Our Best Blogs You May Have Missed in 2021
Now that 2021 is coming to a close, it’s an ideal time for a roundup of some of our best blogs that you may have missed. Our blog always has helpful tips for getting the most from your HVAC and plumbing systems, as well as spotting problems that need attention.
Here are some highlights from five top blog posts you may have missed:
The Phoenix-area real estate market has been red hot this past year and will probably continue to be so. Your HVAC and plumbing systems can make or break the sale if you’re selling your home.
Homebuyers want to know your home has equipment that can handle months of intense heat.
Schedule annual maintenance for your air conditioning and heating system before you sell. Chas Roberts has a 26-point maintenance plan to maintain your system.
Consider upgrading your HVAC system if it’s over ten years old, as buyers may not want to commit to an aging system that needs upgrading. Any problems would likely be discovered in a home inspection, and you’ll have to fix them to get the sale.
Check your home for leaks, foul plumbing odors, and drain blockages. Consider some plumbing upgrades, such as a new showerhead or new shower doors.
If your thermostat is old, replace it.
The average lifespan of an air conditioner in Arizona is 9-12 years old. Once an air conditioner is over ten years old, there are some common problems you should watch for:
- High energy bills
Older air conditioners often have trouble cooling your home, and they have to work harder, meaning higher energy bills.
- Poor air quality
If your home has more dust or humidity than usual, your air conditioner may not be able to ventilate properly.
- Weak airflow
If your air conditioner takes forever to cool your home, or you don’t feel a rush of cool air coming from your vents, it may be time for a new air conditioner. Contact the pros at Chas Roberts to evaluate the problem.
- Frequent repairs
If you’re constantly dealing with one repair after another, it’s probably time to consider upgrading to a new air conditioner or replacing the whole system.
- Refrigerant problems
Refrigerant leaks can lead to longer cooling cycles and higher energy bills. It’s a common problem in older units.
R-22, also known as Freon, is no longer being produced, so you’ll pay a lot more for repairs if you have a refrigerant leak.
It’s best to replace the unit with a new model that uses a more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant, known as Puron.
Arizona has hard water, but did you know that it damages your plumbing? The mineral deposits in hard water flow into pipes and remain in the water unless the water is filtered.
Hard water causes pipes to corrode or even burst and decreases the lifespan of fixtures and appliances.
Hard water can also cause problems with your water heater by increasing sediment buildup and reducing efficiency, shortening the unit’s lifespan.
Your washing machine can also be affected by hard water, making it work less efficiently and causing faster wear and tear and higher water and energy bills.
A whole-home filtration system can remove most mineral deposits and contaminants from the water entering your home. The plumbing professionals at Chas Roberts can provide a filtration assessment to help you determine the right solution for your home.
BTU is the abbreviation for British Thermal Units, which is a measurement of heat energy. When purchasing a new air conditioner, it’s essential to buy one with the correct BTUs for your home.
Bigger isn’t better when it comes to air conditioning units. An air conditioner that’s too large will cost more to operate and work harder to cool your home, resulting in a shorter lifespan for the unit.
Residential systems generally have a rating of 12,000 – 60,000 BTUs. The square footage of your home influences how many BTUs you’ll need to cool your home.
Other factors to consider in order to calculate the BTUs you’ll need for your home include your floorplan, if your home has high ceilings, and if it’s a two-story home.
Homes facing west or getting lots of sun may require more BTUs, while a well-insulated home may require less.
The experts at Chas Roberts can help you determine the correct size air conditioning unit for your home.
There are other terms to know when shopping for a new air conditioner:
- SEER/EER Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and Energy Efficiency Ratio
- CFM – cubic feet per minute measures airflow volume
- Split system – a system with indoor and outdoor components connected by refrigerant tubing
- Packaged system – a system with all the components in one small unit, typically installed outside
Thermostats send signals to your air conditioning and heating systems, so it’s crucial they work properly.
Here are some problems to watch for that mean it may be time for a new thermostat:
- Your thermostat isn’t responding.
Several things can cause an unresponsive thermostat. It may not be set properly, and it may need new batteries if it isn’t wired into your home’s electrical system. It may need cleaning.
The thermostat may need to be recalibrated by a professional if your home never seems to reach a comfortable temperature. If your thermostat is a manual thermostat, it
can’t be recalibrated and needs replacement.
- Your energy bills are increasing.
An older, non-programmable thermostat may be costing you money in increased energy costs.
A new Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat can give you complete control and even adjust temperatures based on your daily habits, saving you money.
Be sure to install your thermostat in the right location in your home, centrally located on an interior wall. Chas Roberts can install your new thermostat in an ideal location in your home.
Those are our picks for some of our best blogs for 2021 you may have missed. Check our blog regularly for more helpful tips for your HVAC and plumbing systems.
Chas Roberts
Chas Roberts is the leading provider of HVAC and plumbing services in Arizona and has been family-owned and operated for over 75 years. Contact us for expert, reliable service by our professional technicians.
