Getting Your Home Air Conditioner Ready for Summer

Posted on March 20, 2023May 16, 2023 by PECO Heating & Cooling

Getting Your Home Air Conditioner
Ready For Summer

Summer may be months away, but spring is the perfect time to get your air conditioner prepped and ready for warm, sunny days ahead!

Your AC unit sits idle for months during the fall and winter, collecting leaves, twigs, and other debris. If you don’t do a bit of maintenance on it, you might need to have it serviced in the summer—and as the busiest time for AC repair, this means you may end up waiting longer to get your unit up and running again. By doing a little maintenance now, you can keep your AC running great all season long.

At PECO Heating & Cooling, we’re always happy to help you with any of your air conditioning needs. However, if you’d like to perform some basic maintenance yourself, here are a few helpful tips. Keep in mind that repairs should always be left to the professionals!

Understanding Your Air Conditioner

Central air conditioners have two primary components: the condenser, which is usually located outdoors, and an evaporator, which is mounted on the furnace or air handler. These two components work together to extract heat from the room using refrigeration technology. The furnace or air handler then blows the cooled, dehumidified air through the ducts and into the room.

1. Clean and/or Replace Your HVAC Filters

This is one of the easiest and most important types of AC maintenance you can perform yourself. Most HVAC systems use a reusable or replaceable filter, which is usually located inside the air-inlet side of the air handler or furnace. Some systems also use air filters in the return air registers throughout the home.

Air filters should be cleaned or replaced at least twice a year or whenever start looking clogged. If you have a large household, pets, or family members with allergies or other respiratory conditions, you may want to consider replacing them more frequently. Replacing your air filters will ensure the airflow doesn’t get restricted and allows your HVAC system to run more efficiently. Clean air filters also prevent dust from being recirculated in your home.

2. Clear Debris Away from the Condenser

After you’ve cleaned the condenser, remove any leaves or debris that have collected near its base. If your AC unit has a drain, make sure the drain is clear as well. Cut and remove any hedges, weeds or vines that could obstruct the condenser’s airflow.

3. Check the Coolant Lines

The refrigerant tubes or pipes that run from the evaporator are usually covered with foam insulation. If any of the insulation is damaged or missing, it should be replaced. Foam insulation sleeves can be purchased online or at a hardware store. Wrap the lines in a spiral around the tubes or pipes and secure them using foam insulation tape.

Your AC unit should start working again! If you have any issues, contact us to schedule an appointment.

Get Your AC Ready for Summer with Professional Maintenance & Repairs

PECO is here to help! We’ll perform a thorough inspection and cleaning of the entire system, including the electrical connections, wiring, refrigerant levels, and other components. Don’t wait until summer to get your AC in gear—call PECO today at (864) 639-2424 or schedule an appointment online.

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act: HVAC Federal Credit & Rebates Explained

Posted on October 19, 2022October 19, 2022 by Mark Pfeiffer

Have you been planning to upgrade your HVAC equipment? Great news—the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which was signed into law in August, may be able to help you save some money.

Investing $369 billion into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest federal legislation designed to include significant rebates and tax credits for homeowners who install new energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, and water heaters. Here’s a breakdown of each of these incentives.

The 25C Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Tax Credit

Although this tax credit has been available for a while, the IRA increased the value of the tax credit by 20%. Instead of being limited to 10% of your project costs, it’s now up to 30%—and it’s now possible to receive a benefit each year.

The tax credit, which can only be used to offset tax liability, has an annual cap of $1,200, including:

Up to $600 for a qualified air conditioner or gas furnace
Up to $2,000 for gas and electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and boilers

This incentive goes into effect in 2023, and if you’re eligible, can be claimed when you file taxes in 2024. There are no income requirements and it can’t be combined with other federal programs such as HEEHR or HOMES. However, the tax credit may be able to be combined with local or utility rebates. Homeowners who had eligible equipment installed on or after January 1, 2022, may also be eligible for retroactive tax credits under this program.

The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) Program

This new $4.275 billion program covers 100% of electrification project costs for low-income households and up to 50% of project costs for moderate-income households—up to $14,000 for both income groups. Qualifying projects and maximum rebate values include:

$8,000 for electric heat pumps
$4,000 for an electric panel upgrade
$2,500 for electric wiring
$1750 for an electric heat pump water heater
$1,600 for home insulation

Project costs include both purchase costs and installation costs; rebates are given as point-of-sale discounts.

The HOMES Rebate Program

Unlike the HEEHR program, the all-new $4.3 billion Home Energy Performance-Based Whole-House (HOMES) rebate program isn’t restricted by income levels; instead, they’re based on the performance of energy efficiency and electrification improvements installed in your home. For example, homeowners who install energy-efficient appliances that allow them to cut their energy usage by at least 35% can get up to $4,000 in rebates—and that amount is doubled for low- and middle-income households.

