Showing posts with label Do It Yourself. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Do It Yourself. Show all posts

Easy Home Maintenance Tips To Save Energy


Your furnace is one of the most important systems in your home so regular maintenance is crucial to keep it operating at peak efficiency and to avoid expensive repairs and replacement costs. Surgi's Heating and Air Conditioning offers 7 day a week service as well as regular maintenance packages on all air conditioning and heating systems. Here are a few tips on things you can do yourself to keep your furnace working all year long.

One of the easiest home maintenance chores anyone can do is adding or repairing weatherstripping around movable doors and windows. A visit to your local home improvement store is a good place to start as weatherstripping comes in a large variety of materials. Once you know the proper type for your needs, most are easy to install yourself.

Caulking around windows and doors is another easy home maintenance chore to prevent air loss. You can feel for air leaks on a windy day by lighting an incense stick and moving it around the edges of windows, exterior doors, and floorboards to see if a draft blows the smoke. Spider webs are also a good indication there is a draft. On certain windows, you can consider adding a layer of durable plastic to prevent leaking.

Many homes lose a lot of energy through unfinished attics. Adding additional insulation to your attic floor can be easy by using insulation batts and rolls. Typically, 12 inches of insulation is required to adequately insulate a home from heat and cold air loss through the attic so check how much you have now and then add the appropriate amount. Inside your home, if you don't have insulation in the walls, you can have insulation blown into wall spaces through holes cut in the drywall.

Once you make sure your home is insulated and air tight, call Surgi's to make sure your furnace is operating as efficiently as possible. We’ve been helping residential and commercial clients maintain heating and cooling systems in the New Orleans area since 1964. For more information, call 469-4232 or click the service button below.

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 


Questions?  Call 469-4232.

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

Read Unbiased Consumer Reviews Online at AngiesList.com


Preparing Your Heater For Fall


Heating and Air Conditioning System Maintenance Tips

Following are a few things that are essential for you to look at when it comes to your heating and cooling system for fall readiness. Even though a thorough system check should be performed by a professional home heating and air conditioning company there are many things you can do on your own.
  • You should change your filter as often in the winter as in the summer. Once a month is optimal for smooth operation of your system.  The most highly rated filters are not necessarily the best for your system.  Equipment manufacturers recommend 1 square foot of filter per ton of air conditioning.  This allows the free flow of air into the system.  If your filter size is less than 144 sq. in. per ton consider using an inexpensive non-pleated filter.  If your filter size is at one square foot per ton you can use one of the new pleated filters.  Remember to change it once a month.  Use a filter that is highly-rated and right for your home situation. If you have pets or allergy sufferers there are filters to help with those along with many other types available.

Do It Yourself Air Conditioning Maintenance and Repair


Surgi's realizes that air conditioning service can sometimes be expensive.  If you are handy around the house and wish to save money by doing some cleaning, upgrades or repairs yourself we are happy to offer phone advice and instructions at no charge.

The following links may be helpful:

It is not difficult to clean your condenser coil, blower wheel, or surface clean your evaporator coil.  If you need advice call us at 469-4232 and we will be happy to have one of our service techs walk you through the process.



Call Surgi's Free Advice Line
469-5196

Want a new thermostat?  Call us for advice on the proper type and we'll walk you through the installation.  Stuck in the middle of a project?  Call and we'll try to get you out of a bind.  

You have little to lose.  Grab a hose, brush or nut driver and give it a shot.  We'll be here to keep you out of trouble.  Got in a little over your head?  We're still there for you at regular service rates.

We still recommend that you have your air conditioning and heating cleaned by a professional at least once a year.  But, any work you can do will benefit your systems.

Surgi's has several maintenance plans from a comprehensive cleaning of the entire system to our annual Gold Star Service Plan which offers 15% discount on repairs, 5% discount on replacement components and guaranteed same day service,
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Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

Read Unbiased Consumer Reviews Online at AngiesList.com


When It's Time To Take A Peek At Your Air Conditioner

Now is the time that air conditioners are most vulnerable to breakdowns due to neglect.

It's a long summer and it's been a while since you had your air conditioner cleaned and checked.  Save yourself and your air conditioner by pulling weeds and plants away from the condenser.  There should be at least 12" of clearance so the air conditioner can breathe.  While you're at it, get your hose and gently wash off the coil.  Spray from the inside out if you can.

Just these random acts of kindness will relieve the stress on the system until it is professionally cleaned in the Spring.

