Every homeowner will experience heating and air conditioning issues at some point in their lives. And for the average homeowner, fixing HVAC equipment can be confusing and frustrating. Luckily, you are not required to be knowledgeable about HVAC repair and installation. After all, that’s what the professionals are for!

If you are having issues with heating and air conditioning in Denver, it’s important to reach out to a professional contractor. They can not only demystify the HVAC process, but help make you and your home more comfortable. To prepare for any potential issues, review the most frequently asked HVAC installation and repair questions below. 

What is the first step to hiring an HVAC professional to fix my heating or air conditioning unit?

There are a few important things you should do before deciding on who to hire. For those experiencing issues with their HVAC systems, consider the following steps.

Step 1, Contractor Research: With so many heating and air conditioning contractors to choose from, it’s essential to do your research first. This will help you choose a contractor who fits your needs. Look for an HVAC contractor who is communicative, knowledgeable, has great reviews, and can show you their credentials. If you don’t know where to start, ask friends and family members for recommendations.

Step 2, Get an Estimate: After you’ve made a list of your top contractors, it’s time to get an estimate for HVAC installation or repair. An HVAC representative will take time to review your system and confirm any issues. To get an “apples to apples” quote, ask for an itemized list quote. This will help you compare prices across all categories.

Step 3, Schedule Your HVAC Installation: After you’ve compared contractors and prices, it’s time to arrange the installation details. It’s important to give the contractor ample time to order any necessary parts and equipment. Typically, peak summer and winter seasons are the busiest for HVAC contractors. Staying communicative and flexible for installation time can help improve everyone’s experience. 

Can you walk me through the installation process?

The HVAC installation process is fairly simple and requires little involvement from the homeowner. Your contractor just needs access to the heating or air conditioning unit during the installation appointment time. For air conditioning units outside the home, be sure to clear the area of debris and unlock property gates if needed. You or a family member will need to be home for heating unit installation, since they are typically located inside. All equipment and installation will be handled by the contractor onsite.

What is the best heating and air conditioning system for my home?

Every home has different heating and cooling needs. New system installation is entirely dependent on cooling and heating capacity, energy efficiency, age of the home, and more. The best way to find the best HVAC system for your Denver home is to get a full system evaluation from a certified contractor. Through proper measurements, load calculation, factoring heat loss and gain, and installation techniques, your new unit will have improved efficiency and energy consumption. 

For more answers to frequently asked HVAC questions, contact your local heating and air conditioning Denver contractor.

Changing seasons is a good reminder that HVAC system maintenance is necessary. Ideally, you should get your air conditioning unit serviced once per year. If you have a dual system, heating and AC should be serviced at different times. 

Typically, the AC is serviced in the spring and the heater in the fall before usage. This gives you plenty of time to get any maintenance and repair done before the summer and winter seasons fully set in. Learn more about Denver air conditioner repair and why getting your AC unit serviced is important. 

Common Annual AC Service Tasks

When you get your AC serviced every year, your technician will perform a few common tasks. These items help your unit to perform at its peak – saving you time and money from costly repairs in future.

Your technician will perform the following:

• Clean or replace the air filters in your unit
• Inspect the coils on the inside and outside of the unit
• Ensure the condensate pump is working correctly
• Clean any dirt and debris from the unit
• Inspect the thermostat
• Visually inspect the system
• Make suggestions on what you can do in-between services to keep the unit working properly

Why is it important to get your AC unit serviced?

Having your HVAC unit serviced regularly helps to increase its effectiveness and keeps things working at full capacity for longer. For the best possible service techniques, be sure to reach out to a Denver air conditioner repair professional. This ensures that you have a skilled eye assessing your unit for any important issues.

If you forget to schedule your service appointment, don’t worry. Setting a recurring reminder on your calendar can help. Alternatively, you can keep a service log next to your unit to keep track of prior service dates. There are also a few ways to perform simple check-ups of your unit at home, too. 