It’s important to know that you can’t participate in both the HEEHR and HOMES programs, so you’ll need to decide which program is right for your project. If you would like help deciding which program would be best, we’re always happy to help!

Should You Get Home Upgrades Now or Wait Until 2023?

Although these incentives can provide significant savings, there are several reasons why you may not want to wait until 2023 if you’ve been considering upgrading your home:

The current state and utility rebates you qualify for now may not be around in 2023—and depending on your income, the federal rebates may not be as much of an incentive. It’s not clear at this point how the federal rebates will work with existing state and utility programs; it’s possible the federal rebates will result in lower local rebates.
Inflation will likely continue (and possibly worsen) in 2023; the rise in equipment prices may offset some of the savings you would receive from the rebate programs.
Energy costs are rising, especially the cost of natural gas—and although costs are expected to stabilize, reducing your home’s energy use today is an excellent way to mitigate uncertainty about energy prices in the future.
Due to the rebate programs, there will be a higher demand for work for HVAC contractors in the future, which could delay your project. Getting ahead of the demand will ensure you have your new equipment installed in a timely manner.

In addition, you deserve comfort! If your existing equipment isn’t keeping your home comfortable, it’s not worth putting off the work for potential savings.

Contact PECO to Learn More

Regardless of when you’d like to upgrade your home, PECO Heating & Cooling is here to help! We’re happy to work with you to find the best upgrades and rebate programs to help you save money and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

If you’re interested in the 25C tax credit, all Dave Lennox Signature Collection products in the Ultimate Comfort System qualify; Lennox also offers an assortment of ENERGY STAR-certified products that are eligible for the rebate program, including the most efficient heat pump (SL25XPV), air conditioner (SL28XCV), and furnace (SLP99V) on the market. For more information on the IRA incentives contact your accountant or to schedule an installation, contact PECO today at 864-639-2424.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Posted on November 5, 2020November 5, 2020 by PECO Heating & Cooling

It’s autumn! You know what that means: nature changing colors, cozy sweaters, bonfires, candy in all the stores, crunchy leaves. It also means it’s time to do a home maintenance check. There are always maintenance or repairs to do on any property. We recommend keeping to a schedule where you keep a checklist for every season. That way, you know that these tasks are completed at least once yearly when you consult your seasonal checklist. For example, perhaps you make sure the windows are cleaned every spring.

There are optimal times to do different tasks. It makes sense to re-stain the deck in summer when it will dry quickly. Many fall maintenance tasks are getting ready for the winter ahead. Fall is the time you want to make sure your home is ready for winter so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises when it turns cold. Here’s our recommended maintenance list:

Test your outdoor stairs and railings. The last thing you want is to be coming in from the cold, grab the porch railing, and fall.
Store outdoor items for the winter. Many of us have deck furniture, umbrellas, BBQs, and other accessories. Clean these and put them away before they get damaged by rain or wind.
Walk around the outside of your home. Look for any cracks in the foundation or blistering in your siding. These problems should be fixed before cooling temps can damage the house further.
Carefully consider your roof. Do you know how old it is? Are there any signs of leaking? Repairing the roof before rain is always preferable to waiting until you have a flood of water in your home.
After leaves have fallen, clean out your gutters. Leaves and debris clog gutters, which can lead to water overflow and gutters falling because they are too heavy.
Weather-strip and/or insulate your garage door. These changes can make a big difference on the temperature inside your garage. The seal on the door also keeps out little critters who are looking for warmth.
Apply weather stripping and caulk to windows and doors. Air leaks around openings cause drafts and can significantly increase your heating bill.
If you have a humidifier, clean it at the beginning of the season before using it and make sure to regularly clean it. Humidifiers can harbor bacteria and spores if left uncleaned.
Change the direction of your ceiling fan. In the winter, you want your fan to create an upward draft, which will send the warm air by the ceiling down into the room.
Have your HVAC system checked by a professional before it gets cold. It’s better to make sure the system works before you get chilly!

If you need assistance with your home maintenance checklist, be sure to contact your local professionals at PECO. We would be happy to help!

Save the Day (and Lives!) with an Emergency or Whole House Generator

Posted on October 4, 2019March 2, 2020 by PECO Heating & Cooling

We all know why it is good to have a generator when the power goes out. A generator can keep your refrigerator, lighting, and (if you live rurally) water running. It can also be a lifesaver, literally, for those with certain medical conditions where electricity is required for home healthcare. In addition, the young and elderly are more at risk of heatstroke and a generator can help keep indoor temps down during a long-term outage.

save the day and lives with an emergency or whole house generator

Unfortunately, generators can also take lives when used improperly. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, generators caused more than 50 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. We urge you to keep your unit at least ten feet from your house to make sure that carbon monoxide gas doesn’t give you a headache, knock you out, or even kill you!

