Monday, December 13, 2010

Is it Time to Replace Your HVAC System?

When extreme weather plays havoc, it's nice to know you can return home and make yourself comfortable with a solid heating or air conditioning to maintain a good room temperature. Unfortunately, while most top HVAC units can last for years, they won't keep you cool or warm forever, and one can only hope the system doesn't crash at an inopportune time when you really need to beat the heat!

Homeowners tend to have their HVAC units serviced just before an anticipated change in weather. As winter approaches, it's natural to make certain the system can hold up when it snows and freezes outside, and in the summer the same system should cool you down on triple-digit days. If you suspect problems, however, it may be time not to just call for repairs, but replace major parts of your HVAC system. Keep an eye - and ear - out for these signs:

1) Noise. This goes without saying. If you hear disconcerting and loud knocks or pings every time you adjust your thermostat, or even when you've left it alone, it's time to look into replacement rather than repair.

2) Time. Furnaces and AC units do have a shelf life. Keep track of when such purchases are made in your home - air conditioning units tend to last about ten years, while a good boiler or furnace around fifteen. You definitely don't want to overwork either of them beyond their capability, as it could lead to greater problems.

3) Bills. If you've run your systems no differently than you have in the past but notice significant increases in your energy bills, it could mean problems with the HVAC. As units age, they tend to work less efficiently and become leaky. This in turn may cause the unit to work harder to maintain temperature, which runs up the bill. Keep an eye on what you spend; when it gets to be too much it's time to invest your money in a new unit.

For a comfortable home, no matter the time of year, it is important to notice changes in the way your HVAC units work. What starts as a small ping could signal a louder groan when you realize you waited too long to make a simple repair.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC installation and Williamsburg HVAC repair.


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Prepare Your HVAC System for the Busy Holiday Season

We survived Halloween, and the temptation of leftover candy and the cleanup involved. Don't think you can sit down and relax just yet - there's Thanksgiving and Christmas to consider, and they'll be here before you realize it. You may have relatives over this year, or perhaps you're planning a quiet holiday with the family. Whatever your plans are, you need to ensure your home is safe and warm. Don't wait for the holiday crush to completely suffocate you before you realize you didn't have your HVAC system properly checked.

Winters in Virginia, especially in Hampton Roads, are unpredictable. This past weekend we saw highs in the 80s, and now we're shivering in short sleeves. You need to make certain your heating and cooling system is working regardless of the weather, and that means checking filters to see if they need changing and checking the coils to see if they are clean.

As the top HVAC service in Newport News, we are happy to come out and inspect your unit. Give us a call today at 757-349-6247 to learn more about our HVAC repair services.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Maximum Air Gets the Job Done

Check out this recent rave review of our Newport News HVAC installation and repair services:

OUTSTANDING service, professionalism, knowledge and commitment to craftsmanship. All of my neighbors whose houses were built at the same time with the same unit were told to replace. When ours stopped working, we thought for certain that would our verdict. Normally Max doesn't serve Chesapeake but he made a special trip for us. He diagnosed the problem, a safety switch had fired because the unit was overheating. Once he reset it, the unit fired back up. But then he stuck around to look at the issues that had caused it to overheat in the first place. He cleaned and oiled the whole unit.

Read the entire review!


Dedication and service are the keys to our success. Call on us today at (757) 784-3181 () ‎for your air conditioning and heating repair and installation needs.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Is Your Building Making You Sick?

Like most of America, residents of Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach spend up to 90% of their time indoors. For asthma sufferers that means indoor air quality plays a significant role in their overall health. As a Virginia home or building owner, calling Maximum Heating & Cooling to schedule an indoor air quality inspection, and addressing any found issues, can have a significant impact on the health and well being of the asthma sufferers who are sharing your space. Asthma triggers are different for each person, but some of the most common are:
  • Dust and dust mites
  • Mold
  • Pet dander from indoor pets
  • Cockroaches
  • Nitrogen Dioxide – a gas emitted by gas appliances, fireplaces
In many cases, Maximum Heating and Air can inspect indoor air filters and provide a good cleaning to remove mold, dust mites, and other asthma triggers. However, in some cases, the age of the unit or the cost of the repair necessitate a replacement. In that case, Maximum Heating and Air is pleased to partner with Trane , Carrier , and Honeywell to meet your HVAC needs. Maximum Air heating and cooling trucks are currently Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach offering commercial and residential HVAC owners an indoor air quality inspection.

Maximum Air is the first choice for Newport News HVAC repair.

Monday, August 2, 2010

After the Hurricane - Checking for Home Repair Possiblities

Nature happens. If you live in an area that is highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, chances are you know the drill - you have your evacuation route planned, an emergency pantry in place, and plenty of strong tape and boards for windows and doors. After the storm hits, however, you should know to put a new plan into action and quickly assess any damage done. This means being watchful of possible repairs to make to walls and plumbing.


