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HVAC Maintenance Plans: Are they worth it?
Most HVAC companies will offer some type of service plan. As consumers, we’re often quick to refuse add-ons when purchasing something new, as we’re programmed to be wary of sales pitches and “money grabs;” however, an HVAC service plan actually serves an important purpose: to keep the equipment that heats and cools your home safe, efficient, and effective. These systems are investments, and like with anything of value, you want to take the necessary steps to protect those investments (and prolong the useful life of them!) In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits that come with HVAC maintenance plans and having your equipment regularly serviced. Optimized Energy Efficiency Though it’s nearly a buzzword in the HVAC world, energy efficiency really does matter - for the environment, your wallet and the preservation of your equipment - and regular maintenance ensures your HVAC system operates at peak efficiency. Dust, dirt, and wear can cause your equipment to work harder to heat or cool your home. With a maintenance plan, professionals routinely clean and adjust your system, ensuring optimal performance. Extended System Lifespan Routine maintenance helps identify and address minor issues before they become major problems, which can significantly extend the lifespan of your system. Regular check-ups ensure that all components are functioning correctly, reducing the risk of premature failure and the need for costly replacements. Reduced Risk of Breakdowns HVAC systems tend to fail at the most inconvenient times - usually during extreme weather conditions when they are working the hardest. A maintenance plan includes scheduled inspections and tune-ups that can proactively address potential problems. This reduces the likelihood of malfunctions and the inconvenience that ensues. Enhanced Indoor Air Quality A neglected system can circulate dust, allergens, and other pollutants throughout your home. Regular maintenance includes cleaning and/or replacing filters and checking for mold and other contaminants. This ensures that the air you breathe is clean and healthy, which is especially important for individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions. Safety Assurance Technicians will inspect for potential hazards, such as carbon monoxide leaks in heating systems or electrical issues that could lead to fires. Regular maintenance includes checking and calibrating safety controls and sensors, providing peace of mind that your system is not only effective but also safe to use. Cost Savings on Repairs Many HVAC maintenance plans offer discounts on repairs and replacement parts, which can add up to significant savings over time. By catching and fixing small issues early, you avoid the high costs associated with emergency repairs. Additionally, many plans include priority service, meaning you won’t have to wait long for a technician to address your issues, further minimizing any disruption to your comfort. Warranty Compliance Most HVAC systems come with a manufacturer’s warranty that requires regular maintenance to remain valid. Neglecting routine service can void your warranty, leaving you responsible for the full cost of repairs or replacements. A maintenance plan ensures you stay compliant with warranty requirements, protecting your investment and saving you from potential out-of-pocket expenses. With an HVAC service plan, you can rest easy knowing that your system is less likely to fail when you need it most and that you’re staying current on necessary cleaning and maintenance. This also allows you to budget for upkeep more predictably and avoid unexpected expenses. Finger Lakes Comfort is proud to offer a comprehensive service plan that keeps your valuable HVAC equipment well-maintained. We also offer unique benefits for service plan members, like priority service and discount pricing. Learn more about how we can support your HVAC needs: https://fingerlakescomfort.com/service-plan
Water Heater 101: Traditional vs. Tankless
When it comes to selecting a water heater for your home, you’ve got options. The most common options are the traditional water heater, and the tankless water heater. While both effectively accomplish the same thing, there are some notable differentiators between them. This blog post will help you decipher the differences between traditional and tankless water heaters and help you make an informed decision when you find yourself in the market for a new one. Traditional Water Heaters Also known as storage water heaters, traditional water heaters have been household staples for decades. These are designed to hold a large volume of water in a tank, which is kept at a consistent temperature. Let’s dive into the benefits: Lower Initial Cost A significant advantage of a traditional water heater is the lower up-front investment. Traditional models are generally less expensive to purchase and install. This can be a critical factor for homeowners working within a strict budget, especially if it’s an unexpected expense. Simple Maintenance As we previously mentioned, traditional water heaters have a longstanding history. This translates to a wider pool of professionals that are skilled in the maintenance and repair of this type