Items To Include In Your Fall Checklist For Home Maintenance

Fall offers a sweet respite between the hot temperatures of summer and the cold temperatures of winter, bringing with it lovely foliage, carved pumpkins, and football games that are downright action-packed.

This season, however, also comes with messy, leaf-strewn yards, temperatures that are increasingly cold, and a variety of other concerns.

Homeowners who are diligent in their efforts to get ready for fall will be well-prepared for the much harsher, much colder, and far more challenging months of winter. Drafting your own fall checklist for home maintenance will make your efforts far less time-consuming while ensuring an optimum outcome.

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The Homeowner’s Checklist For Fall Maintenance

This article discusses a variety of ways to get your home cold season-ready as fall comes rolling in.

1. Set Up An Appointment To Have A Heater Tune-Up Performed

Throughout fall and all the way through winter, the temperatures will steadily fall. At one time or another, you’re going to have to turn your home heating system on for warmth. As such, you should take steps to make sure that your heater is up to the job.

Your home heating system should receive a yearly heating system tune-up from a qualified HVAC technician. These professionals are able to thoroughly inspect HVAC systems and all of their components, complete basic repairs, and provide routine cleaning, system lubrication, and other maintenance support. Tuning up your heater will improve the quality of air within your home, promote a more reliable and efficient level of operation, and prevent problems. Get in touch with Skylands Energy Service right now to set up your heater tune-up.

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2. Make An Appointment For Heating Oil Delivery

When your home requires heating oil, you should always schedule your fuel oil delivery services in the fall. This will ensure that your household is prepared for the tough winter climate. Paying for this essential resource before the peak season actually arrives will give you the additional benefit of lower prices. Call Skylands Energy Service to get detailed information on our current range of heating oil delivery services, our payment plans, and our fuel oil delivery options.

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3. Eliminate Any Cracks Or Gaps Near Your Doors And Windows To Boost Overall Energy Efficiency

Your heater will be working hard for no good reason if heated air is constantly able to escape through any cracks or gaps at your windows or your doors. These things will actually make your heater work longer and harder while using more fuel, just to create a comfortable indoor temperature. This makes it wise to check doors and windows for any possible leakage. Seal up gaps and cracks with materials like caulk, window film, foam tape, or weatherstripping. If you hang insulated curtains, this will also improve energy efficiency. You also want to verify that all insulation in your home has the appropriate R-value and that there is an adequate amount of insulation overall.

5. Check Carbon Monoxide And Smoke Detector Batteries

A malfunctioning heater might emit smoke or start leaking small amounts of carbon monoxide. These developments are dangerous and must be identified and resolved immediately if serious consequences are to be avoided. The smoke usually means that there is a fire, and fire can damage the entire house. Carbon monoxide has no odor or color, but it can be fatal. Given that you’ll be putting your heater back into commission soon, check the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to make sure that these critical alert systems are actually working.

6. Promote Winter Safety At All Driveways, Paths, Walkways, And Stairs

Winter is coming fast. Before the cold season actually arrives, make sure that the exterior of your home is safe. Do this by checking all property features that are exposed to the elements. As an example, your driveway, stairs, railings, and walkways should be readied for cold, icy weather so that injuries and the accidents that cause them can be avoided. Broken or damaged features should be tended to as these repairs will only become more challenging when the snow starts to fall. Make sure that you have sturdy, reliable railings in place. Check to verify that the driveway and other paved areas are smooth, hazard-free, and easy to shovel.

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6. Shrubbery And Trees Must Be Cared For

Trees have a very beautiful aesthetic in autumn. Certain changes in their characteristics, particularly the bright colors of their leaves can be visually arresting. Some of these changes, however, may be indicators of how well this foliage is currently doing. For instance, if leaves start changing much earlier than they normally do or if you start noticing an abundance of dead branches, then your trees or shrubs could be battling the disease. Consulting with an arborist is a great way to get help on all your tree maintenance.

7. Rake Up All Dry, Dead Leaves

At the very start of fall, just as the leaves begin to change color and drift to the ground, you may be excited and happy to see this lovely display. You might even be tempted to let this debris build up while you tackle other home maintenance and chores. Even though piles of leaves can look romantic in early autumn, they’ll appear far less so once they’re covered in snow. This is something that can even inhibit growth in the spring. Try to rake up dead leaves as quickly as you can.

