Your Common HVAC Questions Answered

You rely on your HVAC to keep you and your family comfortable through brutal North Carolina summers and brisk, chilly winters, but there’s a lot you may not know about your heating and air conditioning system. At Bowman Mechanical, we’ve served the Garner and Raleigh areas for over 30 years and have found that most people have the same questions, so we wanted to take the opportunity to answer them on our website because you probably have the same questions and concerns.

How Can I Make My HVAC More Efficient?

If you dread opening your energy bills during the hot and cold months, you probably want to know ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and your HVAC unit so you stay comfortable but lower the bills. A few tips include:

• Get a programmable thermostat so you can adjust the temperature when you’re not home, and set to your preferred temperature before you walk in the door. A programmable or smart thermostat can reduce your heating and cooling bills by as much as 30 percent.
• Replace your air filters once a month and clean your air intake vents to keep air moving freely through the unit.
• Use energy efficient shades and curtains to keep the heat out and block drafts in the winter.
• Trim vegetation and plants away from your outside unit to avoid leaves and moisture from getting into the system. If possible place it in a shaded area to prevent it from overheating.
• Use ceiling and floor fans to keep air circulating through the home and allowing you to set your thermostat higher in the summer.

How Can I Increase the Lifespan of My Air Conditioner?

We know that AC repairs and having to replace your heating and air conditioning system can take a major bite out of your budget so you want it to run smoothly and last as long as possible. The best ways to do this are to keep it running efficiently and follow the tips listed above, make sure you keep the air filters changed, and have it serviced twice a year by a certified HVAC technician who will clean and lubricate essential components while also checking for areas of concern.

Is Preventative Maintenance Necessary?

Your HVAC system works hard almost all year long, and that takes its toll, and preventative maintenance helps minimize the wear and tear your system goes through. It’s like having your car’s oil changed – you can go without that service, but your car won’t run very well after awhile and it’s lifespan will be much shorter than if you made the small investment in keeping it maintained.

HVAC maintenance is simply having it inspected by a certified technician who makes sure it’s in good working condition and makes sure the parts and components are cleaned, lubricated, and changed as needed. Doing this not only reduces repairs, it keeps it running safely and at peak efficiency.

Should I Repair or Replace My HVAC Unit?

When something goes wrong with your heating and air conditioning system, the question we’re asked most often is if it can be repaired or if an HVAC replacement is necessary. A general guideline is the “Rule of 5,000.” Basically, you multiply the cost of the repair by the age of the unit. If the total is over 5,000, it’s generally recommended to replace the system. For example, a $450 repair on a 12 year old system is 5,400, so it may be better in the long run to replace the unit since it’s nearing the average end of its lifespan.

At Bowman Mechanical, we help our customers make the best decision for their home and their budget to repair or replace their HVAC system.

How Do I Know How Large of a Unit My Home Needs?

This is one of the few questions we can’t answer without knowing how large your home is and your specific needs. Guess-timating leads to having a system that is too large which can cool your home too quickly and lead to short cycling, where the system kicks on, gives out a blast of cool air, then shuts down. This is inefficient and can wear out your system quickly. On the other hand, estimating a system that’s too small means your home won’t be comfortable and it will run constantly.

Having an experienced technician come out and look over your location is the only way to determine the right size.

Contact Us for HVAC Service in Garner Today

If you’d like to extend the life of your HVAC system with seasonal maintenance, or your system hasn’t been running like it should be, reach out to our team. Give us a call at 919-944-4603 or fill out our contact form below to schedule service or get a free estimate!