Today we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We are very thankful for the opportunity to service your heating and air conditioning needs and contributing to the comfort of your home.
Thanksgiving means Food, Family, Football, and Desserts. And, lots of each! Unfortunately, this often means that people are not being kind to the environment. When preparing to heap your table high with food, here are a few tips to make your holiday more eco-friendly.
Buy Local.
Buying locally grown produce helps support community farmers and reduces emissions produced by big transport trucks.
Meal Preparation.
Before you bring out your favorite orange sweater or start mashing potatoes, here are some tips to help you enjoy a tasty meal without a big spike in your electricity bill.
Post-dinner Clean-up.
The second-best part of Thanksgiving dinner – Leftovers! Place leftovers in sealed, reusable containers and allow the contents to cool before placing in the fridge. Putting warm food in the fridge causes it to work harder to keep cool – increasing your home’s electricity use.
Though your mother may have told you to wash your plate before putting it in the dishwasher, that's not really necessary any more. Simply scrape, rinse and load. You’ll cut-down on wasted water.
We Help Homeowners
Your local HVAC Dealer has many ways to make your home more eco-friendly year-round. They can also explain the benefits of:
Look to your HVAC Dealer for installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. They can also address your home’s possible need for integrating an air filter/cleaner and dehumidifier with your HVAC system. HVAC dealers are expert at helping you determine the ‘right’ solution for your home and desired comfort level needs.
Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
Once again, from our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.
If the heating and air condition system in your home is over 8-years old, it’s probably time to think about a replacement. While you’ve properly maintain your HVAC system and it may appear to be performing, it’s likely costing you.
Today’s heating and air conditioning systems are incredibly sophisticated machines – far superior to their predecessors. They’re fine-tuned, highly-sensitive operating systems designed with controls and sensors to maximize efficiency. Efficiency that keeps more treated air inside your home (less up your chimney) and requires less energy (and lowers utility bills).
Choosing the ‘right’ furnace, the ‘right’ central air conditioning unit, and the ‘right’ dealer to install them can be very complicated. This blog will highlight issues and processes for any homeowner to use in selecting the best solution for your needs.
Size Matters.
Have your HVAC Dealer calculate your heating needs based upon industry standards – as defined by the Air Condition Contractors of America. These standards weigh key variables such as your climate and the square footage, design, and construction of your home.
A furnace that is too large will cost more and ware down quicker due to cycling on-and-off too frequently; a furnace too small will not keep your comfortable during our Midwest summers and winters.
Efficiency Rating.
Simply stated, the rating refers to the percentage of heat generated by a furnace that is actually used to warm your home. Many old furnaces have ratings in the 70s – meaning only 70% of the heat they generate actually stays in the home (30% going up your chimney). Most of today’s high-efficiency furnaces are rated 90 or 95 – meaning that 90% or 95% of the heat they create is staying in the home.
Value.
While high efficient furnaces are costlier, they save homeowners in energy costs each month. Monthly savings on your energy bill often pays the difference over the life of your system. Plus, it’s environmentally responsible. Your local HVAC Dealer can calculate the annual estimated operating cost of models you’re considering. You can weigh the savings.
Reliability and Functionality
Your local HVAC Dealer can advise you on the brands and models with which they experience the fewest problems and service calls. They can also explain the benefits of:
Your local HVAC Dealer can also address your home’s possible need for integrating an air filter/cleaner and dehumidifier with your HVAC system.
HVAC dealers are expert at helping you determine the ‘right’ solution for your home and desired comfort level needs.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace, central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need.
Look to us for installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable & Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
Fall is in the air and everything is about to change. No more shorts and flip-flops. Sun setting earlier. School activities. Leaves falling. It’s time to re-acclimate!
It also means that it’s time to transition from your air conditioning system – that worked so hard to cool you during our humid summer months – to switching-on your furnace to ready your home for Midwest winter temperatures.
The Low-High Process.
The key to re-acclimating your home from summer cooling to winter heating is simply to remember that warm air rises and cooler air sinks. That’s it in a nutshell.
In a 2-story home, that means over the summer, your air conditioning system worked hard to force cool air to the second floor. Now, as we approach winter, warm air from your furnace will automatically rise to heat upstairs room. Nature pushes warm air upward to keep your upstairs bedrooms warm and cozy.
5-Step Solution.
I recommend an easy 5-step approach for an efficient and cost-effective Summer-to-Winter re-acclimation in your home:
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace, central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need.
