Keeping Your Air Conditioning System User-Friendly

There are a few basic maintenance tasks that can help with keeping your air running efficiently in your home! We encourage all of our clients to actively practice good maintenance of their AC system year-round. Keep reading to learn more.

Check your Refrigerant

It’s very important to check is how much refrigerant your AC system has. The extra strain your system will be under from having insufficient refrigerant can result in your air conditioner wearing out a lot faster than it would with ample supplies. This will result in you having to spend a lot more time and money making additional repairs to your system as well as boosting the costs of the energy your air conditioner will require.

Air Filters

Filters typically become dirty if they are not changed for a long time. Seeing as most people's AC units are left in storage for a good part of the year when not in use, it is important to make sure that you replace those filters, since using dirty filters can both lower your system's energy efficiency and result in worse overall air quality. Once you open your unit and see a dirty filter, you’ll never forget how important it is to stay on top of replacing it!

Schedule a Tune-up of your system

You can easily catch a number of less obvious problems with your air conditioning through a routine system inspection. Routine inspections can help save you money by catching minor issues before they become serious problems as well as ensuring that your air conditioning is working as well as it possibly can.

We encourage you to contact our team today to schedule a maintenance check of your HVAC system. This time of year is ideal for getting ahead of making sure your system is working properly before you begin to transition over to heating.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Get an Air Conditioning Tune-up

Have you ever heard the saying, "Prevention is better than cure?" It's true of human beings and our health, but it's also true of air conditioning! When it comes to human beings, you'll find that exercising regularly and eating well lead into maintaining health and preventing illness. Similarly, when it comes to air conditioning, getting your unit serviced or getting a tuneup can help to prevent it from breaking down in the future and needing repair. Here are some of the benefits of getting a tune-up:

It Keeps Your AC Running Smoothly

Do you find that you have to keep turning the temperature lower and lower in order to keep your AC running the way it should? Or do you find that it works well at some times and not at others? Maybe it's emitting strange noises. A tune-up should take care of any inconsistencies in the way your AC is running. Just as an annual checkup with the doctor helps a human being in taking care of their health, an air conditioning tune-up helps an AC to stay in the best condition possible.

It Prevents It from Breaking Down

If your AC is not working perfectly but you keep ignoring the problem, it's going to break down sooner or later and stop working altogether. And when this happens, it means that you're going to have to spend some time without an AC because AC repair is not immediate. In order to prevent this, you can get an air conditioning tune-up. It's not a guarantee against your AC breaking down, but it does reduce the chances of that happening.

It Lowers Your Energy Bill

When your air conditioner isn't working perfectly, it's going to suck in more energy. You may not think that the difference is going to be much, but it all adds up in the long run. So, if you want to keep your energy bill low, it's better for all your appliances and your air conditioning unit to be in good condition.

The experts at Blackie’s Heating & Cooling can help provide you with the tune-up your home needs. Get in touch with our team today by requesting service through our website or giving us a call at (217) 442-1440.

Helpful Tips for Preparing your HVAC System for Spring

When the warm weather hits, issues with your HVAC system will be the last thing you’ll want to worry about. A properly functioning air conditioning system is essential for spring and summer comfort. Consider these four tips to help you prepare your HVAC system for spring.

Air Filter

When was the last time you gave any thought to your air filter? If you haven’t replaced your air filter in a while, now is the time to think about it. By purchasing a new air filter and replacing your current one, your air quality and efficiency will be improved. Also, be sure to have your air filter checked every thirty days during the warm weather months and replace it when needed.

Ductwork 

To ensure proper duct performance for distributing conditioned air in a home or building, have an air conditioning repair or installation contractor test your ductwork for leaks this spring. Having leaks in your ductwork repaired will increase your system’s efficiency and help your HVAC system cool your home more effectively.

Consider an Upgrade

An air conditioner has a typical lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. Therefore, if your air conditioner is acting up, and it is over 15-years-old, then it might be better to upgrade and replace it. Spring is a great time to have a new air conditioning system installed. If your system is old, having it replaced by a new, efficient system will save you money and reduce your cooling bill.

A Programmable Thermostat 

Are you trying to find the best way to save energy? If you do not have a programmable thermostat, have one installed sooner rather than later. You will enjoy better control of the temperature in your home and will lower your energy bills as well.

For example, if you go to work all day, during that time, you can raise the temperature in your home. This way, you can avoid wasting energy dollars cooling a vacant home. Then, you can program the thermostat to kick on at a lower temperature about a half hour before you are scheduled to get home. Therefore, you won’t miss a minute of optimal comfort!

For more information, or to schedule an air conditioning service or repair, please contact us here at Blackie's Heating and Air Conditioning.

