Summer is near, and this is the time to think about the importance of AC maintenance. Having a well-maintained air conditioner can help prevent discomfort during the hot season. Here are some other reasons why you should schedule an AC inspection.

Prolongs the Life of Your Unit

Having your air conditioner regularly serviced can help increase its efficiency and extend its life span. Regular maintenance can also help prevent a major breakdown, which can lead to costly repairs and replacements. This is because HVAC technicians will be able to address any minor issues immediately. This ensures that your unit stays in top-notch condition and will run optimally over time.

Lowers Energy Costs

Failing to maintain an HVAC unit properly will cause the equipment to work harder. Clogged and dirty air ducts, air filters, fans, and other components can affect the performance of the AC unit. That’s why when your air conditioning unit is well-maintained, it will work better. It can also help lower energy costs, which saves you more money on monthly electric bills.

Provides Cleaner Air

Improved indoor air quality is another reason why you should have your cooling unit properly maintained. This can prove beneficial in case you or a family member has allergies. Regular maintenance includes coolant replacement, duct cleaning, thermostat check, and more. This ensures a cleaner unit and air filters, preventing dirt, dust, and other allergens from circulating in your home.

Offers Comfort

If you and your family can’t handle high temperatures, scheduling preventive air conditioning maintenance can help. You’ll be able to prevent dealing with sudden repairs or replacements during sunny days. Additionally, you’ll be able to control the temperature better and make it more comfortable when your AC unit is tuned up.

Hire the Professionals of Home Comfort Experts!

Keeping your HVAC unit well-maintained ensures your family’s comfort this summer. At Home Comfort Experts, we offer quality HVAC services for all your comfort needs. We also provide emergency services in case you need assistance at any time. Get in touch with our professional technicians today to learn more about the importance of AC maintenance.

Summertime is here again, and one way to beat the heat is turning on the air conditioner. However, monthly energy bills can increase since the AC has to run continuously to keep the home cool. Luckily, there are ways to cut down costs without enduring the sweltering temperature.

Upgrade Your Windows

Consider investing in energy-efficient windows. They are specifically manufactured to provide better insulation, minimize heat conduction, and decrease solar radiation. Optimum heat dispersion is important when it comes to indoor temperature control since sunlight becomes more intense during the summer. The casements can be purchased at any construction or hardware store and are worth the upgrade.  

Utilize Ceiling Fans

Don't hesitate to use ceiling fans since they help in circulating cool air. They can take some of the AC unit's workload, which keeps energy costs low. They also consume less wattage than an HVAC unit. So you can install one in each room and use them instead if you don't need the AC. This way, you increase your home's power efficiency.

Replace the Air Filters

Air filters prevent dust from entering an AC unit. The particles can obstruct vents and cause poor air circulation inside the home. Meanwhile, dirty air filters can cause a unit to work harder to get air into the system. Consider replacing them every two to three months, or more often than that if you have kids or pets. They are very affordable and can be easily swapped out.

Inspect the Duct Work

Air ducts can be filled with dust or debris, which decreases airflow efficiency. Leaks may also occur, which diverts heated or cooled air elsewhere, leading to an increased HVAC workload and energy consumption costs. Consider having a professional HVAC mechanic to inspect the ducts to ensure optimum unit functionality and save more money.  

Adjust Indoor Temperature

Adjusting indoor temperatures helps save you money. Let your HVAC unit run at a temperature that matches the outdoors when you're not at home. This will cause the unit to consume far less power when you change it back to your preferred level. 

For example, during hotter seasons, set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when you're outdoors. Then, turn it down to a cooler 74 or 72 degrees when you get back. Smart thermostats perform this process automatically to ensure you come home to your preferred climate settings. As a result, these devices save you even more with continued use.

Get Regular Unit Maintenance

Ensuring an HVAC unit is well maintained will improve its efficiency and help decrease energy consumption. Having it regularly maintained by a professional ensures that the entire air conditioning system at home runs at an optimum level for years to come.

Reach Out to a Skilled Technician!

Home Comfort Experts is a family run company that provides exceptional air conditioning and furnace repair, maintenance, and installation services. Whenever your air conditioner needs servicing, our team has you covered! Contact us today to learn more about our indoor air quality solutions.

The last thing you need in the middle of a scorching hot summer’s day is to have your air conditioner break down. When it does, you might have to replace your entire system or pay for costly repairs just to feel cool and comfortable again. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you could avoid an HVAC system breakdown and never skip a beat. Here are some reasons why air conditioner maintenance is necessary.

