Atlanta HVAC

Atlanta's #1 Heating and Air Conditioning Company

Summer is here and even though everyone knows it arrives every year, many are caught ill prepared to handle the sometimes sudden onslaughts of intense humid heat that can happen during summer months. HVAC and AC maintenance are essential to keep your home’s systems running efficiently and reliably. There are a variety of basic inspections and replacements that should be performed every season and should be performed by a qualified technician.

Older HVAC systems can become less efficient over time. Ductwork can become loose, filters get dirty, refrigerant levels run low and seams or seals throughout your home can also break down. Electronic components can short out and stop working properly or run low on batteries. These things make it more difficult for an HVAC system to heat or cool your home and make the system work harder than it needs too. Consumers can usually replace or repair minor system problems to prevent major break downs later.

Even if your HVAC system is new it still needs routine maintenance. Qualified professionals, like those here at Atlanta HVAC, specialize in air conditioner repair Atlanta. Professionals will be able to inspect refrigerant levels in your AC unit, inspect and change filters, lubricate moving parts, inspect condensate drains, inspect your furnace for gas or oil leaks, adjust blower components and ensure the overall system is running efficiently. Many companies can even perform these services on wall AC units.

There were dozens of heat and cold related fatalities across the United States in 2009 and record temperatures are being recorded for many parts of the U.S. for 2010. Take the time to have your HVAC system checked in an off season to ensure it gets maintenance and is functioning properly. Qualified technicians will know what needs replacing and what you can rely on for another hot or cold season. Many businesses offer free quotes on repairs or replacement of HVAC equipment and work on many different brands of HVAC systems.

When checking your HVAC system for maintenance, it is inevitable to deal with its complicated electrical wirings and codes. And if you are not comfortable with working around electrical components, it is therefore crucial to understand at least its basics. Knowing the fundamental codes of your electrical system may help protect you and your family from any possible dangers that may result from a faulty wiring.

Before you start working with the system, the most basic prevention you need to do is to turn off the main power that supplies your HVAC with electricity. This may either be a circuit or a fuse found in the unit. Some systems also store electricity that may need to be released appropriately.

The detailed codes below may help you decipher even a bit of the complex thermostat wiring of your system.

The red (R) terminal in the system powers the hot area of the transformer, the yellow (Y) one is designated for the compressor function, the white (W) wire is for heating. Meanwhile the green (G) terminal powers the furnace blower. Also common wirings in the system are the orange (O) wires that energize heat and the blue (B) wires for the cold.

Other common terminal colors also include the optional blue, tan, pink or gray ones (E), allocated for the emergency relay on heat pump. The gray or tan (T), on the other hand, is for outdoor reset of the anticipator. In addition, there is also the terminal that comes in pink or other color (W2) for second phase of heat, which is often correlated to pink (W) or blue (Y2) for second phase compressor. The blue, brown, tan or gray (L) wires are assigned to power the indicator service lamp.

These are only a few fundamental wiring codes found in a typical thermostat. Some manufacturers however, may have certain wiring codes that may be different. Nevertheless, this basic knowledge on the electrical system can greatly help put you on a good start when checking for problems in your system.

If you are looking for a cooling solution for your home you have two basic options, a heat pump or a traditional central air unit. Both of these can be the right choice in certain situations and you must do your research to decide which one is right for you. The following article will lay out some benefits and drawbacks of each and should help you determine which HVAC unit will provide you with the most cost benefit and longevity.

Most people will greatly benefit by installing a heat pump. A heat pump is more efficient than a central air unit and has the added benefit of being able to not only cool the home but also heat it to a certain degree. Once the outside air gets too cold, however, a heat pump will no longer be able to produce heat and a backup source of heat will be necessary. Many times the extra expense of a heat pump up front will be offset by the savings in electricity over the life of the unit. Often, this payback can occur in a very short time. If both a heating and cooling unit is necessary for a home, and the winter temperatures are quite mild, then a heat pump can be an excellent choice to consolidate the HVAC system.

A traditional central air unit will be slightly cheaper than a heat pump. Many people will install central air without even considering a heat pump. This is because they are used to central air and are often afraid of trying a different technology. A central air unit will use slightly more electricity to cool the home than a heat pump. A central air unit can be a good choice if you want to save a little bit of money up front and you already have a good heating unit in place.