Gasoline vs. Propane/Natural Gas

We also recommend that you go with propane or natural gas versus gasoline. Though gasoline is a handy fuel, it has a definite shelf-life and must be stabilized when stored for long periods. Old gasoline can gum up the carburetor of a gas-powered generator, requiring attention over time. Propane, on the other hand, is safe and simple—no messy spills as you try to fill it. Just hook up a filled tank or natural gas line and go! Natural gas and LP is stable indefinitely requires less maintenance and you can get whole house service vs enough to run your refrigerator and a few lights.

Wire it Right!

You can use extension cords to power up individual devices with plugs, but hooking up essentials such as your furnace, air conditioner, well pump and pressure tank requires a transfer switch. A manual transfer switch is essentially a small circuit breaker box that you mount next to your main electrical panel. For most homeowners, it is best to use professionals for these types of installations. We can match the capacity of the transfer switch with the wattage of your generator. This is the only safe way to connect your generator to your house wiring. We ensure you house is disconnected from incoming power lines when you switch on the generator. This prevents back-feeding powerlines which can be a lethal hazard for utility workers attempting to get your electricity up and running.

Call the Professionals!

At PECO Heating and Cooling, we make professional installation of a manual transfer switch for your generator safe and affordable! We also provide a wide range of other electrical and plumbing and home maintenance and repair services. Did we mention that we’re the go-to HVAC experts for upstate South Carolina? To make sure you are ready for the next power outage, visit us online or call 864-639-2424 today to schedule an appointment.

Spring Into Maintenance Season

Posted on April 11, 2019October 11, 2019 by PECO Heating & Cooling

Spring is the perfect time of year to perform any home maintenance that has been on hold over the winter. The wintertime brings harsh weather that adds wear and tear to your home, most of which isn’t obvious at first glance. To keep your home in excellent condition all year round and prevent expensive repairs, we recommend checking your house from top to bottom to catch up on any maintenance issues. While it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start with spring cleaning and maintenance, we’ve made this handy checklist outlining some of the areas that are hit hardest by the wintery elements.

Inspection – Start by taking a good look around the outside of your home; do you notice any signs of wear and tear? Are there shingles that have shifted on your roof? Gutters that need repair? Check the siding on your house, your door and window seals – are there any areas that look worn or damaged? By giving your house a thorough once-over, you’ll be able to catch any problems before they have the chance to worsen and cause costly repairs. Head inside and check the window and door seals again, noting any cracks or moisture trapped between the panes. Now is also a great time to check your carbon monoxide and fire detectors and change the batteries if needed.

Windows – After winter weather it’s likely your windows can use a little attention! If you feel comfortable cleaning them yourself, use a squeegee or soft cloth with a mixture of equal parts hot water and white vinegar to clean that wintertime grime away. Don’t forget the screens; clean them using a mild detergent and allow them to completely dry before hanging them back on your windows. Note any holes in the screens- these should be fixed or replaced prior to summer to prevent any insects from coming into the house.

Gutters – Gutters take a particular beating during the winter! Spring is the perfect time to clean any leaves, twigs, or other debris that may have accumulated in them during winter storms. Safely climb a ladder and remove any debris, then run a hose up to your roof and make sure your gutters and have proper drainage and that the downspouts send the water flowing away from your home’s foundation. Also, be sure to check that all the downspouts are securely attached to your home.

Hardscaping – Wintertime temperatures can be hard on your driveways and walkways; check all the hardscaping for cracks, chips or other damage. Small cracks can often be repaired on your own, but larger areas may require a professional’s touch.

Woodwork – Winter moisture can be tough on woodwork around your home, such as decks, siding, and railings. Spring is the perfect time to power wash and reseal any wood prior to warm summer weather. Note any signs of wood damage that may need to be replaced.

Grills – Summertime means barbecuing, making spring the perfect season to prep your grill. For charcoal grills, it’s pretty straightforward- clean out ant ash or grease that may have accumulated. If you have a gas grill, it’s a good idea to check the lines to make sure there are no leaks. Coat the lines with soapy water and turn on the gas. If there are any leaks, you’ll see soap bubbles form at the leak site. Always be sure to keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house and at least 5 feet away from anything combustible.

HVAC – Your HVAC system has likely been used a lot over the winter; servicing it in the spring ensures that your system is clean and ready to go for the summer months. This year the pollen count has been extremely high, and pollen is sticky gets into the outdoor and indoor coils. The last thing you want is to discover you have an issue that needs to be fixed in the middle of a heat wave! The skilled technicians at PECO can quickly help you with all your HVAC maintenance, including cleaning and replacing air filters. Ask our Service Expert about whole house filtration options.

