July 10, 2025

Understanding SEER Ratings: Choosing the Right AC Unit for Your Illinois Home

Choosing the right air conditioner for your home in Illinois can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding energy efficiency ratings. One of the most important factors to consider is the SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it measures how efficiently an AC unit can cool your home during the cooling season. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the unit is. What Is a Good SEER Rating? In general, AC units today start with a SEER rating of 13 or 14, but many high-efficiency models go up to 20 or more. A unit with a SEER rating of 14 or 15 will get the job done for most homes, but if you’re looking to reduce long-term energy costs and improve performance, choosing a system with a higher SEER rating could be a smart investment. It’s also worth noting that Illinois has its own energy standards. As of 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy requires that new air conditioners installed in northern states, including Illinois, meet a minimum SEER rating of 14. So if you’re upgrading, it’s a good idea to look for units that not only meet but exceed this threshold. How SEER...

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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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September 15, 2019

What Are Swamp Coolers?

understands that not every home can use a traditional air conditioner to keep temperatures down during summer. A swamp cooler is a great option for homes without a central air conditioning system. They are inexpensive, energy-efficient, and don’t have any harmful refrigerants in them. They work especially well in dry climates and can keep indoor temperatures reasonable. Many homes are suitable for swamp coolers, especially in desert climates. How Swamp Coolers Work Swamp coolers use evaporative cooling to reduce the temperature in your home’s air. This is the same concept as putting a wet shirt on while running on a hot day to try to stay cool. Swamp coolers work by passing air through a wet filter. In the past, wet towels would be put up in front of fans or doorways where air was passing through. These were early versions of swamp coolers. When the hot dry air comes in contact with the wet surface, it cools down. Through this process, large amounts of heat can be extracted from the air in a room. Areas with low humidity are great candidates for swamp coolers. In humid environments, the air that passes through the wet filter is already wet and...

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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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