Air Conditioning Repair in Washington DC: What Every Home Owner Should Know

Air conditioning repair in Washington DC is serious business.  The high humidity and temperatures on a hot day can spell disaster if your air conditioner breaks at home or at work.   Do you know what to look for when your air conditioner isn’t working properly?  Do you know who to call if it suddenly breaks down?

When an air conditioner stops working, it won’t turn on, won’t cool the air, will experience reduced air conditioning output temperatures, or will even lose its air flow entirely.  This can be due to a wide variety of reasons, making it necessary to properly diagnose the problem.

In many cases of air conditioning repair in Washington DC, an air conditioner will stop working due to a leak in the A/C refrigerant system.  There are often problems with blower failures, broken heat pump controls or problems with the air handlers.  Any one of these problems can quickly shut down an air conditioner, rendering it useless without proper repair.

Since there are a number of things to take into consideration when it comes to air conditioning repair, the best thing to do is to contact a local HVAC repair service.  While self-repair of an HVAC is possible, it isn’t recommended for those who aren’t experts in the field.  HVAC units contain a complex system of ducts, fans and electrical components that include shock hazardz.  To prevent injury, don’t attempt to repair or replace any electrical parts yourself.

Not all HVAC systems are alike, which is why a trained expert can be extremely helpful in repairing your system.  By having a clear understanding about the wide variety of units that are installed in both homes and office buildings, you can rest assured that your system will be up and running with minimal downtime.  Whether you are trying to beat the summer heat or trying to keep out the chill of an early winter morning, with an HVAC system that is running efficiently, you’ll never have to worry about staying comfortable, no matter what the temperature outside may be.

The Advantages of a Hybrid Heating and Air Conditioning System

A hybrid  heating and cooling system combines an electric space-conditioning heat pump with a fossil fuel fired furnace. When providing cooling a hybrid system operates like a conventional air conditioning system: using the heat pump to chill the air. When heating both the furnace and heat pump have roles, depending on the outdoor temperature. The heating capacity of a fossil fired furnace is relatively independent of outdoor temperature, but it’s efficiency is higher at low ambient temperatures, because of less on/off cycling. Conversely the heating capacity and efficiency of an air-source heat pump are highest at higher outdoor temperatures and decrease as the outdoor temperature drops,until, at some point, supplemental heat is required to keep the house warm. This is considered the heat pumps’ thermal balance point temperature. In a conventional heat pump, the supplemental heat is provided by electric resistance strip heaters. In hybrid systems, the supplemental heat is provided by the furnace. Pairing the two technologies allows each to operate at maximum efficiency.

The change over point(when the system switches from air source heat pump to fossil fired furnace) is negotiated by the control/thermostat which is installed with your system. This change over point is set based on the balance between energy savings and desired comfort level. Since a heat pump produces 90 degree air, as opposed to a furnace which produces 120 degree air, each customer must find their desired comfort level(typically between 30-40 degrees, although with better insulated homes it may go lower). Some consumers will also take into account the fossil fuel pricing to determine the change over point. Using a programmable thermostat, the change over point can be adjusted readily allowing consumers to stay in tune with market trends.

With the historical instability in fossil fuel prices and the general stability in historical electrical prices a dual-fuel system has many cost benefits. In fact according to Carrier, a hybrid heating and air conditioning system can save you over $700 per year.

Hybrid heating systems  also have various comfort benefits such as:

• Fossil fired furnaces are sized to keep a home warm in the most extreme cold. This causes much on/off cycling at moderate ambient temperatures, which is experienced as hot blasts from the registers followed by no heating at all. A heat pump cycles less at moderate temperatures, providing more heat flow.
• The discharge temperature of a heat pump at moderate temperatures is less than that of a furnace(comfortably above skin temperature but not excessively hot). This results in a more pleasant relative humidity level, which is less drying to the skin.
• Stratification: the effect of cold air migrating to the floor while warm air travels to the ceiling, contributes to “zonal heat trapping” in which the hot air trapped at the ceiling cannot disperse evenly from room-to-room. As a result, some rooms seem to not get enough heat,while others are too hot, even with properly designed ducts. Again the heat pumps’ more moderate discharge temperatures allows more uniform room-to-room comfort.

Please call Donmar Company to schedule a free estimate for the replacement of your HVAC system with a hybrid heating system today!

Deadline For Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Approaching!