What To Look For After The Storm

Once the wind and rain has subsided, you need to inspect your home to ensure minor problems now don't become more troublesome issues later. Broken windows and felled trees are easy to spot, but leaks in your pipes and malfunctioning HVAC systems can be more difficult to spot - even if those problems existed before the big storm, you must contact a contractor or repairman to handle replacements before the weather gets cold. Some things to look for in the aftermath of bad weather include:

1) Bugs: Heavy winds and standing water left after a storm can introduce all sorts of unwanted critters in your home. This is a good time to inspect the weatherstripping around the house and make sure the darker corners of your basement and attic are free of pests.

2) Pipe Leaks: If by chance a tree in your yard uprooted, you might experience problems with your pipe system as well. Watch the way water flows in your toilets and faucets, and look out for slow drains. A call to the plumber could be in order.

3) Mold: The chance that mold will grow inside your walls rises after a storm, especially if the foundation and structure were faulty to begin with. If you think you might have a problem, check it now before it effects your health.

Home repairs, while a seeming headache, won't appear as bad if you tackle the problems quickly and efficiently. If your home weathers a hurricane, do your best to make sure it stands well in any season.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC repair.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?

The beginning of June not only signals the coming of summer, but a time to think about hurricane preparation. If you have lived in an area that is highly susceptible to tropical storms, you may already know how to gather materials for an evacuation and first aid kit, and you know how to board up windows and bring in outdoor furniture so it doesn't blow away and cause damage. Probably the last thing on your mind is your home's HVAC system - something like that can take care of itself in bad weather, right?

While it's true that outdoor systems are likely to withstand high winds, you want to be certain to take care of everything within the home in the event you have to leave for safety's sake. Where your air conditioning and heating is concerned, it is necessary to turn off your A/C unit and, if you have any window units, unplug them entirely. Should you lose power during the storm, you minimize the risk of electrical damage if everything is not functioning.

If you know a hurricane is imminent, invest in a cover for your outdoor unit to protect it from the onslaught of rain and debris. Covers may run from about twenty dollars to more for sturdier material, and make for a good buy if you wish to prevent damage to your HVAC.

After the hurricane has passed, you do not want to immediately turn your air back on. First assess the overall condition of your home and the electricity. If you remain without power, the A/C will not work anyway, and if you suspect your HVAC system did not withstand the storm as you hoped, consider making an appointment with a heating and cooling company to inspect your equipment.

Don't let the late summer storms keep you from staying cool this season. Know how to take care of your HVAC unit in inclement weather, and be mindful of dings and damage in the aftermath so problems can be fixed in a timely manner.

-- Kathryn Lively

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Choose the Right Home Warranty For Your Needs

Buy a home recently? Congratulations! You've made an important step toward building a secure future for your family. The purchase of a home not only gives you the right to paint a wall the color you like, but you become eligible for various tax breaks and equity. That's why it's important, once the papers are signed and you have the keys in hand, to look into a solid home warranty plan to protect your home.

What is a Home Warranty?

When you buy electronics or a new car, you often receive or sign up for a warranty that guarantees some degree of assistance should something go wrong. Maybe a part is replaced, or the entire object depending on what you own.

A home warranty works along the same lines, only more items are covered. With such a plan, you get service protection that covers repairs on various household items, like your refrigerator and dishwasher, home air conditioning and heating, and plumbing. You might think at first home insurance is sufficient, but bear in mind that policies will cover property in the event of fire, flood, and other disasters, but won't take care of repair fees.

How a Home Warranty Works

Let's say your HVAC goes on the fritz. You call a technician to come out and fix it. If you don't have a warranty plan set, you'll have to cover the cost of parts and service. With a plan, however, you file a request with the company from which you bought your warranty and they handle the rest.

When you are ready to purchase a home warranty to protect your household appliances, do some Internet research. You'll find several handy websites with reviews of the best plans suited for your needs, whether you live in a two-story house or a high-rise condo. These plans are designed to bring you peace of mind as a homeowner and make living much easier.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC repair, Virginia Beach home remodeling, Virginia Beach auto repair, and Virginia Beach plumbing.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

HouseMaster Urges Homeowners to Consider Energy-Efficient Renovations to Cash in on Proposed "Home Star" Program

Looking for a company to handle your Newport News HVAC needs? Call on Maximum Air at 757-349-6247 today!

BOUND BROOK, NJ -- 04/13/10 -- HouseMaster, a home inspection organization, urges homeowners to be proactive in making energy-efficient home renovations in order to receive the rebates outlined in President Obama's new "Home Star Retrofit Rebate" program, recently introduced in Congress. If passed, the proposed $6 billion program could reduce energy costs for middle-class families by hundreds of dollars a year.

HouseMaster provides some easy check-ups every homeowner can do to optimize the energy efficiency of their home in its reissued home inspection guide:

1. Windows and Doors Holes in windows and doors allow conditioned air to leak from your home and allow outdoor air to infiltrate -- which can tax your heating and cooling systems and raise your energy bills. Caulk around windows and doors where there are gaps. Also caulk areas where plumbing lines or electrical wiring extend to the exterior of the home.

2. Floor and Wall Insulation Insulation acts as a barrier to heat movement and helps keep any home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter -- all while using less energy. Making sure insulation is used at potential gaps such as around an attic stairway or over the attic access door is important as well.