8. The Gutters And Downspouts Need To Be Cleaned

Some dead leaves, twigs, and branches will fall to the ground, but others will wind up in your gutters and on your roof. These build-ups can block water that would otherwise drain off your roof. Dead, rotting, organic materials can also be very attractive to pests. Make sure to clean out all of your gutters and downspouts as often as needed, and according to how close your home is to trees. If your rooftop is too hard to reach, think about hiring a professional gutter cleaner instead.

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9. Take Care Of All Needed Repairs At The Building Exterior

While you’re cleaning your gutters, check for damage or evidence of damage at the roof. Also, take a minute to check for damages or other problems at the building foundation. Because of the constant environmental stress that the exterior of your home is subjected to, problems tend to develop much more quickly here than they do on the inside of the building. If issues are identified, get them taken care of before winter comes rolling in.

10. Drain Hoses And Faucets At The Building Exterior Should Be Cut Off

One last but very important item on your fall maintenance checklist should be to turn off all store hoses and any faucets that are at the building exterior. This will prevent your pipes from freezing up when the temperatures drop. You don’t want there to be any water flow coming to fixtures that expose as this liquid will freeze, expand, and may cause serious harm to the plumbing system. Drain all water out before the outside temperatures reach their lowest point. You can also use spigot covers to protect your outdoor faucets from temperature extremes.

 

Call Skylands Energy Service For Superior Home Comfort Services

You can always connect with Skylands Energy Service when seeking reliable, affordable services for home comfort. Our expansive suite of quality HVAC services includes furnace installations, tune-ups, and repairs. The technicians on our team are highly qualified, experienced, and trained and they can help you enjoy a better-performing and far more efficient HVAC system overall.

Fuel oil delivery is another service that we specialize in. We offer affordable prices on heating oil with rapid and reliable delivery. Check out our large number of payment plans and delivery options. With these, you can customize your delivery to suit your needs. Set up an appointment by call Skylands Energy Service.

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Top 5 Reasons To Have An Annual Furnace Tune-Up

Having an annual furnace tune-up is one of the absolute best steps you can take to prolong the heater lifespan. Without a furnace that functions, you won’t be able to maintain sufficient comfort levels and safety within your living space. This is true, especially during the chilliest months of the year. However, besides prolonging the life of this crucial investment, a yearly furnace tune-up can provide an incredibly impressive and vast range of advantages.

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Main Reasons To Schedule An Annual Furnace Tune-Up Each Year

These are the top five reasons you should schedule a furnace tune-up today.

Why Should I Tune Up My Furnace?

Whether your house needs a gas furnace tune-up or an oil furnace tune-up, getting this service taken care of is guaranteed to increase the overall safety and efficiency of your system.

When you prepare to turn on the heater, you can rest easy knowing that it will provide flawless performance without causing issues to your health and safety.

In addition, this annual service is probably required for any warranty on the furnace that you currently have. A warranty is an assurance offered by the manufacturer of the equipment. It guarantees that the HVAC replacement and repair costs are covered when problems arise related to faulty parts or inadequate workmanship.

When you diligently maintain your furnace and have annual tune-ups and inspections performed, it makes it much easier to attribute faults to the manufacturer. This situation is especially valid when your system or its parts malfunction before the furnace’s expected lifespan has ended. Thus, by maintaining your heating system, you can ensure that your warranty is still valid. Likewise, you can ensure that the manufacturer doesn’t void it.

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Preventative Maintenance For Your Furnace

A professional HVAC contractor will take several steps when tuning up your furnace.

Firstly, your HVAC provider will do a comprehensive inspection of your furnace. They do this to find out more about its condition and how each part of the equipment operates. When the inspection is finished, your technician can trade out any worn or damaged parts. The technician will change the filters. They perform other steps both to minimize wear that is ongoing and make sure the overall efficiency is at optimum levels.

Your furniture maintenance service can be recorded so that you can provide the product manufacturer with this documentation. This is important in case you ever need to put forward a warranty request.

