Whether it’s your daily, monthly or annual budget, every dollar counts when operating a business. The larger your retail or office space — the greater the potential to either waste or save money on energy costs. Although it’s an upfront investment for your business, professional commercial HVAC preventative maintenance will save you money in the long run.

What Preventative Maintenance is and Why it’s Important

Preventative maintenance is maintenance that is regularly performed on a piece of equipment to detect early signs of deteriorating equipment and to predict potential system failures.

Preventative maintenance is one of the most important parts of managing a building or facility. Along with lighting, HVAC systems are some of the biggest energy users and are responsible for about 60% of energy use in commercial buildings. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your building’s HVAC system will improve energy efficiency, reduce overall operating costs and ensure occupant comfort.

Additional benefits of a preventative maintenance program include:

Extended equipment life from proper maintenance and documentation
Reduced emergency situations due to planned services and evaluations
Improved safety and healthier environmental conditions for occupants

Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Every building and its environment have unique needs, which is why a customized preventative maintenance plan is ideal. A full-service HVAC contractor will conduct a comprehensive survey of the mechanical and environmental systems to create a customized plan.

A customized preventative maintenance checklist should include:

Full cleaning of HVAC system
Inspection of safety switches and devices
Check of heat exchangers for cracks or damage
Filter replacement
Calibration of temperature controls and economizer controls
Adjustment of fans and belts
Inspections of all electrical components

Cost of Preventative Maintenance

The average cost of a commercial HVAC maintenance contract is between $10 and $15 per square foot. The main factors that impact the cost are the building size, the building environment and the size of equipment in the facility. For example, a data center typically requires a more extensive HVAC system and maintenance program to properly maintain the critical environment than a small to mid-size retail building does.

At Bell Brothers, our primary objective is to help eliminate problems related to building operations. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and challenges and help them create a customized maintenance plan.

HVAC preventative maintenance in Des Moines is one of the simplest ways to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly all year. You routinely change the oil and rotate the tires on your car to keep it operating at its best, your HVAC system deserves the same level of care. Preventive maintenance is critical to the life and performance of your furnace and air conditioner. In most homes, it’s as simple as regularly changing your air filter and signing up for an annual maintenance contract.

Benefits of HVAC Preventative Maintenance

1. Longer Life Expectancy

Maintenance is an important step in extending the life of your heating and cooling system. A furnace or air conditioner can last up to 20 years — but not if it’s poorly maintained. Investing in HVAC preventative maintenance can save you time and money, especially with Iowa’s extreme temperature swings.

2. Home Safety and Comfort

During your biannual service appointment, the HVAC technician will clean your system and inspect its internal components. For example, the Bell Brothers preventive maintenance program includes checking the furnace and air conditioner, replacing filters and carbon monoxide testing. Technicians take the time to explain what they find and work to resolve issues on the spot, helping keep your Des Moines home safe and comfortable.

3. Better Air Quality

All the air in your home passes through the furnace filter. Simply changing the filter removes trapped dirt, pollen and allergens from your home. Disposable 1-inch filters should be changed monthly, while high-efficiency filters need to be changed every six months to one year.

4. Lower energy costs

An inspection from a professional service technician ensures your HVAC system is working at peak efficiency. If not properly cleaned every year, your system could be losing up to 40 percent of its energy efficiency! Properly maintaining your system is the best thing you can do to keep your energy bills down.

5. Reliable operation

When the Iowa humidity kicks in, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. The air conditioner includes an inside and outside air unit. It’s important to clear debris from the cooling coils on the outside unit to keep the system running properly. A plugged coil is the primary reason air conditioners fail in the hot, summer months. A service technician will clean the system’s cooling coils during your bi-annual maintenance appointment.

While the AC takes center stage, your furnace sits idle for about six months. This allows dirt and dust to accumulate in the system components, which prevents your furnace from running its best. If you turn the system on in the fall without properly cleaning the fans, that dirt and dust will blow right back into your home. Internal system maintenance is best left to a professional service technician; it’s a messy job and can damage your system if it’s not done properly.

