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. 

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.

Source

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.

Signs and Symptoms of a Bad AC Compressor

Richmond, VA summers can get hot, and it’s not uncommon for us to get calls from panicking homeowners saying their AC unit has broken down during the summer months.

 

One of the most common causes for this is a failing AC compressor, a part that generally gives signs and symptoms of failure before breaking down completely. Unfortunately many homeowners don’t call until their entire unit stops working, which is why it’s helpful to know how to tell if your home AC compressor is bad. Taking action before the compressor completely goes out can save you from suffering through summer heat and the avoidable cost of fixing a broken HVAC system.

Refrigerant leaks and what to do about them

Is your HVAC system making weird sounds and not cooling your house very well this summer? If so, chances are you have a refrigerant leak.

Refrigerant is an essential part of your HVAC system. It is the liquid/gas that actually turns your home’s warm air into cold air. When your HVAC system is low on refrigerant, your AC can’t cool your home efficiently and you risk damaging your air conditioner. We’ll tell you the cause of refrigerant leaks, how to get it fixed correctly and how to keep it from happening again.

What causes a refrigerant leak?

Whenever your system was installed, the proper amount of refrigerant was added. If working and sealed correctly, this refrigerant should stay inside your AC’s coils and constantly recirculate.

However, sometimes holes and cracks develop in the coils, which causes the refrigerant to leak. As the refrigerant level drops, your space gets harder to cool, causing the air to become warmer. Usually these leaks happen due to the age of your HVAC system because the metal coils wear over time. A leak could also be due to corrosion on the coils, like grime and pollutants, due to neglected maintenance.

How to properly fix your refrigerant leak ?

Some unscrupulous HVAC companies may recommend that you just add more refrigerant to get you through the summer, but this is a very shortsighted solution. Doing this will damage your system and eventually leave you paying just as much as you would to properly fix the leak.

There are two options for fixing your refrigerant leak the correct way:

1. Find and repair the hole(s). Quality HVAC service providers have equipment that quickly detects leaks and repair them.

2. Replace the AC coil. If your system is old or in poor condition, it might be time to replace the entire coil. This option is the most expensive, but when your system is properly repaired you’ll experience better performance, lower energy bills and no more recurring leaks.

How to avoid refrigerant leaks in the future ?

In most cases, refrigerant leaks are preventable with regular system maintenance. At least once or twice a year, invest in maintenance to keep your HVAC system in optimal condition.

The HVAC professionals at W.G. Speeks can provide you with regular maintenance to make sure everything is running properly, and if it’s not, we can fix it. Call us today at 804-776-5770 and see why W.G. Speeks has been the reliable Richmond, VA heating and air conditioning experts since 1943.

Reference : Refrigerant leaks and what to do about them

The Importance of Maintaining Cooling Towers

WG Speeks services and installs all types of heating/cooling needs for commercial or industrial buildings, and this includes cooling towers. Cooling towers allow the majority of the water being used to be recycled, eliminating an enormous amount of water wastage.

They are also the key to maximizing chiller efficiency and ensuring longer overall system life. But just like other HVAC units, they require proper maintenance to ensure they’re running at peak efficiency.

=>> Here are few cooling tower maintenance tips to keep in mind:

1. Inspect your motors

In many water-based cooling systems, cooling tower fan motors draw the most electricity out of any component. The standard motors operate at only one or two speeds, which can leave them using too much electricity as the overall system load decreases.

It’s important to have your motors inspected by a professional over time. You may opt to install a premium motor, because they can reduce electricity use by 8%. These high-efficiency motors are more expensive than the standard motors, but in a large commercial building with cooling needs, savings will add up quickly.

2. Manage Water Levels

Cooling towers must have the correct water level to perform that their optimal efficiency. It’s also important to note that overfilling can lead to roof damage. With daily inspection, it is easy to keep this in check. Having a meter installed to monitor water levels can simplify this process.

 

3. Ensure Contamination Compliance

There are special inspection and decontamination rules for cooling towers. These rules are mainly in place to prevent outbreaks of the deadly legionella bacteria, which causes pneumonia like symptoms. Because cooling towers are outside, they are vulnerable to contaminants like leaves, dirt and soot. This also poses a health risk. Make sure your cooling tower is tested regularly for these issues.

Call W.G. Speeks Today

For more questions about our cooling tower services, to schedule an installation or 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.

Reference: The Importance of Maintaining Cooling Towers

How to monitor indoor air quality at home?

Indoor Air Quality monitoring is very necessary if you live in or near the states Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, North Caroline, etc. These are the areas that have changing atmosphere throughout the year.

 The HVAC technician can help you with HVAC Repair Service in Richmond, VA. The Richmond Air Conditioning repair company – W.G. Speeks has been serving Richmond and areas near that since 1943. While most indoor air can be noticeably freshened with this technology, it’s not always obvious which homes need it the most. So here is the few indoor air quality monitoring measures: 
 

1. Radon Testing: 

Radon is toxic colorless gas, which radiates from decaying radium used in radiography and cancer treatment. You may not have any radium at your home but it could generate from underground soil. Radon in the soil can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation, so if your home has never been tested, start immediately. 

2. Carbon monoxide testing: 

Carbon Monoxide is again an odorless gas that could kill you immediately. It could generate from boilers, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, gas and kerosene heaters, gas and wood stoves and clothes dryers. The carbon monoxide detectors are reliable and easily available in the markets. Install one of these on every floor of your home and test the carbon monoxide. 

