Author Archives: 2010admin
Summer is in full swing and you can certainly feel it! But just because it’s scorching outside, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be perfectly comfortable inside. Ensure your home stays cool all summer long by taking advantage of these helpful tips to improve your HVAC’s efficiency and effectiveness!
1) Keep Your HVAC System in the Shade
A lot of AC units are located outside the home. And when it’s in the shade, the air around it’s going to be cooler — automatically making it easier to cool the air for you. Conversely, if you keep your unit in direct sunlight, it’ll get overheated and have to work overtime. Shady trees or shrubs can help, but make sure there is enough space around the unit to avoid other issues. A constant barrage of leaves and branches can clog up the system and lead to the need for repairs or replacements.
2) Check & Replace Your Filters
Air filters should be checked once a month and replaced as needed. If you stay on top of this, you can improve your indoor air quality and avoid allergens and dust circulating through your home. Even further, if those filters become clogged, you could be looking at an overworked HVAC system and a whole new set of problems. Conserve energy, improve the longevity of your unit, and save money by regularly implementing this simple efficiency fix.
3) Protect Your Thermostat From the Heat
Your thermostat innately senses heat around it. So if it’s near sources of heat, it’s going to set your AC into overdrive to try to bring those temps down. By keeping electronics and appliances away from your thermostat, you can prevent it from working unnecessarily and driving up utility costs.
If you’re having a new thermostat installed, our experts here at Madsen can help find the best placement in your home, avoiding direct sunlight and large appliances to ensure this won’t be the case for you.
4) Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Speaking of new thermostats… smart thermostats are excellent investments in terms of saving money, conserving energy, and keeping you cool! This tech ensures your system operates efficiently and allows you to change the settings any time from anywhere. In fact, each degree you dial below 78 can increase your energy consumption by about 8%, so the more control and visibility you have into your home’s cooling, the better. This affordable investment will pay for itself in no time by saving you money on your energy bills and preserving the lifespan of your HVAC unit in the process.
5) Invest in a New HVAC System
If your outdated HVAC system simply isn’t getting the job done, investing in a new unit is likely worth the investment in the long run. An inefficient system is costing you extra money for the same output — and probably isn’t helping you beat the heat. Our experts at Madsen can recommend the right size HVAC unit for your space, maximizing efficiency and keeping you as cool as possible all season long. A replacement will be more affordable than constant repairs or siphoning money to your energy company.
6) Weatherize Your Home
Even if your HVAC system is working perfectly, that cool air could be going right out the window. Weatherizing your home can make all the difference when it comes to the actual temperature inside. This includes sealing air leaks with caulking and weather stripping and placing some awnings over windows and doors to stop sunlight from getting in. Installing window film or tints can help retain the indoor temperature, and follow up by adding insulation around your air ducts to make sure you have all the bases covered.
7) Take a Look at Your Landscaping
While most of your landscaping may be set in stone, consider adding more rocks, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home to stop heat from getting trapped on your property. These surfaces increase the temperature of your surroundings by absorbing and continuously radiating heat. It’s also important to take note of plants and shrubs and their distance from your HVAC unit. Like previously mentioned, the more leaves and branches close in proximity can cause inadequate airflow, which prevents your unit from breathing cool, refreshing air into your home.
8) Set Your Fans to Spin Counterclockwise
When you set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise, they’ll push the cool air coming from your AC down and throughout your house. Running your ceiling fan is a lot cheaper than even a couple extra degrees on your thermostat, so take advantage of this method as often as you can. This’ll also give your HVAC unit a break so it can live longer and work more efficiently when you need it to, and give you the option to keep certain vents closed to direct the cool air to the rooms you want it to go.
Make Madsen Your Choice for HVAC Care!
Whether you need a new HVAC unit or thermostat installed or you need a routine tune-up, the experts here at Madsen can help with all of your HVAC needs and ensure things are done the right way, every time.
We’ll come do a thorough inspection of your system so you can be sure it’s ready to beat the heat when the season gets sweltering. An affordable maintenance appointment can set you up for a cool summer and save you from dealing with expensive repairs or replacements before the season’s up. Don’t let your HVAC system fail you — give us a call to schedule an appointment with our team of local technicians today.
HVAC systems have really come a long way. Thanks to advancing technology, recent developments have been pretty cool — and the industry is expected to heat up this year with exponential growth, offering unprecedented efficiency and exceptional software options. And as customer expectations are increasingly more demanding as weather trends continue to surprise us, it’s putting the HVAC industry into overdrive.
