Keep Your Home Cool for the Hot Summer Months Ahead

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Keep Your Home Cool for the Hot Summer Months Ahead

While most look to the summer season as a time to relax and have fun, the weather isn’t always eager to let the good times roll. Depending on your location, whole weeks can have average temperatures in the upper nineties. In plenty of cases, days of hundred-degree heat are less of a possibility and more of an inevitability. Bracing for the summer heat beforehand is one of the best moves you could make. As such, these tips will help you stay cool even during the hottest of days.

Clean your Filters and AC unit

install-ceiling-fansThe key to keeping a house comfortable during the summer months is to have your HVAC equipment in working order. Short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, HVAC should ideally be maintained several times a year instead of right before harsh weather arrives. Even if there aren’t any problems, well-kept equipment can perform the following:

  • Run at maximum efficiency
  • Prevent issues in the future
  • Save you from unwanted costs, including repairs

Before calling in a professional, you can take steps to preserve your HVAC system. Cleaning the outside portion of an AC unit, along with its surrounding area, can help in the long run. Since it can sit idly for months, it’s very possible for it to collect grass, leaves, trash, and other debris. As a result, you should clean the unit to help keep the efficiency up. It’s even easier, and more important, to clean the air filters whenever they look like they’re clogged with dust. Ideally, the air filters should be cleaned twice a year, if not replaced outright. If they aren’t cleaned or replaced, then they can reduce efficiency, as well as spread dust throughout your home.

Check the SEER Rating for Your Unit

While physically maintaining an AC unit every once in a while is a good practice, there are steps worth taking, and can mostly be done, without walking away from a computer. Modern AC units all come with a SEER rating, a measure of their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating is represented by a single number, and represents how effective a unit might be at keeping a house cool. By default, new units need a rating of at least 13 to make them available for purchase. Comparatively, units from 1990 and earlier, only needed to have a rating of 6. That rating alone can tell you if you should invest in a new unit.

You can find the SEER rating for an AC unit by dividing the output of cooling energy over a season, by the input of energy over the same season. From there, companies like Energy Star offer free calculators that show how your unit’s rating translates into costs. Based on those numbers, you can find out how much energy your unit is consuming over time, how well your unit is doing, or if it’s simply time to switch to a newer model. Considering that some modern units have SEER ratings that reach into the twenties, making the switch might be the most effective way to stay cool.

Call in HVAC Professionals for a Tune-Up

Keeping an AC unit in good shape is possible throughout the year, if not recommended. With that said, some tasks might be too complex for the common homeowner. If you don’t have the tools, knowledge, or physical ability to keep every last piece of your HVAC system in working order, then it may be best to call in an expert in the field. An HVAC technician can offer a tune-up for whatever you need, and provide an array of services such as:

–finding and sealing leaks in a duct system
-checking the air registers
-making repairs as needed
-installing new units

The summer months will test plenty of active AC units, and inevitably reveal how many of them need repairs or tune-ups. As a result, HVAC companies become extremely busy, which can lead to delays in service or spikes in their prices. Schedule an appointment before summer starts to get the fastest, and possibly cheapest, results.

cleaning-the-outdoor-ac-unit-Invest in a High Efficiency Air Conditioner

It’s a safe bet that most AC units are built to last, but they have their limits. If it becomes plainly obvious that maintenance is ineffective, impossible, or simply can’t save an inefficient machine, then you may want to consider getting a new unit. Notably, high-efficiency air conditioners are available for purchase.

True to their name, some models have a SEER rating of at least 20, and can help justify the higher prices customers may have to pay upfront. In addition, a high-efficiency air conditioner is more environmentally friendly than other models, particularly the old ones. If you have an interest in going green, then switching models might serve you well.

Although any given high-efficiency air conditioner has a high SEER rating, the actual number varies from one unit to another. It’s a good idea to compare and contrast units beforehand, especially since it can force customers to pay more or less at a time. No matter the rating or ultimate price tag, the result is still the same.

A good air conditioner, high efficiency or otherwise, can help keep a house cool in spite of the blistering summer heat. When managed properly, an HVAC system can provide a comfortable atmosphere with no effort wasted, and prices kept under control. Taking the proper steps beforehand is always a smart move for you and your family. Check your HVAC system as soon as possible to see if it’s working at full strength.