Loyalty Rewards for Preventative Maintenance

Bell Brothers recently launched a Loyalty Rewards Program that makes annual maintenance even more valuable. The more consecutive HVAC maintenance agreements you sign, the more credit you earn toward a future system purchase.

Schedule HVAC Preventative Maintenance in Des Moines

Bell Brothers wants to help keep your HVAC system running efficiently and reliably all year long. Contact us online to schedule your next HVAC preventative maintenance appointment.

Learn more: How HVAC Refrigerant Works in Your AC System

To learn more about our commercial HVAC maintenance contracts or to receive a free estimate, call 515-244-8911 or contact us online.

Recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter are key to staying comfortable in your home all year round. Home is the one place where you should always feel comfortable. Unfortunately, the changing seasons in Iowa can cause great discomfort if you don’t adjust the indoor temperature accordingly. That’s why your thermostat is your best friend during the summer and winter months. This device allows you to create your ideal environment at the touch of a button. All you have to do is find the right room temperature setting.

Not sure what a good house temperature is for your space? Bell Brothers are here to help. Check out the guide below to see our recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter.

What Is a Reasonable Thermostat Temperature Setting for a House in the Summer?

If you live in Iowa, you know how hot and humid the summer months can get. Thankfully, air conditioning offers relief from this uncomfortable environment. The key to indoor comfort is setting your summer thermostat settings to the right room temperature. Follow these tips to maintain a balance between comfort, energy efficiency, and energy costs all season long.

Don’t go below 70 degrees: Setting your thermostat below 70 degrees Fahrenheit could cause a malfunction or break down of your AC, leaving you with no cool air.
Don’t go above 80 degrees: Setting your thermostat above 80 degrees will cause the humidity level in your home to become unbearable. Stick between 70 and 80 degrees for optimal indoor comfort and monthly savings.

If your current thermostat is on the fritz, consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to create a temperature schedule based on your daily activities. For example, you can increase the temperature when you’re sleeping or at work during the day to save on energy costs.

A smart thermostat is similar to a programmable thermostat but goes a step further by adjusting the temperature automatically based on your cooling schedule. Over time, it will learn what temperatures you prefer when you’re at home, sleeping, and away from home, so you don’t have to worry about changing the temperature manually or adjusting the cooling schedule yourself.

That way, you can avoid wasting energy when no one is home and can come home to a comfortable environment. Sometimes the issue isn’t your thermostat at all — if your system seems to be working nonstop but your home still feels warm, your AC isn’t cooling properly, which is a common problem during Iowa summers.

What Is a Reasonable Thermostat Temperature Setting for a House in the Winter?

While Iowa is hot and humid in the summer, it becomes frigid in the winter, with temperatures dipping into the teens. With that kind of cold, proper home heating is essential. Here are some tips to stay comfortable throughout the winter months.

Determine your ideal house temperature, and keep the thermostat setting within 5 to 8 degrees of it at all times. If your ideal temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t go below 62 degrees or above 78 degrees.
The recommended thermostat setting when you’re at home in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
When in doubt, set the temperature lower rather than higher. If you get chilly, you can always layer with more clothes or cuddle under a blanket to stay cozy.

Read a Similar Blog: Should I Set My Thermostat On Auto or On?

The Ideal Thermostat Temperature for Sleeping

Did you know the house temperature affects your quality of sleep? A study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed that excess exposure to heat increases wakefulness and interrupts your REM cycle, whereas exposure to cold temperatures doesn’t impact sleep patterns.

As part of the recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter, keeping the room temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re sleeping is ideal.

Doing so will not only improve your quality of sleep but also reduce your energy bills in the winter by conserving energy, as fewer heat cycles will run when they aren’t needed. This simple step will also enhance the longevity of your HVAC system by minimizing daily wear and tear.

The Best Thermostat Temperature for Plants

People aren’t the only ones who require the right temperature setting to stay comfortable indoors. Your plant babies do too. Plants thrive in environments ranging anywhere from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you go below 50 degrees or above 85 degrees, your plants will suffer.