Save Money

Perhaps the most important reason to consider regular AC maintenance is the fact that it can save you thousands of dollars in unforeseen costs. When your HVAC system breaks down, it often does so without warning. With preventative maintenance, your HVAC professional will catch major problems before they happen and provide you with affordable and reasonable solutions to fix the problem. Not having regular maintenance performed on your AC unit will shorten its lifespan, meaning you’ll need to replace the system far sooner than you would have to if you had regular air conditioner maintenance.

Save Energy

When you have an HVAC system that is broken, it can cause your energy costs to spike as it requires more energy than a fully-working HVAC system. Having a regularly scheduled tune-up for your AC unit can decrease your air conditioner’s operating efficiency, which means that your air conditioner will effectively use less energy as time goes on. This enables your air conditioning system to provide cooler air for less money and energy and can effectively double the lifespan of your system.

What Does Regular Maintenance Do?

If you have regular maintenance performed on your AC unit, your heating and cooling professional will inspect, repair, and replace any broken parts to ensure your AC is running smoothly. They will inspect each of the following parts to make sure your air conditioner does not have any potential problems:

Filters

The most important reason to have regular maintenance performed on your air conditioning system is to routinely replace or clean filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and significantly reduce your system’s efficiency. Simply replacing a dirty filter can result in far lower energy consumption and lower energy costs.

While newer filters are often reusable, if you have an older air conditioner you may have to completely replace your filters. If your filters are reusable, consider regular maintenance to have them cleaned

Coils

Air conditioning systems have two types of coils: evaporator coil and condenser coil. Over time, these will both collect dirt and grime, especially if your filter goes unmaintained. Dirt in your evaporator coil or condenser coil reduces the system’s ability to absorb heat, meaning more hot air gets trapped inside your house and the system has to work even harder to produce cold air.

Coil Fins

The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a "fin comb" that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition. A trusted HVAC expert will be able to properly “comb” your systems coil fins.

Condensate Drains

Clogged drain channels prevent a unit from reducing humidity, and the resulting excess moisture may discolor walls or carpet. Unclogging drains ensure no humidity or moisture damage occurs while keeping your home cool.

Check Refrigerant

Using a leak detector, your air conditioner service will test for refrigerant leaks and capture any refrigerant that must be evacuated from the system. Allowing refrigerant to be released into the atmosphere is illegal, so be sure to have a trusted professional perform any refrigerant leaks.

What You Should Do

It is important to call a trusted professional to perform regular, routine maintenance on your HVAC system. Home Comfort Experts are here to perform AC maintenance that will start saving you money in energy costs. Our experts have a reliable 20-Point Air Conditioning Maintenance & Safety Inspection plan that ensures your air conditioner is running smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. Ask about joining the Comfort Club, Home Comfort Expert’s exclusive membership that guarantees appointments and provides valuable free services and discounts on repairs.

 

Contact the heating and cooling professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to learn about the ways we can help you. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our 12 locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to learn about our full complement of heating, cooling and plumbing services.

How To Save Money On Your Air Conditioner This Year - Home Comfort Experts

 

As we approach the more humid months of the year, you may be thinking of ways to keep your cooling bill down. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep your home cool without having to break the bank.

Check out these 4 easy tips to get the most out of your AC unit without spending a fortune on your utility bills:

Having Your AC Unit Run more Economically

While it may be more comfortable to set your air conditioning unit to 65 degrees and have it running all day, keeping it at the highest temperature you’re able to tolerate can save you a significant amount of money over the course of the summer months. If your AC unit has the functionality to do so, you should also have your air conditioning turn off when you’re not home, or at least to a higher temperature when the warmer weather kicks in.

Keeping Your Curtains And Windows Closed

An often overlooked tactic, keeping your curtains closed will impede your home from internally heating up. Similarly, making sure your windows are closed and making sure that everyone in your home is conscious of keeping your windows closed is a simple yet effective way to keep the cool air in your home.

Using A Fan

Having a fan in the home helps the cold air your air conditioning unit produces circulate throughout the house, helping to keep your entire house cool. This means that you don’t need as much air conditioning pumped into the home - a very efficient way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Maintaining Your AC Unit

Sometimes, all you need is to have your air conditioning unit serviced to have it running smoothly and efficiently again. Performing regular AC maintenance increases the lifespan of the unit, which can save you a significant amount of money.