The deadline for the Energy Efficiency Tax Credit, made possible by the Recovery Act of 2009, is quickly approaching. All qualifying systems must be installed by December 31^st,2010. There are also state incentives which are awarded on a first come first serve basis. For instance the state of Virgina has a Appliance Rebate Program available. Additionally there are manufacturer’s rebates of up to $1,325.00 to further offset costs. However don’t wait till the last minute to try and recoup all the possible savings as many of the manufacturer’s rebates expire before the tax credit deadline does. These rebates coupled with a 10 year old plus HVAC system makes this the opportune time to replace your system according to Energy Star’s website. For example, if you have a 12 year old heat pump system, and you live in the state of Virginia, you can qualify for up to $3,125 of incentives ($300 from the state appliance rebate program;$1,500 from the federal government;$1,325 from the manufacturer).  Not to mention the energy savings which you will recoup by installing a more energy efficient system. According to Carrier the savings, over a standard 8 Seer air conditioning system, when installing their most basic tax applicable combination are 46%! These numbers are based on typical energy usage which is the setting of thermostat at 74 degrees during summer and 72 degrees during winter. Of course better results are attainable without changing your desired temperature set points via more efficient product such as their Infinity Line of product. If you are interested in seeing how your system stacks up to one of Carrier’s tax applicable systems you can use Carrier’s Guide to Efficiency Ratings.

For information regarding which systems are applicable for the federal tax rebate you can go to the website for the Air Conditioning-Heating-Refrigeration Institute.  Although they offer a plethora of combinations which do apply, make sure you consult a licensed contractor to figure out if the combination is locally available and , due to the added size of most of the new equipment, it will fit in your home. It is also important to make sure the system which you choose is properly sized for your home. If you are interested in getting a free estimate for the replacement of your heating and air conditioning system please make Donmar Company your first call.

The Benefits Of Installing A Programmable Thermostat

Heating and cooling your home consumes a lot of energy-roughly half of an average home’s energy use, according to the Department of Energy. This translates to big costs for electricity and heating fuels, especially as the cost for each continues to rise.

One way to lower your heating and cooling bills without sacrificing comfort is to invest in a programmable thermostat. The idea behind a programmable thermostat is simple: why heat or cool your house when there’s nobody around to enjoy it? Programmable thermostats allow you to lower the thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer during the day when you are at work or at night while you’re sleeping- without having to remember to manually set it each time. You can set the thermostat to turn the heating or cooling back on shortly before you return from work or wake up, so that you can come home or wake up to a comfortable house.

If you’re interested in calculating how much a programmable thermostat can save you this winter, check out the Energy Star’s programmable thermostat consumer calculator. It shows that a typical home could save $180 in heating and cooling expenses in Ashburn,VA. The Department of Energy has more information on it’s Energy Savers programmable thermostat page.

Currently Donmar Company is providing a programmable thermostat and heating system inspection for the low price of $179.

Extending the Life of Your HVAC in Washington DC with Expert Repair and Service

Many homeowners think they are qualified to service their own HVAC unit, however, many are surprised to find that this simply isn’t the case.  When it comes to taking the best care of any type of HVAC unit, hiring a trained professional for the job can extend the life of your HVAC in Washington DC.

To get the most out of your service visit, be sure to select a HVAC service and repair company who is licensed, bonded and insured to work on HVAC in Washington DC.  While some companies may boast fast service and cheap prices, it’s more important to look at their credentials.  Look for a company who specializes in both heating and cooling systems, and those who have a valid license number.  If you are unsure about who to call, ask around for recommendations or look online for reviews on a local service review site.

By taking the time to find a well-qualified company that services HVAC in Washington DC, you can extend the life of your unit and get the most out of your money.  Since keeping an HVAC unit healthy is simply a matter of proper maintenance, taking the time to sign up for routine service is the best way to ensure that you won’t have to replace your system for many years to come.

HVAC maintenance should only be performed by licensed technicians who are familiar with commonly used HVAC systems, including their electrical components.  Since a failed repair attempt can actually cause more problems than you originally had, leave the repairs to the professionals, who can restore your system back to its smooth running, original condition.

When it comes to the air that you breathe, don’t take any chances.  Protect yourself and your family by taking care of your HVAC system with year-round maintenance.  Routine cleaning and tune ups will increase the life of your system and make it more efficient too.   Contact your local HVAC service specialists today for more information on how routine maintenance can extend the life of your system