Category: Service & Maintenance

Dealing With a Tagged Furnace: How to Make Smart Decisions When You’re Seeing Red

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

When your local HVAC professional inspects your furnace during a maintenance call, he is obligated to respond to any safety issues he finds. For this reason, an unexpected result of preventive maintenance might be a red-tagged furnace. If your furnace is red-tagged, it means that an HVAC or utility company inspector has found a critical safety problem, most often a cracked heat exchanger, and that the furnace must be shut down and not used until the problem is resolved.

If this happens to you, it’s only normal that you’d be angry and frustrated enough to see red. However, it’s important to remember that decisions to red-tag a furnace are not made randomly, especially during the winter. If your furnace has been red-tagged, the unit is dangerous to operate and should be taken seriously as a genuine threat to the lives of everyone in your home.

A cracked heat exchanger can let dangerous carbon monoxide gas leak into your living areas. Usually this substance is safely expelled through the furnace’s ventilation system, but a crack or hole in the heat exchanger lets it leak into your home before it can be vented. Humans cannot detect carbon monoxide, and in the right concentration, it can kill.

In most cases, heat exchangers must be completely replaced. This can be expensive, with new heat exchangers often costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. The cost of replacing a heat exchanger may be more than that of replacing the entire furnace unit.

Consider replacing the exchanger if your furnace is under 10 years old, if the exchanger is covered under warranty, or if the repair costs less than 25 percent of total system replacement. Otherwise, a new furnace may be your best and safest option.

For 40 years, Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical has been providing professional services to customers in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information on how to handle a red-tagged furnace, and for expert advice on whether it’s better to replace a cracked heat exchanger or the entire system.

Heat Pumps: Consider Efficiency Ratings and Advanced Features; But Also Keep These 4 Factors in Mind

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

When selecting a new heating system, It’s important to consider the efficiency of heat pumps and their features, along with a few lesser-known factors, that will determine your home comfort and savings. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know when evaluating heat pumps:

Because a heat pump is a multi-purpose home HVAC system, you’ll need to check out two efficiency ratings: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) for heating, and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for cooling. You can maximize your investment by selecting a high-efficiency system with ratings above HSPF 8 and SEER 14. Keep in mind that systems with higher ratings will provide better monthly energy savings, but they will cost more to purchase initially.

The features included in a heat pump determine its overall efficiency. Advanced features that enhance comfort and savings include:

  • Improved refrigerant delivery with a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), which will meter precise amounts of refrigerant according to the climate’s demands.
  • Variable-speed components, like a motor or air handler, which allows the heat pump to use energy wisely and increase home comfort.
  • Upgraded design for coils, which generally allow for an overall increase in the surface space of the coil so that it can take on more refrigerant.

While it’s important to consider the efficiency of a heat pump, you should keep the following points in mind:

  • Demand defrost capabilities are critical in the winter, which should ideally decrease the process of defrosting to minimize electricity consumption.
  • Noise levels are also a factor. Make sure the system meets minimum guidelines, generally below 7.6 bels.
  • The position of the unit will also affect noise and efficiency. Make sure it’s located away from windows, and protected from winds.
  • The installer should evaluate the position of the indoor coil, as it should generally be positioned upstream of the furnace to maximize efficiency.

Get the most out of your investment, by evaluating heat pumps with effective efficiency ratings and advanced features that will match your home’s needs. In the Greater Charlotte area, contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical for all your home cooling and heating needs.

Furnace-Troubleshooting Tips: Give These a Try Before You Call for Help

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Furnace problems can be a major inconvenience. You can be left without heat for days and you may end up overpaying for a simple solution. There are furnace-troubleshooting tips you should try yourself before you call your HVAC service technician to see if you can quickly and easily fix your problem.

Below are some of the most frequently experienced problems and quick solutions you can try out to resolve them. Always turn the gas and electricity to the heating system off before you do any sort of work on it.