Contact our cooling professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to see what maintenance should be down to keep your cooling bill low. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan from our 12 locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to find out how we can help you!

Every year, our team of HVAC technicians from Home Comfort Experts are asked the same question: Do I need to put a cover on my air conditioner? If you are concerned about rodents getting into your unit or other disasters befalling your AC, we fully recommend purchasing a home AC cover.

These covers are designed to protect your air conditioner’s vital components throughout the entire winter season, ensuring that it will be ready to go once the temperature rises in the summer. Air conditioners are considerable investments that can last over 15 years if properly maintained. An AC cover can protect your investment during the months it is not operating.

Learn why you should cover your AC this winter and how you can prevent damage to your cooling system.

4 Ways AC Covers Protect Your System

Learning how to cover an air conditioner is rather simple and offers numerous benefits to homeowners, so there’s no doubt you should consider this protective measure. Not only does the cover protect your system from intruders, both living and non-living, but it can also expand its lifespan and maintain its aesthetic appearance.

1. Wards of Animals

When you cover your air conditioning system every winter, you are protecting the complex system from getting damaged by various wrong-doers. For starters, during the cold months, rodents like mice, rats, squirrels, and other small mammals will take shelter in your AC unit to protect themselves from the harsh weather conditions.

While intruding into your cooling system, the rodents could chew or claw at wires or other components, resulting in the need for air conditioning repairs. It’s best to cover your AC unit and ward off these critters to avoid damage to your system.

2. Prevents Mold & Mildew Growth

Along with preventing animals from loitering inside the unit, an air conditioning cover will protect the insides from snow, rain, and other nasty storms. While modern AC units are designed to withstand inclement weather, an air conditioner box cover will holistically block out harsh weather conditions.

By blocking out the rain and snow, a cover also prevents the risk of mold and mildew growing inside your unit. If there is mold in your system, it can be distributed throughout your home, leading to a number of health issues for you and your family. Covering the top of the unit will ward off these risks.

3. Lowers the Chances of Rust & Corrosion

Along with lowering the risk of harmful mold and mildew from growing in your air conditioning system, an AC cover also helps lower the chance of your unit rusting. While modern AC units are designed and built to withstand years of harsh precipitation, many components within your system can become corroded due to the weather.

Rust and corrosion not only compromise the structural integrity of the system, but can also impede its efficiency, potentially causing costly damages. Investing in a durable and weather-resistant cover serves as a proactive measure, preserving the exterior of the AC unit and ultimately contributing to its sustained performance and durability.

4. Keeps Leaves & Other Debris Out

Rain is not the only element of nature that can harm your outdoor AC system. If leaves, flowers, twigs, nuts, or any other debris gets into your system, it could cause irreparable damage to various components. Imagine a twig interfering with the motor of your unit: this can cause the unit’s efficiency to seriously deteriorate, leading to expensive repairs or a necessary replacement.

If there is a large air conditioner cover on your unit, you’ll notice how easy it is to keep your AC clean and free of potentially dangerous accidents. Investing in a cover can help lower your need for air conditioning maintenance and expand your system’s lifespan.

Additional AC Maintenance Tips

Are you looking for other ways to ensure the reliability of your air conditioning system for years to come? Our technicians recommend having your unit inspected and maintained every year. During these routine services, our experts will clean, tune-up, and refurbish your AC system, thereby expanding its lifespan.

Our air conditioning maintenance specialists will thoroughly examine your unit, locate any weak points, and fix them all during one quick visit. We know how important your AC system is, which is why we work hard to protect your investment.

Purchase a New Air Conditioner Cover Today

We at Home Comfort Experts put a high priority on your HVAC equipment, which is why we have designed and released various products to enhance your systems’ performance. We offer a branded air conditioner cover designed to keep your unit clean and safe throughout the entire winter month. Take a look at our HVAC accessories today to purchase one of our covers.

Want to learn more about covering your air conditioner? Contact us today at Home Comfort Experts to speak with one of our experienced technicians. We’ll listen to your questions and concerns and help you with all of your air conditioning needs in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan.

The irony of summer is that everybody wants to be out, despite the heat. But when you come back indoors, you expect comfort to be in the best condition. This is primarily why air conditioners are a premium commodity during the hot season.

