hvacman-love

Show your system some love…

Love is in the air… What No Valentine?? NO Problem! Show your heating system some love and it will return the favor long after Valentine’s Day is over by running more efficiently all winter long! Sterling recommends having your heating system inspected and maintained at least once per season. Doing so will allow our trained …

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photo by http://www.tomboytools.com/

Simple Ways To Winterize Your Home

Simple Ways To Winterize Your Home ‘Tis the season to crank your thermostat. Unfortunately it could cost even more than normal. Americans will pay 15% more for heating expenses than last year, according to the EIA. At this point you’ve got no excuse not to follow this simple guide for winterizing your home. Dodge the …

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How often do YOU change your filters?

The main component of any air quality system is your air filter. Good filters can remove almost all of the particles that inundate your home every single day, from pet dander to pollen. But many homeowners are not aware of when they should be checking and changing the filters in their air quality system. They …

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hmd-T

Allergies??? Here are some products that can help…

One of the biggest problems related to indoor air quality is allergies. When your homes air quality is not treated properly, excess dust, humidity, bacteria, mold, and other contaminants can cause a number of allergy problems, especially if anyone in your home has asthma and is particular sensitive to a contaminant. Luckily, there are quite …

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heater3

Extended Warranties vs Maintenance Agreements

Your HVAC system has an extended manufacturer warranty – Why do you need a maintenance agreement?? While new heating and cooling systems usually come with an extended limited warranty, it’s a good idea to supplement that warranty with a more complete maintenance agreement. But why should you pay for a secondary maintenance plan when you …

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Air-Conditioning-Repair-new

When should you replace your AC system?

The last thing we want to think about is shelling out a bunch of money to replace our air conditioning system, I’m sure! However, there comes a time when you can no longer ignore the fact that your ac system just isn’t getting the job done. If you consider your replacement options early, you can …

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Show your system some love…Simple Ways To Winterize Your HomeHow often do YOU change your filters?Allergies??? Here are some products that can help…Extended Warranties vs Maintenance AgreementsWhen should you replace your AC system?

Feb 14

Show your system some love…

Categories:

Maintenance

by admin

February 14, 2012

Love is in the air… What No Valentine?? NO Problem!

Show your heating system some love and it will return the favor long after Valentine’s Day is over by running more efficiently all winter long!

Sterling recommends having your heating system inspected and maintained at least once per season. Doing so will allow our trained technicians to make sure your unit is running at its peak performance. While they are there they will inspect all your major parts, clean and lube necessary parts and make sure everything is running properly. Keeping the system maintained will help it run better and hopefully last you longer. These inspections also help our technicians spot any signs of wear & tear which could lead to larger issues down the road, allowing you to be better prepared should additional service be needed.

We currently have a few Protection Plans to help meet your needs. TODAY ONLY we are offering you a special Valentine’s Day Discount! We wanted to share the love with our customers and pass along a 10% discount on the Service Plan of your choice. Plans available: One-time Seasonal Inspection, Basic Service Plan, and a Premium Service Plan. (Please see our website for additional information)

If you would like to take part in the 10% discount, you only need to sign up for and schedule a seasonal inspection. The service can be scheduled for a future date at your convenience, during normal business hours.

The service department is standing by to assist you. Don’t hesitate to call or you might miss out on this one day discount!

 

Our Rates fluctuate depending on the equipment and accessories you have in your home… But here are our basic prices for a standard one zone system (one furnace inside/one condensing unit outside) with no accessories (such as a humidifier, electronic air cleaner, or media air filter)

  • One Time Seasonal Inspection would be $125 ($112.50, after discount)
  • Basic Service Plan would be $164.50 plus tax ($148.05 plus tax, after discount)
  • Premium Service Plan would be $400.00 plus tax ($360 plus tax, after discount)

 

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Jan 31

Simple Ways To Winterize Your Home

Categories:

Maintenance

by admin

January 31, 2012

photo by http://www.tomboytools.com/

Simple Ways To Winterize Your Home

‘Tis the season to crank your thermostat. Unfortunately it could cost even more than normal. Americans will pay 15% more for heating expenses than last year, according to the EIA. At this point you’ve got no excuse not to follow this simple guide for winterizing your home.

