Comfort Zone: Central Pennsylvania HVAC Contractors Serving Residential & Commercial Heating, Cooling, Heat Pumps And Air Conditioning Systems In Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, & Carlisle, PA
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Cooling System Maintenance for York
If you're a York PA resident and you want to make sure your air conditioning unit is working up to par, contact Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling. We provide a number of different inspection and maintenance services for cooling systems. Whether we're giving your system a routine checkup, or we're performing repairs on vital parts, Comfort Zone has the experience and the skill needed to get the job done correctly.
Interested in having Comfort Zone take a look at your air conditioning system? Give us a call at (717) 938-3796.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Harrisburg Air Conditioning Tips
Monday, April 25, 2011
Three Tips from Comfort Zone to Keep Your Air Conditioner Working
- Maintain your outdoor unit
An unclean unit can become a nonworking unit. Avoid challenges by removing from your unit cottonwood and grass clippings. When dirty, the central air unit can overheat and shut off, which will reduce its life and prevent proper cooling. - Install clean filters
The filter that helps keep your warm in the winter is the same as the one that will keep you cool in the summer. A dirty filter can result in higher costs, and affect cooling capabilities, which will mean more discomfort in the summertime. - Leave the air conditioner on at night
Many clients ask if they should turn off their AC at night. The night air, despite being cooler, still contains humidity. If you turn off your cooling unit, all the humidity will sit there, and the air conditioner will have to work much harder to remove it. Save the appliance the effort by letting it run at night.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Air Conditioner Maintenance - Spend More on Utilities Without Caring Properly For the HVAC System
Now that summer is almost here, almost every family or home owner will be using the air conditioner quite frequently. Even if the air conditioner is not your responsibility, but that of a landlord, it is still necessary to perform the most basic of maintenance. Basic tasks, which will help keep the outside unit and inside unit functioning normally, are easier than one might think.
There are usually two units to a central air conditioner system, the condenser, which is usually on the exterior of the home and resting on a concrete slab or platform, and the evaporator coil, which can be found in a variety of locations. The evaporator coil can usually be found in the garage, attic or inside a mechanical room or closet. It is always found after the blower motor in the plenum, which is the large metal boxed housing where the air return ductwork enters. The evaporator coil is not directly visible or usually serviceable by the home owner.
One of the most important checks to do is giving the condenser a cursory glance. If the entire unit is not readily seen, then it means it is time to cut back the shrubs and grass. The condenser's immediate surroundings must be kept free of any obstructions and overgrowth that may interfere with any movement of air. Common problems in addition to bushes and grass interfering are trash cans being set immediately next to the condenser or a wooden railing blocking the free movement of air.
It is recommended that there be a minimum of approximately 18 inches. Any less than this and the unit will need to work harder, thereby shortening the lifespan of the condenser. When the condenser works harder it also means that the cooling ability can be compromised and the utility bill will be more expensive. Clearing obstructions is just an easy way to save monthly expense.
The second thing to notice is if the cooling fins have been bent and flattened. Cooling fins, which are made from thin strips of aluminum, are easily damaged or clogged by flying debris and dirt from lawn mowers, weed trimmers and other lawn maintenance equipment. Bent cooling fins are essentially the same thing as blocking the free movement of air. Most hardware stores sell fin combs which only cost a few dollars, but can save much greater expense from service calls and equipment failure.
The last main task a home owner needs to do regularly is replacing the filter at the air intake vent. Air filters can range in cost from $2 or $3 to $30 and up. It all depends upon the type of filter purchased. The more expensive air filters are electrostatic and specialty filters. These expensive filters are often reusable by washing them clean. Usually one filter change every 30 days is adequate for the average home. However, if the family is sensitive to pollen and dust or there are several pets in the household, more frequent filter changes may be necessary. Most plenums can have a narrow removable door where another air filter may be located. This filter should not need replacing as often. Many times the air filter has been removed completely and never replaced.
Regardless of the type of HVAC system present, one thing is recommended. An annual tune up should be performed before the system is placed into heavy service during the late spring and summer months. Calling an HVAC service company can ensure that the system will be functioning properly and greatly decrease the chances of a problem going unchecked causing equipment failure.
For more information on air conditioning and HVAC maintenance please visit www.comfortzonepa.com.
Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone PA.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Air Conditioning and Heating - A Home HVAC System Can Be Properly Maintained With Little Expense
For more information on service and care for your heating and cooling needs visit
http://www.comfortzonepa.com today.
Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Every Home is Contaminated...
As the outside climate reaches frigid or uncomfortably warm temperatures, many home owners and businesses rely on the heating and air conditioner system to provide a comfortable interior environment. One of the many problems with relying heavily on these HVAC systems has been experienced by allergy sufferers for decades. Even though outside air is introduced into the heating and air conditioning cycle, much of the interior air is being recirculated throughout the building which increase the chances of passing along bacteria and viruses.
