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HVAC

Waving Winter Blues Away: 3 Items to Check Off Your HVAC To-Do List For the End of Winter

Winter HVAC MaintenanceBefore the winter weather winds down, it’s time to think about which items you need to check off your HVAC to-do list. If your heating system kept you and your home comfortable all winter, that’s great, but that doesn’t mean that it will be able to work properly and efficiently throughout the warmer months. To help you avoid an increase in utility bills and decrease in comfort during the warmer months, the HVAC experts at Clay’s Climate Control are here with the top 3 HVAC things you should be inspecting right now!

Swap Out Your HVAC Filter

Spring will be here soon, and this change of season makes it the perfect time to change out your HVAC filter. When an air filter gets dirty, it can negatively impact the way that your system is able to perform, causing it to consume more energy and increase your utility bill. In addition to helping your HVAC equipment perform better, doing an air filter replacement will also improve the air quality inside of your home.

Give the Ductwork Some Attention

Just as a clean air filter helps your HVAC system perform better, so does having air ducts that are clean. By having your ductwork cleaned out, you will be ensuring that the air that flows through it more efficiently. So before the warm weather arrives, be sure to check your ductwork for signs of clogging (IE with debris and dust) or damage.

Give Your Thermostat a Once-Over

Over time, the batteries in your thermostat can lose power, and when they do, it makes your thermostat not able to operate the way it needs to. While this may not lead to safety or health issues, this will lead to discomfort issues, because it will reduce the comfort level inside your home. To avoid this, simply change out the batteries with new ones!

Whether you need help inspecting your ductwork, updating your air conditioner condenser or addressing any other HVAC concerns, the team at Clay’s Climate Control will help you check off your HVAC to-do list! Contact us today to schedule an HVAC appointment.

Categories
heating HVAC hvac maintenance

Ask the Expert: How can I be sure my furnace isn’t leaking out carbon monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide LeakThis is a great question, and one that requires the attention of homeowners as soon as the temperature outside drops low enough that the furnace needs to be turned on. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a furnace can pose a threat every winter. When furnaces are not properly maintained by an HVAC professional every year, there may be issues with the unit that can lead to the leaking of carbon monoxide—an invisible, odorless gas that is emitted from a damaged furnace and kills hundreds of people every year, while also making thousands sick.

Schedule Furnace Maintenance

To be sure that your furnace is working properly and is not emitting carbon monoxide, the first step is to schedule a furnace maintenance appointment with a heating expert. Once your furnace has been maintained, the next step it to make sure that you 1) have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home, and 2) regularly maintain these to make sure that they are functioning properly.

Save Up to 10% a Year on Your Heating Bill

Not only will annually maintaining your furnace help you prevent a dangerous carbon monoxide leakage, but you will also enjoy the added bonus of saving up to 10% a year in your heating bill! This is because a well-maintained furnace will run more efficiently and effectively, so it won’t waste energy heating your home.

Being Proactive

Now, just because you are staying on top of your furnace’s maintenance every year does not mean that there are not other proactive steps you can take in between the yearly checkups! In addition to scheduling annual maintenance, you can also do the following:

  • Regularly replace your furnace’s filter.
  • Keep the fan compartment door tightly closed; this will prevent it from having to work overtime.
  • Look for burned or damaged wiring; using a flashlight will make this easier to see!
  • Check to see if the flue of your furnace is well-connected to the masonry or metal flue; this will keep carbon monoxide from escaping if there is a leak present.

Your furnace is there to make your home warm and cozy in the winter, not dangerous, and here at Clay’s Climate Control, we do everything we can to make sure your HVAC equipment can be easily and properly maintained—that is why we offer our 3C Maintenance Plan! If you live in Linwood, Atlantic County, or Northern Cape May County, NJ, contact the experts at Clay’s today to schedule your furnace appointment!