But be wary of using air conditioners that went through a long slog through spring, fall, and winter. They are not in a good state to be on all-day duty during the summer. You’ll not only risk breakdown, but getting sick as well.

A Cold This Time of Year

It would be unfortunate if you or anyone in your family gets a cold during the summer. It’s bad timing for the season and, if a dirty air conditioner caused it, a preventable situation.

It’s true that you’re more likely to get a cold from an AC unit when the humidity is low, which is during winter. But if the filter’s dirty and it hasn’t had a good wash in a long time, you may be recycling dirty air in your home.

If you don’t have an air conditioning guy in Indiana, come to Home Comfort Experts. We are what it says in our name: professionals in cooling and heating matters who focus on your comfort. We’ll make sure that your air conditioner only blows clean, fresh air to ensure that everybody is comfortable. More than that, our technicians will ensure your AC unit will work dependably throughout the summer.

Giving You Plenty of Options

What we do first in every job is assess the situation. Different air conditioner problems require different solutions. Our priority is to provide a lasting solution to your needs. At least, help you accommodate your extra comfort needs during the summer.

It’s still your choice if it’s a repair, maintenance, or installation. We’d give our two cents about what your air conditioner needs, but know that we’re ready to get the job done—fast.

Contact us today.

No homeowner wants their air conditioning to stop working, especially on a scorching 95-degree day. During the hot summer, if your home isn't cooling as it should, you might think it's time for a new AC unit.

But don't worry just yet. There could be various reasons for the reduced cooling, and not all of them mean you have to replace the whole system or call an HVAC professional right away. In fact, some problems may only require regular maintenance or a small fix to bring your cool air back.

Therefore, before taking any drastic measures, conduct a thorough inspection of your AC unit and note any damage or weak points within your system. It's important to explore these basic reasons why your air conditioning isn’t cooling properly before assuming the worst. This approach can save you both time and money, ensuring indoor comfort without unnecessary expenses.

1. Clogged Air Filters

At times, a blocked air filter is the sole reason your air conditioner isn’t working as it should. To ensure your AC unit is functioning efficiently, it’s crucial that you replace the air filters regularly. The U.S. Department of Energy advises that the best way to maintain your air conditioner is by replacing the air filters every three to four months. However, depending on the size of your unit and how frequently you use your system, this timeframe may need to be shifted.

Take a moment to inspect your air filter. If it appears dirty or clogged, it's time to swap it out for a new one. The expense is minimal, as filters are fairly inexpensive. You'll likely be amazed at the impact this small change can have.

Enhance your AC's performance by maintaining a clean filter, and you'll enjoy cooler and cleaner air while potentially saving on energy bills.

2. Malfunctioning Thermostat

One of the most common reasons as to why an air conditioner is malfunctioning is a faulty thermostat. Moreover, if you notice a blinking light on your thermostat, this may be an indication that the battery may be low or dead and needs to be replaced. Low batteries on a thermostat can affect an air conditioner and not accurately keep the desired temperature. Changing the battery can make the unit run as intended.

In some cases, you may need to replace the entire thermostat. While this might involve a higher cost than just changing batteries, it's notably more budget-friendly than investing in an entirely new air conditioning unit.

3. Vent and Duct Obstructions

If there are obstructions in your vents, this can block adequate airflow throughout your home and hinder the AC system from keeping up. Make sure to inspect the vents around the outside AC unit. If you find any blockages, such as leaves or dirt, or if the unit remains covered by a tarp from the winter, this might be causing poor airflow.

It’s crucial to maintain a clear space of several feet between your air conditioner and plants, decking materials, hoses, and pets. These objects can obstruct the proper functioning of the unit and diminish its efficiency.

In addition, if there is any obstruction in your home’s ductwork, this can affect the efficiency of your AC unit. Air ducts are sometimes incorrectly installed when a home is built or when an addition is added. They can also become dirty over time from lack of proper duct cleaning, potentially creating blockages and causing temperature differences from room to room.

A trained technician can check your ductwork and vents to ensure adequate clearance, enhancing the performance and longevity of your air conditioning system.

4. Noises from the Outdoor Unit

You can easily determine the operational status of the blowers in your air conditioning unit by simply listening to it. Take a moment to listen to the sound of fans running. However, if the fans aren’t running, this isn’t a reason to immediately assume that you need to replace the entire unit.