Look to us for installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
We’ve all been there. It’s a hot, humid day with no relief. You feel sticky and uncomfortable. But, humidity is not just an outdoor thing. Your home can be an uncomfortably humid environment too. Worse yet, high indoor humidity is also a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria – mildew, mold spores, dust mites – that can harm your health. It is reported that people who live in homes struck in high humidity get sick more often and their health is poorer.
Beyond the personal discomfort and potential health issues, high humidity and poor ventilation also take a toll on your home. Not just the stuffy, moldy smell but serious issues like mold and mildew spreading inside walls, floorboards creaking and bending, peeling paint, and warped woodwork. In addition, condensation on windows and walls start to cause structural damage. Older homes are particularly prone to holding excess moisture in that they may not be well insulated and ventilated. Even newer construction in the Midwest risk damage from frequent freezing and thawing.
You can’t put a price on your family’s health but repairs to your home can be significant. Humidity ruins your health, our home, and your budget!
The Dehumidifier Solution.
You can immediately lower high humidity in your home by getting a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers reduce moisture in the air by . . . using a fan to suck HOT air into the compact unit . . . cooling the air as it crosses refrigerated coils . . . and expelling the excess water into a drain.
Portable and Full-Home Alternatives.
There are both portable and comprehensive dehumidifiers available for your home. You can find portable dehumidifier units in most big-box retail stores. These units can usually be wheeled into a room, controls for the desired performance level, and the humid air in that area is successfully treated. But these portable units do nothing for the rest of your home.
The most effective and comprehensive solution to reduce humidity throughout your home is a system that attaches to your home’s central heating and cooling system. Performance level is usually set at the thermostat that controls your central heating and cooling. Since air is a whole house matters, many experts believe that the ‘best’ solution is a dehumidifier that is attached to your furnace – it improves air quality throughout your entire home.
Your local HVAC dealer can help you determine the ‘right’ state-of-the-art dehumidifier that best fits your home’s needs.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace or central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your heating and air conditioning system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need. Look to us for your annual inspection. Duct cleaning. Diagnose malfunctions. Improving ventilation. Replacing Filters. Installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We even help you take advantage of rebates from manufacturers and energy companies. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
If the air condition system in your home is over 8-years old, it’s probably time to think about a replacement. Even if you’ve properly maintained it and it appears to be performing, it’s likely costing you.
As you search for the ‘right’ air conditioning unit, you’ll see and hear the term SEER. What does this mean? And, how does it impact you, your home, and your family?
SEER is an acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s a mathematical computation to gauge how energy efficient a specific air conditioner unit is. The current minimum SEER ratio by Federal standards is 13; the highest I’ve seen is 25. A higher rating is always more energy efficient.
NO Math Here.
I’m not going to bore you with the mathematics of SEER ratios. In short, it has to do with tons, BTUs, days in use, and kilo-watts consumed. There’s no high-level math formulas here because it’s really just about value – what it costs to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner and the monthly energy costs to keep your home and family comfortable.
It's about Value
There is a simple balance between the cost of a unit with a high SEER ratio and the operating cost you can expect from that unit.
When you ask your local HVAC dealer for a quote for a new air conditioner, you’ll likely receive 2 or 3 alternatives – each air conditioning unit will likely have a different SEER rating.
Yes, the installed cost of an air conditioner unit with a higher SEER ratio will likely cost more than one with the lower SEER ratio. But, overall, the one with the higher SEER ratio will cost less in monthly energy costs.
For example, the monthly energy budget for an A/C unit with a SEER rating of 23 can easily be about half of one with a SEER rating of 13; the monthly energy budget of a 23 SEER rated unit can be 25% lower than one with a 16 SEER ratio.
In addition to monthly savings, the 23 SEER rated unit is more environmentally-friendly.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace, central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need.
Look to us for installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in your neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
Your neighbors rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
Spring is in the air and everything is about to change. No more winter coats. Sun setting later. No more wrapping-up the kids. Trees filling with leaves. Birds return. It’s time to re-acclimate!
The annual transition from Midwest winters with freezing temperatures to 90˚ days can be hard on your home heating and cooling system. Your heating system worked hard all winter to keep us comfortably warm and now it needs to be readied for cooling.
The High-Low Process.
The key to re-acclimating from winter to summer is simply to remember that warm air rises and cooler air sinks. That’s it in a nutshell. In a 2-story home, that means over the winter, nature saw to it that warm air rose from your furnace to the second floor. It was automatic – little force was necessary to keep your upstairs bedrooms warm. But now, for summer, you’ll need to ‘force’ cooler air up to the second floor to maintain a comfortable temperature.
