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Summer is winding down, but there is a chance that if your air conditioner is older it needs to be replaced before the end of the season. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing air conditioner problems this season, or perhaps even over a period of several years.
Upgrading your older air conditioner now is a great idea because it ensures that next year you already have a solution in place without having to scramble because you were air conditioner won’t turn on. You can give our team a call to schedule an in-home assessment for your AC replacement in Lake Geneva, IL. You can also keep reading to learn more about some of the signs that can indicate your AC is no longer safe to operate.
AC breakdowns happen all the time. But we have a secret to tell you. AC breakdowns usually happen when homeowners do not keep up with regular maintenance steps to care for their air conditioners. You can keep reading to learn our best recommendations for how to take excellent care of your air conditioner, and how to stop it from breaking down.
Of course, if anything ever does happen, you can give our team a call for AC repair in Lake Zurich. We can review the problems, get them fixed, and even offer tips for preventing the same problem from happening again in the future.
Did you know that the steps you take as a homeowner to care for your air conditioner are what makes the most difference in how well your unit works and how long it lasts? It’s true that professional maintenance is important too, but consistent care month after month will go a long way toward helping your AC unit enjoy a long and healthy life.
Keep reading to learn more about our recommendations for homeowner AC maintenance. Then give our team a call for your professional air conditioner maintenance in Mundelein if you haven’t already scheduled it this year.
Deciding to install a new air conditioner is a big commitment. Aside from the financial investment, you have to set aside a whole day for the installation process. It’s definitely not a decision to take lightly.
After deciding to you schedule AC installation in Crystal Lake, IL, you may be wondering what to expect during the appointment. How long does it take to install an air conditioner? Keep reading to learn more about the AC installation process, including how long the appointment will take.
When you schedule AC maintenance, you may only think about the cost of the service. This can make it easy to reprioritize other things and move AC maintenance to the bottom of your to do list.
But, when you consider AC maintenance and investment that has the potential to save you even more money than you’re spending, that’s a game changer.
If you are ready to schedule air conditioning maintenance in Algonquin, IL, our team would love to help. Whether it’s your first time scheduling maintenance for your system or you’re a seasoned pro, we are here to help. Keep reading to learn more about the ways that AC maintenance can save you money.
Regardless of the climate where you live, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are critical to your overall well-being. However, much like all major home systems and appliances, HVAC systems can sometimes break down at the most inconvenient times, which is why you should always have a 24-hour emergency HVAC service company at your beck and call.
If your HVAC system is malfunctioning and you require the assistance of a reliable heating and air conditioning repair company, then contact the professionals at Althoff Industries today. No matter the time of day, you can count on Althoff Industries to keep your equipment in working order.
Types of Emergencies That May Require the Help of HVAC Technicians
Having a problem with your cooling and heating systems is never a pleasant situation, especially if it happens in the middle of the night. However, understanding if a situation is severe enough to merit a call for an emergency HVAC service can be challenging. Here are a few suggestions to help you determine if your heating and cooling system needs immediate attention.
Air Conditioner Failure
There’s no worse time for an air conditioner to stop working than in the middle of a hot summer day or night. Breakdowns and issues with your air conditioner can be harmful to your family’s health and safety during a heatwave. Additionally, many homeowners have health problems that could potentially worsen in hot and humid conditions, making the need for emergency air conditioning services even more critical.
If your HVAC system stops cooling, internal temperatures can rise rapidly and can not only be harmful to your physical well-being but your mental health as well. If your AC system suddenly stops providing you with adequate air conditioning, calling an emergency HVAC service is more than warranted.
No Heat or Airflow
Just as your HVAC system is critical for cooling in the summer, it is equally as important for heating during the winter months. In Chicago, there are many days when the temperature falls below zero, and you need your HVAC system to provide you with adequate heating.
If your HVAC system stops working in the middle of winter, temperatures in your home can plummet quickly. Whether your boiler stops working or your furnace is malfunctioning, calling an emergency heating service to repair your HVAC system is critical.
Strange Smells
Furthermore, it doesn’t just have to be a heating or air conditioning malfunction that warrants a phone call to an emergency HVAC repair specialist. HVAC systems are not supposed to smell funny, and they certainly should not be pumping out potentially toxic air.
If your air conditioner or heater is filling your home with a strange or funny smell every time you use it, it could mean there’s an overflow of bacteria, contaminants, or mildew. Additionally, it could also indicate an electrical problem within the HVAC system itself that could cause it to become overheated.
