HVAC Spring Maintenance Tips

by | Mar 27, 2015 | National Air Warehouse

Spring HVAC Maintenance Tips

It may not seem like it just yet, but spring is in the air. Friday, March 20th this year is the first official day of spring. Even if it hasn’t started warming up in your corner of the world, it will soon be time to start thinking about spring cleaning. Part of your cleaning regimen should include preparing your HVAC systems to run at peak performance when it comes time to run your air conditioning.

Before you fire up your air conditioner for the first time, there are a few things you can do. Following these simple steps will help your system run more efficiently in the coming summer.

1. Clear Away Debris and Trim Your Landscaping

You probably aren’t out looking at your air conditioning unit often when it is cold outside. During the fall and winter, trash, yard waste, and other debris can accumulate around your air condition and heating system. Keeping the area clear will ensure a properly functioning air conditioner. Also, once your plants start growing in, be sure to periodically check them for overgrowth. Your AC needs about 2 feet of clear space on each side in order to run as efficiently as possible.

2. Change Air Filters

This is not specific to spring, but many people don’t think about their air filters during the winter. It is important to make sure you change your filters about every 30 days to keep the air flowing well through your HVAC system. Read your specific manufacturers recommendations for indication on how often to change your filter, some HVAC systems that include a media air filtration systems don’t require changing filters as often. Clogged or really dirty filters can make your air conditioner work harder than it has to and even cause premature failures. Now is a great time to install new ones if you’ve been neglecting them. If they are dirty, change them.

3. Have Your System Inspected and Serviced Now

Once summer hits, it will be a lot more difficult to get a technician out to your home. If you schedule an appointment in the spring, they will have more availability and they may be able to head off any issues that you might have coming your way. The EPA’s Energy Star website contains a great checklist for what to expect in a maintenance check-up for your air conditioning unit.

If your old unit is not repairable and you decide that you are ready to look at a new unit, please one of the representatives at National Air Warehouse and we would be happy to help you. Be sure to get prepared for the coming summer by taking care of your HVAC system so you and your family can stay cool when the weather gets hot.

Upflow or downflow furnaces – what’s the difference?

by | Mar 16, 2015 | National Air Warehouse

Furnace Direction

Everyone knows that warm air is lighter than cool air, so its tendency is to rise. While this basic principle may seem elementary, it has the greatest bearing if you are looking to buy a furnace online.

Furnaces for homes come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, heating capacities, air flow and fuel types. Today, we’ll focus on air flow for furnaces.

Air flow depends on your present furnace and the air ducts that comprise the central heating in your home. A furnace in the attic, for example, is likely servicing air ducts that run through the ceiling and walls of your home. This type is typically called a “downflow” furnace because it draws cool air in through the top and pushed the warm air out through the bottom and into the ducts.

If you are replacing a basement furnace, it will likely be an “upflow” furnace drawing in cool air either through the bottom or sides, and circulating warmed air out through the top.

Another variation is a “horizontal” furnace which, as you can guess, draws air in one side and pushes it out the other. These come in either left to right or right to left configurations depending on the overall layout.

One of the most popular types of furnaces for new installations or consumers that are looking to purchase a replacement furnace is called a multi-directional furnace. This type of furnace allows for installation in either upflow, downflow, or left/right horizontal positions. They allow for more flexibility when installing and therefore are a more popular choice.

The airflow of the furnace wont impact its efficiency in any significant way. The type of furnace that you choose should be based on the type of application that you need. We typically recommend that you stick to the same type of airflow furnace that you previously had if replacing an old furnace. If you are doing a new installation or are unsure which type of airflow you need, we recommend you go with a multi-directional furnace instead.

Consumer Reports says one of the best ways to offset expenses of volatile energy prices is to replace your old furnace with a newer and more efficient model. They also recommend having a contractor help you determine the size and orientation of a new furnace.

We are here to answer all of your furnace related questions. At National Air Warehouse we offer a large variety or furnaces including gas and electric which allow for the airflow direction that best suits your needs. Please get in touch with someone from our team if you have any further questions or would like additional information.