Althoff Home Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Residential HVAC’

5 Reasons Air Conditioner Maintenance Inspection Saves You Money

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

A regularly maintained air conditioner is one that is working efficiently, which in turn helps homeowners keep utility bills down. Spring is the optimal time to schedule an inspection–before the high heat of summer returns. Here are 5 ways that an annual air conditioner maintenance inspection will help keep summer cooling costs down.

1. Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency

When an air conditioner maintenance inspection is performed, a trained expert will examine and clean all the moving parts. The coils inside an A/C unit transfer heat from the refrigerant to the outside air while the fan inside the condenser helps accelerate the removal of that heat. When the coils and fan are dirty, it slows down that transfer of heat so the air conditioner must work harder to keep the home comfortable.

2. Keep Repair Bills in Check

All the parts of an air conditioner work together to cool a home. When one part fails, it can lead to increased wear and tear on other parts which will add up to costly repairs. By scheduling an air conditioner maintenance inspection in the spring–before the cooling season begins–homeowners can locate and replace failing parts before they have a chance to cause harm to the rest of the unit.

3. Prevent A/C Failure

A spring inspection will also help prevent a major repair or even a complete failure of an air conditioning system during the hottest summer days. Every inspection includes checking all major components, including refrigerant levels, to ensure proper operation. Maintaining proper refrigerant levels is essential, and many homeowners do not realize that their air conditioner is low on refrigerant before it’s too late.

A slow leak will cause a slow deterioration of the A/C unit. The early signs might be a slight increase in energy bills as the air conditioner must work harder to compensate for the low refrigerant level. As the season wears on, homeowners may begin to notice warmer air from vents or that the air conditioner seems to be running more often. If left unresolved, low refrigerant levels can cause the air conditioner to stop working altogether, or even damage the compressor motor–a very costly repair.

4. Extend the Life of Your Air Conditioner

A well-maintained A/C unit can last up to 20 years while a neglected one could fail in as little as 10 years. An annual A/C inspection will ensure that the unit is clean, that moving parts are operating correctly, and that ideal fluid levels are maintained. An air conditioner is no small investment; proper maintenance will ensure that investment is a sound one.

5. Warranty Compliance

A manufacturer’s warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners when installing a new air conditioner. However, most manufacturers require proper maintenance for that warranty to remain in effect. Plus, if there are problems with the air conditioner that are covered by the warranty, finding and resolving those problems while the A/C unit is still under warranty is essential.

Long-Term Savings with Regular A/C Inspections

Keeping an air conditioner running smoothly will not only provide homeowners with a comfortable home, but it will also help keep energy and repair bills low. We offer several options for scheduling A/C service including no-hassle memberships that include pre-scheduled inspections and a discount on covered repairs. Ready to start saving? Call Althoff Industries at 815-455-7000 today!

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6 Tips to Maintain Residential Air Conditioner Peak Performance

Monday, May 15th, 2017

Homeowners rely on their air conditioner to work reliably and efficiently all summer long, so when a unit fails, it can lead to uncomfortably living and sleeping conditions. Learn how to keep you’re A/C unit operating efficiently all summer long with these tips.

1. Keep the Heat Off the Thermostat

An air conditioner’s thermostat keeps indoor air temperature constant. It is important to note, though, that a thermostat temperature sensor is located within the thermostat. For this reason, all heat producing appliances, including lights, should be kept away from the thermostat as they lead the sensor to think it is warmer inside the home than it actually is and consequently activate the air conditioner to run. An air conditioner that runs too often, can lead to excessively high cooling bills and decrease the performance of the high efficiency A/C unit.

2. Program Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to pre-program their air conditioners, according to the time and whether it’s a weekend or weekday. According to Houselogic, homeowners could save as much as $180 a year by keeping their thermostats programmed. Energy Star recommends keeping thermostats set to 78 degrees while occupying the home, 85 degrees while everyone is at work or school and 74 degrees while sleeping.

3. Keep the Air Flowing

Air conditioners need air in order to function at their peak performance. Homeowners should regularly change or clean the a/c air filter and keep the outdoor condenser area clean and free of debris. Failure to perform these common maintenance items can dramatically reduce the performance of the home’s high efficiency A/C system.

