Red Rock Mechanical, LLC Blog

Plattsburgh Heating Tip: Get the Most from Your Thermostat

September 30th, 2013

Physically, the thermostat is a minor part of your home comfort system: a small unit set into a wall. But the thermostat serves just as important a function in heating your home as the tank of a boiler or the ducts of a furnace. The thermostat is how you communicate with your heater so that it does the job it’s supposed to.

However, you can get more out of your thermostat than you probably realize. If you only occasionally fiddle with it when you start feeling too cold or too warm, you’re missing out on ways to optimize your heating. In this post, we’ll give you some tips to help you get the best performance possible from your thermostat.

Red Rock Mechanical can help you with all your Plattsburgh, NY heating needs, so give us a call when you want to go to the next level of service.

Set the thermostat to energy saving temperatures: Do you know how high you can set your thermostat? Well, don’t set it that high unless you absolutely need to… a Death Valley-level heat wave isn’t necessary for your comfort. Set the thermostat to 68°F when you’re awake, and you can set it even lower at night—and use a sweater and thick blankets to help. The US Department of Energy has found that scaling back 10°F to 15°F for eight hours can save from 5% to 15% on your bills every year.

Invest in a programmable thermostat: If you have an older digital thermostat, or an even older manual one, you’re losing out on advantages in energy savings and convenience. With a programmable thermostat, you have control over the temperature whether you’re home or not. You can wake up to a warm house, and come home to one as well, while saving energy throughout the day.

Make sure the thermostat is in the best location: Where your thermostat is installed in your home is important for it to work its best. In the wrong place, a thermostat can record “ghost readings” that don’t reflect the true temperature in your house, and it will unnecessarily activate or shut down your heater. The thermostat should be away from direct sunlight and the drafts from doors and windows. If you suspect your thermostat’s location is interfering with its job, get it re-installed.

Red Rock Mechanical can help out if you need a thermostat installation or if your current one requires repairs. We’re a family-owned business, and when you call us, you won’t get a recording—a live person will be there to answer your questions for your Plattsburgh, NY heating concerns.

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What Goes on During Heating Maintenance in Burlington, VT?

September 23rd, 2013

Having professional maintenance performed on your heating system is a vital part of keeping you warm during the beautiful but lengthy Vermont winters. Any hard-working mechanical device with moving parts—from a dishwasher to a car engine—requires regular maintenance to give it a long life. A home heater in a city that gets as chilly as Burlington will need at least an annual check-up to make sure it functions efficiently and won’t threaten to break down during the least convenient times.

We’ll explain what occurs during heating maintenance in Burlington, VT to help you understand why it is so important. You can expect top-quality preventive maintenance like this from the experts at Red Rock Mechanical.

Although the work a technician performs during a maintenance visit depends on the type of heater you have installed, you can expect these general steps:

  • Inspection: The HVAC expert will give all the components in your heater a thorough examination. Electrical connections, gas valves, pilot lights, pipes, ducts, heating elements, belts, motors, fans, water tanks—anything that might suffer from dirt accumulation or sustain damage from wear and tear. If any part looks like it requires repairs or replacement, your technician will identify what needs to be done to keep your heater healthy through the winter.
  • Cleaning: Your heater most likely picked up dust and dirt during its summer vacation. If more than a year has passed since it received a check-up, your system might have serious clogs that could create major issues when it turns on. The technician will clean out any debris build-up that might interfere with fans, blowers, valves, the pilot light, or other vital components.
  • Tune-ups: Similar to an engine tune-up on your car, your heater requires adjustments to keep it performing at peak efficiency. Depending on the type of system installed in your home, this can involve recalibrating the thermostat or tightening the line connections to a boiler.

Regular maintenance will reward you with a more efficient and durable heater that won’t drain extra power and raise your bills. The fall season is the best time to schedule a maintenance visit because HVAC companies have fewer emergency calls filling their calendars. They can easily arrange an appointment convenient for you.

Contact Red Rock Mechanical today for Burlington, VT heating maintenance. You will appreciate our years of experience and personal touch.