If you do need professional assistance in the Alexandria, VA area, don’t hesitate to call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling; they will do an evaluation and give you and estimate of the work you need. Call (703) 765-9400 today.

How Weather Stripping Can Save You Money

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Weather Stripping Challenge to Lower Your AC Bills

Do you remember standing in front of the refrigerator holding the door open while contemplating what to eat? Drives you crazy now to see your children do that same thing, doesn’t it?

Well, air conditioning the house when you have leaks is very much like holding the fridge door open. It’s expensive; and worse than just being expensive, it’s an expense that you could control with appropriate investigation and management. We all have many expenses we can not control; it’s wise to take control to limit spending where we can.

Alexandria, VA weather-stripping-1The Sherlock Holmes of Air Conditioning Leaks

If you want to lower your AC bills, you have to become a detective in your home. Before purchasing materials, walk your home and find leaks. We suggest that you take notes, so you remember where you found leaks and what the solution to them is.

When you have completed your research, you will have a full list of all the holes and what is needed to do to correct them so you can make one trip to the hardware store.

One way of adding a little extra to your review is to carry a lit incense stick on the investigation. Trace the outline of each window and door with the hand holding the stick. When you see the smoke move, you have found a leak.

Don’t like the incense idea? Carry a moist towel with you. When you reach a window or door, rub your hand against the towel to transfer some moisture to your hand. Move your hand around the window or door. The moisture on your hand makes you more sensitive to moving air so you can detect leaks.

Examining Doors

Check each exterior door in the house. Stand in front of the doors and visually examine the perimeter where the door meets the frame. If you can see sunlight through any spaces, you are losing air conditioning.

Be particularly diligent when examining the foot of the door. Worn or damaged door jams may be letting your valuable cold air out.

Stripping Your Windows

Your home has many windows to review. To fully examine them, you will have to open each to see the condition of the weather stripping. You may think you just replaced it, but the time slips by pretty quickly in home-ownership. It may be time to weather strip again.

Beyond weather stripping, how do the windows look? If you see rotting or severely damaged frames, they could be costing you money. For an experienced carpenter to come in and repair or rebuild the frames may be out of budget for now, but you might be able to use caulk to close the cracks until you can work a carpenter into the budget.

Sliding Doors

In warm weather, particularly if you have children in the home, the sliding door may be more like a revolving door, constantly in motion letting people in and out. We don’t recommend limiting the number of times people may enter or exit the house each day, but a little re-training here may help the bottom line.

Yes, by all means, examine the door for weather stripping needs. However, you may profit even more substantially by teaching everyone, again, for we know you have already learned the entire household before, that they must fully close the door each time they enter or exit.

Standing with the door open talking to people outside is not an option, nor is the reverse. Step outside and entirely close the door to chat or step inside and fully lock the door. Anything less is money out the sliding door.

Enacting Solutions

You may profit from a review of new technology for inhibiting drafts. Sure, you can do what you have done in the past, but the technology of home repair is in constant flux. New materials, new approaches, and new solutions emerge almost daily. You may discover that none of the innovations are appropriate for you today, but you have learned something new that you may apply to another project; your research is not wasted.

One of the more substantial fixes is the doors. You can make some adjustments with the screws for a better fit. However, warming and cooling can alter both the shape of the frame and the shape of the door so that they are no longer a good match. The best solution may be a new door. A good enough solution may be using a draft dodger.

Alexandria, VA weather-stripping-2You often see draft dodgers for sale in the winter. Sometimes they are filled with sweet-scented cedar, other times they contain sand or cotton. They are advertised to keep out the cold, but they can work equally well at maintaining the cold. They may be an economical solution to your door leaks.

Even less expensive and less attractive, you can use old towels pushed up against the doors. They are effective, but you do spend time rearranging them every time anyone enters or leaves, however, they accomplish their task and save you money.

Gauging Results

Check your bills before and after you make your air conditioning saving changes. If you don’t see much improvement, you may need to have your HVAC professional review the house for more significant issues.

