Within your HVAC system, the heat exchanger is the component that transfers heat from one medium to another. It is vital for keeping your home the temperature and comfort level you require. Recognizing the signs of an old or damaged system can often save you on expensive repairs, but also prevent anything much worse from happening.
How Do You Protect an Air Conditioner in the Winter?
It’s winter on Long Island, so your HVAC system has switched from cooling to heating. While the folk wisdom generally says that you should turn off your AC during the winter months… is that accurate? If it once was, does it still apply to the high-tech HVAC systems of today? Most importantly, what are the best ways to protect your AC until summer rolls around again?
Is It Better to Have Your HVAC System Serviced in the Fall or Wait Till Spring?
As we lean into the Fall season here on Long Island, it is time to consider your home’s climate control. HVAC systems need regular maintenance – like any machinery – to operate at peak efficiency. As another change in seasons looms, it raises the question “should I schedule HVAC maintenance now, or wait until next spring?”
The Best Way To Heat And Cool Old Houses
Although it seems that older houses are being knocked down on Long Island and replaced with more modern homes all the time… most Long Island residents aren’t living in newly built houses. After all, Long Island helped to start the post-war suburban boom with Levittown.
There’s a lot of character in older homes and, for many who keep homes in their family, a lot of precious memories are tied to them as well. That said, owning an older home is not without its difficulties.
One of the issues many older homes have are being able to comfortably heat and cool the whole house. So, what is the most efficient and effective way to do so?
Does It Matter Where You Put Your Thermostat?
In many (or maybe even most) homes, you’ll find the thermostat in a hallway. Somewhere along the line, builders decided that was where they should be placed to not interfere with the design choices of the home.
But is that really the best place to have your thermostat? Does it matter?
It turns out, where your thermostat is located in your home matters… a lot. Having the thermostat in the wrong location can lead to excessive heating and cooling bills and parts of your home that are just not comfortable.
Should Your Thermostat Be in a Hallway?
Unless there is really no other option, a hallway is not the best choice for your thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy says there are several keys to proper thermostat placement.
- Avoid direct sunlight
This might be obvious but if the sun shining through a window also shines on your thermostat, it will read that it is warmer than it really is. This could make your house uncomfortably cool in the winter and in the summer – as it kicks your air conditioning into high gear. - Avoid rooms that are going to be warmer than the rest of the house
The kitchen and bathrooms are going to often give off heat and moisture… confusing your thermostat. These are bad places to measure the house temperature. - Skip the exterior walls
Thermostats on exterior walls will be influenced by the outside temperature (not just the temperature of your house), often meaning higher heating and cooling bills. - Avoid small, enclosed spaces – like hallways
Chances are you aren’t usually hanging out in the hallway, so why use it to decide what’s comfortable for the rest of the house. Placing your thermostat in a room where no one spends time means it isn’t measuring anything for your actual comfort. - Stay away from vents and air returns
If your thermostat is too near a vent or air return, it may measure the draft and lead to higher bills.
How Far Should Thermostat Be From a Return?
While most of us don’t notice the subtle flow of air around our air returns, your thermostat might. It won’t harm your thermostat to be close to the air return but it might negatively impact your heating and cooling bills because of the air flow.
In general, placing your thermostat at least five feet away from things that create air flow (including air returns, heating vents and even drafty windows) can help you maintain a more constant temperature and lower energy costs.
How Important Is Thermostat Placement?
Having the thermostat in the right place is going to save you money and make your home more comfortable. If the thermostat is in the coldest room of the house, for example, other rooms may be uncomfortably warm. If the thermostat is getting too much heat from the kitchen or bathroom, the rest of the house can be too cold.
So where is the perfect place in your home for your thermostat?
That’s a hard decision, but experts say it should be in the center of the house in a space your family regularly uses. For many families, a living room or family room might be the best place. Keep the thermostat to a maximum of about five feet off the floor because heat rises and place it somewhere that you want the household temperature to be comfortable.
Tragar Can Help You Relocate Your Thermostat
When you are trying to save money with your heating and cooling bills, Tragar Home Services is here to help. Whether it’s replacing an out-of-date heating system or simply helping you relocate a troublesome thermostat, Tragar is here for all your heating and cooling needs. Contact us today.
Three Reasons to Install a Programmable Thermostat
Most people get a programmable thermostat to save on their energy bills, but these three reasons to install a programmable thermostat are better for more than just your wallet.
13 Tips for Getting Your House Ready for Winter
It finally feels like fall – and soon, it will be winter. That means now is the time to prepare your house for winter, cold weather, and snowstorms.
When Should I Winterize My Home?
You always want to start winterizing your home before winter starts, which doesn’t just mean the official calendar start of winter. It also means before freezing temperatures arrive. September, October, and November are the usual months to begin winterizing your home.
5 HVAC Secrets to Help You Save Money
Skyrocketing energy prices combined with an abnormally hot summer can make homeowners cringe when they see the cost of running their air conditioners. But how you react – and what you do to save money – can make a dramatic difference.
Some homeowners throw up their hands and shrug… deciding there’s nothing to be done about the necessary cost of cooling. But they could be paying for something they aren’t really using.
Can You Run an AC and Dehumidifier at the Same Time?
While you can’t do anything for the oppressive heat and humidity that exists outside during this time of year, you do have options when it comes to controlling the space inside your home.
If your indoors are plagued with an abundance of moisture, you might notice a general dampness on the windows, mildew growth, or even peeling paint. If this is a problem for you… it might be worth considering a dehumidifier.
How Much Does a New HVAC System Add to the Value of a House?
A difficult decision that homeowners are often faced with is whether it would be worth the money to add an AC system to their home or – if the home already has one – if it would be wiser to keep patching up an HVAC system… or replace it with a modern one. These questions are important to owners who plan to sell a house, as well as those who have no intention of moving.