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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May 24, 2021

Why Do Air Conditioners Freeze Up?

An AC unit that freezes up is an all too common issue for many homeowners. A frozen air conditioner is especially frustrating in the middle of summer. Sometimes you can follow a few simple tips to take care of the problem yourself, or you may need to reach out to an HVAC company to further investigate the problem. Here are a few of the most common reasons why air conditioners freeze up. 1. Dirty Air Filter Most people make the mistake of not replacing their air filters on a regular basis. Over time, an air filter will get dirty and cause additional strain on your AC system. All of this extra dust, dirt, and pollen will restrict airflow and cause your system to freeze. The best way to avoid this situation is to change out your air filter every couple of months. You may need to consider replacing your air filter more often if you have pets in your house, children, or if you have a household member who smokes. 2. Refrigerant Leak A refrigerant leak can cause your air conditioner to eventually freeze up. You may also hear a hissing noise or notice that your AC system is blowing...

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April 13, 2021

Should I Turn Off My Gas Furnace in the Summer?

When summer arrives, many people don’t want to think about their home’s gas furnace anymore. Cold weather drifts into the past, and summertime redirects focus toward the air conditioner. Unfortunately, homeowners might leave their gas furnaces running in the summer months. Doing so could be a costly mistake. The Pilot Light Keeps Running A gas furnace relies on a pilot light to ignore the gas that goes through the burners. When the thermostat doesn’t engage the heating system, the burners won’t fire up. However, if the gas furnace remains operational, then the pilot light stays lit. And yes, the pilot light requires some gas to stay ignited. Homeowners have to pay for that pilot light gas. Monthly bills may reflect that gas usage, which adds up over the summer months. Shutting off the furnace addresses both fossil fuel and monetary waste. Homeowners living in Granite City or anywhere in Madison and St. Clair counties can request heating and cooling maintenance from . Our team can inspect, clean, and shut off a furnace for clients. Meddling With the Thermostat People make mistakes, and someone who “plays” with the thermostat may accidentally set the temperature to an unacceptable level. If the temperature...

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March 19, 2021

What Are Indoor Air Quality Monitors?

Life can’t exist without air. That’s why humans take an average of 20,000 breaths a day. Whether you’re awake or asleep, you depend on fresh and clean air to keep you healthy in your Granite City home. Unfortunately, the air in many homes is anything but fresh or clean. That’s because indoor air is commonly filled with countless visible contaminants, many of which have the potential to make you and your family very sick. To help overcome this problem, recommends utilizing indoor air quality monitors to find these hidden contaminants and remove them from your home for good. Cool Science The science behind indoor air quality monitors is truly fascinating. Most monitors utilize electrochemical or optical sensors to detect the concentration of various contaminants. An electrochemical sensor, for example, uses an electrode surrounded by a liquid that is known to react with certain contaminants. Based on the frequency of the reaction, the sensor can determine if a certain contaminant is at dangerous levels in your Madison County home. A Monitor for Every Contaminant Some common contaminants in your home might include carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, lead, mold, radon, and more. For some contaminants, such as carbon monoxide and radon,...

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February 12, 2021

How Can I Make My Windows More Energy Efficient

Since windows are very expensive, it makes no sense to replace them just to increase the energy efficiency of your home. The good news is that you can make old windows more efficient, so you save money on your energy bills and make your house more comfortable. Old windows usually have air leakage around them. You can use weatherstripping or caulk to inexpensively seal any gaps or cracks. While these are long-lasting solutions, check windows every year to make sure they’re still sealed. Window Treatments Thick drapes will improve the energy efficiency of your windows. In the winter, they reduce the amount of heat leaving your home. In the summer, they prevent the sun from warming your house through the windows. On sunny winter days, you can open the drapes to let the sun heat your residence for free. Window Film You can apply window film to reduce how much the sun heats your home. You can install window film either temporarily or permanently. Temporary window film is preferable in cold climates, as you can remove it in the winter to let the sun heat your house. Storm Windows Unlike in years past, modern storm windows can be permanently installed....

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