Odds are, your efforts will yield improvements either in a cooler room or lower bills…and your repairs are not just a single season trick…when the heat comes on, you will continue to save as all the leaks you patched will keep cold out as efficiently as they keep cold inside your home.

If you do need professional assistance in the Alexandria, VA area, don’t hesitate to call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling; they will do an evaluation and give you and estimate of the work you need. Call (703) 765-9400 today.

5 Ways to Discover Whether Your Home’s Thermostat Is Malfunctioning

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5 Ways to Tell if Your Home’s Thermostat is Malfunctioning

Being able to identify the most common signs of a faulty or malfunctioning thermostat can be an essential concern when it comes to ensuring climate control equipment is being used as efficiently as possible. Inaccurate temperature detection or erroneous activation of the system can lead to greater discomfort and higher utility costs.

While professional testing and calibration efforts may be required to ensure that thermostats are functioning effectively, there may be numerous more obvious issues that may indicate a problem with the device or system.

Taking prompt and effective action to address any of the following problems is never a concern Alexandria homeowners should take lightly.

Alexandria, VA thermostat-repairOne: Sudden Increase in Utility Costs

While a higher utility bill may be the result of a rate hike, changing seasonal weather or different household habits, a sudden and inexplicable rise in either heating or cooling costs may indicate a malfunctioning thermostat. Devices that fail to sense interior temperatures accurately may be triggering the activation of the system more frequently and for longer periods of time. Operating furnaces, heaters and running the air conditioning when it may not be required may produce a noticeable increase in monthly utility costs.

Checking to make sure the household hasn’t changed its habits recently or consulting past weather forecasts can help to isolate any situations that may be causing larger electric and utility bills. Homeowners may benefit from investigating any issues like improper thermostat settings, clogged filters and other mechanical concerns that can be quickly discovered and corrected.

If everything else remains unchanged, it may be time to schedule a professional service appointment in order to have a trained technician perform a more comprehensive assessment of the system. Professional thermostat testing and assessment services are often required in order to uncover any issues that may have escaped notice until the arrival of the monthly utility bill.

Two: Issues Regulating and Maintaining Interior Temperatures

Faulty thermostats can make it almost impossible to achieve and maintain optimal interior temperatures. Basic thermostats function by detecting the interior temperature and activating the system as needed in order to maintain temperatures within a preset range.

While a more advanced programmable thermostat and devices that may offer features like remote-access to system operation at times when electrical consumption requires less overall cost, any malfunctioning device can make it much harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Environments that were once comfortably maintained but are frequently too hot or too cold may signal a problem with the thermostat or other climate control equipment.

Three: Unlit Display Light or Panel

A dark display light or unlit display panel may be the result of an electrical short or other malfunction. While a darkened display may be little more than a minor inconvenience, devices that have shorted out or that have suffered damage to their interior electrical components can cause a multitude of larger issues and problems. Scheduling a service call with the right thermostat repair service that can perform a variety of testing, assessment and calibration procedures can ensure that any underlying problems are able to be identified and remedied quickly and effectively.

A programmable thermostat may suffer from electrical issues due to any number of reasons. A sudden power-surge can cause damage to both the lighting system as well as the components used to detect and measure temperatures and activate major appliances.

While recent storms, black outs and other issues may result in damage to interior circuitry, components can also wear out and fail over time due to issues that occurred during the manufacturing process. Whatever the cause of an unlit display, arranging for professional thermostat repair and testing services in the Alexandria area home is often the best way to address the situation.

Alexandria, VA thermostat-repair-2Four: Lack of Hot or Cold Air When the System is Activated

While the heating appliances and air conditioning produce the heating and cooling needed to keep a home comfortable, most systems utilize a central fan in order to circulate air throughout the system.

Faulty or malfunctioning thermostats may still trigger the activation of the fan but fail to engage the furnace, heater or AC.

Issues with the thermostat are one of the most common reasons for systems that are only able to blow room temperature air through vents when activated. Calling the professionals is always a smart move when dealing with the loss of dependable heating or cooling.

