6 Ways To Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

April 27, 2018

Did you know that your home’s indoor air quality might be worse than the air quality outdoors? Even if you live in the city! That’s because many homes lack proper ventilation and air quality improvement techniques that get rid of the airborne dust, dirt, dander, and other toxins that impact human and pet health. To ensure your home has the best indoor air quality possible, be sure to check out the following improvement techniques with our 6 ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality: Keep relative humidity between 40 and 60% High humidity levels inside your home should be avoided as it promotes mold growth, mold that commonly releases spores that are ill to human health. On the other hand, excessively dry conditions are likewise not recommended so instead keep humidity levels between 40 and 60% with a home humidifier or dehumidifier. Be smart with flooring & avoid manmade fibers and engineered woods Manmade carpet fibers and engineered woods commonly off-gas harmful airborne volatile organic compounds and so, where possible, they should be avoided. Instead, choose rugs and carpets comprised of natural fibers when outfitting rooms. Have air ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years Air ducts should be...

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Benefits of Using a Smart Thermostat In Your Home

April 27, 2018

When it’s so easy to change the temperature of your house by adjusting the thermostat, you may wonder if the expense of a new programmable thermostat is worth it. However, you may find that using a smart thermostat improves your life and saves you time, besides saving you money. Change Your Home Temp on the Go One of the biggest differences with a smart thermostat is that you can adjust it without getting up or even being in your home. Depending on the particular thermostat, you can change the settings from your smartphone or web app, or even by speaking into the Amazon Echo. You can change the temperature so it’s comfortable before you get home. You can also create a heating and cooling schedule on an app, and change it every week. Because the information is on an app, it will be easier to read than numbers on a regular thermostat. Maximize Efficiency of Your HVAC System What makes smart thermostats “smart” is that they can learn your habits and usage history, allowing you to see when your system kicked on and what temperature is best at certain times of the day. You can see how much energy you...

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Why is Regular AC Maintenance Important?

March 30, 2018

Just like all other electronic appliances, your air conditioner requires regular preventive maintenance. The preventive maintenance procedures include inspection of the system, tuning up and fixing the small problems found in the unit. There are a number benefits that come with maintenance. Read on to learn why it is important to get regular AC preventive maintenance. Saves on the energy bills Your AC becomes inefficient over time. A jammed fan or clogged filter can make the air conditioner work harder to compensate for the low air intake. The thermostat may also be displaying wrong values- further overworking the AC. With regular maintenance, the AC is tuned-up to perform optimally which in turn lowers the energy bills. Prevents emergency breakdowns An AC system that is not properly maintained is likely to break down at any time, especially when it is running over a long period. During preventive maintenance, small issues are fixed before they lead to the breakdown of the whole unit. Therefore, you are less likely to experience a breakdown when you need your cooling the most. Lowers the cost of repairs Bigger problems often cost more to fix. By the time there’s a breakdown, the likelihood is high that...

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How Can An Energy Efficient AC Unit Save You Money?

March 15, 2018

Do you always get a sticker shock when you get your monthly energy bill? Regardless of what your financial position looks like, paying high bills is about as much fun as going for a root canal. If saving some cash sparks your interest, here is how switching to energy efficient AC unit will save you money. The energy efficiency of an AC system is measured by the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). It is the ratio of the cooling output (in BTU) of an A/C divided by the energy consumed in Watt-Hours. Typically, all central AC units should have a SEER rating of 13, and be Energy Star certified at 14.5 or higher. The higher the rating, the more efficient a unit is. When you upgrade your unit from old air conditioner to a modern, more efficient model, you will potentially save a lot of energy and money. For instance, if your older unit had a SEER rating of 9, and you upgrade it to a SEER 13 (the lowest efficiency available), you will reduce your energy bill by about 28%. That means you will save up to $300 per year, depending on the cost of electricity and your...

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What to Look for In An Air Conditioning Company

February 7, 2017

For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. It pays to seek out a firm with that gets consistently good reviews. Do you homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and know their stuff. Ask friends, neighbors...

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Should I Continue Repairing My AC Unit?

February 7, 2017

For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in have trusted for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for a company to trust with your air conditioning needs. It pays to seek out a firm with that gets consistently good reviews. Do you homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and know their stuff. Ask friends, neighbors...

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Tips: Keeping Upper Levels Cool In The Summer Heat

July 30, 2015

Summer makes the air conditioner your  home’s best friend. Those of us who have a two- or three-story home know that heat rises and as a result, keeping the upstairs cool is a special challenge. Unless you have a zoned cooling system, fiddling with the thermostat is not going to keep the upstairs cool without over-cooling the finished basement and main floor. Here are a few tips to help you when you are trying to balance out your cooling needs. 1) Check your windows for leaks. If you have single-pane glass, you might consider using coating systems available at your local hardware store to help keep the solar heat outside in the summer. If you chose not to apply coating, keep your drapes and shades drawn to block direct sunlight. No one wants to live in the dark, so choose a light color for your drapes. 2) Your ability to keep the upstairs cool also means managing the heat in your attic. Your attic should have proper insulation, especially on the floor, and the soffit vents should be clear so the excess heat in the attic can escape. Try using ridge vents since they create a better airflow. Air leaks between...

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What To Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Not Operating Properly

July 18, 2015

What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Not Operating Properly It can be quite alarming to discover that one’s home cooling system is not functioning precisely as it ought to. However, before contacting a member of our team to schedule professional air conditioning repairs , there are a few things that you can check on your own. We are, of course, more than happy to handle any AC repairs that you may need. Double-checking that there is no obvious cause of your problem which can easily be righted, though, can help to avoid unnecessary service calls. If you find that there is no simple fix to your problem, then, by all means, contact a member of our staff immediately. Hoff Htg. & Air Conditioning will complete any necessary repairs promptly. 1) Check that power to the unit is on. This may sound obvious, but it is possible that a tripped breaker is behind your “broken” air conditioner. You don’t need a technician to help you reset it if this is the case. 2) Clean or change dirty air filters. You may not think that a dirty air filter is that serious of a problem. You’d be wrong in believing...

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“Rain Rain GO AWAY”- High Humidity In The Home?

July 2, 2015

Many homes are faced with the problem of having TOO LITTLE humidity during the cold winter months. However, the summer months & endless rain can pose the exact opposite problem and leave your home with TOO MUCH humidity. The problems with High Humidity: When the temperatures warm up outside you can experience too much humidity in your home. Too much humidity can cause condensation on windows, wet stains on walls and ceilings, moldy bathrooms, musty odor, and/or clammy feel to the air. Rot and structural damage can also result from extended periods of high humidity in your home. And, especially in the South, it can draw pests. Bugs are always looking for water and condensation provides bugs with the water they need. High humidity can be especially dangerous when combined with high temperatures, as it will disrupt the body’s ability to cool itself, which may lead to a heat stroke. People with heart problems or asthma are advised to be extremely careful during such conditions. Drier air provides comfort at higher temperatures, so homeowners can raise the setting on their central air conditioners thereby reducing their energy use. High humidity can even trigger allergic reactions, contribute to ongoing allergies, and...

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