Categories
air conditioning heating HVAC hvac maintenance

“V” Is For Virtuosity: Here’s What It Takes to Be a Great HVAC Technician

With over 20 years in the HVAC industry and known for being a professional, reliable, and honest company, we know a thing or two about how to be a great HVAC technician—and we want to pass that knowledge on to you. The team at Clay’s Climate Control have come up with three things that will take you from being a good HVAC technician to a great one, so you can get the success you deserve

Stay Up-to-Date on the Hottest Trends

Knowledge is power, and when you’re up-to-date on the latest safety practices and techniques, then you’ll be one step closer to being a great HVAC technician. Whether you conduct your own research in your free time, participate in workshops or acquire new certifications, you’ll be taking the steps you need to in order to be the most successful technician you can be. Plus, when you know the latest practices and techniques, you can be sure that you’re staying safe at jobs, and your customers can be confident that they’re getting the best HVAC service.

Drill Down on Details

Just like in any career, how you deal with the details of a project is what makes a person good at their job or exceptional at their job. In order to do a high-quality job and provide exceptional service, it’s important to remember it’s all in the details, so be sure to do the following:

  • Go through each and every part of a procedure—no skipping a step!
  • Catch the smallest of details and address them
  • Record details from every visit and keep them on file for that client

By being detail-oriented, you’ll be able to do the best job possible and provide high-quality service to all of your customers.

Power Up Communication Skills and Customer Service

When it comes to being a great HVAC technician, your expertise and qualifications are one part of the equation, but how you talk to and treat your customers is the other—and to do this well, communication and customer service need to go hand in hand. Not only do you need to personable and polite, but you also need to be able to effectively communicate what needs to be done without using too much technical jargon. Additionally, each customer should feel like they’re your #1 priority (no matter how many client’s you’re working with) so it’s important to quickly address any questions or concerns they may have.

Whether you’re looking to join an HVAC team where you can take your skills to the next level, or you’re a homeowner looking for the best HVAC company in southern New Jersey, look no further than Clay’s Climate Control! From job inquiries to scheduling an HVAC appointment, contact us today.

Categories
HVAC

Summer Rental: Here’s an HVAC Checklist for Rental Properties

If you’re one of the smart people who invested in a shore house and rent it out every summer then 1) congrats, and 2) keeping it in tip-top shape will ensure that you continue to get the rental price that you want. The HVAC pro’s at Clay’s Climate Control have come up with a helpful HVAC checklist that will keep your HVAC system operating efficiently, so your renters—and your wallet—will be happy.

Improve Air Quality With New Air Filters

Overtime, dust, pollen, allergens and other contaminants accumulate on air filters, and when the air conditioning kicks on, these all blow out into the air you—and your future tenants—will breath. To keep the air quality safe and healthy in your rental property, replace your HVAC’s air filters. Not only is this an easy and affordable task to check off, but it can make a huge improvement in the air people breathe.

Give Your HVAC System an Upgrade

Depending on the age of your HVAC system, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient system. Most HVAC systems can last approximately 15-20 years, so if yours is getting close to that age, it’s time to give it an upgrade. With that being said, if an HVAC system hasn’t been well-maintained or it’s been exposed to harsh weather conditions—such as saltwater and snowstorms—these factors can age the system quicker. If your rental is close to the beach, and you think your HVAC system looks older than it actually is, contact an HVAC expert to diagnose your system’s condition.

Avoid Wear and Tear By Checking Belts and Bearings

Between the heat and humidity of summer, tenants in a beach house are going to want a beach rental that’s equipped with a powerful air conditioning system. To keep the AC in your rental property working properly—and to get longevity out of your system—it’s important to perform routine maintenance on its belts and bearings. If these components aren’t properly aligned or greased, they can grind down areas of your unit and wear down your system. You can easily prevent this by making sure the belts have straight edges and the bearings are well-greased.

Clean the Air Ducts for Cleaner Air

Similar to air filters, air ducts can also fill up with dust, pollen, allergens and other contaminants, impacting the air quality in your rental property. To ensure your tenants are breathing in clean air, it’s crucial that you routinely clean your air ducts. If you want to supplement your clean air filters and air ducts, installing an air purifier can drastically improve air quality.

Reduce Bacteria By Removing Standing Water

HVAC systems have drain pans that prevent condensation water from leaking into the walls and ceilings, but when these pans fill with standing water, it can attract bacteria and contaminants. In order to keep bacteria and contaminants at bay, it’s important to regularly clean out the water from these pans.

