Spring is upon us, and while our temperatures are still on the cooler side, soon enough warm weather and humidity will be here. When it hits, you want to make sure you have a properly functioning air conditioning system. In order to do so, you’ll want to take care of any AC repairs you may need as soon as you notice a problem. Delaying these repairs is likely to result in larger, more expensive repairs later down the road. Ignoring repair needs could even result in a prematurely failing air conditioner.
ServiceMax Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Winnetka’
Don’t Ignore These Signs That Your AC Needs Repair
Monday, April 11th, 2016Closing Air Vents in Your House Is Not a Way to Save Money!
Monday, March 14th, 2016One of the services that we offer to homeowners in Chicagoland, and have offered since we started in business in 1998, is the installation of zone control systems. What these systems do is give the homeowner the ability to close off sections of the ductwork so that the forced-air heater and air conditioner do not send conditioned air to unoccupied rooms. This is a way to reduce heating and cooling costs in a home, and it’s helpful for larger homes or homes that have rooms (such as guest rooms) that are often unoccupied.
Sealed Combustion vs. Atmospheric Combustion in Gas Furnaces
Monday, February 15th, 2016The technology of heating and cooling is never static. New developments are constantly finding better and less expensive ways to provide comfort for homes and commercial buildings. For example, even though gas furnaces have been around for decades, they remain a competitive type of heating system because new advances in design have made them safer and more energy efficient.
You Can Still Schedule Heating Maintenance for the Season
Monday, January 18th, 2016And in fact, you should if you didn’t have it done in the fall. It’s always preferable to arrange to have professionals inspect, clean, and generally tune-up your home’s heating system before the winter cold arrives. But if you forgot or didn’t have time during the fall to arrange the visit, don’t decide to skip it for the year and wait until next fall! This is a vital service for your household, even at a later date, for the following reasons:
Why Are Gas Furnaces More Efficient Today Than They Once Were?
Monday, December 21st, 2015Do you have a natural gas furnace in your home that’s more than 15 or 20 years old? Then it’s probably a unit that wastes power every time it turns on. It isn’t just because the furnace is old and starting to deteriorate. It’s also because it has a lower energy efficiency rating than modern furnaces that have the benefit of superior construction and recent advances in heating technology.
A Closer Look at How a Whole-House Humidifier Works
Monday, November 23rd, 2015Earlier in the fall, we discussed why it’s advantageous to have professionals install a whole-house dehumidifier to prepare your home for the winter. Cold weather tends to draw moisture out from the air, and furnaces can also make the air in a home uncomfortably dry. A humidifier can counteract this so you have better comfort, less need to run the heater, and a decrease in the health issues associated with low humidity.
Do Boilers Also Need Heating Maintenance Every Year?
Monday, October 26th, 2015Although boilers are not as common residential heating systems as furnaces, they are still popular, and many homes today enjoy the even warmth and energy-saving performance of the hydronic heating from boilers.
Watch Out for Air Conditioner Capacitor Problems!
Monday, August 31st, 2015In our last post, we discussed some issues your air conditioning system might face at the close of the summer. It’s always a smart idea to see to any repairs your air conditioner may need right away, even as the weather begins to cool off. You may still need the AC to work for you in September, and the earlier you have any fixes done, the less expensive they are likely to be.
How Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leaks Start
Monday, August 3rd, 2015Among the many different problems that can occur in an air conditioning system, one of the most common (and serious) is a leak along the refrigerant lines that allows the liquid/gaseous refrigerant to escape. Refrigerant, sometimes known as “Freon,” is essential for an AC to work, and if the level should ever drop, the system will not only start to work poorly, it could suffer from a catastrophic breakdown. When refrigerant leaks happen, you need to call on professionals who will 1) locate the leaks, 2) seal them, and 3) recharge the refrigerant to its proper level.
What did I do wrong that caused these leaks?
Don’t worry: you almost certainly aren’t at fault for refrigerant leaks. The unfortunate part of this problem is that it is difficult to prevent and almost impossible, even for professionals, to notice before it starts. You must simply be vigilant about your AC’s performance and call on repair technicians immediately. Regular maintenance will also catch any leaks when they are still small.
Now, as to what causes the leaks in the first place: formaldehyde. You are probably unaware of it, but this chemical is a common pollutant in residential air, and even with excellent air purifiers it is hard to remove it entirely. Formaldehyde causes something known as formicary corrosion along copper lines, such as those in an AC, as it leaves formic acid along the surface. Although copper is resistant to most forms of corrosion, formicary corrosion is an exception. It’s almost impossible to notice along copper surfaces until it weakens the metal to the point the leaks occur.
Any AC over four years old is susceptible to this kind of corrosion, and high-efficiency air conditioners are more likely to suffer from it because they have narrower refrigerant coils to help with heat exchange. Make sure that you have quality air conditioning technicians to help you in Winnetka, IL in case your air conditioner encounters refrigerant leaks.
Malek Heating & Cooling offers 24-hour emergency air conditioning repairs in the Chicagoland area.
Your Air Conditioner Won’t Last Forever: 3 Signs You Should Replace It
Monday, July 20th, 2015It would be wonderful if a home’s air conditioning system never needed to retire. In fact, many people treat their AC as if it will continue to perform its important function until the end of time (or until they move out of their home). But like any mechanical system that does an enormous amount of work, an air conditioner will eventual age to the point where it is too worn to effectively do its job and it must be replaced. Below are three major indications to watch for that will tell you it’s time to call HVAC professionals and arrange to have a new air conditioning system installed.