Furnace isn’t producing heat
While this may seem obvious, if you have not switched your thermostat from cooling to heating mode, your furnace won’t create any heat. This is a common error made at the beginning of the heating season. Also check to see if you need to relight your pilot light, and check your circuit box to see if the breaker for the furnace has been tripped.

Furnace isn’t producing sufficient heat
If you aren’t able to reach desired comfort levels, check on your furnace filter. If it has been too long since you last replaced it, airflow may be restricted, which can reduce heating efficiency. The pollutants it captures amass and form a thick screen that forces your furnace to be overworked, spiking your heating costs. Replace it monthly to prevent this from happening.

Leaky ducts may also be the culprit. Loose duct connections and cracks in the ductwork cause conditioned air to leak out before making it into your home. Use duct mastic to seal up such spots.

Constant blower operation
Make sure the “fan continuous” setting isn’t on. If it is already off, reset the limit control switch for the fan.

Furnace operation is too noisy
If you’re hearing abnormal system noise or system noise has increased, any number of problems could be present. The best course of action is to call in a professional.

To learn about more furnace troubleshooting tips, contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical today. We have proudly served the Charlotte Metro Area since 1972.

Maintaining Your HVAC System: Easy Things You Can Do to Minimize Problems and Optimize Efficiency

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

If you want your HVAC appliances to remain in good working shape for as long as possible, some effort will be necessary on your part. Some of the things you’ll need to do may seem like a bit of a hassle, but the potential damage you’ll prevent will be well worth the time.

  • Regularly change your air filter. Ideally, you should check your air filter just about once a month. If it looks dirty, have it changed right away, and the absolute longest you should go without changing it is three months. Dirty air filters put a strain on your HVAC appliances, causing energy to be wasted and breakdowns to become more likely.
  • Get yearly equipment tune-ups. For heating and cooling systems to keep working properly, it’s imperative that you bring in a professional to tune them up annually. These tune-ups will go a long way towards preventing any major issues or breakdowns, as well as allowing the appliance to work more efficiently.
  • Consider sealing heating and cooling ducts. If you’re using a duct system in your household, you would be wise to have it sealed and insulated. You can use mastic duct sealant or foil tape for sealing ducts, and it can increase the energy-efficiency of your HVAC system by up to 20 percent. After you’ve sealed them, wrap them up well in duct insulation.

By following these steps, you can all but guarantee that your HVAC equipment won’t be having any problems in the near future. If you put in the work now, you’ll be minimizing the amount of work you’ll need to do — and money you’ll need to spend — down the road.

For heating and cooling needs in the Charlotte  area, contact the good people at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical.

Tell-Tale Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your HVAC System

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

The most obvious sign that your furnace needs replacing is when it is not working properly. Less obvious, but just as important, is determining whether or not it has become inefficient due to its age. If your system doesn’t blow sufficient hot air when the furnace is on, or cold air when the A/C is turned on, you will most likely need to look into replacement. If, however, the unit does not turn on at all, it could be as simple as only needing to change out the thermostat. A service call from your HVAC technician will be necessary to make this determination.

If you notice suddenly spiking energy costs on your bill, which are not related to a recent price hike, your furnace’s efficiency may well be compromised. A visit from a service professional may be in order. A trained technician can analyze your energy usage, discuss with you the efficiency of your current unit, and estimate the expected long-term savings of installing a new furnace.

As technologies have advanced and new energy standards have been implemented, the overall efficiency of HVAC equipment has greatly improved. Thus, newer furnaces are more efficient than older ones. If your furnace is 15 years old, despite the fact that it still may be churning out hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer, chances are it is keeping your home energy costs unnecessarily high. The current rule of thumb is to assess the efficiency and consider upgrading any furnace more than 10 years old. Additionally, efficiency standards were raised in 1992 and again in 2005. HVAC systems which pre-date these changes are most likely less efficient, and you would see long-term cost benefits from replacing your system.