What to do between services

Check and replace batteries. If the performance of the unit is being impacted, faulty batteries could be the culprit. Test your AC unit by turning it up to full power. The unit should be operating quietly, yet still noticeably cooling your home. 

Change out the air filters. Air filters commonly collect dust and debris. For top performance, it’s essential to clean or replace these filters. Check the unit instructions for replacement tips and to ensure you’re replacing with the correct filter size. The frequency of filter replacement depends on your lifestyle and home. If you have multiple pets or suffer from more allergies, replace the filters once a month. A higher quality filter can last longer while helping to pump cleaner air. 

Clean out debris. Depending on where your unit is located, debris can get stuck in the vents, drain, or filter. Mold and algae are more likely to build up if the debris isn’t cleaned out regularly. For proper unit usage, be sure it is located on a level surface with two feet of clearance around it. Remove twigs, leaves, and pollen regularly and make sure it’s properly insulated. 

Cleaning your unit can be a big challenge if it’s been a while. Luckily, a Denver air conditioner repair technician can help get these bigger challenges solved with ease. Contact Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning for more information on AC unit repair and servicing.

The HVAC market is a huge market,  with many different choices for Denver Heating. Because of this, it can be difficult and confusing. You might learn about a variety of setups and brands that are good, but not the best for you. This is why you need to know all of the various factors that go into a heating system before making your decision.

Types of Home Heating Systems

There are three main types of heating systems for homes

1. Central Heating System (Ducted System)
2. Ductless Heating System
3. Direct Heating System

We are going to discuss the first two, central heating systems and ductless heating systems.

Central Heating System (Ducted Systems)

Central heating systems give warmth to an entire home. It is created through one central heat source and can be in an accessible but secluded location. This might be found in a basement or an attic. The heat generated will spread through the home, by going through ducts or pipes inside the walls. These take up a lot of space as compared to other systems.

There are 3 main types of central heating systems:

• Furnaces: Furnaces use gas, electricity, or fuel to heat air. It goes from one area to another and goes through a web of ductwork and vents. 
• Boilers: Boilers are essentially water heaters. Unlike furnaces, these systems distribute heat within hot water. Then, it loses heat as it moves through radiators. There are no ducts but rather pumps to circulate water. 
• Heat Pumps: Heat pumps have been used for years and are able to provide year-round climate control. They are two-way air conditioners meaning that they are fully reversible. They work for both winter and summer, which is efficient.

Ductless Heating Systems

Also known as a ductless heat pump, this type of heating system does not require a web of ducts or vents to keep your home warm. This system can be installed and is not as expensive as a central heating system. The only problem is that you will require a separate system for each room. Essentially this is a stand-alone system within each room and it will be attached to an outdoor compressor. It is more energy-efficient than a central heating system.

The types of ductless heating systems include:

1. Minisplit Heat Pumps: Ductless heating systems that do not need a web of ducts. They are modern and easy to operate with a remote control.
2. Window AC with heat: Helps to mitigate heat costs and also works as an AC unit. 
3. Portable Standing Air Conditioner with Heat: Least expensive option that is also portable.

Make the Right Decision 

If cost is not a problem then the best option is to get a central heating system. If you have a lower budget, then call us to discuss what the best option would be within your price range.

Your central air conditioning system has an important role to play, especially in the sweltering summer months. Without it, heat and humidity can creep in and make your home uncomfortable. Don’t risk an unexpected AC breakdown. Learn about the average lifespan of an AC system and signs of an impending system failure. 

Average Lifespan

Expect most central air conditioners to reliably function for an average of 10 to 15 years. Some systems might serve you for much longer. And others may break down much sooner. 

What factors can affect a system’s lifespan? It mostly comes down to usage and maintenance. If you rarely use your system but keep up with routine maintenance, it’ll likely last beyond the average lifespan. On the other hand, a system that is frequently running at full power will likely wear down faster. And if you skip routine cleaning, inspections, and repairs, you’ll only shorten the system’s life. 