of heater, ensuring you have proper support at your fingertips when needed. Immediate Hot Water Supply Traditional water heaters maintain a large volume of heated water in their tanks, providing you with nearly-instant hot water. This is particularly beneficial for busy households with high hot water demands at peak times, like mornings and evenings. Easier Installation Installing a traditional water heater is typically less complex than a tankless heater, which means the installation process is comparably faster. This can translate to lower installation costs and less disruption to your home during install. Tankless Water Heaters Spoiler alert: the most significant difference with tankless water heaters is right in the name. These units ditch the large water storage tanks and instead heat water on demand as it flows through the unit. This design offers several distinct advantages of its own: Space Savings You guessed it, by eliminating the large water tank, these units have a considerably smaller footprint than traditional water heaters. They can also be mounted on walls, freeing up that ever-so-valuable floor space in the home. Energy Efficiency Tankless water heaters only heat water when it's needed, which translates to energy savings. This also means lower energy bills and a smaller environmental impact; benefits from multiple angles! Continuous Hot Water Supply Consider running out of hot water as a problem of the past if you opt for a tankless hot water heater. As long as the unit is properly sized for your household’s usage, it will provide a continuous supply of hot water without missing a beat, making it an ideal solution for households with higher usage. At the end of the day, it’s important to select your unit based on your household’s needs, like space constraints, budget, hot water usage, and size of household. Just as important, is working with trusted professionals to execute the installation effectively. The Finger Lakes Comfort team is skilled and experienced in the selection, installation and maintenance of both traditional and tankless hot water heaters. We can help you select the unit best suited for your needs, install and optimize the equipment to ensure it runs safely and efficiently, and handle any service needs that arise throughout the life of your unit. Learn more about our water heater and other plumbing services here.
Stay Cool and Cost-Effective
With the summer months on the horizon, you might be dreading that middle-of-July utility bill after you’ve been pumping the air conditioning round the clock. Believe it or not, you can decrease your energy usage without sacrificing the comfortable temperatures in your home this summer. By adjusting a few things both inside and outside your home, you can effectively save money and energy when it comes to cooling your space this summer. Harness Your Green Thumb It’s seemingly obvious that planting leafy trees around your home provides shade and, therefore, relief from the heat. Direct sunlight on your roof and through your windows can heat up your home significantly, so investing in some tall, prolific trees does more than boost your curb appeal. But, did you know that shading your actual cooling equipment can also contribute to energy savings? Shading your AC unit with foliage from trees and shrubs can increase its efficiency up to 10%. That’s a savings worth putting on your gardening gloves for. Use Your Thermostat Programmable thermostats hold a lot of power when it comes to optimizing your energy usage. Cool when it counts, and set the schedule to allow temperatures to be higher when you’re away from home to conserve energy and money. Open those windows at night when it cools down to more comfortable temperatures and let mother nature do the cooling. Don’t forget to capitalize on your summer vacation as an opportunity to let the thermostat climb a little higher than usual while you’re away. Cover Your Windows Window coverings can be a game changer when it comes to keeping your home cool and comfortable. Mesh and solar window screens can intercept up to 70% of the sun’s energy, drastically reducing solar heat gain. On the interior, blinds, cellular shades, curtains and drapes can effectively shade the home and keep heat and sunlight at bay, in addition to contributing to aesthetics and privacy. Window films are another great option for curtailing glare and solar heat gain. Give your AC Some TLC Maintaining your equipment is prudent when it comes to cost efficiency and the lifespan of your investment. Having your air conditioning unit inspected and serviced annually will pay dividends in the long run, as regular maintenance ensures the equipment is running at optimal efficiency. Keeping your home comfortable this summer goes beyond firing up the air conditioning. We hope this post has provided you with some additional practices to implement to keep costs low while keeping cool. If you’re ready to schedule your annual AC maintenance, or perhaps replace that air conditioning unit on its last leg, look no further than Finger Lakes Comfort. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to help you keep cool this summer with a variety of cooling services, including AC coil units, AC condensers, ductless mini splits, and AC cleaning. Get in touch with us today to get started.