5-Step Solution
I recommend an easy 5-step approach for an efficient and cost-effective Winter-to-Summer re-acclimation in your home:
We Help Home Owners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace or central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your heating and air conditioning system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need. Look to us for your annual inspection. Duct cleaning. Diagnose malfunctions. Improving ventilation. Replacing Filters. Installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We even help you take advantage of rebates from manufacturers and energy companies. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
When you make energy-savings improvements to the heating and central air conditioning in your home, you can actually save TWICE:
First with rebates on the equipment installed by a qualified HVAC Dealer.
And, again with monthly savings on your energy bill.
With more than half the energy costs for your home going to heating and air conditioning, high-efficiency equipment saves on daily energy use and costs. When you upgrade to a more energy-efficient furnace or central air conditioning system, you may qualify for Rebates and Tax Credits when it’s installed by a professional HVAC Dealer.
The Time May Be 'Right'
If the furnace or central air condition system in your home is over 8-years old, it’s probably time to think about a replacement. Even if you’ve properly maintained it and it appears to be performing, it’s likely costing you every month when you pay your energy company. Your local HVAC Dealer can:
You’ll save on the equipment and every month on your energy bill.
It's Easy Math.
Your professional HVAC Dealer does most of the work. That means identifying the ‘right’ Armstrong Air high-efficiency furnace and central air condition unit that qualifies for a Rebate or Tax Credit. Among rebates available are:
Not everyone will qualify for these rebates and there are no guarantees that the utility companies will continue with their offers. Fortunately, your professional HVAC Dealer can share their understanding of the details of their offers, provide the necessary documentation, and supply the appropriate claim forms.
Add Value.
Your professional HVAC Dealer can also address areas where your system can become more efficient by cleaning and sealing ducts. Yes, there are also rebates available when a qualified HVAC professional improves the flow of air through your ducts, seals leaks in your ducts, and improves insulation.
How To Choose.
Today’s furnaces and central air conditioning units are incredibly sophisticated machines – far superior to their predecessors. They’re fine-tuned, highly-sensitive operating systems designed with controls and sensors to maximize efficiency.
The ‘best’ solution for your home depends on a number of variables including your climate, how well insulated your home is, your comfort preferences, your budget, and your feelings about being environmentally-friendly. Your professional HVAC Dealer can calculate the annual estimated operating cost of models you’re considering and knows which qualify for Rebates.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace, central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need.
Look to us for installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in your neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
Your neighbors rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
A recent news article caught my attention. It recommended that when we turn our clocks ahead or back, it’s time to think about getting your air ducts inspected. All sorts of things affect the air we breathe inside our homes. Nearby road construction. Cozy wood burning fireplaces. Cooking. Cleaning solvents. Humidity. Rain and moisture. All impact the quality of air in your home.
While the cautious EPA says scientific studies are inconclusive about the impact of dirty air ducts on indoor air quality, it’s common sense to have an expert inspect these ducts to insure their integrity and to protect your family.
Inspection.
A trained HVAC expert will look for . . . mold . . . infestation by rodents or insects . . . debris from damaged or pierced vents . . . water or moisture . . . air leaks . . . deteriorating or improperly connected flex ducts . . . and a build-up of pet hair, dirt, dust, and contaminants.
What to do if Issues Found.
If an inspector finds air quality issues in your home, always: See Examples. Insist that the inspector show you examples of any problem before you proceed. That means seeing examples of mold, rodent droppings, cracks, holes, water stains, discolored walls or floors near vents, or separated seams in your ducts.
Diagnose Cause.
Should the inspector find and show you evidence of any problem, the most important step is to determine the cause. Only after the cause is clearly defined and understood can you proceed with corrective action.
Repair the Problem.
Don’t wait. The air your family breathes is too important. Correcting the problems as soon as possible will ensure that no further deterioration occurs. We’ll systematically help you schedule, resolve, and keep track of improvements.
Once the repairs are done, go forward with a thorough duct cleaning. Everyone in your home will breathe easier. You may even want to set up a regular maintenance program with your HVAC expert. Scheduled checks of the blower motor, cooling coils, gas lines, and heat exchanger (for gas unites) insulating liner, drain line and emergency drain pan help avoid serious problems and repairs in the future. Peace of mind is a beautiful thing.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace or central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your heating and air conditioning system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need. Look to us for your annual inspection. Duct cleaning. Diagnose malfunctions. Improving ventilation. Replacing Filters. Installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We even help you take advantage of rebates from manufacturers and energy companies. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
Did you know that indoor air pollution is a top five environmental health risks? We all want the air quality in our home to be as clean and comfortable as possible. But the tricky thing about air quality is that so much that is harmful to us is undetectable with our noses.