By keeping our finger on the pulse on everything HVACs, we’re always here to help homeowners with the right systems to help them beat the heat or fight the cold in any season. Let’s look at the industry trends that are expected to take over in 2023!
1) Overall Growth
The HVAC industry has been booming for the last few years and is expected to continue growing. This means that HVAC companies need to be prepared with reporting, payroll, and other software systems that can keep up with the rapid rate of growth we’re likely to see. Don’t worry — Madsen’s committment to continuous improvement allows us to always offer the highest-quality solutions out there! We’ve got you covered.
Along with the demand growing, the revenue earned across the HVAC industry is expected to grow as well. In 2021, the HVAC US systems market was valued at $16.54 billion and is projected to grow at a rate of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030 (Grand View Research). With 118,000 HVAC businesses in the US (IBIS World), plenty of people will benefit from the growth of this industry! Not to mention, homeowners will benefit as well — with better customer service, maintenance availability, and systems that continuously improve through innovative solutions provided by your HVAC experts.
2) Increase in Maintenance Services
Customers are taking advantage of maintenance services more than ever before. These regular, affordable investments can prevent unexpected failures that force them to buy a brand-new system — at the most inconvenient times. Regular maintenance appointments increase the longevity of an HVAC system, potentially saving homeowners significantly in the long run.
Every year, Americans actually spend over $10 billion on HVAC repair and maintenance services (Grand View Research). Imagine how much they’d be spending on new systems if they didn’t proactively make those investments! With more than 50% of US homes being over 40 years old (ACHR News), maintenance and repairs go a long way in getting homeowners long-term results. If you’re looking to schedule your seasonal HVAC maintenance appointment, reach out to our experts at Madsen today!
3) Customers are Upgrading
Homeowners are taking advantage of new innovation as a result of the industry’s recent boom. Just like maintenance appointments and repairs, these decisions can help them save money and energy in the long run — but instead of being routine, these upgrades are one-time investments that serve homeowners for years to come!
For example, let’s look at smart thermostats that improve energy efficiency for HVAC systems. 24% of US households owned a smart thermostat in 2022 (Consumer Technology Association) and saved an average of $49 per month from doing so (Parks Associates). In addition, 8 out of 10 homeowners who own them plan to buy another one in the future (Statista).
And smart thermostats aren’t the only innovation homeowners are investing in. Ductless HVAC systems could represent all HVAC industry revenue in the next 5 years (Aeroseal), while the inverter heat pump category could grow at a rate of 12.5% over the next 6 years (Million Insights). Variable-speed heat pumps are also growing in popularity with the ability to cut a homeowner’s monthly costs by up to 40% (Mordor Intelligence). It’s no wonder why homeowners are taking action and getting them installed!
4) Sustainability is Key
Customers are demanding more sustainable HVAC systems, and the industry is responding. Homeowners want to be comfortable, but are conscious about what that means for the environment. The HVAC industry continues to deliver what homeowners demand in meaningful ways. In fact, all residential AC and heat pump systems have to meet new US energy efficiency standards in 2023, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
50% of HVAC customers are willing to pay more for a more eco-friendly system (GWI). And these investments will go a long way! We’re all investing in the future of our planet, making impactful changes, one household at a time.
One of the most exciting HVAC innovations in terms of sustainability is the geothermal heat pump. It’s been around for a while, but this innovation is finally starting to garner an effectual level of attention this year. It’s one of the best energy and money-saving systems we’ve come across in the HVAC industry and deserves this level of awareness and demand! Right now, these pumps account for about 1% of the US HVAC market, according to CBS News, but that may change soon. About 50,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed in the US every year, according to the US Department of Energy, and as that increases, the environment will continue to benefit — and so will homeowners!
Takeaways
The HVAC industry is growing rapidly and in meaningful ways that benefit homeowners across the country. By investing in innovative HVAC technology, maintenance appointments, and sustainable options, homeowners are keeping more money in their pockets while helping to minimize our carbon footprint. The more we invest in more efficient and effective HVAC systems, the more we can stay comfortable in the homes we love and create a better place to live for everyone.
Madsen is here to make sure your HVAC system serves you in the best possible way for years to come. Contact us today to see how we can help you with all of your HVAC needs!
