April 16, 2019

Find the Best HVAC System for Your Home

It’s important to find the best HVAC system for your home. This decision can impact your family for many years. A great HVAC system will keep you comfortable throughout the year. Here are a few things you need to know when choosing your next HVAC system. Inspect Your Ductwork If you’re thinking about a new HVAC system, then you’ll want to inspect your current ductwork. A professional contractor will need to make sure your ducts are sealed. Bad ductwork can cause you to lose 30 percent of your home’s energy. In most cases, the technician will also clean and seal your ductwork to improve efficiency. Find the Right Furnace If you have an older furnace, then you might want to replace it with an energy-efficient model. Older furnaces can increase your energy bills. You’ll want to find a model with a high energy-efficiency rating. Newer models also have improved air handlers to increase the air flow in your home. Air handlers are available in single-state, two-stage, or variable speed models. At , our team will help you find the right furnace for your home in Granite City, IL. Select an Air Conditioner You can improve your home’s air quality with...

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March 20, 2019

3 Reasons to Get Professional Heating Help

Here in Madison and St. Clair counties, we invest quite a lot in keeping our homes warm. It is tempting for families that have a member with some DIY skills to try to install, maintain or repair the family heating system. However, this is not a good idea. Unless you are a licensed heating professional, working on your own heating system could be dangerous to your home and those in it. 1. Heating Professionals Are Fully Trained Experienced, licensed heating professionals are able to spot small problems today that could become larger problems tomorrow. They are trained to perform multi-point heating system evaluations. These include things like checking the air pressure in the vents, looking for air leaks in the ductwork, examining the blower motor and testing the amperage flowing through different parts of the system. This work takes specialized knowledge and tools that are often beyond the scope of a typical homeowner. 2. Heating Professionals Detect and Correct Safety Issues Working with furnaces involves dealing with explosive gases. Many homeowners do not have the training to safely work on propane and natural gas heating devices. Heating professionals are trained to spot safety issues as their main priority. Homeowners can...

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February 19, 2019

How Often Should My Furnace Be Replaced

Eventually, your heating system is going to experience some issues you can’t fix. You’ll need to recognize these problems to know when you need to replace your furnace. Sometimes, you’ll notice your home isn’t warm in the winter anymore. You may ignore other issues because your heating system will still work. Although your heat pump is continuing to operate, there are reasons to buy a replacement. Some of the benefits of a new system will help your home. The benefits of a new heating system include: Saving on energy costs Improving air quality Reducing maintenance costs Improving heating When Is a Replacement Necessary? You’ll know you need to purchase a new heating system when your furnace requires expensive repairs. You can pay for repairs when you need them, but the costs will continue to increase. Purchasing a new system is often a better solution to your problems. Your new furnace will have a long life ahead of it, and you’ll save money that would otherwise go to repairs or maintenance. Energy bills are another reason you should replace your furnace. Over time, the cost of heating is going to increase in your home. The heat pump may continue to work...

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January 25, 2019

Tips to Combat the Cold Weather in Granite City, IL

When the weather outside is frightful, you don’t need to choose between freezing inside or having a gigantic heating bill. Taking a couple of small steps around your home can improve both your comfort and your heating efficiency. Check for Drafts You wouldn’t leave your windows or doors open while your heat is running, but a draft is almost the same thing. The small cracks around your windows and doors can lead to cold air pouring in. To combat this, make sure your weatherstripping provides an airtight fit or replace it. Reapply caulk around your windows anywhere you can feel cold air. Replace Your Air Filters on Time Don’t forget to follow the replacement or cleaning schedule for your air filters. Dirty air filters slow the flow of air through your furnace. This makes it take longer to heat your home, and the slower air flow could also mean that the heat won’t reach all areas of your home evenly. Use a Programmable Thermostat No one likes waking up or coming home to a freezing house, but there’s no reason to keep your home toasty while you’re asleep or at work. When you’re away from home, you only need to...

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December 17, 2018

Furnace Efficiency Tips

Efficiency has to do with how your furnace operates. The better it works the more you save in operating cost. So, when the systems are updated and maintained, furnaces distribute the heat throughout the home using less energy. The results show up on your utility bill. Today, all furnaces are required to have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings posted. Newer models have higher ratings, averaging between 80 to 96 percent efficiency. Older units average at about 75 percent, which means it uses more fuel to operate. Efficiency Lifestyles Besides using the latest furnace design to heat your home, technology offers control devices to help manage your home’s energy efficiency. Consider upgrading your thermostats to regulate the room temperatures. Fluctuating temperatures cause the furnace to turn on and off more frequently, costing you more money. Customized Features Smart thermostats are programmable with touch controls and WIFI compatibility for remote access. Check out the features that allow you to set temperatures and maintenance reminders to increase the benefits of energy savings. Maintenance Air filters need to be changed at least once a month during the winter to help remove the dust and airborne debris from the air ducts. If the air...