Five: Inability to Maintain a Preset Schedule

Another malfunction commonly found with a programmable thermostat is a sudden inability to maintain a preset schedule. Programming a system to regulate different temperatures at different times during the day or week ensures that homeowners are able to maintain their level of comfort without the need to run the system during off hours or at times when the household is expected to be empty. Thermostats that are having issues maintaining a preset schedule can create no end of problems that may lead to decreased comfort and more expensive utility costs.

Professional Repair and Service Solutions

Even a slight miscalibration of the thermostat can interfere with the function and performance of an entire climate control system. The resources and experience that only a professional technician may provide can be crucial assets when it comes to identifying and correcting a malfunction or arranging for equipment replacement, upgrades and new installations.

Problems caused by a malfunctioning thermostat or other equipment issues can result in greater expenses when not addressed quickly and effectively. Calling the professionals at the first sign of a problem can ensure that thermostat issues are less likely to place a strain on your household finances or budget.

For timely services in your Alexandria, VA home, call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling at 703-765-9400.

Spring is Here, Keep the Allergens Out of Your Alexandria Home

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Preparing Your Home For Spring Allergens

When spring arrives bringing with it warmer temperatures, budding trees and blooming flowers and plants, it also brings along with it a host of irritating allergens.

Spring allergies can cause itchy, watery eyes, running, drippy noses, coughs and all the other discomforts that accompany allergy season. While the air outside is filled with pollen, grass and other allergens, it is almost a sure bet that the air quality inside your Alexandria home is even worse.

Alexandria, VA Home-AllergiesIn fact, experts agree the air pollution level inside your home is often two to five times worse than that outside. To further compound the issue of poor air quality in your home, your HVAC unit may be a significant contributor to your home’s or air quality by circulating mold, pet dander, pollen, dust mites and other allergens throughout your home.

To cut down on your home’s indoor irritants and allergens, maintaining your HVAC system should be top on your spring cleaning list. Not only will regular maintenance prolong the life and improve the performance of your HVAC unit, it can dramatically reduce indoor air pollution and allergens creating a healthier home for you and your family.

To get the most out of your HVAC unit and to provide your home and family with clean, allergen free air, it is important that you schedule seasonal check ups from qualified and trained HVAC technicians. Here are just a few of the things our team of experts can do to help you breathe easy, even when spring leaves its trademark blanket of thick, yellow pollen and other allergy inducing particles everywhere you look.

Thorough Duct Cleanings

The ductwork in your home directs the air flow from the HVAC unit throughout your home, and it is not too far off to think of your ducts as the lungs of your house. Ducts are a perfect hiding place for nasty allergens like mold, dust and other allergens. In fact, the average six room home creates up to forty pounds of dust per year. If you have a larger home or pets, that weight can dramatically increase.

Not only do dirty ducts circulate allergy causing particles and pump and recirculate them throughout your home, they can also create an unpleasant moldy, musty smell in your home. Additionally, dirty air ducts force your HVAC unit to work much harder than necessary increasing the unit’s energy consumption and the cost of your utility bills.

Cleaning Your Entire HVAC System

On top of cleaning your air ducts, your entire system needs routine cleanings to not only to reduce pollutants and allergens, but also to increase your systems efficiency. The evaporating coils on your unit can grow mold and produce spores that can cause not only allergies, but also asthma and other autoimmune disorders.

These mold spores can also accumulate on your fan blades, the fan motor and the drain pans they then enter into the air ducts and spread mold and unhealthy air throughout your Alexandria home.

Our technicians can give your HVAC unit a thorough cleaning and help improve the quality of the air that is circulated throughout your home. If you have severe mold and allergen problems, it may be necessary to have an ultraviolet light installed by your unit’s evaporating coil to slow the growth of mold and prevent mold regrowth.

Our talented team of technicians will help you determine whether or not this step is necessary, but if you have small children, elderly adults or others with compromised immune systems, it may be a step you want to take as a precaution against respiratory problems that develop as a result of breathing in moldy, musty air.

Upgrade to a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter

Alexandria, VA Home-Allergy-TipsA high efficiency particulate air filter, also known as a HEPA filter, can drastically reduce the pollutants that slip through most standard air filters. HEPA filters utilize an advanced filtration technology to trap airborne pollutants as minuscule as 0.3 microns.

