Now that we're in the warmer temperatures and running our AC, it's time you make sure your system is CLEAN! While some say that there are health benefits to keeping your air ducts clean, it is a proven fact that but having your ducts cleaned and all the junk removed can boost the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Did you know that approximately 5-7 times a day the air in your home circulates through the air ducts of your HVAC heating and cooling system, carrying with it the dust and debris of everyday living. If you're like me, and haven't changed your filter in an embarrassing amount of time (think.... almost a year...), that's super gross!
Your furnace filter catches much of the stuff (unless you're like me & don't change your filter!), but neglect, remodeling projects, or less than professional duct installation can lead to a buildup of gunk inside your ductwork that threatens the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Wondering how to get those ducts cleaned? South Nashville Heating and Cooling can help rid your house of that gross circulating dust and debris!
How are ducts cleaned? Dislodging and removing dust and debris is done with one or more of the following methods:
1. Hand-held vacuuming: Workers use a brush attached to a large portable vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. This method may leave pockets of dust behind.
2. Mechanical brush: A rotating brush is fed into the ductwork. A truck-mounted vacuum sucks away debris. Before choosing this method, make sure your system is in good shape as this brush could harm poorly installed systems.
3. Air sweep: A truck-mounted vacuum system takes away dust and debris dislodged by a compressed-air hose fed into the ducts.
Of the three above methods, the air sweep method usually does the most effective job. To figure out what method is best for your home, give South Nashville Heating and Cooling a call! This family-owned and operated business has been taking care of HVAC systems for over 30 years! Give us a call today at 615-834-1636 to see how we can get your system in good shape for summer!
Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for our special coupons! Who doesn't love to save a buck? Also, LIKE us on Facebook to stay up to date with all of specials HERE.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Spring Check List!
Spring! It's finally here! With the beautiful weather outside, many of us are looking to start spring cleaning! Okay, maybe we're not looking forward to it, but it has to be done!
Before you start the spring cleaning process, checking your HVAC system is super important and often gets overlooked!
South Nashville Heating and Cooling has been in business for over 30 years so you can count on us for all of your HVAC needs in Middle Tennessee! Whether your system just needs a checkup or you need an entire new unit installed, South Nashville Heating and Cooling has you covered! Give us a call today at 615-834-1636.
Be sure to visit us HERE to sign up for our special offers and savings! Don't forget - become a FAN on Facebook!
Before you start the spring cleaning process, checking your HVAC system is super important and often gets overlooked!
- Always check your air-conditioning and heating equipment before the beginning of a new season.
- Check and replace your furnace and air-conditioning filters every month. This is something I constantly forget to do! As you probably already know, there are several types of filters to choose from depending on your needs. Fiberglass filters only last a month while HEPA filters last up to six months and can be cleaned with a vacuum nozzle.
- Most air conditioners have a drainage hole on the base of the cabinet (beneath the evaporator fins). This hole needs to be kept clear in order for the air conditioner to work properly. It's a good idea each spring to use a paper clip or wire to poke through the hole and clear it out.
- To keep your dehumidifier working properly, remove its housing and let the unit dry completely. Vacuum every accessible surface and crevice.
- Clean your bathroom fans yearly (at least). This means taking the cover off, washing it in soapy water and cleaning the dirt off the fan blades. Don't forget - turn the power off before you do this!
- Replace the batteries in ALL of your smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors twice a year - during each of the time changes. This is just general safety!
South Nashville Heating and Cooling has been in business for over 30 years so you can count on us for all of your HVAC needs in Middle Tennessee! Whether your system just needs a checkup or you need an entire new unit installed, South Nashville Heating and Cooling has you covered! Give us a call today at 615-834-1636.
Be sure to visit us HERE to sign up for our special offers and savings! Don't forget - become a FAN on Facebook!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Trouble Shooting Your Air Conditioner
It's warming up in Middle Tennessee which means it's time to turn our furnaces off and turn that air conditioner ON!
You've been waiting for this day since November when you reluctantly said goodbye to the cool temps indoors and replaced it with your furnace and fireplace. You walk to that thermostat, flip the switch to ON, and wait.
