Air Conditioner Summer Checklist

May 27, 2018

When the temperatures start to rise, you want to make sure that your comfort system is operating as efficiently as possible. Here is a list of things you can do around the house to make sure that you stay cool during the summer.  Change Your Filters – Dirty filters really do lower the performance of your AC unit. When the filter gets dirty and starts to restrict airflow, it leads to a system pressure drop. This sets off a chain reaction in the internal components and ultimately causes your system to work harder to reach the settings on your thermostat. Plan on changing the filters every 90 days, or more often if you have pets.  Clean Your Condenser Coils – Usually located in your system’s outdoor unit, the condenser coils can become coated over time with dust, leaves, pet hair, and grass clippings, etc. This hinders performance since the condenser’s job is to transfer heat from indoors, allowing the refrigerant to work properly. Use a soft bristled brush and a hose or pressure washer to clean the coils yourself. Also, you may want to trim and branches or bushes surrounding your outdoor unit.  Clearing The Condensate Drain Line – Over...

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Lennox HVAC Special Offers Spring 2018

March 26, 2018

Right now, Charlotte Comfort Systems and Lennox are proud to offer this incredible deal! Now through Jun 15, 2018, you can receive up to $1,700 in rebates or up to 72 months with Interest-free financing on Qualifying equipment. Here’s the breakdown of the rebates: – $1,300 rebate on a qualifying complete home comfort system – $100 rebate on iHarmony® Zoning Systems – $150 rebate on iComfort® S30 Thermostats – S150 rebate on PureAir™ Air Purification Systems Promotion Dates: March 12, 2018 and June 15, 2018 To be eligible for the promotion, you must: • Purchase a qualifying product from a participating Lennox Dealer between March 12, 2018 and June 15, 2018. • Have qualifying equipment installed by June 22, 2018. • All Claims must be submitted within 14 days of installation or by July 6, 2018 (whichever occurs first) System Eligibility: • All Lennox System Rebates require a qualifying indoor unit, qualifying outdoor unit, and a qualifying thermostat. • XC/XP25 and XC/XP20 units must be paired with an iComfort®-enabled indoor unit and iComfort WI-FI®, iComfort® S30, or iHarmony® thermostat option. The serial number for iComfort WI-FI® Thermostat, iHarmony®, or iComfort® S30 is required for the system rebate. • Qualifying thermostat...

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Your Home Is Where Your Comfort Matters Most

February 13, 2018

Your home is where your comfort matters the most, Charlotte Comfort Systems, Inc. takes great pride in designing and installing the perfect comfort system for your home. We’re committed to ensuring customer satisfaction on every single job, when you invite us into your home, we take that responsibility seriously. You should expect only the most professional workmanship and courteous service from each and every one of our employees. Charlotte Comfort Systems, Inc. invests in training to ensure we are able to provide the very best heating services in the metro Charlotte area. Whether you need residential or commercial services, our heating and cooling professionals provide so much more than just hot (or cold) air. They make your home or workplace comfortable. Protect your investment by performing routine maintenance to get maximum performance and life expectancy. Charlotte Comfort Systems service technicians are not commissioned. Too many of our competitors use commission as a way to motivate higher sales and generate larger service tickets; it is unfortunately common practice in the industry. We do not think it is in our customers’ best interest to have our technicians incentivized to find make repairs. We want you to be our customer for the long...

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Geothermal vs. Traditional Heat Pump

December 8, 2017

Having the right heat pump is important during every season. It makes the difference in having a comfortable home. Geothermal and traditional heat pumps are two common choices. Each type of heat pump has different advantages to keep in mind when deciding how to warm and cool your home. Geothermal Heat Pump Geothermal heat pumps have been heating and cooling homes for centuries. The system relies on the consistent temperatures underground. It takes advantage of warmer temperatures in the winter and cooler summer temperatures. This type has all the capabilities of a normal heat pump to heat or cool home and provide warm water. They are more expensive than traditional heat pumps, but save energy and last longer Traditional Heat Pump The major difference with traditional heat pumps is their heating and cooling source. Also known as air-source heat pumps, they use a transporting system. Depending on whether you want the home warmer or colder, the heat pump brings heat in or sends it out. Traditional heat pumps use electricity. They can be an energy and money saving alternative to air conditioners and furnaces. Which Heat Pump is Best? Deciding between a geothermal or traditional heat pump depends on several factors. Your...

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Testing Indoor Air Quality

November 15, 2017

It is said that your home is your castle.  But something Is wrong, and it has happened gradually.  You wake up with your eyes watering and itching, and noise irritation. Like your summer hay fever but these effects are year round and only when you are in your house or apartment.  Of course, that latter observation was not your first choice but your last pick of the reason why you feel uncomfortable. It is said that the health effects indoor air quality (IAQ) or the effects of indoor pollution may be immediate, showing the symptoms as described, or these symptoms may take a long time to appear. Types of Pollutants  The pollutants include, but are not limited to: Oil, gas, kerosene, coal, pressed wood Tobacco Building materials and furnishings Damp carpet deteriorating asbestos  heating unit or Ac unit, humidification devices Radon, Formaldehyde, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution Air Filter Air filters remove contaminants from the air to improve the quality of air in your home.  Air filters are rated according to a porousness scale,  from 1 to 16, which is called the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV).   Most home air filters have a 4 to 13 MERV rating.  The higher the MERV...

