The last thing that you want to do is throw money out the window making service calls that you don’t really need for a system that is in fine working condition. We here at HB Energy Solutions understand such concerns entirely. However, we also feel compelled to tell you that postponing air conditioning repair services that your system needs can have a very detrimental impact on your home cooling system. That is why we have put together a few tips to help you recognize the need for AC repairs in New Hampshire. As a general rule, scheduling air conditioning repairs sooner, rather than later, is always in your best interest. Contact us the moment that you believe your system is in trouble. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
How Can I Tell If I Need AC Repairs?
Monday, June 15th, 20153 Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner
Monday, June 1st, 2015As every homeowner knows, owning a home means that you have a lot of different expenses. With everything that you’ve got on your plate, you may be tempted to ignore signs of trouble with your air conditioner, or even signs that it may be time to replace your home cooling system. This is exactly the sort of decision that you are likely to regret having made, though.
Southern Vermont may not be the hottest place in the country, but the summer season can certainly be very uncomfortably warm at times. That is why it is best to replace your air conditioning system before it fails entirely. To do so, you must learn to heed the warning signs that replacement service is imminent, though. Contact HB Energy Solutions to schedule your air conditioning replacement. (more…)
Making Your AC Installation a Success
Monday, May 18th, 2015Southern Vermont can be a bit slow in moving into the summer season. While you may be itching to get to your favorite swimming hole or to hit the banks with your fly rod in the summer warmth, you should be thankful for this opportunity to schedule your air conditioning installation, should you need one, prior to the real heat of summer setting in. Now is a great time to have a new whole-house air conditioner installed in your home. Just remember that any such project can only be handled by a skilled, trained professional. To guarantee that this is the case, you need only schedule your AC installation with the pros here at HB Energy Solutions. Keep these tips in mind to ensure the success of your AC installation. (more…)
3 Ways That Routine Air Conditioning Maintenance Can Benefit You
Monday, May 11th, 2015Living in Southern Vermont means that winters are quite long and fairly intense. When the warmer weather of the spring season finally arrives, it is understandable to get excited. However, you must keep in mind the fact that our summer weather is going to get uncomfortably hot before long. To ensure that you enjoy the full benefits of your air conditioning system and its optimal performance, you must schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with a trained professional.
HB Energy Solutions is the company to call in the area when you are ready to have your air conditioner inspected and tuned-up for the coming summer season. Our technicians are some of the finest in the industry, and we’ll help you to cool your home successfully. Read the information below, and contact us when you are ready to schedule exceptional AC maintenance. (more…)
Schedule Any Necessary Air Conditioning Repairs Right Now
Monday, May 4th, 2015Living in Southern Vermont or New Hampshire means that summer can really take its time in getting underway. While there are certain benefits to be had in easing into summer, it can also lull some homeowners into a false sense of security. Regardless of how chilly the rainy days of spring may be, know that the heat of summer is never really that far off. That is why you are well-advised to schedule any necessary air conditioning repairs immediately. Delaying in doing so can leave you to sweat through the hottest days of summer to come. If your air conditioner was struggling at the close of the last cooling season, or if you’ve tested it and found that it is not functioning properly, then now is the time to contact the AC repair pros at HB Energy Solutions. (more…)
Is Your Air Conditioner Ready for Action?
Monday, April 27th, 2015We’ve made it through another winter, and are in the midst of a sometimes-warm, often-chilly spring season right not. In just a few weeks, though, the heat of summer will be headed our way; is your air conditioning system ready? Don’t hope for the best and simply switch on your AC when the hotter weather finally arrives. Instead, follow these tips to ensure that your air conditioner is ready when the mercury starts to rise. That way you can cool your home successfully and with the efficiency and reliability that you deserve. Contact HB Energy Solutions for exceptional air conditioning services in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Air Conditioning Guide: What Is Refrigerant?
