Category: HVAC

Troubleshooting AC Issues After the Winter

In Florida, it is not uncommon to forgo running the air conditioning system in a home or facility or run it minimally during the winter months. Since it is cool enough most of the time to not require air conditioning, it can be a major cost saver in both electricity and wear on the system. Even if the AC system is being run less frequently or at higher temperatures, the difference in energy consumption is apparent immediately. When winter is over, however, there is often a spike in issues regarding AC systems due to their inactivity. What is the best way to mitigate these issues?

 

Troubleshooting Common AC Issues

 

Some issues with the air conditioning system can be resolved by remembering a few basic things. Firstly, some issues aren’t truly a problem and are just the result of the system having not been run in a while. For example, a mild burning smell is sometimes present when the system is turned on after a while due to the dust that was built up being blown around and flushed out. This should quickly go away and isn’t a cause for concern. Air filters are also an efficiency issue that is easily fixed. Many people forget to change their filters when the system is not in use, but doing so will increase air flow and generate less energy consumption when the system is back working again.

 

Setting Up Maintenance for the Summer

 

Some air conditioning issues are a problem and can be prevented with the right kind of maintenance plans. Even during the winter months, it is a good idea to schedule preventive maintenance to catch any issues that might be festering while the system isn’t being used as much so that major repairs aren’t needed later on. Individual parts that may have gotten rusty or worn down by the elements can be swapped out before they cause a breakdown. If you don’t have a maintenance plan set up now, it is certainly a good idea to prepare one for the summer when you will need your AC system the most. 

 

We at MaintenX excel in setting up and executing preventative maintenance plans for facilities of all sizes. To learn more about how we can help you with yours and ensure that your AC system is running properly all year, please call us at (855) 751-0075.

What Is HVAC Zone Control?

HVAC zone control is a system that regulates the temperature for individual areas, or “zones” in a building instead of one temperature for the entire building. These systems can increase employee comfort, accommodate equipment that requires certain temperatures for peak performance, and reduce energy consumption and therefore costs.

Commercial Spaces

Utilizing HVAC zone control in office environments is a great option. Anyone familiar with the “battle of the thermostat” can tell you that people have vastly different preferences when it comes to temperature comfort. With HVAC zoning, each area can be set to its own personalized temperature. The same area can also be set to different temperatures at different times of the day to further optimize staff comfort.

If you’re office is like most, your conference room is usually vacant. With HVAC zoning, you can save company resources by only heating and cooling rooms when they’re in use. This can be achieved with motion sensors that turn on climate control when they sense that someone is using the room. This system can also be used with lights, eliminating the common issue of people forgetting to turn off the lights and wasting electricity needlessly.

Residential Spaces

Home HVAC zone control possibilities are limited only by the imagination and personal needs of the homeowner. The simplest home versions use only two zones, a good option for the budget-conscious homeowner. But if comfort and energy conservation are important to you, you can tweak the temperature demands of every room depending on its age, layout, and ductwork.

Want to know more about HVAC zoning? Call MaintenX today!

Temperature in Relation to Workplace Productivity

Comfort is key to workplace efficiency. That’s why facility managers and business owners often spend a lot of money on ergonomic desk chairs, eye-catching artwork, and indoor plants to create a more inviting workplace. Many businesses, however, overlook a fundamental component of worker comfort: temperature. If it’s too cold or too hot, efficiency and morale take a hit regardless of office décor.

Sex Factors

Sex plays a role in the temperature debate. Because of their generally higher muscle mass and lower skin-to-volume ratio, men are less prone to getting cold than women, who feel cold more easily in their extremities. This is because female bodies tend to pool blood around vital organs, drawing hot blood away from hands and feet. Consider the male/female balance in your workplace when setting the thermostat.

Importance of Warmth

A warm office environment can foster warm relations between colleagues. This is because the experience of bodily warmth is intrinsically linked with trust and affection. The part of the brain that’s stimulated by warmth is also stimulated when we experience trust and compassion for others.

The opposite is also true. Colder temperatures tend to make us feel withdrawn and isolated. Cold temperatures also use more of our bodies’ resources, as the human body shivers and increases blood flow to compensate. So it might be better to opt toward warmer environs than cold ones.

So what’s the best temperature for your workplace? That depends on many factors, but generally speaking, people tend to work at their peak productivity at between 71.6 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Want to know more about temperature and productivity? Call the HVAC experts at MaintenX today!

Common HVAC Issues

While many HVAC problems can be prevented by cleaning coils and replacing filters on a regular basis, common HVAC problems can become a lot worse if not serviced when the warning signs present themselves. Below are some common HVAC problems and tips for keeping your air conditioning system working year-round.

