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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February 15, 2022

The Ideal Time to Purchase a New Air Conditioner

When you’re ready to invest in a new air conditioner, you’ll have several things to consider. You have to determine what size system you need, what type to choose, and who you want to install it. Beyond all that, you need to decide what time of year you want to start the process. Not only will the time of year affect the price, but it will also make a difference in terms of your home comfort and energy usage. When Can You Get the Best Deal? If you purchase an air conditioner in the middle of summer, you’re going to pay through the nose due to high demand. However, during fall and winter, many suppliers find themselves overstocked with cooling units. If you shop for your air conditioner between October and February, there’s a good chance you’ll find significant discounts. Getting the Best Cooling Results If you’re still using your aging air conditioner when the summer heat arrives, your results will be less than ideal. Not only will your comfort be inconsistent, but you’ll also be spending more money on energy bills due to subpar efficiency. For this reason, spring is the ideal time to have your new cooling system...

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January 12, 2022

Cleaning Your Furnace/Heat Pump

Regularly cleaning your furnace or heat pump is essential to maintaining its function and efficiency in the home. Cleaning requires checking inside and around the parts for damaged machinery and contaminant buildup. By using your own safety measures and calling a professional when necessary, you can prolong the life of your heating system and keep your home properly heated. Cleaning a Furnace Cleaning your gas or electric furnace may seem like an impossible job. However, as long as you first turn off the gas supply or power and practice safety measures, you can reap the benefits of a clean and high-performing furnace. Both the interior and exterior need to be vacuumed and wiped down, including the blower, igniter, flame sensor, air filters, oil supplies and belts. A furnace is comprised of many delicate, essential parts that can be easily damaged or broken by accident. While light cleaning and vacuuming can help with your system’s overall functionality and efficiency, relying on a professional technician for more extensive cleaning jobs is the best option to minimize damage and costly repairs. Cleaning a Heat Pump By cleaning your heat pump every couple of months, you can maximize its life span, which is about...

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December 20, 2021

Why Is There Rust on My Furnace?

Metal that is exposed to water may form rust. It’s natural. You’ve seen it tons of times. Now, though, you are starting to see rust form on your furnace. You may see rust on the components or on the cabinet of the furnace. If this strikes you as curious, that’s understandable. Your furnace doesn’t use water to provide heat the same way your boiler or another hydraulic system would. Why is it forming rust? Most importantly, if your furnace has rust, does this indicate you have a serious problem? Rust Is a Common Problem with Furnaces Just because you see rust forming on your furnace doesn’t mean that you need to throw the unit away or that is going to fail on you immediately. Rust is the result of water mixing with metal and oxygen. However, if rust develops on your heat exchanger, it can weaken the unit, leading to carbon monoxide leaks. Rust forms on your furnace because the combustion gases used interact with the metal of your furnace. If your furnace does not have a functioning ventilation system, rust occurs faster. Typically, when we see rust in a furnace, it’s because moisture from the outside has entered the...

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November 20, 2021

Your Wintertime Heating Options

The options that you have to heat your home have expanded greatly as new technologies have been innovated and older tech continues to be refined. Here are some of the more common choices. Furnace Furnaces are by far the most prevalent type of home heating in the U.S. and are available in both electric and gas configurations. Most home heating setups with a furnace are centralized forced air systems that distribute warmed air via ductwork. Boiler Boilers are the second-most prevalent heating type in the U.S. There was a point when they were just as popular as furnaces, but their commonness has diminished as furnaces have become less expensive upfront and over the long term. The main difference between a boiler and a furnace is that a boiler uses hot water or steam to heat a home. Radiant heating systems are most common for homes with boilers. Heat Pump Heat pumps are essentially air conditioners that can operate in reverse in order to heat as well. They are highly efficient but are not suitable to climates where the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Hybrid Heating Hybrid heating systems pair a heat pump with a furnace. This allows you to...

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October 20, 2021

What Is the Best Temperature for Sleeping?

