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Blog - Low-Cost Heating and Cooling Tips to Lower Your Monthly Bills
During the winter months, metro Detroit area residents lean on their heating units to keep their homes warm and comfortable. When the temperature outside is dropping, and your HVAC unit is working overtime, however, it can cause serious problems for your monthly energy bills. Here are a few money saving tips you can use now…
- Adjust your thermostat accordingly (set it at 69° during the day, and 57° when you go to bed)
- Keep your vent cean
- Switch to a programmable Thermostat
- Change your air filters regularly
What is Freon and Why is It Important?
What is Freon and Why is It Important? The AC system in your home is one of the most misunderstood appliances that homeowners have trouble diagnosing. While many people are used to hearing that an AC system may need more freon, many do not understand exactly what freon is and what it does. Cardinal Heating and Cooling can help you better understand how freon works and how you can keep your AC running at maximum efficiency. Today, we are going to look at what freon is, and how it works to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Freon is a non-combustible gas that is used as a refrigerant in air conditioning applications. This freon undergoes an evaporation process over and over again to help produce cool air that can be circulated throughout your AC system. freon is available in a couple of different applications, with some costing more than others depending on the availability of the product. When people refer to an AC system needing to be recharged or refilled, they are referring to the levels of freon.
How to Prepare Your AC for the Summer Heat
Nothing puts a strain on your air conditioning system quite like the high temperatures of the summer season. The hot summer months mean that your AC is working overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature for you and your family to live in. If your AC system is not properly prepped for the coming months, you could be paying much more than you need to for your electrical bill. If you need to make any last-minute checks or repairs to your AC system before or even during the summer, you can trust Cardinal Heating and Cooling—one of the most trusted HVAC companies in the Metro Detroit are to get you ready. Offering many different types of air conditioning services and AC repair work, Cardinal Heating and Cooling can help you save money throughout the life of your AC system. In this article, we’re going over some of the best ways to prepare your AC for the summer heat—to help you keep your unit running at top performance over the hottest months of the year.
- Change your filters
- Get an inspection
- Clean your coils
5 Things You Should Check Before Scheduling an AC Repair
Having your AC system go out—especially in the heat of summer—Is never a fun experience. Throw younger kids or older family members who may be sensitive to higher temperatures into the mix and you could be in for a stressful day. However, before you schedule your AC service, there are a few things you can check to help save you some time and money. If you are unable to make these checks or would rather have a professional HVAC company give your system a once over, trust Cardinal Heating and Cooling. Cardinal Heating and Cooling is a widely trusted HVAC company that offers various heating and cooling services. Today, we are going to look at a few of the most common things you should check before scheduling an AC repair.
- Check your Thermostat
- Check the drain pan and pipe
- Check your air filter
What the R-22 Freon Ban Means for You
If you live in the Chicagoland area, you’ve probably heard about the upcoming ban on R-22, or the refrigerant more commonly known as Freon. Following January 1, 2020, the production and importation of Freon will become illegal in the U.S.
Historically, Freon has been utilized across the world for a number of different products with cooling properties, including refrigerators and air conditioners. Because the chemical component has ozone-damaging properties, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken action to prevent its use in the U.S.
Most HVAC professionals have been phasing out Freon from customers’ homes over the past several years, including Cardinal Heating and Cooling. Many of our customers will not be affected by the Freon ban. However, if you own an air conditioner that is over ten years old, you may be at risk when the law goes into effect.
Why Your Air Conditioner is Leaking Water Inside Your Home
Anytime there’s a leak in your home, it’s natural to feel concerned. Water damage can be expensive to repair, and it doesn’t take long to occur once a leak has started. Even the simplest leak can damage floors, walls, ceilings, carpet, and even furniture.
If your A/C has started leaking water, it’s crucial to take action. Before we go any further, turn off your air conditioner and clean up the water that dripped out of it. Water damage can occur within minutes of a leak, and you’ll want to protect your home from any potential damage while you investigate the cause of the leak.
While a leaky A/C is a cause for alarm, the majority of leak-related malfunctions can be quickly repaired by an HVAC technician.
- Reason # 1 – Frozen Evaporator Coil
- Reason # 2 – Clogged Drain Line
- Reason # 3 – Rusty Drain Pan
- Reason # 4 – Low Refrigerant
4 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner
Being a homeowner comes with difficult decisions. While we’ve all heard that investing in a home increases its value, deciding where and how to do that can be a tough choice. Should you update the kitchen? Finish the basement? The answer isn’t always straightforward.
When it comes to your HVAC system, the decision-making process gets even harder. Unless you’re a trained HVAC technician, it can be tough to tell whether a malfunctioning A/C needs new batteries in the thermostat or a more extensive repair. For homeowners with older air conditioners, the decision often become whether to repair the unit or replace it entirely.
Choosing to replace your old A/C is an important decision. Modern air conditioners can last upwards of fifteen years, so it’s crucial you choose the correct unit for your home’s cooling needs. It’s not a decision that should be rushed. But if your older A/C breaks down on a 100 degree day, you might not have a choice. You’ll have to make a quick decision.
Much like an old car, air conditioners show signs of failure before they actually fail. By paying attention to the performance of your older A/C, you can start preparing for the purchase of a new unit before you need it. Here are the top four signs your A/C is nearing the end of its life.
- Your Air Conditioner is more than ten years old
- Your Air conditioner frequently breaks down
- Your energy bills keep going up
- Your A/C uses R-22 Freon
4 Reasons Why Your A/C Isn’t Working
Air conditioners are amazing inventions. Created in 1902 to control the humidity level in a printing press, the modern day A/C has become a common household amenity. In today’s world, it’s rare to find a home or office building that doesn’t have some type of air conditioning. Metro Detroit residents in particular know that a day without air conditioning in the hot Midwest sun can be tough.
While air conditioners are amazing, it’s important to remember they are just like any other piece of mechanical equipment. Just like a toaster, cell phone, or car, your A/C can break down. They’re not indestructible. An A/C is composed of many working parts, and it requires all of them to keep your home comfortable and cool. If a single part malfunctions, the entire A/C could stop working until the problem is resolved.
Over the years, we’ve dealt with hundreds of malfunctioning air conditioners. We’ve discovered that many A/C units encounter the same problems. If you woke up to a broken A/C and a 90 degree day outside, don’t fret just yet! The solution may be simpler than you think.
- Your Thermostat is not working
- Change your filter
- Clean your condensor
- Check your evaporator coil
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Cardinal Heating and Cooling stands as one of the Midwest’s most respected heating and cooling contractors. Transparent pricing, knowledgeable technicians, and award-winning customer service are just a few of the many reasons why our customers love us.