Staying comfortable in your home means having an updated HVAC system that runs perfectly. With summer almost over, it’s time to start getting your heating and cooling unit prepared for the cold months.
If your HVAC unit hasn’t been updated in a while, you could be spending days inside wrapped in blankets to stay warm. Older systems need to be updated to run efficiently and continue to give your home pure air. If you’re unsure if it’s time to update your HVAC unit, we have some tips in this article to help you figure out what to do!
What To Expect Out of Massachusetts Weather
If you are new to the Reading, MA, area, you might not know what to expect out of the weather. Being a step ahead of the climate in your area is crucial for understanding your HVAC unit since you need to know when to prepare your system for the hot or cold months.
Spring and summers in Massachusetts are typically mild, with summers having the peak heat days in late July and August. Reading residents can expect the summer weather to get just a little above 80 degrees, with some days possibly reaching closer to 90. The 90 degree days are rare in Reading, MA, but whenever they hit, who wouldn’t want to have an ac unit ready to fight off the heat?
Fall and winter are where the temperatures dip tremendously. Somewhere around mid-September is when the cooler weather makes its way into Reading, MA, and temperatures start to vary between 73 degrees to 20 or 10 degrees when the winter gets going. Sometimes when the snow and ice hit, temperatures can get even lower.
With the Massachusetts area reaching various temperatures, the extreme highs and lows call for having a properly running heating and cooling system for your house. No one wants to be caught in the dead of winter or summer and have a system that isn’t working right. This can lead to discomfort in your own home that could have been avoided by updating your HVAC.
Since the summer and winter are when the extreme temperatures set in, you have time to prepare in the off-season. Plan on getting your system checked for any inconveniences that need to be resolved before the unit needs to combat harsh temperatures.
When It’s Necessary To Update Your Heating And Cooling System
To prepare your home for the upcoming weather, it’s always best to check if it’s time to update your heating and cooling system completely. Specific indicators can tell you if your heater or ac has reached the end of its life and it’s time to get a new one.
If you ignore the signs that it’s time to upgrade your system, this could put you at some health risks. First, your HVAC unit is not meant only to provide heating or air conditioning. It’s also meant to clean the air in your home.
Your heating and cooling system brings air from outside into your home and filters it through the ducts and air filter before the air coming out is either hot or cold. If you have started to notice an increase in the dust around your home, this means the air coming out of your unit is not clean. Sure, humans produce about ⅓ ounce of dust each week, but your unit is supposed to remove any dust coming from the outdoors and into your home.
A reason for the dust build-up could be coming from the lack of air filter replacements, or it could be from your unit not working as great as it should. When was the last time your unit was replaced? Heating and air conditioners are not meant to last longer than 20-25 years, with some reaching a lifespan of 30 years. If your unit reaches year 30, it’s time to pull the plug (literally) and install a new one.
Your old unit could be causing your energy bill to increase due to the need for it to use more energy to heat or cool your home. If you’ve been trying to rack your brain around why your energy bill is higher than usual, it’s likely from your HVAC system.
Modern HVAC systems now include energy-efficient systems, making sure your unit only produces the amount of energy it needs to heat or cool your home. So not only can installing a new system provide better air, but it can also reduce your energy bill back to normal or even lower.
Water In Your Air Conditioning Unit
Installing a standard central air unit in your home or commercial property can become costly to run. You may want to consider the other options you have, like a hydronic heating and cooling system.
Hydronic heating and air conditioning use water to heat or cool your property without using as much energy. As a result, these systems have the advantage of cutting back on your energy usage cost while still effectively heating or cooling your home.
Instead of feeling the heat or air conditioning throughout the air, a hydronic system works differently. These systems provide heating or cooling from the floor, but safely that does not make the floor too hot or cold to walk on. One of the disadvantages of being aware of these systems is that it can take a little while to feel the effects since the water has to heat up or cool down.
However, water is easier to transfer heating or cooling than air, making hydronic systems more energy-efficient while still producing the heat or cooling your property needs.
