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January 19, 2023

Does Cold Weather Affect Air Quality?

There are many ways that wintry weather can make the indoor air quality in your home worse. If you feel like the air is stuffy in your house, our team can help you find ways to make sure the air you breathe is healthier. 1. Humidity Levels The humidity levels in your home will probably change in the winter. You’ll likely notice you want to drink more water, or your skin is dry. You may also notice that your house is dustier in the winter, which is because there isn’t enough humidity in your residence. Your collectibles, books, and furniture can even start to get ruined when your home doesn’t have enough humidity. 2. An Increase in Air Pollutants When it’s cold, there’s more pollution from cars, factories, and transportation, which settles lower because of the chilly air. When this happens, there’s more pollution that circulates into your HVAC system from the outdoors. 3. Heating Sources Furnaces, heaters, and fireplaces can all let off pollutants into your house because you run them when it’s cold outside. What makes this worse is the lack of ventilation in modern homes. 4. Too Much Insulation to Combat Cold Weather Modern houses are very...

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December 21, 2022

Furnace Lockout: Causes and Solutions

Is your furnace leaving you out in the cold more often than not? Is it refusing to restart after several attempts to reset it? You may be experiencing a furnace ignition lock out. What Is Furnace Lockout? Today’s modern furnaces come equipped with various safety sensors that ensure its proper function. If these sensors detect a condition that is determined to be unsafe, the furnace will be forced to shut down to prevent any safety hazards or damage to your unit. While these safety measures are effective, your furnace is likely to remain in lock out until you or a professional technician reset it. Many homeowners send a furnace into lockout mode after attempting to get it going several times without success. Furnace lockouts most commonly occur due to: Issues with a flame sensor Issues with the ignition mechanism Issues with a limit switch Issues with gas supply Faulty Flame Sensors A faulty flame sensor is one of the more common causes of a furnace lockout. As a furnace starts a cycle, a safety sensor checks for the presence of fire. If the safety sensor is defective, it will not detect a flame, and a control switch will halt the...

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November 18, 2022

What Are the Benefits of a Boiler Heating System?

When it comes time to replace your home’s heating system, a boiler should be at the top of your list of options. Boilers provide several benefits that other types of heating systems can’t match. If you’re unsure whether a boiler is right for your home, here are some of the top benefits you can expect. Energy Efficiency Boilers are very efficient at converting fuel into usable heat. Steam and hot-water boilers are at least 80% efficient due in part to their vertical flue space, which doesn’t require as much heat as horizontal flues used in forced-air furnaces. In addition, boiler systems don’t experience the energy losses often associated with ductwork found in forced-air systems. As a result, you can save money on your energy bills each month. Durable, Long-lasting Design Boilers are one of the most durable and long-lasting appliances in a home. They typically last over 15 years, with some models lasting even longer with proper maintenance. Boilers also require less maintenance than other heating systems, such as furnaces. One reason for this is that there are fewer moving parts in a boiler, which means there is less that can break down over time. Additionally, boilers do not circulate...

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October 20, 2022

Choosing the Best Heating System for Your Home

Boilers and furnaces are two of the most popular residential heating systems available. They both have many benefits that make it hard to choose the right one for your home. Learning more about these systems can help you choose the best home comfort system for your needs. Boilers vs. Furnaces Furnaces can use natural gas, electricity, oil, or propane to heat your home. They utilize a network of ductwork to transfer warm air to every room and floor. Boilers can use the same fuel types to create hot water. This water is then pushed through a venting system to heat the home before returning to the boiler to be heated again. Boilers can also be used alongside radiant heating systems, which are installed in your floors or walls. Boilers are typically quieter than furnaces and provide a more even and consistent heat. They won’t create hot and cold pockets that might affect your indoor comfort. Furnaces can have a direct impact on your indoor air quality if not carefully monitored. Boilers won’t circulate dust or other allergens that would otherwise set off your allergies. Both furnaces and boilers last on average about 15 to 20 years with annual maintenance. While...

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September 15, 2022

Why Is My Commercial AC So Loud?

Loud units can be distracting and annoying. That is why it’s essential to know why your unit might be making more noise than it should. By understanding the causes of loud commercial ACs, you can take steps to correct the problem and enjoy a quieter office environment. In this blog post, we’ll explore why your AC might be so loud. Loose or Broken Components A commercial AC unit is designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Eventually, parts such as screws or fan blades can loosen, become unbalanced or break due to corrosion or general wear and tear. This can cause the unit to vibrate and produce unwanted noise. Unlubricated Motor Fans If your commercial AC sounds louder than usual, there’s a good chance that it’s because the fan motors are running dry. Fan motors rely on a thin layer of oil in the bearings to keep them running smoothly, but over time this lubricant can begin to evaporate. The motor begins to make noise as the moving parts start to grind against each other. Clogging in the AC Unit Leaves, branches, dirt and other outdoor debris can build up on the AC unit’s coils, fan blades and...

