Roland Violette Jr.

Essential Things to Check During Winter HVAC Maintenance

As winter draws closer, some things need to be checked to ensure that the HVAC system is in a good state and ready to keep the chilling winter temperatures at bay. Below are the most important points that need an inspection to ensure a less efficient HVAC system causes no frustrations.

1. The Air Filters

The system’s air filters ideally need to be changed after every six months. However, if it carries out both cooling and heating, it is doing double workload; hence it should be replaced in one-month intervals or more regularly. Besides, homes with pets may require the filers to be changed regularly as the hairs can easily be trapped and the filters get blocked.

2. HVAC System Coils

Both the condenser and heating coils need cleaning. Dirt and dust accumulation can make the system’s functioning less efficient. Therefore, seasonal HVAC system maintenance by an expert should be considered.

3. Grilles and Registers

Like the air filters, the registers and grills need frequent inspection to ensure they are free from any obstruction. They should be cleaned using a brush to remove any trapped residue. In the case there is a blockage, the systems working efficiency will be reduced, and no one wants this experience during the harsh winter season.

4. The Thermostat

It is necessary to check the thermostat to ensure it is in its best working condition before the winter season sets in. A troubleshoot should be carried out if the system is not functioning well. The contacts should be checked to ensure they are clean. Changing the batteries and resetting the system may also be necessary.

5. Other Non-HVAC Components

After inspecting the HVAC system, it is necessary to check other parts around the home that are likely to interfere with the HVAC system’s workability. These include checking the window to see if there are drafts and inspecting the weatherstripping in the entry doors and the windows. There should be an insulated and airtight closure to ensure the heating system does not consume more energy than supposed.

It is advisable to reach out to an expert company to ensure the HVAC system is well taken care of during the chilling winter season.

Tips for Selling Your Renovated Property

Once you have fixed your property comes the next part; selling it or what others would regard as flipping. This stage is as crucial as any different stage because as a seller, one wants to ensure they get the most of their property; profits, not losses. There are a few ways to take up the selling process to sell it yourself or get a real estate agent to do the work. Either way, here are tips for selling a house :

1. Strategies On The Price

When setting the price, one needs to know the current market: the seller’s price and the buyer’s price. When setting your piece, it should not be too high or too low to the point that it is a turn-off or fails to attract potential buyers. With the pricing, avoid going for a round figure; $199,999 is better off than $200,000. When you get a price from a buyer that does not match your price, try negotiating.

2. Hire An Agent

This is a vital part. A good broker is one who will help you sell your house fast, while the wrong one will make you incur more costs in the process. How do you find the best agent? There are various real estate agencies around; the trick is to research several agencies, check their reputation and history, and successful sales. The broker should monitor the market listing services and be technology-based to the seller to make the killer cut. And do not forget to put up a yard sign; “FOR SALE”.

3. Be Unique

In other words, it creates an impression. And a first impression when selling house matters; it will determine the view of a potential buyer on the house and you as the seller. Be accommodating to each prospective buyer who comes by. The property in and out should be clean and tidy. Since not every buyer is a pet lover, it would be best not to have any pet or pet stuff around when buyers drop by.

4. Keep The House Half Empty

The idea of buyers reviews the house is for them to picture themselves owning the property. They form a mental picture of how what should be where. With this in mind, it would help to decongest your house, try to remove the personal staff like wall portraits and stuffed up closets. Keep them haft empty. Just a few things neatly stacked away.

5. Closing Date

Lastly, when you have closed a deal with a buyer in flipping a house, you should set the dates for concluding the sale with the paperwork and keys exchange.
To sell renovated property, ensure as a seller that the property is clean and tidy 24/7. Be accommodating and welcoming to the buyers and ensure you have an excellent agent to help you out.

Propane: The Key to a Happy Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday is an intimate time in the US calendar as people travel thousands of miles to spend time with loved ones. Homes use plenty of energy during Thanksgiving to ensure that families are comfortable. One of the most cost-effective ways to have a happy holiday is by outfitting your home with gas and oil.

Before the holidays: Schedule maintenance

During the holidays, home appliances see plenty of use. Thus, carrying out proper maintenance just before the holiday ensures everything is in working order. Maintenance includes calling experts and HVAC contractors to check the equipment’s functionality and regular cleaning to ensure the equipment is not compromised and any faultiness repaired.

Additionally, you should make sure you have up-to-date carbon monoxide and smoke detectors with fresh batteries. Taking these preventative steps will aid in your family’s safety, and in your ability to enjoy the holiday without any hiccups.

Keep the family warm

Gas is used to operate fireplaces and help keep the home warm during the cold winter evenings. Having a fully-functional fireplace is essential to improve house temperatures and ambiance. Most fireplaces use propane or natural gas, as they are more efficient and less cumbersome than wood.

