Monday, November 4, 2013

Fall, winter and HVAC

Well we are officially in the early stages of winter.  We set the clocks back 1 hour and most of us got a little more sleep.  We woke up to a bit colder temps but watched as the day got warmer.  This time a year always brings mixed emotions for me.  I love to see the different colors of the leaves, and watch how some of the wildlife begin to get more active during the day.  Nature is truly at is majesty this time of year and it makes for a peaceful evening around the fire pit in your back yard trying to drain every last moment you can get out of the day.  It does come with its challenges though,  how do you dress for days like these and how do you dress your children.  You want them to be warm in the morning but if you layer them to much then they are overly hot in the afternoon.  Well enough of my ramblings and on to how this crazy weather effects your HVAC system.

Well just as your body goes through the ups and downs with the temps this time a year, your HVAC system goes through the same issues.  Does it need to be on, does it need to shut off?  These are all common things that your system will experience this time of year.  It cycles on and off a lot during these days and nights and if you have a thermostat that does auto change over between heat and cool it is switching back and forth numerous times during these crazy days.  This type of operation can have grave affects on your HVAC system if it is not properly maintained and serviced. 

Servicing your HVAC system on a regular bases is very critical to its life expectancy and to its effective operation.  Having a regular maintenance agreement with your HVAC service provider is critical and can also help with the prevention of a major breakdown which could save you thousands of dollars in repair cost.  I have spent a lot of time taking to people about the advantages of getting a maintenance contract for your HVAC system.  The number one complaint that I get from consumers is that they don't want to buy it because it is like a warranty from Best Buy and you pay a lot for it and never use it.  This could not be farther from the truth!  I always counter them with do you change the oil in your car on a regular basis, do you tune up your car after so many miles?  Well your HVAC system is a lot like your car and much different from your stove.  See we in the HVAC industry have done a very poor job of promoting preventive maintenance to residential homeowners over the last 20 years, this in turn has allowed the consumer to begin to think of their HVAC systems are mere appliances and they do not pay them any attention until they break!  This way of thinking falls strictly on us as industry pros, but maintaining your system is a lot like maintaining your car.  Your HVAC system plays a vital role in families home comfort so it only makes sense to keep it operating at peak performance. 

Here is what you would typically get from an HVAC company for a 1 year maintenance agreement:

Fall you get your furnace checked out and cleaned to make sure that your furnace or heat pump is working properly and safely for your need for the winter.  They may or may not replace the filter for you as included in the price but at worst case they will tell you it needs replaced and give you a cost for replacing it.  If there are any other repairs needed they will give you the recommended repairs and the cost for making those repairs.  They will run test your furnace or heat pump for you and make sure that it runs and cycles off properly and comes back on as demand calls for.  Once complete they will go over everything that they have done and will let you know how your system is holding up and make any recommendations for replacement or additions at this time.  Total time should be 1-1 1/2 hours from start to finish barring any repairs needing to be done.

Spring you get your a/c checked and cleaned, they will them check the refrigerant charge in your system and make sure that it is at the proper operating pressures.  They will then check your filter and see if it needs to be changed, once again this may or may not be covered in your agreement.  The technician will then make sure the system cycles on and off properly based on demand.  Upon completion the tech will make any recommendations for replacement or addition and go over all work that they have done.  Total time should be 1 1/2- 2 hours. 

Remember that when you are getting cost for maintenance agreements from contractors that they are all doing the same things before you decided on one! 

I hope this helps you understand why it is so critical for you to have regular maintenance done on your HVAC system!  Just our 2 cents worth!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Your home, your health and your HVAC system!

It is funny how much money people will spend on novel things that they think are going to keep their families and themselves more healthy.  I was having a conversation with my 14 year old son and daughter last week about organic foods.  They have been studying the differences of organic foods versus farm raised foods that are full of steroids, I told them that their mother and I always try to buy only organic foods but in some cases they are much more expensive then the regular everyday items that most of us buy at the grocery.  My daughter in her best "but daddy" voice says isn't it worth the extra cost to make sure your family is healthy?  I told her "yes baby it is " (see she is the only girl of 4 kids so yes she is daddy's girl).  So this got me thinking as an Heating and Air Conditioning professional why is it that we don't sell as an industry to that same thought process?!