Dodge the draft

Problem: Cold air is rushing in from underneath your door, and warm air is rushing out.
Solution: The draft snake, adopted during the Great Depression era, is one of the easiest ways to cut back on energy waste. A draft snake can be easily made by rolling up a towel or filling up a pouch of fabric with kitty litter or sand, or you can buy one pre-made.
Money/Energy Saved: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30% of energy use per year.

Caulk any gaps

Problem: Little gaps in windows, doors, or cracks in the walls are letting cool air in, raising your energy bill.
Solution: Here is a quick test to help find out where to seal these gaps: Have a friend stand outside the suspected window/door/wall with a blow dryer while you hold a lit candle inside. If the dryer blows the candle out, then it’s time to seal those cracks using caulk. Also check the caulk around your doors and windows outside to see if they’ve deteriorated over time.
Money/Energy Saved: Sealing up drafts will save you to up to 30% of energy use annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Change the direction of your ceiling fans

Problem: The air in your home feels hot and trapped, but turning on a fan only produces cool air.
Solution: If you have any ceiling fans inside your home, know the rules: Counter-clockwise rotation produces cooling breezes and clockwise rotation produces warmer air.
Money/Energy Saved: This method will cut your heating costs by 10%, according the U.S. Department of Energy.

Install storm doors

Problem: The cracks in your door are increasing the air flow in and out of your home, letting warm air out and cold air in.
Solution: Installing a storm door can seal those drafts and help reduce air flow.
Money/Energy Saved: A storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%, according the U.S. Department of Energy.

Control your thermostat

Problem: You want your home warm so you keep the thermostat high, but your wallet is suffering from the high energy bill.
Solution: Set your thermostat to 50 or 55 degrees when you go to bed and work. You won’t enjoy the warmer temperature while you’re asleep or away from the house, anyway. You can also purchase a programmable thermostat.
Money/Energy Saved: Turning down your thermostat 5 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save 10% per year on your energy bill, according to Brighter Planet.

Pile up on insulation

Problem:Heat is rising right out of your home, leaving you cold and miserable.
Solution: Loading up on insulation is one of the best ways to save your energy bill so add more between your walls, attic floor, and basement ceiling to stay toasty.
Money/Energy Saved: An insulated home loses a quarter of its heat through the roof, according to Energy Savers.

Lower your water heater’s temperature

Problem: You’ve unknowingly kept your water heater on the default setting.
Solution: Conventional water heaters are typically set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but most households only need a setting of 120 degrees to be comfortable. Check your water heaters and lower them to 120 degrees.
Money/Energy Saved: Lowering it by 20 degrees will save about 6 to 10% on your bills, says Energy Savers.

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Sep 13

How often do YOU change your filters?

Categories:

Air Quality

by admin

September 13, 2011

The main component of any air quality system is your air filter. Good filters can remove almost all of the particles that inundate your home every single day, from pet dander to pollen.

But many homeowners are not aware of when they should be checking and changing the filters in their air quality system. They know it should be done regularly, but how often?

Knowing Your Home

The first thing to consider is the size of your home and what types of contaminants you must deal with each day. Air testing helps with this, as does regular cleaning of the areas around your air filter, including your ductwork. If you don’t have any pets and don’t keep any plants inside, your biggest air quality issue is likely dust, and dust will only fill up the filters quickly if you have a large family.

However, if you have a lot of pets, multiple plants and a large family, the odds are that your filter is being put through the ringer every day – asked to filter out a tremendous number of contaminants. This is when you might need to change the filter more often.