Signs Your Central AC Needs Replacing 

If your current system is more than 10 years old, it might be time to consider a replacement. But age isn’t the only factor to keep in mind. The following signs indicate that your AC is in need of repair or replacement. 

Unusual noises. If your system is noisier than it used to be, there’s a chance that components are starting to fail. 

High energy bills. Keep an eye on your monthly energy bills. If you notice an unusual spike, it could be a sign that your system is no longer in prime condition. It’ll be working harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.  

Dust. Noticing excessive dust in the ductwork? This is a sign that leaks are present, which means your system isn’t working at full efficiency. 

High humidity. Your system should be able to control indoor temperatures and reduce humidity. If that’s no longer the case, a replacement may be needed.  

Frequent repairs. If you find yourself frequently having to call a repair service, that’s a sign that something’s wrong. A reliable technician will encourage you to replace your system, rather than keep spending money on repairs. 

Refrigerant Concerns 

If you own an older system, another factor to keep in mind is refrigerant production. R22 Freon is a refrigerant that older HVAC systems rely on for cooling functionality. However, starting in 2020, production of R22 was banned in the U.S. 

So, although you can continue to use your system, it’ll be harder and more expensive to obtain the refrigerant it needs to operate. The best course of action is to update to a newer system. A newer system will be better for the environment and more efficient in cooling your space. In the long run, updating your system will save you money when it comes to energy bills.

Time to replace your HVAC system? When it comes to heating and air conditioning, Denver residents can turn to Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning for system repair and installation. Reach out today for quotes and scheduling.

Heating your Denver home through the winter often consumes a lot of energy. Fluctuating temperatures can have you freezing one second and sweating the next. Luckily, there are ways to keep your home at a stable temperature throughout the winter months. Finding the right comfort level doesn’t require constant adjustment of thermostat settings. Learn how to take control of your indoor temperature settings while saving money with these quick tips.

Ideal Indoor Winter Temperature

Managing energy usage is a big deal for the common homeowner. It doesn’t just save you money, but it’s also recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy. Yes — finding that sweet spot on your Denver heating bill is also better for the environment!

The ideal indoor temperature for Denver homeowners is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. However, adjusting your thermostat when you aren’t home or when you’re sleeping is key. This also helps everyone in your household feel comfortable during waking hours or when home. Use this guide as a reference for winter thermostat settings.

• At home: keep thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit
• At work: keep thermostat at 65 degrees Fahrenheit
• When sleeping: keep thermostat at 65 degrees Fahrenheit

You can save more money on your energy bill by adjusting the temperature further. Do this 5 degrees at a time until you’ve found a comfortable setting.

Different Temperature Zones

Of course, there are certain rooms that get more use than others. A multi-zone Denver heating system can help keep your favorite rooms cozier during the colder months. These systems have multiple thermostats located in common areas like the living room and bedroom. You can adjust the temperature to your liking whenever you’re occupying one of these spaces.

When creating multi-zone heating areas, keep these tips in mind:

• Increase frequently used living area temperatures to 72 degrees for maximum comfortability
• Decrease the temperature in rooms less frequented like the basement or a spare bedroom
• Decrease temperatures in rooms with lots of natural sunlight
• Keep the bedroom temperature at 68 degrees when not sleeping and lower it at night

Multi-zone heating preferences depend on how much time you spend in each room. This is a customizable heating system that is great for homeowners looking to save energy.

Updated Denver Heating System

Whether you have a newer or older Denver heating system, it’s important to maintain it properly. Regularly maintained heating systems help to avoid unnecessary repairs and high utility bills. Be sure to replace the air filter once a month for the best running system. Keep airways free of dust and debris and avoid placing objects in front of vents. For outdoor units, maintain surrounding brush and shrubbery. Have a professional perform preventative maintenance each year before cold weather sets in.

Home energy usage is largely determined by one’s Denver heating system. For more information on updated heating systems and indoor temperature settings, contact your local Denver heating professionals. Our dedicated team can help you find the best HVAC system for your home this winter.