When you schedule a tune-up for your furnace, the number of times you will need to have the servicing done will mainly be determined by how much your system is used. Plus, you will need to consider the maintenance and care requirements that are stated in your warranty agreement.

Typically, most heating units require a furnace tune-up every year. The best time to schedule a tune-up is early in the fall, right before you rely on it to keep you warm in the frigid winter months.

 

What Benefits Do I Get Out Of A Furnace Tune-Up?

Similar to most homeowners, you might be shocked by the costs and what seems like a never-ending list of projects for home maintenance that you’re responsible for. While it might seem like another arduous task to cover the costs of furnace tune-ups, the amount that you spend in this respect can save you a great deal of money as time goes on.

When thinking about the average prices to replace AC and furnace systems, you will discover that the relatively low costs for getting this system maintained and tuned up properly are definitely worth your time. Have a look at these five advantages of getting your furnace tuned up just once every year:

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1. Reduced Utility Bills

After a tune-up, your home heating costs will decrease significantly. These services are performed to ensure that the heating system in your home continues to operate as efficiently as it did when you first installed it. In the cold winter months, your household will stay warm using far less energy. The best part is, in addition to reduced utility bills, you will also have the advantage of a far lower carbon footprint.

2. Improved Indoor Air Quality

One little-known advantage of getting the furnace in your home tuned up is much higher indoor air quality. During a furnace tune-up, the technician will change the filter. Dust, dirt, and other debris will be flushed from the interior components. Because of this, the air discharging from the registers will be clean and free of contaminants. This is particularly helpful for anybody in your household who suffers from allergies, asthma, COPD, or any other progressive or chronic respiratory issue.

3. Avoid Having To Replace Your Heating System Early

To get optimal value out of the heating equipment in your home, you want to ensure that it runs for the full length of time that is expected of it. The best way to do this is to get regular maintenance, inspections, and service performed. Your HVAC contractor can detect and rectify small problems before these issues start getting bigger and beyond your control. In addition, this will clean out built-up debris and dirt that puts pressure on the system to work harder.

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4. Stay Informed About Your Furnace’s Condition

Furnace tune-ups allow homeowners to stay up to date about any new incidents and what their furnace’s overall condition is. This is especially important if you know very little about the age and history of your home heating system. Your service provider can offer you an estimate of the remaining lifespan of your furnace. Therefore, you can start to plan and prepare well in advance for any expensive projects involving furnace replacement.

5. Maintain Safety For Residents Of The Home

Beyond just saving you money, regular maintenance and inspections can also prevent deaths. After all, a furnace produces heat by burning fuel, and inevitably exhaust is produced. If there are leaks in the exhaust lines, carbon monoxide can seep into your home. Ensuring that every component is working correctly is the key to preventing issues that could potentially be life-threatening.

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What Does A Furnace Tune-Up Include?

A furnace tune-up starts with a total clean and check of your furnace. The best HVAC pros work by sticking to an extensive checklist for furnace tune-ups that is specific to the model and make of the heater that needs service.

After all, the HVAC technician checks and cleans all of the components thoroughly, they will trade out damaged and worn parts. Doing so ensures safety and efficiency. In addition, the technician will lubricate the system to make sure it performs optimally.

By making a record of the entire process of servicing the furnace, HVAC contractors offer undeniable proof of unflagging maintenance. This record can be provided whenever concerns about the warranty arise. Furthermore, this documentation also allows homeowners the opportunity to prepare financially for necessary furnace replacements in cases when the heaters have already reached or are soon to be at the end of their lifespans.

 

Call Skylands Energy Service for Any Heating Requirements You May Have

Skylands Energy Service offers dependable and economical services for HVAC systems. Our HVAC technicians are certified and they will assist you whenever you need to repair or service your heating system. We offer you our guarantee that our HVAC services will improve your indoor air quality and levels of comfort. In addition, our services will increase the energy efficiency of your system so that your home heating costs are lower. Call Skylands Energy Service now to schedule an appointment.