What To Look For In A New HVAC Unit
If you know it’s time to find an HVAC replacement, the process can become stressful if you don’t know where to start. So before you begin worrying about which system you’re going to replace your current one with, you have to find a team to help you.
You should research the leading heating and air conditioning services in your area to expertly install your system and give you honest advice. Look for about 4 to 5 companies to start with before you consult with your top three. Then, through reviews and job experience, you should thoroughly browse to see how well these people work and if previous clients have had any trouble with the installed units.
When you have your list narrowed down to three companies, begin consulting with each of them to see who you would fit best with. The team you select should be honest and communicate well since you are investing in an expensive product. HVAC replacements come in around $15,000-$40,000 depending on the size of your new system, the system you choose, and the area you live in.
Your trusted service provider should assess your current system and your HVAC needs before recommending a newer system with a high SEER rating. If a team tries to push their own line of heating and cooling systems on you, this might not be a good thing as these systems should not be trusted. Installing a new HVAC system is a big deal. Your team should be honest with you and help you install a great system that you will not have to replace anytime soon.
Taking Care Of Your Reading, AC System
When you have your new system installed, you must perform routine maintenance on the unit to ensure its high-quality performance and function. If you fail to clean your system, you can cause it to produce poor air quality, which can be dangerous for anyone in your household that is allergic to certain allergens or has asthma. It can break down before it’s time.
To best clean your system, replace your air filters every three months. The air filters are responsible for passing the filtered air into your home and trapping pollutants as they pass through. When your filter is clogged, it will not trap the pollutants, which will then cause them to sneak into your air. This is a simple task that does not take longer than 10 minutes, and filters are typically not that expensive.
When you are replacing your air filters, you should take the time to inspect your ductwork and vacuum out any dust or build-up. Removing the air filters will allow you to peak into your ducts and catch any leaks. If there are leaks in your ducts, this can cause more energy to be used since air is falling out of the leak and not heating or cooling your home properly. You can patch a leaky duct with some duct tape or call a technician in to fix it.
Speaking of technicians, you should schedule a routine maintenance check twice a year. One time before the big two weather periods: summer and winter. Your technician can assess your unit for any problems you may have experienced without their eyes. This is highly recommended so repairs can be made before it’s too late.
While your technician is over, you can have them clean your outdoor compressor with coil cleaner if you feel hesitant to clean it. Cleaning out the outdoor compressor is highly recommended to ensure longevity since this part of the unit is outdoors. You should make sure the outdoor compressor is constantly free from any debris from outside that can become trapped in the coils. Whenever you clean the outdoor compressor, always remember to turn the power off before putting your hand in the unit or spraying it down with water and coil cleaner.
If you decide to clean the outdoor compressor yourself, vacuum out the coils of any dirt or debris after you turn the power off. Once you spray down the coils, apply the cleaner and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing it down with a coil cleaner brush and spraying the cleaner off. You do not have to clean your outdoor compressor more than two times a year, but it should be consistently checked for any trapped debris.
What A System Can Do For Your Commercial Property
If you own a business, you know how important it is to provide a comfortable atmosphere for your consumers and employees. When running a business, you do not have time to worry about the heating or air system functioning properly unless it breaks down and disrupts the working environment. Plus, no business wants to have the hit of repairs.
Ensuring your business has running heating and ac units helps reduce maintenance costs that may not be in your budget. When you schedule routine checkups with heating and air conditioning professionals, they perform high-quality inspections and tune-ups that can keep your business from being interrupted by an uncomfortable atmosphere or costly repairs. Plus, it keeps your system running longer and more efficiently when you have professionals checking on the production.
Call Your HVAC And Plumbing Services Professionals Today
If it is time to update your heating and air conditioning system, give us a call at 128 Plumbing. We have been helping the Reading, Massachusetts area for over 29 years to install their new HVAC units in their homes to be prepared for the unpredictable weather.
We can also help update the current system in your commercial property if your business’s system is showing signs of it aging. Having a properly running heater or air conditioner is crucial for the comfort of your clientele.
Our professionals can stop by your property to check on your current equipment to help you determine its standing what your next steps should be. So call our office at 781-670-3261 today to get started installing your new system!