Irrigation – Before you begin watering your garden or yard this spring turn on all your irrigation, checking for any leaks, off-kilter sprinkler heads, or other malfunctions. Doing this will prevent significant water waste and potential water damage to your foundation, woodwork, or other parts of your home.

Hopefully, this list made it easier to know where to start with your spring cleaning and maintenance! If you’re unable to do any of your home upkeep due to time constraints, physical constraints, or lack of proper tools, contact us at PECO! We’re your friendly home maintenance experts handling all types of home repair, from gutters to decks and more. We’ll help you get your home in perfect order and ready to weather another year.

Feeling sick and can’t quite figure out why? It may be your AC!

Posted on January 16, 2019 by PECO Heating & Cooling

Heating has been around far longer than air conditioning. In the 1960s, only 12% of people had AC in their homes. While heat has been a necessity for those living in cold climates, air conditioner has been more of a luxury turning into something we depend on. However, routine maintenance is crucial for both your health and the life of your AC. If your AC system is badly maintained, old, or poorly designed, it can easily become contaminated and harmful. Essentially, the air you breathe will start to hurt you. Those with asthma and allergies have it worse than others, but they’d be the first to notice the harm of a contaminated AC system.

Have you ever heard of sick-building syndrome? Maybe heard someone say, “being here is making me feel sick, I’ve got to go”. The most likely cause for this is that there are some microorganisms growing in the air conditioning system. Unlike heating systems surrounding you, the air conditioning process creates added moisture and condensation, which must be channeled away. By not partaking in regular scheduled maintenance on your unit, you risk bacteria and fungi growing and causing harm to you and those around you. It can get as scary as risk of pre-mature death to increased hospital admissions due to cardiovascular issues. AC does have its benefits too aside from the comfort of cool air. The AC filters out particles in outdoor pollutants. During intense heat waves, air conditioning systems save lives. You can even use yours to contribute to bettering the environment. Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter benefits the environment and will not affect anyone’s health. It’ll also save you a few bucks on your utility bill. Who doesn’t love to save money?

PECO Heating & Cooling specializes in repair, replacement, and maintenance of residential and commercial AC systems. We offer same day or next day service calls for repairs, and have 24 hours a day answering service and online chat. Our expertise, promptness, and customer service make us the best choice for heating, cooling, and electrical needs. Whether you need a diagnostic, repairs, or installation, you can rely on our experienced team. We stand by our work and offer a 1-year parts and labor warranty on all repairs. Contact us today to set up an appointment at (864)-639-2424.

The Importance of Planned Maintenance

Posted on October 30, 2018 by PECO Heating & Cooling

Home-ownership is full of highs and lows, from the joy of making that first offer on your new home to the frustration of having to make yet another repair. It’s a fair amount of work, but it’s also a great joy. For many people, making the shift from apartment renter to homeowner involves a significant learning curve. You no longer have a landlord to call up whenever something goes wrong, and at the end of the day, your property is completely your responsibility. You can’t simply let your lease run out and move somewhere new. You’ve put down roots and you have to make sure those roots continue to get what they need so the tree can grow. The Importance of Planned Maintenance

One of the most important things you can do to take care of your home is schedule regular planned maintenance appointments for all your major systems, including heating, cooling, electrical, and appliances, as well as routine maintenance on essential areas of your home like gutter repair and cleaning, drywall repair, and more. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say, and ensuring your home receives regular maintenance is the best way to locate and fix small problems before they get worse and you end up with a massive repair bill.

Planned maintenance is pretty simple in theory. A contractor or inspector comes out to your home to look everything over and make any recommendations for repairs as necessary. They may also replace small parts and filters as well as clean a system for better efficiency. It’s always better to schedule recommended repairs sooner rather than later so that you can avoid the problem worsening and causing you more problems later. Efficient systems aren’t only less likely to need major repairs, they’re also more energy-efficient, saving you big on your power bills. Even seemingly minor repairs can make a big difference in how your home operates.

At PECO Heating and Cooling, we offer a full range of home repair and planned maintenance services. Our team of expert contractors does HVAC maintenance and repair, plumbing, electrical, and home repair including home inspections, remodels, carpentry, drywall repair, gutter cleaning, painting, window installation, and lots more. If your home needs it, we can do it.

Need more of a reason to call now and schedule maintenance for your home’s systems? Consider your family’s safety. A good inspection can uncover potentially dangerous issues like faulty wiring or a water heater that’s rusting through. Avoid a potential disaster like a fire or electrical short by keeping up with your planned maintenance. Any questions? Let us know!

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Category: Planned Maintenance