With summer just around the corner, most of us are starting to daydream about all the vacations, pool days, and cookouts on the horizon. But along with all the fun of the season also comes sweltering heat and higher energy bills. We don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but one thing’s for sure – when you come home after a day out in the sunshine, you’ll want to be comfortable and cool. And the best way to ensure you can do that is to prepare your home for summer weather now.
Here are 11 simple things you can do to prepare for all the fun summer has to offer without losing your cool.
Prepping Your HVAC System for Summer Weather
If there’s one thing that will make the biggest impact on your home’s comfort this summer, it’s your HVAC. There are a lot of things you can do now to prep your system for the brutal heat.
Clean Around Your Compressor Outside of Your Home
Your compressor is what creates the cool air that travels through the ducts in your home. Since it sits outside, debris can build up around and even get inside of your compressor, compromising it’s an ability to operate efficiently and effectively. Make a point to clear away anything that could be mucking up your compressor before summer arrives.
Check Your Filters
Just like outdoor debris can hinder your compressor’s performance, inside dust and particles in your HVAC filters can hinder the functionality of your entire system. Even if you haven’t been using your HVAC a lot this spring, your filters will continue to trap anything floating through the air, and those particles can accumulate quickly. Before the summer weather hits, you’ll want to make sure to check your filters to see if they need to be deep cleaned or replaced, and contact our team at Madsen to take care of it.
Inspect Your Air Ducts
When it comes to heating and cooling, duct damage is responsible for about 20-30% of energy loss. That’s why in order to save energy, it’s imperative to check on the condition of your ducts! Taking care of any air leaks will save you money and keep you cool in the long run. In many cases, these leaks may be very minor or even out of sight, but they can make a huge difference on your home’s overall comfort, so it’s worth a little extra effort to ensure nothing is missed. Hiring a professional to do this inspection for you will help you feel confident in your system all summer long.
Clean Your Vents
Before the summer heat gets to you, make sure cold air can get to you by cleaning out your vents! Keep an eye out for dust, debris, hair, and even objects that can fall through your vents – especially if you have pets or little ones running around. Clogged vents will only force your system to work harder and jack up your energy bills, so make sure everything is out of there before summer.
Check Your Thermostat
Now is the best time for a thermostat reset. You’ll want to try to match the seasonal temperature averages and schedule so you can be as efficient and cost-effective in cooling your home all summer long. Setting your thermostat can even help to keep you cool during power outages during summer storms. Make sure to change your batteries and get them tested for performance during your routine HVAC maintenance appointment as well.
Check Out Your Refrigerant Lines
Refrigerant is a key component in keeping you cool this summer. It absorbs & transports heat, pushing the unwanted heat outside all season long. If your HVAC system’s refrigerant lines are damaged or leaking, it can cause environmental issues and stop your system from doing its job altogether. Sit by your unit for a bit and listen for bubbling or hissing noises. If you suspect there’s a leak, a good way to check is by taking some soap and apply it to the spot. If it bubbles, you’ve got a leak. If that’s the case, call a professional to fix the issue right away. Our HVAC experts would be happy to inspect your lines for you as well!
Other Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer Weather
In addition to your HVAC care, there are other things you can do to prep your home to beat the heat.
Keep the Sunlight Out
Tackle that sunshine head-on by using curtains, blinds & shades, and reflective window film to keep those strong rays from heating up your living spaces. Planting shady trees and shrubs can also block sunlight from seeping in your windows and hitting your home’s exterior, which can help to keep you cool all season long!
Pay Attention to Airflow
Circulation is half the battle when it comes to cooling your home. By taking advantage of fans and screened windows, you can keep air flowing through your house. When temperatures aren’t unbearable, try to open windows at opposite ends of your house to promote airflow for short periods during the day and at night. Keep interior doors open so you don’t disrupt any potential cross-ventilation. And use fans in the rooms you’re occupying most during the day. They can make it feel up 10 degrees cooler when the airflow hits your skin!
Unplug Appliances & Electronics
Electronics and appliances can generate heat when they’re plugged in. Cut down on this extra heat by unplugging them when they’re not in use. Keep an eye out for light fixtures, your washer and dryer, and any cooking appliances that can be discreetly combating your cooling efforts.
Make Handling the Heat Easier with Help from Madsen!