Determining which HVAC system is right for you can be a tricky decision. Both of these HVAC units should last about the same time frame. The decision really comes down to whether or not you have a good backup heat source and what types of winters your region experiences. If you are local to Atlanta, give us a call here at Atlanta HVAC, and we can do a free evaluation of your system and make recommendations on which options are best for your home.

If you have already decided to replace your inefficient and worn-out home heating system, then you made an informed decision. Switching to a high-efficiency, modern home heating system will allow you to dramatically enhance heat distribution inside your home while at the same time minimizing your energy consumption. As a result, you will experience a great improvement in the comfort level of your indoor environment, thereby, ensuring that you and your family will be kept warm during the cold season. In addition to that, your heating bills will considerably drop since latter models require or consume lesser energy.

Before you head to the store to purchae a new home heating system, it is highly advised that you hire a professional Atlanta heater repair technician to inspect the existing unit. Ask the technician’s expert opinion on how you can increase heating efficiency inside your home. Is it best to upgrade to a new heating system or just retrofit the old one? The decision will depend on how much improvement you can get from either modifying an old system, or buying a new unit.

To those who have decided to continue with the upgrade, the first thing you should do is to find a reliable heating contractor to size your furnace. Latter models usually need a smaller furnace hence you might need to make some adjustments on your old furnace or create a new one to accommodate your new heating system. Remember that a furnace that is properly sized will ensure a more efficient heating operation.

Be sure to look for a new heating unit that has an energy star label. This label will guarantee that you will be acquiring a high-efficiency heating system. Compare and contrast various models to spot the one that will perfectly fit your budget, and will offer you greater energy savings. Moreover, it is highly advised to opt for those with longer warranties. And if you live in areas with colder climate, it is best to settle for a unit with the highest efficiency rating.

With a number of viable choices available, it is critical that you stringently evaluate your options to end up with the best choice!

Have you always wanted to specialize in ventilation, air conditioning and heater repair? If so, then you should consider pursuing a career as a HVAC technician. Before you can legally practice the profession, it is vital that you get certified. This means that you have to get a formal education and training from an accredited vocational or technical school offering courses in the said field. If you are really interested, make sure to refer to the information that will be discussed in this article to give you insight on how you can pursue the career.

First and foremost, you must have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent in order to become eligible to take the course. Fortunately, there are now plenty of HVAC training schools that are willing to help interested applicants to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in order to become a licensed and certified HVAC technician. HVAC course programs vary in length and duration, which can range from as short as two semesters up to 2 years (for more comprehensive courses). It is vital that you enroll in accredited schools to ensure that you will be getting quality education.

The program will typically consist of general topics related to the field of heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation systems. These topics will lay the groundwork for a more specialized education by allowing you to become familiar with the entire HVAC process. Once you have satisfied all the program requirements, the next thing to do is to find a good apprenticeship program to hone your skills further. You may also participate in on-the-job trainings that are usually sponsored by the HVAC training schools. Gaining relevant experiences in the field is the best way to supplement the knowledge you’ve learned from school.

After earning your HVAC training certification and exposing yourself in formal field trainings, you are now ready to take the licensure and certification exam to fully become a professional HVAC specialist! Once you do you will have a chance to work at a great company like Atlanta HVAC!

You should have a professional look at your home air conditioning unit at least annually, but don't leave it at that. There is a lot you can do to maintain your air conditioner throughout the year, thus giving your AC longevity. Here are 10 things that you can do to maintain your home air conditioning unit.


1 - Clean the evaporator. If the evaporator and the coil are exposed, clean them once a year.

2 - Keep the condenser clean. Since the condenser is usually located outside of your house, it's likely to pick up sticks, leaves, dirt and debris. Be sure to clean off the coil and the fan on the intake side.

3 - Maintain proper refrigerant level. Coolant systems in air conditioners have freon. Be sure it's kept at the proper level throughout the year.

4 - Check the air filter. Be sure to change it regularly. This will reduce the energy that it takes for your air conditioner to run, and keep the air that you breath, cleaner.

5 - Fin comb your coils. The coils in the condenser and evaporator can get bent over time. There's a tool called a fin comb that you can run through the coils that will return them to their original shape.

6 - Clean drain channels. Every once in awhile, run a wire through your air conditioners drain channels. This will help to keep things flowing smoothly.

7 - Check seals. Be sure that windows and doors are well sealed, thus stopping your air conditioner from working over time.