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October 10, 2018

Does Weather Damage My Heating System Over Time?

While normal rainfall does not damage an HVAC system over time, heavy amounts of continuous rain, as well as other forms of water, will deteriorate the interior and exterior of a heating system with proper maintenance by professional HVAC technicians. Flooding Flooding can severely impair the ability of a heating system to function properly. If your neighborhood has received over 10 inches in a short time, contact McFarland Indoor Comfort Systems today to schedule a thorough inspection of your unit. Excessively wet HVAC systems that cannot dry out for extended periods may suffer clogs, deteriorating wiring, insect infestations, and other problems potentially leading to operational failures. Hail and Ice While very short bursts of smaller than pea-sized hail won’t damage a heating system, longer bouts of bigger hail and icy rain will batter and possibly breach an unprotected HVAC system. However, what many people don’t know is that placing a heavy plastic tarp over an HVAC unit prevents air from flowing around the unit. Overheating or freezing up of the system could occur when HVAC units are too tightly covered. Snow Allowing snow to cover an heating unit for more than a couple of days allows moisture to constantly melt...

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September 27, 2018

Smart Thermostats vs Programmable Thermostats

Today, smart technology is moving into the home in many ways. With it comes the numerous benefits it can offer to you including more connectivity and seamless control over all parts of your home. Your thermostat is one of those areas. Do you have a programmable thermostat? Perhaps you are wondering if you should upgrade to a smart thermostat instead? Here’s what you need to know. What Can a Smart Thermostat Do? A programmable thermostat (which is still a relatively new option compared to traditional on-and-off systems) provides homeowners with the ability to set a temperature for when the system comes on and off. However, it also allows you to program times for different settings. For example, you may want to cool down the home on a hot summer day before you come home each day. Or, you may want to save money on heating costs by reducing the heating temperature during the middle of the night during the winter. Programmable provides you with some control. Benefits of Smart Thermostats Smart thermostats go further. Though differences are present from one system to the next, smart thermostats allow you to set the temperature and control times. But they also provide you...

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August 23, 2018

What Is Preventative AC Maintenance?

Preventative AC maintenance involves performing regular air conditioner maintenance and repair. It’s necessary to hire an accredited AC installation firm to install, maintain and repair your HVAC system. During preventative AC maintenance, a certified technician performs several tasks including: Checks Air Filter Determines Refrigerant Levels and Inspects Leaks Tightens Loose Electrical Connections Lubricates Movable Parts Ascertains Thermostat’s Condition Benefits of Preventative AC Maintenance Most homeowners rush to repair their conditioners before winter and summer. By then, AC technicians are usually in high demand. Some charge exorbitant prices for their services. It’s advisable to consider preventative AC maintenance as it offers numerous benefits including: High Energy Efficiency Regular AC preventative maintenance enables a typical HVAC system to use power efficiently. Routine maintenance constitutes cleaning the blades and cooling oils. Adequately cleaned cooling oils generate sufficient cold air. As a result, the air conditioner uses less power hence reducing your utility bills. Reduced Repair Costs Performing frequent preventative AC maintenance minimizes the likelihood of the system requiring major repairs in future. During each maintenance inspection, an HVAC specialist inspects and checks for any damage or malfunction. In case they notice any broken parts, they promptly inform and advise you on appropriate replacements...

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June 19, 2018

Can a Ceiling Fan Help Keep Your Granite City House 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...

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June 11, 2018

What to Look for in an AC Company

Choosing an air conditioning service for your home is a major commitment, especially when you are interested in adding value to your property while enjoying energy-efficient cooling any time of the year. McFarland Indoor Comfort Services provides a variety of air conditioning solutions throughout the Collinsville, Maryville, and Edwardsville areas. Before choosing an air conditioning solution that is right for you and your household, there are a few factors to keep in mind to ensure satisfaction while getting the best deal possible. Bonded and Insured Only work with air conditioning companies that are bonded and insured to protect your home, valuables, and all of your property from potential damage or theft. Whenever you are searching for a new air conditioner or AC repair service, inquire about a company’s insurance and whether or not all employees are licensed and insured. It is also highly advisable to research individual air conditioning repair and installation services using the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Verify that the air conditioning repair and installation company you are interested in using is fully accredited through the BBB before moving forward with any decision for your home. Flexible Financing Any time you are researching AC companies to help repair...

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