It’s a no-brainer that HVAC system maintenance plays a major role in your home’s comfort every summer. To get ahead of the heat this summer, our experts at Madsen are here to take these important tasks off your to-do list. Contact our team to schedule your seasonal appointment today!
Spring cleaning time is here! But before you start purging the attic, there are some more important items to attend to. Transitioning to the warm weather after working hard throughout a cold winter can be tough on your HVAC system. To avoid unexpected issues when the real heat arrives, HVAC maintenance is a must!
If your system is working correctly, you won’t be springing for emergency repairs or unreasonably high energy bills. With an efficient HVAC system, there’ll be no reason to sweat this summer! And by the time next winter rolls around, you’ll be nice and cozy warm without worry!
When you care for your system with routine maintanece, it can take care of you for longer. But what exactly does that all entail? Let’s break it down and go over exactly how we make sure your HVAC can serve you well all summer long! We’ve created a spring checklist so you can get a jump start on your system’s care this season.
1. Check Key Components
First and foremost, you need to make sure all the key components are working correctly. You’ll want to inspect and clean fan blades, make sure refrigerant is blowing cold air, and tighten electrical connections. If you notice any leaks or damaged parts, you’ll need to schedule a repair service you need before it becomes a bigger issue — or a complete break down. If this feels a bit overwhelming, contact a professional (like the awesome technicians at Madsen) to come out with an expert eye to make sure nothing gets missed. They can also handle more tricky tasks like lubricating blower fans and coils or inspecting motors and ductwork for tough-to-spot signs of damage.
2. Install an Air Purifier
If you’re sick of seasonal allergies, install an air purifier in your unit. This will go a long way in terms of putting pollen in its place. It’ll also handle mold and germs, improving your indoor air quality so you can breathe easy all season long.
3. Replace the Air Filters
Speaking of allergies, your air filters need to be changed regularly. Over time, they can become clogged with dust, dirt, and debris. And anything that’s stuck in an old filter certainly isn’t going to improve your air quality or air flow. Not to mention, clogged filters create an inefficient HVAC system, which creates conducive conditions for an alarmingly high energy bill. So swap in some fresh filters that’ll keep your air as clean as can be.
4. Check the Lines
Another essential item on your spring checklist is to inspect and clean the lines that run through your unit.
Inpsect refrigerant lines to make sure there’s no leaks or damage hindering its ability to dispense cold air and check the levels to make sure your system can cool your home as efficiently as possible.
You should also look for clogs in the drain line. All of that moisture that running your AC creates should be filtered out through this line — and if it’s not, it could be backed up. If it is, you can have a technician come clear it out so it doesn’t lead to problems later.
5. Clean Vents & Registers
Over the winter, all kinds of unnoticed things have probably slipped their way into your vents and registers — whether it’s your kids toys, your lost key, or all that dog hair. In any event, it’s time to unscrew the registers, wipe down the covers, and clean out the ducts! This will get your indoor air quality back in gear and maybe help you find that lost shed key you’ve been looking for — just in time to start working on your lawn again (yay!).
6. Level the Unit
While this one might seem like a given, you’d be surprised at how often HVAC systems aren’t sitting level — and how much this affects their ability to function! The effects are slow but sure. The concrete pad will tilt over time, straining the coolant lines and causing significant damage if left to its own devices. Make sure this isn’t the case with your system by double checking that it’s still sitting level!
7. Adjust the Thermostat
Once your system’s been inspected, move to the thermostat. You’ll want to make sure it’s working properly and calibrate it for optimal performance. That means setting it to cooling mode and running the air for 15 minutes when you first turn it on.
If you don’t have a thermostat or are looking to upgrade yours to a smart or programmable thermostat, now’s the time to do it! Having one of these thermostats installed and automatically setting the temperature for 8 hours every day saves you up to 10% on your energy bill. It’s worth the initial investment, keeping your home more comfortable throughout the day and eliminating the need to constantly make manual adjustments — saving you time, money, and effort.
8. Clean Up
The inner workings of your HVAC system are obviously important. What’s less obvious is how essential the outside of your unit can be! Over the fall and winter, all kinds of debris can accumulate around your unit easily — from leaves to dirt and debris. These can clog up your unit, get into the coils, and cause damage to the equipment!
