Air Conditioning Maintenance Measures to Take Before Spring

If your AC is in good condition, keeping it that way should not be difficult. Prior to performing the light maintenance measures below, be sure that the equipment is de-energized:

Clean the Condenser Coils. This requires removing the shell from your outside AC unit, which will expose the condenser coils. Over time, the coils could become caked with dead grass, leaf chips, and other debris that inhibits the unit’s ability to draw in air. Spraying away the debris with a hose should only take a few minutes.

Clean the Air Handler. After cleaning the condenser coils, move inside and clean the handler compartment, including the fan blades. Using a hand vacuum that has a hose attachment and a wet rag should allow you to clean the area.

Add Oil to Ports. Most condenser units and air handlers have ports where oil should be applied at a frequency indicated in the owner’s manual. The owner’s manual should tell you where the ports are, what type of oil to apply, and how frequently to apply it.

Change the Air Filter. Different blower systems have air filters in different locations. If you are not sure where your system’s filter is located, check the owner’s manual. In some residences, filters are located behind a return air grill instead of in handler units.

Clean the Drain Line. The blower unit features a drain line that removes condensation during the air conditioning process. If you notice that the line or the drain it feeds into contain debris or algae growth, clean it with half bleach and half water solution.

These are measures that homeowners can take on their own if they are familiar with how to service their home’s AC system. An AC system should also be inspected by an HVAC service prior to the summer season.

Need Help Servicing Your HVAC System?

Fully servicing an HVAC requires heating and cooling expertise that most homeowners do not possess. If you fall into this category, having your home’s heating and air conditioning system maintained by Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning is the best choice. For almost twenty years, Bardi has helped commercial and residential HVAC users stay ahead of the Atlanta weather, readying their AC systems for summer and their furnaces for winter.

Although winter is still here, the best time to have your AC ready for spring is before the warm weather starts coming. If you would like to be ready for the first hot day that arrives unannounced, or if you need Atlanta furnace repair to keep out the cold, call Bardi today.

Problems that could Justify Repairing a Furnace

Several furnace problems do not cost an arm and a leg to repair. More often than not, these problems occur in furnaces that are over fifteen years old:

• Replacing gas burners
• Replacing a hot surface igniter
• Replacing a flame sensor or thermocouple
• Replacing a blower motor

These repairs rarely have a high price tag; however, there are circumstances where fixing one problem could lead to fixing another one, in which case the repair cost could rise.

Problems that could Justify Replacing a Furnace

Although most furnace problems are affordable to fix on most budgets, fixing some problems can be rather expensive. Examples of furnace problems that could cost over $500 are:

• Replacing a cracked heat exchanger
• Replacing a squirrel cage fan (including motor)
• Replacing a gas valve or smart valve
• Replacing a draft inducer

If one of these repairs costs over four-hundred dollars, and your furnace is near the end of its lifespan, replacing the furnace might be better than repairing it. Because an old furnace can present the homeowner with repair after repair in a short period, replacing it can be the most economical choice.

Other Considerations

The cost of an HVAC repair is determined by factors in addition to the cost of parts and labor. For example, the price of a repair may also reflect the quality of customer service that you receive, and how quickly parts arrive from the warehouse. HVAC services that offer excellent customer service and fast parts delivery might charge slightly more than services that do not offer these benefits. However, if you need an HVAC repair in the middle of winter, the last thing you want is poor customer service and a long wait for a part to arrive.

Most homeowners wish to pay as little as possible for HVAC work. It is important to remember that cheap HVAC services are often cheap for a reason, such as a service’s poor business history or lack of credentials. Before you conclude that a service offers the best deal, consider whether the provider is likely to do the best work. In the end, the job quality of an HVAC can have a greater financial impact than how much it cost to perform.

Do You Need a Good HVAC Service?

If so, Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help. At Bardi, we combine quality service with competitive pricing to meet the needs of Atlanta’s commercial and residential HVAC customers. If you need Atlanta furnace repair, do not let poor service or high prices leave you in the cold. Schedule an appointment with Bardi today.

Five Common Furnace Problems

Heating systems can experience a variety of problems that make them perform poorly or stop working. Below are five common furnace problems that lead to heating repair in Atlanta:

Thermostat Malfunction

If the thermostat that controls your furnace is not working properly, your furnace will not work properly either. Thermostats could malfunction for several reasons. In some cases, the thermostat is simply stuck; while in others, its components are broken or corroded, requiring it to be replaced. The good news is that replacing a thermostat is affordable on most budgets, and it does not take long to complete.