8 - Store it for the winter. You can cover up your AC unit or take it out and put it away. This will avoid unnecessary collection of dust and debris.

9 - Inspect the thermostat. Just be sure that connections are good, avoiding future problems.

10 - Check the air. Be sure that air flow around your unit and intake vents are free and clear. Your home air conditioning unit won't have to work as hard to push air where you want it.


Remember this is just a start, you should supplement this with an annual system inspection from a company like Atlanta HVAC.

Here at Atlanta HVAC, we offer more several home related services. We are of course the very best heating and air conditioning company in all of Atlanta but that is not all we do. We can also offer basic plumbing services in the Atlanta and the surrounding areas. While we are not licensed plumbers we can perform basic plumbing work. If you are looking for a licensed plumber you may want to check out a few of the review sites like Atlanta Plumbers Online, or Atlanta Plumber. These sites can help steer you to a company that specializes in plumbing if you have a more complicated or involved plumbing problem. However, again for basic plumbing problems(over 90% of common problems) we are here to help. With our rock-bottom pricing you will also save lots of money by choosing us.
In addition to basic plumbing we can also handle many refrigeration problems. So if your fridge is on the fritz, give us a call! We can usually repair most brands and models of refrigerators and carry many parts in stock which means we can often fix it on the spot! How is that for service? So if that deep freezer has stopped cooling you now know that you can give us a call and it might be back up and running before the end of the day.

1. Unplug kitchen and bathroom appliances when not in use. Did you know that appliances that are not in use continue to draw power driving up electricity costs? Exactly how much energy is consumed by idle appliances will vary based on a variety of factors but collectively this waste can cost the home-owner more and more money over time. To reduce this waste and save money home owners should unplug appliances like toasters, blenders, food processors, coffee makers, microwaves, mixers, electric shavers, blow dryers and the like when not in use. This isn't just limited to the kitchen and bathroom though, cell phone chargers, laptop computers, and a host of other household items all offer additional money saving opportunities for the energy-savvy home-owner. If you knew that taking just a few seconds to unplug a cell phone charger could save you money in the long run would you take the time to unplug it? To some it might seem like an annoyance initially but over time this will become habit and can offer major savings month after month. Think about it, ti will take you more time to change your queen bedding set than it will to unplug an electric cord and save yourself some money. Who doesn’t want to save money? Form a new habit in 2010 of unplugging idle appliances and smile as your utility bill goes on a permanent diet.

2. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs. Do you know what the average cost savings is for a family that upgrades all of the light bulbs in their home? For an average-sized home this can produce a savings of well over $500 in the very first year. This is particularly effective because a home-owner can do this once and then reap the benefits month after month. This is not an ongoing behavioral modification that needs to be made, just a one-time change that will literally put money in your pocket month after month. These light bulbs have become significantly less expensive and they last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Not only do compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer, but they consume approximately 80% less energy! This could mean up to an 80% reduction in monthly lighting costs. These light bulbs will usually pay for themselves in a few short months and the exceptionally long life means that you won’t have to change the bulbs for years.

3. Install a programmable thermostat. You may have heard that installing a programmable thermostat can help save money but do you know how and why? There are a couple of great ways that using a programmable thermostat can help drive down utility expenses. For one, it is common practice for energy providers to offer lower rates during non-peak hours. If you install and program your thermostat correctly, you will be able to take advantage of these off-peak rates and heat or cool your home during the most inexpensive times of the day. This won’t eliminate your need to use some energy to heat and cool during peak hours, however, it will shift the majority of the burden to the times of day when energy is cheapest. This savings can be even more significant if your local utility provider offers seasonal energy rates. In addition to shifting your heating and cooling times, a programmable thermostat can also offer you to customize your home’s temperature around your schedule. If your home is empty from 9am – 5pm, then adjusting the temperature setting will ensure that you are not warming or cooling an empty house. Most modern central air units are powerful enough to heat or cool a home quickly. Setting your thermostat to bring the home back to a comfortable temperature an hour or so before you expect to arrive will both keep you comfortable and leave a little more money in your pocket at the end of the month. All in all over the course of a year programming your thermostat can add up to big savings.