Clear leaves from the unit’s top grill and trib nearby pushes to give your unit at least 2 feet of clearance on either side. If you’re not interested in getting your hands dirty, let a professional handle the cleanup and any resulting repairs for you! We hate to say it, but rodents and other pests love to nest in areas like this, so sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Spring HVAC Maintenance with Madsen
Our expert technicians are here to ensure every task on this checklist gets accomplished! We’ll make sure your system is ready for the new season. You can rely on us for your routine maintenance appointments, as well as any repairs your system may need along the way.
We’ll keep you comfortable with the affordable and convenient preventative maintenance appointments your HVAC system needs. Contact us to schedule your spring appointment today!
Regardless of what Puxatawny Phil may say, we never actually know what kind of weather we’re in for heading into spring. Sometimes a little bit of sun has those May flowers springing in March and those April showers bring some serious cold fronts. So with such unpredictable weather, how are we supposed to prepare ourselves as homeowners?
We can’t control the weather, but we can control how well we prep for it. Check out these tips to help you ensure your heating and cooling system is more than ready for whatever spring may bring to help you manage those energy bills.
Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance Appointment
You probably had a feeling this one would be on the list! It’s a no-brainer. In order to continue working efficiently and effectively season after season, your HVAC system needs regular care. And now is the perfect time to make sure your system is still running smoothly after a long winter. Before everyone else starts booking their pre-summer appointments, get ahead of the game so you can be confident in the comfort your system will provide.
Tune-Ups
During your maintenance appointment, we’ll evaluate the condition of your system and provide cleaning and adjustments to eliminate any potential problem areas, so it’s ready to handle the extremes. Keeping up with these appointments annually will help you increase the lifespan of your system and keep your energy bills from spiking like those unseasonably hot spring days!
Repairs & Replacements
A HVAC professional will also let you know if your HVAC system, or any of its parts, needs to be repaired or replaced. No system lasts forever, and you’re much better off figuring out if that time has come for you now than when you really need it. Luckily, Madsen’s got you covered for heating repairs, cooling repairs, and any installation service that will ensure your home is comfortably cool all spring and summer long.
Program Your Thermostat
These once-luxury items are now pretty standard in homes everywhere. Most thermostats produced over the last ten years are programmable, so not having a smart system is just not smart. When there are temperature swings afoot, this system really shines allowing you to stay ahead of day-to-day, or even same-day changes in the temperature. Instead of guessing what the day will bring, make a quick adjustment whenever and wherever you are.
It saves energy too, which saves you money in the long run. Getting ahead of a heat spike can save you from having to overwork your HVAC system. Instead of wasting energy when the temperature spikes 20 degrees in an hour, you can turn the heat down beforehand and avoid being uncomfortable for even a moment.
If you’re thinking about installing a programmable thermostat, Madsen’s got you covered.
Get a Dehumidifier
With the hottest season of the year around the corner, it’s time to prepare for those spikes that can really put your AC over the edge. While the heat is hard to beat, the humidity can make it a lot worse. A dehumidifier can go a long way in making your home more comfortable before you have to crank the AC up to full blast.
Utilize Natural Temperature Controls
There are natural ways that you can help regulate your home’s temperature! While these tricks obviously can’t do the whole job, they can stop temperature swings from taking a toll on your HVAC system – and your wallet.
Natural Heat
First of all, your house is made of heavy matter that absorbs, stores, and slowly releases heat. And for the colder days of the month, you can open up all of your south and west-facing curtains and blinds to let in natural, warming sunlight. Use the heat your home has stored and the sun’s warmth before you crank up the thermostat!
Natural Cooling
As for cooling down your home during one of March’s mini-heat waves, shady trees, and thermal window coverings will help you out. Fans and ventilation systems are also winners when it comes to giving your AC a break and stopping your energy bills from skyrocketing! Of course, if the heat does get too much for your AC to handle, we’re here for any cooling repairs you need – but taking advantage of natural cooling can help to prevent the need! You can also cool your home and reduce those energy bills by minimizing sources of heat from the inside. Incandescent light bulbs, electronics, and your stove are all culprits when it comes to your appliances, while hot showers/baths and washing your clothes can also up the humidity, so look for opportunities to cut back on any unnecessary sources of heat throughout your daily routine.
Get Through March & Beyond with Madsen!
Are you ready for spring to get sprung? Madsen’s here to make sure you are! We can set you up with the HVAC system that’s perfect for your home or optimize your current system so it’s ready for anything the season may bring.
For heating repairs, cooling repairs, and installation services, contact our HVAC experts today!