To schedule a consultation with a service professional in the Charlotte Metro Area, or for more information related to furnace replacement or your home comfort needs, contact us at Acosta Heating and Cooling.

A Nine-Point Checklist to Keep Your Heat Pump in Prime Shape

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Your heat pump is what keeps your home comfortable throughout the year in the Charlotte area. Keeping your heat pump in prime shape is a great idea if you want to make sure it lasts you a long time and remains reliable.

With that in mind, consider this nine-point checklist for routine heat pump maintenance:

  1. Inspect components such the filter, blower motor, ducts and heat coils for the accumulation of dirt and other particles. Dirty parts make your equipment work harder, which leads to wear, repairs and increased energy costs.
  2. Inspect your ducts for air leaks that lessen the efficiency of your heat pump.
  3. Measure airflow at the vents to help determine if there could be a problem somewhere within the HVAC system.
  4. Have a professional check your refrigerant levels. Remember, refrigerant is toxic if not handled properly, so don’t try this yourself.
  5. Check for any refrigerant or other fluid leaks.
  6. Have a professional thoroughly inspect the electrical system of your heat pump to make sure there are no split or damaged wires that could be potentially dangerous.
  7. Lubricate and inspect the motor as well as the belts, which often show wear and need to be replaced or repaired. If you don’t feel comfortable with these tasks, consult a trained technician.
  8. Confirm that when your air conditioning unit is on, your heat turns off and vice versa.
  9. Check your thermostat to make sure the heat pump runs at the proper time, and that the fan runs in automatic mode for best efficiency.

Contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical for more information on how you can keep your heat pump in prime shape, ensuring the safety and reliability of your heating and cooling equipment.

Winterize Your Home Before the Nip in the Air Takes a Bite Out of Your Heating Budget

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

With winter hitting the Charlotte area soon, you need to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible so that the cold air doesn’t overwhelm your heating budget. Use some of these tips to make sure that you and your family stay nice and toasty all winter long.

  • Upgrade your heating equipment. Old furnaces can have operating costs that double those of modern heating systems. Upgrade for better overall comfort and substantial energy savings.
  • Utilize government offers. Tax credits and rebates add to the energy savings that new, energy efficient equipment generate, all helping to eventually offset the cost of an upgrade.
  • Patch up your ducts. Use duct mastic to ensure that all of your warm air makes it to your living spaces, instead of being wasted in areas like your crawlspaces or attic. Duct mastic is a caulk-like material that can be spread over cracks and holes. It then hardens to prevent air from escaping.
  • Keep cold air out, warm air in. Weatherstripping can be used on the perimeter of your doors and windows to help control your indoor temperature. Plastic insulation and caulk can help seal up your windows as well.
  • Install storm doors and windows. These can boost your home’s efficiency by up to 45 percent.
  • Run ceiling fans in reverse. Setting them to rotate clockwise actually pushes warm air down and helps heat your living spaces.
  • Use alternate energy sources. Newer methods such as solar are increasingly popular because of their enhanced efficiency.
  • Get preventive maintenance. The most important thing you can do to prepare your home is to have an HVAC technician check out your heating equipment before the winter hits. They run through an intensive checklist to make sure everything is working efficiently, and to ensure that you will not face any sort of unexpected breakdown. Now is the ideal time to have preventive maintenance done.

For even more helpful tips on how to make sure you stay within your heating budget, contact Acosta Heating and Cooling today.  We have proudly served the Charlotte Metro Area since 1972.

Elements of Expert Ductwork Design

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

It is important to not underestimate the importance of your ductwork design when installing a new HVAC system. It will have a huge impact on how comfortable you are in your home each day, as well how energy efficient your home is. Your HVAC system is only as strong as the weakest link and if you neglect the ductwork, you compromise your system’s performance and efficiency.

The first step in determining how your ducts should be laid out begins with figuring out what size air system is ideal for your home. A properly sized unit will provide optimal comfort while also keeping energy costs minimized. A professional HVAC technician can perform heating and cooling energy loads to determine how much energy is needed to provide adequate comfort to your home.