Monday, August 11th, 2014The modern air conditioner requires numerous components to make it work: blowers, motors, a compressor, coils. But all of these together would create nothing more than an oversized fan if not for the presence of refrigerant running through the lines of the air conditioner. Refrigerant is the life-blood of an AC necessary for the process of heat exchange that cools down the inside of a building.
Like all the parts of an air conditioner, refrigerant is something that must remain in the hands of professionals. If you encounter a loss of refrigerant in your AC, call for experts to handle the problem.
HB Energy Solutions has 24-hour service in Southern Vermont from air conditioning specialists who will take care of whatever is amiss with your cooling system. Call us today.
The details of refrigerant
Refrigerant is a chemical blend that can easily shift from liquid to gaseous state and back again. Refrigerant begins in an air conditioner’s compressor, where the action of the compressor changes it into a high-pressure, high temperature gas. The refrigerant then travels to the outdoor coil, where it releases heat to the outside through condensation. It then moves to the inside cabinet, passing through an expansion valve that lowers its pressure and further reduces it temperature so that it shifts back into liquid form. The cooled refrigerant then moves through the indoor coil, where it absorbs heat through evaporation, cooling down the air. The refrigerant finally returns to the compressor to begin the cycle over.
Today, the refrigerant found in most home air conditioning systems is a blend called R-410A, a non-ozone depleting chemical mixture designed to replace an earlier blend, R-22. There have been many different types of refrigerants over the years. The earliest were toxic, combustible, or acidic, and it wasn’t until the invention of the first safe refrigerant, which was given the trademarked name “Freon,” that air conditioners started to enter use in homes. Continual advances in the production of refrigerant have resulted in increased air conditioner efficiency.
Refrigerant loss
During the heat exchange cycle of condensation-evaporation, refrigerant does not dissipate. It remains at the same level—called its “charge”—throughout the air conditioner’s life, unless a leak occurs. Leaking refrigerant will threaten an AC’s ability to cool and could lead to damage to the compressor due to overheating.
Should you notice a drop in cooling, ice appearing along the indoor coil, or strange hissing sounds from your AC, the system may be losing refrigerant. You will need professionals to locate the leak, seal it, and then recharge the system with the proper blend of refrigerant.
Call HB Energy Solutions for assistance with your air conditioning in Southern Vermont if you think you have a refrigerant leak. You can count on our 33 years in the business of making homes comfortable.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Ductless Air Conditioning
Monday, July 14th, 2014No ducts? No problem! Ductless air conditioning systems offer a great alternative to central air conditioning, which uses the ductwork of a home in order to distribute cool air. If you need an air conditioning system, but your home or room addition makes ductwork installation difficult, the advantages of ductless air conditioning installation may outweigh the drawbacks.
The main advantage of ductless air conditioning systems is that they do not require any ducts to cool your home. Sometimes your home or room addition does not have ductwork installed, and ductwork installation may be a hassle because of the layout of your home. Also, central air conditioning systems often use more energy than is necessary because cool air can easily escape through the ducts before it reaches the rooms that need cooling. Ductless air conditioners eliminate this potential energy loss.
Ductless air conditioning systems are made up of an outdoor unit and several indoor air handlers which provide both heating and cooling. These indoor air handlers are installed in different rooms in your home, and these individual zones can be controlled via separate thermostats or with a master thermostat that controls them all. This is a great advantage for family members who have different temperature specifications. Furthermore, central air conditioners often use energy to cool unoccupied rooms. With a ductless system, you can turn off the AC in a room if nobody is using it, ultimately reducing energy costs.
One drawback of ductless air conditioning, however, is that the system itself may be more costly upfront. However, the long-term energy savings that come with owning a ductless system may offset this cost. Another drawback may be the appearance of large indoor air handlers in your home. However, these can be mounted high on the wall or suspended from the ceiling, so they may not interfere with the décor of a room at all. They also generally have a more pleasant appearance than window air conditioners.
When ducted system installation is not practical for your home, call HB Energy Solutions for ductless air conditioning installation in Southern Vermont today!
