Maintaining a home comes with a lot of essential tasks to remember. One of those routine jobs is replacing the air filter in your HVAC system, helping your heating and cooling appliances function better, achieve your desired temperatures, and last longer. However, not all homeowners know how often to change the air filter in their HVAC systems.

Learn about changing the air filters in your heating, ventilation, and cooling system, then contact Eazy Breezy Heating & Air Conditioning, a reliable HVAC company in Tucson, AZ. We provide excellent heating and air conditioning services and can help you maintain your HVAC system.

Why Changing Your HVAC System’s Air Filter Matters

Your heating and cooling system needs a clean air filter to operate at maximum efficiency. Dirty air filters make your system work harder than necessary.

Signs You Should Replace Your HVAC Air Filter

One sign that you should replace the filter of your HVAC system is if you notice a decline in your indoor air quality. When your pets are frequently shedding, or you see an increase in allergy symptoms and sickness, it’s also a good idea to get a new air filter. Finally, if your heating and cooling systems aren’t operating at their best, you should evaluate your filter’s condition. 

How Often Should You Change Your HVAC System’s Air Filter?

Homeowners who search “how often to change the air filter of your HVAC system” should consider replacing their filters every 3 months or 90 days. However, you’ll find some cases where changing the filter more often (perhaps once a month) is worthwhile, such as the following:

• If you have one or more pets in your home
• If you live with or are a smoker
• If people with allergies or respiratory problems live in the home

If you have a vacation home or residence that you rent for part of the year, you can wait longer to change your air filters. Since these systems aren’t in use all the time, you can always replace them when you start using the property again. 

Benefits of Routinely Replacing Your HVAC System’s Air Filter

Although it doesn’t take more than a few minutes, changing your air filter can have a larger impact than you may realize. Some benefits include:

• Protect your HVAC system from an early decline
• Spend less on repairs and replacements
• Ensure that your system is working properly
• Filter out dirt and particulates from your HVAC system

A high-quality HEPA filter will help improve your property’s indoor air quality and increase your system’s effectiveness. Instead of just filtering out dirt and dust, it will also trap even smaller particles and contaminants, like mold, bacteria, and more. 

Schedule Five-Star HVAC Services in Tucson, Arizona with Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling

Knowing how often to change the air filter of your HVAC system is essential for every homeowner. If you’re looking to schedule HVAC air balancing or routine maintenance services in Tucson, AZ, the team at Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling is here to help! Call us today at (520) 207-0334.

If you used your air conditioner constantly over the summer, you might wonder how to prepare your HVAC system for winter. Keep reading for seven fall HVAC tips that ensure your system makes it through winter without complication.

As the top-rated HVAC experts in Tucson, our Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling team provides prompt and reliable service from installation to maintenance and repair. To learn what we can do for you or book an appointment, call us at 520-207-0334.

1. Check Your Air Filters

Air filter replacement is easy but one of the most important ways of keeping your HVAC system in peak working condition. You can choose from various types of filters, including washable or replaceable, so ask your HVAC technician what’s best for your needs.

While some filters can last up to 90 days, you should check them for dirt buildup every month and replace or clean them as needed. If you smoke, own pets, experience allergies or respiratory issues, or live in a highly polluted area, your filter may require more frequent attention.

2. Address Leaks

Finding and plugging leaks in your windows, doors, and insulation increases your energy efficiency and helps your furnace keep your home warmer during the winter. Since your system won’t work as hard to maintain the temperature, you’ll save money on your utility bills in the long term.

3. Clean the Outdoor Unit

If you have central air or a heat pump, at least part of your HVAC system rests outside. The outdoor portion of your air conditioner or heat pump is vulnerable to dirt and debris or even small animals crawling inside and becoming stuck. As part of your fall routine, clean the unit to prevent more serious damage.

4. Inspect Safety Features

Aside from regular HVAC maintenance, one of the most important fall HVAC tips is to perform a complete system inspection for your family’s safety. Verify your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have full batteries and work accurately.

5. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Your thermostat settings are one of the most significant indicators of your energy usage. A programmable thermostat gives you greater control over your settings, even when you’re away from home. Since it helps you run your system more efficiently, it can also increase each device’s life expectancy.

