Even though your air conditioner is likely designed to be robust, it’s still a complex piece of equipment that can experience performance issues once in a while. Here are some common air conditioner problems and how you should deal with them. Leaking refrigerant: In order to transfer heat effectively, the level of refrigerant (the charge) …
Common Air Conditioner Problems and How You Can Solve ThemEdit Read More »
If you are considering adding to or upgrading your whole-house HVAC system, you should learn the terms AFUE, SEER, HSPF, among others. These acronyms all stand for efficiency rating systems for heating or cooling systems. By ensuring each system – whether it’s a furnace, heat pump or A/C – is the most efficient model you …
Did you know that your air conditioner (A/C) or heat pump is one of the most common targets for thieves? Its outdoor compressor unit has a substantial amount of valuable copper that criminals often try to steal. Here are five ways to prevent air conditioner theft: Hide your A/C. You can either try to hide your …
5 Ways to Prevent Air Conditioner Theft at Your HomeEdit Read More »
If your Metro East Illinois home was too dry and the air had little or no moisture this past winter, it may have caused more harm than simple discomfort. Low humidity can result in dry skin and increased allergic reactions, plus it can cause wood fixtures in your southwest Illinois home to split or crack over time. Use …
5 Tips for Choosing a Whole-House HumidifierEdit Read More »
Using houseplants to battle in-home air pollution is an excellent way to protect your family’s health, since the average North American spends more than 80 percent of the day indoors. True, we can invest in air purification and filtration systems, but why not also consider houseplants, which we know clean the air of carbon dioxide …
Use Houseplants to Refresh the Air in Your HomeEdit Read More »
While the connection between landscaping and the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system may not be obvious, enough studies on the subject have been conducted to confirm a relationship between the two. In the blazing heat and humidity of a southwest Illinois summer, it just makes good sense to make things a little …
Landscaping Helps Improve Your HVAC System’s EfficiencyEdit Read More »
When most people think of surge protectors, the protection of electronic equipment such as computers, televisions and video game systems comes to mind. Although surge protectors prevent damage to these devices, they can also protect your home’s HVAC equipment from damage as a result of power surges. The Instability of the Electrical Grid There has …
Surge Protectors: A Simple Strip That Can Save You Energy and MoneyEdit Read More »
One of the biggest causes of high energy bills are air leaks in the home’s exterior envelope. Keeping a tight barrier between the air in your home and the air outside should be a priority for homeowners year-round. Finding Energy Wasting Air Leaks You have the option of finding the air leaks yourself or hiring …
Put a Stop to Inefficient Air Leaks in Your HomeEdit Read More »
Your southwest Illinois home’s ductwork does a lot of work throughout the year, especially in the winter. When you get a bit of respite from extreme weather in the spring, consider performing routine duct sealing maintenance to patch up any leaks. The Problems Air leaks are the most common problem with ducts, and can hurt …
Conduct Routine Duct Sealing Maintenance this SpringEdit Read More »
There are several insulation products that can be used to improve the insulation of your home and reduce energy costs. The installation method is dictated by the insulation type. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its thermal insulation or R value, normally shown as a value per inch of thickness; the higher the value …