The Benefits of Mini Splits
If you’ve ever assessed your heating and cooling options, you’ve likely heard the term “mini split.” Like many home appliances, there are a variety of solutions for heating and cooling, each with its own set of benefits that cater to different needs. So, what’s the deal with mini splits? We’ll dive into the details in this blog post. What is a mini split? A mini split, also called a ductless air conditioner or ductless heat pump, is an alternative heating and cooling system to your traditional HVAC systems. A mini split has two components: an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handler. They can be utilized in residential and commercial settings, and are commonly found in multi-family housing and home additions. They are also an excellent option for spaces that require a compact heating or air conditioning solution. Go Ductless Perhaps the most notable benefit of mini split systems is that they don’t require ductwork, making them a versatile option for homeowners. For older homes without proper ductwork, or unique spaces that aren’t connected to the rest of the home’s duct system, mini splits are an ideal solution. They only require a single hole in the wall to connect the outside unit with the indoor unit, whereas central air conditioning and heating systems require whole-house ductwork, which utilizes significantly more space, materials and labor. Energy Efficiency Another appealing feature of mini split systems is their energy efficiency. They consume considerably less energy than a traditional HVAC solution, and can save you up to 30% on your energy bill. A couple things contribute to this, one being their inverter technology, which allows the system to only use as much energy as is needed to maintain the set temperature. Additionally, the ductless component of mini splits enhances their efficiency, as it eliminates the possibility of leakage through cracks and holes in ductwork. Low Maintenance The maintenance required for mini splits is certainly less than your traditional HVAC system. It has fewer moving parts and only a few components to maintain, including the air filter and coils. Additionally, mini splits have a self-cleaning feature which further minimizes maintenance. It should be noted that there is a larger up-front cost for mini splits versus traditional HVAC systems, though the lower maintenance costs and higher efficiency translate to cost savings over the life of the equipment. Comfort Zone(s) Conceivably the most luxurious benefit of a mini split is the ability to create zones. This means that one room can be kept considerably cooler than another, resulting in optimal comfort. Zoning can also lend to cost efficiency, as it provides the option to focus usage in just the areas of the home where you’re active. Now that you’re a mini split maven, you may be interested in exploring the possibility of installing one in your home. When installing, servicing or upgrading any of your home’s heating and cooling systems, it’s imperative to work with a reputable HVAC professional to ensure the work is done properly. The team of experts at Finger Lakes Comfort is highly trained in the installation and maintenance of mini split systems. Visit our website to learn more or get in contact with us today to get started!
Have your AC inspected this season; it's the cool thing to do!
Temps are warming up and we’re getting closer to AC season here in the Finger Lakes. Before turning on your system this season, consider having it inspected and cleaned. There are a multitude of benefits to having your equipment regularly serviced, which we’ll discuss in this blog post, along with what you can expect during a professional inspection from your trusted HVAC provider. A Fresh Start Though your air conditioner may have been in perfect condition throughout the previous season, problems can arise as it sits idle during the winter months. Your air conditioning unit is exposed to the elements year round, so dirt, leaves and other debris can collect on the equipment, as well as excess water buildup. This can cause corrosion, refrigerant leaks, and encourage mold and mildew growth. Having your equipment serviced at the start of the season includes cleaning out these pollutants, which will ensure your AC is ready to run for the season ahead. Optimize Performance Regularly servicing your air conditioner ensures that the equipment runs as it should; this means comfortable, consistent temperatures throughout your home and reduced humidity. Not servicing your AC can result in warm / cold spots throughout your home, as well as excess humidity (which is fun for no one!) Save on Electrical Costs Keeping your HVAC equipment in tip top shape with regular maintenance keeps it running at peak efficiency. This allows your air conditioner to create optimal cooling while running less, thus decreasing electricity usage and costs. Maximize the Life of Your Equipment As you can imagine, regularly maintaining your air conditioner keeps things running smoothly and minimizes hiccups in its operation. Neglecting regular maintenance can greatly reduce the lifespan of your equipment and put you in the market for a new air conditioner sooner than you want (or need) to be. An inspection can help identify and remediate an issue before it becomes a larger problem, reducing the likelihood that you become stuck in a heat wave with no air conditioning…yikes! What to Expect… When having your air conditioner serviced, it’s important to select a trusted HVAC provider to perform the inspection. The team of professionals at Finger Lakes Comfort offers a comprehensive AC inspection service for all system types. The technician will go through a series of inspection points, as well as a thorough cleaning, including the outdoor and indoor coils. They’ll inspect all electrical components and connections, and check the refrigerant charge, general operation and air flow. Finally, you’ll receive recommendations for improvements (if any), which may include the replacement of worn or damaged components. This allows the homeowner to be proactive with upkeep and can diminish the possibility of a breakdown, minimizing future repair expenses (and headaches). Ready to give your air conditioner some TLC? Contact us today and let’s ensure you enjoy a comfortable spring and summer season. We offer one-time AC cleanings, as well as service plans to ensure your HVAC equipment is properly maintained year round.