Instead, reach out to a skilled air conditioner technician who can inspect your unit and find the cause of the problem. Once they know what they are dealing with, they can provide you with a plan on how to address the issue and how much the repairs will cost.

5. Inadequate Insulation

If your AC unit seems to be functioning properly, but your home is still significantly warmer than your thermostat setting, it's possible that you have insufficient insulation or inadequate windows.

One of the clearest indicators of inadequate insulation is when the air escapes your home and doesn’t cool down your home during the summer. Calling a trained AC technician is the best course of action for this issues, as they can determine whether insulation needs to be replaced or if there are other reasons that the cooled air isn’t staying in your home.

Don’t assume your air conditioner needs to be replaced just because it is showing signs of wear and tear. Instead, consult with a knowledgeable team of professionals when you need help with your cooling needs.

At Home Comfort Experts, our skilled technicians can do an energy audit of your home and determine the best course of action for your AC system. Contact us today by calling (574) 319-9247 to schedule an appointment with us.

Choosing the right air conditioner for your home can involve several factors, including budget and energy efficiency.

While the initial purchase price obviously plays a role in most people’s decision, the right unit that’s more expensive but also more energy-efficient might save you money in the not-so-long run. Here are a few tips for choosing the best A/C unit for your home's cooling needs while minimizing impacts on the environment and your electric bill.

Match Unit Size to Home or Room Size

Air conditioning needs are usually determined by the amount of space to be cooled. This requires knowing the square footage of the space, and checking the cooling capacity of the unit in question. Cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs, and generally you should have about 20 BTUs per square foot of space to be cooled. The unit's written documentation should include an actual square footage range, or you can ask an HVAC installer for advice.

Professional HVAC installers take a more sophisticated approach, assessing more variables to make a more accurate determination of how much air conditioning a home or business requires. Home Comfort Experts employ project managers who perform a load calculation on your home that uses an algorithm that takes into account window size, direction and r-factor; home materials, insulation, and square footage; number of people in the home; and several other data points.

RELATED READ: Load Calculation-What you Need to Know

Don't buy an oversized unit thinking that bigger means better. Running an oversized unit less often will not provide the energy savings of a correctly sized unit. And definitely avoid buying a unit that’s too small, as you will have to run it far more often, straining the system and likely causing it to fail much sooner than the expected 10-12 years. Poorly chosen equipment at the start will negate energy savings over the lifetime of your home and reduce the appliance’s lifespan.

Buy an Energy-Efficient Model

Purchasing the right size unit isn't the only way you can make sure your air conditioner is as energy efficient as possible. In the United States, the Energy Star program certifies products that are the tops in class for energy efficiency. Room air conditioners and whole house units are both available with the Energy Star certification.

Hooking an Energy Star-rated whole-house air conditioner up to an energy inefficient furnace or air handler can negate some of the benefits of buying the unit. Consider replacing the old furnace or air handler with an efficient model at the same time.

 RELATED READ: SEER Ratings-What are They and What Do They Mean?

Set Your Thermostat for Savings

After you purchase the right size air conditioner with an Energy Star certification, the energy efficiency is handed over to you as the homeowner. Using the thermostat correctly can keep your bills low and minimize wear and tear on your unit.

If the home or room is too hot, turning the thermostat all the way down will not cool the space more quickly. Just set the thermostat at the desired temperature – it will get there at the same rate, and you won’t have to adjust the setting later, after you get too cold.

Programmable (timer-operated) thermostats are a great way to maximize the efficiency of central air conditioning. Set a higher temperature for the times when you’re out of the house to minimize A/C usage, and have it kick in 20 or 30 minutes before you normally return from work or school. That’s enough time for most units to make the home comfortable, and it will save hours of unnecessary electricity usage.

 RELATED READ: Your Life Runs on Schedules, Your Thermostat Should Too.

Do you need help selecting whole-house air conditioning or want to the most energy-efficient unit for your home, with professional installation by trained service technicians? Home Comfort Experts has you covered in Michiana. Contact us.

Thank you to Christine Satterfield for this list.

Overall Spring Cleaning Chores

Spring Clean the Kitchen

Spring Clean the Dining Room

Spring Clean the Bathrooms

Spring Clean Laundry/Utility Room

Spring Clean Living Room/Family Areas

Spring Clean Bedrooms

Spring Clean Kid Stuff

Spring Clean Office/Command Center

Spring Clean Miscellaneous Items

Spring Clean Outside

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