Last updated 6 hours 43 minutes ago
Homeowners often have questions about their HVAC systems, ranging from how to improve efficiency to how to save money on energy bills. Because of this fact, we’ve put together some answers to common questions about home heating and cooling systems below:
Is Regular Maintenance Important?
Many people believe that if their heating and cooling system is working, they do not need to have it serviced. However, this is a false assumption. Over time, HVAC systems can stop running efficiently due to air duct clogs, refrigerant leaks, and numerous other problems. If left unaddressed, these issues can cause a system to break down, which can lead to costly repairs. By having your system inspected and maintained at least once a year, you can avoid these problems and keep your HVAC unit in excellent condition.
What Does SEER Mean?
SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a rating given to heating and cooling systems to show how efficiently they operate. This rating is calculated based on how much electricity an HVAC system uses to cool a house in a certain time frame. All systems currently available on the market have SEER ratings that start at 13 and go up to 21. In all cases, systems that have higher SEER ratings work more efficiently than systems with lower ratings.
When Should I Change My HVAC Air Filter?
The HVAC filter is responsible for keeping dust from entering your heating and cooling system as well as your home’s air. As a result, you should pay careful attention to how often you change your system’s filter, since old filters do not work as effectively as new ones. While it may vary depending on how much you use your HVAC system, you should try to change your filter every month. This will keep the air in your home fresh and clean.
If you have any other questions about your home’s HVAC system, call Griffith Energy Services. We deliver heating oil and provide HVAC repair and installation services for customers in the Baltimore area. Call (866) 698-6524 to make an appointment with us today.
Last updated 7 days ago
With roughly one century of experience designing and manufacturing heating and air conditioning units, the Carrier Corporation has a well-earned place among the HVAC industry’s leaders. The air conditioning systems that Carrier produces are some of the most energy-efficient and hygienic units that can be found anywhere; and if your home is in need of a new air conditioning system, you should definitely look into everything that Carrier can offer you.
Quiet, easy to use, and backed by a 10-year limited warranty, Carrier’s central air conditioning systems are everything a homeowner could dream of. The newest models have seasonal energy efficiency rations (SEERs) between 13 and 21, well above the requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Using advanced technology, Carrier has also designed air conditioning systems that use cleaners to improve the quality of air in a home. Together with a state-of-the-art humidifier and ventilation system, the Carrier Infinity Series air cleaner can help keep allergies at bay and reduce the risk of mold in a home.
Griffith Energy Services in the Baltimore metro area is proud to install and service equipment made by the greatest names in HVAC design and manufacturing. From Carrier to Trane to Mitsubishi, we have the industry leaders covered. To learn more about our HVAC installation and repair services, call (866) 698-6524.
Last updated 14 days ago
Mid-Atlantic summers are beautiful, but they come with their share of heat. Thanks to the widespread use of air conditioning in homes and businesses throughout the area, few residents must endure the miserable heat the way that our ancestors did. What we must endure are the energy costs associated with cooling ourselves in such sweltering weather, and this can be painful in its own way. If you want to stay comfortable this summer without having to resort to your savings in order to pay the bills, follow this helpful advice.
Tune Up Your HVAC System
At the start of every cooling season, you should thoroughly inspect your entire HVAC system for failing parts, dust buildup, and other inefficiencies that will make your cooling costs much higher than they need to be. Indoor and outdoor units should be cleaned, especially the condenser coils. The fan’s motor and other moving parts should be lubricated.
Use the Right Air Conditioner
No matter what make you prefer, there is an air conditioning model that was built specifically for your home. If you want cooling your home to be as energy efficient as possible, you need to find it. If you use an air conditioner that is too large or too small, you run the risk of inefficiently cooling your home or overburdening the HVAC system in an attempt to cool your home. The latter of these scenarios often leads to expensive repairs.
Be Energy Conscious
The more you use heat-conducting appliances in your home during the summer, the harder your AC unit has to work to keep the temperature in line with your thermostat settings. By using your dishwasher, oven, and stove less often, you will save money from not using those appliances and from putting less of a strain on your air conditioner. Try to save as much of your gourmet cooking for the other seasons. Instead, eat raw foods often and cook outdoors when you crave meat or grilled veggies.
At Griffith Energy Services, we know that our customers always have cost and quality on their minds. This mindset makes it possible for us to offer high-quality HVAC system maintenance, repair, and installation services. If you would like to have your condensate line cleaned or upgrade to a programmable thermostat in your Baltimore or DC home before summer’s hottest days arrive, call Griffith Energy Services at (866) 698-6524.
Last updated 21 days ago
The weather has been heating up in the DC area, and we could be in for a heck of a hot summer. Have you checked around your windows and doors for poor insulation and called your HVAC service professional to arrange your routine inspection yet?
For other advice that can help you stay cool without frivolous use of your air conditioner, check out this educational video clip. In it, you will learn about the importance of keeping interior doors and air conditioning vents open to promote air circulation. You will find out how drying your laundry on a line and eating more salads and less soufflés can also help you curb your energy consumption.
Is your gravest concern on this subject whether or not your air conditioning system will get you through this summer? If you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor who can determine whether your system just needs a few repairs or should be upgraded to a more energy-efficient system, call Griffith Energy Services in Maryland at (866) 698-6524.
Last updated 28 days ago
With summer upon us, you probably aren’t very worried about your furnace working optimally. Your hot water heater, however, is another story. We depend on hot water day in and day out for laundry, comfortable bathing, and hygienic dish washing. If your hot water heater is on its last leg and you are looking to upgrade, it would be wise to read up on the different advantages that gas and oil water heaters offer so that you can make an informed decision about what type of hot water heater is best for your home.
Performance
The first quality most people look for in a hot water heater is performance, as nobody wants a hot water heater that takes an hour to heat up and after all of that doesn’t even dispense enough hot water for a decent shower. In this area, gas and oil hot water heaters are evenly matched, capable of meeting consumers’ hot water demands day in and day out for years so long as they are properly maintained.
Costs
When weighing water heater costs, it is important to consider both initial expenses and the annual costs that you will incur from using and maintaining your appliance. Oil heaters cost between $100 and $300 more to install than do gas hot water heaters, but they are less expensive to run. Homeowners with oil hot water heaters spend more than $100 dollars less per year operating their hot water heaters than those who use gas.
Lifespan
Gas water heaters have an expected life of 13 years, whereas oil heaters can only last for about eight years. Many consumers consider eight years to be a long time and do not consider this factor too important to their decision, but it still may help you make yours.
In our experience serving the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, Griffith Energy Services has learned that consumers like to have choices. We also know that different types of fuel are more appealing to homeowners than other types for a variety of reasons. Because of this, we offer both oil and gas fired hot water heaters, as well as the host of maintenance and heating oil delivery services that make it possible for water heaters to run efficiently for as long as they are built to last. To arrange to have an HVAC technician install a new oil or gas fired hot water heater in your mid-Atlantic home or business, call (866) 698-6524.