3. Mold testing: 

The mold testing detectors are easily available in hardware store in the form of disc. Mold has a distinctive smell, so if you have active mold growth in your home, the odor is likely to be the first telltale sign. So, you could easily contact your HVAC technician for the guidance or call IAQ inspector for the thorough check-up. 
 

These are the few indoor air quality measures that you could check it at your home. If you are unable to maintain your HVAC equipment, you could always contact W. G. Speeks.

How to Protect your AC Unit from Theft

Your outdoor AC unit contains valuable copper in the coil, refrigerant lines and wiring. Unfortunately this means your AC unit is a target for thieves; and they won’t think twice about destroying your entire unit to get what they’re looking for.

Here are some ways to protect your AC unit from theft and avoid inconvenient and costly equipment replacement.

1. Enclose the unit

Of all the tips to protect your unit from theft, this one is probably the most foolproof. You can use a unit fence or a cage to enclose your unit, but make sure the unit can still “breathe” so it continues to operate correctly. Be sure to consult an HVAC Professional about what would work best for your unit.

2. Lock the Disconnect Box

This box disconnects the unit from electrical power. Thieves will turn the power off before removing the condenser to make it safe. If you prevent them from being able to open the disconnect box, chances are they will leave it alone.

3. Install a camera and lights

This combination allows you to monitor your outdoor unit 24/7. Make sure they are installed where they can’t be vandalized and place warning signs to deter thieves.

4. Set up an alarm

There are a few different products made to drive away perpetrators if your unit’s voltage is interrupted, the refrigerant lines are cut or any tampering is taking place.

5. Camouflage the unit

If your unit is hard to see, thieves will most likely pass your home by. On the flip side, leaving the air conditioner exposed can work just as well. If the ac unit is in plain sight near frequent drive-by traffic, this could also discourage thieves.

6. Use a tracking device

GPS technology offers a state-of-the-art tool to monitor movement of your HVAC unit. The device will track the unit’s location if stolen as well as alert you and the police.

7. Get a dog

Just like dogs can help prevent thieves from targeting your home, they serve as a great deterrent for thieves targeting your HVAC unit.

For more advice on protecting your AC unit from thieves 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.

Reference: How to Protect your AC Unit from Theft

Ease Spring Allergies with HVAC Servicing

Spring is a wonderful time of year; there’s more sunshine and the weather starts to get nice, but then there is the issue of allergies. For people with bad allergies, Spring can sometimes feel like a nightmare. Pollen, grass and all kinds of other allergens are at an all time high in the Spring, causing many to experience runny noses, itchy eyes and scratchy throats.

Unfortunately, it’s not just the outdoor air to blame. The air inside your home can also be filled with allergens, causing symptoms to flare up when you’re indoors too. Thankfully we have some tips for HVAC maintenance that will help decrease your Spring allergy symptoms.

Change your air filter

This tip is probably the most important because your HVAC system’s air filter can end up coated in pollen, dust and other allergens, which lower the air quality in your home. These allergens get pushed out into the air every time your HVAC system is running. Replacing your air filter each Spring can dramatically help reduce the amount of allergens in your home. It’s also important to check the filter once a month and clean it when necessary.

There are also more efficient types of filters to keep out more allergen particles, such as medium efficiency filters or HEPA filters.

Have Air Ducts Cleaned

Changing your air filters is very important, but allergens can still be hiding in your air ducts whether or not your air filters are clean. When the heat or air is on these allergens are blown around the ducts, entering different rooms through your vents. Having your ducts cleaned removes these allergens. Our HVAC professionals can inspect your air ducts and get rid of any allergen buildups. Contact us for Air Duct Cleaning in Richmond VA.

Schedule regular HVAC maintenance

Routine HVAC maintenance helps reduce indoor allergens and ensures that your system is able to run efficiently. This will increase its lifespan and lower repairs in the long run. The experts at WG Speeks can help you save time and money by keeping your system maintained.

For more questions, or to schedule routine HVAC maintenance or 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.

Content Source : Ease Spring Allergies with HVAC Servicing

Heat Pump Iced Up During Winter?

It’s normal for your heat pumps to ice up during the winter months. The entire coil might even be covered in frost or ice during cold weather conditions. However, it’s not normal for the entire unit to be covered in ice for an extended period of time.

Heat pumps will naturally ice-up in the winter, but will periodically go into a defrost cycle to de-ice the coils and keep the unit running efficiently. If the coils are blocked by ice, proper heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outside air cannot occur. This can cause serious damage to your equipment.

The Defrost Cycle Explained

To prevent from icing up, heat pumps switch into air conditioning mode for a while until it unfreezes. This defrost mode only lasts 10-15 minutes, during which time heat strips start up to keep the air warm.

What to check if your unit is freezing up

1. Air filter: If the air filter needs to be replaced, air flow is hindered causing your heat pump not to work properly.
   
2. Air flow: If you don’t feel any air flowing from the vent, the blower motor or another part is malfunctioning. You can test this by setting the thermostat manually to fan and seeing if any blows through the vents.
   
3. Fins: Check the fins for any debris, like dirt or leaves, that might be blocking the air from passing through.
   
4. Leaky gutters: If a gutter is dripping water onto the top of the unit, you will need to repair your gutter. Read More