1. Request an energy audit to pinpoint areas of energy loss in your home. Seal air leaks and perform other tasks suggested by your technician to make your home as energy efficient as possible. Doing so may enable you to purchase a smaller system.
2. If you’re having new ductwork installed, make sure the ducts are situated inside the insulation and air barrier in your home to save considerably on your energy costs.
3. Insulate ductwork located in unconditioned spaces, such as the attic and crawlspaces, with R-8 insulation.
4. Ask your contractor to measure the air leakage through your ducts, and require that the leakage be less than 10 percent of the system’s airflow.
5. Make sure all ducts are tightly sealed with mastic duct sealant or metal tape, and tug on the installed ductwork to ensure that it’s properly fastened.
6. Request a return register in every room for optimum air flow and system efficiency.
7. Your outdoor unit should be placed on the north side of your home. If this isn’t possible, locate it in a shady spot. There should be 10 feet of clearance on the sides with openings.
8. Don’t allow your contractor to use building cavities as ductwork. Building cavity return ducts leak, reducing the energy efficiency of your system; they also can lead to moisture problems.

For more expert advice about heat pump installation, or to learn about how a new heat pump system can lower your annual energy bills, please contact us at Quality Mechanical Services, providing heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services to northwest Ohio residents for year-round comfort.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pump installations and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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While a portable gasoline-powered generator might be nice to have for camping or for brief power failures, you’ll want to consider installing a standby generator for weather and other crises that cause multi-day outages. You’ll be glad you chose a standby generator when a big wind or ice storm strikes Northwest Ohio, leaving you without power.

But is a standby generator right for your home? Your decision likely will depend on many factors, including cost and how critical your need for reliable power may be. Luckily, these generators do come in different sizes and capacity, from one that only powers a few essential circuits to a large whole-house model that will power nearly everything.

Do you have valuable items or business property in your home that would be seriously damaged by an extended power outage? If your most expensive power-sensitive property is the food in your deep-freeze, you may want to consider one of the smaller standby generators or even a traditional portable model.

On the other hand, if your livelihood depends upon a business that you run from your home or if you have family members whose health or survival depends on electrically powered medical devices or refrigerated pharmaceuticals, then the investment in a whole-house standby generator might be justified. Likewise if you’re concerned about keeping your A/C working during an outage in the middle of the summer (or your furnace or heat pump operating during a multi-day winter blackout).

Please contact us at Quality Mechanical Services to discuss a standby generator for your home. We can help you decide if a standby power supply is a wise investment and provide planning, permitting and professional installation of any system you decide you’d like for your Northwest Ohio home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about standby generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Cleaning or replacement of system filters

Replacing your system’s air filter is easy to forget or postpone. Yet, it’s a very easy way to maximize your air conditioner’s efficiency. There are several reasons to change filters, not the least of which is lowering energy costs. If the filters become clogged by debris, the entire system will have to work harder to cool down your home. This has repercussions for your indoor air quality and equipment longevity as well.

Installing a programmable thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat puts you in control of the energy used by your air conditioning system. Set up a schedule so that your A/C will cut back its cooling while you’re away at work, asleep or on vacation, and then returns to your comfort level again shortly before you need it. Once installed, this thermostat is a great way to keep cooling costs down while improving your unit’s effectiveness.

Servicing your cooling system (if you haven’t already)

Air conditioning units should be serviced each year. Make sure to find a licensed,reputable HVAC technician. Proper maintenance will save headaches in the long run. Peace of mind that your A/C won’t break down is priceless in the high humidity of our Ohio summers.

If you are looking for more information or tips on keeping your energy costs low this summer, please contact us. We can be reached by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Quality Mechanical Services is a family business that has been serving Northwest Ohio communities for 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Some rooms, some of the time

It’s challenging, if not impossible, to accommodate the temperature preferences of all household occupants when the temperature in different rooms of the home are regulated by a single thermostat in another area of the home. Other factors only complicate the matter, such as the orientation of the sun during different times of the day, and the natural heat gain of upstairs rooms and heat loss of downstairs areas.

All rooms, all of the time

A zoning system solves these problems by adjusting heating and cooling according to the thermostat setting in each of two or more designated zones. Each thermostat controls automatic duct doors to open or close, which allows or hinders airflow into the zone, constantly adjusting to maintain that zone’s thermostat set point. If your home meets any of the following criteria, you may benefit with a zoning system:

• Multi-level home, or expansive floor plan
• Vaulted ceilings, lofts or atriums
• Retrofitted spaces or room additions
• Areas and rooms that are seldom used
• Occupant lifestyle dictate different temperatures
• Orientation to the sun
• Rooms with expansive glass

Benefits of zoning your home

Better comfort for all occupants without affecting others is the obvious benefit of a zoning system, but you may also reduce heating and cooling bills, and save wear and tear on your systems by lowering the heating/cooling load. By lowering the heating and cooling load of your home, your HVAC systems benefit with less work. Less work means less stress and repairs, and a longer service life for the equipment.