Don't want to fool with it?  Call Surgi's at 469-4232.  We'll be happy to do it for you.

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

Read Unbiased Consumer Reviews Online at AngiesList.com


Join Surgi's Heating And Air On The Web! Like Us On Facebook


Let's be friends.  Surgi's friends are getting inside advice and alerts on the latest way to be healthy and save money on utilities.  Like Surgi's on Facebook and get a free service call ($98 value) not including repairs.  

Need a new system?  Surgi's can help.  Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 

Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!

While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:

Read Unbiased Consumer Reviews Online at AngiesList.com


Starting Your Furnace For The First Time


With the first cold front of the year comes the ritual of starting the home's furnace for the first time.  Surgi's recommends the following simple procedure to start your gas furnace.

12 STEPS TO START YOUR FURNACE 
  1. Make sure your thermostat is in the Off position.  Open all air grilles in the floor or ceiling.  Change the filters in your system. 
  2. Go outside and look up at your flue pipe.  It should be capped with a galvanized cap and be at least 2' above the roof. 
  3. Visually inspect the furnace.  Look for signs of damage to the cabinet, gas line, and flue pipe.  If you smell gas DO NOT CONTINUE.  Call Surgi's at 469-4232 for service.
  4. Move all boxes and storage items at least 2 feet away from the furnace and off of the top of the furnace and the ductwork. 
  5. Make sure the gas valve handle near the furnace is parallel to the pipe.  This indicates that the gas is turned on.  (If the handle is perpendicular to the gas pipe the gas is off.) 
  6. Turn the power switch (looks like a regular light switch on the power line running to the heater) off, wait 10 seconds and turn it back on.  This will reset the heater control board and eliminate any errors that may have occurred since last winter. 
  7. Now, turn the thermostat to Auto and Heat.  Raise the temperature setting to 5-10 degrees above the present room temperature and go to the furnace and observe the following operating signs. 
  8. First, the tiny fan motor inside the heater will begin to run.  This is called the induced draft motor and it pushes air up the flue pipe to start a draft. 
  9. After 10-20 seconds you will hear a hissing sound of the gas being turned on and  rapid popping sounds.  This is the electronic ignition sparking to ignite the gas.  When the gas ignites you will hear the normal whooshing sound of ignition. 
  10. The main fan will not come on until the heat exchanger inside the furnace reaches the proper temperature (30 seconds to 1 minute). 
  11. After the main fan starts continue to observe the furnace and surrounding areas for a few minutes to make sure that everything seems safe.  Walk around your home and make sure each room is receiving heat.
  12. Turn the heater off by lowering the desired temperature to the present room temperature.  You will observe the furnace shutting down by 1) Gas shuts off and flames go out. 2) Induced fan motor shuts off.  3) Main fan shuts off when furnace cools off.
 If you have any problems, the system does not follow the steps above or something just doesn't "feel" right call us.  We will be happy to walk you through the process on the phone at no charge.  Usually it's something simple.  Just call us at 469-4232. 

If you would like a professional cleaning and start up or you want an estimate on a new furnace Surgi's can help.  Remember, Surgi's offers free second opinions. 

Need a healthier, more comfortable life?  We can change the way you feel about your home. 
 
Call 469-4232 for a free estimate today!
 
While you are researching try the following articles on Surgi's website:
Surgi's Smoke Test
Free Second Opinions
 
38 Ways To Save Money On Air Conditioning

Reprinted from an article published on Bounce Energy Blog By Stephanie, July 12, 2012

This practical list is the best and most comprehensive accumulation of energy saving tips for air conditioning your home:

1. Move/place the air conditioner (A/C) unit on north-facing walls in a shady spot.
2. Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius.
3. Use ceiling fans and fans to help circulate cool air.
4. Install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
5. Take lukewarm showers to avoid heat-holding humid air.
6. Make sure your A/C and dehumidifiers are the right size for the job.
7. Close shades, drapes, and blinds on days to help keep hot air out.
8. Use microwaves and counter top appliances instead of stoves and ovens.
9. Fire up the grill on hotter days.
10. Turn water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Put in fluorescent light bulbs (they use less electricity and create much less heat).
12. Wash your dishes and laundry in the evenings; use cold water for clothes and hang up clothes outside for drying.
13. Wear thin material, light-colored clothes to keep body cooler.
14. Turn your pool filter off when not in use (especially overnight).
15. Put in a programmable thermostat.