Get Your AC Ready For Spring

Winter is winding down, but it won’t be long before we’re turning on our air conditioning in Richmond, VA. As we get ready for spring cleaning, your AC system needs a little maintenance before you start using it again. Preparing now will help make sure everything is working properly and efficiently before spring and summer, and prevent a breakdown when you need it the most. 

Why Cleaning Your Air Ducts Makes Sense

One part of your heating and cooling system that you may not pay as much attention to is the air ducts. These are the passages that deliver the heated or cooled air to your living spaces. If you haven’t looked at them in a while, or they haven’t been touched since you moved in, it may be time to consider a cleaning.

When Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

If you or a family member has allergies or asthma (or smokes) and you don’t know if or when your HVAC duct system has had a cleaning, it may be time to schedule one. Dust, pollen and other allergens accumulate over time. Once it’s cleared, you’ll breathe easier.

Seeing dust exit your system’s vents means you have a buildup inside the ducts, and should be cleaned out. Dust can inhibit your HVAC system from working optimally, making it work harder.

If you’ve just moved into a house, new or existing, a duct cleaning will remove dirt and debris that may have been swept inside. Skip it if you know the previous owner has already had the ducts cleaned in the last three years.

Clean your ducts after a recent home renovation, since dirt and debris can be swept into duct areas.

If your house has had fire damage, or has a vermin/rodent infestation, call an HVAC company to inspect, repair and/or replace any damaged duct work inside your home.

Air ducts only require an occasional cleaning. Experts recommend every three to five years. 

Anything more is excessive. Improper cleaning can damage the duct work. Should you suspect mold contamination, your HVAC company can inspect your ductwork and find the source of the moisture causing the mold. You’ll have to remedy the source of the mold before cleaning, repairing or replacing the duct work involved. If the mold is severe enough, you may need to replace all of the duct work to prevent mold contaminants from being spread throughout your house.

The HVAC Filter

Consistently changing your HVAC system’s air filter will keep your system cleaner, and reduce the dust inside the ducts. If you have shedding pets and vacuum regularly, using a higher-grade filter will catch most of it and keep the hair, dander and other allergens out of the ducts. You’ll also keep your system working properly and at peak efficiency.

Contact A Reputable Heating & Air Company

While it’s easy to get a “special” on air duct cleaning, it might not be the best option. You may save money on the cleaning, how do you know the company you hired is doing a thorough job? You’ll want to do a little research and make sure the company you bring into your home is professional. Ask questions, research, and make sure you can trust the company coming into your home.

Call Us Today

In business since 1943, W.G. Speeks is the premier heating and cooling company in Richmond. In addition to HVAC repair and maintenance, we can inspect and clean your air ducts and make sure they’re delivering clean air into your home. We also specialize in improving indoor air quality by installing air cleaners, humidifiers and UV. Call us at 804-276-2800 to get a quote and schedule your appointment.

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10 Cheap And Easy Ways To Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter

It’s fall in Virginia, but winter will be here before you know it. Is your heating system ready?

Heating and cooling can be a challenge in Virginia’s autumnal months. But once winter arrives, you may have heating bills that are more than they should be. If your heating system hasn’t been serviced in a while, call us today at 804-276-2800 for an appointment.

If your HVAC system has been serviced, heating your home may still be costly. Start now, and you’ll be ready when first winter front arrives.