Changing Your Filter

If you have a high quality HEPA filter, it’ll probably work for as long as it’s rated. Only lower quality filters or those not large enough for the space in which they are installed will fail early. However, keep in mind that a HEPA filter, even when it can last longer, should always be changed no later than the manufacturer’s recommended date.

For most homes that time-frame is every 3-6 months. However, some higher quality filters can last as long as 12 or even 18 months in the right conditions. If you use your air filter in conjunction with an air purifier, you should also have the cartridges changed out at the same time as your filter.

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Sep 06

Allergies??? Here are some products that can help…

Categories:

Air Quality

by admin

September 6, 2011

One of the biggest problems related to indoor air quality is allergies. When your homes air quality is not treated properly, excess dust, humidity, bacteria, mold, and other contaminants can cause a number of allergy problems, especially if anyone in your home has asthma and is particular sensitive to a contaminant.

Luckily, there are quite a few products on the market designed to reduce the effect of indoor allergens and help you feel comfortable all year long.

  • Filters
    HEPA air filters are designed to capture incredibly small bits of debris in your home. They remove things like dust, mold, debris, pollen, and pet dander before they can trigger an allergic reaction. The best filters are all HEPA certified and are available either for a single room or for your entire home. The size of your home and the amount of contaminants you have will ultimately determine which filter is best for you.
  • Air Purifiers
    For those of us with allergens beyond dust and pollen, purifiers are a good next step. Air purification is done electronically, utilizing ionization technology to remove things like gas and smoke as well as bacteria and viruses that get into your indoor air. Anyone suffering from even a mild bout of seasonal allergies can be made very uncomfortable by these types of contaminants. Advanced purification systems also come with UV germicidal lights to kill bacteria and viruses.
  • Ventilation
    While capturing the bad stuff in your air is important, so too is getting new air into your home. Allergies are triggered as much by stale air as by the allergens in it. So, a good ventilation system is important. Simple fan units work very well for many families, but if you want to avoid the loss of heated and cooled air during the most extreme weather in your area, an energy recovery ventilator is a good alternative to straight fan ventilation.
  • Humidity
    Finally, humidity is a big issue for many families. Dryness in the winter can make colds and flus worse and excessive humidity in the summer is a haven for things like mold. A good humidifier removes humidity when it gets too high and adds moisture to the air during the winter when it gets too dry.

Always do your research before choosing an air quality system for your home. It’s important to choose components that will help you overcome whatever allergies you face, throughout the year.

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Aug 30

Extended Warranties vs Maintenance Agreements

Categories:

Maintenance

by admin

August 30, 2011

Your HVAC system has an extended manufacturer warranty – Why do you need a maintenance agreement??

While new heating and cooling systems usually come with an extended limited warranty, it’s a good idea to supplement that warranty with a more complete maintenance agreement. But why should you pay for a secondary maintenance plan when you already have a warranty?

For the most part, the limited warranty provided by the manufacturer is meant to cover things like faulty parts, abnormal breakdowns or recalls. If your system simply needs to get a checkup because you use it a lot or there is a clog that isn’t caused by the actual furnace or air conditioner, you will likely end up paying the labor cost for the call. So by opting to also have a maintenance plan, this labor cost will either be included in your plan, or you will receive a discounted rate for the labor costs.  Also your potential for the system to break-downs, when you receive regular maintenance checks, will be greatly reduced again saving you money.

Help Your HVAC System Last Longer

Another benefit of a maintenance agreement for your HVAC system is that the system lasts longer when it is regularly maintained. The best maintenance agreements come with unlimited checkups and service visits, any day of the week, any time. So, if you think your system is running poorly, call a professional in to check it out and it won’t cost you anything. The ability to do this will ensure your HVAC system lasts significantly longer than if you were forced to wait until you could afford an extra visit from your repair man.