3. Shedding a Little Light on a Simple Solution By replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescents, you can use up to 75 percent less energy on lighting alone! A wide assortment of CFLs is now available for almost any type fixture found in a home.

4. Appliances and HVAC Systems Your major household appliances are a good place to focus on for ways to make your home more eco-friendly. Start by changing the filters of your HVAC systems regularly and consider upgrading older appliances to take advantage of newer, more efficient designs.

5. Buy a Programmable Thermostat This energy-saving step can have a positive and noticeable impact right away. Programmable thermostats are fairly easy to install and once they are set up a homeowner can adjust them as the weather changes. For every degree that a thermostat is set back, you may realize a savings between one and three percent on your heating or cooling bills.

For more information, visit  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/fact-sheet-homestar-energy-efficiency-retrofit-program.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Indoor Air Quality is Important

No matter where you live - be it the sweltering South or in cooler climates - or the style of residence (a condo, home, or large apartment), nothing is more important than ensuring your family can breathe easily at home. Some may think because you can't see problems like smoke or dust that your indoor air quality must be okay. In truth, the biggest dangers at home may be occurring without you realizing it. Every breath you take at home could lead to serious health problems down the road if you don't take measures to keep your indoor air fresh and clean.

Optimizing Indoor Air Quality

What does it mean to keep a high IAQ at home? Of course, clean air is the key, but achieving this involves doing things that eliminate the growth of bacteria, moisture, mold, and other pollutants that trigger illness and allergies if left unchecked. Much of what contaminates your home is brought from the outside - pollen, dirt, and even smoke - so you want to be sure your windows and doors are properly sealed to keep nature outside.

As for the indoors, a licensed HVAC mechanic should be on call to test your air conditioning, filtration, and duct systems for any anomalies that cause them to not work at optimal levels. When an air conditioning unit becomes too old to function well, for example, it is likely not to generate the clean air you need for your home. Likewise, as you ignore filters they continue to collect dust and other particles until they eventually recycle the bad stuff into your house, and your lungs.

Solutions for Good Breathing

Regular checkups with your local HVAC contractor can put your mind at ease. You may also wish to invest in an inexpensive testing device and a carbon monoxide detector to warn you if your breathing room has reached a dangerous level. Don't take chances with the IAQ of your home. Rest easy in your sleep and when you relax.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC services and Hampton HVAC services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Lively

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Discount for Newport News HVAC Service

Maximum Air is proud to serve your HVAC installation and repair needs. We ensure that all of the Newport News heating and cooling systems we work on remain running smoothly regardless of weather conditions. Whether you need air duct replacement in your Yorktown or Hampton office, or wish to get rid of your window units and upgrade to a central AC system, Maximum Air is the one to call for maximum service.

If you are a first-time customer with Maximum Air, we're offering a special 15% discount to website referrals. Simply contact us via the website and fill out our form (or give us a call and let us know you've been to the website) and we'll offer you a free, discounted estimate on your next installation or repair. Don't wait for the summer heat or another harsh winter to wear you down. Stay comfortable any time of year with Maximum Air.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Choose Maximum Air as the Best in Newport News

Every year, The Virginian-Pilot holds a poll for readers to choose the Best of Hampton Roads - restaurant, stores, and other services. If you go to their voting site at HamptonRoads.com/bestof , you'll find each city in Tidewater has a number of categories, and for Newport News under Home Services, there is a category for Best Heating and Cooling Service.

If you have a moment, please consider writing in Maximum Air Heating and Cooling in this category. We pride ourselves on providing the most professional, knowledgeable, and courteous service in Newport News, and we appreciate our customers. Help us let Newport News know we are the best when it comes to HVAC repair and services for your Newport News home and office.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Top Five Reasons to Choose Maximum Air

Here are five reasons why you should choose Maximum Air, the top Newport News HVAC installation and repair service, to work on your home or office heating and cooling.

1) Maximum Air trucks are fully loaded with a comprehensive part inventory that is designed to complete most repairs the same day.

2) Every service truck has a GPS device to help the technician to find your house faster! Maximum Air dispatch representatives will listen and help you with any questions you will call.

3) Maximum Air dispatch representatives will listen and help you with any questions you will call.

4) Continuous training for our employees year round provides you best and reliable service in the industry.

5) Maximum Air service technicians use smart phones to complete repair. Your service summary and invoice will be printed for you with the printer located on every service truck. There's never been a more convenient way to do business for your HVAC system!

Contact Maximum Air today at 757-349-6247 to learn more about repair for your home or office heating and cooling system.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Newport News Heating and Cooling Repair Services

Do you need FAST HVAC service? Maximum Air is a Newport News Heating and Air Conditioning Company that has been helping homeowners in the upper peninsula Hampton Roads area since 2004!

Maximum Air specializes in service and repair of home heating systems. We know how to fix equipment right and make it very cost efficient. Click here for coupon for first time customers.

If you want or need to upgrade an old system and are ready for some serious energy savings, Maximum Air representatives will work with you personally to get you the best system. We have grand ideas and vast experience that enable us to get you the biggest bang for your buck! Call us today at 757-349-6247 for your Newport News HVAC needs.