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3 Reasons to Schedule Routine Heating Maintenance in Plattsburgh

September 16th, 2013

Winter is an unpredictable time in New York. One surprise you certainly don’t want is a malfunction in your heating system, leaving you cold in your own home. Before the frosty season strikes, take advantage of the slower time during the fall to schedule maintenance on your heater. Whatever system you have, the experts at Red Rock Mechanical can help you prepare for winter in Plattsburgh with heating maintenance that will give you peace of mind.

There are many reasons to schedule regular maintenance. Here are three of the most important:

  • Fewer repairs: Some of the emergency repairs that Red Rock Mechanical does could have been prevented ahead of time with proper care. Some repairs are unavoidable, but the majority can be averted by having a professional catch troubles before they become serious and cause further damages.
  • Greater efficiency: Did your last heating bill contain unpleasant news? Does your home not feel as warm as it usually does when you turn on the heater? Then your system is probably running less efficiently than before, either because of damages, dust and debris build-up, or age. A maintenance check-up will diagnose what is causing the drop in efficiency and offer solutions to get your heater back to peak working condition.
  • Longer system lifespan: A heater suffers an enormous amount of wear and tear during winter. Furnaces and boilers have many components that will start to break down if they aren’t cared for. When an HVAC expert pays a visit to your home, you’ll find out what needs to be done to keep your heater from wearing down even faster. If you want to avoid a costly replacement, get regular maintenance so you’ll get the most years possible out of your current system.

We hope we’ve convinced you that heating maintenance will save you headaches and higher bills. You should get a maintenance check on your heating system at least once a year. Red Rock Mechanical offers the maintenance you need to keep yourself warm and safe in your home through the winter. We are a family-owned business with a personal touch. For heating maintenance in Plattsburgh, NY, make Red Rock Mechanical your first choice.

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Preparing for the Burlington, VT Heating Season

September 9th, 2013

If you live in Burlington, VT, heating season starts early and ends late. Ours is a cold and snowy community, which makes proper heating an absolute necessity. You can help yourself and your heating system by adhering to a regular maintenance schedule throughout the summer months, then preparing for the heating season properly when it rolls around. A qualified professional can help you with the details, but in general a few key steps in the process will serve you well.

  • Lower your thermostat. Most people don’t need the home to be as warm in the winter as it is in the summer; 68 degrees feels plenty warm when it’s 20 below outside. Lowering your thermostat will not only save you electric bills but will save wear and tear on your heating system, helping it last longer.
  • Seal air leaks. Leaks in the windows, doors and duct system cause air to be pulled out of your home, forcing your heating system to work harder to heat your home. Sealing the leaks in the doors and windows, and having a professional serviceman check your ducts for leaks, will save you money in the long run.
  • Clean the components of your heating system. Or rather, have them cleaned by a professional. Service specialist can get the dust and dirt out of your heater, check the heat exchanger, examine the pilot light to make sure it’s running, and test the your heating system’s overall efficiency.
  • Consider a new system. While your current heating system may be working just fine, this is a good time to think about replacing one that isn’t. Not only will it save you money in electric bills, but you may be able to consider new options such as zone controls that your older unit might not feature. The time to install a new unit is in the late summer or early fall, before the snows start.

If you’re preparing for the Burlington, VT heating season, it pays to consult with people in the know. The experts at Red Rock Mechanical can speak with you about upgrades, repairs or replacement to your heater. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Happy Labor Day!

September 2nd, 2013

On the first Monday of every September, we celebrate Labor Day in honor of workers everywhere who strive to make our local community and country great. We enjoy the holiday like any other business as a time for BBQ, hanging out with friends and family, and celebrating the end of summer. It also means the start of the NFL and college football seasons.

The origins of Labor Day are disputed, as is the case with many other holidays. Some cite Matthew Maguire, the machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York, while others cite Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor. By 1894, the holiday had become widely recognized and was designated a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland immediately following the Pullman Strike, which pitted US Marshals and US Military against employees of Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago. At the time, it was a way of recognizing the importance of our workers’ contributions.

Today, we see Labor Day as an opportunity to recognize all the people who work hard to contribute to our county. Thank you, and Happy Labor Day from all of us! 