Clogged Air Filter

If you leave your furnace’s air filter in place for months at a time, it can absorb enough debris to prevent a significant volume of warm air from reaching your home’s air registers. Replacing a clogged air filter is one of the cheapest and fastest heating system fixes that will reduce the stress on your air distribution system, preventing the distribution fan from prematurely wearing out.

Broken Fan Belt

The fan belts on most furnaces eventually wear out and break. When they do, an instant lack of warm air is usually the result. If your furnace is serviced semiannually, you should not encounter a broken fan belt. If the problem does occur, fixing it is usually simple and inexpensive.

Leaky Air Ducts

This problem usually occurs over time instead of all at once. Once it progresses to the point where warm air is freely escaping into wall and floor spaces instead of being delivered to your home’s registers, you will need to adjust the thermostat to increasingly higher temperatures to get the desired result. The cost and time to fix leaky ducts depends on the extent of the problem.

Pilot Light Problems

Pilot lights can go out or have trouble igniting due to a breeze that blows underneath a furnace, a corroded pilot light setting, or a problem with gas delivery to the pilot light. In most cases, the problem can be affordably and expediently resolved.

Is Your Home Having Furnace Problems?

If so, do not wait for them to get worse, as unaddressed furnace problems typically do. Instead, call Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning. Offering the best combination of HVAC expertise and service pricing, Bardi has performed Atlanta furnace repair for businesses and homeowners for nearly twenty years. Regardless of why your home is not heating properly, we can identify the problem quickly and present you with the best repair options. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

The Company Seldom Recommends Replacing Old Equipment

Because a replacement usually costs more than a repair, it might seem as if an unscrupulous HVAC company would recommend replacing equipment, not repairing it—though the exact opposite is often true. By continuously repairing an old furnace or air conditioning unit, a company can earn more money than it could through HVAC replacement. Because most homeowners would rather repair HVAC equipment than replace it, unscrupulous HVAC companies find it easy to take advantage of people in this regard.

Repairs Consistently Involve Replacing Multiple Components

When a furnace or air conditioner stops working, fixing it could require replacing more than one component. However, if every fix that your HVAC equipment receives involves replacing multiple components, you might be employing a bad HVAC company, not a bad HVAC system. Exaggerated repair needs are perhaps the most common sign of bad HVAC service agreements.

In Spite of Your Contract, You Never Receive Service after Hours

If your contract entitles you to service after business hours, but the company is always “booked” when you need a technician at night, then you are not receiving the full value of your contract. At many HVAC companies, after hour service rates are higher than standard service rates. There is no reason why a company should not desire to send a technician to fix your system’s problem once the sun is down. If you cannot get service after hours, it might be because the company never intended to render it.

Your Air Conditioner Consistently Needs New Refrigerant

Over time, refrigerant reservoirs and refrigerant lines can develop leaks. When this happens, the faulty component should be identified and replaced. Some companies simply keep refilling the reservoir and charging the customer. If your air conditioner’s refrigerant reservoir needs to be refilled every spring (or multiple times during the summer), a refrigerant leak is not your only problem, you also have a service provider taking your money without fulfilling their duties.

Do You Need a New Service Agreement?

Instead of providing service that strengthens customer relationships, some heating and cooling companies take advantage of people. At Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning, we understand how frustrating it can be to receive service from an untrustworthy HVAC company, which is why we provide affordable, honest service that places the customer first.

If you are not familiar with heating and air conditioning problems, or how to fix these issues, you need a heating and cooling company you can trust. For homeowners and business owners throughout Atlanta, Bardi is that company.

Length of Contract versus Business History

If your HVAC needs and budget are set in stone, you may be looking for a long-term contract—a good idea, but be careful about signing a lengthy contract with a service that has a short business history. Although the customer is usually the party that breaks a service contract, contracts are also broken when services go out of business. Services that close their doors have usually been in business for less than three years.

Equal Heating and Cooling Coverage

If your home or building requires air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, be sure to sign a contract that covers both sides of your HVAC system. Some customers mistakenly opt for only one type of maintenance by signing up for air conditioning maintenance in the summer, or furnace maintenance in the winter—unaware the contract will not extend to other HVAC equipment when the season changes.

Around the Clock Service

If your system needs to be repaired after business hours, you will be thankful that around the clock service is a part of your contract. All-inclusive servicing can help companies avoid losing business due to HVAC problems. It can also prevent homeowners from waiting in frigid or sweltering temperatures until an HVAC service arrives in the morning. Around the clock help may sound like a value-added service, but if you ever need it, you will quickly realize that it is a necessity.

Fee Structure

In addition to price shopping for the best rates, you should also be aware of any rate changes that could occur during the contract period. Asking a service about changing fee structures is one way to find out about rate changes, though the best way to find out is to read a contract’s fine print. Some HVAC service contracts offer free services for a limited time, or charge lower rates at the front end of the agreement. Knowing this information upfront will help you plan your finances for the duration of the contract—if you decide to sign it, that is.