Zoning systems also reduce the noise of airflow through the duct system, depending on usage. If you design your system using programmable or smart thermostats, you add an entirely new level of convenience, home comfort and savings.

Designing your zoning system is easy. Simply call the professionals at Quality Mechanical Services in Northwest Ohio today, and we’ll work closely with you to design a system that meets your needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Understanding ductless mini splits

Ductless mini splits are re-designed heat pumps that employ compact air handlers within the living spaces that need heating and air conditioning. Each air handler is mounted high on walls or in drop ceilings, depending on the most logical space-saving location for each area or room. They also can be free standing. The air handlers deliver individual heating and cooling (without ducts) by connecting to the outside compressor/condenser unit with a thin conduit.

Ductless mini split maintenance

Ductless mini split maintenance is necessary to maximize home comfort and energy savings, and to ensure a long life span with few and far between repairs. Professional preventive maintenance (measuring refrigerant, checking electrical components and more) should be included twice a year with your other home-comfort systems, and regular do-it-yourself care tips can keep your system running smoothly in between professional service.

• Air handlers: Free airflow is required for optimal efficiency and comfort. Check the air filter monthly during periods of regular use. A clean filter is important for good indoor air quality, and to prevent ice accumulation on the evaporator coil. In addition to heat release and extraction, the evaporator coil removes moisture from the air, which means water drainage should be clear at all times. If you notice musty or moldy odors, your technician should remove the components and inspect for mold.
• Outside unit: Free airflow is required at the outside unit, too. The unit should have four feet of clearance in all directions from barriers, such as fencing and shrubs. Periodically check the unit for wind-blown obstructions such as leaves and yard debris. Landscaping equipment should not be close enough to accidentally cause damage to the unit or the conduit.

For more information about ductless mini split maintenance, or if you need other services to prepare for the cooling months in your Northwest Ohio home, contact Quality Mechanical Services today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about ductless mini split maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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You’ll mainly want to take advantage of a programmable thermostat’s main benefit – the ability to set back temperatures ahead of time for when you don’t need temperatures at the usual comfort level. Eight hours or more is ideal, and can be done while you’re at work or sleeping at night. This will typically cut heating or cooling back seven to 10 degrees when you don’t really need it, and can reduce your energy consumption considerably.

Use the hold feature to save energy and maintain a reasonable temperature when you plan on being gone for prolonged periods of time. Typically, a programmable thermostat will have a vacation/permanent hold feature and temporary setting. The vacation/permanent setting should be utilized when you’re not home for two days or more. The temporary feature should be used when your schedule changes temporarily, such as when you’re home sick or have a day off from work.

One practice to avoid is cranking up the temperature really high or low in a misguided attempt to more quickly heat or cool your home. This might make sense logically, but won’t reach your desired temperature any quicker. Since many thermostats rely on intelligent recovery programs, they will automatically trigger your heating or cooling system for a gradual temperature shift.

If you have a system that heats and cools different zones throughout your home, you will have a specific thermostat for each zone. Program each thermostat to achieve the level of comfort you want in that area and avoid wasted energy. Also, if your system is battery powered, make sure that you check the batteries regularly, and change them at least once a year. Some thermostats will tell you when they need changing.

To learn more about optimizing your programmable thermostat and how to make your home more comfortable, please contact us at Quality Mechanical Services. We’ve been serving Northwest Ohio for more than 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The basics

Inside of a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration unit are several rows of aluminium separators, wrapped in a continuous sheet of filter fabric. The fabric is comprised of randomly arranged fibrers that criss-cross over themselves like tiny hairs all piled together, creating very small spaces. HEPA filtration uses three different ways to capture particles: interception, impaction and diffusion. Interception is the process by which the fiber pulls a particle toward itself and it gets stuck. Impaction  is the result of a particle being crushed into a fiber by a stream of air, and diffusion describes what happens when extremely tiny particles are blown around inside the filter until they eventually are captured.

HEPA limitations

While the federal EPA generally considers HEPA filtration to be the most affective type found in mechanical air purifiers, there are certain limitations that you should be aware of if you are considering one for your home.