People will go and pay $400 for an Ionic Breeze room air cleaner but we are afraid to ask them to spend $400-$800 more for an air cleaner that will do their entire home and improve their families health and comfort! This really got me thinking am I offering all the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) products that I should be offering?  My answer was not one that I liked but probably not!  I was working our Murphy Company Heating and Cooling booth at a home show this past weekend and I started thinking to myself lets make it a point to inform and educate homeowners about the importance of IAQ!  I was floored by the amount of educated homeowners that did not know that it was their HVAC system that was responsible for the quality of air inside their home and the negative affects poor indoor air quality can have on their families health!  1 in 25 people that I spoke with did not know that it was their HVAC provider whom could help them with their indoor air quality! 

Well after taking my impromptu poll I decided that I was going to make it a point to start the education process!  I began while talking to people about the great furnace check and clean special we were offering for show customers, I was also letting them know the importance of IAQ for their family and their home.  Customers were blown away that the air in their homes can be improved by just adding a better filter to their system.  I was happy to inform every person that a quality filtering system could improve the air quality and the health of their home! 

As we transition into winter and our days get shorter and our nights longer we are spending more time indoors and with less fresh air coming in our homes, it is even more important to make sure that the quality of the air that you and your family are breathing is good,clean and Healthy! 
So don't wait to call your HVAC professional and ask them for ways that you can assure that the air your family is breathing in your home is clean and healthy. 

If you have any concerns or questions please go to our website and look over all the different IAQ products that are available for you and your family!

www.murphycompanyhvac.com

Once again clean healthy air equals a healthy family!

Your Friends
Murphy Company Heating and Cooling

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Fall is in the air!


Well fall is upon us and it brings joy to lots of hearts as they begin their preparations to pack up the family wagon and head to one of the beautiful national parks or monuments that we have in this great country.  With fall comes the beautiful show of color that our forest and woodlands reveal with their turns from green of summer to the wonderful reds, yellows and orange of autumn.  It is truly a splendid time to enjoy those last minute hiking, biking and sightseeing trips where the entire family tries to be the first one to spot some of nature’s wildlife wondering around trying to gather what food they can before winter.   Fall is the last time we have to get this close to Mother Nature before old man winter brings in his cold winds and freezing temps and hikes and outdoor activities are replaced with afternoons in, snuggling under a blanket in front of a warm crackling fire watching your favorite football or basketball team.  Well not to be a downer but you better double check your destination before heading out for that trip!  Thanks to our friends in Washington all of the National Parks are closed during the government’s shutdown.  Campers have been given 48 hrs to pack up and leave, now some through roads will be open through the parks but all visitor locations, campgrounds, hiking trails and other sightseeing areas will be closed until the shutdown is over.

Don’t let all of this get you down and ruin your plans though!  Remember that Kentucky has some of the best state run parks in the country that offer a lot of the same adventures that the national parks offer.  Go and check out the state parks website for more information: parks.ky.gov

So get out and enjoy your fall break with the kids and find those hidden gems that could be right here in your backyard! 

Don’t forget to get your furnace or heat pump checked out and keep Old Man Winter away! 

Think about us when you need your heating system serviced.

Enjoy your fall trips from your friends at Murphy Company Heating and Cooling.
 
Don't forget to follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/MurphyCoHVAC

 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Today's cooler weather makes you start thinking of getting your furnace cleaned.  We have a new special on Living Social.  Check it out!

Also don't forget to like us on facebook www.facebook.com/murphycompanyheatingandcooling

And follow us on Twitter @MurphyCoHVAC

Thursday, September 12, 2013

About Murphy Company Heating & Cooling

For over 40 years Murphy Company Heating & Cooling has provided the Kentuckiana area with quality Carrier products and service that is second to none.

The success of our company can be seen throughout the area from our sponsorship of local events to our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Please join us by participating in our Premiere Maintenance Program.  Start today to receive specials and benefits that come with being part of the Murphy Family.