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Why You Should be Aware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning This Season

10/14/2019

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  Twice a year in the spring and in the fall you should have your heating and AC systems checked. Having a preventative maintenance can help take care of many issues you may run into during the extreme temperatures ahead of time. 
In the fall it is particularly important to have your furnace checked because of any possible issues that you may have with a possible cracked heat exchanger which causes harmful carbon monoxide leaks.
 
  Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is produced by the burning of gas, wood, propane, charcoal, or other types of fuel via combustion engines, appliances, or heating systems.  Your heating system needs to be check by a  licensed contractor at the beginning of fall so that you can know that it is in top working order before the season of colder temperatures begin. Systems can, because of rust, have a cracked heat exchanger which leads to leaks. This  will allow carbon monoxide to be leaked into your home.


  How will you know if you possible have a leak?

These are some of the symptoms you may notice from Carbon Monoxide poisoning: Dull headaches, muscle weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomitting, shortness of breath, confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, seizures, loss of consciousness, and chest pain.

  BENEFITS OF A FALL PM:
  • A furnace can make up about 50% of your energy bill. That adds up, especially if we have a particularly long, chilly winter. There is a silver lining – regular furnace maintenance.
  • A well-tuned furnace will be more efficient, and use less energy. In fact, some studies have shown that regular maintenance can save you as much as 30%. Add in a programmable thermostat  and you’re well on your way to making this winter a much more affordable one.
  • When you get an annual furnace tune up before winter begins, you can find out if the furnace will serve you efficiently throughout the entire season. The last thing you want is to be awoken by the freezing cold at 2 a.m. on a 30 degree morning because the furnace broke down.
  • Knowing the condition of your furnace before the cold weather sets in will save you all that grief. For example, if all the maintenance in the world can’t save your furnace, you’ll have plenty of time to replace it before the first frost.

Please feel free to call or email us at the phone number, and email address below.

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Let’s Get Personal

8/21/2019

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  Our names are Eric and Kimberly Irving and we decided about 7 years ago that we wanted to step out on our own after Eric had been working for 25+ years with other companies. We wanted to be able to offer the best quality service and offer it with honesty and integrity and show honor to our customers.
  When we began our business we knew it would be hard starting out on our own later in life, but also knew it would offer us greater stability and the ability to offer those living in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas a quality HVAC service that is difficult to find. We have grown and made many contacts and wonderful friends through business. We do our best to treat all our customers the same as we would want to be treated ourselves. We believe in being our best, doing our best, and giving our customers the best we can with our experience and knowledge of their heating and air conditioning systems.
  We are always grateful for the amazing reviews that people leave us on our Facebook page and encourage you to also see our webpage and leave reviews on Google. We are a small but growing business and without our customers, we wouldn’t exist. Thank you to all who call on us and refer us to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. You can reach out to us by calling or texting 540-580-3663, our webpage 
https://www.acsolutionsva.com/ or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Aircomfsolllc/
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Great Strategy on how you can keep your fun/busy summer schedule on track.

7/9/2019

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✔️Check all unforeseen AC repairs off of your list.  They can be inconvenient and costly.

   Capacitor repairs are common during the high temps in the summer. Be aware of these signs, especially with older units:
   
  Inoperative outdoor unit - which includes compressor not energizing and/or condenser fan motor not energizing. While inconvenient this is a relatively inexpensive and quick fix
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Outdoor condenser coil needs cleaning.
This can actually be taken care of with regular preventative maintenance. Most people have their units maintained in the spring and fall. However, if you are in the heat of summer some of the tell tale signs would be:
  
  •    Extreme heat coming out of the top of the condenser coil/fan motor or
   Lack of air flow.