So, not only do you ensure your system keeps working, you add a lot of valuable years to its lifespan. Imagine how much money you’ll save if your furnace or air conditioner lasts for 20+ years instead of just 10. Any breakdowns after the 10 year mark would require hefty repairs or replacement since your warranty is expired. So, it’s in your best interest to keep your system running smoothly throughout its lifespan.

Ultimately, an HVAC system is only as good as what you put into it. If you’re careful about your investments and are willing to spend a little extra now, you’ll stand to benefit far more in the future from a smoothly operating, efficient heating system.

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Aug 23

When should you replace your AC system?

Categories:

Air Conditioning

by admin

August 23, 2011

The last thing we want to think about is shelling out a bunch of money to replace our air conditioning system, I’m sure! However, there comes a time when you can no longer ignore the fact that your ac system just isn’t getting the job done. If you consider your replacement options early, you can save yourself a lot of money and frustration down the road.

Before you start looking for replacement options… you need to be aware of the signs that its time to replace your current system. Knowing when your air conditioner is on the way out can be tough. But there are quite a few warning signs, that if you are aware of them, will help you determine the right time to replace.

First of all, if you have to call for repairs, even minor ones, on a regular basis, chances are that you would be better off replacing rather than continuing to patch up the air conditioning system you already have. This is true for several reasons including the fact that a system that requires repairs so often is probably not going to last you much longer anyway. Look for the signs and know when you cut your losses.

By replacing now rather than continuing to pay for repairs, you will save a lot of money in the long run. After all, you are going have to pay for the new system sooner or later, so you might as well skip the shelling out of extra cash to repair a system you are just going to get rid of anyway.

Problems like inadequate or uneven cooling or mismanaged humidity levels in your home are a good sign that something is not working correctly in your air conditioning system and that it may be a sign that it’s time to replace. At the very least, you should call someone out to take a look and let you know what type of repairs you are looking at. Then you can weigh the costs of repairs and the cost of the new system.

You should also think about replacing an older system even if it is still working fine because the newer systems available are much more energy efficient than even the top of the line models available ten years ago. While you will have to pay the purchase and installation cost up front, you will immediately begin to save substantial amounts on your monthly cooling bills.

As the end of the summer comes closer, Sterling has some deals it can offer on AC replacement. Call the office today to see what we have to offer!

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Aug 16

Dont Neglect Your Duties!

Categories:

Maintenance

by admin

August 16, 2011

Why you cannot neglect your AC Maintenance…

Many people do not really think about the maintenance of their air conditioning system, until it doesn’t work when you need it to! Especially if you have purchased a new air conditioning system, maintenance might not even cross your mind. But by using the system and no maintaining it you are setting yourself up for a lot of problems down the road.

Just like a car or any machine, your air conditioning system requires a regular tune up to keep it running like its supposed to. The type of air conditioning system you have and the way you use it, will dictate how often maintenance service should be scheduled, but most air conditioning systems benefit from having a tune up once a year.

When you have just purchased an air conditioning system, the last thing you probably want to do is shell out a bunch of extra cash when the system is still running fine. But it really is much cheaper to pay now rather than waiting until you have a problem with your air conditioner to call for service.

During a regular maintenance visit, your technician will examine all of the component parts of your air conditioning system to make sure that they are working the way they should and not showing any signs of excess wear and tear. This is a great way to detect problems early, even when they have not yet begun to show in the air conditioner’s performance. Detecting problems early means the technician might be able to remedy the problem or suggest a solution to the problem, before it can lead to larger more costly repairs or the system not running at all.

Your air conditioning technician will also thoroughly clean out your system to ensure that no excess debris is allowed to build up around the coil or other vital parts of the air conditioner. This is important because it helps the air conditioner to continue to function at peak energy efficiency levels. Without regular maintenance, your air conditioner will gradually lose efficiency over time. It will only lose a little bit every year, but if you do not do something to stop it, those little bits will quickly add up. Costing you more money on your utility bills.

