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Count On HAMCO…
Here Are Some Helpful Tips To
Let You Get The Most From Your System
At HAMCO we’re always looking for ways to help our customers
get the best value – and comfort – for their heating
and cooling investment. We’ve put together a list of useful
tips that will help you get years of worry-free total home comfort
from your system. The following list offers practical options
for your home system. However, if you have any specific questions
to which you need answers, please don’t hesitate to call
our office. One of our trained, professional heating and cooling
specialists will be glad to assist you with your needs.
COOLING:
- In the Spring, turn your air conditioning unit on at the hydro
panel. Then be sure to turn it off again in the Fall.
- Setting your thermostat at 24 C (75 F) for Summer cooling.
All A / C systems are designed to provide an indoor temperature
within a few degrees of this setting. It’s possible your
indoor temperature will exceed this on the hottest days, however
you will still feel comfortable and dry. NOTE: Setting your
temperature below this recommended mark can cause the coil to
ice up and thus result in a loss of cooling.
- It’s best to set the temperature at one setting and
then leave it alone. Let the system work automatically for the
best, consistent results.
- Open staircases to a basement form a natural duct for cool
air to flow down. It’s best to keep the basement doors
closed so cool air won’t flow downstairs. This same effect
occurs in two story homes where the cool air will naturally
flow downstairs. There is little that can be done about this.
- Fans in the attic help to cool your home by exhausting heated
attic air while pulling up the cooler air.
- Keep an eye on windows. For best cooling results, pull the
blinds or shades closed on large windows that have a lot of
exposure to the sun.
- If you turn off your air conditioning for some reason, it’s
best to wait five minutes before turning it back on again.
- Keep your filters clean. It’s always important to change
your filters regularly (or wash permanent ones). This helps
to ensure maximum air flow. A dirty filter can cause icing on
the indoor coil and result in loss of cooling.
- Oiling the blower motor should be done four times a year.
Three or four drops of SAE #20 motor oil should be applied at
each end of the motor. Don’t over oil.
- Air circulation is your key to year-round, total home comfort.
Make sure all vents are fully opened and free from obstructions.
You may wish to close the vents and doors to rooms that you
do not wish to cool.
- Keep in mind that if you turn your A / C off or raise the
temperature, it takes longer to reach your desired cool temperature
again than after a nighttime ‘set-back’ in the winter.
This is because your air conditioning system has two jobs to
do. First it cools your home, but it also takes the humidity
out of your air. This therefore takes longer to achieve.
- Also, if your home has storm windows, it’s best to
leave them on all year as this provides an added level of insulation
in the summer that helps to cool your home.
- Call HAMCO to have your air conditioning system serviced
once a year.
HEATING:
- When buying a new heating system, select products and
appliances with the ENERGY STAR ® label for your home. Older
furnaces may deliver only 50 to 60% efficiency. If your heating
and cooling system is more than 10 years old, you may be surprised
to learn how many advantages the latest systems can provide.
Savings in operating costs compared to older systems are commonly
anywhere from 5 to 25%. By doing the math with your present
operating costs, you can work out how quickly a new system could
pay for itself. And you’ll enjoy the added comfort of
a more effective and reliable system.
- Service your system regularly! You could save as much
as 5% of your operating costs next winter by having your heating
system serviced and ‘tuned’ to peak efficiency before
the heating season. This will ensure your furnace operates at
peak efficiency throughout the winter.
- Cleaning or replacing your filters on a regular schedule
will ensure proper air circulation that will in turn reduce
the amount of furnace energy to keep your home comfortable.
And that means you’ll save money on fuel costs too!
- Caulking and weather-stripping your windows and doors
can help you cut your heating costs by up to 10%. Pipes and
ducts are another source of air leaks that should be caulked
as well.
- Install a programmable thermostat. This is a must
that can save you up to 30% in fuel costs in a well insulated
home. Simply programming the thermostat to lower the temperature
when you’re asleep or away can result in substantial savings.
Today, there is a wide range of products available on the market
with options to suit your needs…and budget.
- HOT TIP! In many cases, simply turning your thermostat
down by 10 degrees for eight hours can save you up to 10% in
fuel costs. See how easy it is to save money and be friendly
to our environment at the same time.
- NEVER turn off the heat completely when you’re away!
Doing so may lead to frozen or burst water pipes. The rule of
thumb is to torn down your thermostat to 13 degrees Celsius
when going away or at night.
- Beat winter dryness! The humidity of inside air is
just as important to your comfort as its temperature. Low relative
humidity in household air has been cited as a factor in throat
and nose irritation. A humidifier attached to your system can
solve the ‘dry air’ problem and help improve your
indoor air quality.
If you have any questions about the efficient operation of your
heating and cooling system, or your indoor air quality, please
don’t hesitate to call HAMCO. One of our ‘Home Comfort’
specialists will be pleased to assist you.
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