Articles - Fosters Heating and Air

5 Most Common Air Conditioning Problems

There are many reasons why your home’s central air unit may need to be repaired but there are only a handful of those reasons that we find to be most common. Knowing what they are may help you to understand what a technician is referring to when you need to discuss the options for correcting the problem.

Here are the top five problems that may cause your central air system to break down:

1. Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant (or Freon) is used to cool the air. Low levels of refrigerant may indicate a leak or problem with the refrigerant system. If your system needs the refrigerant recharged, chances are there is a leak which should be located and repaired.

2. Outside Unit Not Functioning
This typically indicates a lack of power, contractor problems or even a faulty thermostat.

3. Frozen Inside Coil
A frozen coil often indicates an airflow problem which can stem from dirty air filters, blocked return air ductwork, low refrigerant and other issues.

4. Faulty Wiring
Improper, haphazard or uncertified wiring is dangerous and a potential fire hazard. Bad wiring can trip the circuit breaker or prevent the system from getting an ample power supply.

5. Outside Fan Is Not Working
The outside fan transfers the unwanted heat from your home back outdoors. If the fan on the outside is not running, proper heat transfer is not taking place and you run a serious risk of air compressor overload which may overheat and cause internal damage to the compressor and / or trip the safety overload.

The best way for a homeowner to prevent these common problems is by participating in a preventative maintenance program. All of these issues and more can be detected during routine maintenance tune-ups and can end up saving you hundreds of dollars over expensive repair and replacement costs. Most importantly, yearly tune-ups can help keep your family safe and comfortable all year long.
Fosters offers a Tune & Clean program to Linn County residents that will address each of these issues, clean your system and make sure it is running at its best. Give us a call or visit our webpage to get your tune and clean scheduled today! http://fostersheatingandair.com/?p=123

Quick Tips for a Comfy Home

The perfect climate is, of course, extremely important when it comes to how comfy your home feels but there are other things to consider that will up the “cozy factor” a few notches as well.
Incorporate a few of these tips into your home and you and your guests will find your home a comfortable haven in any weather.

Start at your front door

Expectations of your guests begin at the curb. Iowa weather can be rough and wreak havoc on our landscaping but there is no excuse for a dirty front stoop. Keep your entry clean and place a bright and friendly welcome mat outside the door to welcome guests to your home and immediately decrease your stress levels upon returning home.
Want to boost that good feeling? Add a cute sign next to the front door that welcomes a guest or makes you smile.

Once the door is open, pay attention to the first thing you see. If it’s a bland hall or entryway, try sprucing it up with a big leafy plant, if you have room. Offer something for the eye that adds color and life to the space.

Once inside the front door pay special attention to what you can see from that spot and be sure that the farthest point, that you can see from the door, has a designer touch. Perhaps you could paint the wall across from the door a rich or bold accent color, add unique or warm lighting, feature a beautiful piece of artwork or greenery. Whatever you do within this initial view of your home will set the tone of the space and can create a comfy and inviting feeling for your guests…and for you!

Stay Comfy, my friends…

Quick Tips for a Comfy Home #2

The perfect climate is, of course, extremely important when it comes to how comfy your home feels but there are other things to consider that will up the “cozy factor” a few notches as well. Incorporate a few of these tips into your home and you and your guests will find your home a comfortable haven in any weather.

It’s all about the little things…

It doesn’t take a fancy designer or a degree in textiles or interior design to spruce up a home in such a way that makes you sigh with relief when you get home and will have your guests commenting on how comfy and at home they feel when they visit.

One quick and inexpensive way to make a home feel welcoming is to include a multitude of living greenery. Fake plants may be easier to take care of but nothing gives a home a lived-in and comfortable feel like lush green plants and flowers.

Each main living area of your home should include at least two living plants or flower bouquets or a combination of the two. Sure, you can add some faux plants in too but don’t cheat yourself of the good feelings the real green can bring.

Soften the lines! Harsh, straight lines caused by some of the more modern furniture or just a lot of square or rectangular design elements can create a very cold or unwelcoming feel. Try instead to incorporate round rugs, different shapes of pillows, curved accent pieces and soft textured fabrics in the room to offset straight furniture or lines.

You’ll be surprised how quick these easy and inexpensive touches can make a house into a comfy home.

Stay Comfy, my friends…

Create a Comfy Home Free of Clutter

Get rid of all that junk!

We’re a nation of people that likes our “stuff” but sometimes too much stuff can make a house feel more like a junk yard. De-clutter your space and get the air and energy flowing in a way that breathes life into your home and you!

We often get so used to being in our own spaces that we don’t really see them for what they are. When we get too familiar with the spaces around us, we lose perspective and our five senses become dull and uninspired and junk begins to accumulate right under our noses. Hey, we’ve all been there!
Here are a few quick clutter-hacks that can get you on your path to a truly comfy and inviting home.

Attack Your Stacks!

Get rid of stacks of mail by purchasing a decorative basket or box. Place that box near the entryway or in your office and let it collect there, out of sight. The same technique can be used with remote controls. Use a decorative basket and place it on the coffee or end table. No more searching for the remote- it’s always in the basket!
Magazines and books littering the living room? Place a magazine rack next your favorite sofa or chair.
To organize clutter in the bathroom, consider purchasing an attractive storage container with a handle on top. Keep all of your bathroom accessories in this container and store it under the sink. When you are using it, it’s easy to pull out onto the counter and just as easy to put away when you’ve finished.

Just these few simple ideas can make a big difference in the clutter level of your home.
You’ll be surprised how quick these easy and inexpensive touches can help make a house into a comfy home.

Stay Comfy, my friends…

Humidity Levels In Your Home

Your home is a lot like a human body. It needs to stay properly hydrated in order to maintain the health and comfort of those living in it. Since we spend 85-95% of each day indoors, it becomes extremely important to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

What Happens When Humidity is Too Low?

When it’s cold outside, there is insufficient moisture in the air and this can lead to a variety of problems, including dry and bleeding noses, sore throats, cracked and itchy skin, breathing problems, dust buildup and static electricity. Older & less energy-efficient homes are more likely to suffer from low humidity.

What Happens When Humidity is Too High?

When there is too much moisture in your home, wet air can get trapped in corners, basements and other closed areas. This is usually most noticeable in bathrooms, kitchens & laundry rooms where moisture gathers in corners and on ceilings and creates mildew that is often difficult to remove. Condensation can also accumulate on windows, causing water to drip down the window and wooden frames, contributing to rotting of the wood.

This excess moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold which can be very harmful to your health. Excess moisture also makes your home more inviting to pests and insects such as cockroaches and termites. HumidityMeter

Recommended Humidity Levels

The recommended average relative humidity level for a home is between 35 – 45%. Anywhere in this range will provide your home and your body with just the right amount of moisture. Humidity levels can easily be checked with a hygrometer ( a small, inexpensive tool similar to a thermometer). In addition, with a new state-of-the-art humidifier, the humidity level can easily be controlled & adjusted to your exact comfort level.

Benefits of a Whole-House Humidifier

Installed directly onto your current HVAC system, a humidifier will distribute pleasing and replenishing moisture throughout your entire home. Not only will the perfect level of moisture protect your health and your belongings, because it costs less to heat moist air, you’ll be able to keep your thermostat lower. The added moisture will also make cooler temperatures even more comfortable in the summer, helping you to save on your energy bills year around.