November 18, 2023

Is it Better to Repair a Furnace or Replace it?

Your furnace hasn’t been acting right lately, so it’s time to call for service. As you pick up the phone to dial, you may wonder, “Should I repair or replace this furnace?” To help you decide, consider the following factors. Frequency of Service Calls An occasional repair visit is no big deal, but frequent repair needs can really try your patience. If you’ve dialed our number so often that you have it memorized, it may be time for a new unit. You’ll get greater reliability with a furnace upgrade. Plus, your new model may come with a promising warranty. Cost of Repairs Some repairs are minor and don’t cost much to fix. Others come with a heftier price tag. That’s when you may start to think seriously about a new unit. Experts often suggest that you take the price of repairs into account when deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace. Opt for a replacement when the repair bill is going to be at least 50% of the price of a new model. Age of System Furnaces can last for many years, but they always wear out eventually. If yours has been around for a long time, then a...

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October 18, 2023

How often does a furnace need to be serviced?

Furnace maintenance is an important part of home care that homeowners must take seriously. Regular inspections and tune-ups can help prolong the lifespan of the furnace, improve efficiency, and provide a safer living environment. On the other hand, not taking the time to hire professionals to service your furnace can result in significant problems. Frequency of Servicing The common recommendation for furnace servicing is to have it inspected and tuned up once a year. Scheduling this annual checkup, usually before the onset of winter, is advisable as it prepares the heating system for the colder months ahead. Here are some other factors that can impact how often you need to schedule a furnace checkup. Age of the Furnace Older furnaces tend to need more frequent servicing compared to newer models. The parts will wear down as a furnace ages, and it may require more regular attention. Type of Fuel Used Different fuels burn at different rates and may leave varying amounts of residue. Furnaces using oil might need more frequent cleaning and inspection than those using natural gas or electricity. Usage Patterns A furnace that is heavily used during long and cold winters might need more frequent servicing. On the...

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July 10, 2023

The Difference Between Commercial and Residential HVAC

HVAC is a technology used in commercial and residential buildings to provide comfortable indoor temperatures. HVAC systems include furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless split systems, air handlers, evaporator coils, and thermostats. Different HVAC systems are designed for different types of buildings depending on the climate, size, and type of construction. This article will discuss ways commercial and residential HVAC systems differ. Size and Complexity Commercial HVAC systems are much larger and more complex than residential systems. They can handle a larger load and must be able to provide heating and cooling to more people. Commercial HVAC systems rely on multiple units and a series of ducts connected throughout the building to accommodate larger commercial buildings. Residential HVAC systems are much smaller and simpler in comparison. They use a single unit placed outside the home. Manufacturing and Installation Commercial HVAC systems require more robust components, higher energy output, and complex ductwork. The installation and maintenance of commercial HVAC systems also require a specialized skill set and experience, given their complexity and size. In contrast, residential HVAC systems are easier to install and maintain due to their simpler design and smaller size. These systems come in different types, each with unique...

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June 7, 2023

3 Reasons To Replace Your 20-Year-Old Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is designed to make your home comfortable when the outside heat is unbearable. However, like any other appliance, AC units age and lose their efficiency with time. Determining the best time to replace your old AC can be complicated. If your AC is about 20 years old, you might wonder whether it makes any difference to replace it. Here are some advantages of replacing a 20-year-old AC that you may find worthwhile. 1.Increased Energy Efficiency One major reason to replace an old AC is to improve energy efficiency and lower overall utility bills. An old unit becomes inefficient because of wear and tear from being used regularly. Newer AC systems are engineered to be energy-efficient, which can significantly save your energy bills. They may save you over 20% on your cooling costs. 2. Avoid Regular Repairs Throughout the lifespan of your system, you may need to schedule repair services for minor issues as they are cheaper than buying a new system. However, if your system is 20 years old, you may start scheduling repairs often. If the repair requires the replacement of a large and costly part, you should start considering replacing it. Constant repair costs may...

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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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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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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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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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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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