3 Factors to Consider with Air Conditioning Installation
Friday, May 16th, 2014Most people think Vermont homes don’t need air conditioning, but the truth is we can get quite hot and humid during the summer months. For over 20 years, HB Energy Solutions has been providing customers in southern Vermont with air conditioning installation for their properties to help them get through those hot days. When looking at air conditioners, there are a few factors to consider before choosing one. To help you narrow down those factors, our HB Energy Solutions experts have put together a list of 3 factors to consider for your southern Vermont air conditioning installation.
Does your property have ductwork?
Not too long ago, properties that didn’t have ductwork had only 2 choices for air conditioning: purchase a window unit or put in ducts, which can be a costly endeavor. But with the advent of ductless air conditioning, also known as ductless mini-split air conditioners, homes without ducts and/or those that need a home addition cooled now have access to quality air conditioning without needing to put in expensive ductwork.
How much cooling do you really need?
Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to air conditioning. In fact, purchasing an air conditioning system that is too large for your home can lead to discomfort and premature wear-and-tear. This is why it’s important to do a calculation that determines exactly how much cooling your home really needs. When doing a calculation like this, several factors are considered, such as your property’s orientation to the sun, daytime heat gain and square footage. Your AC technician can do this calculation to help ensure you purchase the right-sized air conditioner for your home.
Are you concerned about energy efficiency?
All newly-installed air conditioners need to have a SEER number (seasonal energy efficiency rating) of at least 13; the scale for SEER is 0 to over 20. The higher your SEER number, the more energy efficient your air conditioner. If energy efficiency is high on your list of priorities, speak with your specialist about finding an energy efficient air conditioner that also fits your other needs.
Installing an air conditioning system is a big job that starts with assessing the kind and size of air conditioner you need. Working with your HB Energy Solutions expert can you help you answer these questions and more when it comes to your southern Vermont air conditioning installation.
Summer is almost here, so if you’ve been thinking of installing or replacing your air conditioner or air conditioning system, call HB Energy Solutions today!
How Often Should I Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance?
Tuesday, April 29th, 2014In the entry for maintenance found in the 2014 Random House Dictionary, this sentence appears as an example of correct usage: With proper maintenance the car will last for many years. That succinctly sums up why appliances require maintenance: longevity. It applies as much to an air conditioner as to a car. Regular maintenance catches troubles early, helps prevent repairs, and eases stress that can occur from poor operation. Although each of these is a good end in itself, they all contribute to the goal of increasing the service life of the system.
But how often should you schedule air conditioning maintenance in Southern Vermont? Twice a year? Every three years? We’ll take a closer look at scheduling AC maintenance to help you make certain the air conditioner in your home receives the best care.
For a maintenance plan that will ensure you receive maintenance at the right time, call HB Energy Solutions to create a plan that works for you today.
Maintenance frequency
Almost all experienced HVAC technician agree on this point: air conditioners need maintenance service annually, even if nothing seems wrong with them. A year is enough time for an AC to gather dust and dirt and show significant wear on its components. Studies have shown that an air conditioning system that goes for a year without maintenance will work 20% less efficiently, and lose an additional 5% each year thereafter. The system is also at greater risk of repair needs or even suffering a breakdown.
The best time to schedule maintenance service is during spring, a less busy time for HVAC contractors and also right in time for the summer weather. Most maintenance plans and programs arrange for the session in spring (with an additional session for the heating system in fall).
Maintenance is not an expensive task, and most services that offer programs will provide you with a discount for signing up for a yearly maintenance plan. At each maintenance visit, the technician will provide thorough inspections, adjustments, and cleaning to keep the system operating at high efficiency. This increase in efficiency will more than pay for the small cost of maintenance. The best way that maintenance pays back its cost: preventing you from needing an expensive new installation because your air conditioner broke down years before it should.
Sign up for maintenance today
You can contact HB Energy Solutions or download our maintenance plan to see how you can protect your Southern Vermont air conditioner with maintenance. Get started before spring ends and the summer heat arrives.
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