• HEPA filters do not target gasses. Unless they are part of a combination design that includes an active carbon filter, HEPA filters only capture particles in the air.
• Cost. HEPA filters tend to be more expensive than standard filtration. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it is helpful to be aware of all your options before making a purchase.

HEPA filtration certainly is worth considering if you are trying to improve the IAQ of your home. You can decide whether or not HEPA is right for your home based on your unique needs and budget. If you’re interested and would like to discuss the various air filtration options, please contact us at Quality Mechanical Services today. We provide superior HVAC services to Northwest Ohio homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Ignore so-called ‘standards’: Ignore rules of thumb or alleged standards such as “x number of square feet per ton,” as nothing is standard anymore. There are new code requirements, upgraded equipment design, better insulation, and more efficient overall home design. Rules of thumbs cannot account for differing climates or building orientations.

• Get the right information for you. In order to account for the number of variables dictating how much heat either escapes or remains trapped within a home, the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) developed software protocols to use when sizing and installing new cooling and heating systems. They are Manual J for load calculations and Manual D for duct design. The main one, Manual J, takes into account the cubic footage of your home, along with a variety of other factors, to determine your home’s cooling and heating loads. Those factors will include home design, orientation to the sun, insulation levels, types of appliances, air leakage and more. Manual D will determine whether your ductwork is compatible with your new HVAC system.

• Act upon that information. Load calculations make it possible to determine the exact equipment size necessary for a household, as well as determining proper ductwork and air-distribution. Design and implement your HVAC system according to your load calculations for efficient use and increased equipment lifespan.

Hastily done load calculations that overlook minor variables can create an inefficient HVAC system. If you are new to Manual J and D terminology, or want help in choosing the correct sized air conditioner for your Northwest Ohio home, please contact us at Quality Mechanical Services today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about load calculations and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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1. Air-purification – A whole-house purification system can do an amazing job of clearing your air of contaminants that range from dust and mold spores to viruses and bacteria. Some units even get rid of odors and vapors.
2. Whole-house dehumidifier – Placing one of these units in your home will reduce moisture in your home, removing an environment where mold can thrive.
3. UV lights – Installing these high-intensity lights in your HVAC system is an effective way to eliminate many of the micro-organisms in your home’s air, including viruses and bacteria.
4. Microfiber cloths – These cloths are a great way to remove dust without resorting to chemicals.
5. Wash your bedding – Getting rid of dust mites will go a long way to improving your indoor air quality. Wash your sheets, blankets and pillowcases every week in hot water.
6. Replace/clean your sponges – A kitchen sponge is a breeding ground for bacteria. Either switch them out once a week or soak then in bleach for at least 15 minutes.
7. Replace/clean your filter – Once your HVAC system’s filter gets dirty, it will reduce its efficiency and ability to clean your air. Inspect the filter every month and change it when it appears dirty.
8. Shut those windows – Don’t let the warmer spring air tempt you into opening your windows at night, especially if you suffer from allergies.
9. Remove your shoes – To keep you and your guests from tracking bacteria and other particles throughout your home, have everyone take off their shoes when they enter.

For more expert advice about making improvements to your indoor air quality, or for any questions relating to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at Quality Mechanical Services. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of Northwest Ohio for more than 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Dirty filter. If the air filter is clogged, the airflow slows going through the blower. Keeping the air filter clean prevents premature wear and tear on the air conditioning system, saves energy and provides more even cooling.
• System operates but there’s no cooling. A frozen evaporator coil can occur if the airflow through the blower is too slow or if the coil inside the blower is covered with dirt. Turn the A/C off, and clean or replace the filter. If you can reach the evaporator coil, clean off the dust. If you can’t, you’ll need an HVAC expert to help you.
• System shuts down. Check the circuit-breaker for the A/C at the breaker box. If it’s been tripped, wait a few minutes and reset it. If it still doesn’t turn on, check the fuse for the system, usually located near the outdoor condenser. You may need to call an HVAC technician to replace it, since these fuses are not generally available at hardware or home improvement centers. Improper refrigerant levels can also shut the system down. You’ll need an HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the underlying problem.
• Water leaks. If the drainpipe is clogged with debris, and water is backing up into the drain pan, you could try to locate the blockage either at the pan or at the end of the drainpipe. If you can’t spot the problem, an HVAC technician can clear the blockage for you.

If you’d like help with your air conditioner problems, please contact us at Quality Mechanical Services. We’ve provided top-notch HVAC services for Northwest Ohio for more than 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lima, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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