At Home Comfort Experts, we like to hold ourselves accountable for the work we do. That’s why we encourage customer feedback. Here is a great letter we recently received from a satisfied customer. Thanks for the kind words, Jeffrey!
Dear Home Comfort,
I wanted to send you a summary of my perception of the air conditioning replacement project recently completed at my home in Niles, Michigan.
My initial telephone contact with your office allowed me to speak with a bright and attentive person who was thorough and left no doubt in my mind that I was in good hands. Brian was the Sales Engineer assigned to my job. When he called to confirm my appointment, he asked plenty of good questions and subsequently arrived precisely on time. I was called the day before the start date of my job, and everything was confirmed. The crew assigned to my project, Rob and Nate, could not have done more to fill me with confidence that I had chosen the right company and the right equipment. These gentlemen know their business, were friendly and personable, and exuded confidence. I never saw either one take a break, I never saw one moving about without something in his hand, and for the most part each man knew his job well enough that he worked alone. Let me digress. I worked for years at my father’s heating and air conditioning company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I was an installer of commercial and residential equipment, and eventually was the installation and service manager. I hired and trained many mechanics over the years and recognize a quality employee when I see one.
Rob and Nate are two such people. It is clear that your training regimen and high standards set you apart from the competition. I wish you the best in your business endeavor, and thank you again for the wonderful job you did at my home. You may use me as a reference at any time.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey
Don’t let your Northern Indiana or Southwest Michigan home suck money from your wallet while you’re on summer vacation this year. Follow these three tips from Home Comfort Experts before you head out of town.
Close the Blinds for Efficiency
Don’t make your AC system work any harder than it has to while you’re away. The harder your air conditioner has to work to stay at a steady temperature, the more energy it has to use, and the more money it’s costing you. One way to make sure your air conditioner will continue working efficiently is to close all the blinds and drapes in your home. This trick can help prevent solar gain {heat energy from the sun’s rays, which can heat up your home when the blinds are open). Government studies show medium-colored blinds or draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by 33%. Not to mention, keeping your blinds closed while you’re away is also a good security measure so strangers or burglars can’t see into your home.
Tweak the Thermostat
By just adjusting the dial on your thermostat instead of turning it off, you will avoid a host of problems when you return home. If you turn off your AC all together, you will return to a stale and sticky home, which can cause furniture and walls to absorb moisture and humidity. This can also tax your system even more when you get home and turn the air conditioning back on. And if that heat and humidity seeps into your refrigerator, it will also have to work harder to keep your food cool, and cost you more money. For every degree a thermostat is raised during the summer, you can save 2-3 percent of your electricity bill. Ask your Home Comfort Expert technician how much they recommend you adjust your thermostat while you’re away on vacation. And be sure to use your programmable thermostat if you have one. You can adjust the temperature by date. That means you can come back to a comfortable home the day you return.
Power Down & Turn Off Electronics
Make sure you don’t waste energy by keeping your electronic devices, lamps, etc., turned on or plugged into the outlets in your home. Unless these devices serve a security purpose, unplug everything. Even if electronics are turned off, they can still suck energy if they are plugged into an outlet, wasting your money. If you need to keep some lights on for security purposes, make sure to install compact fluorescent bulbs, which are more energy efficient and last longer than regular bulbs. An added benefit to unplugging electronics is that if there is a storm while you’re gone, they are protected from any power surges.
For more air conditioning tips or services, call the Home Comfort Experts.
Indiana winters can get pretty rough. Have you ever looked outside and said, “Whew, I’m glad I’m not out in that weather.”? You were snug in your little home with your trusty furnace pumping out the heat. But do you know who was out in that nastiness? Your air conditioner. That’s right, month after brutal month your air conditioner endured bitter cold, harsh winds, freezing rain, sleet, snow and ice. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule an air conditioner tune-up every spring.
Outdoor Air Conditioning Units Face Many Challenges
Granted, your AC unit is designed to withstand the elements. If it weren’t, every air conditioner on the block would need to be replaced after just a few years. But besides the temperatures, there are other outdoor dangers. We’ve seen a lot of wear and tear on outdoor units over the years including dirt, rust, leaves, and even rodents who chew on wires and build nests inside. That’s why we recommend having your AC unit checked every season.
A Home Comfort AC Tune-Up Is Thorough
When you call Home Comfort Experts for an AC tune-up, we’ll check both the indoor and outdoor units to make sure everything is running smoothly and at peak efficiency. We lubricate parts that need to move, fix parts that are moving and shouldn’t, replace broken or worn parts, check all the electrical connections and more. In fact, we perform a 20-point AC Maintenance that includes:
- Calibrate & level thermostat
- Clean filters
- Monitor volts/amps on fan motor
- Lubricate & inspect bearing for wear
- Clean indoor coil if accessible
- Flush condensate drain
- Inspect condenser coil
- Monitor operating pressures of refrigerant
- Inspect safety devices for proper operation
- Inspect disconnect box for proper rating and installation
- Tighten electrical connections
- Test/inspect contactors for burned, pitted contacts
- Inspect electrical for exposed wiring
- Test and inspect capacitors
- Inspect fan blade
- Clean condenser coil/remove debris
- Check in service valves for proper operation
- Measure temperature difference – supply/return
- Inspect duct work for energy loss
- Monitor compressor for proper amperage, volt draw and wiring connections
Avoid Breakdowns and Save on Energy Bills with Annual AC Tune-Ups
Don’t just assume everything is fine with your AC unit. Your outdoor unit has spent months in the elements and your indoor unit as sat unused for months. It’s always a good idea to call Home Comfort Experts for an AC tune-up so your system can be operating at peak efficiency. A system that is running at peak efficiency will save you money on energy bills as well.
Contact Home Comfort Experts for an AC tune-up today.