HVAC Maintenance Tips

What is a SEER rating anyway? SEER is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Not exactly a clear explanation. Let’s dig a little deeper. In simple terms it is a measure of how much electricity it takes to remove a given amount of heat, given a specific combination of system components. It is very much like the fuel efficiency of your car. Determining SEER Rating In order to determine the SEER rating of any given combination of equipment, a series of tests are performed by the AHRI (Air conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute). A SEER rating is then determined

Why you should consider whole house humidifiers? As we move into the colder winter months our home’s humidity begins to fall. Severe dryness can lead to itchy dry skin for us. Our home suffers contraction of the wood and leather products. Wallpaper can lose its adhesion, instruments will go out of tune. Don’t forget the stores of wine! Extended periods of time in dry air can compromise the corks! While the vast majority of us are not so concerned with the condition or our corks, our overall comfort is a concern. Thankfully we have the technology to amend the dry

Thermostats were once the simple and mechanical devices but are still the control center of our home’s heating and air conditioning systems. Older mercury bulb thermostats, the former mainstay of design, have been phased out long ago (2007).  This was because of  the environmental impact of Mercury waste in our landfills and waterways. Rest assured, if we at Fixed! HVAC Service replace any controls devices containing mercury they will be disposed of properly. Modern Thermostats With all things, technological development has improved and made our lives more comfortable and connected. Today’s thermostats come in a variety of types and varying

When we think of doing maintenance on our home heating and air conditioning system the first thing to come to mind is changing the HVAC filters. Changing the air filter in your heating and air conditioning system is, of course, a very important part of keeping your heating and air conditioning system running efficiently. Not changing your air filter for extended periods of time can, in some cases, not only diminish the performance of your equipment, it could cause damage to your system. Which HVAC Filters are Best? Now, lets talk about HVAC filters and how to choose the right

With the current temperature hitting 90 degrees and not even officially Summer yet, you need some home cooling tips. In Maryland your air conditioner will be getting a workout for a good 4 months or more. That’ll mean your electric meter will be spinning like a record player (geez did I just age myself – meters don’t spin anymore and the youngsters probably don’t know what a record player is?). So you may be looking for a few reminders on how to keep cool without having the cooling system running constantly. Here are a few home cooling tips for you

Heat Pump Maintenance includes both ongoing and annual attention. Prevent dust and debris from building up by replacing your filter every 30-90 days. The heat pump coils should also be wiped clean once a year, twice a year in a few instances. A full annual service including checking the amount of gas, fans, and different components is recommended, preferably at Springtime. Heat Pump Maintenance, How Often? If it’s your number one way of heating and cooling your residential home, a heat pump ought to be serviced every 6 months by an HVAC technician. Otherwise, it must be serviced annually. It’s

Pollen, dust, pet dander and of course viruses are all part of your indoor air quality. Are these circulating inside your home? Are they noticeably affecting your and your family? What are some of the ways you can improve your indoor air quality? Going outside for some fresh air could be a better idea than you might think. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, scientific evidence tells us that air in homes can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air. Considering that most Americans spend up to 90 percent of each day indoors-more than half of that time at