Remodeling your home is a big step many folks take to make life better and give their space a more personal feel. But when you're planning to redo parts of your house, you've also got to think about remodeling your HVAC system. Do you know what HVAC remodeling actually means? It's all about giving your system an upgrade when it needs it most. Before you jump into this project, keep these five important factors in mind to get the most out of your investment. 1. The Ductwork Used Throughout Your Home Your duct system plays a huge role in how well your heating and cooling system works. Old, leaky, or poorly designed ducts can waste up to 30% of your energy! When you're doing a home remodeling project, it's the perfect time to check out what's happening behind your walls. Look at your current ducts — are they dented, disconnected, or covered in dust? These are signs you might need an upgrade. Flexible ducts might work for some spots, but rigid metal ducts last longer and usually leak less air. The layout matters, too. If your remodeling project includes adding new space to your home, you'll need to figure out how to extend your ductwork. Sometimes, the existing setup won't handle the extra load, which means you might need a redesign. Insulation around ducts also makes a big difference, especially in attics, crawlspaces, or unheated areas. Well-insulated ducts keep your treated air at the right temperature until it reaches your living space. 2. The Capacity of the HVAC System Needed An HVAC system that's too small won't keep up when temperatures get extreme. One that's too big will cycle on and off too much, wasting energy and wearing out faster. During your construction project, your home's heating and cooling needs might change completely. Taking down walls? Your airflow patterns will change. Adding a sunroom? That's more space to heat and cool. Putting in bigger windows? That affects how much heat comes in or escapes. A good HVAC professional won't just look at your home's square footage. They'll check your insulation levels, window quality, ceiling heights, and even which direction your home faces. All these factors help determine the right capacity for your needs. If your remodeling project is adding significant space, your current HVAC unit might not cut it anymore. Sometimes, you can add a second smaller system just for the new area instead of replacing your whole setup. 3. The Efficiency of Your HVAC System Your HVAC system is probably one of the biggest energy users in your home. When you're remodeling, you've got a golden chance to cut those bills down. Modern HVAC units are way more efficient than ones from even ten years ago. If your current HVAC system is getting old, replacing it during your remodeling project could save you serious cash over time. Look for that SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) on air conditioners and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) on heat pumps — higher numbers mean better efficiency. Smart thermostats are game-changers, too. They learn your schedule and adjust temperatures automatically, cutting waste. Some even track your energy use so you can see exactly where your money goes. Adding one during your remodel is pretty simple and pays off fast. Zone control systems let you heat or cool only the parts of your house you're using. If your remodeling project involves adding rooms or changing your home's layout, zoning might make a lot of sense. You can keep guest rooms cooler in winter when nobody's visiting, or focus cooling on bedrooms at night. 4. The Ventilation in Your Home Good airflow keeps your home healthy. When you're remodeling, you've got the walls open — the perfect time to fix ventilation problems. Modern homes are built pretty tight to save energy, which is great for your bills but can trap pollutants inside. Your remodeling project should include a plan for bringing fresh air in and pushing stale air out in a controlled way. An air purifier built into your HVAC system can trap tiny particles your regular air filter misses. During a remodel, it's relatively easy to add this feature to your heating and cooling system. This can be a huge plus if anyone in your family has allergies or asthma. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) bring in fresh air without wasting the energy you've used to heat or cool your home. They're a bit pricey to add, but during a major remodeling project, the extra cost might be worth it for the comfort and health benefits. 5. The Value of Different Types of HVAC Systems There's way more than just the standard forced-air systems out there. Your remodeling project might be the perfect time to consider switching to something that fits your lifestyle better. Heat pumps work as both a heater and an air conditioning unit, which can simplify your system. They're super efficient in mild climates, though they need backup in very cold areas. The latest models work well in much colder temperatures than older versions. Ductless mini-split systems let you control temperatures in individual rooms without installing ductwork. They're awesome for additions, finished attics, or if you're converting a garage to a living space. Each area gets its own temperature control, so you're not cooling empty rooms. Geothermal systems use the stable temperatures underground to heat and cool your home. They cost more upfront but can cut your energy bills by 40 to 70%. If your remodeling project involves major landscape work anyway, this might be worth looking into. Ready to Upgrade Your HVAC System? We Can Help! Remodeling gives you a chance to fix problems you've been living with for years. One of the biggest perks is that you can boost the efficiency of your HVAC systems while you're at it. With help from our experienced team at Hickey, you can make the most of your HVAC remodel and find the ideal setup for your home. Give us a call before you get too far into your remodeling process. Getting the HVAC plans right early saves headaches later. We can help with all your HVAC remodeling needs in Lynchburg, VA, or one of the surrounding areas. Contact us today to get started!