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Ductless Mini-Split Sizing Guide

Are you thinking of switching to a ductless mini-split system? Make sure that the unit is the correct size. Ductless mini-split systems are high-efficiency HVAC systems since inverter technology is built into their design. With this technology, mini-splits can generate a specific level of heating or cooling to match your preferred temperature settings. However, even if a mini-split system and a ductless heat pump have inverter technology, it may still not suit your needs if it is sized incorrectly. In this article, we share a ductless mini-split sizing guide to help you out.

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What Is Ductless Mini-Split Sizing And Why is It Important?

If you are planning on getting a new HVAC system installed in your home, you and your contractor will have to discuss the proper size. This is to ensure that the system is neither too small nor too big. The same principle holds true with ductless mini-split systems.

A mini-split system that is too small will not be effective in regulating the temperature indoors. If the unit is oversized, on the other hand, it will not be as efficient as it should be and will likely wear out more quickly.

When a mini-split system or a ductless heat pump is correctly sized, you are assured of constant comfort and excellent energy savings. The correct-sized system will be capable of effectively cooling or heating your home. A good way to ensure efficiency and comfort is to install a ductless heat pump system that carries a BTU rating that will match the cooling/heating needs of your home.

What Is A BTU?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It is a unit for measuring thermal energy. BTU is an expression of the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of 1 lb. of water by 1° Fahrenheit.

Generally, larger rooms require a higher BTU rating for your mini-split system. Ductless heat pumps typically come with BTU ratings of about 6,000 to as much as 56,000. When looking for a mini-split and determining your BTU requirements, remember that the heating capacity of these systems should be higher than their cooling capacity.

You should also keep in mind the size of the system. Make sure that the ductless heat pump system is not too big or too small for the space you want to cool or heat. If you choose the wrong size for the unit, you will likely experience discomfort. The overall functionality of the system could also be affected.

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What If The Ductless Heat Pump Is Too Small?

If your mini-split system is smaller than the requirement, it will be inefficient, causing temperature deficiencies in your home. You will also notice that your home is not cool or warm enough. Of course, the unit will still work but it will fail to keep indoor space conditioned effectively. As a result, the unit will just consume energy without giving you the full comfort you expect. Due to the small sizing of the HVAC unit, you will experience hot and/or cold spots in certain areas of your home since the unit is not big enough to supply conditioned air to those locations sufficiently.

If the ductless mini-split system is too small, it will also have to work harder to make up for the inadequacy of its heating or cooling capability. As a result, the unit will wear out prematurely. This makes it more prone to early breakdowns. Since it will be working doubly hard, you could also expect higher utility bills.

What If The Ductless Heat Pump Is Too Big?

On the other end of the scale, there’s the bigger mini-split. Some homeowners think that by getting a unit that is bigger than the correct size, they will enjoy better cooling or heating. This, unfortunately, is not true. Since the price is directly proportional to the size and capacity of the unit, you will also pay more for it. Also, since the capacity is bigger, forget about any savings you will have in terms of energy cost.

Another issue with a mini-split system that is oversized is short cycling. This is an issue wherein the unit turns on and turns off repeatedly within short periods. The problem is that it leads to premature wear and tear. When this happens, the system will malfunction and fail.

Mini-splits also work as dehumidifiers. However, if the unit short-cycles frequently, it will not be as effective in removing humidity. As a result, humidity levels in your home will be higher than usual.

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Properly Sizing Your Ductless HVAC Systems

There are factors that should be considered when you choose a mini-split system. These factors include:

• The size of your home, room, or space
• Single-zone or multi-zone application
• The size of the outdoor compressor compared to the size of the indoor unit(s)

Room sizes in a home may vary. Some rooms may be bigger than others, for example. Should this be the case in your home, make sure the BTU rating of every air handler matches the heating and cooling needs of your home. If your outdoor compressor is different in size from your indoor units, it should not matter as long as it is complementary to the indoor air handlers.

If you have the knowledge and some experience, you could probably try to compute for the size of the mini-split system for your home. However, to get accurate figures, make sure to work with a professional. An expert HVAC technician often conducts certain steps to calculate the correct size of a mini-split or ductless heat pump. These steps include:

1. Determine the size of the rooms per square foot. This is done by measuring the length and the width of the interior space and multiplying these numbers. Let’s say the room is 30 feet in length and 40 feet in width. If you multiply 30 by 40, you have a room that is 1,200 sq. ft. in area.
2. Determine the approximate BTU rating. To find the figure, the technician multiplies the room area by 25. Given the example above, we take 1,200 sq. ft. multiplied by 25 and we have the ideal BTU of 30,000.