These advanced HEPA filters can trap up to 99.7 percent of air pollutants to deliver clean, fresh and virtually pollutant and irritant free air to your home. Our technicians can help you upgrade your system and install a HEPA filter that will help you breathe easier.

After a long and brutal winter, almost everyone is happy when springs emerges. Help keep spring an enjoyable season and allergies at bay by making sure your HVAC system is functioning at top capacity and delivering clean, fresh air to your Alexandria home and family.

Don’t let spring allergies leave you sniffling, sneezy and watery eyed in your own home. Call us today and let our professionals get your HVAC system clean and ready to filter out all the allergens spring brings.

For top quality HVAC service in the Alexandria, VA area, call Cyprus Air Heating & Cooling at (844) 546-7219 and schedule your spring HVAC cleaning and check up appointment today.

3 Reasons Why Your Heater is Out for the Count!

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3 Reasons Why Your Heater Is Blowing Cold Air

Problems With The Heating System

No one likes to have problems with their heating system, but many things can occur that make the heating system malfunction or not behave the way it’s supposed to. When you’re getting cold or cool air from the heating system instead of warm air to heat the home, then there may be a problem that requires your attention as well as the attention of a professional that can fix the problem.

Alexandria, VA Heating ServicesIt’s not every time that cool air is coming from the heating system that there is a problem, but in certain cases, something has malfunctioned, or a part needs replacement, so the system cannot get back to heating the home without the problem being corrected. It’s wise to check out a few things in and around the furnace or HVAC system to see if you can determine the problem. In certain cases, it takes a professional to determine exactly what the problem is as well as to fix the problem.

Common Causes Of Cold Air Coming From The Heating System

Those that have a furnace in their home have to have gas supplied to the furnace to allow it to warm the home. Those with an HVAC unit may be able to heat and cool the home with the unit, but electricity is what makes the HVAC unit work.

Even though a furnace also needs electricity, it won’t run on electricity alone but needs gas. If any problems occur in either unit, it’s possible to get air coming through the central air system but no heat, so here are a few possible problems to consider:

  • The pilot isn’t lit
  • No gas supply
  • Inefficient gas supply
  • Thermostat problems
  • Damage to the air ducts
  • Only the fan is on, not the heat
  • Burners won’t turn on in furnace
  • Air filter is dirty enough to switch heating element off
  • Heater needs to run a bit longer
  • Flame sensor in furnace is dirty
  • The furnace’s limit switch isn’t working right

Problem #1- The Pilot Light-

This tends to be an extremely common issue why the furnace is not blowing hot air, and it’s simply because the pilot is not lit to burn the gas to bring heat to the vents in the home. The pilot may be out for one of a number of reasons, but it’s always because no gas is going to the pilot or because the pilots itself has a malfunction.

Pilots have to be functioning correctly in order to receive gas and to be lit to run the furnace, so if the pilot cannot be lit because it’s no longer functioning, then a new pilot will need to replace the old one before the furnace can work properly again. In certain cases, gas isn’t being supply efficiently to the pilot, which means the gas supply is low, sporadic, or turned off in some cases.

Without gas or the right amount of gas, the pilot will never light, but it’s still possible to blow cool air around the home if the central heat’s fan is on. Have the pilot checked out to make sure it doesn’t need replacement, and also make sure there is an adequate supply of gas to the home by checking other gas appliances in the home.

Problem #2- A Thermostat Problem-Alexandria, VA Heater Repair Service

Many love their thermostat and the fact that they can program it, and in some cases, the thermostat can be programmed when no one is at home. With technology advancing, it’s possible to program a thermostat through Wi-Fi or over the Internet, which means anyone can come home to a warm home that is heated by a thermostat that was programmed while they were away.

Even though thermostats can do a lot to heat a home, if the settings are incorrect, then the thermostat may be the very cause of why cool air is blowing into the home when warm air is needed. Check the fan first because many tend to turn the fan on, which is only a good idea if they simply want to circulate air through the home, even though the air will be cool.

