Doug Francis | Realtor

  • Our Business
  • About Me
  • Sell Your Home
  • First Contact

That’s One Hot House!

June 14, 2010 By Doug Francis

Doug Francis | AC Units

A Dual Zone AC System

We just survived our first super-hot summer weekend in Northern Virginia and it is only mid-June! With temperatures in the 90°’s and humidity running at 70%+, this is the time of year that home owners start to see their central AC units crash.

I always recommend to my clients after they buy a home to look into service contracts with local Heating and Cooling contractors because problems always happen when temperatures are extreme. For example, a client living in Vienna once called me when it was 12° and her furnace had quit, and another called when it was 95° to say that there was a block of ice on her AC unit and her house was boiling!

Luckily I had provided them with one-year Home Buyer Warranties when they bought their homes so they had someone to call. From personal and professional real estate agent experience, I know that clients will typically call me when there isn’t heat or AC, so providing a little extra “peace of mind” for them at closing with an action plan is like putting money in the bank!

A Home Buyer Warranty plan only lasts one year… but it’s good to have.

Here are some ideas for keeping your home cool:

  • keep shades drawn on extra hot days or when you are at work
  • adjust plantation shutters so the slats are deflecting the sunlight
  • install ceiling fans
  • keep your AC set at a manageable temperature during the day
  • make sure your windows are locked tight
  • turn off recessed lights
  • consider getting a professional “energy audit” of your home
  • Switch the thermostat fan to “on” from “auto” to circulate inside air

If your AC fails on a weekend, here are a few ideas:

  • check your thermostat to make sure it is on AC (move the darn switches)
  • make sure the service shut-off switch (looks like a light switch) on the air handler hasn’t been accidentally switched off.
  • check your circuit breaker box and make sure it hasn’t tripped the switch
  • if there is a block of ice outside, let it melt and call an AC guy
  • check the overflow drain pan for water

I always have home buyer clients get home inspections but problems with any HVAC system are impossible to predict. Your inspector probably gave you a report that describes your HVAC system so go back and take a look because it will refresh you memory.

If you can’t get your AC purring, then it is time to call a professional to tune up and repair the system. If it is old then be prepared to buy a new one since most older systems can not be repaired any more… read more.

Okay, I’m open to learn about your worst AC or furnace problem, anyone?

Related articles by Zemanta
  • 11 Tips for Prepping Your House for Summer Energy Usage (suddenlyfrugal.com)
  • Keeping a Home Cool Without Paying for Air Conditioning (personalbudgeting.suite101.com)
Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: home inspection, real estate, technology

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Helping my clients add value to their home has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more then invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg
Viva Vienna Vienna Idol event on the Town Green sponsored by Caffe Amouri

The Vienna Town Green

The Town Green in Vienna, Virginia is located where Maple Avenue intersects the W&OD Bike Trail and Mill Street. The Town

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Time to Down size to a retirement home

Transitioning Into Retirement | Your Real Estate Plan

Maybe it was the gray hair, the years of experience, or just being in my late 50’s that helped introduce me to clients who are transitioning into retirement and are downsizing. The baby-boomer retirement plan was accelerated by “Covid-19” as long time owners found the old house was just too big. The retirement dream became […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2022 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Doug Francis Vienna Real Estate 2021
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2022 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in