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Boston is another one of those cities in the New England area that gets the full brunt of the seasons. So now we’re edging out of spring and moving into the warmer, sunnier days of summer, and that means one thing; it’s going to get hot and humid.

Thanks to modern technology, this isn’t something that’s such a big deal for homes with air conditioning.

But if you have an integrated, centralized AC system built into your home, there are probably a few things you should do before you get your hardware to start putting in the work for the next few months.

Inspect & Clean the Condenser

Central AC has a condenser, which is that large unit with the fan that sits just outside your home.

The function of this piece of hardware is to draw in air from outdoors, cool it, and then pump that into your home to be circulated around.

This means that the hardware is designed to permit the easy flow of air, and that means there are a lot of spaces in the equipment that can allow foreign matter inside.

If you have trees or other plants on your property, the leaves from the vegetation can accumulate inside your condenser, and that can affect the efficiency.

Clean this out in time for the heavy summer usage.

Replace Your Filter or Clean It

In modern heating and cooling systems, the furnace and air conditioner often share the same filter.

This means that it should be regularly replaced throughout the year.

Every seasonal change, in other words, four times a year, every three months, is about the right replacement schedule.

It’s important to do this, because the filter both protects residents against contaminants and keeps the operational efficiency of the AC up, meaning lower bills.

You can either use disposable filters that you replace on schedule or a buy a more expensive permanent filter that needs to be periodically cleaned out.

Get the Most from Your Thermostat

If you have an older thermostat, you may want to consider upgrading to a modern one.

Older thermostats may not be as accurate in measuring the temperature in your home, resulting in you paying more than you should on your energy bills.

But if you do have a modern thermostat, are you using it efficiently?

New thermostats don’t just turn on and stay on to maintain one fixed temperature.

They can be programmed to power down the AC if the house is empty during the day and doesn’t need to be cooled.

Then they can automatically start cooling the home at the time that residents start arriving and needing the comfort.

This is a much more efficient use of your energy.

If you aren’t paying attention to monthly maintenance with your HVAC system, you are literally throwing money away.

When you consider how much energy bills are and how much you can reduce them simply by performing a few simple tasks every month, the case for a little DIY is very compelling.

Not sure where to start? Here is our recommended to-do list:

Clean Outdoor Debris

Don’t forget an important part of your HVAC unit is located outdoors: the condenser/compressor.

Make a habit of doing a walk about every month to make sure that yard debris isn’t interfering with the unit’s air flow.

Also, take some time to clean out debris from the interior of the unit.

To start, turn the power off. Remove the cage fan from the top and wipe it down, along with the blades on the fan.

Get out your wet-dry vac and vacuum out any debris that may have fallen inside.

Some units are more challenging than others to get into the nooks and crannies but do the best that you can.

Don’t forget to clean the fins too, located on the exterior of the unit. Spray down with your garden hose (don’t use a power washer, which could damage the delicate fins).

After you’ve wiped down any remaining debris, double check that all the fins are facing outwards. If they are closed or not fully open, they will block air flow which will make your unit work harder than it has to.

Schedule Your Annual Maintenance

Just before summer hits is an excellent time to schedule your annual HVAC tune-up.

It’s a great investment to help protect your unit and help make sure that everything is working in an operationally efficient manner.

The technician will take care to clean and inspect all the crucial parts.

They’ll also take a peek at the ductwork surrounding your unit and make sure that there are no leaks.

There is no point to your HVAC working hard to produce cool air, and then it floating out leaks in your ducts.

The Filter Change

Every month check out your HVAC filter. If it’s still in good condition, wipe it down with a damp sponge to remove debris.

It is recommended to change the filter at least once a quarter.

When you go to buy a new one, bring the old filter with you to make sure that you get the right size.

Make sure too that you get one with a high MERV rating, which will help with energy efficiency, which you’ll want to rely on to keep cool with the A/C, without blowing a bundle of cash.

Celebrate an ambitious Earth Day this April 22nd by taking action to save the planet and save your money.

Cool Your Home Naturally (Plant a Tree)

As the move to warmer temperatures is near, planting trees around your home will cool it naturally, and cut costs and wear and tear on your air conditioning unit.

If you can’t get around to planting a tree, there are other energy conservation methods that will ultimately improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Close Chimney Flue When You’re Not Using It

Especially in the seasons when you are not using your fireplace, it is important to close the flue or damper when the fire is not burning. If you have a gas fireplace, however, the damper must always stay open.

Yearly inspections on your fireplace and chimney will help keep everything functioning to top performance.

Switch to LED bulbs and Energy Saving HVAC Products

A part of Earth Day, a simple cleaning project is to dust the light fixtures in your home. While you’re doing that, make sure the bulbs are LED - light emitting diode bulbs.

As incandescent are being phased out, the switch to higher priced LEDs are one option, and exciting because they offer 78 lumens per watt of light compared to 13 for incandescent and 18 for halogen. Prices have reduced because of demand, and LEDs last up to 25 per cent longer.

Adjust Your Thermostat to Lower/Higher Depending on Weather

If you aren’t sure what temperature to lower your thermostat to for the warmer months, try adjusting 1 or 2 degrees per day to measure your comfort.

Just 1 degree reduces your energy bill 1% for an 8-hour day. Using this graduation method will save you money instantly, and be a guide for you to saving monthly on your energy bill.

Switch to Solar Powered Appliances

Living so-called “off the grid” by using solar powered appliances is becoming fashionable amongst green earth-conscious consumers. Basic appliances like chargers, outdoor lights, lanterns, and even solar generators that can power laptops, and smartphones are available.