HVAC checklists are great, but their tasks are even easier to check off when you have a highly-qualified HVAC technician on your side! Whether you are looking to replace your HVAC system or want to have your system maintained, the experts at Clay’s Climate Control are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your HVAC appointment!

Categories
hvac maintenance

Five Spring Maintenance Tips for Your HVAC System

Spring is in the air, and with the hot weather on its way in, you’ll be cranking up your air conditioning system in no time! Don’t get caught unprepared – start on your spring maintenance early by following these tips:

Check Refrigerant Level
Your cooling system will not run efficiently if it does not have the correct amount of refrigerant. The additional strain on your air conditioner will cause it to wear out more quickly. This will cause it to break down more often, leading to expensive repairs! It will also increase your energy costs.

Replace Air Filters
Air filters become dirty and clogged if they aren’t changed on a regular basis. Dirty filters lower both the energy efficiency of your HVAC system and the air quality in your house. With allergy season approaching, it’s critical to change your air filters when you start using your air conditioner!

Clean Your Coils
Before you start your air conditioner, make sure the evaporator coils and condenser coils have been cleaned. This is especially important if your outdoor unit wasn’t covered during the winter. Dirt and dust buildup on the coils can inhibit your cooling system’s airflow and reduce its performance. Ensure that all leaves and other debris around your outdoor unit are cleared out.

Clean and Inspect Your Ductwork
Your HVAC system’s ductwork should be cleaned and inspected before spring. If you have leaks in your air ducts, your cooling system will be less energy efficient.

Schedule an Air Conditioning Tune-up
You can lower your cooling costs by up to 15% by scheduling routine maintenance on your HVAC system! A tune-up can save you money by catching problems early, before more expensive repairs are needed. It will also ensure that your air conditioner works when you need it most.

Schedule an appointment early with Clay’s Climate Control to prevent the inconvenience of an air conditioning breakdown during the summer heat!

Categories
efficiency HVAC

Save Money On Your Utility Bills And Save Your Tax Return Money!

It’s no secret that high-efficiency HVAC products use less energy and can save you money on utility bills. The South Jersey Gas Smart Energy Partners program is designed to help make energy efficiency more affordable for homeowners. Whether you’re converting to natural gas, or already heating with it, financial incentives are available.

There are both high efficiency rebates and high efficiency loans available; however, it’s important to distinguish between the two. If you install high efficiency natural gas equipment, such as a furnace, boiler, or water heater, you may qualify for rebates from SJG Smart Energy Partners program. Click here to fill out a rebate application!

On the other hand, if you’re interested in an affordable monthly payment loan, SJG Smart Energy Partners program offers a 0% loan for 7 years with no money down! Fill out an application to apply!

Upgrading your HVAC equipment to be more energy efficient can save you tons of money in the long run! Contact Clay’s Climate Control if you have any questions.

Categories
indoor air quality

Steam Humidifier FAQs

Clay’s Climate Control is dedicated to providing superior indoor air quality solutions and serving our customers to the highest degree. With that goal in mind, we have compiled a list of FAQs to provide you with quick answers to common questions about steam humidifiers.

  • What is a steam humidifier?

Steam humidifiers help make dry air more comfortable by releasing moisture into the air and can be installed to humidify your whole home. It adds humidity to the air by heating water electrically until it boils to create humidity in the form of steam even if the furnace isn’t on. Adding humidity to your indoor air in the winter has many benefits including health benefits and energy savings. Steam humidifiers offer the fastest and most efficient way of increasing and maintaining the appropriate and comfortable level of humidity in your home.

  • What is the ideal humidity level I should maintain?

A comfortable humidity level in your home typically measures between 30% and 50%. Humidity levels that measure above 50% create a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, dust mites, and other bacteria. Humidity levels that measure below 30% can lead to uncomfortable respiratory symptoms and increases the likelihood that cold and flu viruses will spread. Air that is too dry can also cause damage to your home’s foundation. To avoid the problems of too little or too high of humidity, it is recommended that you maintain a humidity level of between 45% and 50%.