The Hype About Heat Pumps
With warmer weather on the horizon (we promise, it’s coming…right?) everyone is busily getting their homes and yards ready for the season. As part of that preparation, you may be considering upgrading your home cooling system. In addition to the central air conditioning units that many are acquainted with, heat pumps are also a popular option (despite the name, they do cool homes). So, what is the difference between the two? Back to Basics Heat pumps and air conditioners effectively accomplish the same thing: they circulate cool air throughout the home; however, heat pumps can also heat the home. Yes, you read that right; it’s a two-in-one solution. Heat pumps are able to both cool and heat the home, eliminating the need for a furnace or boiler. The process that air conditioners and heat pumps use to cool indoor air is very similar: air conditioners work by circulating refrigerant through a system of coils, absorbing heat from inside the home and releasing it outside. Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another using a refrigerant. The differentiator is a small piece in heat pumps called the reversing valve, which enables the heat pump to switch between an evaporator for cooling and a condenser for heating, ensuring comfort year round. Going Green It’s important to note that the energy efficiency of the cooling capability of heat pumps is comparable to that of modern high efficiency air conditioners. The stark difference occurs when colder temperatures arrive, as heat pumps use considerably less energy to heat the home than a traditional furnace. The ability of heat pumps to move heat rather than generate lends greatly to their efficiency, not to mention, they run on electricity instead of fossil fuels. As you can imagine, heat pumps save homeowners a considerable amount of money during the winter months when energy bills arrive. Got ducts? If your home isn’t outfitted with a duct system and you’re not looking to install one, ductless heat pumps are an excellent solution. If you have a problem room or area in your home where heating and cooling do not easily reach, a ductless mini split can solve that issue. They also allow zoning, so you can adjust the heating and cooling in various areas around the home to your liking. So, what’s the catch? While heat pumps are an excellent option for people looking to efficiently heat and cool their homes with low environmental impact, the up-front costs sometimes deter homeowners from going this route. However, if you’re in the market for both a new furnace and air conditioner, purchasing a heat pump is comparable in price (and accomplishes both jobs). Even better, there are state and federal incentives available to encourage the adoption of cleaner, more efficient home heating and cooling systems. The New York State Clean Heat Program offers rebates to homeowners who purchase a heat pump. Additionally, federal tax credits are available. When it comes to high efficiency heating and cooling systems, working with a knowledgeable, reputable HVAC company is key. At Finger Lakes Comfort, we’re highly trained and experienced with all of the HVAC system options mentioned in this blog post, and we’re happy to share our knowledge with you and make recommendations based on your unique needs. We can even help you with the rebate process (more savings and less paperwork…what could be better?) Visit our website to learn more.