A key concern that has received recent heavy attention from the media and medical professionals is that of contracting bacteria and viruses. H1N1, or swine flu, is a good example of a virus for which many medical professionals and politicians have attempted to find a solution in order to prevent it from reaching epidemic proportions.
Air quality tests, provided by many HVAC service companies, are a beneficial service. There are limitations to what these tests will detect. Certain tests are designed to only detect one hazard, such as the home owner radon tests, while air quality testing provided by a service professional tests for a variety of hazards. Most of the air quality testing will check for molds, spores, and fungus, as well as carbon monoxide, radon, and other volatile organic compounds, or V.O.C.s. Special steps are needed, however, to eliminate the threat of radon, carbon monoxide, and other V.O.C.s. Service professionals are almost always required to help handle the deadly effects of these gases and situations in order to return the home or business to a safe status. The presence of these dangerous contaminants should not be dismissed.
One of the few preventative measures the average home owner can perform themselves is to replace the existing air filter with an electrostatic air filter. These filters do cost a little more, but are recognized by professionals to be more effective at filtering the air than just a traditional mesh style filter. Getting in the habit of either regularly replacing the mesh style air filter or cleaning the electrostatic air filter is just one of many steps in the combating harmful impurities. By servicing the air filter, it will help to minimize the amount of pollen, dust, and irritants.
There are other steps, such as duct cleaning, that can be taken to improve indoor air quality. Many professional air conditioning companies offer services of this type and more. It is important to note, however, that there is no method that will 100% completely eradicate every single harmful contaminant and contagion, but with a few more proactive steps, the home owner or business can greatly reduce the effects of these troublesome elements.
For more information and guidance about air conditioning and heating installation and repair service, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone has a great maintenance plan guide when having a professional, qualified technician service your heating and cooling system.
Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Air Filters - The Unsung Heroes of Air Conditioning
Not changing the filter periodically results in a slow build up of dust in the ducts. This build up reduces the airflow throughout the home and increases allergens being blown into the interior of the home. Allergens in the air cause respiratory problems and sometimes eye and skin irritation. Some air filters are specifically designed to remove more allergens and provided better air quality for allergy sufferers.
Other considerations for filters are size and type. The size should fit well, and most sizes are commercially available. Types to choose from include pleated, electrostatic, and HEPA. Pleated filters are inexpensive and may be manufactured from charcoal to help with odor control. Pleated types are typically disposable. Electrostatic types usually have a lifetime guarantee, but require the homeowner to periodically clean the filter to provide maximum efficiency. HEPA filters are designed to reduce allergens by up to 97 percent and may be a good choice for allergy prone individuals. Using a combination of pleated and electrostatic filters is quite possible and recommended by many professionals.
Most HVAC systems use multiple user replaceable filters. One filter is always placed at the air return which is located at the air intake or return vent. This filter is almost always easily changed out by the homeowner. The other filter, if present, is usually found behind a panel at or in the air handler itself. This filter can be easily accessed if the air handler is located at ground level inside a garage or utility room. Often times, air handlers are installed in an attic recess above the garage. This last location can prove to be a hassle, but the good news is this particular filter need not be changed every month as the air filter at the return.
To ensure the best air quality possible, hiring a professional HVAC service technician to clean the ducts and remove all of the dust bunnies and fur will not only benefit the health of the family, but allow the air conditioning and heating system to last longer. Clean ducts will also reduce or eliminate the possibility of a fire hazard that dirty ducts can cause.
Consulting a professional to determine the proper type of filter for the home is always a good idea. A qualified heating and air company will guide the homeowner to the proper brand, style and size, as well as inspect the air ducts for cleanliness. By beginning with clean air ducts, the unit will run more efficiently and the filter will be able to work as well as possible.
For more information and guidance about air conditioning and heating installation and repair service, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone has a great maintenance plan guide when having a professional, qualified technician service your heating and cooling system.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Air Ducts of HVAC Systems
Every year more and more people are trying to improve the quality of life by eating healthier, exercising, and limiting smoking and drinking. The expectation is that this will their health to improve and increase the longevity of their life. While it is true all of these changes can only benefit individuals, there are hidden environmental factors which most people are not even aware. What about breathing better? Poor air quality is probably the number one reason for the increase in allergies and respiratory ailments, such as Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulminary Disease, or COPD, which are on the rise. Not the air quality outside, but the air quality inside.
The average human being spends at least 16 hours per day indoors due to sleeping and working and another 1.5 hours commuting according to a research study conducted by the University of Southern California. This constant confinement breathing the same stagnant air creates a hazardous climate. What is worse is the condition in which most HVAC systems and ducts are kept.
