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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The Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality on Your Home

December 20, 2022

Many clients who call us to their Peoria homes are concerned about their household temperature. However, the technicians at know there is more to home comfort than the reading on the thermostat. Poor indoor air quality can heavily impact your quality of life. Dust and Allergens On a sunny day, you can watch dust floating in your air. The visible particles consist of fibers, hair and dander. On a smaller scale, you may also find pollen grains and other allergens. These substances can trigger cold-like symptoms and asthma issues in people who are sensitive. Installing more efficient air filters and air purification equipment will reduce the levels of these common irritants. Mold Spores Mold develops in any place there is extra moisture. Once a colony establishes itself, it sends off spores that allow it to grow larger. This organism will damage fabrics, stain your walls and give your home a musty smell. Some mold strains can cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Using ventilation fans in your bathroom can help prevent mold and mildew. However, the best mold prevention comes by controlling your home’s humidity. The team is happy to talk about our humidity solutions. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)...

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Dangers of Clogged Furnace Filters

November 18, 2022

Switching out your furnace filters regularly is a great way to protect your HVAC system from serious damage. A key function of these filters is to trap particulates. However, your filters also stop debris and lint from accumulating inside the HVAC cabinet. Here are a few of the ways a clogged filter can harm your furnace and even stop it from functioning. Increases Energy Consumption Your heating system requires a constant supply of air to be able to produce and distribute heat. When your HVAC filter is clogged, more debris can make its way into the system. Your furnace then has to work harder to produce the same amount of heat. Not enough airflow also increases how long your furnace has to run. This puts stress on the system, leading to higher energy bills and more frequent repairs. Freezes Evaporator Coils In a healthy system, internal condensation will dissipate as air moves over it. However, a clogged filter can cause this moisture to freeze on the evaporator coils. Once this ice starts to melt, it will drip down into the furnace, causing issues like mold or rust. If rust spreads to your heat exchanger, you may have to replace the...

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3 Possible Reasons Your Furnace Is Making a Banging Noise

October 20, 2022

When the Peoria, IL winter is in full force, it’s important that your furnace is running smoothly. After all, you’re probably relying heavily on the heating system to keep your household warm and comfortable. So, when the appliance starts behaving strangely, it’s always disconcerting. In some cases, a furnace that’s having mechanical problems will start making strange noises, which can indicate a variety of issues. One of the most common furnace sounds is a banging noise, and there are a few things that could potentially mean. 1. Dirty Burners Over time, it’s relatively normal for your furnace’s burners to become dirty. If not addressed, though, that can start to cause problems. If enough dirt and debris are allowed to build up, it can result in the furnace making a loud banging noise when the burners attempt to ignite. Essentially, these noises are small explosions that are taking place inside the appliance. Ideally, you should have your furnace’s dirty burners cleaned by professionals as soon as possible to prevent more serious problems from occurring. 2. Fan Blockage For your home’s furnace to push warm air around the household, it needs its fan to have a clear pathway and be working properly....

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Why It’s Important to Hire an AC Technician to Replace Your AC Unit’s Motor

September 13, 2022

An air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home. You’re able to enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures all year round, but that’s only possible if all parts of your AC unit are functioning well. An air conditioner motor is a critical component in your AC unit and may need to be replaced due to damage or normal wear and tear from the passage of time. Replacing an Air Conditioner Fan Motor The fan motor is responsible for blowing indoor air across the condenser. A set of cooling copper coils, the condenser regulates the refrigerant in your AC to ensure that the air reaches the temperature set by the thermostat. This cooled air is then circulated through the vent and out to the rest of the home. As time goes by, your AC unit’s motor can wear out due to age. It is important to conduct regular maintenance to ensure that the motor is functioning normally. An HVAC technician from can help you determine if the motor needs repair or replacement. Why You Need an HVAC Technician to Replace the AC Unit’s Motor Hiring an AC technician offers many benefits. Most importantly, a professional will have the right...

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Can You Safely Power Wash Your Outdoor AC Unit?

August 15, 2022

The outdoor unit of your Peoria, IL home’s air conditioning system is constantly exposed to the elements. In addition to sunlight, dust, and dirt getting on the unit’s housing, pollen, tree sap, and animal droppings may also accumulate on it. This debris interferes with the AC system’s energy efficiency and longevity, so you might wonder how to clean it and whether or not it’s safe to do so. Read on to learn more about whether or not it’s safe to power wash your AC unit. Avoid AC Damage Never power wash any part of your AC unit. A power washer delivers too much pressure. This pressure warps aluminum. In some cases, the high-pressure stream of water can crack the tubing, which will cause a total failure of your air conditioner. Safe Ways to Clean the AC Unit Once each month, rinse the outdoor unit. It’s safe to do this with a garden hose and spray nozzle. To start, power off the AC. Turn off the breaker to the unit. Use the jet spray setting on the nozzle, and rinse bird droppings, tree sap, or other caked-on debris. Avoid scrubbing the unit’s metal fins or coils, as this could cause them...

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What’s Involved in Multi-Zone Heating and Cooling?

July 20, 2022

With single-speed heating and cooling, your HVAC system heats or cools your entire home to a single set point. There are, of course, disadvantages to this: You may heat or cool unoccupied rooms, and the set point may not correspond with everyone’s sense of comfort. This is where multi-zone heating and cooling can come in. Ducted Multi-Zone HVAC Systems The process of creating multiple zones is easy. You get to decide how many zones there are and what each zone covers. For example, in a multi-level home, you could make each level a zone, or you could create more zones within each level. Every room can be a zone if you wish. To every zone, you get a thermostat, and these thermostats connect to a central control panel. You would then add dampers inside the ductwork. When, with the proper thermostat adjustment, you tell the HVAC system to heat or cool a particular zone, the dampers will open the ducts to that zone while closing off the ducts to the other zones. The Need for a Variable-Speed System We can’t recommend zoning off your home if your HVAC system runs at only one speed. The reason is that single-speed systems...

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