A “SEER2” rating, which stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2”, is a measurement of how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools a home, essentially indicating how much cooling output is produced per unit of electricity used, with a higher SEER2 rating signifying greater energy efficiency; it’s the newer standard that replaced the original SEER rating and uses a more realistic testing procedure to reflect real-world conditions.
Each split system cooling unit has a nominal SEER2 rating. For a higher rating your HVAC contractor can provide advice about an upgrade. The SEER2 rating of a system is based on the combination of equipment installed in the home. The outdoor equipment (heat pump or air conditioner), as well as the indoor equipment (evaporator coil and furnace, or air handler), play a vital role in the total rating.
Your heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions. The constant stopping, starting and general operation can wear down any machine. Proper care and maintenance help to keep these systems in optimum condition and ward off malfunction. By scheduling regular maintenance, you can maximize the life of your heating and cooling units and guard against many common equipment failures. Preventive maintenance inspections performed in spring for your AC and fall for your heater can uncover leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires and corroded electrical contacts. Regular maintenance will ensure maximum efficiency and prevent other problems.
All heating and cooling equipment require annual professional tuneup. Inspections on boilers and furnaces should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines and the oil tank. Heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include an examination of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils, and refrigerant lines.
The professionals at Carl F. Riedell & Son are your troubleshooting experts, and we are glad to help you with any problem you may experience with your HVAC system. We provide informative blogs and articles on our website that address many common HVAC concerns. You may also call our office during normal business hours for more information. If you experience an HVAC crisis after hours, you can contact one of our on-call technicians for 24-7 emergency service.
Programmable thermostats are more accurate and efficient than thermostats that contain mercury. With a programmable thermostat, you can program settings in advance so that you can control the temperature at different times of the day. You will never have to worry about remembering to adjust the settings manually. By scheduling your programmable thermostat to a higher or lower temperature based on your weekday work hours, you can save money on energy bills without sacrificing comfort. A Carl F. Riedell & Son technician will gladly walk you through how to use your programmable thermostat.
Filters for your unit may be made specifically for its brand. These filters may be made of different or higher-quality materials than those of the disposable filters found in retail stores. Check with your local dealer to find the appropriate filter for your air conditioner. However, keep in mind that some filters are reusable, and can be washed by hand in cold water.
Many factors affect the sizing and specifications of your system, including square footage, insulation, window surface and configuration, geographic location of your home, and duct sizing and arrangement. A technician from Carl F. Riedell & Son can perform an in-home load analysis to determine which equipment combinations will perfectly suit your home and your family’s needs. Depending on the construction of your home, one (1) ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet. You can ensure that the system you purchase is the right size and not smaller or larger than you require, by having your heating and cooling needs evaluated by a licensed professional.
HVAC systems last an average of 10 years. However, for your equipment, it may differ. Variables that affect life expectancy include the type of system, climate and the regularity of routine maintenance.
Cooling/HVAC
Regular maintenance and HVAC system inspections are essential to keeping your air conditioner and furnace healthy. Schedule professional maintenance for your air conditioner in the spring to verify it’s ready for heavy summer usage. Many people schedule a second maintenance check in the fall to determine how summer affected their air conditioners.
For your furnace, schedule annual fall maintenance right before winter. If scheduled efficiently, your HVAC technician could check the cooling and heating units during the same appointment.
Changing or cleaning your filter every 30 days is best, though some can last up to 90 days. If you smoke, have pets, or live in a polluted area, check it more often.
To ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently, perform annual maintenance and regularly change or clean your air filter.
Your air conditioner shouldn’t have ice build-up while being used in the summer months. Ice indicates one of many issues. Here are two common examples:
- Dirty or clogged evaporator or condenser coils can freeze and damage the unit. Cleaning these coils usually resolves the problem.
- A refrigerant leak can cause low pressure, freezing the whole system.
Address these issues promptly to maintain your air conditioner’s performance.
You can tell your HVAC system needs repairs or replacement when you observe one or more of the following signs:
- Unpleasant smells: Foul odors like mold, mildew, or burning can indicate issues, possibly caused by a dead animal or faulty components.
- Poor air quality: Inadequate temperature or circulation suggests problems within the system.
- Strange noises: Sounds such as banging, humming, or buzzing often signal equipment issues.
- Power problems: If the system won’t turn on, turns off unexpectedly, or cycles too quickly, it may have power-related issues.
Over time, air ducts can gather mold, dust, allergens, and other pollutants that may affect the health and efficiency of your equipment.
It’s best to schedule a professional cleaning every three years, as DIY attempts can damage the ducts and lead to expensive repairs.
Water
The usual cause is that the rubber flap at the bottom of the tank isn’t sealing properly. To check, remove the tank lid and flush the toilet while watching the flap. If it doesn’t close completely, water will leak out, preventing the float ball from triggering the stop-flow mechanism. This is why jiggling the handle can temporarily fix the issue—jiggling repositions the flap, allowing it to seal better.
If you’re not getting enough hot water, here are a few examples as to why:
- Electric water heaters have two heating elements—top and bottom. If the bottom element fails, only the top heats water. If the top element fails, there will be no hot water.
- A tripped reset button can also stop the water heater from working, indicating a problem that needs attention.
- Gas water heaters have a pilot that can go out occasionally due to an old thermocouple. This inexpensive part can lead to a costly service call, so we recommend replacing it during your annual maintenance.
Yes, poor water quality can harm your home and health. You might notice damaged clothing, excessive soap use, pipe scaling, fixture deterioration, skin issues, or sour taste and odors in your water. If so, it’s a sign of a water problem.
Heating/Plumbing
Boiler maintenance is essential for optimal heating performance. Winter is not the time to lose heat; a broken boiler could lead to icy conditions inside your home.
Electrical
This issue may arise for a few reasons, with overheating particularly dangerous. Constantly replacing light bulbs can be a significant inconvenience and a fire hazard. Consider having an electrician inspect your light fixtures if your bulbs keep blowing out.
Lights may flicker due to an outdated electrical system requiring replacement panels or wiring. Other causes include loose wires, insufficient power, or appliances drawing too much power. It’s best to have a licensed electrician inspect the issue.
FAQ's
Annual maintenance of your boiler and other heating sources is essential. Yearly inspections and cleanings ensure all components work correctly, allowing technicians to spot and fix issues before they lead to costly breakdowns.
If you’ve seen a spike in your energy bills this winter, your boiler might run inefficiently and need a tune-up. Addressing this can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety.
A properly functioning boiler is usually quiet. If you hear unusual noises, have a technician check it. If you smell odd odors or your carbon monoxide detector beeps, turn off the boiler and call your local FIRE DEPARTMENT, followed by an appointment with Carl F. Riedell & Son.
These are signs that it needs maintenance. Your heating system is a vital and costly resource, so regular maintenance is essential.