• Have your heating system checked before you need it. A service check can alert you to problems you didn’t know about, and can prevent costly breakdowns during the winter.
• Check your heating ducts for leaks, and seal them. Tiny leaks can be expensive!
• Consider changing your old thermostat to a new, programmable model that allows you to set it and forget about it until spring.
• Insulating window film can help keep out cold as well as heat in summer, and is less expensive than replacement windows.
• Change your system’s filters regularly and buy extras so you won’t run out when you need them. Clogged filters make your unit work harder, increasing your heating costs, so keep them clean!
• Check for drafts: light a candle, and carefully move it along doors, windows and other spots. When the candle flickers, mark each “draft” location (sticky note, etc.) Seal the spots with caulking and/or weather stripping to keep chilly air outside.
• Check around chimneys, pipes, furnace flues, windows, doors, electrical outlets, light switches, and anywhere else cracks may allow heat to escape and cold air to come in. If the area is too big to caulk, spray foam fills in those larger gaps. This video shows you how to insulate your electrical outlets.
• Even if you’ve replaced your door sweeps, you can also stop incoming air flow with a simple to make Draft Snake. Using heavy fabric and inexpensive dried beans, the Draft Snake is a physical barrier to chilly air (or escaping cool air in the summer.) Use a fabric that matches the décor in each area of your home that needs one.
• Keep your chimney’s flue closed when you’re not using it. Add a visible mark showing “open” and “closed” to ensure it’s not accidentally left open.
• Insulate your attic door. Heat rises, so unless your attic is part of your living space, attic door insulation will keep the heated air inside your home.
• Do you have a basement? Insulate the basement’s ceiling to keep cold air from seeping upwards. Insulate the walls to add additional living space and keep your entire home warmer.

WG Speeks is Richmond, VA’s heating and cooling experts since 1943. Call us today at 804-276-2800 to schedule your home heating system for a checkup and maintenance appointment. Don’t be left in the cold!

Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist

A professional HVAC system cleaning may not be in your budget, but that’s okay. While you may not be able to solve every issue with preventative maintenance, there are some things you can do to keep your HVAC system healthy. Here are some DIY tips for keeping your HVAC system in good condition through the Fall season.

1. Check and replace your air filters. This is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to keeping the air in your home clean. Dirty air filters make your HVAC system less efficient and cause unnecessary strain on its parts. Set a monthly reminder to check your air filter and to replace it if needed. The general rule is to change it every 30 to 90 days.

2. Keep your HVAC system free of debris. Check your unit every week or so for debris like leaves, pollen, dirt and sticks. Clear out any debris that may be on it to allow the maximum airflow to the fan. This will increase your unit’s efficiency and lifespan.

3. Clean your registers. You should keep your registers and ducts clean of dust and debris as well. Wipe down your registers often to keep them clean and free of debris.

4. Listen for unusual sounds. Strange noises coming from your HVAC system usually means there is a register blockage, debris in the vents or loose bolts. If you notice a strange sound, try to locate the source. If you can’t figure out what the problem is, it may mean you need to contact a professional.

5. Give your system a break. Occasionally, giving your HVAC system a break is a good way to lengthen the life of the equipment and save you money on your energy bills. The fall is a great time to do this because the weather is starting to become cooler and milder.

6. Know when to call a professional. If you experience problems with your HVAC system that are out of your control or wheelhouse, call a professional. Fall is a good time for a check-up. HVAC professionals with check your system thoroughly, adjust anything that needs fixing and address any other issues you may have.

Having regular maintenance on your HVAC system has numerous benefits for you. Bi-annual maintenance calls are one of the easiest ways to stop small problems from becoming big ones. You’ll save money in the end due to efficiency in performance and energy consumption.

For more questions, to schedule routine HVAC maintenance or for any of our other services, call us at 804–776–5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmond, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.

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Should You Consider Installing a Boiler System This Fall?

The colder seasons are almost here, and for some of us that means it’s time to consider installing a new heating system. If this applies to you, you might want to consider installing a boiler system. Here is how a boiler system operates and how it might benefit you and your family. 

Boiler Heating

A boiler heating system works by pumping hot water through a pipe network installed in the walls and subfloors of each room. As the water flows through the pipes, the heat from it radiates through them, warming up the house. This is a method known as “radiant heating.” Sometimes there are terminal devices, such as radiators or baseboard heaters, installed as part of pipe network. 

