What About My Warranty?

Most heating and cooling systems will come with a warranty whenever you purchase a new system. The length of coverage ranges depending on the system and you can even extend them sometimes when your coverage is almost up. Warranties are great for those unforeseen repair needs, especially if your system is only a few years old.

But did you know that your warranty could be voided if the manufacturer determines that neglect of maintenance was the cause? Just like you would get an oil change or tune-up on your car, your heating and cooling system needs this same attention. You don’t want your car’s transmission to blow up just like you don’t want your heater to stop working this fall. Especially if you’ll be stuck with the full bill because it could have been prevented with a tune-up.

Unfortunately sometimes, we’ve just got to learn, but we have come up with a few ways to help you avoid this trouble with “How to Avoid Lessons Learned the Hard Way.” How to Avoid Lessons Learned the Hard Way Take a look; it could save you a lot of money in the future.

Cost of Comfort

With the economy the way it is and rising natural gas costs, we have to try and find a balance of cost over comfort. That’s why being energy efficient is so important these days because it can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

At Blackie's Heating and Air Conditioning, we have several ways to check your system to make sure it is running at optimal performance and keeping more money in your pocket. There are also some small things that you can do to cut down on energy costs. Change your HVAC filters monthly during peak heating and cooling seasons. They only cost a few bucks to replace and a dirty filter makes your system work harder and longer. You can also look for any leaks around your windows or doors that could be letting the heat escape.

If you want to know more about what to expect come this cold season, read our free report “Predicting the Cost of Your Home Heating.” You can see more about the costs of natural gas and a way to cut down your energy usage by 20% from last year.

The Down and Dirty of Your Home Comfort System

As with most things, the better care you take of your heating and air conditioning unit, the better it will perform and the longer it will last. If you neglect your system, then it could be underperforming, and this can really show on your energy bill.

There are simple things you can do to help take care of your system like changing your air filters. This keeps dust and dirt from getting into the system and clogging it up. However, through your system’s months and years of service, it still can collect dust. This dirt buildup reduces airflow through your system which makes it have to run longer to heat or cool your house. If your system is outside, it can also pick up debris from items like your dryer vents, leaves and lawn mower dust.

It’s important to get your system cleaned and tuned up at least once a year to keep it running safely and efficiently. Read this report about “The Cost of Neglecting Your Home Comfort System” to see more about the hidden costs of putting off maintenance for your home comfort system.

Is Your Computer Room Too Hot?

A single tablet or laptop is not going to do much to warm up a room. But, when you have a computer room with several desktops that your whole family uses, you can expect it to have a noticeable impact on the temperature. It is especially easy for a room like this to get quite uncomfortable when each computer is on and being used. If your air conditioning system is not doing the trick, you may not have enough ducts going to the room. Fortunately, you can fix this by hiring an air conditioner contractor to install an extra one.

Keep Hardware Temperatures Down
One reason that it is so important to keep the temperatures of your computers down is to protect the hardware. This is especially concerning if you enjoy playing games that put your computer hard at work, which drastically increases hardware temps. An air conditioner that manages to cool down the computer room will extend the life of these components.

Stay Comfortable in the Room
If you love your computer for being able to play games, watch movies, and socialize, you may feel rather disappointed when it gets so warm in the room that you have to leave. Installing a new air duct is the perfect solution that will allow you and your family to stay comfortable any time they are in the room!

Enjoy Better Air Conditioning Balance
When you are determined to keep the room cool without an extra air duct, you may end up spending a considerable amount of money on your electrical bill to make this happen. The imbalance created by one room that routinely overheats will require you to set the thermostat to a substantially lower temperature than you need for the rest of the home. Installing a new air duct is a reliable solution for your computer room dilemma.

Call Blackie’s today for more information on air conditioning in Urbana, IL.

Your Energy Efficiency Guide to Spring

There's no doubt about it: spring is in the air. So while right now we are all enjoying the milder temperatures, soon we'll all be cranking up our AC, and relaxing comfortably in our homes on hot days. Until, that is, we get that first cooling bill.

So to help you save money, here is your guide on energy efficiency, and how to save money on your heating and cooling bill.

Keep your thermostat someplace neutral. If your thermostat is in a place that can send a false reading, your HVAC might be running unnecessarily. This is true no matter the season.

Install a timer or programmable thermostat to help limit usage. With a timer installed, you can set it to work when you need it to. For example, if you are at work all day, you can time it to turn on shortly before you arrive home, reducing your energy usage.

Depending on the type of vents you have in your home, aim them so that they hit the ceiling, or are pointed up. This enables natural circulation and a reduction of usage.

If you use window air conditioners, consider replacing them if they aren't Energy Star rated. AC units that have a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating, are almost 15% more efficient than older models; money that adds up quickly!

Install ceiling fans to move air and reduce your cooling system use. This is especially true if you use window air conditioners. A ceiling fan uses much less energy, saving you money.

Have a professional come out for an annual service check and tune up. Problems in energy efficiency can be stomped out fast when a professional steps in. Proper, and regular, maintenance goes a long way in saving you money and keeping you cool.

Interested in learning more about air conditoning in Danville, IL? If so, contact Blackie's today to schedule an inspection.