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Tips to Make Sure That Your HVAC Is Ready For Spring
If your spring cleaning checklist doesn’t include your HVAC system, then it’s time to add another bullet! Let’s face it, if there’s one thing we couldn’t live without once summer rolls around, it’s our air conditioning. So let’s not risk any issues or breakdowns come those dog days by neglecting our systems now.
The experts at Madsen know HVACs, and we’ve got 6 tips to help you make sure your unit is keeping you nice and comfortable come summertime.
1. Change Your Air Filter
Dirty filters restrict airflow and foster mold growth. That’s not only gross, but it’s also dangerous. Changing your filters monthly will help you keep dust and dirt from building up which both keeps your air cleaner and your system from having to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Plus, it’s super easy to do. If you have a washable filter, make sure to clean it monthly.
And while you’re at it, consider upgrading your filter altogether. Newer, high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that attracts particles of dust and bacteria more aggressively, keeping them from spewing out into the air your HVAC provides. Sounds worth it to us.
2. Test Your Air Conditioner
Waiting for that first big heat wave to run your HVAC for the first time all year is probably not the best plan. Before temperatures rise, turn on your unit and let it run for a bit. Set the temperature a few degrees below the current indoor temperature, and check if air is flowing through the vents properly. Take note if there are any odd noises or clicking. If there seems to be something unusual going on, schedule a check-up with HVAC experts.
3. Check Your Duct Work
Professional duct cleaning can do wonders for your air quality and flow. That’s because your ductwork plays an important role in your system — they supply the air to each room of your home (in case you didn’t know). Removing the dust, mold, and other allergens that have built up over the winter will make a world of a difference for allergy sufferers come spring. While you can try to tackle this yourself, having an expert do it can ensure nothing is left behind. We recommend doing so every 5-7 years.
Also, check for any leaky joints, holes, or cracks that would cause your system to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature. Otherwise, you’re looking at higher utility bills and potentially larger issues down the road.
4. Install a Smart Thermostat
Chances are, you’re already using smart technology in several other areas of your home, so why not your cooling system? A programmable thermostat makes controlling comfort levels effortless — from anywhere! Forget to turn the AC down after leaving for a weekend trip? Adjust the temps from the car! Having trouble sleeping because it’s too hot? Find a cooler setting without ever leaving the bed. The benefits of a smart thermostat range from lower energy costs to a longer system lifespan, so why not?
5. Remove Debris from Your Outdoor Unit
Fall and winter are notorious for doing a number on your outdoor unit. Between leaves, branches, dirt, and the after-effects of ice and snow, there’s a lot that can cause your system to underperform. Start by inspecting the unit and remove any debris within two feet. Grab a garden hose or vacuum attachment to clean the coils. Lastly, cut back any bushes or plants that have overgrown into the space so that nothing is obstructing your system from getting the air it needs to cool your home.
6. Schedule Routine System Maintenance
Even after all these items are checked off your list, it’s always still a good idea to bring in a professional to perform a thorough inspection. These HVAC experts can ensure all connections are secure and there’s no significant wear on key components — such as compressors, tubing, fans, etc. — that can lead to bigger, more costly issues or a total system breakdown, and make any necessary repairs. They’ll also take electrical amp draw readings, check the pressure of the refrigerant, and test all sensors, all of which may be unfamiliar to you, but all in a day’s work for them. Schedule your appointment now before the busy season!
If you’ve ever struggled with chapped lips, dry skin, or an annoying cough, you may have had someone suggest trying a humidifier. And that’s because these magical machines put necessary moisture back in the air of your home. During the winter seasons especially as your home is being heated by a furnace, this necessary humidity is removed from the air, causing discomfort that can aggravate a number of health-related symptoms.
Wondering if the installation of a professional-grade, whole-home humidifier is worth the investment? Here are 10 reasons why it totally is.
- Improves Air Quality
To put it simply, moist air is healthier air. Airborne contaminants like dust, allergens, etc. make it harder to breathe and easier to get sick — and stay sick. Doctors recommend the use of humidifiers to treat respiratory illnesses or help with dry skin or nosebleeds.
And better air quality is also better for your home. Moisture helps prevent warped floors, misshapen windows, and peeling paint. They can also improve your home’s comfort and the efficiency of your furnace, which can ultimately save you significantly on energy bills.