The method of calculating BTU demonstrated above is best for rectangular rooms. It could also work for circular- and triangular-shaped rooms. If you have an uneven-shaped room, a professional will still be able to calculate the required BTU by determining the area of the room. With this figure, your HVAC technician can then advise you about the exact sizing requirement of your home.

Here is a list of approximate BTU sizing for your mini-split system:

Ductless Mini-Split Sizing Chart

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HVAC Load Calculation: Factors To Consider

Other than room size, there are other factors that will affect BTU capacity. Environmental conditions, along with certain external factors can also affect your BTU requirement and ultimately, the size of the mini-split system you need. Some of these factors include:

Climate

Climate can affect indoor temperatures. If you live in areas that experience high or low temperatures, your mini-split system may have to be sized differently. Let’s say your area experiences in excess of 90° Fahrenheit during the hottest months. In this case, the mini-split system you need should be capable of increasing the BTU rating by a minimum of 30% to make it effective.

Age And Insulation

The year your home was built is another key factor to consider before buying. Newer homes, for example, often have better insulation compared to older structures. This is largely due to building codes that have been revised over the years. If you have an older home, it is likely it does not have good insulation and will require more power to heat or cool. As such, you will need a mini-split system that has a BTU rating that is increased by a minimum of 30% to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. If your home is new and has good insulation, you likely will require a unit with lower BTU.

Ceiling Height

The height of your ceilings will affect the size of the rooms. High ceilings, for example, make the area of your room bigger. In most homes, the average ceiling height is around 8 feet. For homes with higher ceilings of, say, 10 to 15 feet, you will need to increase BTU capacity by a minimum of 20% to ensure sufficient performance.

 

Other Factors To Consider

There are factors found in your home that must also be considered so you can choose the correct BTU load. These are:

• Doors And Windows: It matters whether or not your doors and windows are properly insulated because this will affect the BTU load. If you have more windows and doors, or if there are cracks and gaps in the joints of the doors and windows, know that this will cause air leaks and will affect the performance of your mini-split system.
• Direct Sunlight: Rooms that receive direct sunlight are generally warmer than other rooms. Consider how many rooms receive direct sunlight and for how many hours so you can determine the correct capacity of your mini-split system.
• Kitchen: If you want a mini-split unit in your kitchen or in a room close to it, you will likely need a bigger-sized unit. Kitchens are generally open spaces that produce heat from stoves and ovens, which means they will require more power from your mini-split system.
• Number Of Occupants: Human bodies generate heat, so the more people there are in your house, the more cooling or heating capacity you will require.
• Lightbulbs: Lighting fixtures will generate heat when turned on, with some types heating up space more than others. If your house has a lot of heat-producing lightbulbs, factor this into your capacity/sizing calculation.
• Floor Type: Any carpeting on the floor is a type of insulation. If you just have hardwood, tile, or stone floors, your mini-split or ductless heat pump will have to work more to produce heat.

 

Conclusion

The load calculation is the process of determining the correct size of a ductless mini-split system for use in living space. The correct calculation of this figure will ensure that your home and all the spaces in it will receive constant and comfortable warm or cold air.

There are resources on the Internet that allow you to calculate load. However, these do not often include other important factors. If you want more precise calculations, better consult a professional HVAC technician. A qualified expert in the field can ensure that you get the correct figures and the perfect product for your needs.

Call Skylands Energy Service To Learn More About Ductless HVAC Systems

A ductless system will provide you with low energy costs, increased home comfort, healthy indoor air quality, and safety. If you are ready to switch to a ductless system or have more questions, call Skylands Energy Service right away. Our NATE-certified technicians will discuss your needs and requirements to help you find the best ductless HVAC system setup for your home. We offer a range of heating and cooling services, including installations, repairs, replacements maintenance, and more. We also provide free in-home estimates. Call Skylands Energy Service today.

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