Benefits of Boiler Heating Systems

Hot water boilers are extremely energy efficient. Massive amounts of energy can be lost in issues like duct leaks in furnaces. Air is also a worse thermal transport medium than water because it holds less heat and it cools off faster. Boiler systems overall deliver more heat in a more productive fashion than furnaces.

Boiler systems heat the structure of your home in a uniform manner that provides ultimate comfort. Warm air rises and sinks as it cools, but boiler systems keep heat near the bottom of the room, since the thermal energy is transmitted through solid objects. This type of heating prevents hot and cold spots that are common with forced-air systems like furnaces. 

Richmond, VA’s reliable heating and air conditioner experts since 1943

 If you’re thinking a hot water boiler may be the best choice for your home, or if you are having issues with your current water boiler, contact WG Speeks today at (804) 276-2800 and one of our sales staff will assist you or give you a free estimate on a repair.

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Which 5 mistakes you should never make with your heating and cooling equipment

The heating and cooling equipment are sensitive to handle and they need to be taken care of with the experts. Most people try to be HVAC technician at their homes but it could be a huge mistake. So, here are some of the mistakes which you should not do:

1. Installation: The installation of HVAC equipment should not be a DIY thing. You could make mistake with the size of the equipment or the weight. If you install it in a load bearing wall, you could have problems in future. Thus, consult an expert HVAC technician for installation of HVAC equipment.

2. Buying a large unit: Most people think that buying the large unit of HVAC equipment is a better idea; however, it is not true. The bigger is not always the best. This is a common as well as the costly mistake. Homeowners tend to think that it is better to choose a unit from your local home improvement store and typically push for bigger units, but it is wrong, units that are too big will result in wasting a lot of energy.

3. Cheaper Price: Like there is a myth about buying larger units, there is myth about the price. Buying the cheaper units will not be beneficial in long run and it will cost you more. While in other areas of the home bargain shopping can be a plus, but when it comes to your HVAC you want to make sure you are always using a company you can trust! A cheaper unit costs more due to frequent damages and repairs.

4. Skipping out on maintenance: The lethargic behavior will not only lead to costly repairs but also inefficient performances. Having your unit checked out and maintained by a professional will keep your system reliable while also prolonging its life.

5. Choosing repairs over replacements: Well the option of choosing repair over replacement is a waste of time. This can end up meaning you need additional repairs and will have more frequent service calls. Buying a new unit will cost more up front but will save you a lot in the end.

Remember the above DIY tips that you should never DIY because it could cost you more – moneywise and accident – wise too. Call the Heating and Cooling Richmond, VA experts and let them handle the installation and repairs.

Two Ways You’re Losing Money Without Knowing

Do you feel like your utility bills are unusually high? Some of your money may be going to higher utilities because of poor habits, like leaving lights and fans on by accident. But there could be other reasons your utilities are high that you don’t even know about. Become aware of the ways you’re using energy to save money and cut off these issues at their source.

Vampire Energy

No, this isn’t the blood sucking kind of vampire. This vampire is out for your energy. Whenever you leave small appliances or electronics plugged in, even if they’re technically turned off, they are still sapping power. These are things like TVs, game consoles, hair tools, microwaves and toasters. Avoid paying for energy you aren’t really using by unplugging these when not in use or to make it easier, use a power strip that you can switch off every time you aren’t using the item.

Air Leaks

Leaks cause air from inside your home to escape, while it allows warm summer air inside. This reduces efficiency and increases utility costs. If there is dirt on the floor and windowsills, there is probably a leak. You can seal doors with weather-stripping and windows with caulk.

Leaks can also form in your duct system, which means that every time air passes through your HVAC system you are losing some of it. W.G. Speeks offers duct-sealing services to fix this problem.

Ensure you’re staying aware of these potential energy losses and get them fixed early on. This will help you save money in the long run. To further cut utility costs and raise the efficiency of your HVAC system, call us today at 804.276.2800 and see why we’ve been the reliable  heating and air conditioning experts in Richmond, VA since 1943.

Reference : Two Ways You’re Losing Money Without Knowing