Individuals should, however, be careful to ensure they handle it correctly and prevent any gas leak or buildup of carbon monoxide that is dangerous. Without proper care, fireplace incidents can take place. It is essential to learn about usage and safety by contacting your local HVAC contractor or hearth professional.

Cook food

Thanksgiving is all about sharing a big meal, including the symbolic turkey. All this food requires both oil and gas to prepare. Electric appliances used in baking, cooking, and keeping the food fresh can be powered by propane gas. Having a proper supply enables one to prepare excellent meals for the family for quality bonding time.

Conclusion

Oil and gas can make your Thanksgiving holiday run smoothly this year. Keep your family happy, healthy, and warm by contacting your HVAC contractor today!

This article was originally published to RolandViolette.com.

Roland Violette, Jr., is the owner of several businesses in Ellington, Connecticut, including Violette Mechanical, Preferred Propane, and Ellington Oil. He also owns several rental properties in and around the area. To learn more, visit PreferredEnergyGroup.com.

HVAC Requirements for Rentals

This article was originally published to RolandViolette.com.

HVAC systems can be one of the most expensive parts of maintaining a rental property. However, they are essential because they ensure a property is comfortable and properly cared for. Landlords who want to keep their renters happy and their property well-maintained should follow these tips for managing rental HVAC systems.

Pay Close Attention to the HVAC System When Investing in Properties

Potential landlords looking for an investment property need to take a close look at the HVAC system. Make sure to get documentation on the age and maintenance schedule for the system.

If it is more than five years old, it may be wise to negotiate a lower purchase price. There are both pros and cons to getting a building with centralized AC. It is cheaper to operate, but it results in a lot of tenant complaints about temperature control. Paying a little extra for decentralized units is often worth the slightly higher price.

Invest in Quality Equipment

Going with the cheapest HVAC system on the market can cause problems in the long run. Instead, look for models that have a reputation for being durable and reliable. This will cut back on time spent repairing it later on. Landlords who pay the HVAC system’s operational costs also need to pay attention to energy efficiency. Energy-efficient models might cost slightly more, but the higher savings are worth it.

Replace Air Filters Regularly

One of the most critical pieces of preventative maintenance is replacing air filters. This keeps dust, dirt, and other debris from being sucked into the system. Often, tenants will not replace air filters, even if their lease says that they should. Therefore, most landlords are better off handling this essential maintenance themselves.

Schedule Tune-Ups and Cleaning

Landlords can significantly benefit from finding a reputable HVAC contractor in their area and purchasing a maintenance plan. Regularly cleaning units can help keep tenants safe and avoid any unpleasant arguments about indoor air quality. Tune-ups from an HVAC professional are a great way to keep units operating as efficiently as possible. They can find and fix small problems before they turn into significant inconveniences.

What to Know When Furnace Shopping

Homeowners may want to consider an upgrade to a more efficient furnace if their system is over 10–15 years old. Annual maintenance extends the life of most furnaces, but even the most cared-for old system cannot compete with modern equipment efficiency. Understanding what to look for ensures your home gets the best care and coverage.

Research Energy Star Ratings

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Energy Star rating system to promote better appliance efficiency. The system uses AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rates that show how much of the appliance’s fuel converts into energy. A furnace with an Energy Star rating of 85 uses 85 percent of its fuel to produce heat. Higher ratings translate to more efficient appliances.

Learn About Variable Speed

Most homeowners never think about the amount of airflow traveling through their ductwork, but this is the time to consider it. Variable-speed furnaces can adjust the amount of airflow to provide the precise amount of air for heating or cooling. The result? An efficient system that keeps the home a consistent temperature rather than rising and falling in temperature as the blower turns on and off.

Read the full article at RolandViolette.com.

What is Short-Cycling and How is it Fixed?

When your air conditioner works as it should, it stays on until your home reaches the temperature at which you’ve set your thermostat. Once your home reaches that temperature, your AC shuts off and doesn’t turn on again unless the temperature changes. This is known as a cooling cycle, and it is intended to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home. An air conditioner that can’t do this is not only unable to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, but it can drive up your utility bills significantly. Short-cycling occurs when something prevents your air conditioning system from completing a full cooling cycle.

What Causes Short-Cycling?

Numerous issues with your air conditioner can lead to short-cycling, including:

A dirty or clogged air filter
Frozen evaporator coils
Low refrigerant levels
An air conditioner that is not the proper size for your space

Your air conditioner might short-cycle without you knowing about it. If you hear your air conditioner turn itself on and off frequently, it is short-cycling and may be in need of maintenance.

Read the full article at RolandViolette.com.