  Things you can do to be proactive:

  
  •    Direct all grass cuttings away from unit when mowing
  •    Clear all landscape plants away from outdoor unit. plants attract bugs which get pulled into the coil and will hinder air flow.
  •     Laying down landscape rock instead of mulch around the unit. Mulch tends to get stacked against the bottom of the unit and again prevents air flow.
  •     Placing landscape fencing around your outdoor unit, if you have dogs, to prevent urine acid from deteriorating the bottom fins of the condenser coil.
  • Lastly, stopped up indoor evaporator coil drain lines are common during warmer months.

  Due to humidity and and high temps your drain line can become stopped up because of :
  •    Bacteria in the drain line. Using a strong solution of white vinegar or any product that has antibacterial, qualities monthly in the P- trap will discourage that growth.
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Are Home Inspectors Your Best Choice?

6/3/2019

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Trying to sell your house, buying another, or making sure that all is in good working order for the sale and for the move.
 
  
Who can really give you the best and most accurate information so you aren’t surprised with repairs after you move? 


  Home Inspectors seem to be the best option.  It is just what people are accustomed to doing during the buying and selling of a home. 
Does it make the most sense; however,  in assessing the true operation and life span of the most important equipment in your home?
 
  
Even though, it is not widely advertised, your HVAC contractor is highly experienced not only in assessing your heating and AC, but also, electrical and plumbing. In order to install and repair your HVAC, these are necessary skills your contractor needs and uses.

  On average, inspectors do a good job, but many aren’t trained or equipped to do a full operational check on the heating and AC systems in a home. We have received many calls from disgruntled new homeowners who, after settling in realize they do not have adequately working healing or AC in their home. We have even done new installs for customers after purchasing their home that was definitely an unwanted expense, but they were told incorrectly that all was well with their home inspection.
  
  If you are wanting to get the most accurate data for electrical, plumbing, heating and AC, you may want to call your trusted HVAC company. A thorough systems check and detailed inspection of electrical systems, plumbing and all foundational and necessary checks can be efficiently and effectively taken care of for peace of mind in purchasing your home. 


  Air Comfort Solutions offers consulting and inspections for $79 for all customers within a 20 mile radius of downtown Roanoke.( additional travel fees applied outside this area) 

Contact our office to set up a date and time. 540-580-3663

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Are You Giving Your Home the Best?

4/30/2019

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Here we are coming out of the cold wet winter and into the warmer spring and summer months of the year. As the days get warmer, naturally we start to use our air conditioning that has been sitting idle during the winter.
How old is my AC unit? When was the last time I had it checked or maintained? These might be some of the questions you ask, especially if you realize it isn’t cooling as it should and now it has gotten very warm in your house.
  You check your contacts on your phone, pull up your trusted HVAC contractor, call him to check your system and find out its days are almost up! You receive the installation estimate and wonder, how can this cost so much!!!!
   When we are focusing on the aesthetics and accessories for our homes we are all too ready to spend the additional money on the extras, the best, the top of the line, because let’s face it; it will look so much nicer. No one says, let’s get those Formica counter tops instead of the granite when remodeling their kitchen. So why do we want to do the same with our HVAC?
   Our HVAC is a work horse in our home. It is constantly keeping us comfortably warm in the winter or nice and cool in the summer. Is it something you’re going to take your friends and neighbors to your basement or back yard to ooh and aah over? Probably not, but if it isn’t doing its job, you and your family and any guests you have will know what is NOT working in your house.
   Don’t go for bottom basement or even systems that are not American made. Trust me the money you save will become the thorn in your side. With lesser expensive or off-brand units you can run into serious electrical and safety issues. You could even have to replace cheaply made components within the unit, which will cut into your wallet and that money you thought you were saving.
  Do your homework! Look into the mid and higher grade units. If you don’t have a trusted HVAC technician, ask friends, family, co-workers if they have recommendations. Any reputable heating and air conditioning repair and installation company will give you an estimate for replacement free of charge.
  Air Comfort Solutions LLC is always happy to come and give you estimate on replacements and to take care of any necessary repairs on equipment that doesn’t need replacing. Call us today! 540-580-3663.
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Don’t let air flow problems in your home or business lead to costly compressor failure.