4. Consider a Duct Inspection and Sealing

Air ducts that are leaky with holes, cracks and separated seams allow cool air out of the ducts and warm air into the ducts. This dramatically reduces A/C peak performance and may cause some rooms in the home to feel hot and stuffy. Exceptionally dirty air ducts slow the air flow and result in dirt, dust and pollen being forced airborne, which can reduce indoor comfort and create high energy bills.

5. Take Advantages of Weatherization Services

Many utility companies offer free weatherization inspections that come with detailed reports of the home’s current energy efficiency and recommendations for residential energy efficiency improvements, like sealing doors and windows and investing in a high efficiency A/C.

6. Licensed Residential HVAC Contractor Inspection

Lastly, homeowners should consider hiring a licensed residential HVAC contractor to conduct a thorough inspection. Licensed HVAC contractors are educated and trained on helping residential air conditioners maintain their peak performance and reliability. Licensed cooling technicians, can inspect all types of air conditioners, perform repairs and provide useful tips on how to achieve A/C peak performance.

For more tips on maintaining A/C peak performance or to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment contact Althoff at 815-455-7000.

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7 Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Monday, April 24th, 2017

Is your air conditioner ready for hot weather? While there is no substitute for an HVAC tune-up, inspection and cleaning performed by a professional, there are simple things you can do throughout the spring and summer to keep your A/C unit in good shape.

Here are seven summer air conditioner maintenance tips that homeowners can perform to stay cool during seasonal heat waves.

1. Air Filter Maintenance

One of the easiest air conditioner maintenance tips is also one of the most important. You should check your central A/C air filter every month and change it if it’s dirty. Not sure? Hold it up to the light—if you can’t see through it, it needs to be changed.

In many cases, this works out to an air filter change every 60 days—90 days at the maximum. If you have pets in the home or an excess of dust, you may need to change your A/C filter every 30 days.

Why is changing your air filters so important? A clogged or excessively dirty air filter can restrict air flow to the unit, causing it to work harder than it should. It may even overheat, leaving you overheated on a hot summer day with no A/C.

2. Remove Obstructions From Around Exterior Condenser

The outdoor condensing unit needs to be free and clear of obstructions in order to operate efficiently. All plants, trees, flowers and shrubbery should be planted and cut back to between two and three feet in order to ensure that the condenser gets maximum air flow.

If there is visible dirt, debris, dust, pollen or leaves on your condensing unit, you can use a soft broom or shop vac brush attachment to gently remove it. Always move in the direction of the fins—they are easily bent out of shape. You can also used gloved hands to remove larger pieces of debris. You need to completely turn off the power to the unit when doing this kind of maintenance. Turning off the thermostat isn’t enough—you never know when someone in the house might decide to flip it back on!

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t just spray water on the outside of the unit with a hose in order to clean it. This will force the dirt and debris further into the unit’s coil. A proper condenser cleaning involves removing the panels and top of the unit so the coils can be cleaned from the inside out. This cleaning should be part of your annual professional maintenance tune-up.

The Trane website has a helpful explanation of what you should expect from your yearly air conditioner coil maintenance.

3. Don’t Close Central Air Conditioner Vents

Central air conditioners are designed to work as one cohesive unit and this includes the vents and ducts inside the home. They need air to operate. Completely closing an air conditioning vent can result in the A/C unit freezing up.

For efficient A/C operation, you should check that vents in the home are not blocked. In unused rooms, partially closed vents are usually sufficient to keep air flow operating effectively.

4. Pay Attention to the Sun and Outdoor Temperatures

During the hottest part of a summer day, keep your house cool by closing blinds and curtains. This helps prevent your air conditioner from working harder than it needs to in order to cool the home.

5. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Most programmable thermostats allow homeowners to set temperatures according to the time of day and also whether it’s a weekend or weekday. For optimal temperature control, homeowners should set the coolest temperatures for the times when they are home and awake. Set your thermostat to a warmer indoor temperature during times when you anticipate being out of the house to save money on cooling bills and reduce the workload on your A/C unit.