And you wait some more. Nothing.
Your air conditioner won't turn on! What could be the problem, you think? Sweat starts to form on your brow thinking about the costly repair. Before you panic, try a few of these steps first!
Most central AC systems are on a separate circuit breaker, often a double switch. Many people flip this circuit breaker off at the start of the heating season, to prevent someone from accidentally starting the AC unit at a time when cooling is never needed. So first things first: check that the circuit breaker is turned on.
If it is turned on, turn it off then back on (sometimes the switch has tripped but is close enough to the on position that it seems to be on already). This is one of the most common air conditioning problems so before you make a call, check your circuit breaker!
If either the panel breaker or the compressor breaker circuit trips off after you try using the AC again, do not flip it back on – call a qualified technician at South Nashville Heating and Cooling. There may be a serious electrical problem that needs to be looked at by a professional.
If you have a combined central AC and forced air furnace system, the circuit that feeds your furnace should also be on, because the furnace fan needs to run to circulate the cooled air. Check this circuit as well, using the same process of turning the breaker off and back on.
Another thing you can check is to make sure the fan is running. If you set the fan setting on your thermostat to “on” instead of “auto”, you should hear the furnace fan start to run even if the air conditioner doesn’t turn on. If the fan doesn’t turn on, this is an indication no current is getting to your furnace.
Also, try setting your thermostat as low as it can go - it’s possible that the thermostat controls are not working properly.
If you're exhausted all of these options, your best bet is to call the professionals at South Nashville Heating And Cooling. We've been installing quality air conditioning units for more than 30 years in the Middle Tennessee area! We also have trained professionals on staff available 24/7.
Give us a call today at 615-834-1636! Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for our special offers and savings!
You've been waiting for this day since November when you reluctantly said goodbye to the cool temps indoors and replaced it with your furnace and fireplace. You walk to that thermostat, flip the switch to ON, and wait.
And you wait some more. Nothing.
Your air conditioner won't turn on! What could be the problem, you think? Sweat starts to form on your brow thinking about the costly repair. Before you panic, try a few of these steps first!
Most central AC systems are on a separate circuit breaker, often a double switch. Many people flip this circuit breaker off at the start of the heating season, to prevent someone from accidentally starting the AC unit at a time when cooling is never needed. So first things first: check that the circuit breaker is turned on.
If it is turned on, turn it off then back on (sometimes the switch has tripped but is close enough to the on position that it seems to be on already). This is one of the most common air conditioning problems so before you make a call, check your circuit breaker!
If either the panel breaker or the compressor breaker circuit trips off after you try using the AC again, do not flip it back on – call a qualified technician at South Nashville Heating and Cooling. There may be a serious electrical problem that needs to be looked at by a professional.
If you have a combined central AC and forced air furnace system, the circuit that feeds your furnace should also be on, because the furnace fan needs to run to circulate the cooled air. Check this circuit as well, using the same process of turning the breaker off and back on.
Another thing you can check is to make sure the fan is running. If you set the fan setting on your thermostat to “on” instead of “auto”, you should hear the furnace fan start to run even if the air conditioner doesn’t turn on. If the fan doesn’t turn on, this is an indication no current is getting to your furnace.
Also, try setting your thermostat as low as it can go - it’s possible that the thermostat controls are not working properly.
If you're exhausted all of these options, your best bet is to call the professionals at South Nashville Heating And Cooling. We've been installing quality air conditioning units for more than 30 years in the Middle Tennessee area! We also have trained professionals on staff available 24/7.
Give us a call today at 615-834-1636! Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for our special offers and savings!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Maintaining Your Furnace
Unfortunately for us, we're all still using our furnace. Heating systems are usually trouble-free and easy to maintain. Like most things, efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. No matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top condition.
Dirt is your biggest enemy! It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of your furnace (heat/cold source, distribution system & thermostat), so cleaning it is the most important part of regular maintenance. The three parts of the furnace should be cleaned: the filter system, the blower, and the motor.
The furnace filter should be replaced or cleaned at the beginning of the heating season and about once a month during periods of continuous use. To check the filter, take it out and hold it up to the light. If it looks clogged, replace it with a new filter of the same type and size regardless of the length of time it has been used.