Lack of Routine Maintenance

Regular maintenance by a licensed service contractor like MaintenX is a MUST if you want to keep your HVAC system at top performance. Protect your investment. If you fail to perform regular maintenance, you’re likely to run into some costly repairs down the road, increased energy costs, and poor system performance—not to mention the headache when you see the repair bill!

Dirty Filters

Replacing your filters regularly is one of the best things you can do to ensure a long and efficient life for your HVAC system. When your filters are dirty, this restricts airflow in the system, causing your unit to work harder—and more expensively—to circulate the air through your system. This strains your unit and will eventually cause comfort problems, as well. A dirty filter can also cause your HVAC unit to overheat and shut off intermittently.

By understanding where problems arise in your HVAC system, you can now take more preemptive actions to safeguard your air conditioning system and avoid costly repairs before they’re needed. Being proactive about your HVAC system’s needs can maximize efficiency and lower your energy costs.

Want to know more about HVAC maintenance? Call the experts at MaintenX today!

HVAC Maintenance Checklist

It’s important to maintain your equipment to prevent problems and their attendant high repair costs. Keep your climate control system at top performance by having a contractor perform yearly check-ups. It’s best to check your HVAC system in the spring and in the fall. To help you remember, you could plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall.

Outdoor Maintenance

Some helpful outdoor maintenance tips:

  • Clean off any built-up dirt, leaves, and debris outside the outdoor unit
  • Inspect the drain pan for blocked openings
  • Inspect the coil for any holes or leaks
  • Inspect the fan blades while they’re moving as well as stationary to check for wear and tear
  • Inspect and clean the control box

Indoor Maintenance

Some suggestions for indoor maintenance:

  • Clean or replace filters regularly
  • Check for leaks in the ductwork
  • Check for unusual odors when your system starts
  • Listen for unusual noises when your system starts or stops
  • Inspect your control box’s wiring and connections

HVAC Service You Trust

Now that you know what has to be done, the next step is finding the right service provider. When you call an HVAC service company about preventive maintenance, an inspector will visit you to take an inventory of your equipment and the condition of your system.

During this inspection, you can expect a qualified professional to ask for information about your system.

MaintenX has been in the HVAC business for many years, and we’ve served thousands of happy customers. If you have questions about HVAC maintenance, call us today!

How Smart Utility Meters Can Save You Money

What is a “Smart” Utility Meter?

Smart electric utility meters are electronic devices that track and record electricity usage in customers’ homes, businesses, or facilities. These smart meters automatically record energy data and then send it back to your power company.

Smart utility meters can provide fast, precise measurements of electricity use while removing the need for an estimated monthly bill or human meter readers.

While there are many benefits to smart utility meters, there have also been concerns raised by the public that smart utility meters are collecting customers’ private information. Critics of smart utility meters argue that this collection of data is a violation of customers’ privacy.

Benefits

Some of the benefits of smart utility meters include:

  • Faster power-restoration times: some smart utility meters can notify the power company if a power outage occurs, allowing them to more efficiently map and address service problems, and restore your power faster than with a traditional meter.
  • A greener option: advocates for smart utility meters argue that the automation of meter-reading could take thousands of service vehicles off the road, reducing power companies’ carbon footprints.
  • The ability to check your energy consumption in real time gives you a better and more accurate understanding of your energy habits.

If you are considering a smart utility meter for your home or business, contact your power company and ask about your options.

If you’d like to know more about smart utility meter technology, contact MaintenX.

Smart Thermostat Benefits

What is a Smart Thermostat, Anyway?

Regular thermostats let you adjust the temperature in your home, functioning as simple control panels for your HVAC system. What makes smart thermostats “smart” is that they learn from your behavior, allow you to control temperatures remotely via smartphones and computers, display your energy consumption, and can regulate themselves when you’re away. Here are just a few of the benefits of smart thermostats.

Cost Savings

Heating and cooling account for nearly half of your home’s energy costs! A smart thermostat offers greater control over your home’s temperature and climate, and smart automation that could save you a bundle on your energy bill.

Keep an Eye on the House while you’re Away

A smart thermostat can also be a way to monitor things in your home when you’re not home. Most smart thermostats come with a companion app for your smartphone, so you can track conditions in real time. You can also change settings or turn the system off remotely with the touch of a button. This means that with the right system, you can make your home life more convenient and affordable.

Set It and Forget It!

Most smart thermostats are very simple to set up and program, owing to their simple-to-understand user interfaces and seamlessly designed companion apps.

