of regular HVAC maintenance is getting your system inspected and repaired when necessary. Not only do you need to get your system repaired, but you should also find a reputable AC company to help you get the best results from your service. Do you need help finding the right AC repair company? Keep reading this guide for the top factors you should consider when selecting a company to work with. AC Repair Experience & Qualifications One of the most important things to consider when choosing between the options for AC contractors is their AC repair experience and their qualifications. You must find a company that is reliable and trusted in the industry. Otherwise, you may not get the quality of services that you are looking for. First, you need to make sure the technicians have the proper training. This will ensure that they have the knowledge necessary to repair your HVAC system without causing more damage. Highly trained HVAC professionals will be more equipped to diagnose the common problems with air conditioners and fix them as efficiently as possible. You should also learn more about how long the company has been in business. If they have been working in the industry for years and have a great reputation with their past customers, it is likely because they have high-quality services. Finally, you can learn more about any additional qualifications that your HVAC technicians have. Finding NATE-certified technicians will ensure that you get top-quality repair...
Jun 24, 2022 | Residential Air Conditioning, Residential Heating
Your thermostat determines how often and how long your AC will run. It’s the brains of your home climate control. When it malfunctions, nothing will run properly. The moment you take your thermostat off the wall to replace it, you’ll notice several wires. How do you know which wire goes where? What do all of these wires mean? When you have finished reading this article you will understand thermostat wire colors and thermostat wire letters as well as how to wire thermostats. Safety First Before you begin any project, begin with safety. To rewire a thermostat, you’ll need shock-proof gloves, safety glasses, and insulated boots. If you do receive an electrical shock, your insulated boots will reduce the risk of receiving life-threatening injuries. Also, read the owner’s manual for your thermostat before you begin. Thermostat Wire Colors Each wire color generally means the same thing regardless of your thermostat brand. So when you see a blue wire with a Honeywell thermostat, it will do the same thing that it does with Lennox or Ecobee thermostat. Here is a wire color code for starters. Blue: connects to the B terminal and links to the power source and runs the thermostat Black: connects to the B terminal, is interchangeable with the Blue wire, links to the power source, and connects to a heat pump White: connects to the W terminal and connects to the primary heating unit and the air handler or furnace Red: connects to the R, Rh, or RC terminal and relays 24-volt power to the HVAC unit Rc: connects to the RC terminal and to the cooling power supply Rh: connects to...
May 24, 2022 | Residential Air Conditioning
One of the most common complaints during the hot summer months is that air conditioners are not blowing cold air. There are many reasons why this can happen, but thankfully, most of them are easily fixable with a little troubleshooting. Take a look at some of the most common reasons your air conditioner might not be blowing cold air and the best solutions for fixing the issues. Dirty Air Filter One of the most common reasons for the air conditioner not blowing cold air problem is that the air filter is dirty. The air filter’s job is to keep the air inside your home clean, but when it gets too dirty, it can restrict airflow and prevent your AC from working properly. This is an easy issue to fix, as all you need is to clean the filter or replace it if it’s over six months old. You can prevent this problem in the future by ensuring regular AC unit maintenance from a professional. These experts will ensure that the filter is replaced on time to keep you cool throughout the year. Low Refrigerant If your unit has been efficiently cooling your home, but the temperatures are rising each day, your refrigerant might be leaking. Low refrigerant levels reduce the unit’s ability to produce cold air. If you suspect this is the case, it would be in your best interest to call aircon experts as a refrigerant; especially Freon is dangerous for humans, animals, and the environment. AC experts can help inspect your unit to determine the cause of the leak. Here are reasons why you may...
Apr 26, 2022 | Residential Air Conditioning
Are you worried about your AC unit? Your air conditioner plays a vital role in keeping your home comfortable. To do that it needs to run at its most efficient and stay in good condition. But if you’re not an HVAC technician, it can be difficult to tell when your unit needs some TLC. That’s where we can help! Keep reading for these 10 signs your air conditioner needs to be replaced or have repairs today. 1. There Is Little or No Airflow This is one of the most obvious signs you’ll see that your AC system is in trouble. If you can’t feel the air at the vents or it’s very weak then your air won’t circulate as it should. This means that your home would cool as it should either. For hotter regions, you’ll find yourself getting uncomfortable fast. A lot of the time, this is a sign that your air ducts or compressor aren’t right. You’ll want to call in a professional who has the expertise to assess the issue. It might be a simple case of changing the filters, or you might need and whole new AC unit. 2. Your AC Unit Blows Hot Air The main purpose of your AC unit is to cool you down when the weather gets too hot. One of the most common AC issues is it’s blowing hot air, which as you can guess, won’t keep you cool. There are a few reasons this could happen, one being a broken compressor that doesn’t cool the air. It could also show that you’re running low on refrigerant and need...
