To minimize wear and tear on your AC investment and keep your cooling bills as low as possible, there are some “green” actions you can take that are really quite simple; and when you put them into practice you can feel good knowing that you are cutting down on your energy usage and helping the environment.

1. Change your filter at least once a month: Furnace filters are relatively inexpensive tools that serve a very important purpose; they not only keep indoor air quality purer, they also keep your air ducts free from dust or other debris that put a drag on your cooling system. A cleaner central air system is a more energy-efficient one!
2. Close some downstairs vents: Many of us enjoy comfortable main floor living; but as soon as we go upstairs we are hit with heat. Uneven cooling wastes energy since your AC must work overtime to cool 2nd floor living areas. Simply closing some of your downstairs vents will push more of the cold air circulating in your ducts upstairs where it is most needed.
3. Close your blinds: If some of your bedrooms or other rooms face west, you know how hot the sun is in the afternoon! Keeping blinds closed or drapes drawn during the hottest parts of the day will make a drastic difference in room temperature, and your air conditioner will not have to work nearly as hard to keep these areas cool.
4. Make better use of your ceiling fans: Most Utahns have ceiling fans in their homes; they cost relatively little to operate, yet they do wonders at improving air circulation and helping residents feel cooler thanks to the “wind chill effect.”
5. Do a “morning cooling:” On most summer mornings, there is a lovely breeze blowing. Turn off your air conditioner, open the windows, and let nature do her thing! Make sure you have windows open on opposite ends of your home to encourage cross-ventilation. Not only will you improve your indoor air quality, you will also cool your house nicely before the daily heat sets in.

Of course, keeping your air conditioner properly tuned up is a must as well. Contact your Utah heating contractor at Hartman Heating for service, repairs, or a new cooling system, and to get more tips on how to go “green” with your cooling bills.

How is a SEER Rating Determined?

The SEER number is determined using the following simple mathematical calculation:

The amount of cooling output (measured in BTUs) of an appliance over an average season is divided by its energy usage (measured in watt-hours) over the same time period.

The result of this calculation is a number ranging from about 11 up to approximately 22. The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner and the less you can expect to pay on your monthly utility bills during the cooling season. An excellent Utah heating contractor like Hartman Heating can provide more information on cooling output vs. energy usage.

How Do I Use a SEER Rating In the Decision-Making Process?

First of all, you will never see a central air conditioning system with a rating less than 13 in the United States. Since 2006, federal law dictates that all appliances sold in America must meet or exceed the number 13 in their SEER ratings in order to help reduce energy usage and be more environmentally-friendly. The minimum of 13 applies only to central air and not to window units, however.

• Choose an appliance with a SEER of 14 or above if you wish to qualify for Energy Star federal tax credits and utility company rebates.
• You will pay more for the highest-rated appliances, but you can expect to save substantial sums on your monthly energy bills: in many cases, these savings alone coupled with credits and rebates will pay for the new air conditioner in just a few years.
• The SEER rating for each air conditioner you’re looking at will be prominently displayed on the sticker. If you are on a tight budget, choosing a middle-of-the-road SEER rating will be an energy-efficient decision that won’t break the bank.

The more you know about SEER ratings, the more likely you will be to get the exact appliance you want and need; and the Utah heating contractor professionals at Hartman Heating will help you every step of the way.

Here are some common air conditioning problems to watch out for: many of which you can attempt to resolve yourself. Of course, if you are intimidated at the thought of messing with your appliance, or if these solutions don’t rectify the problem, it is best to continue a quality Utah heating contractor like Hartman who will help you get back in the cool zone!

Your Air Conditioner is “Whining”

Some homeowners describe it as a “whine,” while others call it a “wail.” Whatever you call it, if your air conditioner makes a loud noise when the system is operational, the situation can become downright unbearable. Chances are the fan belt has slipped out of place during the course of normal operations. Simply put the belt back in place and see if this fixes the problem; if not, you may also want to oil the bearings if they appear to need lubrication.

Your Air Conditioner is Leaking

If water from your air conditioning system is actually leaking into your house you risk suffering the many effects of water damage, including mold and mildew growth. It could be a rusted out condensation pan that is preventing water from draining away effectively; the best solution here is to replace it. You’ll also want to check the drain to make sure it isn’t blocked.

Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling Effectively

Unfortunately, problems with cooling are not nearly as easy to identify as those mentioned above. But some of the most common reasons for over or under-cooling include:

• Frozen coils
• Blocked grills
• Poor calibration
• Blocked input valve
• Freon leak
• Broken thermostat
• And many more

If you simply cannot figure out what is causing the problem or do not have sufficient knowledge to fix it, remember that your trusty Utah heating contractor like Hartman Heating is only a phone call away. A yearly maintenance checkup before the hot temperature season starts will prevent many of the above problems and keep your air conditioner operating reliably all summer long.

• Replace your old filter with a new one, taking the time to vacuum out any remaining dust particles from the inside of the compartment.

• Go ahead and turn out the pilot light on the furnace once you’re absolutely sure you won’t be using it anymore. Many experts swear that by doing so, your air conditioning unit will operate more efficiently.

