Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

Moving Your Thermostat Could Increase Your Home Comfort

If your thermostat is positioned incorrectly, you could be leaving money on the table. Certain conditions can cause your thermostat to malfunction, in which case your HVAC system will consume energy unnecessarily. To maximize the performance of the air conditioning system in your Gainesville home, the condition, use, and location of your thermostat are very important.

Your Thermostat Sits Opposite a Window

Windows are a major source of heat gain, and this could impact your thermostat if you’ve positioned it across from a window. As solar energy streams in during the heat of the day, it will trick your thermostat into believing that your home is warmer than it actually is. This could reduce your furnace’s effectiveness as it might not cycle on as it should.

Your Thermostat Is Next to an HVAC Vent

Your HVAC vents deliver warm or cool air to your home, depending on the season. Move your thermostat away from these vents because it will sense the air coming through and communicate with your HVAC system accordingly.

Your Thermostat Is Located in the Kitchen

The kitchen produces more heat than any other room in the house. Whether you are baking a casserole in the oven or heating up a pot of soup on the stove, you don’t want your thermostat to sense that heat. Moving it into a cooler room will make it more effective.

Your Thermostat Is on an Exterior Wall

Exterior walls can absorb heat from outside. Interior walls offer the best placement options for thermostats because they more accurately reflect the actual temperature inside your home.

An Object Gets in the Way of Your Thermostat

Don’t let objects block your thermostat’s access to the rest of your space. Curtains, bookshelves, furniture, artwork, and decor can all reduce your thermostat’s effectiveness. Keep it on an open wall with nothing blocking the face of the thermostat.

Never attempt to move your thermostat yourself. You might accidentally cause damage to its electrical system. Instead, hire a professional HVAC technician to handle the job. For thermostat assistance and preventative HVAC maintenance, contact Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. at 352-472-2761

3 Reasons to Have Professional Preventive Maintenance

You can do many simple HVAC maintenance tasks yourself, like changing the AC filter, removing debris from around your outdoor unit, and inspecting visible ductwork in your Gainesville, Florida home for damage. An HVAC professional, however, goes far beyond basic tasks and performs preventative maintenance essential to keeping your HVAC system running efficiently.

Inspecting the Coils

The evaporator and condenser coils are essential to keeping your air conditioner running well. If the refrigerant is low or leaking, ice can form on the coils and cause water to back up in the system. If the coils are dirty, they won’t be able to do their job as efficiently. Coil problems always need to be addressed by a professional because they often require delicate solutions.

Checking for Gas Leaks

Even if you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, it’s still a good idea to have a professional check your furnace for gas leaks. Not only do they have the proper safety training to deal with any leaks, but they will also detect worn out parts or problems with the pilot light that may indicate gas flow issues. Because the gas in your furnace can present a serious safety hazard, you should never try to fix it yourself.

Tightening Mechanical Components

Wires, motors, blowers, belts, and similar components can wear out, and as a homeowner, you probably won’t know until they start to malfunction. Your HVAC technician, however, looks at them every time you get a system checkup. If the wires are starting to wear out or parts are coming loose, the technician fixes those issues before they become much larger problems and affect the entire system’s ability to operate efficiently.

The best HVAC maintenance is a combination of DIY and professional attention. Keep your HVAC system performing well for as long as possible by performing simple tasks yourself and scheduling a seasonal maintenance appointment to take care of the rest.

Call Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. today at 352-472-2761 for your preventive maintenance or other HVAC service needs. Our technicians will help to keep your HVAC system performing efficiently year-round.

High Cooling Costs and Energy Saving Myths

Cooling costs can represent a significant portion of the energy bills in your Newberry, Florida home. It, therefore, makes sense to look for ways to lower your cooling expenses while still maintaining a comfortable living environment. As you try to reduce cooling costs, be careful, however, that you do not fall for energy-saving myths that can actually do more harm than good. Here are a few of the more common myths you should avoid.

