Do You Know the Most Common Problem With Furnaces?

October 18, 2023

During Peoria’s cold winter months, furnaces are essential for keeping our houses warm. However, problems may arise, as they do with any complicated system. The most common reason that furnaces break down might surprise you. It’s a dirty or clogged air filter. This seemingly small problem can result in a number of issues, but it is easily avoidable with regular care and upkeep. The Number One Problem: Dirty Air Filters A furnace’s air filter acts as a barrier against airborne particles like dirt and grime. The accumulation of these particles over time reduces airflow in your home. As a result, your home’s heating system will struggle to circulate warm air, which increases energy consumption, decreases efficiency, and may eventually cause system damage. An accumulation of harmful airborne particles also significantly harms your home’s indoor air quality and can lead to major problems for people with allergies or respiratory issues. What to Do About It The answer is shockingly simple: just change your air filters regularly. Experts advise checking them once a month and changing them at least every three months, depending on you circumstances. Pets or a smoker in the house will shorten their useful life. You should replace them...

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Understanding Your Furnace’s Maintenance Requirements

September 20, 2023

All furnaces require yearly maintenance to prevent issues and keep them working effectively. Without maintenance, your furnace will likely need more repairs and have a much shorter lifespan. Maintenance is also important for the energy efficiency of your furnace and will help to keep your heating costs lower. With all this in mind, here is a quick overview of what is involved with maintaining your furnace. Air Filter Replacement Replacing the air filter is one of the most important steps for maintaining your furnace and ensuring it continues to function well, and it is also the only maintenance task you should do on your own. It’s best to change the air filter at the start of the heating season and then at least once more during the winter as the filter should always be replaced every one to three months. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it will start to clog and greatly reduce how much heat your furnace produces. This means your furnace will start running longer, using more energy and experiencing more wear and tear. What Professional Furnace Maintenance Involves In addition to replacing your furnace filter regularly, you should also have your furnace professionally serviced...

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What Are Some Disadvantages of a Mini-Split System?

August 21, 2023

A mini-split system is an excellent alternative for those who don’t require whole-home heating and cooling systems, but there may be some disadvantages. Learn why a mini-split may not be the best option for everyone. Limited Cooling and Heating Capacity Though effective for small spaces, there may be better choices than mini-split systems for larger homes or open floor plans. These systems are designed to cool or heat individual rooms, making them less efficient for whole-house temperature control. If you have multiple rooms that require cooling or heating simultaneously, you will have to order additional air handlers. Currently, the largest available unit can handle eight air handlers. If you need more than that, you need to purchase an additional unit. Higher Initial Cost While mini-split systems are known for their energy efficiency, the initial installation cost can be higher than traditional central HVAC systems. This is because each indoor air handler is connected to the outdoor condenser unit, which can add to equipment and installation expenses. Aesthetics and Interior Design Impact While mini-split systems are less intrusive than window air conditioners, they still require an indoor unit mounted on the wall or ceiling. This can impact the aesthetics of your...

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Why You Should Replace Your 20-Year-Old AC

July 26, 2023

With the summer heat on the way, homeowners in Peoria, IL, know they need their home’s AC ready to go. For those with aging AC systems, this naturally leads to questions about whether it’s time for a replacement. But many homeowners are reluctant to replace their working AC systems, even if they’re more than 20 years old. However, that’s what they should do, and here’s why. Massive Efficiency Gains On average, a 20-year-old residential AC system will have a SEER rating of 10. Today, you can’t legally purchase a central AC with a SEER rating below 14. That means replacing your old AC with a new one guarantees you a minimum 28.6% energy efficiency gain. And if you want even more efficiency, you can easily buy a new AC with a SEER rating of 20 or higher. Increased Reliability No matter how well you’ve maintained your aging AC, it’s bound to break down soon. That means you could face the prospect of spending a small fortune on repairs just to avoid facing the summer heat without AC. By installing a new AC now, you can prevent that and guarantee that you’ll have reliable AC for many summers to come. You’ll...

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Possible Reasons Why Your AC Is Running But Not Cooling

June 12, 2023

There are several reasons why your AC may fail to work. The bad news is that it may fail to work when you need it the most. If your AC fails to blow cold air into your home, do not panic, as it does not always mean it has run into a complex problem. You can do some simple troubleshooting when a problem occurs. Here are some reasons why your AC runs but does not blow cold air. 1. Incorrect Thermostat Settings If your house is getting a lot hotter, the first thing you should check is the thermostat. Check the temperature setting and ensure it has not been adjusted. Furthermore, the thermostat may display inaccurate temperature readings, which means you will be wasting much energy trying to keep your home at optimal temperatures. Erroneous thermostat readings also mean that it cannot control the temperature inside your home effectively. 2. Dirty Air Filter Your AC has an air filter that prevents airborne particles from being circulated inside your home by filtering them out. It also ensures that the components of the system are clean. A dirty air filter restricts normal airflow, resulting in warm air circulating in your home. In...