- Prevents Colds & Flus
Research shows that if indoor humidity levels are less than 23%, influenza’s infectivity rate is over 70%, compared to just 14-22% if the humidity is above 43%. In other words, the use of a humidifier can prevent the spread of airborne viruses within your home.
- Helps Dry Skin & Eyes
It’s no secret that dry air is bad for your skin and eyes. When the air around you is dry, it pulls moisture from your body to compensate. And when your skin or eyes aren’t hydrated enough, they become itchy and irritated. By increasing the moisture in the air, humidifiers counteract these effects.
- Soothes a Sore Throat or Cough
The dry seasonal air can be to blame for many sore throats in the winter thanks to the dehydration of the mucous membrane. This same issue can trigger the contraction of the respiratory tract which causes you to cough. So the addition of a humidifier will replace the moisture needed to sooth your respiratory muscles and rid you of that scratchy throat.
- Helps Sinuses & Congestion
By helping to moisten the nasal passage, humidifiers loosen mucus that can build up during sickness. When this mucus becomes too dry, it can become sticky, which makes it harder to remove and increases coughing as a result. More moisture in the air will make it easier to drive out this mucus and help alleviate congestion.
- Prevents Asthma
Asthma is the result of the smooth muscle in the respiratory tract contracting when triggered by allergens such as dirt, dust, pollen, and more. Humidifiers help absorb these allergens to not only prevent asthma, but also reduce allergies minimizing the inflammation of tissues in the nose and throat which dry air can irritate.
Keep in mind, too much humidity can cause mold and dust mites to actually spread, so routine cleaning your humidifier is especially important for people with allergies or asthma to keep humidity levels at bay.
- Reduces Nosebleeds
Dry air can dry out the delicate nasal membranes inside the nose, which increases the occurrence of nosebleeds and other irritations. If you find yourself waking up with frequent nose issues, a humidifier may be the solution you need.
- Improves Sleep Quality
Emerging research shows that the impact of humidifiers on facilitating a good night’s sleep is just as great as ambient temperature. And we all know how difficult it is to sleep in a room that’s far too hot or cold. Increased humidity has been associated with oxygen desaturation and higher arousal, so by maintaining the right level of humidity, better quality of sleep is easier to maintain too.
As a result, humidifiers have been shown to benefit people with sleep apnea, or a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the sleep cycle. Dry air only makes this condition worse, so by adding water vapor to the air, sleepers can better keep their airways moist as well.
For the same reasons, humidifiers can help reduce snoring, which is not just a win for you, but also for everyone in your home.
- Provides Whitenoise
Dry air isn’t to blame for those random noises keeping you up at night, but a humidifier does provide some nice background noise to help drown them out and prevent nightly disruptions.
10. Helps your Houseplants
Having trouble keeping those houseplants alive? They need moisture too! And a lot of that comes from the air in their environment. And the better you treat them, the better they can help further improve your air quality by producing more oxygen.
So have we convinced you that a humidifier is a valuable addition to your home? If you’d like to learn more about how they work, or why a professional-grade humidifier is more convenient and effective than a portable unit, contact the experts at Madsen Inc today. Our team of certified HVAC technicians can answer any questions you have and install the right unit for you.
It’s not unreasonable to say that your water heater may be the most valuable appliance in your home. While it’s probably not top of mind or even visible in your day to day, you are using it every day. So when there is an issue, you notice — big time.
And that’s why we’re here to share the most common hot water heater problems that homeowners encounter regularly. That way, you can better diagnose them and fix them before it wreaks havoc on your home.
- No Hot Water
No surprise here; if your water heater isn’t hot, then you have a problem. When your water isn’t heating up, a lack of energy source is likely the cause, so check your electrical connection to ensure it’s on and running properly. If all is working fine, check to see if your breaker has tripped or switched off. For gas heaters, this could be a bad pilot light or a faulty gas connection. If your pilot light is lit but the gas doesn’t ignite, your burner may need repairs.
You can also turn off the breaker and hit the red cut-off button above your thermostat to reset the high-temperature limit on your electric system. If you’re still having issues, contact a professional who can take a look at ignition and flame.
- Low Water Pressure
Unfortunately for older homes, the standard 1⁄2 inch plumbing of the past isn’t doing you any favors in potential water flow issues. Newer homes with 3⁄4 inch plumbing can handle more water, but it doesn’t mean limitations can occur due to clogging.
If you feel like you’re not producing enough hot water, you can try increasing your water pressure by ensuring your aerators in your sink are clear and your water inlet valve hasn’t become partially closed. Otherwise, call Madsen to get to the bottom of it.