The Advantages of Preventative HVAC Maintenance

It’s easy to forget that our HVAC systems require frequent upkeep and attention. They run in the background of our daily lives, and while we don’t think about them as often as we think about our cars, they are just as important in helping us live more comfortably. When issues do arise with our systems, they often are ones that could have been detected sooner. These are the advantages of preventative HVAC system maintenance.

Improving Your System’s Longevity

HVAC systems are, for the most part, investments. As such, you’ll want to milk the investment for what it’s worth. Preventative maintenance helps you do just that. By scheduling regular check-ins with your contractor, you can identify wear-and-tear before it poses any serious problems. Often, a small fix now will save you plenty of headaches down the line.

Improving Your System’s Efficiency

Preventative maintenance does more than increase your system’s lifespan—it can improve its efficiency, too! Because indoor pollutants can be even more detrimental to your health than outdoor contaminants, you need a system that can effectively filter microbes and other microscopic irritants. Homeowners with pets are especially susceptible to dander if it is not filtered correctly. Having a contractor clean your air ducts regularly ensures that all of these allergens are cleared off and that the air flowing through your system is as clean as can be.

Read the full article at RolandViolette.com.

Is Your HVAC System Energy Efficient?

What does it mean for an HVAC system to be energy-efficient? Simply put, it means maximizing the output and power of the system while minimizing the cost of its use. However, with a variety of systems, residences, and homeowner needs, how can you ensure that your system is as efficient as possible under specific circumstances? Have a contractor check your system and ensure its useability!

SEER and AFUE Ratings

HVAC systems are often rated on their energy efficiency for air conditioning (SEER) and gas furnace (AFUE) output. SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and AFUE, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, are both rated in the manual for your system. While older systems may have lower ratings, this does not mean that they’re inefficient. However, if you’ve invested in a newer system, you’ll want your SEER rating to be at least 14.5, and your AFUE rating to be above 90%. Systems that meet or exceed these expectations will run more efficiently and help you save money.

Frequency of Breakdowns

How often are you making unexpected calls to your HVAC contractor? If your system frequently breaks down, that could be a sign of a more severe issue. The breakdowns themselves don’t cause efficiency complications, but they do signal that your system is in desperate need of a check-up. Not only does this impact efficiency, but it also impacts your wallet.

Read the full article on RolandViolette.com.

Preparing an Investment Property for Rental

Property investors hoping for positive rental income and long-term tenants must ensure that the rental is attractive and polished. It takes more than a fresh coat of paint and a polished floor to pull this off, though. Therefore, proper presentation and maintenance of the property are essential.

Thinking of preparing investment property for tenants? Follow the following steps:

Examine the Rental Property

Check if any major repairs need to be fixed. If you’re new to the world of real estate, you should hire an expert to conduct a walk-through. Appliances in the property should inspected for wear and tear. In case of any damage or inefficient appliance performance, repairs or replacements are necessary. Make sure that you resolve these issues before advertising the property. You want to follow all current health and safety guidelines!

Enhance the Property’s Appearance

To avoid putting off potential tenants, investors must ensure that the inside and outside of a rental property look great. A tidy property makes a great first impression, and can easily impact the mood and perspective of a visitor.

The interior colors should be neutral and calm to make it easier for future tenants to match their furnishings. Do any necessary landscaping, including mowing lawns and trimming shrubs. Add value by installing air conditioners or HVAC units, allowing pets, providing fast internet, and creating unique services that will attract renters.

Read the full article at RolandViolette.net.

HVAC Summer Maintenance Tips

You likely spend time indoors on the hottest summer days, so you will want to make sure that your air conditioner is in good working order. If you have a newer HVAC unit, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about it not working for you, but it will require a fair bit of maintenance if it hasn’t seen much use. Read on to learn about proper summer maintenance for your HVAC unit.

Cleaning the Condenser Unit

If your allergies are acting up, you’ll want to clean the condenser unit. This unit resides outside of your house, and due to exposure to the elements, it tends to collect leaves, dirt, and other debris during the several months it isn’t in use. To clean the condenser, shut off power to the unit and wait about a half-hour for the charge in the capacitor to dissipate to avoid electrocution while you’re working. Next, remove either the top or side panel of the unit to access the condenser coils. These look like radiator-style fins, and they can be easily clogged if they collect too much dirt.

Most of the dirt that accumulates on the condenser coils can be removed with a refrigerator coil brush, but you might need a commercial AC coil cleaner or a hose with a trigger-style nozzle to get rid of the more stubborn debris. Just be careful not to get the electrical components in your unit wet when you do this.

While handy homeowners may be able to handle this cleaning on their own, it’s best to leave this job to the professionals. Often, such a project requires specific tools and honed skills. Contact your local HVAC contractor for assistance in regularly cleaning the unit.

Learn more at RolandViolette.com.