Buying a home comes with a lot of risks. But most of them are fairly reasonable, except for two things: HVAC systems and roofs. Both HVAC systems and roofs can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. But you can check things with your HVAC system before you commit to a purchase. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Ask How Old the HVAC System Is

An HVAC system that is 20 years old is at the end of its lifespan. You may need to factor the cost of a new HVAC system into the cost of purchasing the house. Sometimes, you can even ask the seller to replace the HVAC before you buy the house as a condition of sale.

If you save $20,000 on the purchase of the home, a $20,000 HVAC system may not be a big problem. But if the house is at regular market value and has a dying HVAC system, replacement cost could be an issue.

Perform a Visual Inspection of the Duct Work

Don’t just trust that the duct work functions correctly. The duct work is one of the most common issues with an HVAC system. Pests can get into the duct system, chew through it, and cause leaks. Luckily, duct system repairs aren’t as expensive as repairs on the actual HVAC system, but they can still cost a bit. 

If you can get a quote for the duct work, you may be able to get it as a part of the seller’s concessions.

Ask What Refrigerant the HVAC System Uses

Many older systems use R-22 as a refrigerant. This type of refrigerant has been made illegal by the EPA. In 2020, it won’t be manufactured anymore. If the HVAC system in the home uses this refrigerant and needs a recharge in the future, you will probably need to either upgrade your entire system or pay for it to be retrofit to use a different refrigerant. Neither of these options is very affordable.

While you could possibly source old refrigerant for a little while, it’s not a feasible option moving forward.

Get a Technician to Look at the Size

The size of your HVAC system matters. Even if it works great, if it’s too small, it won’t cool efficiently. You can ask the seller to disclose their recent energy bills. An under-sized unit may appear strong, but it will use a lot more energy because it will have to turn on more frequently. 

A technician can look at the model of HVAC system you have and calculate the square footage that it can support. If the square footage is too small for the property, you will need an upgrade. A split-level unit can help an under-sized unit without upgrading the entire system.

Pay Attention to the Temperature of Each Room

Is the living room freezing but the bathroom warm? The vents might be calibrated incorrectly. Either the HVAC system isn’t balanced properly or it could be struggling. Either possibility is a good sign that you should have a professional take a look. (It could also be something as simple as a blocked vent. Be sure to check.)

The bottom line is that an HVAC inspection is usually advised before you purchase a home. An HVAC inspection will go over the most common issues with the HVAC system to help you negotiate. A bad HVAC system doesn’t mean that you have to decline the house entirely, it just means that you should get some concessions to compensate.

To schedule an appointment to inspect the HVAC system in your future home, contact the Comfort Medic Heating & Air Conditioning.

The post The HVAC Checklist When Buying a House appeared first on Comfort Medic Heating & Air Conditioning.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration states that about 48 percent of home energy is allocated for heating and cooling a home. Even though that percentage has dropped from 58 percent back in 1993, heating and cooling costs are still a number-one homeowner concern. Installing a new heat pump is an easy way to reduce energy and stay comfortable at home.

Heat pumps utilize thermal energy from the ground, air, or water outside your home to heat your home. Since these systems do not rely on artificially generated heat from a fuel source like electricity, they are highly efficient. The energy that heat pumps do use is primarily used to run the heat pump, which is far less than what would normally be used to generate heat. 

The heat pump HVAC system has been around for a while, but the newest units have valuable features. Take a look at some of the modern features your new heat pump could have. 

A Back-Up Burner for Colder Temperatures

One reason homeowners in colder climates may refrain from buying a heat pump is that heat pumps work best when the temperature is above freezing. In Ohio, with average lows in the 20s through some months of the winter, this limitation is especially concerning.

While a heat pump may be most effective at temperatures above freezing, the unit will still work when it is really cold. Most modern systems are outfitted with a back-up burner for those times when there is not enough heat in the atmosphere to keep you warm. The back-up burner is typically electric-powered, but these implements can be gas-powered as well.

A Desuperheater for Heating Water 

Some heat pumps offer a desuperheater as an add-on hot water heater. A desuperheater captures wasted heat from the heat pump itself and then uses it to directly heat water, so that the energy doesn’t go to waste. The unit can actually heat water up to three times faster than your ordinary water heater powered by electricity. 

Water heating is another major energy-consumer in the typical household. A standard 50-gallon water heater can cost as much as $781 per year to operate. Opting for a heat pump with an integrated desuperheater could yield you an attractive level of energy savings on a monthly basis. 

A Dual-Speed Blower Motor for Comfort 

Most heat pump systems have two fans that power the unit: one indoors and one outdoors. Modern pumps may be equipped with fans that have variable or dual-speed motors. When a fan motor has the capability of changing speeds, it gives you increased options for in-home comfort. With dual-speed fan motors on your heat pump, you will be able to:

• Change the airflow for a more comfortable output from your vents when you don’t want a direct airflow
• Eliminate cool drafts quicker with a more powerful burst of blown heat on cold days
• Lower the fan speeds to save money when high velocity is not a necessity for heating or cooling

One other perk of having a variable-speed fan on your heat pump is the ability to minimize the noise that can be generated by the fans when you need things to be quieter without turning the system off. 

Overall, the modern-day heat pump is probably one of the most diverse and efficient HVAC units, completely capable of keeping your home comfortable whatever the temperature outside. If you would like to familiarize yourself with some of the latest features that a new heat pump for your home may have, reach out to the professionals at Comfort Medics. We’re happy to answer any of your questions. 

The post Introducing Your New Heat Pump: A Quick Guide Of Modern Features appeared first on Comfort Medic Heating & Air Conditioning.