Regular maintenance will certainly help to increase the lifespan of your air conditioner as well. Whether you have just purchased an air conditioning system or have had yours for several years, it is never too late to start your annual maintenance visits.

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Aug 09

Humidification/Dehumidification

Categories:

Air Quality

by admin

August 9, 2011

Are you worried about your home’s humidity?

Most people don’t worry about the humidity level in their home, except for in the summer when it soars and in the winter when it’s non-existent, but humidity has a big impact on your home’s air quality! Air that is too moist or too dry can have a large impact on your family’s health and the quality of your indoor air. That is the reason your home’s humidity level is so important.

For example air that is too humid promotes growth of things like mold and dust mites, which can trigger allergies. Without the moisture the mold and dust mites are unable to grow, we suggest keeping your humidity level below 50%. This should allow you to not worry about these allergens disrupting your family’s health or causing damage to your homes furniture.

Dry air isn’t much better. When the humidity level in your home falls below 35%, the dry air can enhance the symptoms of asthma, colds and allergies. It can also cause damage to wood furniture and wood fixtures in your home. But besides all of that, dry air is just uncomfortable, causing your skin, eyes and hair to dry out.

Controlling your home’s humidity matters is because even if you have a state of the art air quality system installed in your home, too much or too little humidity could make it more difficult for indoor air cleaners and filters to get contaminants out of the air you are breathing. If you want to make sure your getting the most of our your indoor air cleaner, you need to keep your humidity levels controlled (between 30-50%). Then best thing you can do is also install a good humidification system in as well.

Could humidity help you save on utility bills?

One of the perks of controlling your homes humidity is that is may find that you can now turn down the heat and air conditioning as well! When the air is at proper humidity your house will feel more comfortable. Moist air feels warmer than dry air and vise versa dry air feels cooler then moist air. Keeping them balanced may allow you to adjust your thermostat up in the summer and push it down in the winter, saving you money with each degree! Properly humidified air also makes home heating and cooling more efficient, which will save you both money on your monthly energy bill and also wear and tear on your system. No matter how you look at it, proper humidity control is good for you and your home.

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Aug 05

How Your Ceiling Fans Will Save You Money!

Categories:

Air Conditioning

by admin

August 5, 2011

When you have central air, you might not think to turn on your ceiling fans and if you don’t have them, why would you spend the money to install them? I mean your AC is already keeping you cool!

But the truth is ceiling fans can help your air conditioner! Ceiling fans help to circulate the air in your home, which will keep the cool air moving allowing the AC to cool the house more efficiently. Also the slight “breeze” you feel from the fan will cool you off. In fact, a ceiling fan can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler, because of the cooling affect of the moving air has on your body! That means you will be able to push the temperature on your thermostat up and still be comfortable! For every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer you will be saving up to 3% off of your regular energy bill. If you can raise the temperature more then 5 degrees, (say from 72 to 77) that could lead to saving you quite a bit of money on your monthly utilities bill!

Of course the ceiling fan is still using energy to run, but compared to the amount it takes to run your ac, it is a small fraction of energy. Meaning that having ceiling fans and using them consistently will help you cut your annual cooling costs dramatically.

And ceiling fans aren’t just for summer! And a ceiling fan will be useful in the winter as well. Since heat rises, you can turn your fan on backwards and it will push the heat that has risen to the top of your room back out along the walls and down. This means that you will be getting more for the heat you are paying for as well, making the ceiling fan a great money saver all year long!

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Aug 02

Facebook Fans

Categories:

Welcome

by admin

August 2, 2011

Sterling would like to show our love to our early Facebook followers. When Sterling hits 50 followers, it is going to randomly pick one of those followers to win a prize!

We’ve put together a small prize pack including a T-shirt, Pens, Pencils and Keychains… so you can show your loyalty to Sterling! The faster we hit 50 fans the faster it could be yours :)

“LIKE” us here!

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