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Raising the Humidity in Your Charlotte Home

October 9, 2017

The humidifiers we grew up with are remnants of old, clunky technology. Instead, there are DIY ways to increase the humidity in your home.  The noisy machine and smell of menthol is no longer the only option we have. Hang Dry Your Clothes Clothes’ dryers are rarely energy efficient. Besides, the heat wrinkles your clothes, and if you do not change them over from the washing machine, the mildew smell wafts obviously. If you have extra space, you can hang your clothes up to dry. You are saving energy and releasing moisture into the air. Drying Does It The space of a clothes’ line may be impossible. Perhaps, you would rather vent your dryer indoors. Kits are available to draw the moist air indoors, increasing indoor air quality as well as humidity. It also cuts down on heating bills in the depths of a cold winter without having to use a humidifier. Humidity Blasting Bowls Metal or ceramic bowls over a register will add humidity to your home.  It may seem strange to place bowls of water over vents. However, the water evaporates and improves indoor air quality and adds the needed humidity. Placing the dishes on windowsills garners the...

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Furnace Check-Ups in Charlotte – Why is it Necessary?

September 26, 2017

When purchasing a new furnace, it is likely that the technician will recommend annual check-ups for the unit. With appointments costing anywhere from $30 to more than $200, many homeowners feel overwhelmed about the cost and where to start and end up skipping the service altogether. This could be dangerous for a few different reasons. First and foremost, skipping your seasonal furnace check-up can void your furnace warranty. This means that if something goes wrong with your furnace, the repair will most likely come out of your pocket rather than the service company’s, and this can get expensive! Secondly, seasonal furnace checkups can help find small problems before they become big ones. During your seasonal check-up, a professional technician will inspect the various components of your heating system. He/she should check the vents for: · any blockages in the vent system · inspect the blower and its parts · check the drainage system for any blocks or leaks · check to make sure the igniter and pilot light are working properly · test the blower motor and compare it to the specifications for your model furnace · check the wiring for any corrosion · check and clean the burner wheel...

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The Benefits of an AC Replacement in Charlotte

September 12, 2017

If your air conditioner is more than 10-15 years old, it’s likely time for a new system. The thought of installing a brand new air conditioner may be stressful – however, it’s best to keep in mind that a newer, more efficient model can cost less than a few major repairs on an old system. Also, you will likely see a reduction in utility bills with a new install as more modern air conditioning systems are a lot more efficient than older models. Newer systems mean newer technologies, including energy efficiency improvements and eco-friendly capabilities. At Charlotte Comfort Systems, we can make an AC installation Charlotte efficient and painless. Take a look at these benefits of choosing an AC replacement: Fewer repairs If your older AC system needs routine repairs to keep it going, your unit is not performing at optimal efficiency. A newer model generally needs fewer repairs and today’s air conditioning systems are known to be more reliable than ever. Money savings Air conditioners are assigned a “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio,” or SEER. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the AC unit is. All air conditioners must have a SEER rating of 13 or higher, and when...

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Are Expensive Air Filters Worth It?

August 20, 2017

A clogged, gunky air filter can cut your air flow down to a dribble. An air filter is a small thing, and decidedly not an exciting part of home improvement, but it keeps your entire HVAC system humming right along. A filthy filter can restrict airflow, preventing the system from working like it’s supposed to and that can eventually lead to a breakdown. Your air filter traps small air particles like dust, pollen, and pet particles from the air. Because of this, there’ll be an accumulation of dust and dirt in your living quarters. Should you splurge for the more expensive air filter? Are they worth it? To improve indoor air quality with a new air filter, it’s wise to do your research or contact your local professional AC maintenance and repair company directly. in is a great resource. Also, get to know MERV! This is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values which scales AC filter efficiency on a scale of 1-20. Below are some typical choices: Fiberglass 1” spun fiberglass. It keeps big particles of debris out, but does little to clean the air. MERV 2-3, $1-5 Pleated Polyester or Cotton Removes tiny spores, but must be changed frequently or...

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Importance of AC Maintenance

July 17, 2017

9 out of 10 cooling system failures are caused by dirt and dust. A light layer of dust on cooling coils can reduce your energy efficiency by 20%. This can be easily prevented with regular AC maintenance. Protect Your Investment The installation of your air conditioning and heating system is an investment, therefore you should do everything possible to minimize equipment breakdown. Planned maintenance not only assists in preventing unit breakdown to business-critical environments, but also helps to improve energy efficiency. You will be rewarded with lower running costs, potentially a much longer lifespan for your unit, plus fewer carbon emissions. Two Maintenance Visits Annually AC unit, heat pump, and furnace equipment is not inexpensive and we always recommend that, following installation, you enter into a maintenance agreement with your installer. This normally involves two annual visits to your cooling and heating equipment by trained, certified technicians. A cooling system routinely maintained, provides a much higher performance and is much more energy efficient. Inspections During each technician visit, all functions of the systems are inspected, filters cleaned, and operating pressures and controls are checked and calibrated. Leak checks are carried out at least once per year and records are kept...

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