Even after a couple of years in a recent constructed building, the air ducts can be rife with allergens, dirt, dust, and contaminants. The air conditioning and heat cycles just serve to recirculate much of this hazardous material and inject it into the air being inhaled. While it is true that air filters do help in reducing some of these pollutants, most continue to be minimally effective.
Electrostatic air filters are perhaps the most advantageous and expensive to use in the goal of eliminating breathable indoor pollutants and allergens, but the best solution involves a combination of tasks. Duct cleaning is almost unheard of in a large majority of family homes. Most home owners or renters never think about calling an HVAC company to service the duct work throughout the home, just as they forget about cleaning the coils under the fridge or flushing out the water heater periodically.
Regular duct cleaning should not be viewed as an expense, but a required maintenance just as a vehicle needs oil changes. Most home owners would be amazed and disgusted with the amount of crud, lint, and furry dust bunnies which reside in the ducts. Some of this can easily be viewed by taking a solid look into a few of the air registers. Should a family have pets, what they will find is even worse.
When a family rids the ducts of foreign hazardous crud, the family will benefit in ways not before realized. The home will be cleaner. The home will smell cleaner. Every family member will breathe easier and enjoy better health. After all, it is much easier and cheaper to maintain a loved one's health, rather than pay costly medical bills to restore a loved one's health.
For more information and guidance about heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Save Money on Expensive Repairs
Relatively few homeowners understand how a home's HVAC system operates. It's mystical abilities to cool the home or heat the home is always ignored until the worst possible moment when the on switch is flicked and the roaring sound of rushing air is never heard. The next thoughts inevitably come around to "How much is this going to cost to fix?" and "I can't afford to pay a repair bill now!"
Repair bills can be expensive and often are, but there are much less expensive alternatives. Performing routine home maintenance also should include the air conditioner and heating system. Most individuals do not possess anemometers, capacitance meters, vacuum gauges, etc. which are necessary to test and maintain air conditioning and heating systems. Most people don't know how to use these tools, much less ever hearing of them. The maintenance which can save the homeowner money does not require any specialized tools or knowledge.
A few basics which don't require any expensive purchases are monthly replacements of the air filters and a visible inspection of the outside condensing unit. The reason these two maintenance tasks are so crucial is that it prevents the HVAC system from working harder than it needs to and any damage or problem with the outside unit, which is almost always exposed to the harsh elements, is often apparent even to the untrained lay person.
Another common problem with outside units is that the cooling fins which are exposed to debris and rocks thrown from lawn mowers, can become bent and mashed together. A simple inexpensive fix for this is to purchase and use a fin comb. The purpose of the fins are to provide more surface area from which heat will dissipate. Should the fins become bent and crushed together, the free movement of air is substantially restricted which will cause the system to work harder and less efficiently.
Many professional air conditioning companies offer service contracts which provide routine inspections and adjustments of the equipment and recharging of the coolant level. While this next alternative does increase in cost, it will guarantee that the home's HVAC system is always working at maximum potential and efficiency. The huge benefit of this method is that many major problems can be foreseen and corrected before becoming major problems which translate to major cost. Besides preventing costly repairs or replacement of equipment, it also means that any equipment down time will be kept to a minimum which translates to maximum comfort.
Those individuals which would benefit the most from service contracts would be the elderly and the young. These two demographics are at greater risk for being detrimentally affected by the heat and extreme colder temperatures, such as found in Minnesota or other northern states.
For more information and guidance about Heating and Cooling, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone specializes in installation, service, and repair of a wide range of heating and cooling systems and appliance repairs.
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Programmable Thermostat Enables the Homeowner to Save Money Every Month
While the temperature has been a little warmer during the past month, it still doesn't explain the overly large bill. The biggest consumer of electricity or fuel is the heating and air conditioning of a home. Next in line would be the water heater, refrigerator, and clothes dryer.
Perhaps a cause of the increase in the monthly bill is due to friends or family visiting recently. If there has not been any visitors, then look closely as personal and family habits. Has anyone changed how frequently showers are being taken? Are more meals being prepared at home on the stove? Should none of these possibilities hold any insight, the next step is looking at the HVAC equipment.
While the large majority of homeowners do not have the correct tools or knowledge and experience for testing the functionally of circuit boards, refrigerant levels, condensers, and so forth, the homeowner can tell if the compressor, or outside unit is running smoothly or rough, just by listening and looking at the unit. Depending upon the type of heating and cooling system present, a home may also have a separate air handler in the attic or basement.
While most of an HVAC system can be quite expensive to repair or replace, the most inexpensive unit to have tested or replaced is the thermostat or humidistat. Most of the thermostats available on the market are digital in nature. Many of these are programmable which, if programmed properly, can actually allow a homeowner's energy costs to decrease slightly every month.
