Repairing HVAC units can be a tempting offer if you are tight on money or time. Unfortunately, trying to repair units yourself is very dangerous and can lead to a lot more stress than relief. Many underestimate the dangers of repairing units without professional knowledge. These dangers are real and the consequences of making an error while repairing an HVAC unit can be dreadful. Below you will find some vital information to consider before running down to your basement to fix a problem with your HVAC unit as soon as it goes haywire.

If your HVAC unit breaks or stops working, you must consider your experience and expertise about these units before you log on to your computer, read an article and go into your basement to attempt a repair. While it may seem like you can learn everything you need to know about how to fix a unit online, without having the proper training, chances are you will struggle to do a good job and this will surely lead to future problems. As soon as you encounter a problem, you should call an expert to come to your home and assess the situation. Repair men have the necessary knowledge and experience to be able to identify and fix the problem. They are paid to ensure the problem gets fixed and doesn’t happen again. Well the internet is a great resource, without proper knowledge and experience, chances are that you will misunderstand the problem and make an error when attempting to fix the problem.

Another, even more critical risk of attempting to fix an HVAC problem yourself is possible injury or even death. HVAC units are very dangerous if not treated properly. Never mind the potential of having your unit break again due to a bad repair, a self repair that is not flawless has the potential to severely injure you and cause a unnecessary trip to the emergency room. Electrocution is the main danger associated with HVAC repair and it happens to more people than you may think. In the end, the dangers associated severely outweigh the potential reward. Most people who attempt to fix a problem themselves spend more time and money than they would have if they called a repair person. Your best option is to allow the professionals to take care of your problem. At HavaTech, we have the trained personnel to ensure a proper fix and no injuries to you or your family. Make the right decision and let the professionals repair your HVAC unit the right way!

When the time comes to start using your heat instead of your air conditioning for the winter, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to save money and ensure safety.  Before you turn on the heat pump, be sure to check your home for gaps between windows and doors to keep the warm air in and the cold weather outdoors where it belongs.  It is also important to make sure that there is nothing blocking or crowding the space around the heat pump.  This will make certain that nothing interferes with your heat pump throughout the winter, which is important if you don’t want your living room to feeling like Antarctica during the winter. This includes checking for sticks, leaves or any other debris that may be lurking near the heat pump.  It is also necessary to inspect ducts, fans, and hoses annually to be sure that when the time comes to turn on the heat pump, it will actually turn on.  By taking these few simple precautions, you can minimize the cost of maintaining your heat pump.  Not only will this help you save money by limiting the maintenance required, but it wall also ensure that your heat pump is safe to use.  Improper care for your heat pump can cause accidental fires, cause debris to be blown through the air, and a variety of other problems.  With proper care and maintenance you can minimize costs and maximize safety for the winter months.

Trying to go green? Start by going tankless! Alternative energy and “going green” is a premium interest for both consumers and suppliers alike so we at Hava Tech would like to share some widespread environmental and economical advantages of Tankless Water Heaters. Though Tankless Water Heaters have not been a popular choice for consumers in the past for Hava Tech consumers, recently there has been an increase in interest due to their unique features that benefit the environment and individuals lifestyles. Tankless Water Heaters vary from traditional water heaters in their ability to supply an endless amount of hot water while being about 20 percent more efficient. A Tankless Water Heater works by heating water as you need it rather than continuously heating water that is stored in a tank. No longer will you be banging on the bathroom door telling your roommates to get out of the shower so you can use some of the remaining hot water. Some of the greatest advantages a Tankless Water Heater offers include…

-          Never run out of hot water

-          Five to ten years longer lifespan than traditional water heaters

-          Zero standby heat loss

-          Average savings of about 20% on water heating bill

-          Take up hardly any space and can be installed nearly anywhere in your home

-          Produce no greenhouse gasses

-          Can be operated with a remote control with various settings and features

-          Come with a great federal tax rebate

The installation and repair costs are a little pricier than traditional water heaters, however in the long run; the Tankless Water Heater will save you both time and money. It will also give you peace of mind because you knowing that you are helping the environment and will not have to deal with a flooded basement due to a ruptured tank. So while you are in the seemingly endless heat of the Northern Virginia summer, think about the truly endless heat you could enjoy with a Tankless Water Heater.