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AC Tune-up: What’s Included in an AC Service

May 15, 2023

Air conditioners require regular maintenance, just like any other mechanical system in your home. During an AC tune-up, a technician will inspect and clean several key components of the system. Here are the basic components of an AC tune-up: Cleaning the Evaporator and Condenser Coils The condenser coils and evaporator coils are responsible for releasing or absorbing heat from the air in your home. If the coils get too dirty, they will become less efficient, and your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool your home. Inspecting Electrical Connections The electrical wiring and connections in your AC should be inspected and tightened to ensure they are not loose. This helps reduce the risk of a short circuit or other electrical problems leading to expensive repairs. Checking Freon Levels The technician will check the refrigerant levels in your unit. If the levels are low, Freon can be added to get your system back up and running at peak efficiency. In some cases, the Freon may need to be replaced. If there are any leaks in the line that carries the refrigerant, the technician will locate and repair the leak. Testing Thermostat Accuracy Your thermostat is responsible for controlling when...

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Tips for Establishing the Right Maintenance Schedule for Your AC

April 24, 2023

Maintaining a high-performing and efficient air conditioner in your Peoria, IL home starts with diligent care. From regularly changing dirty air filters to scheduling AC tune-ups, there’s much to keep track of. To make things a bit easier, the following are several tips for establishing the right AC maintenance schedule. Check Your Air Filter, AC Condenser, and Air Vents Monthly Filter changes are one of several AC maintenance tasks that homeowners can easily manage on their own. You should check your AC air filter once each month. If this component is covered in a thick buildup of lint-like debris, replace it with a clean one. This is also a good time to inspect the air registers, air vents, and air grilles throughout your home. These may be coated in lint-like material, too. If they are, use your vacuum cleaner and its hose attachment to suction this debris away. You can also wipe these components down with a damp cloth. When you’re done with your monthly AC maintenance indoors, take a quick trip outside. Make sure that your air conditioner’s condenser has no less than 2 feet of clearance on all sides. Trim back all bushes, trees, and other foliage growing...

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Is the Ductwork in Your Home Bad?

March 17, 2023

There’s a blower motor inside the furnace of your HVAC system. It’s designed to move heated or cooled air from your furnace into the air ducts that are installed throughout your home. That air then passes out through the vents in your various rooms. If something is wrong with your air ducts, there are a few problems that can develop. This includes higher bills resulting from energy inefficiency. Having your ducts inspected can help determine if they’re in need of repairs or maintenance. In the meantime, here are some warning signs to watch out for. Uneven Temperature Distribution The temperature inside a house should be consistent. When some rooms are hotter or colder than others, a problem with the ducts might be to blame. There could be loose or damaged ductwork near the affected room, resulting in poor air distribution. Strange Sounds From the Air Ducts Noise shouldn’t be coming from inside of your air ducts. If you notice whistling noises from the ducts, this could indicate that there’s debris or obstructions inside your ductwork. Whistling could signal that the ducts require repairs, as the noise may reflect air escaping through damaged sections. Odd Smells You should never ignore odd...

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4 Cons of a Smart Thermostat

February 10, 2023

A smart thermostat reads a building’s patterns and adjusts heating and cooling to ensure optimal comfort and energy use. Nevertheless, the device has its fair share of disadvantages. The following are some cons of a smart thermostat. 1. High Upfront Cost The cost of buying a smart thermostat is usually higher than that of a manual or programmable thermostat. This high cost can make the thermostat unaffordable to some customers. Even though a smart thermostat can help save energy bills, recovering its initial purchasing cost can take a long time. 2. Security Issues As with any internet-connected device, a smart thermostat can pose security issues to consumers. The smart device can be a potential gateway for criminals to access your building’s network and your private information. Fortunately, manufacturers are making more secure smart thermostats to prevent malicious activities. 3. Hard to Install Unlike a typical thermostat, a smart thermostat is not easy to install. Besides dealing with exposed wiring, installing a smart thermostat also requires one to know its compatibility with different heating and cooling units. Certain settings also have to be made to get the device up and running. Hiring professionals to install a digital thermostat for you is...

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What are the 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants?

January 19, 2023

Did you know that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? While most pollutants come from the outdoors, some are generated within our homes and offices. These include radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and biological pollutants. Let’s discuss these four major indoor air pollutants and how you can protect yourself from them. 1. Radon Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally. It is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in non-smokers and accounts for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year. Fortunately, radon levels can easily be measured with a radon test kit or professional help from a local radon mitigation company. 2. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from burning fuel. The most common sources are appliances such as boilers, stoves, and heaters that use combustible fuels such as oil, wood, or gas. Unvented kerosene space heaters also emit large amounts of CO into the air. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure all fuel-burning appliances are vented properly and that your home has working carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor. 3. Biological Pollutants Biological pollutants include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and viruses...

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