Recommended Thermostat Placement Guidelines

It’s not just about what temperature you set your thermostat to; where you install it is just as important. We recommend installing it in an interior wall near the center of your home to allow for optimal airflow throughout the most used rooms. Proper thermostat placement helps improve energy efficiency and increase cost savings.

Where to Avoid Placing Your Thermostat

Whatever you do, don’t place your thermostat close to a heat source. Otherwise, the heat source will reduce your home’s energy efficiency. Here are a few locations to avoid.

In direct sunlight
Above air vents
In the kitchen
In a hallway
By doors or windows

What Size AC Unit Do I Need?

Before we dive more into the recommended house temperature for summer and winter, it’s important to first talk about the unit itself. A lot of people might be surprised to learn that their air conditioner could be too big for their house. When a system is too large, it costs more to run and it’s harder to control the humidity level.

A homeowner might try to save money by turning off the unit completely, but when it’s not running it’s also not dehumidifying. A humid house will feel much hotter than it actually is. This causes people to turn the temperature lower, which makes the air conditioner work harder without addressing the humidity level.

A smaller unit that is right-sized for your home will use less energy, which means it can run more often and constantly control the humidity level. You’ll likely feel more comfortable in a house that’s set at 75 degrees with a lower humidity level than you would in a home that was set at 68 degrees with a higher humidity level.

Time for a Thermostat That Works Smarter, Not Harder!

Is your outdated thermostat causing problems? It may be time for an upgrade. Bell Brothers Heating, Colling, & Plumbing has you covered with an energy-efficient smart thermostat that makes following the recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter easier than ever.

This programmable thermostat is wifi-enabled, allowing you to change the temperature of your home from anywhere with a mobile device. Schedule a thermostat installation appointment today to start enjoying optimal comfort, convenience, and energy savings.

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The evaporator coil and condenser coil in your HVAC system play an important role in your air conditioner’s cooling process. Because these are two key components of your AC, we wanted to share what each coil does, what happens to your AC when the coils are dirty and how to keep them clean.

What is an AC evaporator coil?
The evaporator coil is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace. It’s the part of an air conditioner that absorbs the heat from the air in your house. As air passes over the coil, the refrigerant removes the heat and then passes the warmed refrigerant to the condenser coil outdoors.

What is an AC condenser coil?
The outdoor condenser coil is where the compressed refrigerant is cooled off into a liquid by the outdoor fan. The liquid then flows to the evaporator where it turns into a vapor. Once the refrigerant has been turned into a vapor the cooled air is pushed through the ventilation system back into your home. This process of the refrigerant changing from a liquid to a vapor is where the cooling effect originates from.

What happens if AC coils are dirty?
If the evaporator coil and condenser coil are not cleaned regularly, your home will not cool properly. When dirt builds up on either of these coils, it makes it harder for your air conditioner to perform the refrigerant cooling process.

When your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home, it also has to use more energy. As a result, you could see an increase in your summer energy bills.

Another possible side effect – and worst case scenario – of your AC having to work harder is that your system might break down. This is especially likely during periods of extreme heat and humidity – which are all-too common in Iowa. Keeping the evaporator and condenser coils clean will help protect your AC from an unexpected breakdown.

How to clean evaporator and condenser coils
The best way to keep the coils in your HVAC system clean is to schedule regular preventative maintenance. When one of our service technicians comes to your home to clean and inspect your HVAC system, they will also inspect and clean the evaporator and condenser coils. These coils are hard to access, so cleaning them is a job that should be handled by a trained service technician.

However, there are a few things you can do to protect the evaporator and condenser coils inside your system. First, keep a clean air filter in your furnace by changing it once a month. Second, make sure your outdoor AC unit is free of debris like grass clippings, sticks and leaves.

If you have additional questions about maintaining evaporator or condenser coils, or if you’d like to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance, contact us online or give us a call at 515.244.8911.