To keep the motor running cool in your furnace, make sure it's clean. Most motors are permanently lubricated and sealed by the manufacturer and, therefore, require no further attention. Some motors, however, have covered oil ports above the bearings near the motor shaft.
If the motor has oil ports, it should be lubricated annually. Apply two or three drops of 10-weight non-detergent motor oil to each port. Do not over-lubricate. If the blower shaft has oil ports, lubricate that too, annually.
If you're a handy man, then these maintenance techniques should be no problem. However, if you're like me, you know nothing and you should definitely hire the professionals at South Nashville Heating and Cooling. They have been in business for over 30 years and their reviews speak for themselves! Give South Nashville Heating and Cooling a call today at 615-834-1636.
Visit us HERE to sign up for special offers!
Dirt is your biggest enemy! It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of your furnace (heat/cold source, distribution system & thermostat), so cleaning it is the most important part of regular maintenance. The three parts of the furnace should be cleaned: the filter system, the blower, and the motor.
The furnace filter should be replaced or cleaned at the beginning of the heating season and about once a month during periods of continuous use. To check the filter, take it out and hold it up to the light. If it looks clogged, replace it with a new filter of the same type and size regardless of the length of time it has been used.
To keep the motor running cool in your furnace, make sure it's clean. Most motors are permanently lubricated and sealed by the manufacturer and, therefore, require no further attention. Some motors, however, have covered oil ports above the bearings near the motor shaft.
If the motor has oil ports, it should be lubricated annually. Apply two or three drops of 10-weight non-detergent motor oil to each port. Do not over-lubricate. If the blower shaft has oil ports, lubricate that too, annually.
If you're a handy man, then these maintenance techniques should be no problem. However, if you're like me, you know nothing and you should definitely hire the professionals at South Nashville Heating and Cooling. They have been in business for over 30 years and their reviews speak for themselves! Give South Nashville Heating and Cooling a call today at 615-834-1636.
Visit us HERE to sign up for special offers!
Monday, March 2, 2015
Furnace Problems?
Is it Spring yet? Unfortunately... the answer is a solid no. Right about now, maybe you're noticing that your furnace is running but the air that’s blowing out of your vents is cold. Well, if that's the case, there are a couple of things you can do to troubleshoot the problem before calling the experts in Nashville at South Nashville Heating and Cooling.
First, check the thermostat. Maybe you walked by a vent and noticed the air seemed cool, however your house is staying warm. If it is, the problem might be a simple thermostat setting. Check your thermostat and make sure that it is set to “auto” rather than “on.” When set to “on”, the fan on your furnace will blow continually, even when the furnace isn’t actually heating the air.
If you feel the air blowing out of the vents while the furnace is off, the air will seem cool since it’ll be about room temperature.
Then, check the air filter. A dirty air filter restricts airflow into your furnace. Restricted airflow can overheat your furnace, causing a safety control to shut off the burners. This safety mechanism protects your furnace from overheating causing damage to your system!
Still feeling cold air coming out of the vents after trying the above? Your best bet is to have the most trusted heating repair company in Middle Tennessee - South Nashville Heating and Cooling - to come to your home and diagnose the problem.
South Nashville Heating and Cooling is located at 501 Veritas St, Nashville, TN 37211. You can contact us at 615-834-1636. We look forward to serving you!
First, check the thermostat. Maybe you walked by a vent and noticed the air seemed cool, however your house is staying warm. If it is, the problem might be a simple thermostat setting. Check your thermostat and make sure that it is set to “auto” rather than “on.” When set to “on”, the fan on your furnace will blow continually, even when the furnace isn’t actually heating the air.
If you feel the air blowing out of the vents while the furnace is off, the air will seem cool since it’ll be about room temperature.
Then, check the air filter. A dirty air filter restricts airflow into your furnace. Restricted airflow can overheat your furnace, causing a safety control to shut off the burners. This safety mechanism protects your furnace from overheating causing damage to your system!
