If you are a homeowner, you know the importance of keeping your heating and air conditioning units in tip-top condition. Doing this will not only save you money by keeping your appliances running efficiently, but it will also extend the useful operating life of these units, and you will avoid VERY costly total replacements. So, in this brief article I want to outline some tips and strategies that you, the average homeowner, can use.
But before you rush right out and start looking at your HVAC equipment, what about your house itself? Is it energy efficient? You can do things like install insulation (or more insulation - or better insulation) to help cut your costs. And you can place caulking around all of your windows, trapping the heat inside (in summer), or keeping the cold outside (in winter). You can also add some weatherstripping. One other essential: add a digital programmable thermostat to your line-up -- all of these things will help your fuel bill bottom-line.
If you are up to doing more significant projects, then you should purchase a whole-house humidifier. When you add moisture to your home's air, it will make you feel warmer and more comfortable in the winter months. In addition to a humidifier, you can purchase ceiling fans. These fans can be operated in both the summertime as well as in the winter - and they are quiet and energy efficient.
But of course: make sure that you have your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump inspected before the start of each heating and cooling season. They can perform cleaning and other preventative maintenance, and this will help keep small problems from becoming big, expensive ones.
One of your greatest allies is the government. They, as well as several non-profit organizations, maintain resource websites with all sorts of information. And if you are in need of a brand-new unit, make sure that you look for one that has met the qualifications to be listed as an ENERGY STAR appliance. These are appliances that are very efficient - the ones that you want to consider purchasing.
What are some of these online websites? Well you can go to www.consumerguide.com . Or you can go to the EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency) at www.epa.gov, or the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy at www.aceee.org. You can find those ENERGY STAR appliances I mentioned in the previous paragraph at www.energystar.gov.
A word of caution: if you are thinking of replacing your furnace, heat pump unit, or air conditioner, DON"T DO IT! Why not? Because installing (as well as servicing) these appliances requires the use of special tools, as well as know-how, that the average layperson is not privy to. If you attempt to install the unit yourself, and don't do it the right way, everything will have to be taken out and done all over -- by a professional. You might also void your manufacturer warranty, so don't take the chance.
The same thing goes for repairs: if your HVAC equipment - and of it - needs repairs, don't make the mistake of poking around it yourself. You might damage your unit even further, void the warranty, and even injure yourself of your family. Find a good, reliable HVAC technician, give him all of your business, and you'll surely rest easier at night.
Are you one of those people who just has a hard time making decisions? Maybe you worry that what you are interested in now may not be quite so interesting in 10 years. So, you put off making the decision whether or not to go to school again to learn a new trade. This way of thinking won't launch you into a new job. You can take action without regretting your decision to strengthen your education later. If you are mechanically inclined, even just a little bit, a diploma from a great heating and refrigeration (HVAC) technologies school could be just the career path you've been hoping to find.
Why would becoming an HVAC technician work for you? A diploma from an HVAC school gives you flexibility. With HVAC training, you can specialize in such areas as refrigeration or electrical work, but still have a significant background in heating and AC technologies. So, if you prefer one of these areas over another, you can work in that field or a broader field if you choose. You can work anywhere in the country from Phoenix, Arizona to Portland, Maine. You can go abroad and take your skills internationally, too. You can work for an organization or you can start your own business. With an education in HVAC technologies, you have all these options and more.
What will I learn in heating and AC school?
You will see how technicians repair and perform maintenance on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units and appliances. You will take courses where you learn by doing procedures yourself, rather than training from an educational textbook. You will also learn practical and applicable skills, so that once you complete your education, you know won't have to wonder how to begin your career. You'll be ready to jump right in.
No, seriously. Give me details. What will I learn in HVAC school?
Your class work will include both the overviews of how HVAC technology works and also the details of how to fix and maintain it. Your courses will include studying building codes, standards for air quality, and safety precautions when working with refrigerants. Training in HVAC structural design will also be a portion of your training and course work. You will learn many different types of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning unit designs, giving you the ability to be flexible and ready to tackle any type of machinery you happen to encounter in your job. You will learn the skills for applying repair and maintenance techniques to these various designs. Your education will include the finer points of working with technical equipment like motors, pumps, fans, and compressors. Even work on the electrical aspects of the HVAC units will be included in your training.
While repairing equipment is a large part of the job, performing routine maintenance procedures should also be expected. This includes performing diagnostics checks, but also dealing with the issues as they come up in these checks. You will have an education in trouble-shooting, so to speak. This attention to details and potential problems is very useful in the HVAC industry. A malfunctioning ventilation system can be very hazardous to those with severe asthma. Having a deep understanding of HVAC technology now will prepare you with training in anticipation of the evolving technology into new and more environment-friendly equipment.
But why learn the technologies now if they're going to change?
Evolving technologies are a reality of our modern society. How many new versions of the iPhone do you think Apple will introduce? These seemingly constant upgrades don't stop people from using the practical skills they learned in using their old phones and applying them to the new version. People learn to adapt by using what they already know. The same principle applies to training in HVAC technology. Learning a piece of technology now doesn't stop you from using a new version of it later. If anything, you are able to use new equipment better than others because you are familiar with the concepts and structure already. Some people make sure that they are up on the latest developments by attending seminars and going back for more classes in refrigeration school, just to brush up, but a good training program early on doesn't make this absolutely necessary.
Don't worry about studying HVAC now and losing interest later. People change jobs and careers more often than not these days. With an HVAC diploma though, you are allowing your future to be flexible. You will be prepared to change your focus if you want to, choose a different location to work in, or just find another job. HVAC training does not lock you in, but creates options for you.
Both Norman Fleming & Kristin Kronstain are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Norman Fleming has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Family and Careers and Job Hunting. About the author: Norman Fleming is a home heating expert. For tips about and. Norman Fleming's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
Kristin Kronstain has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Home Improvement and Education Toys. You can choose from a myriad of refrigeration schools, but only The Refrigeration School, Inc. can provide you with a unique blend of