While putting solar panels on your roof is expensive, you can still power certain things in your home with solar in an affordable way. By using these suggested devices, you can light your walkways at night, work on your laptop, and charge your smartphone. Every initiative made to save hydro energy is well worth the effort.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

These Earth Day tips are just a few ways that will greatly reduce your carbon footprint and make the earth more eco-friendly, while reducing the emissions from hydroelectric energy.

Once you get into the habit of using these energy-saving techniques, you will look for yet more ways to contribute to a healthy home and planet.

If you need some quick advice or inspections on your home, call Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning today in Boston, MA at (617)-566-6990.

Spring is just about here, and that means it’s finally time to come out of hibernation after a long winter, brush off the dust (and snow), and get ready for the warmer weather. But humans aren't the only ones who come back to life in spring, and this season always marks the beginning of allergy season as well.

So for all you seasonal allergy sufferers out there, today’s discussion will be dedicated to allergies, allergens, and why you have to start being diligent about keeping the house clean and sealed up.

Why Allergies are So Bad in Spring

In the spring, mold, trees, grasses, and weeds all take advantage of the warmer temperatures and spring breezes to reproduce. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, that means spores and pollen flying around in the air, wafting into your homes, up your noses, and into your eyes and throats, where they’ll cause classic allergy symptoms, such as:

• Itchy and watery eyes
• Itchy and runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Dark circles under the eyes

Pollen and spores rely on the wind to get carried about, so the worst time for allergy symptoms will be dry, windy mornings, and the best time will be calm and rainy afternoons and evenings.

How Pets Make Allergies Worse

There are a couple of ways that pets can make allergies worse. For one, pet dander, saliva, and urine are all allergens for people who react to dogs and cats. This is made worse in the spring and summer when dogs and cats start to molt to get rid of their winter coats.

Both pet allergens and seasonal allergens like pollen get trapped in your pet’s fur, so when Fido sheds, he releases allergens into the air. The best way to avoid this is to bathe your pets regularly and to brush them outside once a day. Wash pet bedding regularly too, and don’t let your pets into the bedroom (no matter how much they scratch at the door)!

Preventing Allergens from Entering Your Home

When the snow has fully melted, and the daytime temperatures begin to rise, that’s the time to take action against allergies. The best way to keep your home allergen-free is to prevent pollen and spores from getting in, and there are a number of ways you can do this.

For one, keep your doors and windows closed whenever possible, and especially on high pollen days. You should also install HEPA filters on your air conditioner and on other fresh air intakes that come into the house.

Another way that allergens get into your home are on your skin, hair, and clothes, so shower and wash your clothes as soon as you come in from being outside. And to make sure that you aren't affected by the stragglers that manage to get inside, dust and vacuum twice a week to suck up allergens from around the house.

Here in Boston, MA, the temperatures are remaining cool enough that pollen counts are still low—for now. But warmer weather is in the forecast for early spring, which means allergy season will be here soon as well.

If you want to get a head start on symptoms, call the experts at Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning, serving the Boston, MA area, today at 617-566-6990 to get your filters installed, your air conditioner inspected, and other spring maintenance issues addressed now.

The start of a new year is all about making resolutions to be better. If you’re eating better, getting proper exercise and taking the time to treat yourself, why not go the extra mile and make sure your home is healthy in 2017?

There are numerous things you can do around the home to make your HVAC systems healthy, happy and efficient in the New Year. Here are a few simple ways to get started:

Clean Your HVAC Systems and Have them Inspected for Mold

Many HVAC systems use water in the unit as part of the condensing process. For instance, an AC system contains a drip tray for condensed water to drip into from the evaporator coil. Anytime there is water present; there is the danger for mold to grow.

Mold in your home is dangerous because it causes worsened allergy symptoms, respiratory disease and more. Having your HVAC systems cleaned and inspected for mold will ensure that they are operating safely and that no mold is growing.

Schedule a Duct Cleaning Appointment

Your ducts move conditioned air throughout your home. Although your air filters do a great job of filtering out most of the dust and debris in the air, there is some that still makes its way through. This dust, dander, allergens and other impurities collect in the ducts, over time.

Not only will dirty ducts cause your HVAC systems to work less efficiently, and, therefore cost more to operate, but dirty ducts also contribute to trouble breathing and increased allergy symptoms. Investing in duct cleaning is a great way to save money on your energy bills, improve the efficiency of your HVAC systems and ensure your family is breathing clean, fresh air.

Invest in a Humidity Control System

Finding the perfect humidity in your home can be a difficult task. If it’s too humid, you may experience discomfort or clamminess. Homes that are too dry can also cause breathing difficulties and discomfort. The solution is totally dependent on your unique needs. Either a dehumidifier or humidifier will provide relief from humidity-related discomfort:

Humidifiers

• Will relieve discomfort from a home that is too dry.
• Symptoms of overly dry homes include frequent nose bleeds, dry skin, increased allergy symptoms and more.
• Will also help in homes with wooden floors or beams. Often dry air can cause wood to warp.

Dehumidifiers

• Work best in homes with high humidity levels as they lower humidity without changing the temperature in the home
• They will reduce allergy symptoms and respiratory illness symptoms.
• Help prevent mold growth.
• Eliminate the sticky or clammy feeling associated with humidity.

For more help getting your home on the right track in 2017, contact Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning in Boston, MA. Call 617-566-6990 today for more information.