The actual ducts need to be sized as well. If they are too big, your HVAC system won’t efficiently circulate the air and your air will never be properly dehumidified, leaving a sticky, clammy feeling in the air.  If they are too small, not enough conditioned air will be distributed throughout your home, and it will put added stress on your HVAC system to try and move the air.

Once these steps are out of the way, your HVAC technician will begin to draft possible duct layout configurations. This also includes figuring out where the return and supply ducts will be placed throughout your home so that a natural airflow is established. Constructional features that may constrict where ducts can be placed also need to be taken into consideration.

The installation itself is, of course, the most important part. You should partner with a reliable HVAC technician to make sure they properly seal all of the ducts when installing them. This will ensure that they aren’t leaking valuable conditioned air into unnecessary spaces like the attic and crawlspace. Because most of the ducts get concealed in the walls or floors after installation, it is important that the job be done right the first time.

For more advice and help with designing the ideal ductwork design for your home, contact Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical.  We proudly serve the Charlotte area.

Prepping Your Home for Cooler Weather

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

As the summer winds down, residents in the Charlotte Metro area are beginning to prepare their homes for cooler weather. Having a winterized home is essential to ensure that your abode will stay warm without breaking the bank, and certain preventive measures concerning your HVAC equipment are required to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

To get your home buttoned up for the impending fall and winter, there are quite a few things you can do yourself, and a professional can help with the rest. Here are a few simple, yet effective ways to get your dwelling ready.

  • Remove window air conditioning units to prevent drafts from seeping through the opening.
  • Check the weather stripping around windows and caulked areas, and add additional sealant as needed.
  • Prevent pipes from freezing by adding insulation or wrapping them.
  • To circulate warmer air throughout the home, reverse the direction of ceiling fans.
  • Lower the temperature setting when no one is at home. Consider having a programmable thermostat installed for convenience.

Some of the preparations for cold weather are best left up to a professional NATE-certified technician, and these more in depth tasks include:

  • Taking care of a full system maintenance checkup on the furnace  or heat pump and any other heating related devices such as a whole house humidifier
  • Investigating the home’s air ducts for proper sealing and placement
  • Checking the insulation levels to ensure adequacy.

Keep in mind, furnace filters will need to be replaced or cleaned monthly for optimal results during the cold weather months.

Contact us at Acosta Heating and Cooling to find out more about our preventative maintenance money saving program, which will keep all of your HVAC equipment in optimal condition for every season.

Fall Is Almost Here — Time to Schedule Your Service Check

Posted on | by Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical

With the chilly autumn weather rapidly approaching, it is time to schedule a service check to ensure that your furnace is up to the challenge of keeping your family cozy and warm. In fact, it can be downright risky to turn on the unit prior to having a check up.

Regular maintenance is essential not only for safety, but neglecting to have an annual service check on your heating device can decrease the longevity of the unit substantially. When a professional comes out to perform this service, they will take several steps to insure the unit is working in peak form, which will keep your home warm while keeping money in your pocket.

The most important step that a qualified HVAC technician will take is to inspect the furnace for any signs of leaks or cracks. If either of these is present in the flue or within the furnace at the heat exchanger, there is a high risk of carbon monoxide seeping into your home’s air supply, which is quite dangerous. These cracks and leaks must be taken care of immediately to protect you and your family.

The next step of the service check involves cleaning the combustion chamber thoroughly to remove any soot build up on the walls of the unit. This buildup can increase the likelihood of corrosion, so its removal is beneficial in extending the lifetime of the device. Some furnaces call for annual lubrication of the blower motor, and the technician will take care of this if necessary.

Make sure to do your part by checking your furnace’s air filters each month to help keep the indoor air quality cleaner and the system running more efficiently.

To schedule your service check, contact us at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical today. We have been taking care of customers in the metropolitan Charlotte area since 1972.