How to Leverage NYSERDA Funds to Create an Energy Efficient Home
It’s not easy being green. Or is it? Creating energy efficiency in your home sounds like a potentially daunting task. And though it’s not the simple flip of a switch, it’s entirely possible with the help of the right professionals and resources. Minimizing energy waste in your home offers a multitude of benefits, most notably lowering utility costs and reducing your carbon footprint. The cost associated with creating an energy efficient home often deters people from taking the proper steps to reduce energy waste, but in New York State, there’s an answer to that dilemma. EmPower+ In 2023, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) developed a program called EmPower+, dedicated to helping low- and mid-income homeowners and renters decrease energy waste in their homes. The mission is to provide resources to households who may not otherwise have the ability to transform their energy consumption, thus reducing the energy burden on residents and creating greener communities throughout the state. How do I qualify? Owners and renters of single to four-unit homes must be considered low or moderate income, which is determined by one of the following: Income, which is verified via pay stubs or tax returns HEAP or SNAP beneficiaries; participation in either of these programs automatically qualifies you for EmPower+ Other social service departments can also verify eligibility Check your eligibility here. What’s covered? Eligible households can receive incentives toward energy improvement projects in their home including: Attic, wall, and rim joist insulation Air sealing to reduce drafts Health & safety items Mobile home underbelly insulation For homes that have had air sealing and insulation completed, contractors can make recommendations to upgrade other equipment including: Cold climate air source heat pump Heat pump hot water tank Replacement of low-efficiency heating systems I’m eligible. What’s next? It’s time to find the right contractor to help you transform your home’s energy usage. New York State partners with certified, reputable HVAC companies, like Finger Lakes Comfort, to execute the work, from the initial home assessment, to the installation of equipment and everything in between. Finger Lakes Comfort is a proud partner of the EmPower+ program and our Energy Reduction Program offers a comprehensive solution for those who qualify. We’re well-versed in the New York State program and advocate on your behalf to help you maximize the financial support you receive. Our energy auditors are BPI certified and ready to help you understand how to best eliminate energy waste in your home. To get started, simply complete a brief pre-qualification form and our team will reach out to you to schedule a zero-cost home assessment.
Are all your ducts in a row?
We get it. The list of appliances and systems to maintain in your household is lengthy; but when was the last time you gave your air ducts a little TLC? Though we’d love to believe that every household prioritizes the cleanliness of its air ducts, the reality is that they’re often neglected. Having your ducts cleaned by a reputable HVAC professional can prove beneficial for your home and your health. In this blog post, we’ll break down the many benefits of regular duct cleaning in your home or place of business. Enhanced Energy Efficiency Air duct cleaning is an important extension of your regular HVAC maintenance program. Ensuring ducts are clear of dirt and debris means that the warm or cool air generated by your HVAC system can flow freely as intended, thus improving its overall performance. Better performance translates to a more efficient HVAC system, which not only prolongs the life of the equipment, but also puts money back in your pocket when it comes to your energy bill. Allergens begone! Having your ducts cleaned regularly can significantly reduce the allergens circulating throughout your home or business, including pollen, dust mites and animal dander. As you can imagine, regular cleaning is especially important for households with allergy and asthma sufferers, effectively improving indoor air quality and alleviating symptoms. Also, for homeowners with pets that shed, cleaning air ducts regularly is important to manage the dander in your home and reduce accumulation in your HVAC system. What’s that smell? The stinky reality is that buildings can assume different smells based on what’s flying around in the air duct system. Musty and unpleasant odors are a common catalyst when people first decide to have their air ducts serviced. Oftentimes, when an unpleasant odor is present in several rooms, a thorough cleaning of the air ducts can resolve the issue. Keep mold and mildew at bay. Condensation from central air conditioning can create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive, potentially causing serious health issues. The good news is that regular duct cleaning can proactively eliminate this issue and ensure your air quality remains safe and clean. Though having your air ducts cleaned doesn’t sound like the most exciting activity on your to-do list, it offers a wide range of benefits to your home and, more importantly, your health. Having a qualified HVAC professional do the work is essential to ensuring that proper care is being taken and you realize the full benefits of the service. Finger Lakes Comfort proudly offers comprehensive duct cleaning services to keep your home or business clean and healthy year round. Additionally, Finger Lakes Comfort offers whole-home filters and UV light sanitation systems to further enhance the air quality in your home or place of business. Visit our website to learn more: https://fingerlakescomfort.com/other-services#ductCleaning