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Why Replace Your AC in the Fall

August 28th, 2013

Summer time is air conditioning time in places like Plattsburgh, NY, with high temperatures and humidity the norm. We need quality air conditioning systems to keep our homes cool and comfortable when the mercury starts to rise, and with regular maintenance, you can expect your AC unit to last for many years. Sooner or later, however, everything wears out and eventually you’ll need to consider replacing your existing air conditioning unit with a new one. When you do it’s probably a good idea to think about doing it in the fall rather than any other time of year.

The best reason is the most obvious. You don’t want to go without air conditioning in the height of summer when even a few hours turns your home into a sauna. As the temperature drops to more comfortable levels, a trained technician can begin installation without worrying about a sudden heat wave. On the flipside, completing installation before the first snow arrives makes the process infinitely easier, leaving you with a unit all ready to go by the time spring rolls around.

On a more subtle level, fall makes a good time to schedule a maintenance session: after the busy period of summer has ended and with plenty of time to budget and plan for any necessary repairs. Installing the unit in the fall makes it easier to set up maintenance at the same time each year. (You can schedule similar maintenance calls in the spring before the temperatures really warm up.)

When you decide to replace your AC, make sure you contact a company that will give you good money for your dollar. Proper installation is vital to an efficient system, delaying the kind of loose bolts, leaky parts and ill-fitting components that lead to further wear and tear. The fall gives you plenty of time to contemplate your options and select the company that’s right for you. Red Rock Mechanical LLC can install new air conditioning units in Plattsburgh, NY and throughout the surrounding communities. Contact us today to set up a consultation. Our experts will replace your AC with complete dedication to your total satisfaction.

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Caring for Your Air Conditioning System in Burlington, VT as the Off Season Approaches

August 19th, 2013

Air conditioning systems keep us cool during the hot summer months. But as warm as our summers are, our winters are equally cold, and your air conditioning unit probably won’t see much use once the leaves begin to turn. As the off-season approaches, you can take a few steps to care for your air conditioning system and make sure it’s ready to go again the next time summer rolls around.

  • Maintenance: Like any other mechanical device, the air conditioning system requires routine maintenance in order to function at its best. Filters need to be changed, coils need to be cleaned, leaks need to be sealed, and worn parts need to be replaced with new ones. In the course of doing so, an expert may spot signs of more serious problems down the road, and help the homeowner take steps to address it before it results in a major repair bill. The autumn months are an excellent time to do this, since it won’t impact the cooling of your home and you have plenty of time to schedule a service call.
  • Gardening: It sounds a little strange, but the early autumn is a good time to trim back some of the verge that may be encroaching in your air conditioning system. Trees and shrubs that are too close to the unit’s vents should be trimmed back, and weeds around the unit should be pulled. If there are leaves or twigs in the vents at all, you should scoop them up and remove them.
  • Thermostat: Most people keep their thermostats at a certain level during the summer months. At the end of the season, you should reset it to a higher temperature, which will lower your bills while still keeping your home comfortable. You should also keep the shorter daylight hours in mind: if you set your thermostat to a different temperature starting in the evening hours, you may want to start setting it at an earlier time now that autumn is coming.

The air conditioning experts at Red Rock Mechanical can help you care for your system as the off season approaches, either by performing a routine maintenance call or enacting something more significant when the temperatures are mild. Call us today to make an appointment.

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Why Schedule Routine Air Conditioning Maintenance in Burlington, VT?

August 12th, 2013

Nothing lasts without a little upkeep every now and then. We take our cars in for routine servicing, and our homes and yards need regular attention as well. The same is true of your air conditioning system. Preventative maintenance from a trained professional can keep it running efficiently for years, while reducing the chances of more expensive service bills in the future.

Dirt and dust can affect an air conditioning unit more than most devices if left untreated. Components like the evaporator coils will struggle to do their job if they’re caked in dirt. Air filters can become clogged with dust and particles if they’re not routinely changed out, while drain lines and similar components can become clogged over time. Such problems tend to grow worse as the clogs and dirt lead to more serious malfunctions.

A routine maintenance schedule can address those issues: keeping the components clean and tightening loose fittings that might further reduce your system’s efficiency. That way, small problems won’t give way to bigger ones, and your air conditioning unit will function at a higher efficiency. Indeed, a qualified service technician will be able to spot warning signs of potential trouble before it arrives, and find a comparatively easy solution that avoids trouble in the future.