Dust, cleaning chemicals, pet dander, humidity, bacteria, and just plain stale air have led many of us to pursue air purifiers and clean air systems to protect and improve our homes. While allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues are among the health reasons to pursue an air cleaner, dust and airborne contaminants also impacts furniture, wallpaper, drapes, carpeting, and causes paint to flake.
Limited Performance.
Many ‘air purifiers’ on the market are really just dust filters. They’re offered at low prices online or at big-box retailers. But, a closer look at these ‘bargains’ indicates that they basically just have a fan, some type of filter, and some controls. These usually have just a fine mesh carbon filter – nothing like the solid carbon found in a true air purifier. These are only as good as how frequently you change this thin filter. And, even then, their impact is limited to a few feet around where you put them in a room.
Does Your Home Need Cleaner Air?
Are you sneezing or have a lot of headaches? Is your furniture dusty? Is asthma an issue? Are you concerned about odors, mold, or airborne bacteria and fungus? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you need a clean air solution. Regardless how well you clean your home, a ‘real’ comprehensive Home Air Purifier will help.
Comprehensive In-Home Solution.
The most effective solution to improve in-door air quality is a purifier system that attaches to your home’s central heating and cooling system. Sure, there are portable units that can be moved from room to room, but cleaner air is a whole house matter. Therefore, the best choice is a ‘real’ solution – a purifier system that is attached to your furnace. It will measurably improve air quality throughout your entire home, not just an individual room or area.
A state-of-the-art filtering systems address all the most common in-home air quality issues . . . Allergens . . . Bacteria, Mold & Germs . . . Household Chemicals . . . Humidity Imbalances . . . Mildew . . . Must Odors . . . and Stale Air.
Your local HVAC dealer can help you determine the ‘right’ state-of-the-art air filtering system that best fits your home’s needs.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace or central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your heating and air conditioning system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need. Look to us for your annual inspection. Duct cleaning. Diagnose malfunctions. Improving ventilation. Replacing Filters. Installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners.
Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable & Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We even help you take advantage of rebates from manufacturers and energy companies. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
Each year when you turn your clocks ahead and back, it’s also time to think about getting your heating and air conditioning system in shape for another season. And, if your system is more than 10 years old, it’s probably time to begin thinking about upgrading and replacement as repairs become more costly and frequent.
With more than half of the energy used in the typical home going to heating and cooling, it’s important to make smart decision about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning.
Energy costs aren’t getting any cheaper. You’ve heard that there can be “big savings” with the latest high-efficient HVAC systems. But, is that savings worth the extra cost? Will you see that savings on your monthly bills? What’s the truth?
If your current furnace was 80% efficient when installed, that means that 80% of the fuel that is burned is turning into heat and 20% is directed up your chimney through the exhaust. So, for every $1 of your heating cost, 20¢ goes up the chimney – not very efficient. And, as your furnace ages, it likely gets less efficient.
If you upgrade to a 95% efficient unit, will that translate into an immediate 15% savings in fuel bills and less lost up your chimney?
Weigh the Variables.
The time in which you recoup your investment in a new HVAC system will vary from house-to-house depending on a number of critical elements. The key critical variables include:
If you miss any one of these, it will extend the time before you break-even on your investment in a new heating and air conditioning system.
For example, having a new 95% EnergyStar system installed in a poorly insulated home may result in no savings because much of the heating is going out the doors, walls, and windows. The warmer you keep your home in the winter and cooler you prefer in the summer will limit savings. And, some believe that improper instillation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30%.
Do the Math.
A Certified HVAC expert can help as you weigh these variables. Local contractors should have the experience and worksheets to address these and other local variables. Plus, your local HVAC expert can offer advice on manufacturers’ discounts and rebates and applicable government tax credits.
You’re making a 10-year investment in your home. Careful study is necessary to weigh the variables mentioned here and project your future comfort level. There’s no easy answer. Each situation is truly unique.
We Help Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing your furnace or central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your heating and air conditioning system, we are knowledgeable and expert in delivering the service you need. Look to us for your annual inspection. Duct cleaning. Diagnose malfunctions. Improving ventilation. Replacing Filters. Installing advanced, state-of-the-art high-efficiency Armstrong Air furnaces and Air Conditioners. Superior quality equipment and Trained Certified Technicians – we’re the Team that truly delivers for you.
Reliable and Trusted
We’ve been serving homes in our neighborhood for years with prompt, dependable, and reliable service that meets the highest standards. Experience counts! Your neighbors rely on and trust us to treat them ‘right’.
They rely on us for advanced products and expert service. We even help you take advantage of rebates from manufacturers and energy companies. We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible. We’re just a phone call away.