We hear the term carbon monoxide talked about a lot when it comes to home safety. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless and is a by-product of the combustion that occurs with your water heater, your furnace or any gas-burning appliance.

Whenever there’s combustion, there’s also the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. There are many precautions you can take in order to protect your family and your home from a carbon monoxide leak.

Here are three common causes of a potential carbon monoxide leak in your home:

Cause #1: A Malfunction in a Gas-Burning Appliance

It’s crucial to maintain gas-burning appliances because if there’s a problem that causes incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide can be created.

Cause #2: Cracked Heat Exchanger

Your furnace’s heat exchanger is where the process of combustion occurs. The air from the furnace circulates around the outside of the heat exchanger. If there’s a crack in the exchanger, the air runs across the burner and causes incomplete combustion and, in turn, creates a carbon monoxide buildup.

Cause #3: Improper Ventilation for a Gas-Burning Appliance

Older appliances typically have poorer ventilation than newer units. Newer furnaces also have an auto-off switch that will shut the furnace off if it’s not venting properly. However, water heaters don’t have this feature and can be more likely to leak carbon monoxide.

Protect Your Home From a Carbon Monoxide Leak

As we all know, carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous. Keeping household appliances, like your furnace and water heater, well-serviced and well-maintained will help keep carbon monoxide levels in your home low. It’s also important to make sure you have proper ventilation for your gas appliances and a good carbon monoxide detector in your home.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises that every household install a carbon monoxide detector. Like with most commercial products, there are a lot of options to choose from. Detectors that plug into a wall outlet are a common option, but these detectors are often operating at only about 12 inches off the ground. Ideally, the detector would be at a person’s breathing level or around 5 feet high.

How to Test for Carbon Monoxide

The easiest way to see if there is carbon monoxide inside your home is with a carbon monoxide detector. Most detectors will start detecting carbon monoxide levels at 70 parts per million. Ninety parts per million is where you’re in the danger zone, leaving a small window for error.

We recommend purchasing a carbon monoxide detector that starts detecting and giving alerts of carbon monoxide at 5 parts per million. The detectors should be placed in key areas of a house such as the living room, hallways and bedrooms.

You can also have a private company come to your home and perform indoor air quality tests that include carbon monoxide testing. These types of tests go beyond a household CO detector and are conducted using an electronic portable toxic multi-gas monitor, which can be calibrated to detect trace amounts of carbon monoxide. For more information on the carbon monoxide detectors sold by Bell Brothers, visit our website or give us a call at 515-337-2456.

Why Spring Is the Best Time to Replace AC Systems

Replace AC system in the spring? You may be surprised to learn there’s actually a best time of year to upgrade your air conditioner or furnace, and spring is it. Here’s why it’s the smartest season to make the switch.

1. Manufacturer Deals & Rebates

HVAC manufacturers know that spring isn’t top-of-mind for most homeowners when it comes to heating and cooling. That’s why many offer seasonal incentives, including rebates and special promotions, between April and June. These offers can make a big difference when you're ready to replace your AC system, often saving you hundreds of dollars on top-tier equipment.

Instead of waiting until summer when demand spikes and prices rise, spring gives you a window of opportunity to take advantage of these cost-saving deals without the pressure of emergency breakdowns.

2. Ideal Weather Conditions

Replacing your HVAC system means going without heating or cooling for at least a few hours and sometimes an entire day, depending on your setup. In spring, you’re far less likely to be uncomfortable during the installation process. The mild temperatures allow technicians to work efficiently, and your home won’t be freezing or sweltering in the meantime.

If you try to replace your AC system in the heat of summer, you could be looking at a very hot and miserable 24 hours. In winter, going without heat can pose safety risks. Spring, on the other hand, makes installation low-stress for both you and your home.

3. Easier Scheduling and Faster Turnaround

Spring is one of the slowest seasons for HVAC emergencies. That means companies aren’t slammed with last-minute calls and can offer more flexible scheduling. Whether you're working around a busy calendar or need time to prep your home, you’ll have more control over your timeline.