Many HVAC service companies use the identical models found in the larger brick and mortar hardware store. This doesn't mean that a homeowner is able to run out to the big orange home improvement store and pick out any thermostat. Thermostats need to be paired properly with the type of HVAC system the homeowner uses.
Wiring diagrams are included with each thermostat, however, these diagrams are never all inclusive of all types of wiring schematics. Many times after following the wiring directions, one wire will be left without a connection being made. Many thermostats have more than one of the same colored wire that went to two different connections on the old thermostat, but not the new one. It can be exceptionally frustrating and confusing for a do-it-yourself type person and is just best left up to the professional service technician.
For more information and guidance about heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone specializes in improving home efficiency with HVAC and other home mechanical services.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Save Thousands of Dollars Over Just 2 Years...
Geothermal heating and cooling has recently been thrust into the forefront of ecologically green and financially efficient methods of residential and commercial heating and cooling. Originally developed for large scale energy production and then utilized by large utility corporations and petroleum companies, the cost was prohibitive for any smaller communities or individual family use. This has now changed in one aspect. It has now become financially feasible for individual families, homeowners, and independent business owners to heat and cool the home or other structure with minimal monthly expense.
While the initial cost of having a geothermal system installed to produce heat in the winter and cold air in summer may seem costly, the monthly savings on every utility bill makes it a pleasure to invest in and operate. Geothermal heat pumps, which may be referred to as GHP or geoexchange systems, will save the homeowner 30-70 percent in heating costs and 20-50 percent in cooling costs according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is estimated that it will only take 3-10 years to recover the costs of installing a geothermal heat pump system.
The reason for such great interest and development in geothermal energy, heating, and cooling is that it is the most efficient manner to date to produce energy with the least greenhouse emissions. Heating and cooling a home using a system such should not be viewed solely as an expense, but a definite return on an investment regardless of whether the homeowner stays or decides to sell in the future. Coupled with the fact that it is an ecologically responsible method of heating and cooling, tax incentives are available and other government programs actually will subsidize part of the cost to the homeowner to install a geothermal system.
There are different types of geothermal systems, such as closed loop, open loop, and direct exchange setups, but the main operating principals are the same. While closed loop and direct exchange systems are often much less expensive to install, open loop systems can be more efficient, but require a nearby source of water such as a pond or well and more maintenance depending on the quality of water source. Regardless of the type of system being installed, the fact remains that geothermal heating and cooling can easily save multi-thousands of dollars over every two year span for the homeowner.
For more information and guidance about heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone specializes in improving home efficiency with HVAC and other home mechanical services.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Ensure Your Air Conditioner Cools As Summer Turns on the Heat
Many people try to go out to the malls and sit or walk around for hours. Bookstores and libraries are other options that are popular. While these ideas will provide some respite from both the heat and paying high energy costs to run the home air conditioning, they aren't always practical. And then you have the following summers again and again with which to contend.
Although money is tight for the majority of Americans, it is still a good practice to have preventative maintenance done on your existing HVAC system. If the air conditioning or heat pump system is close to ten years old, the best thing to do is consult with an HVAC specialist. Most of the time, regarding HVAC systems, it is more cost effective to upgrade equipment to the newer current equipment available today. Depending on the age of your existing condenser, compressor, or air handler, upgrading just one component may not be an option.
HVAC components need to be sized and paired together in order to achieve maximum efficiency which translates to maximum savings. Often times, just the condenser can not be replaced without replacing the air handler at the same time. This is one reason that many homeowners are put off by what may seem like exorbitant prices. Sometimes with older HVAC components, the EPA regulations and federal law may limit or prevent replacing a component with the same type due to current environmental standards and concerns regarding the inefficiency of older equipment. Many of the older components are not being manufactured any more for this reason alone. In this case, the homeowner should expect a much higher estimate.
This doesn't mean that the homeowner should settle for the first quote they receive. In fact, it would be foolish not to obtain more than 3 separate quotes. People are always told, "you get what you pay for." Many times this is true, but in today's economic climate, more and more service companies are fiercely competing due to the fact that they too have experienced dwindling profit margins. This gives the consumer a much better chance of receiving the same quality of service as before without as high a cost involved.
A company's track record speaks volumes and should always be considered before selecting their services. Word of mouth is still one of the best forms of advertising. It is also the best form of getting recommendations for a company's services. Ask around. If more than a third of the comments are negative about a particular company, chances are there's something to the claims and probably best to avoid the company.
One thing is certain, however, waiting until the heat of the summer hits is not the best time to finally decide to service or upgrade the current HVAC equipment. Demand for service is always highest in the summer months and that means having to wait as much as 3 days or more for service. Three days or more of 90 degree temperatures with no relief is a miserable thing to experience and can prove dangerous to the young and elderly. Proactive and preventative service now will ensure future summers that are comfortable and care free.
For more information and guidance about heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone specializes in improving home efficiency with HVAC and other home mechanical services.