Every household deserves a feeling of comfort and security. Our HVAC’s can provide us both, by enabling us to experience a temperature in which we desire and, if one takes the necessary measures, can keep out undesirable particles outside which would have contaminated the air quality of a home. Spring is the transition from a cold winter towards a warm summer, and with this brings allergens that could induce unhealthy reactions from our bodies. A homeowner must be cautious towards this matter and prepare their own systems for this season. Test Your Air Conditioner Your heater has been doing majority of the work for the past few months but now that things are going to get hotter soon it would be best that you assure yourselves of a proper working and dependable air conditioner. Before the heat, test your model and see if everything is working fine. You could also have a technician examine it if possible, especially if it has been serving your household for quite some time now. Have needed repairs done while you still don’t need its services. In the event that you are recommended to purchase a new unit, it would be best to do it while temperatures are still low because when it increases you can expect an increase in competition also looking to buy an air conditioner. Buying during springtime will also increase the chances of availing for an AC discount before the summer when demand of that product is high.

As a Chicago homeowner, you should be familiar with how your HVAC system works. But if you only understand the basic controls of on and off, then you'll definitely run into technical issues later down the road. Your home's cooling and heating may be running smooth and efficiently today, but don't wait until something unfortunate happens especially if it could have been avoided. Here are 4 mistakes Chicago homeowners make with HVAC maintenance. Forgetting To Change Your Air Filters HVAC systems have air filters that help trap unwanted debris and purify the air coming into your homes. These are very important to routinely monitor and must be cleaned or replaced as often as necessary, varying from once or thrice a year depending on your unit and system usage. Failing to do so will clog up debris within your system and reduce your HVAC's efficiency. Not Sticking To Routine Maintenance Your HVAC system is like your body, it needs proper care and attention. Although not as often as we humans need, HVAC systems should still follow a set routine checkup. There are maintenance tricks you can do yourself without having to hire an expert technician. These are cost-efficient and are fairly easy to accomplish. Simple things like: Cleaning the surroundings of your indoor/outdoor unit.

Owning an HVAC system in your homes brings a lot of benefits, not only does it keep your house clean from unwanted dirt circulating the air but it also keeps the inside of your homes cozy and comfortable when seasons become too hot or too cold. Choosing the best HVAC system requires a lot of decision making, ensuring that you score the best quality HVAC unit in the market that helps provide uttermost comfort for your homes and family members living in it. Here are 7 questions to consider before you purchase your own HVAC system: What Size Should I Purchase? Before selecting an HVAC system, you have to make sure that it perfectly fits inside your homes and does not occupy too much space. For example, if you purchase a large HVAC system but your home is quite tiny, then it will have problems in running. Take the time  to study the layout of your homes, take note of the dimensions, and this will help figure out what size is best fit for the indoors. Both a small and large HVAC unit has its pros and cons, take the time to ask an HVAC technician what unit size is most needed for your homes.

Warmer days are fast approaching and your HVAC system needs to be in good shape to switch from heating your home to cooling it. One of the key components of the cooling system is the evaporator coil. In the months when it was unused and harsh weather, it could have been damaged or deteriorated without your being aware. Those several months may have rendered it too expensive to fix compared to the benefits and there could be a better version out in the market by now. Not convinced you need to get an updated version of this? Here are some helpful reasons why you should consider an upgrade. Using A Damaged Coil Is Risky A tear or hole in the coil would let the refrigerant out. This causes your system to work inefficiently and adds stress to the system, speeding its wear and tear. Eventually, other parts end up broken, which costs more to fix on top of the expense of the wasted refrigerant. The leaking would also cause environmental problems. If you’re still using freon, this refrigerant has been phased out due to considerable environmental concerns. It’s also harder and more expensive to acquire due to the limited availability of the product. Talk to your HVAC technician about switching to the newer coolant and have the coil replaced to reduce depleting more.

Are you still feeling uncomfortable in your home even if there’s an air conditioning system running? What if the unit is new, but you’re not sensing the comfort you were looking forward to? It isn’t always the fault of the unit in cases like this. Here are some of the most common causes that is preventing your home from getting the right temperature you are expecting: Heat Passing Through the Window There are types of windows that allow heat to get through; these are usually the older types. The warmth may feel good during winter; however, it obviously wouldn’t feel the same during summer.  You can have a curtain to cover the heat or perhaps during the hottest part of the day. Some might suggest a low-emissivity film on the window to block the sun rays. Ductwork Issues This is a significant part of the components of your air conditioning system. This is where the heated or cooled air passes throughout your home. If there is a problem with the ductwork it would definitely cause discomfort since it would cause the unit having a hard time to create whether a heated air or a cold air.

The summer season is lots of fun, with abundant sunshine and warm temperatures day and night. But when you are trying to keep your home cool and comfortable, the sunshine and warmth can quickly turn from a friend to an enemy. If you are tired of dealing with higher and higher cooling bills, it is time to take charge. There are things you can do to keep your home cool and comfortable no matter how hot it gets outside.   Here are 10 simple and inexpensive things you can do to lower your cooling costs all summer long. Change the filters in your air conditioner. Clogged or dirty filters will reduce the efficiency of your AC unit and make it work harder than it should. Pull the shades to keep the hot sun out. Simply closing the blinds or pulling the curtains shut can reduce your cooling costs and keep your home more comfortable. Clear debris from around your outside air conditioning unit. A buildup of leaves and other debris can block outlets and reduce the efficiency of the system. Shade your home with trees. Planting trees may not trim your cooling costs this year, but if you choose fast-growing varieties, you can start enjoying the savings sooner than you think. Invest in a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature higher when you leave for work and have it cool and comfortable when you get home. Check your ductwork. Cracks or leaks in your AC ductwork can significantly increase your cooling costs, so check for leaks and other problems. Use your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can produce substantial cooling and save you money on air conditioning. Save the AC for the really hot days, and let your ceiling fans take up the slack.