- Water is Too Hot
The culprit here is pretty simple: your thermostat is probably too high. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 120 degrees, but check your water heater’s owners manual for adjusting appropriately.
- Water Leaks
One of the most common water heater issues are leaks. It’s actually inevitable at some point as natural water eventually corrodes your tank and creates super tiny cracks. But that’s not always the cause. Depending on where the leak is coming from (like the top of your tank), you could have a loose water connection or heating element bolts, a stuck valve, or a bad gasket.
Check all heating elements bolts to make sure they’re nice and tight, and make sure your cold water inlet and hot water out pipes are not rattling or loose. If the leak is coming from the bottom of your tank, it could be a condensation issue, which can be solved by turning up the thermostat. If water is leaking from your pressure relief valve, it could mean a corroded tank, which unfortunately means you need to replace your water heater right away.
- Strange Smell
Your water heater shouldn’t stink. If it does, there’s a chance there’s sediment or minerals build up in the pipes. In many cases, this can cause the water to change color or become cloudy as well. When iron pipes rust, the iron’s sediment can get trapped and hinder the flow of hot water, which reduces its temperature and pressure. Calcium and magnesium can do the same if the water is very hard.
Annual flushing of your system can prevent this buildup. And while at-home kits do exist, we recommend calling a professional with the right, heavy equipment for the task.
And if it smells like rotten eggs, then you could have a case of bacteria. Crank up the temperature to about 140 degrees and it should kill it off. If not, try cleaning your tank with chlorine bleach.
If you have any questions about strange smells, low water pressure, or lack of hot water associated with your water heater, the experts at Madsen are here to help. Let us know your concerns, or schedule a routine maintenance check today!
Winter can be a magical time of year. It’s hard not to love the peaceful blanket of white that a fresh snowfall brings or those cozy nights bundled up by the fireside. But it’s also pretty easy for those delightful winter moments to get completely derailed by a sudden pipe burst or leak when Jack Frost starts really showing off.
The truth is, frozen pipes are extremely common in both the cold and the heat. Quick temperature changes, poor insulation, or incorrect use of your thermostat can all contribute to the cause, and unfortunately, the consequences are not nearly as simple — they’re a massive pain.
So in order to prevent your pipes from freezing this season, add the following to-do’s to your pipe maintenance checklist!
- Check for all unheated areas. Check for unheated areas of your home where water lines are exposed. Consider the garage, attic, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. These areas can be easily forgotten and will get a lot colder than the rest of your house, so make sure they’re properly insulated or at least your pipes are — which leads us to #2!
- Insulate your pipes. Exposed pipes are more susceptible to freezing, so make sure all pipes that are in attics, crawl spaces, garages, and other unfinished spaces are properly insulated. There are a number of ways to do this, including wrapping pipes in heat tape, insulation strips, or thermostatically-controlled heat cables.
- Drain water. Make sure your swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines are all empty as instrucred by the manufacturer/installer’s instructions. Close inside valves supplying those outside hose bibs so that water can also drain, and keep them open so that any remaining water can expand without bursting the pipe.
- Seal or caulk cracks. Take a look for any leaks around your electrical, dryer vents, and water pipes. These cracks can let in cold air that make pipes more susceptible to freezing, especially those running inside to outside.
- Let water drip. When it’s really cold outside, let the water drip from the faucet of the cold pipes. By running even just a trickle of water through the pipes, they are less likely to freeze than if there’s sitting water inside them.
- Adjust your thermostat. Setting your thermostat to the same temperature during the day and at night is not only a great way to avoid overworking your furnace, but it also prevents pipes from getting too cold when those temperatures hit their lowest overnight. Similarly, if you’re going away, don’t turn your heat completely off! Keep the heat set to about 55-60° F.
- Open cabinet doors. Try to regularly open cabinets and vanities to allow some warm air in. This will prevent those un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances from getting too cold.
- Shut off the water. There’s really no reason to have your garden hose hooked up in the dead of winter. Turn off these water sources and drain the system so there’s no remaining water that could freeze. But keep in mind, if you have an internal fire protection sprinkler system, this may also deactivate it as well.
How to Thaw Your Frozen Pipes
If you’re reading this blog a little too late and have unfortunately already discovered some frozen pipes, don’t worry. There are some tricks to thaw them out before they start cracking or leaking.