Those that need heat in the home have to turn the heating system on as well as the fan, even though it would be best to leave the fan on “auto.” It’s also necessary to make sure the central heating system is turned on, and make sure that “heat” is chosen because two switches may be on the thermostat, so choose the heat option as well as turning on the central air.

The battery may also need replacement because a low battery may mean a malfunctioning thermostat that doesn’t allow it to register properly and bring warm air to the home.

Problem #3- Air Ducts-

The air ducts are extremely important for a central heating system, and they also can be somewhat delicate. Air ducts are put away from where people frequent, typically, in the attic, and this is because it helps to keep them from becoming damaged. It’s still possible for air ducts to become damaged while sitting around in an attic space because wear and tear is possible.

If there is ever a tear of any kind in the air duct, then it will easily suck in any cold air from outside the air duct and push it through the vents, which means you may experience cold air in the home. Repairs to the air ducts are the only way to fix this problem.

Always Get Maintenance On Your Heating System

Maintenance on a heating system as well as maintenance of the air ducts is necessary to keep them functioning. If there is any damage to the air ducts, have a professional check it out as soon as possible, and allow them to check on the entire heating system each time they come out to do maintenance.

Maintain and repair your heating system by calling Cyprus Air Heating & Cooling in Alexandria, VA at (844) 546-7219.

Spring is Almost Here! Beware a Frozen A/C Unit

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Spring Into Home Maintenance: Why do A/C Units Freeze?

Dirty evaporator coils and restricted airflow are just two of the many reasons why an Alexandria AC unit might freeze up. Keeping your HVAC equipment in good working order may allow you to reduce utility costs and extend the service life of your appliances and equipment.

Spring cleaning is a great time to perform seasonal maintenance and ensure that your AC unit is ready for warmer weather. Replacing filters and cleaning leaves and other debris from around the unit may not always be enough to keep a unit from freezing up or suffering from other mechanical problems.

Alexandria, VA ac_maintenance_480Airflow Obstructions

AC units cool interior environments by transferring thermal energy through their evaporator coils. Obstructions that may impede airflow can have a significant impact on the operational efficiency of a unit.

Dirty coils, clogged drains and other obstructions are some of the most common reasons for units to freeze up. Arranging for an AC unit to be inspected by a trained professional is often the best way to find and address any airflow obstructions that may be creating problems.

Low Coolant Levels

Lack of coolant is another issue that may create problems. While AC units are designed to last their entire operational life without a refill, cracked or damaged units can often develop a leak. Replenishing AC coolant and repairing a leak is a job best left to the professionals. Having your unit assessed and tested can ensure that coolant levels can be more easily maintained.

Equipment Failure

Broken or missing fan blades, a worn belt or failing compressor all have the potential to cause an AC unit to freeze up or stop working. Replacing parts and components that have worn out or begun to show signs of aging will ensure that a unit is able to last as long as possible. Seasonal inspections and routine maintenance may allow equipment owners to enjoy years of dependable performance.

Professional Maintenance and Inspection Services

Arranging for a complete inspection of your entire HVAC system can have many benefits. Warmer spring temperatures can create a great deal of strain on equipment and components that may be overdue for maintenance. Professional inspection services and maintenance solutions will help to ensure that you are able to maintain a more comfortable Alexandria household throughout the year.

For the best AC repair and inspection services in Alexandria, VA, call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling at (844) 546-7219.

Save More Energy, Time, and Money With These Savvy Strategies!

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Top Energy Saving Strategies for Your Home HVAC Unit

We all want to save money. However, there are so many areas of our lives where dollars slip away seemingly unnoticed, especially when it comes to maintaining our Alexandria homes. From the cup of coffee you buy before work to the quick fast food trip you make on the way home, we spend unnecessary money everyday. One area you likely have overlooked is your HVAC system.

There are a few energy saving strategies for your home HVAC unit that, when employed, can make an immediate difference on your monthly bills and save you hundreds every year.

Alexandria, VA Energy Saving TipsProgrammable Thermostat

It’s likely there are periods of the day when nobody is at home. While there’s nobody there to benefit from temperature control, turning your system down significantly guarantees you’ll come home to discomfort. With a programmable thermostat, you can save significantly.

