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This spring, make sure you schedule air conditioner maintenance before the temps get high enough that you’ll need to run your AC. How important is maintenance for your AC system, you ask? Well, it can save you from all kinds of bother, trouble, and expense.
Want your air conditioner to run more efficiently? Get maintenance. Want to make sure it will be as effective as possible in heat waves? Get maintenance. Want to keep the system running for as many years as possible before you have to replace it? You guessed it… maintenance. And perhaps you’d like to eliminate the need for air conditioner repair. Well, maintenance cuts AC repair needs by 85%. Let us explain how it works.
Are you on the search for a new HVAC system? Have you been Googling heating and cooling near me, trying to figure out what type of system is the best? Many homeowners who are in the market for a new air conditioner or furnace are feeling confused by all the options that are now available.
One of the systems that has probably come up in your research is a heat pump. You may even be confused if you’re searching for an air conditioner and you’re constantly getting something with “heat” in the name.
A common question we get is: “Are heat pumps and mini splits the same thing?” The short answer is yes, but they also have many differences. Let’s go over what heat pumps and mini splits are so you can be an informed homeowner when it’s time to purchase a new system.
Extreme heat is an issue that’s becoming more common in Michigan. In fact, we just experienced record-high temperatures and it’s not even summer. These heat waves are occurring earlier in the season and happen more often.
When unusually high temperatures are in the forecast, homeowners want to know: “What temperature should I set my AC at during extreme heat?” The simple answer is you should set it at the highest temperature that you’re comfortable with. But there’s more to it than that.
It’s also important to seriously ask yourself how well your AC has performed when temperatures have skyrocketed. You can’t afford to be without your air conditioning system during a heat wave. Let’s take a look at some things to consider so you can hopefully avoid an interruption in service during record-high temperatures.
Summer is just around the corner and you’ve probably got a lot of plans to maximize your enjoyment of the weather! One thing that can put a real damper on summer fun is an air conditioner that’s not cooperating.
That’s why we put together this blog so you can be aware of potential AC problems right when they start to get a jump on calling us for AC repair in Lansing, MI.
Having AC problems addressed right away is important for 2 reasons. The first is that it will hopefully keep a minor issue from becoming a major repair. The second is that it guards against a complete breakdown in service. Let’s take a look at 5 common AC issues and what’s usually behind them.
When it comes to choosing an HVAC contractor, there are a lot of factors to consider. You want to choose one that has the expertise and skills to handle whatever job you’re hiring them for, whether it’s a major system installation or a minor AC repair that has been bothering you.
Most homeowners know they should never hire an HVAC company that isn’t licensed, bonded, and insured. But what other qualifications should you be looking for that’ll help you choose a company that’s highly qualified and knowledgeable in the field of HVAC?
Well, one of the easiest ways to determine if a company is qualified is to look at its list of certifications. These are important because in order to earn them, the company needs to adhere to a rigorous certification, training, and continuing education process. Let’s look at some of the accreditations that indicate an HVAC company is well qualified to handle your HVAC needs.
Be sure to bookmark the A-1 Mechanical blog to start learning the ins and outs of HVAC.
We’ll regularly post energy saving tips, how-to’s on troubleshooting your systems, and breakdowns on even the most complex industry related terms and concepts.
Many homeowners wait until an AC unit fails beyond repair. While A-1 Mechanical provides excellent air conditioning installation services even in emergencies, knowing the warning signs of a faltering air conditioning system is important to save money. If you notice cooling costs are rising, performance is wavering or you experience frequent breakdowns then you should begin to consider new air conditioners.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Replaced
As summer heat rises, older units can often show indications of failure. Beyond monitoring energy use be alert to these top signs your air conditioner is going to break:
Uneven temperatures throughout the home
Shutting down before the desired temperature is achieved as known as short cycling
Refrigerant leaks, frozen lines and odd noises from outdoor unit
Odd smells from vents when the air conditioner is running
Ductless mini split heat pumps are a great way to heat your home efficiently. They consist of an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and several indoor air handling units connected to the outdoor unit. The air is heated by the compressor and returned to the air handling unit to disperse into rooms.
Each room or area can contain an indoor air handling unit, which can be controlled separately from the others using a remote control. This makes it an ideal solution for homes with multiple rooms that may not need to be heated, allowing you to control where your heated air is being sent.
Not only is this system efficient, but it’s also convenient and easy to use. So if you’re looking for an excellent way to heat your home, consider a ductless mini split heat pump over a traditional heating system.
As the weather gets colder, you may wonder what the best settings are for your home thermostat. After all, you want to stay comfortable without wasting energy on your heating system. A programmable thermostat is a fantastic way to bring convenience to your home’s heating system, however, they are not necessary.
Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect balance this winter. Of course, these are just general guidelines – you may need to adjust the settings based on your specific needs.
The first thing to consider is exactly how old your home is. If your home was built before the 1950s, there is a good chance it does not have the ductwork needed for today’s HVAC systems. This eliminates traditional central air conditioning and heating systems as a viable method for your home’s heating and cooling needs unless you want to spend thousands of extra dollars on having a new duct system installed.
We are well aware of the difficulties of living in an old house and have come up with the best solutions to optimize an older home’s heating and air conditioning system.
Ductless System
A solution we often recommend for homeowners in older homes is a ductless system, also called a mini-split system. As the name suggests, these HVAC systems do not use any ductwork at all! Ductless systems use individual air handler units in each room; this allows for complete control over the temperature in separate spaces or “zones.”
Since there is no need for ductwork, homeowners of older houses absolutely love the convenience of ductless HVAC systems. When paired with a heat pump, they can also be used for both your home’s heating and cooling while helping to cut back on your monthly electric bills.
Ductless mini-split systems are versatile and can be operated on a by-room basis. This is because each “zone” has its own thermostat that can be controlled independently of the others. If you do not want a particular room to have heating or cooling, but the rest of the house should, you can simply adjust the temperature in that room. This also makes them energy efficient and one of our favorite modern HVAC options.
High-Velocity HVAC System
In today’s homes, ductwork is usually in areas of the house that we cannot see. Meaning, that if your home was not built with the intention of having central heating and cooling, then you probably do not have the space necessary to make ducts work.
Fortunately, high-velocity systems operate differently, using dedicated units connected to “mini-ducts.” Unfortunately, high-velocity systems also typically come with a price tag that is higher than ductless systems.
High-velocity HVAC systems are similar to traditional HVAC systems in that they provide heating or cooling using a heat pump or compressor and then distribute the air into a home’s living areas. The most significant difference is how the air is distributed in a high-velocity system.
Instead of traditional ductwork, high-velocity HVAC systems use much smaller tubes and vents, which are about 5 inches in diameter and much smaller than vents that are about 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Using the smaller tubes and vents allows them to need less space in the home to be effective, making them a perfect choice for an older home that cannot support modern-day HVAC systems. Homeowners also love that the smaller size allows them to be better hidden in the home, adding to the home’s overall aesthetic appeal.
Why Trust A-1 Mechanical?
When dealing with something as important as your home’s heating and cooling, you do not want to work with just any company you find on Facebook. A-1 Mechanical has been one of the most trusted HVAC companies in the area for years. We have built a solid reputation for high-quality work and fantastic customer service.
Older homes can be tricky to work on and, and when installation is performed incorrectly, it could result in irreversible damage, which is why it is crucial to work with an experienced company that has done it before. Our team is well-versed in HVAC solutions for older homes and would love to help walk you through the process and get you exactly what you need.
Contact Us Today
If you are ready to upgrade your home with a new HVAC system from the state’s premier HVAC company, do not hesitate to reach out!
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule an appointment!
