Programming options

Standard and smart programmable thermostats generally allow homeowners to set their devices for up to four daily schedules. But weekly scheduling options differ from one model thermostat to another.

You can choose:

• 7-day programming, with a separate schedule for every day of the week
• 5-1-1 settings, with one schedule for Monday through Friday, and one schedule for each weekend day
• 5-2 programming, with one schedule for the weekdays and one for weekends
• 1-week settings, with programming that extends the entirety of the seven-day week

Programmable thermostat features

You can also select various features for added convenience, including:

• Touch screen capabilities
• Backlighting
• Reminders to change your HVAC air filters and the thermostat’s batteries
• Vacation override button

Smart capabilities

A standard programmable thermostat will give you all of the features listed above, but a smart device offers an additional perk: web-based access. Remote access to a programmable thermostat can give a homeowner a multitude of options, including the ability to:

• Change temperature settings from another location using a phone or computer
• Adjust temperatures remotely when your schedule changes, so that by the time you return home the temperature will be comfortable
• Change the time period of an existing setting, allowing you to adjust any of the four daily settings
• Set a 365-day schedule, a feature available on some smart programmable thermostats
• Lock out manual adjustments, ideal when you don’t want home occupants, like children, to manipulate the thermostat and make changes to the temperature or time settings
• Receive a text or email when your smart thermostat senses that the home’s temperature is above or below the setting, allowing you to remotely respond
• Receive alerts when humidity sensors read levels that are too high or too low

Use the power of “smart” programmable thermostat technology, and boost your overall energy savings and convenience. For help, contact Acosta Heating & Cooling — serving the Greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

You can rest assured that a NATE-certified technician is the best possible designation to utilize when comparing technicians, because:

• NATE is an independent, non-profit organization – Nationwide, contractors and customers alike value the NATE badge, with manufacturers, utility companies and heating and cooling contractors participating in, developing and approving its testing.
• NATE covers all the bases – With NATE testing, technicians can attain certification in all areas of HVAC, including service and installation of all types of heating and cooling equipment, including energy-efficiency certification.
• NATE thoroughly tests the technician prior to certification – The tests cover all factions of the heating, cooling and ventilation industry. That means that NATE tests don’t simply cover one piece of equipment, like other product-specific training organizations.
• NATE testing covers relevant knowledge – Technicians are grilled on field knowledge, covering day-to-day problems and situations encountered by technicians.
• NATE certification requires continued education credits – If technicians do not have acquire enough credits technicians must retest every five years to maintain NATE certification.
• NATE testing is thorough – While the testing is rigorous, the tests are also comprehensive. Technicians must pass a core test and a specialty test. The core test ensures that technicians have a thorough knowledge of general HVAC scenarios and equipment, while the specialty test, selected by the candidate, covers unique and highly specific knowledge in several fields, like gas furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, air flow, including installation, service and maintenance.

With the value that NATE-certified technicians offer through NATE’s rigorous, comprehensive testing process, it just doesn’t make sense to use any other certification as a qualifier for selecting a technician.

Get the best possible performance by choosing a NATE-certified technician. At Acosta Heating & Cooling, we value our NATE-certified technicians, because they allows us to give our Charlotte-area customers top-notch service. If you need help with your HVAC systems, contact us today!

• Solar collectors – Often called apertures or window expanses, solar collectors are used to access radiation from the sun, which is then used to heat the home. A large window should be positioned on the south-facing side of the home, unobstructed by shade from trees or buildings. This will allow your home to access heat in the winter season during peak sunlight hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Absorbers – Inside the home, an absorber is positioned to collect heat from the sun. It is typically a hard surface, made from a dark material—to absorb maximum heat—and can be either a water container, masonry wall or floor.
• Thermal masses – Also designed to function like an absorber, a thermal mass differs in that it is not an exposed surface area; instead, the thermal mass rests under or behind another surface material, like a wall or floor.
• Solar distribution – Three natural processes — conduction, radiation and convection — are utilized in passive solar design to distribute, or circulate through the home, the solar heat that is collected or absorbed through other passive solar factors, like absorbers and thermal masses.
• Controls – While passive solar maximizes heat gain during winter, it is necessary to limit heat gain during summer. You can position roof overhangs or awnings to increase shading, install a sensing thermostat that will run a fan to limit heat gain, and install dampers or vents that alternatively allow or inhibit the movement of heat. Window blinds are also an effective passive solar tool that will reduce heat gain in the summer.

If you’re interested in passive solar design, contact your local solar experts at Acosta Heating & Cooling today! We’ve been serving the greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

Here are seven tips you can use immediately:

1. Don’t let plumbing leaks go unchecked

– Not only can these leaks lead to higher water bills, but they give mold a chance to grow. Quickly fix leaks yourself, if you have the skills, or a call in a plumber.