MYTH: Quick adjustments the thermostat will lower indoor temperatures faster. It may seem like cranking up the cooling system’s thermostat will result in faster cooling, but it will most likely waste energy while providing no better cooling than gradual thermostat adjustments. Air conditioners and heat pumps with single-speed fans move cool air at a relatively consistent rate, so setting the thermostat lower than your desired temperature won’t make the equipment cool any faster. A large jump in thermostat settings will actually result in energy waste.
MYTH: Ceiling fans cool rooms. Ceiling fans can be a helpful addition to your home cooling system, but they don’t help to lower the temperature of rooms. Ceiling fans work by cooling people with the airflow they create. As the air contacts your body, perspiration evaporates and the surface of your skin is cooled. If no one is in the room to receive this cooling effect, there’s no need to run a fan and waste energy.
MYTH: Turn off the air conditioner when you are away. Some energy can be saved if you shut off the air conditioner when you’re gone for the day. However, cooling a hot house when you return will put additional strain on your HVAC system. The best solution is to install a programmable thermostat that will precisely control the operation of your air conditioner. Programmable models increase indoor temperatures to a money-saving level during the day, then automatically provide more cooling at a set time to ensure your home is cool when you return.

Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. provides HVAC services and systems to customers in Gainesville, Newberry, High Springs, and Alachua County. Contact us today at 352-472-2761 for more information about recognizing summer energy myths and trimming your seasonal energy costs.

Maximizing the Life Span of Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system can provide many years of great service if you give it the proper care and treatment. There are many things you can do to enhance the energy efficiency of your HVAC system, reduce the need for repairs, and extend its lifespan.

Clean Your Air Filters

One of the most important things you can do to help your HVAC system to be more efficient is to change or clean the air filter regularly. Air filters trap harmful particles like mold and mildew spores that would otherwise be circulating throughout your home. When these particles collect in the air filter, it restricts the flow of air, which places a strain on your system.

HVAC Coils and Fins

The condenser and evaporator coils collect dust and dirt over time. Dusty conditions, grass clippings, and other natural debris can eventually clog the system and affect the performance of the coils. The coils contain the coolant which acts on the air as it passes over the coils. If the coils are coated with dirt and other substances, this will affect their ability to provide effective air conditioning.

The evaporator and condenser fins allow air to flow efficiently through the system. These fins are very delicate and can be easily damaged. If the fins become damaged or have a buildup of any sort, the flow of air will be impeded.

Condensate drains will occasionally clog due to an accumulation of mildew and algae. Apart from mold problems, if left unchecked, this can also lead to overflows, resulting in water damage to your home.

Regular Maintenance

Routine HVAC system maintenance is critical for the timely discovery of problems such as those mentioned above. Your HVAC technician has the tools and the expertise to straighten or repair fins and remove dust or debris in the system. Your technician will be able to thoroughly clean the system and make necessary repairs before they result in damage or most costly repairs.

When you’re in need of HVAC service contact the professionals at Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. Give us a call at 352-472-2761. We have the expertise and equipment to help you maximize the performance of your HVAC system.

Window Treatments: Improving AC Efficiency in All Seasons

Window treatments add a decorative element to your home, but what’s more, they are effective for summer and winter temperature control. Effectively utilizing window treatments in your Gainesville-area home will help to improve AC efficiency, so you can realize savings on your heating and cooling bills.

Blinds and Shades

Vertical or horizontal slat-type blinds block summer heat gain while still allowing light to enter. You can orient blinds according to the amount of light you need. Shades act similarly to fully drawn blinds. The benefit of having no slats is that shades insulate better, which is important in both the summer and the winter. However, since shades don’t have slats, they don’t allow you to control lighting as effectively.

Drapes

hFabric type and color determine how well drapes reduce solar heat gain. In the summer, close drapes to keep heat from entering. White-backed drapes reflect light and further reduce heat gain. In the winter, throw the drapes wide open on sunny days to let the sun naturally heat your home. At night, close the drapes to help insulate the window against the cold outdoor air.

Shutters

Both interior and exterior shutters reduce heat loss and gain. In the summer, louvered shutters provide shade while still allowing for ventilation through the open window. In the winter, solid shutters fitted tightly against the window frame provide an air barrier, improving the window’s insulating ability.

Awnings and Roof Overhangs

Awnings and overhangs block a significant portion of summer heat gain on windows that receive direct sunlight. Awnings can reduce solar heat gain by as much as 77%. Use light-colored awnings to reflect more sunlight.

Especially in Florida where the heat stays with us for much of the year, window treatments can make a big difference in comfort and savings. The sunlight entering your home means more cooling will be required from your air conditioner. An additional advantage of window treatments is that they are primarily inexpensive.

Contact Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. at 352-472-2761 for more ways to increase energy efficiency and comfort in your home or office. We also carry a full line of highly efficient HVAC systems. Call us today for more information!

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