aaction's blog

Freon pressures are critical for the winter. Most customers do not even know they have a problem. Because heat pumps have aux heat, the customer usually finds out because the electric bill has tripled or next spring the a/c will not turn on.The problem then is not only lack of Freon, you may also have damaged major components of the system because your system ran all winter on extremely low or no refrigerant.If you know your system has needed refrigerant, the fall is the time to address these issues before it becomes more expensive to repair.The refrigerant leaks are not going away.

Yes, you absolutely need to maintain your heating and cooling system. According to Energy Star, a division of the EPA, “Dirt and neglect are the #1 causes of heating and cooling system failure.” Now think about it, you wouldn’t drive your car over 100,000 miles without an oil change or tune-up would you? Of course not! In fact, operating your cooling and heating system, during an average year, is like putting over 100,000 miles on your car!

First, make sure your heating system is turned on, and the thermostat is set correctly. A blown fuse, or electrical outage can cause power to be turned off to the heater. Once the power supply is restored, you may have to manually turn the system on again. Check to make sure there is gas supply. If the power is not the problem, next examine your fan. If no air is coming out of the heating vents, that indicates a fan malfunction. A ribbon or scrap of fabric affixed to a vent provides an immediate visual indicator of fan function. Check your furnace filter.

It is something that we do not really think about too often, something that most of us just assume is naturally clean, but the shocking truth is that the air in your home could be worse than the air outside.

It is wintertime, so what do we do? We close the windows and turn on the heater, of course. While this means warmer winter nights spent cooped up indoors, it also means that the same air is circulated repeatedly, which can lower the air quality in your home over time, and help that winter cold linger a little longer than you would like.

Heating oil is one of the numerous petroleum products produced at refineries and used by millions in the United States as an energy source. Its primary use being home heating, the demand for heating oil is affected by seasonal temperature changes with the highest demand taking place during the months of October through March. Heating oil consumption is concentrated mostly in the northeastern part of the United States.

Home Heating Oil

Space heaters or portable heaters--no matter what they are called--must be used correctly to avoid personal injury. Anyone using these heating devices should know about their wide range of safety problems. From the Cooperative Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, here is a list of basic safety rules for kerosene heaters in the home.

1. Read and follow the directions in the instruction booklet.

2. Use only pure kerosene. NEVER substitute diesel, jet, furnace fuel, gasoline, or any type of yellow kerosene.

Peer pressure is one way to get America greener, at least according to research reported in The Wall Street Journal (expect more hotel placards urging you to do like other guests and reuse your towels). But simply reducing the added bite of upcoming heating bills may be the best enticement. This morning's TODAY show segment on "12 Steps to Save Hundreds on your Energy Bill" is one of many examples you'll see as winter approaches.

According to Energy Star, the average household spends about $2,000 annually on utility bills. Almost half of this amount comes from heating and cooling your home. Installing a programmable thermostat is an inexpensive and simple way to save money on your heating and cooling expense. On average a properly installed programmable thermostat can save you $180 per year.

If you live in a temperate or cold region of the United States, chances are you've fired up your home or apartment's heating system recently. The season’s change, the nights get a little colder. You flip the switch on your thermostat from "A/C" or "Off" to "Heat." What's the net effect of everyone making that switch? Most American households, more than 60 million, heat with natural gas. Another 32 million heat with electricity, 7.8 million with fuel oil, and 5 million with propane. Consuming those fossil fuels equates to roughly 7 percent of total U.S.

A duct system that has been properly designed (sized properly) and installed will provide a lifetime of reliable service. The most important tip for the long term cleanliness of flexible ductwork is to make sure the connections are properly sealed at time of installation, and the use of a good quality filter that is changed regularly. Sheet metal ducts can be cleaned if the system is not properly maintained, but the strong brushes used in the cleaning of sheet metal ducts cannot be used on flexible ducts.