You’ll also benefit from quicker turnaround times. Instead of waiting days or even weeks during the peak of summer, your new ac system can often be installed faster, getting you set up well before the next heat wave hits.

4. More Cost-Effective Long Term

If your furnace or air conditioner is nearing the end of its life, spring is the perfect time to replace both systems together. Not only do most HVAC systems have similar life expectancies, but they’re designed to work in tandem. Replacing both at once avoids future compatibility issues and can reduce overall labor costs, since the installation team only has to come out once.

By planning your upgrade now, you’re also more likely to choose the system that best fits your needs, instead of rushing to make a decision during a stressful, mid-season breakdown.

Learn more: How to Clean Your HVAC System This Spring

Ready to Replace Your AC System? Contact Bell Brothers in Des Moines

If your current system is outdated, inefficient, or nearing the end of its lifespan, spring is the best time to replace ac systems. Bell Brothers has been helping homeowners across Des Moines and Central Iowa upgrade their HVAC systems for more than 70 years.

We’ll guide you through your options, help you find the best unit for your home, and install it with care and precision, all before summer heat sets in. Contact Bell Brothers today to replace your AC system the smart way.

Spring is a popular time to buy a home. Homebuyers are hoping to find their dream home — perfect location, updated finishes, maybe even a white picket fence. One thing that doesn’t typically make the top of the list — but should — is an updated heating and air conditioning system.

A home inspection is pretty standard before signing on the dotted line. Some problems are obvious, such as missing roof shingles or water damage, but it takes a specially trained eye to catch and diagnose issues with the HVAC system.

Nothing can rain on a new homeowner’s parade like having an HVAC problem shortly after purchasing their house that requires a costly repair or system replacement. A professional HVAC inspection costs less than $100 and will help homebuyers make an informed buying — or negotiating — decision.

What a professional HVAC inspection Includes

When a homeowner or buyer schedules an HVAC inspection with one of our technicians, there are a couple of key things we make sure to check. First, we check the gas line and exhaust.

Then we run and test the HVAC system to make sure it’s still meeting the manufacturer’s specifications. We also inspect the heat exchanger, one of the most vital parts of a heating and cooling system. The heat exchanger is an expensive part to repair and replace, so it’s important to make sure it’s working properly.

We will also conduct an overall inspection of the system to determine if there has been a lot of service performed. Our service technicians can tell if an HVAC system has been a “problem child” by the number of new parts that have been installed.

Investing in a professional HVAC inspection is beneficial for both the homebuyer and the seller. If you are buying or selling a home and are interested in having an HVAC inspection performed, contact us online or by calling 515-244-8911.

Waukee homeowners looking for an energy-efficient comfort solution often find that a hybrid HVAC system is the best fit. Dan and Wanda, longtime Waukee residents, were beginning to experience technical problems with the 17-year-old heating and cooling system installed in their home. The HVAC system was nearing the end of its useful life and had also developed a refrigerant leak.

After weighing the option to repair the refrigerant leak or replace the HVAC system, Dan and Wanda decided the most cost-effective solution was to install a new system.

How a Hybrid HVAC System Improved Comfort for Waukee Homeowners

In order to select an HVAC system that was the best fit for Dan and Wanda’s style of home and their comfort needs, a Bell Brothers Home Comfort Consultant talked to the homeowners to learn what their comfort needs were and if they had been experiencing any issues with the current system.

Through this conversation Bell Brothers learned that Dan and Wanda were dissatisfied with the level of comfort on the second floor of their home, especially in the master bedroom and bathroom. The house had been designed with two HVAC systems, but when it was built the developer only installed one system.

In addition, the master suite is located over the top of the garage, which is an unconditioned space, making it difficult to get proper airflow into that part of the house. In the winter the floors in the master bathroom were cold and in the summer the master suite was hot. What Dan and Wanda were experiencing is a common problem for many homeowners in Des Moines who live in a two story home.

Bell Brothers went to work on a solution that would address Dan and Wanda’s desire to make their master suite more comfortable.

