Choosing the Right Electric Generator for Your Needs
September 23, 2016
The home contains a lot of appliances and devices that make our lives more comfortable and convenient. The air conditioning system cools us down when the temperatures get very warm. The furnace warms the home when the weather cools down. The electricity provides power to many of our daily used devices, including our refrigerator to store our foods, our stoves to cook our foods, our laptops, cellular phones and TVs for entertainment. Without these devices and appliances, we would be uncomfortable. This is why it is so important to keep up with things like preventative maintenance and repairs. They prevent inconvenient breakdowns from occurring and can save you a ton of money by not having to replace your devices as often.
A homeowner should complete regular maintenance on their heating and cooling systems. This preventative maintenance should be completed prior to heavy use and then again, after the season is over. The maintenance prior to the season prevents you from being left in the cold or the heat with no working furnace or air conditioning unit. Many of the preventative maintenance steps can actually be completed by you, the homeowner. For example, for low heating and cooling bills, change air filters once a month. At a minimum, change the filter every three months.
Homeowners can also take other steps to reduce their heating and cooling costs and to prolong the working of their units. Sometimes replacing an outdated air conditioning unit can improve functionality and also lower the cooling costs of the home. If your air conditioner is old, consider buying an energy efficient model. Look for ENERGY STAR labels, qualified room air conditioners are 10% more efficient, and qualified central units are about 15% more efficient than standard models.
A homeowner can also improve their heating and cooling units by improving the insulation of their homes and ensuring that the air ducts are properly cleaned. Regular cleaning of the air ducts allows the air and the heat to flow easier, which can also lead to fewer repairs needed. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%, and sometimes much more.
Updating your heating and cooling system and completing necessary preventative maintenance is the best way to increase the functionality and the life of your HVAC units. They can also prevent untimely repairs being needed, preventing you from being left in the cold or the extreme heat.
Sometimes the problem with your heating and cooling systems is the electricity itself. If you experience a power outage, you are likely to lose heat and air, as well. This can be very troublesome during the extreme weather months. A generator installation can prevent this from occurring. Electric generators provide many benefits, and may even be a necessity for some homes. Residential generators are useful machines as they can provide you with power, thus providing you with heat and air conditioning when your power goes out. Electric generators, however also require generator preventative maintenance.
There are different types of electric generators available. It is important to evaluate and consider a variety of options, deciding which one works best for your needs. If you have a larger home, for example, you may need a larger generator. Smaller homes or apartment units may be able to fully function off of a smaller generator. If you are wondering how electric generators work, it is important to discuss with your electrician or your generator salesperson for safe working tips.
The air conditioning and heating units are very important parts of our home. They provide comfort in the most extreme of weather conditions. However, preventative maintenance and immediate repairs are needed to extend the life of your units and to ensure that they are properly working year round. A generator may be beneficial when power outages prevent you from being comfortable with your HVAC unit. An electric generator comes in all types and sizes, and consulting with an electric generator consultant can be helpful in choosing the right model for your needs.