For these reasons and more, it’s worth considering a smart thermostat for your home or business.

If you’d like to know more about the benefits of smart thermostats, call MaintenX!

Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips

Your home’s heating and cooling unit may oftentimes go unnoticed, but when your electricity bill comes, its presence can be as loud as a foghorn.

The cost of home climate control can be significant, and if your HVAC system isn’t running as efficiently as possible then your costs will rise. Luckily, making sure your HVAC system is running smoothly doesn’t usually require a costly repair bill. Below are some preventative maintenance tips to make sure your HVAC system is working at peak performance.

Change the Filter

This is one of the biggest—and simplest—things you can do to lower your HVAC energy costs while improving performance and extending the life of your system. A clean filter can reduce your energy usage by 15%. If it’s a temporary filter, replace it every month or two, depending on your needs and filter. If it’s a permanent filter, take it out and rinse it off on the same timetable. Change filters on a day you’ll remember. You can even put an alert on your smartphone calendar to let you know when you need to change it.

If you don’t use at least a mid-efficiency air filter, pick up a box of high-quality filters at the hardware store, and you’ll notice a big difference—and so will your AC unit over time.

Clean the Drainage Hole

Air conditioners tend to have a drainage hole located at the bottom of the unit. The hole is often below the evaporator panel. For an air conditioner to work well, this hole must be kept clear at all times. While the hole may be too small for you to clean out manually, a paper clip or small piece of wire works like a charm.

Remove Debris from the Outdoor Unit

Though the AC is located outside your home, don’t forget that your outdoor unit is doing hard work while being constantly exposed to the elements. Once a month, inspect the unit and remove any fallen branches or debris. Don’t allow trees or other high-growing plants within two feet of the unit. This clear zone allows your air conditioner to pull in the air it needs to control the temperature in your home.

HVAC Experts

To schedule professional HVAC maintenance, or for more tips for your home or facility this summer, please contact MaintenX today.

What Services are offered at MaintenX?

Facility Maintenance

MaintenX is a full-service Facility Maintenance company serving 14 states across America, including major restaurants and Fortune 500 companies.

With just a call or click, we can take on a project, schedule preventative maintenance, or jump into action on an emergency service call in many locations in the U.S.

We offer 24/7 professional Facility Maintenance service and repair, including:

– Air conditioning

– Refrigeration

– Plumbing

– Electrical Work

– Roofing Repair

– Backflow Programs

– General Contractor Needs

– Rapid Disaster Response

– Preventative Maintenance

– Floor Maintenance

– Snow Removal

– Landscaping

– Dark Closed Stores

– Property Management and Maintenance

– Extensive Self-Performing Facility Maintenance & Repair

MaintenX is one of the largest Facility Maintenance service companies in the U.S. We are always expanding our service area.

Our extensive system of more than forty-five thousand contractors lets us to provide quality Facility Maintenance work throughout the United States. To maintain the standards for our self-performing technicians, contractor selection is not based simply on price, but also quality, experience, consistency, dependability, and service history, coupled with proper preparation and certification.

Green Power Incentives

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 and other federal laws have provided tax incentives for certain energy management projects that exceed the minimum energy consumption benchmarks. Certain utilities companies and state energy offices also have demand-side management rebates and low interest loans to help foster sustainability and energy conservation projects. At MaintenX, we encourage you to look into these Green incentives, as they could be used towards your next project.

What is Air Conditioning Repair, Service and Maintenance?

Central air conditioners have two major components: the condenser and the evaporator. The condenser is typically positioned outside the house, usually on a slab of concrete. The evaporator coil is mounted in the main duct above the furnace.

How an Air Conditioner Works

HVAC systems are normally connected to a home or structure’s forced-air distribution system. That means that the same motor, ductwork, and components that are used for heating are also used to distribute cool air from the air conditioning system. When a central air conditioner is turned on, hot air moves to the furnace through the return-air duct. The hot air is moved through the blower, then through the ducts, which cool the structure.

When the weather gets warmer, you know spring is over and you’ll be needing a working air conditioning system. That’s why spring is the ideal time to perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system.

Replace the Old Air Filter

You’ll need to replace your used filters periodically. An air conditioner in constant use should have its filter replaced once a month. A more frequent filter change may become necessary if allergens and other particles are present.

Test your Unit

After you’ve changed your filter, test your HVAC system to make sure it’s working properly. Turn the unit on, switch to cool, then lower the temperature until the air starts to cool. If the unit doesn’t come on, first check the circuit breaker. If that doesn’t solve the problem, call MaintenX!