Well, folks, summer has officially begun! That means barbecues, weekends spent poolside, and beach vacations! It also means the start of your cooling working overtime. You might not notice it, but your HVAC systems are running consistently, with heat in the winter and cooling in the summer. Even if you’re one of those who have taken your HVAC for granted, you certainly notice when it breaks down! Why? Because your home is either stifling or frigid…neither is acceptable. How can you increase your AC’s longevity?

Here at F.H. Furr, we’ve begun our Did You Know series to help homeowners discover why it is so important to maintain their HVAC system and provide tips for money and energy savings along the way!

Did You Know

The average air conditioning unit lasts up to 15 years. Unfortunately, this number decreases by 5 to 7 years if it doesn’t receive annual maintenance!

Whether you bought your cooling system recently or your unit is standing on its final legs, it needs to be maintained! Want to improve your AC unit longevity? Well, when maintenance is neglected, the system simply can’t function at a normal level. Just like you’d take your car in for an oil change or inspection, your HVAC system needs the same TLC to run properly.

How many of us have gotten stuck on the side of the road, all thanks to ignoring that flashing light on our dashboard? The same could happen with your air conditioning unit…this blog is your flashing light!

What’s Included in AC Maintenance?

• Inspection of air filtration system
• On-site filter replacement
• Checking electrical wiring for safety
• Thermostat calibration
• Outdoor unit cleaning and inspection
• Check for overall system operation
• And much more!

Right now, F.H. Furr is doing $36 home comfort inspections for your HVAC system for any new customers! And if your AC breaks down this summer after we’ve inspected it, we’ll come out to your home for free*! No dispatch fees or diagnostic charges. Maintenance can increase your HVAC system’s longevity while allowing it to work more efficiently, saving you money!

Give us a call for more information on how you can maintain and extend the life of your HVAC system today!

Summer is here… And with it, the hot and humid temperature. Keep yourself cool this season and use these great energy saving, cooling tips to keep your head and your wallet cool!

We’re willing to bet you’ve been swapping recipes with a neighbor or two here in Alexandria, VA…maybe for a crisp new cocktail, perhaps. We won’t deny that’s one way to stay cool this summer. But if you’re still feeling a little hot and bothered, try F.H. Furr’s 5-Part recipe for keeping cool. With only five “ingredients,” our recipe is simple, but will enable you to experience your most comfortable summer yet. If you want to thank us later, you can forward along that mojito recipe – or better yet, bring us a batch.

1. Close the blinds and let down the curtains. It’s tempting to celebrate summer by letting in as much light as possible. Just about every magazine ad features a summery-looking beach home with the windows and doors flung wide open. That isn’t reality, people. As soon as the sun hits your home in the morning, the blinds and curtains should be closed. You probably already have these forms of “insulation” in place, so utilize what you’ve got. Bonus: your nosy neighbor can’t see what you’re up to.
2. Use someone else’s AC. Here’s a little heating and air conditioning tip your HVAC guy didn’t tell you. The best way to save money on your AC is to not use yours – go use someone else’s! Instead of cranking up the AC to survive the hottest part of the day, head to a local museum or library to enjoy their air-conditioning…ahem, culture. If you’re willing to part with a few bucks, go see a matinee. It’s cheaper than the nighttime show and there are few places more pleasant than a dark, cold movie theater when it’s 100 degrees outside.
3. Don’t cook. Yes, ladies, that’s right – you heard it from us. Step away from that stove. Turning on the oven or stove generates a significant amount of heat. Serve cold soups, salads and raw veggies and fruits. Not only does it keep your home cooler, who really wants a big heavy meal when it’s 100 degrees, anyway, If you really do need to heat something up, give your hubby a cold beer and send him out to the grill.
4. Turn off the TV. And unplug the computer. These innocuous everyday electronics generate a lot of heat. Keep your home cool and your AC bill low by reducing – or eliminating – the amount of time they’re turned on. Plus, with all the electronics unplugged, you have more time for a good book, a chat with your neighbor, or playtime with the kids.
5. Call F.H. Furr. If you just can’t seem to cool off, there may be stealthy factors to blame – poor insulation in the attic, drafts coming in around windows and doors. The list is endless. Spend less time worrying about it and let a pro inspect your home. We’ve been performing heating and air conditioning repair in the Metro DC and Northern Virginia area for more than 30 years. We’ll make sure your home is up to snuff when it comes to keeping cool.

Myth #1: It’s better to leave the AC on at a low level all day than to shut it off and re-cool the house later.

Reality: If your AC is on, it’s using electricity. And if electricity is running, you’re paying for it. If your house is well-insulated, it should only fluctuate a couple of degrees during the day. If your home temperature changes dramatically while the AC is off, have your home inspected for insulation problems.