As the leaves begin to change and holiday decor begins to flood our stores, we can feel the change in seasons lurking right around the corner.  With this change in seasons comes a change in the weather as well, so instead of cuddling up next to the golden retriever, here are a few simple steps to take when preparing your home for these colder months.  One of the first steps to take is to remove any window AC units and stow them away in a safe place until spring and summer come back around.  It’s nothing personal; it’s just that much easier to keep the house warm without those bulky units in the window letting all the cold air in.  If you’re currently living in an apartment or other small area, some HVAC companies will remove and store the units for you until it’s time to bring them back out for the warm weather.  Next, it’s always a good idea to have your heater inspected before the cold kicks in.  This is not only important for safety reasons, but also so you don’t find yourself with a broken heater at 3 in the morning when it’s below freezing outside.  Luckily, most HVAC contractors will do this inspection for a relatively low cost.  The next thing to do is to seal any leaks, opening, or gaps around windows or doors with caulk.  This will keep the warm air from your heating system inside the house, while keeping the cold air outside where it belongs.  One of the last, and occasionally missed, steps to take is to have your dryer vents checked by your HVAC contractor to make sure they are properly vented.  Once these steps are taken, you are ready to fire up the heating system and stay warm as the colder months approach.

When you can’t get your mind off the heat outside this summer, think of how you are going to keep heat inside your home this winter. When it comes to heating, you have three different options, gas, electric or oil. Each option posses its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Whether you are buying a new home or looking to switch the type of heat you rely on for financial or environmental reasons, Hava Tech comes prepared to guide and assist you until you are completely satisfied with your choice. Below you will find specific advantages and disadvantages to each one of your heating options. These facts should help you decide on an option that best fits your lifestyle.

Natural Gas

• More environmentally friendly compared to oil.
• Most popular choice for heating homes in the United States.
• Has an abundant supply where the gas travels through underground pipelines.
• Very combustible and highly explosive; Gas leaks cause tremendous problems and can cause severe sickness or death when inhaled.
• Non renewable energy that will eventually run out.

Oil

• Heats your home quicker than any other method.
• Keep your own supply of heating fuel on your property. You will have heat no what.
• Operates with the utmost efficiency and can greatly save energy costs.
• Much safer than natural gas.
• Once the tank goes empty, your house will have no heat until a new one arrives.
• Cannot be renewed and produces carbon dioxide which has been linked to ozone depletion.

Electric

• Is very quiet and is very safe to deal with and use.
• Offers complete control allowing you to set exact temperatures at exact times in certain rooms.
• Very easy to install and take up minimal space.
• Renewable and relatively endless source of energy.
• Very expensive when compared to oil and gas heating.
• Can’t operate without electricity so when a power outage occurs, you will lose heat.

Now that you have a better feel for the advantages and disadvantages of various heating options, visit havatechinc.com or stop by our Fairfax office to learn more about installing and maintaining a brand new heating system that fits your needs.

I always advise my clients at HAVA Tech and Featherstone to either clean or change their air filters once a month. Air filter changes are critical during the hottest periods of the summer season and cold winter months – both seasons find HVAC units being utilized heavily.

Just like your clothes dryer’s lint filter, a dirty HVAC filter causes the unit to work harder in order to keep you cool or warm. Get a paper towel and fold it, try breathing through it, how hard is that?

Now you have a better understanding of why it is important to change the filter. When it comes to caring for the environment, dirty filters waste excessive energy as a result of working much harder. Nevertheless, changing the air filter, which does not cost much, could save you from spending thousands for repairing, or possibly replacing, exhausted HVAC units.

It is the sixth HVAC unit service call you are paying for, but still something tells you that it might be easier, but more costly, to simply replace the entire unit. The up-sell method provides businesses with the mechanism for suggesting that their clients purchase more products and services under the premise that the customer will be better off. As businesspeople ourselves, we don’t deny that the “up-sell” can be used ethically, but at the same time, as long-term members of our local community we aim to bring the best value to our customers.

A service call for an AC unit, is just that, a call for service that involves a repair or part replacement. Last year one of my customers at HAVA Tech, who continues to be a friend, had an HVAC unit that wasn’t heating/cooling while still having a running fan. For an entire year of service calls, other contractors blamed his unit’s age and encouraged him to replace the entire unit. To make a long story short, it all came down to requiring the replacement of a small, but critical part that was fixed in less than 15 minutes.

Be aware when selecting your HVAC contractors. Changing the entire unit is not always the best solution.