2. Keep your home dry

– Any time that an area in your home becomes wet, or even damp, you’re giving mold spores the opportunity to gather—and rest assured that they will reproduce quickly once they gain a foothold. When you shower, for example, use the exhaust fan to dry out the space, and wipe down shower and tub walls.

3. Watch indoor humidity levels

– You can purchase a hygrometer, which will allow you to monitor your home’s relative humidity. Ideally, humidity should remain below 60 percent, with 30-50 percent being an optimal range. If you find your home is overly humid, consider purchasing a whole-house dehumidifier.

4. Schedule regular maintenance

– Proper cleaning and inspections will help to keep your air conditioner working properly, and ensure that it can dehumidify the air.

5. Watch A/C drainage

– Because lots of moisture is produced during the cooling process, your A/C system must drain this moisture properly. Homeowners should keep an eye on the A/C’s drip pan and condensate drain, cleaning and unclogging as necessary.

6. Check equipment ventilation

– Equipment that emits moisture, like a clothes dryer, should be vented outside.

7. Keep the foundation dry

– This is one of the best moisture-fighting strategies. Be sure that the area around your home slopes away from your home, and keep drainage systems clear.

Don’t let mold get the upper hand in your home. Use moisture-fighting strategies to prevent it from ever getting a foot in the door. For expert advice contact Acosta Heating & Cooling, serving the Greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

Having a spring A/C tune-up will get your A/C unit ready to operate efficiently and safe throughout the summer cooling season. You’ll also avoid the rush of repairing a malfunctioning unit in the middle of the hot summer months to come.

When you schedule an A/C tune-up, your technician will:

• Conduct a thorough inspection of the entire system and its related components
• Test the A/C’s refrigerant, as an incorrectly-charged system will not omly not cool properly but it will waste energy.
• Test the system for refrigerant leaks
• Safely capture refrigerant that must be removed, according to industry standards
• Check the ductwork portion of your HVAC equipment, ensuring that it doesn’t leak and allows for proper airflow
• Assess the A/C’s airflow over the evaporator coil, and clean it, as improper airflow over the coil will lead to decreased cooling capacity
• Test the thermostat, ensuring that its controls will lock out the heating system when you set the thermostat to cooling mode, and making sure that it will meet temperature settings
• Inspect all electrical elements, lubricating and tightening connections as necessary
• Test the motor, checking that belts are tight, warding off wear and tear, and lubricating the motor, too

As a homeowner, you can participate in maintaining the air conditioner by:

• Changing the air filter before you start up the A/C
• Checking the air filter monthly once you begin to use the air conditioner regularly, ensuring that the filter is not dirty, which will restrict airflow and lead to dirt buildup
• Assessing the conditions around the outdoor unit, cleaning up debris that has accumulated throughout the winter, as well as vegetation that can block the unit and potentially affect airflow and efficiency
• Inspecting the registers and grilles throughout your home to ensure that airflow is optimized

Contact the home-comfort experts at Acosta Heating & Cooling to schedule an A/C tune-up appointment, or ask about our annual maintenance plans. We’ve served the Greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

Early detection of carbon monoxide is a lifesaver, particularly when residents in a home are asleep. Carbon monoxide detectors with alarms are based on two different technologies:

• Electrochemical detectors rely on a chemical reaction to sense the level of CO. Widely marketed and now considered the most accurate variety, these models utilize a high-decibel audio alarm. Electrochemical detectors have low voltage requirements and many are battery-powered, permitting more versatile location and easier installation.
• Metal oxide semiconductor detectors utilize an older technology, relying on the reaction between tin oxides and carbon monoxide to detect dangerous levels. Metal oxide carbon monoxide detectors must be plugged in or hardwired to 120-volt house current, limiting location options. However, the AC power source enables more features, such as a digital readout to display current CO levels. Some metal oxide-type detectors are also equipped with a strobe light that accompanies the audio alarm—desirable in homes with elderly or hearing-impaired residents.

The initial purchase price for carbon monoxide detectors of either type is more or less a wash. However, battery/sensor replacement required by electrochemical models after two to three years results in greater expense over the long run. Each sleeping floor of the residence should have at least one detector installed, with another in the vicinity of any appliances that burn natural gas or other combustible fuels.

For more about the safety benefits of carbon monoxide detectors, and the dangers of CO exposure, contact Acosta Heating & Cooling — since 1972, Charlotte, North Carolina’s leading heating and cooling providers.