Routine air conditioning maintenance saves you money. It usually costs less to prevent a problem than to solve it once it arrives, and a regular maintenance schedule will help keep your monthly energy bills down, since the AC system won’t have to work so hard to keep your household cool.

In Burlington, VT, you can call on the experts at Red Rock Mechanical to set up a regular air conditioning maintenance schedule. We’ve been in business for over 20 years and remain dedicated to your complete satisfaction. When the temperature rises and you need a cool, comfortable place to come home to, we can make sure that your system is running like it should. Contact us today to make an appointment for Burlington, VT air conditioning service.

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Recognizing Signs of Trouble with Your Air Conditioning in Montpelier, VT

August 7th, 2013

When it comes to your air conditioning, the sooner you can spot a potential problem, the better the chances of dealing with it before it becomes a much larger problem. Problems can arise through lack of use that only become apparent months after they’ve first appeared. Recognizing signs of trouble with your air conditioning will go a long way towards addressing them in a timely fashion, saving you the cost of a big repair.

Signs of trouble can vary widely, but a few of the most common ones can be found below:

  • Higher bills: The first and most obvious sign of an AC problem comes with your monthly electric bill. If you see a spike in the costs and haven’t altered your electrical use habits, it could signal an air conditioning system that is laboring to keep your home cool.
  • No cool air: If your air conditioning is blowing air, but none of it seems to be cool air, it may signal lowered refrigerant levels. (A professional technician can safely recharge the refrigerant for you.) It might also signal a dirty air filter, which you can replace with a clean one fairly easily.
  • Low air flow: Low air flow usually indicates a blockage in the system somewhere, requiring a professional cleaning to fix. It might also indicate a damaged or leaking vent, which would also prevent air from circulating your home.
  • No power: If the AC refuses to turn on at all, it could be a sign of serious trouble. Many air conditioning systems have automatic switch-off features when a particular component gets damaged. They’re intended to prevent any further damage to the system. It may also indicate something much simpler, like a thermostat set too high or an electrical problem elsewhere in the house.
  • Unusual noises: Broken or damaged components within the air conditioning system may create a buzzing or rattling noise. You might also hear a hum or a whistle if air is escaping through leaks in the system, or a grinding noise if broken components are scraping against each other.

Regardless of the exact symptom, you should call in a professional once you recognize signs of trouble. Red Rock Mechanical handles air conditioning issues in Montpelier, VT, including maintenance and replacement projects. Contact us today to see about solving your AC problem. 

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Why Is It Important to Have Your AC Cleaned? A Plattsburgh, NY Air Conditioning Question

August 1st, 2013

An air conditioning unit keeps your Plattsburgh, NY home cool and comfortable in the heat of the summer. However, routine maintenance for our AC doesn’t enter our minds much; instead, we wait for the AC system to malfunction before calling in a technician. Why is it important to have you AC cleaned and maintained if nothing’s wrong with it? In fact, cleaning your air conditioning unit may be one of the most practical decisions you ever make. Some of the biggest reasons are listed below.

  • Effectiveness: Dirty coils and air filters slow down the air flow and reduce the cooling power of your air conditioning system. The system must thus work harder to cool your home, which will drive up your monthly energy bills. A regular cleaning keeps your system functioning the way it should while lowering the costs of running it.
  • Longevity: Beyond keeping your air conditioning functioning in the short term, a regular cleaning schedule will help extend the life of your system. Dust, build-up and general wear and tear take their toll, and as your AC unit gets older, the cost and frequency of upkeep will continue to grow. Preventative maintenance undertaken by a trained expert can keep you air conditioning system running longer without repairs, and extend its life by a considerable amount of time.
  • Small problems, not big ones: If you have your AC cleaned on a routine basis, the technician is more likely to spot signs of potential trouble: the state of the coils and other components, the presence of leaks, and so on. He can then sit down and discuss potential solutions with you, which usually cost much less than simply ignoring the issue and waiting for it to cause more serious trouble in the future.

If you’re looking for a technician to have your AC cleaned, contact Red Rock Mechanical to set up an appointment. Our trained Plattsburgh, NY air conditioning specialists can perform regular maintenance services, keeping your system clean and saving you money in future costs.

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