Still feeling cold air coming out of the vents after trying the above? Your best bet is to have the most trusted heating repair company in Middle Tennessee - South Nashville Heating and Cooling - to come to your home and diagnose the problem.
South Nashville Heating and Cooling is located at 501 Veritas St, Nashville, TN 37211. You can contact us at 615-834-1636. We look forward to serving you!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Common Winter Heating System Problems
It is COLD outside, isn't it? Nashville isn't ever supposed to be this cold! Brrrr! Well, if you're anything like me, you might rather die than be freezing in your own home! South Nashville Heating and Cooling wants to keep your heating system up and running this winter season! We have 4 common winter heating problems that homes have listed below. If you experience any of these problems, contact us right away!
1. A Sudden loss of heat: The first thought you have when your furnace suddenly stops is a power outage or surge. At least, that's what I hope happens when my furnace stops! If you haven’t lost power, check your fuse box to make sure that you still have power going to the furnace. A malfunctioning pilot light or ignition system could also be the issue. If that's the case, you definitely need a professional like South Nashville Heating and Cooling because this is not a job for an amateur - no matter how handy you are at fixing things around the house!
2. Cycling heat: A clogged dirty filter or blower can cause inadequate air flow. This can cause your furnace to click on and off frequently at it shuts off after heating up too quickly. Another problem could be a faulty thermostat can also cause this issue. If you do not know your furnace components, have home heating experts inspect your furnace and resolve the issue of unwanted heat cycling.
3. Inconsistent room temperatures: These inconsistent room temps could be caused by 2 things: Draft issues and/or unbalanced air flow.
If your house is cold despite a continuously running furnace, a draft might be the problem. Leaking windows, drafty doors, and poor or damaged insulation are major heat losses. Check the most obvious places. A professional energy audit from your local utility provider can also help.
Another source of inconsistent room temperatures can be unbalanced air flow. Manually adjusting the vents may resolve this problem, however, air flow problems are often caused by dirty coils or filters.
Make sure to schedule routine air filter inspections with an HVAC professional like South Nashville Heating and Cooling. You can also prevent this issue by having a professional provide routine vacuuming of your registers and returns.
4. Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is the most serious issue and a major risk for home owners. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless, giving it the nickname of “silent killer.” If your gas furnace is 10 to 15 years old, there is a higher risk of having a rusted heat exchanger. Tiny cracks in the heat exchange can leak carbon monoxide. Sometimes, these cracks can be very small or difficult to find.
If you have an older gas furnace, installing a carbon monoxide detector is a smart, safe idea. Be certain to have a professional inspect your HVAC for potential carbon monoxide leaks whenever you have these experts at your home for maintenance, repairs, installations or other work.
If you suspect any problems or complications with your HVAC system, call Nashville's most trusted HVAC contractor, South Nashville Heating and Cooling at 615-834-1636. We service all of Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Franklin and more! See why we're the most trusted specialist in the area!
Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for our special offers and exclusive discounts! Also, don't forget to Like us on Facebook!
1. A Sudden loss of heat: The first thought you have when your furnace suddenly stops is a power outage or surge. At least, that's what I hope happens when my furnace stops! If you haven’t lost power, check your fuse box to make sure that you still have power going to the furnace. A malfunctioning pilot light or ignition system could also be the issue. If that's the case, you definitely need a professional like South Nashville Heating and Cooling because this is not a job for an amateur - no matter how handy you are at fixing things around the house!
2. Cycling heat: A clogged dirty filter or blower can cause inadequate air flow. This can cause your furnace to click on and off frequently at it shuts off after heating up too quickly. Another problem could be a faulty thermostat can also cause this issue. If you do not know your furnace components, have home heating experts inspect your furnace and resolve the issue of unwanted heat cycling.
3. Inconsistent room temperatures: These inconsistent room temps could be caused by 2 things: Draft issues and/or unbalanced air flow.
If your house is cold despite a continuously running furnace, a draft might be the problem. Leaking windows, drafty doors, and poor or damaged insulation are major heat losses. Check the most obvious places. A professional energy audit from your local utility provider can also help.