These devices can be programmed to start heating or cooling the home at a designated time to ensure your comfort after a long day. Best of all, you can make changes remotely anywhere you have Internet access. Total average savings with the correct use of programmable thermostats are around $180 per year.

Seals and Insulation

Your HVAC unit works by forcing air to and from the furnace. During the process, there are many opportunities for inefficiencies if your ducts aren’t sealed and properly insulated. A professional HVAC technician can thoroughly inspect your home, and just some common trouble areas they can focus on include:

-Attic

-Crawlspace

-Unheated basement

-Garage

Replacing Equipment

Whether your current HVAC unit isn’t properly heating or cooling your home or it’s over 10 years old, you should consider the installation of new, ENERGY STAR qualified equipment. A professional HVAC technician can help you inspect your current situation as well as make reliable recommendations. Depending on where you live, you could save around $120 annually by making the switch.

Investment That Pay

You rely on your HVAC unit, but, just as with any mechanical device, it requires regular maintenance to ensure it’s running efficiently. Whether it’s been some time since you gave yours the attention it needs or you’re ready to implement upgrades, it’s an investment that pays over time. By following these tips, you can be on your way to an HVAC unit that controls your Alexandria home’s temperature without breaking the bank.

To start saving in your Alexandria, VA home, call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling at (844) 546-7219 today.

 

HVAC Technologies You Need in Your Home

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New HVAC Technologies 

During the previous decades, there have been a number of important improvements in HVAC systems. The goal is always to develop a system that is more efficient as well as decreases energy use. HVAC systems don’t last forever. Many of the latest technologies make replacing or upgrading a current HVAC system something to consider in your Alexandria home!

Alexandria, VA HVAC TrendsVent Sensors

There are now vents available that have sensors. They are designed to measure a structure’s air pressure, temperature as well as other aspects of a comfortable living space. These sensors make it possible to monitor and adjust the temperature in each room. This means if a room contains anything temperature sensitive, it can be accommodated. Doing this will not impact the comfort in other parts of a house. This makes the use of energy within a dwelling much more efficient.

Solar Air-Conditioning Alternative

A company in Australia designed thermally driven chillers. They provide users with a cost-effective alternative to conventional air conditioning. This technology uses specially designed solar panels able to obtain a temperature high enough to drive its chillers. This technology is able to provide a higher level of cooling even when compared to other photovoltaic systems. It is able to do away with using electricity for air conditioning.

ARS Rescur Rooter

This is technology that combines a gas furnace with an electric heat pump. It is able to provide comfortable temperatures in a very efficient way. If the temperature goes over 35 degrees, the dual pump will operate using a home’s electric to heat. This provides warm temperatures that are not excessively dry. When the temperatures are lower, it will operate with gas heat. This makes it more efficient. It may cost more in the initial installation, but it’s an investment that will pay for itself with years of decreased energy costs.

Geothermal HVAC

These type of systems have been available to consumers since the 1940s. The use of geothermal heat pumps has been increasing in recent years. One of the main reasons is the desire to utilize green technology. A geothermal heat pump works by using heat from the earth. This is done with looped piping designed to be placed in the ground.

When it’s winter, and the temperatures drop, the liquid in the piping loops underground is able to absorb heat. This is then taken back inside a structure to warm the rooms inside. According to experts, a Geothermal heating system is as much as four times more efficient that other HVAC systems. Geothermal heat pumps can also be used to provide cooling in your Alexandria home.

Plumbing Professionals Are Here to Help!

To learn more about the latest innovations in HVAC Technology call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling at (844) 546-7219. Located in Alexandria, VA!

Make Your Home A Greener Place With These Tips

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Energy Saving Strategies for your HVAC System

Whether you’re running a business or focusing on your Alexandria home, heating and cooling can account for up to half of your monthly costs. Let’s face it: maintaining a comfortable temperature comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Unfortunately, heating and cooling costs aren’t going away anytime soon. However, there are several approaches you can take to help significantly cut down on your costs.

Alexandria, VA Heating1. Invest in a programmable thermostat:

These systems are available at a wide range of price points, depending on your specific needs. Many commercial businesses use motion detecting thermostats. The programming is simple: if a person is detected, the room will maintain a temperature between the set “occupied” parameters. If no movement is detected in the room for a set period of time (ex: 30 minutes,) the HVAC system uses the “unoccupied” parameters, which are much wider.