Do You Need an HVAC Service Contract?

If so, Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning has the services you need, and then some. For nearly twenty years, Bardi has provided Atlanta homeowners and business owners with affordable HVAC service contracts that offer the best coverage options. For HVAC replacement, repair, or maintenance, call Bardi today.

Climate

Climate can have a significant influence on the type of HVAC systems buildings require. In general, the greater a climate’s temperature extremes, the more climate control buildings that are located there require. Some exceptions are facilities that are located partially underground and experience natural cooling, and facilities that remain warm or cool due to processes that occur inside.

Geographical Positioning

In some climates, a building’s geographical positioning can supply it with unique climate control capabilities. Often, this positioning is the result of design intent. For example, passive solar design allows a building to take advantage of its local climate through window positioning, roof positioning, and other strategies. Whether a building receives a heating or cooling benefit from its geographical position intentionally or accidentally, the HVAC system it receives should be implemented with the effect in mind.

Building Architecture and Condition

A building’s architecture and condition can determine the type of HVAC equipment it can receive. For example, some buildings require ductless air conditioning systems that preserve interior design, while others require old utility rooms to be redesigned to accommodate new equipment. In most cases, a building’s architecture and condition are not limiting to commercial HVAC systems.

Internal Temperature Sources

As mentioned above, some buildings have internal processes that create noticeable temperature effects. For example, a building that contained a steel foundry would have a higher temperature in its work zones than most other buildings. Such effects should be factored into which HVAC system a building receives.

Building Envelope

A building’s envelope is positioned in the space between its interior and exterior walls. Depending on its design, a building envelope could have a dramatic insulating effect that holds in heat in the winter and coolness in the summer. When it possesses a high insulating capacity, a building’s envelope can be a major factor in what type of heating and cooling system it needs.

Special Needs

Also important in choosing an HVAC system are special air quality needs that a building might have. These needs could include such things as filtering out airborne chemicals, special temperature maintenance, and special humidity maintenance.

Does Your Building Need a New HVAC System?

The factors above are only a few of the determinants that could influence your building’s HVAC needs, but they may determine the type of heating and cooling system your building needs. At Bardi, we can assess your building’s needs and identify the system that meets those needs. To learn more about identifying the best commercial HVAC systems for your building, call Bardi—the premier Atlanta heating and cooling company—today.

What is Included in an Atlanta Heating Estimate?

Atlanta heating professionals offer a free repair estimate, meaning you can learn what is wrong without being required to hand over an immense amount of cash at the onset. If replacement is recommended, you will need to decide which type of heating design provides the greatest cost benefits and operational efficiency. Gas models fall within a reasonable price range and are easy to install. Wood stoves are environment friendly, but require increased maintenance and could have a greater effect on individual health. Electric models require minimal maintenance and are fairly affordable to install. These systems have the drawback of increased monthly operating expenses due to electricity rates. Geothermal methods provide additional tax incentives because of provided energy efficiency; however, they are also the most expensive installation choice. Solar heated systems offer significant energy rewards, but are expensive to maintain and costly to set up. If an Atlanta heating service provider suggests system replacement, carefully consider these options to ensure you are getting a highly effective system for your home. Your estimate will include the system cost and all associated installation expenses.

Repair recommendations are based on the component, age of your system, and various expense factors. It is not always economical to repair older units; however, a technician can provide a repair estimate if replacement is not viable at the time. Repair estimates include the cost of all parts, time requirements, and additional items. These quotes are common for new systems while replacement is the primary choice when a system is aged. You can expect to spend anywhere from three to five thousand dollars for a new unit being placed in an already equipped home. This expense doubles when ductwork must be installed or replaced.

Numerous other factors affect the total cost provided in an estimate including area climate conditions, home size, the presence of asbestos insulation, and installation extensity. A Bardi technician can provide reliable recommendations regarding what steps are best for an insufficient or non-functional unit. Contact us today to receive a free estimate from one of our certified professionals and start making your way to an improved residential HVAC system.

Atlanta Heating: Where You Begin Depends on the Problem

Atlanta heating professionals inspect and clean all major components of your forced-air system including the flue, controls, burners, valves, belts, pulleys, filter, motor, and the return air duct. Certain components require adjustment and lubrication for optimal performance. A slipped belt or particle buildup on components affects the ability of an HVAC to operate. This, in turn, causes various parts to take on increased workloads to provide the same operational efficiency. You will experience higher energy costs, more frequent repairs, and inconsistent operation when maintenance is not performed as recommended. The pilot light could go out because of a faulty thermocouple, a clogged opening, or due to improper flame settings. Clogging can be remedied by using a wire to push through the buildup. This should not be performed unless the gas supply and power have been turned off. When your furnace is not supplying sufficient heating, you should verify the airflow is not being blocked and thermostat settings are correct. Acquire the help of an Atlanta heating professional when these small steps do not alleviate the problem.