6. Clear Your Vents and Ducts

You should schedule professional duct cleaning every three to five years. However, in the fall, verify your vents and ducts are free of dust and remain unblocked by furniture or curtains.

7. Consider Upgrading

When you upgrade to an energy-efficient HVAC solution, you save money and increase your system’s life expectancy. Increased energy efficiency is environmentally friendly and leaves you with more room in your budget for discretionary spending.

Let Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling Prepare Your HVAC System for Winter

Do you want help implementing these fall HVAC tips? Whether you have questions about basic HVAC terms or are scheduling your annual HVAC maintenance, our Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling team offers superior service. Call 520-207-0334 to book an appointment today.

If you’ve been experiencing exceptionally hot days or nights, you might consider adding another window air conditioner. But can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip safely as you would with smaller appliances? 

As the best servicer of HVAC in Tucson, Eazy Breezy Heating and Cooling offers air conditioner maintenance, repairs, and installation to keep your home cool year round. Keep reading to find out what these experts say about using a power strip for an air conditioner and various alternatives.

There Are Some Dangers of Using a Power Strip

Let’s start with the basics. For safety reasons, you should only ever plug an air conditioner directly into the wall and never into a power strip or an extension cord. An air conditioner requires far more power than most other appliances, so using a power strip can easily cause electrical fires. 

Does your air conditioner not reach the wall? You can upgrade the unit with a special 12-foot cord.

So, can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip? No, you can’t. But even if you plug it into a wall, you’ll need a proper surge protector to counteract power surges.

There Are Several Ways to Protect Your Home and Appliances

Are you looking to protect your property’s electrical systems in really hot weather? Follow these suggestions:

• Don’t overload outlets. Plug in one device for each plug point.
• Only use extension cords temporarily.
• Don’t use damaged cords.
• Keep cords away from rugs and furniture.
• Don’t charge electrical devices, like laptops and phones, on soft or flammable surfaces, like beds or couches. 
• Hire a licensed electrician to handle any faulty electrical work. 
• Schedule an electrical inspection every 10 years.

There Are Many Benefits of Installing a Surge Protector

In addition to maintaining your air conditioner, installing a surge protector is paramount to a safe home. It provides several benefits, including the following:

• Multiple devices: With a traditional power strip, you run the risk of fire and other damage if you plug in multiple devices. A surge protector comes with a Joule rating, which makes it safe to handle more powerful devices using only a single outlet.
• Storm protection: Lightning strikes are common causes of power surges that damage air conditioners. Without protection, it could burn out your unit and require an expensive replacement.
• Affordability: You can find a basic surge protector for the price of a family dinner. Even if you purchase a more expensive or powerful version, it still saves you money compared to replacing burnt-out appliances.

If you live in an area with frequent storms or an old electrical grid, surge protectors are a good idea. Be sure to ask your local electrical team about whole-home surge protectors, too.

There Are Local Professionals To Tell You More!

Now you know the answer to, “Can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip?” If you’d like to know more, you can trust Eazy Breezy Heating and Cooling for answers surrounding replacing an air conditioner, installing a new furnace, and much more. Call 520-207-0334 to schedule an appointment today!

As temperatures rise and outdoor projects take flight, you need a safe haven with ample cool air in which you can escape. You need your HVAC system to work reliably throughout the season. 

Our trusted HVAC contractors in Tucson, AZ, at Easy Breezy Heating & Cooling provide a few summer HVAC tips to keep your air conditioner running reliably. Call 520-207-0334 for reliable HVAC services. 

#1 Adjust Your Thermostat

Hot outdoor air tempts you to turn your thermostat down much as possible. However, this approach can overwork your HVAC unit and increase your energy bills. Permanently setting your thermostat below 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months will quickly wear out numerous components, like the blower motor and compressor. 

Set your thermostat for at least 76 degrees, or gain better control of your indoor temperature settings with a smart thermostat. You can let your AC rest while you’re away. Then, turn it on before you head home and enjoy cool air when you walk in. 

You can easily manage your thermostat settings via a mobile app.

#2 Check Your Air Filters

Air filters have a big impact on your air quality and energy savings. An old, dirty air filter hampers air flow. It also allows particles of dust, mold, dander, and other allergens to recirculate through your system. 

