February 27, 2018

Winter Energy Saving Tips

An average American spends approximately $2,000 on utilities annually with at least half of the money being spent on heating or cooling the home, especially during the cold and hot seasons. The home heating costs are already soaring as the winter season continues in Granite City. Taking some time to winterize your home can go a long way in cutting down your energy bills. Here are some of the winter energy saving tips to help you cut down on your energy bills this winter. Bundle Up with the Warm Accessories This is one of the best ways you can adapt to save on your heating bills. Instead of turning on your heater, put on warm socks and a cozy winter sweater and turn down your thermostat. Don’t shed that sweater when you at home in the evening. You can easily save up to five percent on your heating bill for every single degree you drop your thermostat in the 60 to 70-degree range. Remember to Adjust Your Programmable Thermostat at Night The U.S Energy Department says that you can save up to 11 percent per year on your heating expenses by turning your thermostat down to 15.0 degrees for at...

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January 16, 2018

What Are the Benefits of UV Lamps?

Consumers usually use ultraviolet light products to sterilize water, remove germs from surfaces, and sanitize toothbrushes. However, there is another use of UV light when it comes to your HVAC system. UV light cleans the air which helps your HVAC system serve you efficiently. HVAC UV lights improve your home’s heating and cooling system in many ways. If you are a homeowner who is concerned about how the indoor air quality affects your sibling’s health, then you should consider installing UV lamps. Below are some of the benefits of HVAC UV light systems. It Improves Air Flow The UV light technology has been utilized in various air cleaners and heating and cooling systems since 1990 when the UV light became an answer to improving the home indoor air quality. The UV light helps in preventing microbial buildup on duct surfaces, air filters, drain pans, and cooling coils. This helps in minimizing contaminants that could easily build up in your HVAC system’s ductwork and cause it to work harder than usual. Eliminating the biofilm growth and contaminants from your system improves both heat exchange and airflow. It’s Crucial in Bacterial and Virus Elimination Installing UV light lamps is particularly crucial for high-risk environments...

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December 19, 2017

Should I Keep My AC on Auto or On?

Auto and On Settings – Whats the Difference? While for the most part, your AC unit is pretty self-explanatory it can difficult to understand the difference between setting your unit to “ON” and “AUTO”.  Both of these settings will force your AC to run, so what is the difference?  Setting your AC to AUTO means that the unit’s fan will run when the AC unit has turned on to reach the set temperature.  When AUTO is selected your unit will only turn on to circulate the cold air throughout your home or office.  Once the desired temperature is reached the fan will shut off. Know the Costs Selecting the ON function on your AC unit will keep the fan running constantly, regardless if the unit is actively cooling.  While on the surface this may seem like it is accomplishing the same goals, you could be wasting a great deal of energy.  Having the fan run all the time, even when there isn’t any cold air to circulate can cause your electric bill to spike.  Keeping the fan motor running constantly can also cause the fan motor and parts to wear out faster than normal.  When the fan is continually running the...

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November 27, 2017

Why Now Is The Best Time For Home Humidifiers

Did you know that nasal congestion is caused low humidity and is harmful to your eyes, skin, and respiratory system? The healthy humidity range falls from 40% to 60%. Low humidity is just as dangerous as high humidity hence the need to keep it around the healthy levels. Home humidifiers play the vital role of keeping your home conditions checked. At McFarland, we provide home cooling and heating services in Granite City, IL. We are carrier factory authorized dealer. Effects of Low Humidity Low humidity is mostly experienced during winter. The indoor air quality becomes dry. The cold air carrying less moisture finds its way into the house where it becomes heated lowering amounts of humidity inside. The low humidity irritates the eyes because it causes a drying effect. The skin also becomes itchy and flaky while the mucous membrane dries increasing the risk of developing infections such cold and flu among many others. Roles of Humidifiers It is indisputable that during winter, a quality home humidifier is a necessity. During this season, naturally indoor air quality is dry, and home heating system aggravates it. If not well managed, you and your family will continually feel thirsty. Sooner or later...

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October 27, 2017

How Do Temperatures Affect Productivity?

Wonder why so many employees are constantly making mistakes when the weather changes? Adjust the Thermostat According to the Room Temperature Common mistakes could be due to the office thermostat setting being set too high or too low. Many employers are at a loss when it comes to ineffective office productivity, and why some employees are making more errors and putting out less work. The temperature in an office setting has a lot to do with whether an employee can turn the company a profit, or cost the company a loss. Studies show that when employees are comfortable, they produce more, and they maintain a positive workflow. However, when thermostat settings are not adjusted according to the room temperature, employees become irritated, frigidity, Cooler Rooms on Hot Days – Warmers Rooms on Cooler Days Equal More Profits Employers can control the office productivity of their workers by keeping the work environment at a comfortable temperature. Workers can perform their duties more effectively if they are working in a pleasant, comfortable surrounding. However, workplaces that provide too little or too much heat or air can expect poor work performance from its employees. Heating and cooling experts agree, that the idea indoor air temperature for any room...

