COOL YOUR HOME, SAVE ENERGY & SAVE MONEY!

According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the average household spends about 20% of their energy bills towards cooling. By improving your homes energy efficiency, you will be saving energy, which results in saving money. How you ask? It’s easy! Listed below are a few simple steps that will increase your homes energy efficiency and help you save money!

• Program your thermostat around your family’s summer schedule. Set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home. By doing so, the A/C will NOT be cooling an empty house.
• Use a programmable thermostat. Studies show that proper use of a programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 a year.
• Check your filter every month. If the filter is dirty, change it. Filters should be changed every three months regardless. A dirty filter can make the unit work harder to produce cool air, which uses more energy.
• Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. You can raise your thermostat 2 degrees by using your ceiling fan to circulate the air. Remember, the ceiling fan is used to cool you and not the room. When you leave the room, be sure to turn the fan off.
• Pull curtains and shades as much as possible. By doing so, you are blocking out the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home.
• Remember to have your HVAC system serviced annually to ensure it is running at the optimum efficiency. By having a Preventative Maintenance plan and getting your HVAC system serviced regularly, you can improve the performance and longevity of your air conditioning unit.
• Have your air ducts checked for leaks. If your air ducts are leaking, you should have them sealed.
• Make sure the air conditioning grilles are properly sealed to the floor and at the ceiling. This is a place where air leaks, which results in more energy consumption.

By following these simple steps, you will increase your homes energy efficiency, increase the longevity of your air conditioning unit and increase the amount of money in your pocket! Let the savings begin!

Air Design Systems provides HVAC Preventative Maintenance plans designed to prolong equipment life, increase operating efficiency and reduce equipment operating cost. For more information about HVAC Preventative Maintenance plans, call 202-COOL and set up your appointment today!

Visit us online at www.airdesignhvac.com for more information!

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR TOILET IS LEAKING?

Toilets are one of the most common sources of leaks in the home, usually unnoticed by the residents because the leaks are often silent and out of view. Most toilet leaks will send the waste water directly into the sewer line without detection by residents. Several research studies have found 20% to 35% of all residential toilets leak to some degree. These leaks, if undetected and/or unattended, can cause a significant price increase in ones water bill.

Large toilet leaks can be detected when the valve constantly emits a hissing or gurgling sound when the toilet is not in use. Smaller, though significant, leaks require further investigation. Removing the tank lid to inspect the flush mechanisms is the first step.

The water level in the tank should be no higher than 1-inch below the top of the overflow tube. Some tanks require a lower water level, but are never higher than 1-inch. If the water level is to the very top of the overflow tube, water is slowly leaking into the overflow tube and down into the drain. The problem has one of three causes:

1. The water level is adjusted too high.
2. The float is damaged and not shutting off the refill valve.
3. The refill valve (ball-cock assembly) is worn and needs replacement.

Performing a dye test will allow detection of leaks in the flapper valve. Test procedures include placing dye tablets into the tank water which causes the water to turn dark blue. If the dark blue water appears in the bowl within 15 minutes, there is a leak in the flapper valve.

There are several causes for these leaks, but flapper valves are the most common problem. The flapper provides the barrier that holds the water in the tank until the user activates the flush handle by pulling on the chain attached to the flapper valve. When the flapper is raised, the water in the tank rushes into the bowl creating the flush. After the flush is complete, the flapper falls back down onto the valve seat to retain the water as the tank refills. Leaks occur when the flapper valve does not create a watertight seal. The seal can be compromised due to several reasons:

1. The most common cause is due to a worn or warped flapper.
2. The chain could be snagging resulting in the flapper not able to drop completely onto the valve seat.
3. The valve seat is worn.

These common problems are an easy and affordable fix. Our certified plumbers are standing by and are ready to repair all of your plumbing needs in a timely and cost efficient manner. Call 202-COOL for an appointment.

Ever have a plumbing problem late at night or on the weekends? No problem! Air Design Systems provides 24-hour on-call plumbing and air conditioning service at no additional after-hour charge. Call 202-COOL night or day, Air Design Systems is on the way!

For more information, visit our website http://www.airdesignhvac.com/

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTER?

Changing your air filter is one of the most important maintenance task you can do as a homeowner. The number of times that you change your air filter depends on the impurities that is returned to the unit. Listed below are some of the scenarios that may impact the frequency of filter changes.

• If you have pets, the pet dander and hair can be returned to the unit.
• The number of children you have impacts the amount of dust and dirt that is introduced to the filter.
• The more tile or hardwood floors you have in lieu of carpet allows more dust and dirt to access the filter.
• The type of vaccum you use on your carpet may impact filter changes.

For more information about changing your air filter visit us at www.airdesignhvac.com or call us at 202-COOL