Another source of inconsistent room temperatures can be unbalanced air flow. Manually adjusting the vents may resolve this problem, however, air flow problems are often caused by dirty coils or filters.
Make sure to schedule routine air filter inspections with an HVAC professional like South Nashville Heating and Cooling. You can also prevent this issue by having a professional provide routine vacuuming of your registers and returns.
4. Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is the most serious issue and a major risk for home owners. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless, giving it the nickname of “silent killer.” If your gas furnace is 10 to 15 years old, there is a higher risk of having a rusted heat exchanger. Tiny cracks in the heat exchange can leak carbon monoxide. Sometimes, these cracks can be very small or difficult to find.
If you have an older gas furnace, installing a carbon monoxide detector is a smart, safe idea. Be certain to have a professional inspect your HVAC for potential carbon monoxide leaks whenever you have these experts at your home for maintenance, repairs, installations or other work.
If you suspect any problems or complications with your HVAC system, call Nashville's most trusted HVAC contractor, South Nashville Heating and Cooling at 615-834-1636. We service all of Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Franklin and more! See why we're the most trusted specialist in the area!
Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for our special offers and exclusive discounts! Also, don't forget to Like us on Facebook!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
How do Thermostats differ?
At South Nashville Heating and Cooling, we want you to make the best decision on what thermostat is right for you! We are Middle Tennessee's premiere HVAC company and we're here to help!
So. How do electromechanical, manual, and programmable thermostats differ?
Electromechanical - or manual - thermostats are the old-fashioned mercury units that have internal coils to expand or contract in response to temperature change. This type of thermostat is steadily becoming obsolete for two reasons: digital thermostats are able to more accurately register and respond to temperature changes plus the purchase of products containing mercury has been restricted or banned in many states. Disregarding those 2 "minor" details, manual thermostats remain popular due to their low cost, the familiarity of their controls' design, and the ease of their use.
Manual digital thermostats use an electronic temperature sensor to register changes in the room temperature that then compare these changes with the settings selected by the user. If there is a difference between the room temperature and the set temperature, a command is sent to the heating or cooling system that action is needed. For this type of unit, you will still have to physically adjust the setting of your preferences whenever you would like to adjust the room temperature.
Programmable digital thermostats are an upgrade from the digital manual thermostats (that I wish I had) as they are far more convenient and can help save energy costs. Once you program the thermostat to fit your lifestyle and schedule, all you have to do is relax and let it do all the work. To stay comfortable and save energy year-round, you simply must program the temperatures into the memory of the unit, along with the times of day that you would like the changes to occur. For example, you can set a thermostat to a comfortable temperature for when you wake up in the morning, have it go into energy-conservation mode while you are away at work, and then have a temperature set to go before you return home! You only need to program your thermostat once until you decide to change it up!
For the obvious reasons, Programmable digital thermostats are most desirable. Depending on the model, a thermostat can be programmed in one of three ways:
5 - 2 programming: Maintains a set schedule for five days (weekdays), then switches to an alternate schedule for the other two days (weekends).
5 - 1 - 1 programming: Maintains a five day schedule (weekdays), then switches to first individual day (Saturday), then second individual day (Sunday).
7 day programming: Allows the maximum flexibility for those with frequently-changing schedules by allowing you to program each day individually.
Special features to look for:
Automatic switchover - This allows the thermostat to control both heating and cooling without requiring that you manually switch between the heat and cool settings. Most digital programmable thermostats have this feature.
Manual override - Lets you manually modify your settings on a programmable thermostat. Your changes will remain in effect until the next programmed setting begins.
Vacation override - This function temporarily overrides any preprogrammed settings while you are away, saving money on unnecessary temperature maintenance. When you return, you can go back to your original settings without reprogramming from scratch!
Keypad lock - This prevents any changes to your system once you have programmed the settings. Unfortunately, I learned my parents had this feature when I went home for the holidays. Who keeps their house at 65 in Nebraska?!
There are many other unique features to keep you comfortable! Call South Nashville Heating and Cooling today to learn more about how you can upgrade your thermostat! 615-834-1636. Be sure to visit us HERE for our special offers and discounts! We service all of Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Murfreesboro and Brentwood.
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