Do You Need to Have Your AC Serviced?

As summer gets underway, you may be thinking about whether or not your home’s HVAC system is ready for more frequent use during the warmer weather. Here are three signs that you may need to have your HVAC serviced or replaced.

1. Your Air Conditioning Has a Smell

If the air coming out of your AC has a noticeable odor that’s kind of dirty or dusty, then you probably need to have it cleaned. Your evaporator coils need to be cleaned annually, and the vents throughout your home also need to be cleaned periodically in order to ensure that the air quality inside of your home is okay.

2. Your Energy Bill Has Suddenly Skyrocketed

A surge in your energy bill that goes beyond the increase that you typically see in summer may indicate that your HVAC system is working overtime. This could be for a number of reasons including improper cleaning or maintenance, low freon, blocked condenser lines, or system age. If your HVAC system is more than ten years old, it probably makes more sense to invest in a new system rather than a costly repair. If you need a new AC Staten Island, work with a well-reviewed company who can offer you a competitive estimate for installation.

3. The Vent in One Room Isn’t Working Well

If only one vent isn’t blowing out air as forcefully as it normally does, you may have a connection problem in your ductwork. Over time, connections can become loose and in some cases totally disconnected. Also, it’s possible that animals in your attic or crawlspace have caused a tear in your ductwork or have created an obstruction.

If you suspect that you have a problem with your HVAC system, it’s best to address it before temperatures reach their peak. The longer a problem goes unaddressed, the greater the chance that a small problem could lead to a big problem or a total system failure. 

Small Garden Ponds

Those who love to garden and enjoy a beautiful landscape may have considered putting in a small garden pond. While these are often fun to look at and add a certain element of class to your home, many do not realize the work that goes into having them. It’s not as easy as digging a hole and pouring water into it. There are several things you have to think about and look after if you have one. Here are a few examples of some of the most important things you’ll need to do.

Manage It

No matter where your pond is, you’ll have to keep an eye on the plants around it. You should take precautionary measures like installing nets and other mats to protect it during the seasons of leaf and pollen falling. You should also be aware of what’s happening in the pond and be prepared to handle aquatic weed control.  

Clean It

The best way to keep your pond nice and beautiful is to clean it as often as it needs it. There is no specific time period one can put on doing this, as different things will cause it to become dirty. A skimmer net will help you keep things off the top of the water, but you may need to invest in some type of pond vacuum for underneath the water.

Maintain It

If you have anything inside the pond, whether it be lights, fountains, pumps, or hoses, you need to make sure you are keeping up with them. Different things can cause them to become nasty and dirty which is not good for the pond’s water or its structure. The sooner you handle a problem, the easier it is to fix though too.

While small ponds can change the outlook of your home, remember that it will take a lot of work to have. Those who truly love the look of it will find it easier to stay on top of, regardless of what needs to be done.