Temperatures are falling as we move deeper into the fall and closer to winter. Now is the time to prepare our homes and heating systems for the rigors of another Skokie, IL cold season. That means you should have professional heating maintenance scheduled (if you haven’t done so already) and take care of replacing old heaters if they are no longer working well.
ServiceMax Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Skokie’
Why You Should Consider Installing a Whole-House Humidifier for Winter
Monday, October 19th, 2015Is It Too Early to Arrange for Maintenance for My Heater?
Monday, September 21st, 2015We’re still enjoying warm weather here in Skokie. But of course, that won’t last forever as winter start to move closer. If you’re thinking that it’s perhaps a good time to schedule that annual maintenance for your furnace or other heating system, only to then back away from the idea because it seems a bit too early, we’re here to tell you that your first instinct is 100% correct. Once September arrives, there is no such thing to “too early” when it comes to heating maintenance.
A Few Air Conditioning Problems to Watch for at the End of the Summer
Monday, August 24th, 2015Summer is coming to an end, although we can still expect some lingering heat through the early autumn. The air conditioning system in your home has probably spent most of this last season working hard, and all that stress and wear could possibly cause the system to break down. During these final weeks of hot weather, make sure that you pay close attention to some of the warning signs that your AC is having trouble. (And don’t wait to have any problems fixed in the spring! The sooner repairs are done, the less expensive they will be.)
3 Reasons to Consider a Whole-House Generator
Monday, July 27th, 2015What do you do when you lose power? If you’re like most homeowners, you rummage around the junk drawer or garage for your trusty flashlight and set to work either finding the other flashlights (and perhaps some candles) and possibly your portable generator (hopefully you have some spare gas). But more and more homeowners are considering whole-house generators for their homes. To many, this seems like an obvious home improvement. Few things are as convenient as being able to fire up your whole-house generator to run not only your lights, but also major appliances. Here’s why you need one for your home.
Is a Heat Pump Water Heater a Good Investment?
Monday, July 13th, 2015You have more options today for new water heater installation than you once did. The standard storage tank water heater is no longer the sole type available. You can now install tankless and hybrid water heaters. One of the more exciting developments in water heater technology is the heat pump water heater. Is one of these systems a good investment for your home?
How to Get Your Aging Air Conditioner to Work Better
Monday, June 29th, 2015A quality air conditioning system can often last for around 15 years, maybe more, while still providing the right level of cooling for a home and without wasting energy. If you have a system that is over 10 years old and you’ve noticed that it isn’t working as well as it should (problems with cooling, increased energy bills), there are some steps you can take to make it work better. Below are a few of them.
When Is the Best Time to Call for Air Conditioning Repair?
Monday, June 1st, 2015Malfunctions with an air conditioning system are not always easy to detect (unless you are a trained HVAC professional). A slight drop in the cooling levels in one of the rooms, a hissing sound from the outdoor condenser unit, an uptick in electrical bills when the AC is running, and water condensation around the indoor unit are all small indications that something is wrong with a residential air conditioner. There are larger and more obvious signs, of course, such as loud grinding sounds, constant short-cycling, or a system that won’t turn on at all.
What Actually Separates a Heat Pump from an Air Conditioner?
Monday, May 4th, 2015If you have some level of familiarity with home comfort systems, you’ll likely know that a heat pump works in a similar fashion to an air conditioner. Both use a process of heat exchange involving the circulation of refrigerant that absorbs heat in one location and releases it in another. Both have similar indoor and outdoor units and contain compressors, an exhaust fan, a blower fan, and two sets of coils. The main difference between the two is that the heat pump can work in reverse so that it can bring heat into a home as well as remove it.
Here’s Why Low Refrigerant in an Air Conditioner Is a Serious Problem
Monday, April 6th, 2015The air conditioning that keeps your home cool during the summers uses a chemical blend called refrigerant to run. This is what allows the AC to carry out the process of heat exchange: the refrigerant absorbs heat from inside your house through evaporation, and then releases the heat to the outside through condensation.
There is something very important you need to know about refrigerant: it isn’t something your air conditioner “uses up.” It doesn’t work like gasoline for a car or natural gas for a furnace. The refrigerant inside the AC won’t dissipate as it goes through heat exchange, and it should remain at the same level (known as its charge) as long as you have your AC. If the charge drops because of a leak, your air conditioner will encounter major problems. At the first sign that your air conditioner is losing cooling power, call for repair technicians.
If you need air conditioning repairs done fast and done right, call on Malek Heating & Cooling for service in Skokie, IL and the surrounding areas. We have 24-hour emergency help available.
There are a number of reasons that low refrigerant is bad news for an AC and needs professional repairs right away:
- Drop in cooling power: Without the right level of refrigerant, the air conditioner will not be able to absorb the amount of heat from inside your home necessary to reach the cooling level you expect.
- Ice along the coils: The refrigerant that moves through the evaporator coil will not warm up enough because of its reduced amount; the remaining refrigerant will stay too cold and begin to freeze water moisture along the coils, which will further restrict heat exchange.
- Damage to the compressor: This is the most serious problem low refrigerant may trigger. The change in pressure in the air conditioner because of loss of charge will place extra stress on the compressor, leading to it rapidly wearing down. The compressor may also overheat because of the lower amount of refrigerant. A burnt-out compressor is the most expensive repair an air conditioner may require, so you must have low refrigerant fixed as soon as possible.
Malek Heating & Cooling has taken care of air conditioning repairs since 1998. Give us a call when you need help with your home cooling. If your AC has lost charge, we will seal up the leaks and recharge the refrigerant to the right level.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Ductless System?
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015At Malek Heating & Cooling, we often recommend that customers who are constructing new homes, remodeling a current home, or who live in an older home with limited space, consider installing a ductless mini split heat pump as their principle comfort system. Ductless mini splits provide both heating and cooling, and they work with great energy efficiency that will save money compared to using a standard furnace/air conditioner combination. They also help with increasing indoor air quality, and the lack of ductwork makes them flexible for numerous building and remodeling projects.
A question that customers who are interested in installing ductless heating in Skokie, IL often ask: “How long will the installation take?” The good news is that installation of a ductless system in most cases will not take longer than installing any other type of new heating or cooling system. In fact, in many ways, installing a ductless mini split heat pump is easier than putting in traditional comfort systems that use ducts. It’s a more complicated installation than putting in a small window unit, so it isn’t a job you should attempt on your own; you must look for qualified and licensed technicians familiar with the product. But for those skilled professionals, installing a ductless mini split is usually a fast job that will go without complications.
The average installation job takes one or two days. The actual length depends on the size of the system, in particular how many indoor air handlers need to be mounted inside the home. Each air handler must have a mounting frame put in first and a 3″ hole drilled through the wall to allow of power cable and refrigerant lines through. If you have a large home that requires many air handlers in multiple rooms, the installation process will take longer.
However, not only will the final results be worth the small investment in time, but the installation process is not disruptive. Much of the work occurs outside, setting up the external unit. Mounting the air handlers is usually a fast job for seasoned and trained professionals.
To find out more about outfitting your house with ductless cooling and ductless heating in Skokie, IL, as well as an estimate for how long the installation will take, call our ductless mini split experts at Malek Heating & Cooling. We are licensed Mitsubishi ductless mini split installers, and have helped keep homes in the Chicagoland area comfortable since 1998. Give us a call today.