For example, the programming may keep the room’s temperature between 68 and 74 degrees while the room is occupied, but the allowable temperature range may drop to between 62 and 78 degrees when no one is in the room. This is a small tweak, requiring little compromise, but you will be surprised at the difference reflected in your utility bill.

Another type of programmable thermostat, typically cheaper than the system discussed above, is a time-based system. If your house stays empty Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM, you can program the thermostat to automatically widen its allowable temperature range during this time period. Again, this approach requires little to no lifestyle change, but the savings will be immediate.

2.Seal your ducts:

If you use a forced air furnace, heat pump, or central air, you are likely throwing away money in your ducts. Unless your ducts are sealed and insulated, heated and cooled air leaks through the seams and connections of your ducts. This may seem like a minor leak, but it can account for up to one fifth of your heating and cooling bill. To make these changes, start with the most accessible ducts. These are typically in attics and basements.

3. Proper and timely maintenance:

How long has it been since you changed your air filters? What about checking your system’s controls for safe operation or inspecting all electrical connections? If you can’t remember off the top of your head, it’s probably time for a tune-up. Did you know that your air filters should be replaced monthly? Putting off a filter change not only decreases your system’s efficiency, but it also can cause health issues.

With a little bit of research, or a short lesson from your local Alexandria HVAC expert, this is an easy DIY maintenance task. For other maintenance items, including inspecting the condensate drain, lubricating any moving parts, cleaning the blower components, and checking the refrigerant level, it’s best to trust the experts. Your savings in utilities will pay for the maintenance bill time and time again!

For quality services in your Alexandria, VA  home, call Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling at (888) 775-5640.

A Slice of HVAC History: Who Invented the A/C

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HVAC History: Who Invented the Air Conditioner?

Origin of the A/C Unit

You use the air conditioner in your Alexandria home every summer, but can you imagine a time before this modern marvel? Today we’ll be exploring the history of the air conditioning unit, starting with the source– our food.

The need to preserve food led to the invention of the air conditioner. Food preserved at room temperature posed a serious problem as it was infected by bacteria. It was observed that growth of bacteria was inhibited at temperature lower than 4 degrees Celsius. This led to exploration of ways of lowering temperature with the basic purpose of preserving and refrigerating food items. Other related applications, such as air conditioning also followed suit.

Alexandria, VA HVAC HistoryPrinciples of Refrigeration

The modern-day principles of absorption type of refrigeration were first discovered in 1824 when liquefied ammonia was used to chill air through evaporation. John Gorrie created ice using compressor technology in 1842.

Father of Modern Air Conditioning

Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first electrical air conditioning in 1902. He is known as the father of modern air conditioning.

He originally built his prototype with the intent of improving the manufacturing process of commercially available air conditioning applications.

Willis later established the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America to meet the demand for productivity in the workplace. Tody, Carrier Corporation is the world’s leading air conditioning manufacturing company dealing in central air conditioning.

Discovery of Freon

In 1928, Thomas Midgley discovered Freon gas, which was safer for human use compared to flammable gases, such as ammonia, methyl chloride and propane that were formerly being used in air conditioning systems for domestic and commercial applications alike.

The only downside is that the use of CFC and HCFC refrigerants is rapidly depleting the ozone layer, causing a serious threat to the environment. Of late, a number of ozone-friendly refrigerants have been developed that are quickly replacing their old counterparts.

Interestig Facts from the History of Air Conditioner

1930: The White House is air conditioned.

1953: More than 1 million units of room air conditioners are sold for the first time ever, making it an important milestone in the history of the air conditioner.

1990: Microprocessor control systems are installed to control all areas of air conditioning and refrigeration.

1994: Carrier and other air conditioning manufacturers develop environment-friendly coolants.

1995: Manufacturing of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) coolants ceases in the United States.

Next time you turn on your Alexandria air conditioning unit, remember all the discoveries that made it possible!

For all types of air conditioning services in Alexandria, feel free to get in touch with a Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling representative at (844) 713-2085 .