Why a Traditional HVAC Zone System Wasn’t the Right Fit

In the past, a common way to address the type of problem Dan and Wanda were experiencing was to install a zone system. Installing a zone system requires additional duct work to be run in the house, and in many situations is not a feasible solution. This was the case for Dan and Wanda as well. Installing a zone system in their home would have required a major construction project in order to run the duct work and would have been cost prohibitive.

The Hybrid Inverter System: A Smart, Cost-Effective HVAC Upgrade

Bell Brothers compared a couple of solutions, including a traditional unitary system replacement with zoning and a stand-alone duct-free mini split system. Bell Brothers was able to solve Dan and Wanda’s comfort problem and save them money by offering a hybrid HVAC system for Waukee homeowners that requires installing only one unit instead of two. Because of advancements in technology, Bell Brothers was able to provide Dan and Wanda with an HVAC system that combines a traditional unitary system with a duct-free mini split system.

Bell Brothers started the replacement project by replacing Dan and Wanda’s failing HVAC system with a new outdoor heat pump system. The next step was to install the new air handling system in the attic. Duct work was added in the attic, as well as small refrigeration lines that went from the air-handling unit in the attic to the heat pump outside.

Providing Additional Comfort Control

Most homeowners have one thermostat on their main floor. In order to get more airflow upstairs, it is not uncommon for a homeowner to turn the main floor thermostat down. This causes the temperature on the main floor to be uncomfortable in order for the second floor to be more comfortable.

To ensure that this didn’t happen to Dan and Wanda, a second thermostat was added to the master bedroom to provide independent control of their main floor and second floor. Dan and Wanda use the thermostat in their master suite to control the duct-free mini split system. And the thermostat on their main floor controls the temperature on the main level.

Improving Comfort Control With Dual Thermostats

Dan and Wanda are thrilled with their new HVAC system. The solution Bell Brothers provided is less expensive than the traditional zone system, which can run up to $30,000. In addition, the duct-free mini split system is highly efficient, and very quiet.

If you’re interested in learning more about how a hybrid HVAC system for Waukee homes or another HVAC system can help meet your comfort needs, contact a Bell Brothers Home Comfort Specialist by contacting us online.

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Spring has arrived! As the days start to get longer and the temperatures warm up, many of us will begin our spring-cleaning routine. One item we want to make sure is on your list is HVAC cleaning. Adding this to your list will help create a comfortable indoor environment this spring and summer.

To help you get started, we are sharing our tips on how to clean your HVAC system this spring.

HVAC cleaning tips

First and foremost, change your furnace filter. A dirty filter will restrict air flow into the HVAC system and decrease its efficiency. This video shares the different types of filters and how often each one needs changed.
Trim any vegetation near your air conditioner unit. As the temperature begins to rise, plants and bushes can restrict air flow around the air conditioner unit making it work harder to keep your house comfortable.
Take a look at the condenser coils inside your air conditioner. If the coils are dirty, or dirt is built-up between the coils, you should rinse them with water from a garden hose.
Consider adding an Air Knight air purifier to your system. This product is designed to produce cleaner air by reducing mold, bacteria and viruses. It also alleviates odors, air pollutants and smoke.
When it comes to HVAC cleaning, you don’t want to forget your ductwork. If you completed any renovations over the winter, your ducts might be filled with dust or debris. Or if it has been five to 10 years since your last duct cleaning, spring is a good time to have them cleaned.

Once your HVAC cleaning list is complete, turn on your AC system to make sure everything is working properly. If something seems off, one of our service technicians can come and take a look before the summer heat and humidity arrives.

Regular preventative maintenance on your home heating and cooling system is the best way to guarantee peak performance — and protect against potentially expensive issues down the road. You can schedule a complete inspection and HVAC cleaning by one of our trained service technicians by giving us a call at 515-244-8911 or by visiting our website.

Learn more: Five tips for protecting your HVAC system during a home renovation

HVAC Tune-Up: Why It Matters for Des Moines Homes