4/8/2019

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Check out these common air flow causes;
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   -Registers and Vents that are blocked:
We all want our homes to look nice and have unobstructed walk ways. Making sure your vents and registers aren’t blocked are just as important. Pull furniture away from your vents so your airflow is not compromised. Some older homes have ductwork that was only sized for heat can impede cooling airflow operation. Have a technician check to see if ductwork is sized correctly for "tonnage" of your unit. Original vent openings many times are too small to move cold air.

   -Dirty Condenser Coil:
This coil is located in your outdoor unit; therefore, it is exposed to all the dirt, dust, and elements. If your coil is dirty it can’t do its job, which is to release heat. This causes your unit to work harder and your house to stay warmer during the hot months. Coils should be cleaned on a bi-annual or annual basis. 

   -Blower motor not operating efficiently:
The blower fan located in your HVAC system moves the air throughout your ductwork and living space. If not working efficiently, your airflow will be impacted in your home or business.

   -Clogged Filters:
Your filters could need to be replaced monthly. Especially if you have pets. Keeping dust and dirt out of your ducts and equipment is the job of your filter. If it gets overloaded, this will affect the efficiency of your airflow and could cause damage to equipment parts.

   -Accumulation of dust or obstruction in ductwork:
If you aren’t changing your filters, then that dust is accumulating on the sides of your ductwork. Have your ductwork inspected to see if it needs to be cleaned. A build up of dust can impede airflow, especially if your ductwork has been sized too small . 

  Sometimes we don’t realize we have an airflow problem because it has decreased gradually over time. Here are some symptoms you will experience with decreased air flow problems...
  •  Warm or cold areas in your home or business.
  • Single or multiple vents that have limited air flow 
  • Wind or whistling noises in your home, or inside doors slamming due to pressure imbalance problems with your HVAC system.

  Don’t allow these problems to continue. Most can be fixed inexpensively. However, ignoring these as mentioned earlier could result in your compressor failing which can be costly. The heart of your AC is your compressor and if air flow is restricted it puts greater stress on it and therefore decreases the life of the compressor.

  Regulate Preventative maintenance can help to mitigate many airflow causes. If you are experiencing any of these problems, have your system maintained IMMEDIATELY before any damage occurs to your system that could cause failure.
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Why does my AC System need a tune up at the beginning of Spring?

3/11/2019

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Why Does My AC System need a tune up at the beginning of the Spring/Summer Season?
So we are finally heading into warmer weather soon and you keep seeing ads about getting a “Spring Tune-up” for your AC! Really?
Isn’t this just a ploy to get my money?
The answer is “No”, let me give you some examples why this is a good financial decision.
  Look at the upcoming warmer seasons just like a long trip. If you were getting ready to drive your car on a long trip across country, what are some of the things you would do to prepare for it? Check tire pressures and tread, check fluid levels, change the oil, maybe even change your wiper blades, and check the battery. These are the most common. Why? You want your vehicle to be in the best running order so that you don’t end up along side the road waiting for a tow truck. 
This works the same with your AC system. The long trip, is the warmer and sometimes scorching spring and summer weather. You want your system running at its best performance so you aren’t waiting in the heat for an HVAC tech to do repairs. Being proactive is always your best option to reduce unexpected system failures.
  1. When you change the oil in your car or change the wiper blades you are increasing the efficiency of your vehicle. Having an experienced, licensed HVAC tech to perform a tune- up on your AC works in the same manner and it will run more efficiently.
  2. Everyone wants to cut down on expenses. Electric bills in the summer can get astronomical! Get the refrigerant pressures checked, Delta T, and condenser coil cleaned to name a few,  with a tune- up and it will help with those summer electric bills.
  3. Lastly and most importantly, tune-ups help protect your investment. Checking electrical components, and completing operational checks before the season kicks in high gear helps to increase the longevity of your system. 