• Vacuum up dust and debris from around the furnace area and thoroughly wipe down the blower fan and fan blades. Letting the dirt to remain all summer may allow the particulates and even mold spores to continue recirculating through your house when the air conditioning is on.

• Similarly, be sure to thoroughly clean all of your air intake vents throughout the house, and you may want to have your ducts cleaned as well.

• Once your cleanup is complete, call a quality Utah heating contractor like Hartman heating to come out and give your appliance a thorough mechanical evaluation. Spring is a great time to have this done before the busy summer season kicks in; and once the technician finishes you can turn your mind away from winter once and for all and look forward to the fun days of summer ahead!

1. 1. Small problems that may have developed over the winter’s idle months can be quickly and easily rectified before they become major (and expensive) issues.
2. 2. Also, the technician will be able to make sure that your system will be operating at peak efficiency when the air conditioner is in high use: you want to get maximum cooling while keeping your energy bills as low as possible.

When your Utah heating contractor comes to your home, he will go through the following maintenance procedures:

• He will clean, check, and replace filters as needed
• He will clean evaporator and condenser coils that have either gathered dirt over the winter or weren’t cleaned properly after discontinuing use. These components must be clean in order to maximize energy-efficiency
• He will oil motors to prevent unhealthy friction
• He will check the condenser, controls, and electrical components to make sure they are operational
• He will check refrigerant levels to make sure there are no harmful leaks in the system
• He will calibrate the thermostat to make sure that the air conditioner isn’t wasting energy

You don’t think twice about getting your furnace tuned up before winter sets in, and the same care should be exercised with your air conditioner: call Hartman Heating today before the busy summer season hits, and you can face that hot Utah sun with confidence.

The Natural Gas Mixes Coming Into Your Home Have Changed

Utilities companies serving the Beehive State have changed the formula or mix of the natural gas products that are used to power your gas appliances. Your furnace and water heater may need to have adjustments made to them that will help these appliances continue to operate safely and efficiently with the new fuel mix. If your appliances need adjustments but have not received them, the result could be an excess production of poisonous carbon monoxide gases that may endanger the health and even the life of your family members.

What is a Green Sticker and What Happens During an Inspection?

A Green Sticker affixed to your appliances is simply proof that they have been checked (and adjusted if necessary) by a licensed and certified Utah heating contractor. During the inspection itself, the technician will see if the design of your appliances is compatible to the proper burning of the new gas mix. If they’re not, he may need to re-size the orifices in the appliance burners and/or change the manifold pressure which controls the air to gas ratio. When the appliances “make the grade,” the technician will affix the tell-tale green sticker which indicates the furnace or water heater has been properly checked. You should not have to buy new appliances in order to get Green Sticker-approved.

Who Can Perform a Green Sticker Inspection?

Only a heating contractor licensed and certified by the State of Utah may perform Green Sticker inspections. Hartman Heating is a Utah heating contractor whose business consists of 78% repeat customers and referrals: you can trust them to do your Green Sticker inspection right. Now is the time to finally get it done!

Home humidifiers can also help to extend the life of many different items in your house. A dry house will cause much more static to occur, which puts all of your electronic instruments in danger. Also a dry house can lead to cracked paint and plaster to occur, and also wood floors to warp. The furniture in your house will also appreciate a more humid environment, because it will allow it to last longer and remain stronger. Home humidifiers are great for your house and everyone in it, and they are also much more affordable than some people may think.

A home humidifier adds moisture to the air either in a room, or throughout your entire house, depending on the type of humidifier that you purchase. This extra moisture in the air will help you feel better and avoid getting sick. The humidifier will help to eliminate a dry nose, itchy, cracked skin, and many allergy and asthma problems. Many viruses that cause sickness can only live in a low humidity environment, so they will die when the moisture level is raised by a humidifier. Also a low humidity environment can weaken your immune system and allow you to become more susceptible to infection.

Hartman Heating can help you pick out the best humidifier for your home.

Tune up your heating system. A trained heating technician will inspect your furnace or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and in good repair so that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency.

The inspection also measures carbon-monoxide leakage. And you minimize the chance of being last in line for repairs on the coldest day of the year.

Common Heating Problems:

• Clogged Filters – If furnace filters are clogged, they can reduce the effectiveness of your furnace and cause parts to wear down faster.
• Air Flow Problems – Problems with the belts, bearings or fan belt can all cause overheating or poor heat flow.
• Pilot or Ignition Problems – Problems with the pilot or ignition can result in intermittent heat or no heat at all.
• Cycling too frequently – If your furnace is cycling too frequently, there could be a problem with the furnace controls or filters.
• Odors – If you smell funny odors when you turn on your heating system, it may be a sign of an oil leak or a combustion problem.

Don’t wait until you have a problem, be proactive and get your furnace inspected and prevent getting caught in the cold.

We have over 20 years experience servicing and installing all major brands of heating systems, including Lennox, Trane, Tempstar, Amana and Goodman.