The fact is that air conditioner troubles can pop up out of nowhere, especially when you don’t know what to look for. Here are some tips that will help you identify problems with the components inside your AC.

1. Capacitor

When your air conditioner initially cycles on each time, a large burst of power starts the cool air production. This initial burst of power comes from the capacitor. Between cycles, energy is stored inside the capacitor for the next round. Unfortunately, each time the capacitor cycles on, the component loses a small amount of that ability to store energy.

Eventually, that ability wears out altogether. One way to tell when the capacitor is about to malfunction is to pay attention to the cycles. If your AC comes on without problems one time, only to misfire the next, the capacitor may be on the way out. In other instances, the capacitor will hum loudly during startup.

2. Compressor Valve

If you have regular maintenance performed on your air conditioner, you shouldn’t have to worry about worn-out compressor valves. That’s because this issue is usually diagnosed during those annual service calls. However, the compressor valve may fail between those appointments.

When the compressor valve malfunctions, your compressor won’t function properly, which means you’ll be without cool air in your home. Signs of a faulty compressor valve include visible refrigerant leaks, diminished cooling ability throughout the house, or lack of sound from the compressor.

3. Thermostat

Your thermostat is another component that can interfere with the proper performance of your air conditioner. This component, while small, is responsible for operating your entire HVAC system. In most cases, issues with your thermostat can be traced to a few minor issues — dead batteries, loose wires, or improper temperature settings.

However, when those issues aren’t the problem, something more serious may be the culprit. If you have a mechanical thermostat, and the AC won’t cycle on, the anticipator — a small metal tab inside the thermostat — has probably failed. If you don’t hear any sound when you activate the thermostat, and troubleshooting doesn’t identify the issue, the problem requires professional assistance.

4. Condensate Drain

Each time your air conditioner cycles on, condensation forms inside the unit. This condensation then drains into a tray, or through a tube. If the condensation drains through a tube, the liquids ends up outside the house. However, if the condensation drains into a condensate tray, the liquid is collected under the main HVAC unit.

If the tray isn’t cleaned out thoroughly, and on a regular basis, you risk the complete shutdown of your air conditioning system. That’s because an overflow situation triggers the safety sensor, which shuts down the air conditioner. If that happens, your AC technician needs to make the necessary repairs.

5. Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks are a common AC issue that are often overlooked. One reason for this is due to the fact that most people don’t know what to look for. Luckily, refrigerant leaks are easy to spot, once you know the signs. One way to spot a refrigerant leak is to watch your electric bill.

Electric bills often spike, due to the increased power that’s needed to generate cool air when there’s a refrigerant leak. Another way to spot a leak is to look at the coils for ice deposits. Ice on your evaporator coil is a sure sign that your AC has a refrigerant leak.

Don’t spend the summer without your air conditioner. If you experience trouble with your air conditioner, the information provided above will help you pinpoint the problem. If you live in the Dayton, OH, area, contact us at Comfort Medic. We’re available for all your heating and cooling needs.

The post 5 Ways to Identify AC Problems This Summer appeared first on Comfort Medic Heating & Air Conditioning.

As the summer weather begins to heat up, you may find that your window air conditioning unit is having a difficult time combating Mother Nature. The room with your window unit may be reasonably cool, but what about the rest of your home?

If you want to beat the heat this summer and upgrade your comfort level, perhaps it’s time to consider a central air conditioning unit. A central air conditioning system can offer multiple benefits that will make your life easier and more comfortable. Here’s why you should contact an HVAC professional about central air installation this summer.

Lower the Temperature Throughout Your Home

A window air conditioner is only capable of blowing air into the room in which it is installed. You may be able to circulate some of this air with the help of a ceiling fan, but in general, the further away from the AC you go, the warmer it will get.

A central air conditioning system circulates air throughout the entire home through your duct work. Once the system gets going, you’ll find that every room of the house is roughly the same temperature. This will offer you and your family greater comfort throughout the house when compared with a window unit.

Lower the Amount of Noise You Have to Deal With

Most traditional window air conditioners can be quite loud. When a window unit is running at full blast, you may have to turn up the television or speak much louder than you normally would.

A central air conditioning system is much quieter by comparison. While the central air unit itself might make some noise, it will be located outside of the house where you can’t hear it. You might hear a bit of noise as the air moves through your duct system and makes its way out of your vents, but this will be a significant improvement when compared with your window unit.

Lower the Amount of Dust and Allergens in the Air

As your window air conditioning unit brings in air from outside, it may also bring in dust and allergens along with it. A filter for your window unit may help, but it won’t be nearly as effective as the filters used within a central air system.

Your new central air unit can filter everything from dust to pollen to lint before it sends the air into your duct work and out of your vents. You will likely find that a central air unit can provide cleaner air throughout the home when compared with a window unit. This may reduce the chances of getting sick or triggering an allergic reaction.

 Lower Your Energy Bills with a Programmable Thermostat

When you install central air conditioning, you will also have an opportunity to install a new programmable thermostat. This will allow you to turn your central air system on or off depending on your needs. You can make sure it is on and running while you are home but turned off while you are at work or on vacation.

Being able to set your central air to a set schedule may help significantly reduce your energy bill. You’ll no longer have to keep your window unit running all day in order to keep the house cool for when you return home.

Install central air this summer and enjoy the perks that come with a system that can cool your entire house evenly. You’ll no longer have to shout to make yourself heard over the sound of a loud window AC and you may be able to lower your energy costs as well. Contact Comfort Medic today to schedule an appointment and consultation.

The post Why You Should Install Central Air Conditioning This Summer appeared first on Comfort Medic Heating & Air Conditioning.