- First, call a neighbor. If they are experiencing a similar issue in regard to their water flow, it may be the result of a main break. If not, your pipes are probably frozen.
- Go to the main valve and turn off the water asap.
- Open the faucet so that water will flow through the pipe as it melts. This will also aid in the melting process.
- Apply heat around the pipe using a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or portable space heater. But don’t let the water get to a boil — if it’s that hot, you could also damage the pipes.
- Check your pipes for any cracks the freezing may have caused, as well as pools of water that indicate a leak.
- If you can’t locate the frozen pipes or are unable to reach them, call a professional to come out and take a look. They’ll have the right equipment to help you thaw them out.
For help protecting your pipes this winter, or to have a licensed professional make sure you’re ready for winter’s worst, contact our team at Madsen today!
If you ask the average person how often they clean their home, they’ll probably say pretty regularly. If you ask them how much they clean their drains specifically, chances are it’s not nearly as often.
For some reason, homeowners tend to neglect their drains even though we rely on them for cooking, washing, and cleaning every single day. But in order to keep them flowing smoothly, regular cleaning is important! Any water from your drainpipes is sent to the sewer line or your septic tank, so if they’re clogged and dirty, you’ll get stuck with slow or standing water — and a lot of issues you don’t need.
The good news is that Fall is a great time to prioritize your drain cleaning. So when you’re planning out all the other chores on your seasonal home maintenance to-do list, make sure your drains are close to the top!
Why Fall is the Best Time for Drain Cleaning
- There’s more debris during the fall and winter. With the changing colors of autumn comes lots of yard waste. Everything from leaves, twigs, and dirt are determined to find their way into your drains, increasing the risks of clogs and backup. And if you don’t pay attention when the impact is minimal, you can expect much bigger issues with your sewer system — with much larger price tags.
- To avoid issues after Halloween. ‘Tis almost the season for hosting and cooking! Just think about all the pumpkin insides, Thanksgiving spreads, and holiday baking soon to get sent down the garbage disposal and into the dishwasher. If your drains aren’t ready, or you let each holiday’s festivities pile up, you could be in for a very tricky situation this winter.
- To prepare for holiday hosting. Speaking of the holidays, in order to use your sinks, showers, washing machines, and toilets a lot more in the next couple of months, you need them to actually work! If you do experience water backup as guests come to visit, what’s your backup plan? Give yourself the reassurance that every festivity will go smoothly by cleaning your drains now.
- Trees start to change. During the spring and summer, trees will get their moisture above ground because of all the participation in the atmosphere. But as that rainfall sets into the soil, they soak it up through their roots — and that affects your sewer lines. If the line is clogged, those trees will look to your pipes to find nourishment.
- It’s just good sense. The kids are back in their school routines, the house is quiet during the day — why not get your drains tested and cleaned!? And at this time of year, the groundwater level is optimal for cleaning because it’s less likely to get washed into the drain.
Your Drain Cleaning Checklist:
Now that you know why you should clean your drains, here’s how you can go about doing that.
- Snake your drains. If you suspect a blog in your pipes, put the plunger away, and grab a drain snake from your local hardware or home store. These long, flexible wire-like tools are perfect for hard-to-reach areas, snagging all the hair and debris that gets stuck in your shower, tub, and sink drains.
- Check your drain strainers. Each drain has a mesh, metal, or plastic strainer that serves as your first line of defense against food, hair, and debris. So cleaning them out regularly and replacing them when needed are the best way to keep them functioning properly.
- Throw away grease or oil! If you’re currently just dumping the leftover grease and oil from dinner down the drain, that’s a major no-no! While the grease may be a liquid when you dispose of it, it will harden as it cools, causing clogs and damage to your drains.
- Ditch the chemical cleaners. The chemicals in your over-the-counter cleaners are strong and harsh. And while these toxins may be powerful against clogs, they’re also brutal on your pipes. They can cause serious damage to your plumbing system in the long run, and also harmful to skin and eyes as you use them. Leave it to the experts to choose the right cleaners and do the job for you.
- Try home remedies. In between professional cleanings, stick to safer, more natural solutions. A combo of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water can tackle tough grime. Start with the baking soda before adding the vinegar, and let it sit for about 5 min. Then flush it out with boiling hot water once, and again about 30 min later. And try a little lemon juice to remove even the worst odors.
To learn more about the importance of cleaning your drains this fall, or to schedule an appointment with one of our plumbing professionals, contact Madsen today.