In some situations, your furnace might stop providing heat altogether, causing an uncomfortable environment. Thermostat malfunctions are the most common reason for an HVAC malfunction, with blown fuses or breakers coming in as second. Gas furnaces have the additional possibility of the pilot light being out. Turn off the main power to the system, then check to see if any of these items are causing the issue. Resetting the system is another option in cases where the motor has been overloaded. A furnace might cycle too frequently or fail to kick on when necessary, making it difficult to receive a consistent, comfortable temperature. This can be caused by a faulty thermostat, clogged filter, or blower malfunctions. Broken belts often contribute to a negative air discharge during operation.

Multiple problems are possible regardless of whether or not your heater is gas fueled or electrical. Begin by evaluating the above items and then call a qualified Bardi professional for further inspection of the problem. In some cases, a furnace repair might be unavoidable, and would be better handled by an experienced professional.

Atlanta Heating and Air: Is Replacing a Portion of the System Beneficial?

Unfortunately, the cost of a new HVAC unit combined with installation could put you in quite a predicament if the financial aspect is strained. Atlanta heating and air professionals are capable of evaluating your system to provide alternative options when handling the entire cost upfront is not feasible. You might consider a financing plan to avoid the high repair costs required for less efficient operation. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is gained with natural gas furnaces as components like the heat exchanger age. The energy savings received often make up for the new unit and are provided long after you have broken even on your purchase.

Owners often ask Atlanta heating and air professionals if portions can be replaced at different times in an effort to decrease the upfront costs. Compatibility is a consideration because units often share multiple components for warming and cooling. Post installation results offer increased dependability when the entire system can be replaced at once.  Load calculations and other factors are more reliable with a completely compatible unit. Tax rebates typically require all equipment to be replaced, meaning you will not receive these incentives if only a portion of the system is upgraded. Partial replacement is less reliable, causes you to miss out on rebates, and might not provide the consistent comfort offered by newer equipment.

As stated above, a new installation is not always the most feasible choice due to either financial or system condition factors. You may want to consider repairs if the structure is toward the end of its life or in instances where significant structural alterations are necessary to utilize a higher rated unit. Lack of monetary resources is another common reason for having this type of maintenance completed. Repairs are also feasible when you are waiting for upcoming features or incentives. Increased comfort, improved reliability, and decreased costs are benefits provided when replacement is the recommended HVAC service. Bardi technicians can help you make this important decision by evaluating current system efficiency, age, and other factors. Schedule a visit today to learn about our offered financing, installation, or repair services.

Atlanta Heating and Air: Preventative Maintenance is the Right Choice

An Atlanta heating and air professional can find problems long before they become unmanageable. Even a yearly servicing call where parts are inspected and cleaned can do wonders for system operation. Dirt accumulates on components when servicing is not performed at regular intervals. This particle buildup reduces airflow along with the warming capacity, causing a larger amount of energy to be required to receive the desired temperature range. Your HVAC unit has to run at an increased frequency to achieve the same results. Decreased efficiency leads to higher energy bills, faster part degradation, and a reduced system life. The compressor could become damaged or the heat exchanger could overheat when not repaired right away. The cost of Atlanta heating and air professional servicing programs are minimal when compared to the type of issues caused by neglected care.

A visual inspection along with cleaning procedures helps in identifying arising problems. These issues can be quickly resolved, as opposed to letting them compile into costly multiple component problems. You also receive consistent airflow, improved warming capacity, cleaner air, and optimal energy consumption when the preventative maintenance approach is chosen. Professionals recommend a spring check for cooling along with a fall service call for winter heating. Several tasks will be performed on each portion of your unit, depending on what is being serviced.

Cooling servicing often involves the checking of refrigerant levels, inside cabinet cleaning, coil cleaning, fan motor inspection, and verification of appropriate control operations. Commonly serviced furnace components include the blower assembly, motor, fan belt, blower housing, evaporator coil, drain pan, safety controls, and the heat exchanger. A technician may listen for abnormal noises or monitor various components as the commercial HVAC unit is running. Bardi technicians are available twenty-four hours a day to meet the needs of your business. We can schedule routine maintenance during off-hours to ensure your system is cared for without affecting daily workflow. Our certified technicians will create a budget supportive maintenance schedule for increased efficiency and reliable year-round operation.