There are several other distinct advantages to using a ductless mini split, including:

• Flexible installation – You can install as many as four indoor air handlers, which gives you the ability to select four spaces to receive heating and cooling. A separate unit is installed outdoors, and a central conduit connects the indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit will need to accommodate drainage, but it can be located up to 50 feet away from the indoor units. To install the air handlers, your technician will need only to drill a small hole to run the conduit, requiring minimal adjustments and construction to your home.
• Zoned heating and cooling – Each indoor air handler is controlled by its own thermostat, so you can effectively provide zoned heating and cooling to the spaces. With the ability to increase cooling, for instance, to a ductless mini split located in an enclosed porch, you can provide as much cooling as necessary to that space, without also increasing cooling to other spaces in your home—spaces that don’t need more cooling.
• An efficient system – Heating and cooling systems that rely on forced air through ductwork are susceptible to high energy losses. Because ductless mini splits don’t rely on ductwork, you’ll get a more efficient heating and cooling process.
• Lower installation costs – Extending and retrofitting ductwork is a costly endeavor, and mini splits bypass that cost. However, to ensure optimal results, you’ll want to hire an expert who’s familiar with mini splits, as their location and size will dictate efficiency and performance.

A ductless mini split is an efficient, flexible solution to your home heating and cooling needs. For more information, contact Acosta Heating & Cooling, serving the Greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

No matter the season, heat pumps create a more comfortable home by delivering even amounts of conditioned air throughout the day. When selecting a system, consider efficiency ratings and advanced features to maximize performance:

• Efficiency ratings – Heat pumps have two ratings, one for cooling and one for heating. For cooling, select a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating above 14, and for heating, select a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) rating above 8. Both of these ratings are for high-efficiency systems, which will net you higher energy savings over the life of the system.
• Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) – A TXV will meter exact amounts of refrigerant according to the daily weather, releasing more refrigerant during extreme temperatures.
• Variable-speed blower – With the ability to adjust the air handler to multiple speeds, these systems consume less energy by operating at a lower speed for a majority of the day, and like a TXV, ramping up to high speeds only when the weather demands it.
• Two-stage compressor – A two-stage compressor starts out at 70% of its capacity and if this satisfies your thermostat it stays there using less energy. However on extreme temperature days when 70% doesn’t satisfy your thermostat quick enough then the compressor will bump up to 100% capacity. This feature will manage energy consumption, and decrease wear and tear on the system.

Use your tax refund wisely and invest that money back into your home with a highly efficient heat pump system. For expert advice during the upgrade process, contact Acosta Heating & Cooling, serving the greater Charlotte area as a local, family-owned company since 1972.

Your HVAC technician can improve the performance of your heat pump system by performing these tasks and checks:

• Check the refrigerant charge and correct it, if necessary.
• Make sure the duct system is properly sealed, clean and insulated.
• Check the airflow and fan speed.

If you have an annual maintenance plan, your technician can check the ducts, airflow and refrigerant on his next visit. If you hear noises in your ducts or coming from the blower, you should call for service right away.

In addition to the maintenance performed by your HVAC technician, there are a few things you can do to improve airflow and performance of your heat pump system:

• Make sure there is no furniture blocking vents and air returns.
• Vacuum dirty vent and air return covers.
• Change air filters regularly.

Homeowners in the Charlotte, North Carolina area can call Acosta Heating & Cooling for guaranteed service and maintenance by trained technicians. For your peace of mind, we offer maintenance and service plans to ensure that your system is always operating at peak performance.

Static electricity

You’ve probably noticed static electricity from the many forms it takes: frizzy hair, clingy clothing and those telltale sparks when you touch a doorknob or other object. Occasionally, static can also build up to levels that can be damaging to sensitive electronics, so it’s important not to let it get too out of hand.

How humidification helps

Static electricity tends to be much more of an issue in winter This is because the air tends to be driest in winter. Moisture in the air prevents static electricity from building up, and that’s where humidifiers come in. Maintaining an optimum humidity level around 30 or 40 percent can significantly reduce static electricity.

Other benefits

A humidifier can ease all of the many issues caused by dry air, such as chapped lips, dry eyes and itchy skin. Avoiding dry air can also help you recover from colds more quickly, and it makes breathing easier, especially for sufferers of asthma or other respiratory conditions. Humidification also protects wooden floors, furniture and fixtures in your home from drying, separating, and cracking.

Humidification options

When you consider humidifiers, you basically have two options. The first is one or more portable humidifiers, which can each effectively eliminate dry air in a single room. The second is a whole-house humidifier, which works with your HVAC system to humidify the air throughout your home. Although portable models are less expensive, whole-house humidifiers are more efficient, do not require constantly having to be refilled with water, require little maintenance and are usually installed out of sight and away from your living space.

For more information on the benefits of humidification, contact Acosta Heating & Cooling. We’ve been locally owned and operated since 1972, and provide expert HVAC service throughout the Charlotte area.