Myth #2: To cool off your home faster, turn the temperature a few degrees below the temperature you actually want.

Reality: Air conditioners just don’t work that way. Your AC unit takes hot air in your home and replaces it with cool air at a set rate, you can’t make it work any faster by lowering the temperature dramatically.

Myth #3: Keep doors open to promote cool air flow through the house.

Reality: Your AC puts cool air wherever it detects hot air. If you close the doors and vents to less-used rooms, your AC unit can more efficiently deliver cool air to the rooms you desire.

Myth #4: Bigger is better.

Reality: A unit that’s too big for a home or room will work harder and cost more money than a smaller model.

Myth #5: Air conditioners are energy guzzlers.

Reality: Cooling systems have gotten a bad rap over the years, but newer systems are designed to be more energy-efficient, saving you money each year.

Myth #6: Run a fan to “help” the AC unit.

Reality: Air conditioners are designed to create their own drafts, so running a fan throws the airflow out of whack. Fans are not designed to cool spaces – they’re designed to cool people. Turn the fan off, especially if no one’s in the room.

Myth #7: There’s no real need to change your filters regularly.

Reality: Dirty filters can cause up to a 10% increase in your cooling bill. Don’t discount this easy fix!

Myth #8: There’s no need to have your system checked unless there’s a specific problem.

Reality: Having your annual cooling maintenance inspection is imperative to a well-running, longer-lasting system.

Myth #9: Freon should be added to your cooling unit regularly.

Reality: Refrigerant does not need to be added unless there’s a leak. If you think your unit is leaking, call a pro.

Myth #10: The location of your thermostat isn’t important.

Reality: The environment in which your thermostat is located determines how the cooling system functions. It functions best when positioned near the areas you want to keep most comfortable, such as bedrooms.

Contact or call us at (703) 540-4838 to discuss further HVAC myths. Industry experts are forecasting that energy prices are going to skyrocket in the months ahead. Electric power rates have already risen this year and are expected to continue to rise in the future. A precision tune-up and cleaning helps your Heating And Air Conditioning system run more efficiently and use less energy…saving you money. It’s the best thing you can do to guarantee a cool, worry-free, energy-efficient home through the last few weeks of Spring and Summer!

Summer means vacation time! But during the year, your air conditioning system accumulates dust and dirt, making it less efficient and costing you additional money in utility bills. Add a lack of regular HVAC tune-ups and maintenance, and you can count on your air handler breaking down before you can say, “Summer vacation!”

Don’t give in without a fight, and don’t let your AC eat away at your vacation funds.

The benefits of maintaining your air conditioning equipment include:

• Fewer breakdowns: 90% of breakdowns can be avoided with regular maintenance.
• Peace of mind: Your system will work when you need it.
• Lower operating costs: Save money on your utility bills.
• Peace of mind: Your system will work when you need it.
• Equipment longevity
• Improved unit efficiency
• Prevent carbon monoxide leaks
• Improved indoor air quality
• Warranty protection
• Provides documentation

With summer so close, and energy prices on the rise, maintenance could mean the difference between a relaxing seven-day vacation in Orlando, or Bob in Accounting…you choose. HVAC maintenance is very important, Don’t let your air conditioning ruin your vacation!

Call [site_info_phone_number or schedule an appointment today to learn more about how you can save this summer.

You get regular checkups for your car, your finances, your job performance, your kids’ behavior at school, and especially for your body. Why wouldn’t you get a checkup for your home? “Audit” may be associated with “unpleasant” in your book (especially if you’ve ever tangled with the IRS), but an energy audit may be the very thing you need to efficiently solve problems you didn’t know you had.

Talk about false advertising: research has proved that so-called “high-efficiency” heating and cooling systems don’t deliver the comfort and lower energy bills they promise. A typical home wastes 25 – 45% of its home heating system. An energy audit can inform you why this happens and how to avoid it.

Insulation, or lack thereof, is a major factor in reduced energy efficiency and is a big point of concern during energy audits. Air, heat, and moisture are three major problems that can be reduced or eliminated entirely with proper insulation.

The first problem is air — you don’t want it blowing freely through your home. Homes should be “tightened” to guard against drafts, which waste energy. The second is heat. By sealing leaks and improving insulation, you can make your home more comfortable and – you guessed it – save energy. The third is moisture. By managing air and heat flows in your home, you can reduce the amount of moisture caused by fluctuating temperatures.

Still not seeing how an energy audit can help you? We do both manual and machine-run inspections to make sure your insulation is properly installed and performing at its best. An audit can catch everything from hollow wall cavities to a tiny leak in your ductwork. You can save anywhere from 20 – 50% on your home energy bills by implementing the improvements we recommend, many of which you can do yourself. For those improvements that require a trained professional, we stand ready to help.