Finding the ideal optimal sleeping temperature may not be as straightforward for most people; however, experts recommend you should maintain your thermostat at around 65-degrees Fahrenheit in your bedrooms. Your body temperature begins to decrease to prepare for sleep; therefore, keeping the thermostat at 65 degrees helps lower the body’s core temperature. Doing so will help you fall asleep faster. The body’s circadian rhythms, also known as the body’s biological clock, are biological processes that reoccur every 24 hours to cause sleepiness during the night and attentiveness during the day. These cycles perform this by causing a dip in core temperatures at bedtime and a rise in the temperature when you wake up. Warmer sleeping environments are proven to interfere with the circadian temperature regulation process by hindering the body from reducing its internal thermostat, causing a poor sleeping pattern. Finding the Ideal Optimal Sleeping Temperature To find the optimal sleeping temperature, you don’t have to shiver all night. It’s advisable to keep your thermostat lower. You should also layer on extra blankets if a cool room is not ideal for you to fall asleep. You can push blankets off in the night when you get warm. Additionally, suppose the...

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September 20, 2021

Here’s How You Can Safely Re-Light Your Furnace

When the cold temperatures arrive, it can be so comforting to turn on your heater and enjoy the warmth in your home. However, sometimes your furnace might not be able to turn on. There are several reasons why you may be having trouble with your furnace, and one of them is that the pilot light may have gone out. Thankfully, it’s usually pretty simple to relight the furnace. Below, we’ll walk you through each step. 1. Gather Everything You Need Find a long match or a lighter, and bring it with you as you go to your furnace. When you’re at the furnace, locate two components. The first is the gas valve control knob, and the other is the “Reset” button. They should be close to each other and near the bottom of the unit. 2. Turn the Knob to the “Off” position This will stop gas from flowing. After you’ve turned the knob to the “Off” position, wait a few minutes. To be safe, set a timer for five minutes, and then come back when the timer goes off. This will let any gas in the chamber dissipate. 3. Press the “Reset” Button and Light the Match/Lighter With one...

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August 16, 2021

Why Is My AC Creating So Much Humidity?

An effective air conditioner is a necessity for hot summers. However, humidity caused by AC units is a major problem for homeowners. Many people who purchase a cooling system expect humidity levels to naturally be controlled by the stabilizing of air temperature. But, many AC units simply can’t achieve this. An AC unit’s main function is to absorb heat from the indoors and transport it outside, naturally lowering the indoor air temperature. An air conditioner draws moisture from the air when it pulls thermal energy to its evaporator coils. Water that condenses around the coils because of this is ultimately pumped out through a drain upon being collected by the AC unit’s fan. In this way, the air conditioner actually acts as a dehumidifier. It’s usually when this process isn’t working correctly that humidity becomes a problem. Reasons Your AC’s Natural Dehumidification Process Might Be Malfunctioning The first thing to check when trying to determine why your air conditioning system is making your house so humid is whether or not the evaporator coils are frozen. If the coils are covered in frost, they not only can’t cool the air efficiently, but they also can’t dehumidify the air. This causes your...

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July 28, 2021

Getting the Best From Your Air Conditioner

The experts at know that your air conditioning system is a serious investment in your home comfort. We want our Granite City customers to get the best return possible. Professional maintenance and a few simple steps from you will improve both the performance and efficiency of your system. Annual Professional Care An annual tune-up is one of the best things you can do for your cooling system. Before the summer hits, our experts will examine your system and look for any potential problems. They will also carry out several maintenance tasks like cleaning the condenser, checking electrical connections and lubricating moving parts. When they are done, you can relax knowing that your system is ready for the warm weather ahead. Members of our Comfort Club Maintenance Plan receive some additional benefits. We will handle the scheduling to make certain your maintenance appointment happens at an appropriate time. If we find any problems that require a repair, you will receive a 10% discount on the costs. Maintaining Proper Airflow There are several steps you can take to maintain the performance of your system. Airflow is the secret to a healthy air conditioner. You want to allow an uninterrupted flow whenever the...

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June 6, 2021

How To Prepare Air Conditioner for the Summer

Summer is nearly here, which means now is a great time to begin preparing your air conditioner for the changing of the seasons. Staying proactive by following a few simple tips will allow your system to operate more efficiently, which reduces wear and tear while also decreasing your utility bill during the hot summer months. Here are a few tips to follow on how you can prepare your air conditioner for the summer. 1. Replace Old Air Filters Air filters can eventually get dirty over time and impact the quality of your indoor air. It’s often recommended to switch out your air filter every couple of months to keep your air conditioner working at an optimal level. You can also switch out your air filter more often if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or if you have young children. 2. Schedule an Inspection Another way to prepare your air conditioner for the summer is to schedule an inspection with a local HVAC company. These inspection services can identify any problems with your air conditioner, which can save you a lot of stress in the future. An HVAC technician will also make minor adjustments to maximize the efficiency of...

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