Now that you are convinced of the benefits, let me offer 2 options that may also benefit you and your family du.ring the season:
  • Does anyone in your household suffer with allergies? Your HVAC tech can perform an IAQ or Indoor Air Quality test and offer suggestions accordingly.
  • Also for convenience you can set up monthly Air Filtration  filter replacements.​
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What Type of Heating System Do You Have?

2/11/2019

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I don't know, don't ask me!
 Many homeowners may not be completely aware of the type of heating system they have. Either they haven’t needed to find out because no repairs have been needed, or they don't know how to tell which type of system is installed in their home. Here are some great ways you can know which type of heating system that you have:
  •   If your indoor unit is hooked up to a flue pipe(which is that big metal tube that runs vertically out of your furnace), you either have an oil or gas furnace. If you are paying a monthly gas bill, you most likely have a gas furnace.​
  •   Does your thermostat say, “heat” and “emergency heat”? If it does you have a heat pump.
  •   If you are not paying a monthly gas bill or purchasing oil, then your furnace is electric.
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These are just a few simple questions to ask or things to look for so you can give your HVAC Technician correct information if you need repairs or an estimate to replace.
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What To Check Before Calling An HVAC Technician

2/8/2019

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  Heating, you know how it goes. It seems to ALWAYS go out at the worst possible time. It's -5 degrees outside, there's a blizzard, and you think you may have seen Rudolph's red nose leading Santa's sleigh! Okay, maybe your situation isn't that dramatic, but in the moment it's always so inconvenient. 
  Instead of throwing your hands up in the air as if to say, "What else can I do?" check out these tips you should absolutely do before emptying your wallet for an HVAC technician to fix a simple problem you could've fixed yourself.

  So, without further ado, here's what we suggest you to check before calling your HVAC Technician. Please refer to our previous blog post if you do not know what type of heating system you have.
  When your heating fails:

 Forced Air Furnace:
  • Check and/or reset your breaker to your indoor air handler or gas furnace (if you have a heat pump- check the breaker to the outdoor unit also, specifically if the indoor unit is blowing cold air)
  • Check any and all air filters inside your indoor unit or in the filter grill return.
  • If you have a digital thermostat, check batteries and replace if necessary. If your batteries are low your thermostat will not function to run your heating system properly.
  • Check to see if your gas meter is turned on. Is your gas bill paid up to date?
  • Check to see if your outdoor unit is iced over, if you have a heat pump. Outdoor unit will frost over intermittently. If your unit stays continually frosted up; however, your outdoor unit is not going into defrost and should be checked by a qualified HVAC technician. If outdoor unit stays partially frosted over then your unit is low on refrigerant charge and will need to be charged by a qualified service technician.

Heat Pump:
  • If The unit is not defrosting. Under normal conditions, your heat pump periodically switches to air conditioning mode for a few minutes, which heats up the outdoor coils enough to melt any frost and light ice that has accumulated. If the unit is not defrosting, ice can build up in a hurry. Defrost issues can be caused by faulty relays, controls, or sensors. There could also be a problem with the reverse valve that switches the unit from heat to air conditioning mode. You will need to call a qualified HVAC technician in these cases.

  • You may have Low refrigerant: If your heat pump system has a slow leak of refrigerant, eventually the charge becomes so low that the system is not producing enough heat to melt the frost. If this is the case, you will probably also have issues with the unit reaching set temperature. A certified HVAC technician can charge your unit for you.
  • Make sure Outdoor unit is not blocked. If piles of snow have accumulated around the outdoor unit, the impeded air flow can cause more icing.
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         Things to remember:
  • NEVER use a hard or pointy object to try to chip away ice from your unit.Those fan coils are very delicate and can easily be damaged. Instead, use water from a hose to melt the ice.
  • Remove any debris or snow that may be blocking the unit.
  • Check for leaking gutters that may be dripping water onto the unit, and repair them.
  • Call your HVAC service tech to troubleshoot defrost issues.



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Email

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