If your HVAC system is filling your home with a strange smell, contact an emergency HVAC service to fix the problem immediately.
Safety Concerns
Last but certainly not least, if you have any questions regarding your HVAC system’s ability to provide you with adequate safety in your home, an emergency HVAC service may be able to help. When it comes to your HVAC system, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you live in an area with inclement weather.
If you are concerned about the health and safety of you and your loved ones and aren’t sure if your HVAC system is working properly, call an emergency HVAC service right away to have them take a look.
Contact Althoff Industries Today for Your 24/7 Emergency HVAC Service
Here at Althoff Industries, we’re committed to providing our customers with around the clock emergency HVAC services to make sure your home stays warm and cozy. No matter what the issue is, Althoff Industries is here to help. Our technicians will diagnose and quickly fix any signs of malfunction or failure within your HVAC system and work around the clock to keep you safe.
If there’s an issue with your HVAC system and it needs immediate attention, contact the professionals at Althoff Industries to provide you with reliable services 24 hours a day.
We all know that central AC is a must-have to keep your home cool during these hot summer months but a quality system has a range of benefits outside of just keeping temperatures regulated. Let’s take a look at 5 additional benefits of a central air conditioner outside of just keeping your home cool.
1. Regulate Humidity Levels
During the summer, high humidity is a given in the Midwest. Not only do high humidity levels make you hot and uncomfortable, but they can make you feel tired and foggy because your body is working harder to cool itself off.
Pests and allergens also thrive in humid environments so it is important to keep the humidity in your home around 30%-50% to stay both comfortable and healthy all summer long.
A properly installed central AC system is a great way to help regulate humidity levels in your home and can be paired with a dehumidifier to help further regulate moisture levels in the air!
2. Filter Out Harmful Dust and Debris
Filters may seem like nothing more than large pieces of cardboard with fibers or pleated paper-like material but they are actually extremely important to the functionality of your central AC system and an old filter could affect the air quality in your home.
Filters remove harmful dust and debris that could irritate your respiratory system and create cleaner air for you to breathe. Old air filters and low-quality air filters will not do a great job of filtering out these irritants and potentially recirculate particles back into your home. It is important that you change filters regularly and buy high-quality filters.
Make sure you look at the MERV value of the air filters you purchase. The higher the MERV value is, the more efficient the filter will be in trapping airborne particles. Our experts at Althoff typically recommend the high-quality filter and cabinet from Aprilaire. Our typical installation is either MERV 11 or MERV 13. To learn more about the Aprilaire air filters, visit our indoor air quality page!
3. Prevent Mold Growth
If your home is hot and humid, it could become the perfect environment for mold growth. Central AC units help to prevent mold by removing moisture (see Regulate Humidity Levels above) from the air that would otherwise shack up in walls and ceilings. During the hot, humid summer months, it is important that you set your central air conditioner between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain the proper humidity levels that we talked about earlier to prevent this unwanted mold.
4. Improve Sleep
The AC unit you have in your home can make a massive difference when it comes to the quality of sleep you are getting. Trying to sleep when you are too hot or cold is nearly impossible, and many have to suffer through sleepless nights, especially during summer because their AC system is inadequate. In addition, other options like window units or fans can be noisy and keep light sleepers up at night.
If your cooling system is keeping you up at night, we highly recommend contacting our HVAC experts to discuss installing a new system or upgrading your current one so you can finally get a good night’s rest, again.
5. Easier Installations & Maintenance
A huge benefit of having a professionally installed central AC system is that once it is there, you don’t have to worry about removing it and storing it in winter like bulky window units. Central AC systems can also be easily maintained and serviced. Instead of searching for what’s wrong with your AC, trying to fix it yourself, or buying a whole new unit, you can call the professionals at Althoff to come out and take a look.
If you are ready to invest in the comfort and air quality of your home, you can request a quote from our experts at Althoff Industries or give us a call at 815-455-7000 for more information.
Central AC is a game changer when it comes to beating the summer heat. Walking into your home on a hot day and having cold air hit your face is an awesome feeling. Not only do these systems circulate that wonderful cool air throughout your entire home, they also can improve your indoor air quality with high-quality filters, are quiet, and are extremely easy to use.
Now, this all sounds great but what you really want to know is how much it costs to install central AC in your home. Below we have outlined some of the factors that affect how much a central AC will cost.
