RSI Carolina - Greenville SC Heating and Cooling, Repair and Installation
Furnace Inspections, for Health and Safety.
by Randall Rainey on 01/02/12
Its that time of year again when we finally have to give in and turn the thermostat to heat mode. We've had a very warm winter so far but this January promises to be a cold one. Before the snow comes, heres a very important safety measure to take before turning on your heat.
Make sure you have a furnace inspection to make sure Carbon Monoxide is staying out of the air your family breathes. If you have a furnace that burns a fuel, it uses a heat exchanger to contain the flames used to heat the air coming from your ducts. If a crack develops in this heat exchanger, the exhaust from the burners can enter your home. These cracks can be very small and can go undetected to the homeowner. A cracked heat exchanger can not only cause loss of efficiency, but they can be deadly in some cases. If you notice a drop in temperature, funny odor, or have a carbon monoxide alarm going off in your furnace, contact RSI immediatley.
Also, if you have a heat pump or electric furnace and notice a loss of heat, or higher electric bill this year, dont ignore it. RSI can diagnose it and fix it in a timely and affordable manner. RSI is the Upstate's leader in furnace repair, installation and service and we would love to show you why.
My heat stopped working, what should I do now?
by Randall Rainey on 11/17/11
Its starting to get cold out and you notice that your HVAC system isn't heating like it should be, heres some simple steps to get your home warm.
1. Check your thermostat. Make sure the system is set to the "HEAT" position and that the fan is either turned to "AUTO" or "ON".
2. If you have gas heat, make sure that your gas valve is turned to the open position to your furnace.
3. Check for flipped breakers and blown fuses. Always use caution when opening electrical panels.
4. If you have a heat pump, check your outdoor unit for ice, if so allow proper time for the unit to defrost. Make sure you don't turn the unit off when it begins to blow slightyly colder air, its part of the defrost process and shouldn't last long.
5. Check your air filters and make sure they are clean.
6. If you have a heat pump and the emergency heat light is on for long periods of time, it is very important to get your unit serviced ASAP. Not doing so will increase your energy bills tremendously.
7. If you still dont have heat, call RSI at 864-292-0092 and schedule and inspection.
Freon Phase out?
by Randall Rainey on 05/24/11
Is your home ready for the R-22 "Freon" Phase Out?
The 1990 Clean Air Act identified refrigerant R-22 (Freon), the longtime industry standard refrigerant used in most air conditioning and heat pump systems, must be phased out. With the use of virgin R22 banned from December 31st next year industry sources warn that R22 price rises will rise each quarter between now and phaseout.
Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. agreed to meet certain obligations by specific dates that will affect the residential heat pump and air-conditioning industry:
Phase Out Schedule
January 1, 2004:
The Montreal Protocol required the U.S. to reduce its consumption by 35 percent below the baseline cap by January 1, 2004. As of January 1, 2003, EPA banned production and import of HCFC-141b, the HCFC with the highest ODP. This action allowed the United States to meet its obligations under the Montreal Protocol. EPA also issued baseline allowances for production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. EPA allocated 100 percent of the U.S. consumption and production caps by allocating both consumption and production allowances to individual companies for HCFC-141b, HCFC-22, and HCFC-142b.
January 1, 2010:
After 2010, chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment. As a result, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system manufacturers will only be able to use pre-existing supplies of R-22 to produce new air conditioners and heat pumps. These existing supplies would include R-22 recovered from existing equipment and recycled.
January 1, 2020:
Use of existing refrigerant, including refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled, will be allowed beyond 2020 to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service existing air conditioners and heat pumps.
The alternative: Puron.
Extensive testing in hundreds of thousands of homes has proven that Puron Refrigerant is superior to R-22 not only in environmental safety, but in performance and energy efficiency. These outstanding results have made Puron Refrigerant the universally accepted, long-term refrigerant for the heating and cooling industry.
Is Puron Refrigerant Right For You?
If you are considering upgrading your air conditioner or heat pump, keep in mind that Puron Refrigerant-based products offer several homeowner benefits, including:
Energy Efficiency — Most of our Puron Refrigerant air conditioners and heat pumps offer higher efficiency ratings. Puron Refrigerant's heat-transfer properties lend themselves to higher-efficiency performance.
Future Cost Of Service Savings — Because of U.S. government restrictions on future production, refrigerants with ozone-harming CFCs, the refrigerant used in most of today's heat pumps and air conditioners, will become harder to find and, eventually, more expensive. Upgrading to Puron Refrigerant now can help you avoid the potential rising cost of servicing most of today's air conditioners and heat pumps.
Reliability — Air conditioners and heat pumps with Puron Refrigerant have become the most reliable products in the industry.
All new AC systems installed by RSI are Puron systems.
How to save energy today
by Randall Rainey on 05/24/11
Here are some steps that you can take to make sure you are getting the most out of your AC while saving energy and money.
1. Filters: often the least expensive part of your system and one of the easiest to maintain, filters can be overlooked and forgotten. Cleaning or replacing your filters once a month is the first step in saving money because a dirty filter causes the A/C to work harder, thereby using more electricity.
2. Keep your vents and intake registers free of dust and obstructions. A vent or register with obstructed air-flow works much harder than necessary.
3. Make sure the condensate drain is draining properly and is free of obstruction.
Check for excessive condensate while the unit is in operation.
Excessive condensate can indicate a problem, possibly serious, especially if it's observed on a dry day.
4. A Programable Thermostat and drastically lower your cost by making running your AC only when needed.
5. Keep the compressor unit clear of debris, such as grass, leaves, etc. These will obstruct air-flow and make the unit work harder than necessary.
6. Have seasonal checks of your systems each year. Your equipment should be thoroughly inspected before cold weather and again before hot weather to insure proper operation. RSI offers a maintenance plan that includes two complete, seasonal checks each year at a significant savings. Call us today for more information!
My AC has stopped working, what now?
by Randall Rainey on 05/24/11
Its the middle of the summer and your AC has gone out,what now? The following is a list of common AC problems and solutions to help get you cool and comfortable again. A/C fan is not turning: This problem will require a technician, as it most like a frozen motor or a bad start capacitor. It could be the fan motor itself. Air comes out but not cool: When an air conditioner runs but doesn't cool it may just need to be cleaned. You'll want to do this on a relatively warm day. The best bet is always to refer to your owner's manual and follow those instructions. If you can't find it, request one from the manufacturer. To clean the filter, remove it from the furnace or air handler, usually located inside or very near the air inlet side. Replace it with a disposable filter or clean the reusable filter according to the manufacturer directions. Always follow the manufacturer's directions or call a tech from RSI to install one. Things to remember: 1) Always make sure the thermostat it is set to "cool" rather than "heat." 2) The power should be off either at the disconnect panel on the house wall next to the outdoor compressor or at the 240-volt circuit at the main electrical panel. 3) Keep the area around the unit clear. Rake leaves and debris away from the outdoor condenser. 4) Be careful not to pull any wires loose. 5) If your owner's manual calls for lubricating the motor, make sure to schedule lubrication. 6) Never try to take apart your unit. 7) Avoid straining the compressor by waiting at least five minutes between turning it off at the thermostat and turning it back on. If none of the following work It is likely that the refrigerant may need to be recharged or it could be a more serious problem. A/C unit does not turn on: It could be any number of problems, including a dirty air filter, a dirty coil (behind) the air filter, a dirty outdoor coil (which you can't see since inside the unit), low fan speed or it's in need of a coolant charge. You'll need an an air conditioning technician to diagnose the problem. If you have any further questions turn to an expert at RSI for quick and friendly help. 864-292-0092