Why Does My Air Conditioner Run So Often? If you're noticing that your air conditioner is running much longer than usual, it's important to consider all the factors that determine the length of a cooling cycle. The air temperature outside, the size and condition of air ducts, the amount of insulation, and the condition of the weather stripping around windows and doors are just a few of the factors that will determine the length of the cooling cycle. How Long Should a Central Air Conditioner Run? Outside Temperature The cooling cycle will last until the temperature set at the thermostat is reached. It shuts off at that point and starts again when the house begins to warm up again. If it is just a few degrees warmer outside, it may run for a few minutes. If it is very hot and humid, with a 30 degree difference between the thermostat setting and outside temperature, it may need to run much longer to reach the desired temperature. Air Ducts and Circulation Because a central air conditioner performs best when cooling the entire house, it's important to keep all vents and doors open in every room when possible. Closing off rooms will not save energy, it will only make the AC work harder. Keeping your AC properly maintained, including changing the filter regularly, will also ensure that it's performing at peak efficiency. AC Sizing Air conditioners perform best when they are properly sized for the space they are cooling. The size of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs. One BTU is equal to the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. If your air conditioner has more BTUs than necessary, it will cycle more frequently. If it has too few BTUs, it will run much longer per cycle. Assuming your central air conditioner is properly sized for your home, it should be able to cool and remove moisture from the air in 7- to 10-minute cycles. If not there could be a problem. Have questions about your central air conditioner? Call Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical. We're here to help.

AC Not Keeping You Cool? Here Are A Few Things to Check With the hottest weather of the season upon us, you may be noticing that your home's central air conditioner isn't able to keep you cool enough during the steamy, dog days of summer. Before calling a Hickey Plumbing, Air and Electrical for help, there are a few things you can check first if your home is not staying cool enough. 1. Is the air filter dirty? It doesn't take much dirt to reduce the airflow in a typical fiberglass or paper filter. Even if the filter looks relatively clean, if it's more than a couple months old, replace it. 2. Is the airflow obstructed? Ensure that the supply registers AND returns are not blocked. Move furniture well away from vents to allow the air to flow. While It may seem like a good idea to close vents and doors in rooms that are unoccupied, it can actually make your AC work less efficiently as a result of having lower air volume than the system was designed to handle. 3. Reduce heat sources inside the home. Closing blinds on the south facing windows and skylights and cooking outside during the hottest days can make a significant difference in how much heat accumulates during the day. Also ensure that bathroom ventilation fans and range hoods are effectively removing humid air from the home. 4. Improve air circulation. While ceiling fans won't lower the temperature of the air, they will move the cooler air down into the living space and provide some evaporative cooling to help make warmer rooms feel more comfortable. 5. The AC is maxed out. It's important to understand that most central air conditioners are designed to deliver only a 20 degree temperature difference between outside and inside temperatures. If the temperature hits 100 degrees and the thermostat is set to 75, it's going to be running almost constantly. In this case, turning down the thermostat is not going to cool the house down any further. Need air conditioner service? Call Hickey Plumbing, Electrical & Air. We can help keep you home cool and comfortable all summer long.