Before we begin, it is important to consult with a professional who can accurately determine what type of central AC system will work best for your budget and install the system correctly. Our team at Althoff has worked with many homeowners just like you and can guide you through the entire process to ensure you make the best choice for your home.
1. The Size of Your Home
Like many things in life, central AC systems are not one size fits all. The square footage of your home helps to determine which AC unit size will keep you comfortable all summer long.
Air conditioner sizes are based on how much heat they can extract from your home. The amount of heat that can be extracted by an AC system is measured by BTUs (British thermal units). Every AC on the market indicates how many BTUs the unit can handle.
As the amount of BTUs increases, the cost of the system will increase. You will see us reference this unit of measurement throughout the rest of this post as we discuss other things that can affect cost.
2. Your Home’s Exposure to Sunlight
Although the square footage of your home is a great starting point when looking at how much a central AC will cost, it is also important to also think about how heat enters your home.
Even if the square footage is the same, homes with rooms that have huge windows will get hotter than homes with smaller windows and may need a system that can handle more BTUs even if the square footage is the same.
In the same vein, homes that are in the shade for the majority of the day or have windows that are not facing the sun will require a different system than those that are exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day.
3. Ceiling Height
A room with a high ceiling has much more volume than a room with a standard ceiling height – even if the square footage is the same.
If air conditioner capacity is too low for the overall volume of the room, the unit will cycle off frequently and the room will not remain cool – if it ever cools off at all.
4. Replacing Ductwork
Many newer homes are ready for central AC, but older homes may require ductwork. Ductwork will increase the cost but you will be thankful for the update in the long run. Sometimes the existing ducts are too small, worn or not properly insulated. This could lead to loud noise from the AC and higher energy bills because the system is working harder than it should.
5. SEER Rating and Energy Efficient Systems
Units with a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating will cost more than lower-rated models, but they save more money over time and they are more environmentally friendly. Click here to learn more about SEER ratings for residential air conditioners.
6. Professional Installation
Some people try to install their AC system themselves but it is in your best interest to hire a professional. A lot of air conditioning systems are not installed correctly which can lead to issues like improper cooling and higher energy bills. Hiring a professional ensures that your unit will perform efficiently and keep your home cool.
Stay Cool This Summer With Althoff
Whether you are installing a new system or replacing your old one, the experts at Althoff can help. Contact us today to discuss your central AC needs. Give us a call at 815-455-7000 or complete an online form to schedule your appointment.
Summer is the perfect time for backyard barbecues, going for a swim at the pool, or taking a weekend getaway to the lake. When your air conditioner is running at 100 percent, summer is a breeze. If your AC isn’t performing its best, the summer heat can quickly turn into your worst enemy.
What’s the key to keeping your AC up and running? First, you need to know how the system works. With some basic AC know how, you can better understand what your AC needs to have a long, efficient life.
Once you understand how the system works, all the AC tips you’ve read online—and hopefully, here on our blog—make sense. Best of all, if you run into any trouble along the way, or suspect you need professional help, we can help.
How Your Central AC System Works
Most residential AC systems are pretty straightforward. They have a thermostat to control the temperature in your home, an air handler to circulate air throughout your home, and an air conditioning system to cool the air as it circulates through your home.
Thermostat
You’re probably familiar with your home’s thermostat. It actively measures the temperature within your home. In cooling mode, when the registered temperature is higher than the set temperature, the thermostat tells the system to turn on the AC and cool the home.
Circulating the air
Your central AC air handler is responsible for circulating cool air throughout your home. The air handler sucks in air through the return vents in your house. Next, the air passes through the air conditioning system and cools the air. Once cooled, the air handler blows the air through the vents in your home to lower air temperature in your house. Finally, when the thermostat measures that the temperature of the air in the house is cold enough, it tells the air handler to turn off.
Cooling the air
The air conditioning system is responsible for cooling the air as the air handler circulates it throughout your home. As a refrigeration system, the air conditioner actually removes the heat from the air in your home to make it feel colder. Air conditioners have three main components: a condenser, evaporator, and compressor.
As air passes through the air conditioning system, it passes through copper tubing that contains a refrigerant. This refrigerant removes heat from the air passing through the system. The compressor helps release the heat extracted by the refrigerant as the cooled air moves back through the air handler and into your house.
Simple Tips for Maintaining Your AC
AC repairs can be inconvenient, expensive, and as luck would have it, tend to happen on the hottest day of the year. Here are a few basic tips you can use to help keep your AC in tip-top, efficient shape for the long haul.