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September 19, 2017

Can a Ceiling Fan Help Keep Your Illinois Home Warm?

Heating costs in Granite City can become very expensive, but a small change you can make to save money is changing the direction of the ceiling fan. Ceiling fans serve a dual purpose of helping cool your home during the summer and keeping your house warm during the winter. As your furnace heats your home, the warm air rises to the ceiling. The ceiling fan works by pushing the air back down into the room.  By flipping the switch on the motor casing, you reverse the direction of the fan blades from counterclockwise to clockwise. The airflow will then reverse from moving upward to downward. Run the fan on the lowest setting so that it slowly recirculates the air, without creating a breeze. When you leave the room, make sure you turn the fan off so there is no wasted electricity. The only room that you will want to leave the fan on is the room with the thermostat. This will allow the thermostat to get a more accurate reading of the temperature in your home. If you have an open staircase, you should also install a ceiling fan at the top to recirculate the warm air upstairs back downstairs. There are several Edwardsville...

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August 24, 2017

Reaching AC Efficiency

When it comes to air conditioner efficiency, many homeowners notice that models boasting higher efficiency also come with higher price tags. However, an energy efficient air conditioner can be an invaluable investment in your home. In order to decide if it is a good time to upgrade, it is important to consider a few variables about your current air conditioning system: The type of HVAC unit you have. If you use in-window or room unit air conditioners, you are wasting money every month. A central air system is much more efficient and costs less to run every month. In addition, a central air HVAC system makes the air that circulates throughout your home healthier to breathe by running it through a dehumidifying component before it comes out of your vents. If you are still using single room units, it is probably time to upgrade to a central air system. The efficiency of your HVAC system. Even if you have a central air system, it may not be as efficient as it could be. Air conditioning efficiency is measured by seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER. The SEER indicates the amount of energy the unit needs to produce a certain cooling...

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July 22, 2017

The Importance of AC Maintenance

Every machine in existence is destined for the same end, and mechanical failure of some sort is inevitable. Thankfully, almost any air conditioning unit manufactured in the past decade can be counted upon for function well for years on end. But even that much hinges upon proper maintaining of a given machine. Particularly in the warm spring and summer months of Granite City, an AC unit is almost certain to experience hundreds or thousands of hours of heavy usage. A sustained output of that sort is enough to test even the best cooling systems modern manufacturing technology can produce. As an AC repair job can prove exceedingly costly, depending upon the damage in question, detecting problems before they can cascade into outright catastrophes is always preferable. After all, the worst malfunction is the one you could easily have prevented. Inspect your system’s exterior regularly and check your thermostat periodically. If something major is amiss, it will likely be apparent, even to the untrained eye. And remember—if anything sounds a bit out of place (clanking, tapping, screeching), consult with a knowledgeable technician immediately. Most HVAC malfunctions are preceded by warning signs which, if acknowledged, will allow you to get in front...

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June 22, 2017

Are Expensive Filters Worth It?

As you’re getting your HVAC system ready to keep your home cool for another summer here in Illinois, you want to make sure you’re being as smart and efficient as possible. One of the questions we get a lot at McFarland Indoor Comfort Services is whether it’s worth the extra money (up to seven times as much) to buy expensive filters for your unit. It’s important to remember that a filter’s main job is keep unwanted items – dust particles, pet hair and the like – from getting into the coil and clogging things up. Filters are made to protect equipment, not people. The makers of expensive, high-end filters claim their products can “capture at least 90% of large airborne particles like dust, pollen and pet dander from the air passing through the filter.” Even if that’s true, that means they’re preventing those foreign objects from passing through the filter; not even the filter manufacturers claim they can improve indoor air quality for people in the house. While there is anecdotal evidence from people who say expensive filters lead to cleaner air, here at McFarland Indoor Comfort Services we haven’t seen reputable studies to back up the claims that pricy...

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April 15, 2017

5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your AC Unit

No one likes to think about the end of their AC unit’s life. So don’t! There’s no reason you’re your machine can’t stay with you for many, many years to come. Keeping your AC unit around is easier than you think. At McFarland Indoor Comfort Services, we sell you products that are guaranteed to last. Still, there are a few easy ways to make sure everything stays running well. Here are 5 simple tips on how to extend the life of your AC unit: Got a lot of stuff hanging around your condenser? Clear all of that away! Keeping too much stuff around your condenser can cause its functions to become restricted which is never good. Make sure to keep your bushes trimmed and debris cleared out around your condenser as a way to add a few more years to your air conditioning unit’s life. Try to keep your AC unit out of direct sunlight. Doing so can make sure that it stays cool and doesn’t overheat. Think about planting some trees near your air conditioning unit in order to keep it in the shade— maybe even a palm tree, for a tropical feel. Clean your AC unit regularly. Leaving...

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