6. Evaluate Your Doors, Windows and Ductwork

Drafts around closed exterior doors and windows are a sign that warm air is getting in and cool air is getting out! Save money on your HVAC utility bills by having drafts professionally sealed. If certain ducts are blowing warmer-than-normal air or air flow is occurring through the duct when the A/C unit is not running, call a professional HVAC technician to evaluate your ductwork and seal any cracks and holes.

7. Preventive Maintenance

Scheduling preventive maintenance for your central A/C unit is the best way to make sure you’ll have reliable and efficient cool air all summer long. During an A/C maintenance inspection, a professional HVAC technician will examine all critical components of the central air conditioning unit, thoroughly clean the coils inside the unit, check refrigerant levels and recommend any needed repairs.

If you want the peace of mind of thorough air conditioning maintenance, contact Althoff Industries. We offer 24-point air conditioner tune-ups in Chicago and the Northwest suburbs. Call (815) 455-7000 to schedule now.

This information is provided as a general guideline. Althoff Industries does not assume any liability resulting from the provided information.

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Winter Thermostat Settings – What is Best for the Midwest?

Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

The debate rages on at cocktail parties and family gatherings. There are some who have an extreme view to the right and those who would prefer people lean left when it comes to the subject. One thing we can all agree on is that in Crystal Lake and the Northwest Chicago area suburbs, winters are cold. So what is the definitive answer to what is the best temperature for a house in winter? What are appropriate winter thermostat settings for your home? The answer may be a bit more complicated than you think.

The perfect winter thermostat settings involve a variety of factors, few of which are scientific or even comparable.

Thermostats are Not Always Accurate

Did you ever follow a recipe to the ‘t’, cook it in your oven and then have it burn? The likely reason is that the temperature setting and the exact temperature in the oven may not match. It happens frequently. Likewise, your thermostat may not exactly provide the temperature it is set to deliver to your home. This causes two potential problems.

The first is that the temperature you have your thermostat set at and the temperature it delivers may not match. This can be remedied by making sure your HVAC professional calibrates your thermostat with the furnace. The second issue is that the thermostat of your friends and neighbors may not be correctly calibrated. This means you may be discussing why one family enjoys a 68-70 range and others prefer a 70-72 range when in reality, the actual temperature is the same. The key is making sure your thermostat is reflective of the actual temperature your HVAC system is providing. We can do that for you at Althoff Industries.

There Is a Difference Between Heating Sources

Electric heat is often described as “dry heat” while natural gas furnaces tend to deliver heat that has more moisture. While there are products that can add humidity to electric heating systems, consumers should be aware of the differences. Comparing comfort levels in a room of the same temperature with dry heat and gas heat will offer different opinions on which is better.

Draft and Air Movement

Another major factor in the comfort of a room is the air movement in the room and if it is “drafty”. A room may be heated to an appropriate temperature but if there are drafts from under doors, through windows or due to poor insulation, the room will not be as cozy as one where there are drafts and invasive air flow.

What’s Best for You and Your Family?

The biggest considerations in the proper setting of your home’s thermostat are the comfort of your family and your energy bill goals. If your family agrees on an environmentally friendly program of wearing sweaters, using blankets, and keeping the thermostat to a certain level, congratulations! If not, there are other steps you can take, like installing a programmable thermostat that will control your furnace when no one is at home. If you live alone or as a couple, “smart” thermostats can be controlled from a cell phone to save energy when you are not at home but can get it warmed for your arrival.

The bottom line is that it is difficult to compare comfort levels with others because thermostats may be calibrated differently, homes have different insulation characteristics, and drafts may be more common in some homes than others.

At Althoff Industries, we can make sure your thermostat is accurately calibrated. We can help you create an indoor environment that uses heat and humidity that results in maximum comfort. We will help you with suggestions to keep your energy costs at a minimum.

If you are tempted to compare comfort levels with friends and neighbors, that is understandable. You should be aware, however, this may be an apples to oranges comparison. It can depend on your thermostat calibration, heating sources, insulation, air movement, and more. The bottom line is that you and your family get comfortable with both your indoor environment and your energy costs. We can help you find that balance when you call Althoff Industries.

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