  • How much energy does a steam humidifier use?

It’s difficult to predict how much an impact that a humidifier will have on your monthly energy bill, and it depends on a variety of factors including the type of humidifier you’re using, speed settings, and the number of hours that it is on each day. Be sure to compare the efficiency of different models, and please be sure to give us a call if you have any questions!

Our team of professional HVAC technicians here at Clay’s Climate Control is always happy to help when it comes to keeping you and your family comfortable. All you have to do is make the call, and we’ll handle it all!

Categories
hvac maintenance

The Importance of Planned HVAC Maintenance

With the fall and winter chill quickly approaching we strongly advise having professional maintenance done to your HVAC system, if you haven’t already done so this year.

It’s important to safeguard that your air conditioner is prepared for long hibernation as well as waking up your heating system without any problems. The last thing you want is to have your heating system break down in the middle of winter; and although breakdowns can’t always be prevented, it’s still important that you don’t give up on doing all that can be done to take the precautionary steps to try and avoid it.

Having that said, you should have your heater checked at least once a year. Continual HVAC maintenance is similar to getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist, as it doesn’t need to be done before or after you eat, just every six months to a year.

Another way to think about it is getting your car’s oil changed. This task must be done to keep the engine running at peak performance but it doesn’t need to be done before a long road trip, for example; every 3,000-5,000 miles is suggested.

Okay, back to HVAC! With the benefits of planned maintenance noted below, we hope to hear from you with any questions and/or planned maintenance requests that you might have. It’s always our pleasure to keep you well informed on all things HVAC related.

  • Increased efficiency: Having a routine HVAC checkup will help to better ensure that your energy bills are low and that your system is working as efficiently as possible.
  • Improved indoor comfort: There’s another important advantage of maintaining your furnace… Your comfort! A well-maintained furnace will deliver optimal performance throughout the colder months, which means you can expect to stay warm all winter long with far less of a chance of encountering any furnace problems. Additionally, a well-maintained furnace may also help to improve indoor air quality and humidity levels for added comfort.
  • Consider the age of your unit: No HVAC system is meant to last forever; and the older the system, the less efficient it is. If it’s time to purchase a new system, give us a call and we can help you make an informed decision and purchase a system that’s designed to be long-lasting.
  • Get a professional inspection: The team here at Clay’s Climate Control will help to make sure that your system is working as it should. Also, we will perform a full inspection to check all elements of your system and fix any issues that arise.

Contact us to get your HVAC system tuned up today!

Categories
heating

How to Best Maintain Your Heating System

It’s officially fall! While it’s hard to believe that summer has come and gone, we are moving into the fall season and it is more important than ever to ensure that your heating system is working efficiently and will be able to carry you through the chilly autumn and winter months.

We have been lucky to have some pretty mild weather so far this month, when we’d often already been seeing strong gusts and chilly mornings and evenings, but heating season is right around the corner and we want to make sure that all of our clients will be comfortable over the next several months in their home. Here are a few of our top tips for maintaining your heating system.

Schedule maintenance: It’s important to have your system maintained at least once a year. While summer and winter tend to be our busiest seasons now is the time to schedule maintenance for your heating system.

Make necessary repairs: Following regular maintenance, there may be repairs to your system that need to be made in order to keep your system running in tiptop shape. While repairs can be a financial investment, it is far less costly to take care of small repairs than dealing with problems once they become catastrophic.

Change air filters: Air filters should be cleaned or replaced between each season, and doing so can help to keep your system running efficiently. If you have not already done so for the fall season, go ahead and change your air filter to ensure that warm air can easily flow throughout your home and to improve the indoor air quality of your house.

Replace faulty systems: When properly maintained, your heating system should last for years, but eventually it will need to be replaced. If your home still has its original heating system, or if you have noticed efficiency slowly decreasing over the past few winter seasons, it is likely time to invest in a replacement. Our team of HVAC professionals can help you to decide on a unit that is perfect for your home and lifestyle and work to have it installed before the start of the winter season.

For more information on maintaining your heating system, click here to visit our website.