HVAC Tips for All

I turned off my AC system for 30 minutes to let it rest and then restarted it

Ever since I began working from home, I’ve become aware of my home’s working parts. I know where every creak and odd sound is coming from and I know when the air quality is different. Being at home, I was able to schedule my biannual HVAC tune ups with ease and I’m super proud of how consistent I was. I hadn’t missed a single HVAC tune up and I was really happy with how my home’s HVAC system was running. I felt like the air quality had never been better. Then, one day, I noticed that my AC system was running inconsistently. It sounded like the air conditioner would begin running, but after a few seconds it would abruptly stop and there would be a clicking noise. This was something I’d never experienced before, but I was happy that I caught it early enough to contact an HVAC professional. Unfortunately, it was after normal business hours and I didn’t know whether I should wait until morning or use their emergency telephone number. Their website said that after hours were for emergencies only, but I didn’t know what an emergency was in the HVAC industry. Since my house was still being cooled, I decided it would be fine to wait until morning. I turned off my AC system for 30 minutes to let it rest and then restarted it. When it restarted, I noticed that the air conditioner wasn’t abruptly stopping or making a clicking noise anymore. This was great news, but I decided to call the HVAC company in the morning as a precaution.

hvac system

During a horrible winter storm, my power went out. This was fine sitting in the dark for a few hours, but I was not fine sitting without heat. The snow was falling rapidly and the wind was blowing at least 10 miles per hour and it looked nasty outside. I called my parents and told them about my predicament, but neither of us knew what to do. With the weather being so bad, I couldn’t travel to their house and they couldn’t come to mine. My only option was to ride out the storm in my heatless house until it had cleared up enough to leave. This wasn’t my first winter storm, so I was a little prepared for the occasion. I had my flashlights ready and a battery powered heater to keep me warm. The heater wouldn’t run very efficiently, but it would be enough to keep me warm if I needed to be. I decided to wait as long as possible before turning on my battery powered heater. After an hour or so, I caved and turned on the heater. I sat directly in front of it to feel the most heat. Once I was warm enough, I would turn off the heat and bundle myself under every blanket I owned. This cycle continued for hours. Once the storm stopped and the roads were cleared, I went to my parents house to warm up. They had a gas furnace, which meant their house was very warm and cozy.

 

heated floors

When I first began working from home, I thought I’d enjoy it.

I liked the idea of being in the comfort of my own space and having access to everything I could possibly need.

I set up my belongings on the kitchen table and tried to limit my distractions during my normal work hours. For the most part, I was able to keep myself disciplined enough to complete my assignments, but I began to dread working from home. The kitchen was humid and there was a musty smell along with lingering smells from dinner the previous night. I want to go back to the office where the air quality was better. One day, while I was mumbling about how much I hated working in my kitchen, I decided to call an HVAC company to come service my HVAC system. It was long overdue for a tune up, and I thought it could help. The HVAC professional who serviced my HVAC system told me that one of my biggest issues with the humidity. To combat it, I needed to find a dehumidifier to eliminate the excess moisture from the air. Once it was removed, the odors would lesson and I’d be able to work in a comfortable space. I’d never considered a dehumidifier before, but it made sense. The HVAC professional also suggested that I have a whole house dehumidifier added to my HVAC system so the entire house could reap the benefits. I agreed, and once it was installed, I couldn’t believe the positive difference in air quality in my house, but especially the kitchen.

 

furnace/heater installation

Since I was a part of the annual HVAC comfort club, I called an HVAC professional to come look at the ductless unit

I’ve had a ductless mini split system in my bedroom for years. I wasn’t the original one who installed it, but I believe the previous owners were. I was hesitant about using the ductless system because I’d never used one before, but I’ve grown to love it. Since it’s mounted close to the ceiling, it’s out of the way and it blends into the wall. The ductless system runs off of electricity and the remote control is super easy to use. I can turn the ductless mini split unit on and off, I can flip between heat and air, and I can adjust the temperature. Only having these three features makes it simple for me to heat and cool my room. The ductless system in my bedroom had always been great, however, I was beginning to notice a downgrade in my air quality. It felt like I was constantly dusting and vacuuming because dust and debri was settling onto all the surfaces at a rapid rate. I also noticed that my allergies were flaring up whenever I was sleeping, which was unusual for the time of year it was. Since I was a part of the annual HVAC comfort club, I called an HVAC professional to come look at the ductless unit. Upon hearing my concerns and examining the ductless unit himself, he told me that I needed to clean the air filter. I didn’t know the ductless mini split unit had an air filter, so this was news to me! Now, I know what kind of maintenance needs to be done in the future.

 

heating and cooling equipment

For me, one of the worst parts about traveling is the actual travel.

I hate the long car rides, the endless plane trips, or spending any amount of time confined in one spot while moving at a rapid pace.

I’m someone who likes to be comfortable at all times and I don’t enjoy the “adventure.” I don’t like being hot or cold or unable to sit in a relaxed position. I certainly don’t enjoy going through a security line and only being able to travel with a limited amount of belongings. As you can imagine, I don’t travel by plane unless I have to. Unfortunately, a life event that I was required to be a part of required me to travel by airplane. I dreaded the day I needed to fly and I did everything I could to prepare myself. I dressed in layers and hoped that the air flow wouldn’t be terrible. I even booked myself a first class ticket because I knew that it would be my best shot at a more enjoyable journey. The first class seat was spacious and reclined further than any economy seat I’d ever been on. To make things even better, there was an additional air vent that allowed for better airflow. I was able to close and move the air vents to my liking and I found that I wasn’t too hot or too cold at any point. I’m really glad I booked myself a first class ticket because I wouldn’t have had the same experience anywhere else on the plane. The big seat and extra air vents were exactly what I needed!

Residential HVAC