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August 11, 2022

A Guide to AC Capacitor Replacement

The capacitor is an important part of your air conditioning system. When your AC kicks on, the blower fan motor, compressor fan motor and compressor motor all require a large amount of energy when they power on. The function of the capacitor is to supply a powerful electrical current to essentially jump-start these motors. An AC capacitor stores a powerful electrical charge, which it releases to allow the motors to start more easily. If the capacitor burns out or begins to fail, it can lead to hard starting. This is where the compressor turns on and almost instantly shuts back off. A bad capacitor can also cause the system to fail to start at all, and this can burn out any of the motors. AC Capacitor Replacement The capacitor is one of the few parts of an AC system that you can replace on your own, though if you’re not familiar with AC equipment, it’s best to leave it to a professional. If you’re experienced with air conditioners and home electrical maintenance, all you need to do is remove the access panel located at the back of the compressor, unhook the wires from the old capacitor and then rewire the...

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July 20, 2022

Why Is My AC Making My Home Humid?

Your air conditioner should never increase the humidity in your home. Stuffy, muggy air is a sign that something’s gone wrong with your AC or ductwork. The best way to protect your indoor air quality is to correct your humidity level before it causes mold or mildew. Here are a few possible reasons why your air conditioner may be impacting your humidity level. Leaky Ductwork Your ductwork is responsible for efficiently carrying cold air to every part of your home. If your ductwork is old or outdated, you will likely struggle with cracks and holes. This will increase your chances of moisture finding its way into your ductwork. You can minimize this problem by scheduling regular ductwork maintenance and repairs. Frozen Evaporator Coils Unobstructed airflow is essential to your AC unit’s efficiency. If your AC unit gets too cold, the internal evaporator coils may freeze. This will lower your unit’s efficiency and lead to water leaks and damage. Regularly cleaning your unit and checking for dirt and debris buildup will protect your evaporator coils. Clogged Filter Leaving a dirty filter in place for too long can cause a host of issues. A clogged filter may obstruct the system’s airflow and...

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June 17, 2022

What HVAC Dampers Are and What They Do

Being able to streamline the heating and cooling system in your home to meet the unique needs of each resident might seem out of reach. For decades, central HVAC systems were only capable of creating uniform temperatures all throughout the buildings they serviced. However, just as ductless mini-split systems make it possible to customize temperature settings in individual rooms, HVAC zoning services allow homeowners with central HVAC to enjoy this level of convenience, too. HVAC dampers are an important part of HVAC zoning. What HVAC Dampers Are Dampers are crucial components of zoned HVAC systems. Often referred to as duct dampers, these components block the flow of air when closed. Unlike closing off air vents in spaces that aren’t being used, dampers don’t place any excessive stress on your ductwork or on any other part of your heating and cooling system. If you turn the thermostat down in a room that you aren’t using, dampers will ensure that heated air bypasses this zone and goes where it’s needed instead. How Dampers Work Dampers act like valves in zoned heating and cooling systems. They determine which zones require conditioned air in order to achieve the desired temperature. HVAC dampers section ductwork...

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May 19, 2022

How Do I Clean an AC Window Unit?

Your air conditioner requires regular cleaning to ensure it’s running at maximum efficiency. Rinsing out the filter and wiping away grime can also protect your home’s indoor air quality. Follow these easy steps to clean and maintain your AC window unit. Cleaning Routine Begin by turning your air conditioner off and unplugging it. The best way to protect your living space is to take the whole unit outside to minimize dust blown into the home. However, you can still clean your window ac unit while it is still inside of the home. Remove the front of your AC, which may pop off easily or require a screwdriver. Consult your owner’s manual if necessary to ensure you don’t damage the system while taking it apart. Remove the filter and rinse it out under the sink. If it’s worn or damaged, consider replacing it with a new one. Your AC unit also contains aluminum fins. This is where the majority of the dirt and grime will accumulate. You need protective gloves and a fin comb or bristle brush to clean this part of your unit. Be careful not to bend or damage the fins as you wipe the grime away. Use condensed...

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April 18, 2022

How Ductless Mini-Split Systems Work

How Ductless Mini-Split Systems Work Ductless air conditioners, or ductless mini-splits, can be ideal for homeowners who don’t want to go through the hassle of installing intricate ductwork. Sometimes, as is the case with many historic homes, one can’t install it in the first place; other times, there’s a single room or outbuilding that preexisting ducts can’t reach. Whatever your situation, you have good reason to look into mini-splits. Before you consult with a team member at , though, you should know just why so many residents of Granite City, IL, request these products from us. Mini-Splits Are Heat Pumps First, mini-splits are heat pumps, which means they generate cool air the energy-efficient way: that is, by simply transferring heat from the indoors to the outside. It does this with a type of chemical called refrigerant, which courses back and forth between the indoor unit (the “air handler”) and the outdoor unit (the “compressor”). You Lose Less Energy with Mini-Splits With ducted systems, cool air is liable to leak out through old or poorly connected vents, but mini-splits sidestep the issue altogether. This means efficient cooling and a drop in your monthly bill. Even better, mini-splits come with fins that...

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