Change your air filter every 90 days. Many HVAC technicians recommend inspecting the filter monthly to ensure its filtration performance. Monthly inspections ensure that you can replace it as soon as it starts looking grimy and dusty. 

#3 Examine Your Vents and Ducts

All too often, ducts and vents go completely unnoticed in many households. These components make up the network that transfers conditioned air into each room. As such, they are prone to buildup. 

Although your filter eliminates most of the dust from the air, particles can still collect along the insides of vents and ducts. Examine and clean your ductwork just before hot weather sets in. You can use a clean cloth, warm water, and dish soap to gently remove buildup.

One of these summer HVAC tips involves keeping the vents open for air circulation. Schedule duct cleaning services with a reliable HVAC service.  

#4 Inspect Your Outdoor Unit

In spring, go outside and check on your outdoor unit. You might notice sticks, leaves, dead grass, and other detritus sticking to the sides of it. This debris can inhibit your HVAC unit’s performance by preventing important parts from circulating the air. Carefully remove the debris yourself or seek assistance from an HVAC technician if you are unable. 

#5 Schedule Regular Maintenance

Maintenance services involve regular visits from a skilled HVAC technician. The technician will inspect indoor and outdoor units and even clean or repair certain parts like condenser coils. Maintenance services are a proactive way to better manage your HVAC system and save money.

Implement These and Other Summer HVAC Tips with Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling

Looking for more summer HVAC tips to improve your home’s comfort and efficiency? Learn about the best thermostat location from our team at Easy Breezy Heating & Cooling. Call 520-207-0334 to schedule our professional services.

A furnace’s primary job is to keep your residential or commercial property comfy during the frost-bitten months. However, if you’re replacing or installing a new system, deciphering between gas and electric may be dizzying, especially when searching for the most cost-effective or energy-efficient furnace on the market. 

For a new, more productive way to heat your home this winter, we at Eazy Breezy Heating and Cooling will help you filter through your options. As your  furnace installation experts in Tuscon, AZ, we’ll start by weighing the pros and cons of a gas vs. an electric furnace below, leading you to make the most informed decision.

Installation Fees

Installing a gas furnace, especially if you’ve never had one before, proves more costly than an electric furnace. With more parts to install, including a new gas line and gas valve that helps heated air circulate within your home, this complex installation process could cost thousands of dollars.

Maintenance Charges

Alongside a large upfront installation cost, semi-annual maintenance fees are higher for gas furnaces since they have more parts that may become faulty over time. For instance, a professional needs to service the heat exchanger or condenser coils to prevent leaks. They may also have to repair or replace burners, ignition switches, and flame sensors, as well as other parts as your system ages. 

While each type of furnace should have bi-annual servicing done, gas furnaces prove more dangerous with potential carbon monoxide leaks, making checkups especially vital for your family’s safety.

Cost Efficiency

Although installation and maintenance are more costly with a gas furnace when considering a gas vs. an electric furnace, an electrical unit costs more to run. That makes electric furnaces more expensive in the long term. While the cost of electricity is always on the rise, fuel sources for gas furnaces come from combustible natural gas, which has become cheaper in recent years. 

The harder your system works to produce your desired indoor temperature, the more gas or electricity you’ll burn, increasing your utility bills. However, since the winter temps in Tuscon, AZ, rarely drop below 40 degrees, southern US residents can take advantage of a cheaper electric system in this moderate climate.

Longevity

While natural gas fuels your gas furnace at a cheaper cost to you, the gas is always in contact with your metal heat exchanger, leading to corrosion. A lack of proper ventilation in the heat exchanger also shortens the lifespan of your gas furnace to 10 to 15 years. 

Even with semi-annual cleanings and inspections, when considering a gas vs. an electric furnace, it’s rare that the former will outlive a low-maintenance electric one that performs well over 30 years.

Get in Touch with Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling

For an energy-efficient way to heat your home this Tuscon winter, we’ll help you find what you need. Despite your preference in the gas vs. electric furnace debate, multiple factors, including existing furnace piping and housing location, affect your choice. To better understand your options and learn more about air conditioning mistakes during the summer, call Eazy Breezy Heating and Cooling at 520-207-0334 today!