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.
Need help now? Send us a message or get in touch today.
Welcome to our new and improved website! We’re dedicated to serving our customers and we hope that this spiffy new site will make it easier for you to find information about us in addition to learning about all the HVAC services we provide. We decided we needed a website that reflects our top-notch services and lets you know what you can expect when you hire us for a job.
We’ve also added a blog that’ll provide helpful information to Lansing, MI homeowners. From tips on how to get the best performance from your air conditioner to signs that your heating system needs repairs, it’s all there. Be sure to bookmark our new site so you can find us quickly when you need expert, reliable HVAC services.
To learn more about how iMarket Solutions, the company behind our new website, can expand your presence on the web, visit www.imarketsolutions.com.
Rely on A-1 Mechanical to bring you relief when you need it most. “Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.”
A-1 Mechanical is your local heating and cooling specialist in Lansing, Michigan, we help homeowners design systems for both hot summers and cold winters. Heat pumps provide cool air by circulating indoor air across very cold indoor coils. During the winter heat pumps condense outside air and circulate indoor air across hot indoor coils. Because Michigan winters become extremely cold, most homeowners use a heat pump for most of the winter and supplement warmth through a furnace on very cold days.
The goal of using your heat pump is to provide complete comfort while consuming the least amount of energy. Heat pumps are rising in popularity because they are driven completely by electricity. This means the heat pump does not create direct emissions and therefore, is considered renewable energy. When you work with a professional heat pump specialist from A-1 Mechanical you will discover the heat pump’s thermostat plays a large role in reducing energy bills.
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.
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:
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.
A programmable thermostat is a thermostat that can be set to automatically adjust your home’s heating and cooling systems according to a schedule. For example, during the winter, you could set a programmable thermostat to maintain your temperature at 70 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. This would allow you to save energy and money by only heating or cooling your home when needed.
While almost every home already has a thermostat installed, switching to a programmable thermostat comes with various benefits. From improved comfort to lower utility bills, homeowners all over the country are upgrading to programmable thermostats.
A sudden rise in your monthly energy costs can be caused by a number of reasons. The most common causes that lead to unexpectedly high heating bills are:
These energy-saving strategies help homeowners improve home energy efficiency to lower heating bills.
Ideally, before the busy heating season arrives, schedule a preventive maintenance tune-up for your Lansing or Grand Rapids heating system in the fall. Gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps – no matter your heating system type, a maintenance tune-up helps the system function more efficiently throughout the season.
The average Lansing and Grand Rapids area home loses 20 to 30 percent of its heated air through duct leaks. Damage, gaps, loose fittings, and disconnected sections allow heated air to escape before it reaches your rooms while letting chilly air into the ducts.
Because of this loss, the heating system compensates by expending more energy to replace the heat lost. This extra heat production uses 20 to 30 percent more energy. Duct repair eliminates these costly leaks to lower your heating and cooling costs significantly.
An issue that homeowners often overlook is the amount of air they lose through air leaks. Heated air is also able to escape through other areas of the home, such as:
To reduce heat loss, air leak sealing is a must. Add weatherstripping to all exterior doorways. Seal windows and door frames both indoors and out. Seal around the exterior wall penetrations outdoors as well as on the interior of the wall. This will help your home to keep in its heated air and help keep your monthly energy bill down.
Heating and cooling your home can be a significant expense, particularly if your home is not well insulated. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their homes are not as energy efficient as they could be. Older homes are especially prone to this problem, as they were often built before modern insulation standards were put in place.
As a result, upgrading your insulation can be a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, and lower your monthly electric bills and heating costs. In addition, proper insulation can help to reduce noise levels and create a more comfortable living environment.
We’ve met many homeowners who bought a smart thermostat at a big box store and found it doesn’t work well with their existing system. For example, do you have a single-speed or variable-speed system? It makes a difference in which smart thermostat is best for your home and we can help you find the right one. The addition of a programmable thermostat can help bring your costs lower than the typical electric bill.
Curious about modern thermostats? Call us, and we’ll send a Comfort Consultant to your home. They will evaluate your current HVAC system, ask you about your energy goals, and recommend a thermostat.
Dirty furnace filters block the flow of air through your heating system. This forces the blower motor to expend more energy to pull air through the system and push heated air into your living areas.
Avoid this problem when you regularly replace your furnace filter. How often depends on the type of filter, heating usage, and other factors specific to your home. Most people get by with furnace filter changes every two to three months.
If you’re among the millions of Americans who’ve been hit hard by high heating bills this winter, you may be looking for ways to lower your costs. One option you may want to consider is installing a new furnace or heat pump. Though the initial investment may be higher than simply continuing to use your current system, new furnaces and heat pumps are much more energy efficient.
This means that they’ll use less fuel to produce the same amount of heat, resulting in lower monthly bills. Additionally, newer models are often able to better maintain a consistent temperature, which can also help to reduce costs.
If you’re wondering why is my heating bill so high, you’re not alone. Many homeowners struggle with high energy bills in the winter. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help lower your costs and make your home more comfortable.
Contact us today for assistance making energy-saving improvements to your home. We’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your needs and helps you save money on your heating bill this winter.
As their name suggests – ductless heating and cooling systems do not require ductwork to move air throughout your home. Instead of ductwork, mini-split systems use indoor air handling units. These devices are installed on the walls of rooms, allowing each room to be controlled separately from one another.
Any room with an air handler on the wall can create its own temperature “zone”; each “zone” is fully capable of its own temperature control. When paired with a heat pump,homeowners can heat and cool any room in their home separately from the rest. One ductless unit can accommodate several indoor units.
The total cost of a ductless HVAC unit can vary widely, and several factors need to be considered. Through our research, the cost can range anywhere from under $3,000 to over $8,000 per ductless system.
While that is a rather extensive range of prices, many variables can affect the price. Here are a few factors that need to be considered when determining the cost of a ductless heating and cooling system.
Much like any other household appliance you buy, the brand of the unit itself will be a significant factor in the overall price. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we are proud to offer a full line of Carrier heat pumps and ductless systems, which are considered some of the most reputable HVAC products on the market.
One of the most significant factors that can raise or lower the cost of a ductless system installed in your home is how much area you need to be covered and the square footage of your home. Installing a unit in just one room will be a vastly different cost than outfitting an entire house for heating and cooling. If you plan on using your ductless system for both heating and cooling, you will need an outdoor compressor/condenser in addition to the indoor unit in the rooms you want to be covered. This will add to the overall cost as well.
Many homeowners are switching to a ductless system for their energy-saving abilities. This does come with a cost. The higher the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), the more efficient the unit will be and the more expensive it will be.
You also need to keep in mind any additional work the installation company may have to do. If you have an old HVAC system installed, it will take time and resources to have it completely removed from your home. While this typically will not be a significant charge, it can still affect the overall price and should be considered.
After seeing the various things that can affect the cost of a ductless mini-split system, you are probably wondering if you should make the switch. Ductless systems have a ton of benefits that homeowners love.
Some benefits of a ductless system include:
If you are ready to make the switch and upgrade your home’s heating and cooling with a ductless system, ensure you are working with a team you can trust! We provide quality repair and installation services for all indoor and outdoor units.
At A-1 Mechanical, we pride ourselves on our high level of service and customer service. As the area’s leading authority on ductless systems, there is no better company to work with. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