1. Be smart with your windows and doors. The hotter the air in your house, the harder your AC has to work. Open windows and doors leak hot air from the outside into your house. During hot summer days, limit how often you come in and out of your house. Also, identify and seal leaky windows in your house.
2. Inspect and change your air filter regularly. Your central AC system needs to circulate air freely throughout your house to operate efficiently. As the air handler sucks in air from your house, it also sucks in dirt, hair, dust, and other debris. Over time, these materials clog the air filter, which causes more wear on the system as it has to work harder to circulate air through the dirty filter.
3. Let the condenser breathe. Are there a lot of plants and leaves around your air conditioner’s outside unit? The condenser needs to expel air from the system freely. If plants are growing around the condenser or if it’s covered in leaves, clear them away so the unit can operate efficiently.
4.Allow air to flow freely through your home. For your air conditioner to operate at its optimal efficiency, the air handler needs to circulate through your home. You may think that closing vents and closing doors will help save money on your utility bills. In reality, it makes your air conditioner work harder as it tries to circulate air through closed vents and areas.
Don’t Forget to Schedule Regular AC System Maintenance
Need help maintaining your air conditioning system? The AC experts at Althoff Industries are just a phone call or click away. Give us a call at 815-455-7000 or fill out a contact form.
A cool, comfortable home can feel magical on a hot summer day. With a few taps of the thermostat, you can go from sweating to sleeping comfortably. While it may seem like magic, what’s happening in that big metal AC box outside is science.
Air conditioners rely on a refrigerant, in many cases, freon, to help cool the air circulating through your house. More often than not, when your AC breaks down and stops blowing cold air, a refrigerant leak is to blame.
Do you know how to tell if you have a freon leak? Refrigerant leaks can not only be harmful to the environment, but dangerously harmful for your health too. If you live in a house with AC, it’s important for you to be able to identify a refrigerant leak and know what to do if your AC is leaking.
What Is Freon?
As a type of refrigerant, freon removes heat from the air inside of your home as it moves through the AC unit and displaces it outside. The air conditioner then circulates the cool air through your house.
Without a refrigerant, your HVAC system would just continue circulating the same warm air through your house. For your home to stay cool throughout the summer, the level of refrigerant in your AC system needs to remain full.
The refrigeration system that houses freon in your AC is a closed system. With a closed system, none of the gas or fluid within the system has a chance of escaping, unless there’s a leak. A technician should never recommend “topping off” your system’s freon—they should recommend fixing the leak.
If your technician does recommend topping off freon, contact a different company immediately to come and take a look at your system.
5 Signs Your AC Is Leaking
You don’t have to be an HVAC expert to know if your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant. We’ve come up with five critical indicators your system needs an immediate repair.
AC is blowing warm air. As we pointed out earlier, refrigerants like freon cool the air by removing heat and circulating cool air through your home. If there’s not enough freon in the system, it may feel like the blower is circulating warm air through your house.
Low airflow. Understandably, if your system is running low on refrigerant, it won’t be pumping out as much cool air. This effect may feel like there’s a lower airflow coming through the ducts in your house.
Ice builds up on outside lines. If you notice your house isn’t as cold as it should be, and you start poking around the outdoor unit, you may see icy buildup on the copper refrigerant lines. This sign is a surefire indicator that your system has a refrigerant leak.
It won’t maintain a consistent temperature in the house. Are you noticing that your home can’t seem to keep cool during the middle of the day, but it cools down at night? If your house is struggling to stay cool, but you can still feel some cold air coming, it’s an indicator your AC may have recently sprung a leak.
Your utility bill has skyrocketed. If your air conditioner is running low on refrigerant, it’s not operating at its optimal efficiency. Even when working at 100 percent, ACs demand a lot of electricity. If your AC is always running because it’s trying to keep the house cool, you’re going to see it reflected on your utility bill.
What Should You Do If You Expect Your AC Is Leaking Freon?
If you expect your AC is leaking refrigerant, the first thing you should do is turn off your thermostat. By running the AC with a leak, you’re at risk for causing more damage to the unit and releasing more freon into the environment.
While refrigerant leaks are easy to identify, it usually takes a skilled hand to locate the leak, complete the repair, and recharge the system with refrigerant. Althoff Industries can help. We offer expert 24/7/365 AC repair. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 815-455-7000 or if you have an emergency dial our hotline at 800-225-2443.