4. Have your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems serviced. Far too often this is an over-looked maintenance item for many home-owners. Just because your central air is functioning doesn’t mean that it is functioning efficiently. Did you know that well over half of monthly utility bills in the summer and winter come from HVAC costs? Regularly servicing this critical portion of your home is critical to maintaining your home’s energy-efficiency. Simple things like clogged dryer vents can reduce a dryer's efficiency by up to 90%! If you have to run your dryer more than once to dry a load of clothes then this could be costing you big money every month. In addition to your dryer’s ventilation, things like replacing air filters and servicing heating and cooling units can all help a home operate more efficiently. This efficiency will not only save the home-owner money on monthly utility bills but can also help avoid costly HVAC system repairs in the long run. Look for a reputable HVAC company in your area that offers seasonal maintenance packages. If you are looking for HVAC in Atlanta, there are a variety of solid companies that offer this service. Be sure to ask for references and check out online review sites like Kudzu.com or MerchantCircle.com.

5. Use heavy window coverings in the summer and winter. Whenever there is a large temperature difference between the outside air and inside of your home, particularly in the summer and winter months, using heavy drapes or window coverings can help improve your home's ability to stay cool or warm. Without getting into too much detail on R values or the benefits of a upvc window, the key here is that heavy drapes act as additional insulation for a home’s windows. Homes generally lose a significant portion of heat through poorly insulated windows. Since windows lack any supplemental insulation, they are naturally one of the most poorly insulated parts of a home. Many homes include light window coverings such as bamboo roll up shades, however, these are generally poor insulators. Adding heavy drapes provides a measure of insulation that can help out significantly, especially in the summer and winter months. The additional barrier helps keep warm air in during the winter and warm air out during the summer. This applies to flooring as well, often times flooring material like carpet can be a much better insulator than solid wood flooring or cheap laminate flooring.

Following these few simple tips is sure to slim down those utility bills in 2010. Not only will these tips save you money, but since you are using less energy, you will also have a positive impact on the environment. So don’t delay, take the opportunity to make your home the best that it can be in 2010.

For even more money saving tips, check out our blog at HVAC Information.

Lots of do-it-your-self home-owners often wonder what the most common air conditioning problems are. After receiving this inquiry many times on service calls we decided to put together a short list to inform consumers of some common problems we encounter. We put this in a short list and have given a brief description of these problems. Let us know what you think and remember to choose Atlanta HVAC, for all of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning problems.

1. Ductwork Tears: This occurs quite often and is a common problem for homes that cool, but do not cool enough. Whenever you are having a new system installed look for a company or contractor that will guarantee the ductwork for at least 7 years. It is also a great idea to have your ductwork cleaned regularly. Here is a great site that offers air duct cleaning advice.
2. Insufficient Freon: Over time the freon in exterior air conditioning units can require re-charging. This can be due to leaks or just common wear on the unit itself. It is a very common problem especially in older AC units.
3. Exterior Unit Too Small: Often times the exterior unit may be designed to cool a smaller size home than it is being used to cool. In situations like these there is no easy solution other than replacing the exterior unit. The silver-lining for the home-owner is that even though they have to pay for a potentially expensive replacement, the newer equipment is often significantly more efficient than their existing model. This means that they could see big savings on their monthly energy bills and this is often substantial. These newer units pay for themselves within a few short years.
4. Poorly Arranged Ductwork: Unfortunately not everyone installing ductwork in home's knows what they are doing. Improper placement and size of the ductwork and vents that bring air into the home is critical for a central air unit to operate correctly. In homes where the ductwork was not well laid out often require larger-than-necessary exterior units to properly cool.
5. Thermostat Problems: A broken or damaged thermostat can bring down an entire central A/C system. This is, however, an easy problem to fix and is usually done at a low-cost to the home-owner.

These are just a few common problems and we encounter many more in homes everyday. If you are trying to diagnose a problem in your home system, this is a great place to start. Always remember to call a reputable HVAC specialist to ensure that your system is repaired properly. If you are in local, why not try Atlanta HVAC, the best contractor for air conditioning repair in Atlanta.

---

Here at Atlanta HVAC we strive to provide our customers with a tremendous value in meeting their heating and air conditioning needs. Whether your furnace needs repair or your air conditioner needs servicing we are there to meet all of your HVAC needs at an affordable price. From condenser units to heat pumps, we handle it all. Our service technicians have well over 100 years of combined experience and we can diagnose and fix any HVAC problem you have. When your heat or air is out, it is an emergency, and we treat it as such. Our technicians will stay at your home until the job is done and you and your family are once again enjoying the comforts of a climate controlled environment. Let Atlanta HVAC service all of your heating and air conditioning needs.