Is a Gas or Electric Furnace Better?

If you are in the market for a new furnace, you not only want a new model that is within your price range, but you also want the best model. However, another factor that you need to consider is whether you want it to be gas or electric, as the fuel source can play a crucial role.

For houses with overly difficult gas hook-ups or no gas hook-ups at all, sometimes electric may be the only option available. However, electric furnaces come with some distinct benefits. Typically they require less of a financial investment when you purchase them and last slightly longer. Unfortunately, they will be more expensive to operate. You also get the benefit of having no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Alternatively, gas furnaces run more efficiently, so while they are more expensive to purchase, they cost less to run overall. Gas furnaces will heat up the home faster and reach a higher temperature. However, they have a lower life span and can potentially run a small risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In most cases, you may want to choose electric if it doesn't get very cold in your area. For areas that experience extreme cold temperatures, it may be best to select a gas furnace due to its efficiency and how optimal of a fuel source it is for heating.

While there seems to be minimal advantages and disadvantages between these two furnace fuel sources, they do make a big difference. If you are still having doubts on which furnace to pick, you may want to look at other important factors such as cost. Furthermore, you will also want to make sure the furnace of your choice is actually an appropriate size for your home. In terms of furnaces, bigger is not better. In actuality, bigger is significantly less energy efficient no matter what fuel source it runs on.

If you have any questions about which type of furnace is right for you, contact us today. Our team of professionals will be able to advise you on the right decision given your home’s characteristics, budget, and any other needs.

Why Is My Furnace Not Igniting?

Gas furnaces are one of the most popular means of home heating. Like any appliance, your gas furnace will occasionally need repairs. A common issue with gas furnaces is a failure to ignite. If your furnace does not ignite, one of these components may be causing the issue.

Air Filters

If your air filters are especially dirty, they may be impeding airflow to and from your furnace. It will not ignite if airflow is too restricted. Try replacing your air filters and see if your furnace will ignite. Continue to replace your air filters regularly. Keeping your filters clean will improve both your indoor air quality and the performance of your heating system.

Thermostat

You've raised the thermostat temperature, but your furnace hasn't responded. In some cases, the problem isn't the furnace itself, but a faulty thermostat. If your thermostat's screen is unresponsive, or if your programmed settings are lost, the thermostat is likely to be the problem. Contact a heating repair technician to determine the cause of the issue.

Burners

If your burners are rusty or have begun to corrode, they will not ignite. A heating contractor can clean the burners for you or replace them if necessary.

Circuit Breaker

Modern gas furnaces are lit by an electric ignition system. Check the circuit breaker connected to your furnace. If the circuit breaker has been tripped, turn it off for several minutes and then try to reset it. If the furnace continues to trip the breaker, call a Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning HVAC technician for repairs right away.

Safety Switch

The furnace's burners will not turn on if the safety switch is open. The safety switch could be triggered by a clogged flue, a failing blower, or a dirty air filter. A repair technician can diagnose the problem and ensure that your furnace is running safely.

If your furnace isn't igniting properly, contact us to schedule heating service.

3 Common Air Conditioning Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

When the weather warms up, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable at all times. However, if you're like most homeowners, you likely end up making a few mistakes when it comes to maintaining your HVAC system. Here are a few of the most common mistakes people make with their units and how you can avoid them in the future.

Not Changing the Filters
No matter how large or small your air conditioner is, you'll need to change out the filters regularly. Air conditioner filters keep dirt, allergens, and debris from making it inside your home. As a result, filters can get clogged quickly, especially if you're running the system all day, every day. Over time, these clogs put a strain on your unit and may lead to more frequent repairs. Change your filters at least once every three months and inspect them every month if you're using your system daily.

Not Scheduling Regular Tune-UpsIt's not uncommon for homeowners to only think of their HVAC system when something is broken. However, when it comes to keeping your AC unit working efficiently, you'll want to schedule annual preventative maintenance appointments with your technician. Doing so will help keep your air conditioner in good shape and reduce the risk of unexpected repairs during the warmest part of the year. Schedule a tune-up for your AC at least once per year.

Ignoring High Energy Bills
During the heat of the summer, you expect your energy bills to increase. However, if they're higher than normal, don't assume that it's due to your AC usage. When an air conditioner is failing, it becomes less efficient and has to work harder to maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. If you notice higher-than-normal energy bills, schedule an inspection with your HVAC technician. They'll be able to make sure your unit is working properly and address any minor repair issues that may impact the unit's efficiency.

Ready to get your air conditioner ready for everything the summer heat can bring? Contact us at Blackie's Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule a tune-up with one of our experienced technicians. 

3 Steps to Improving Your Home's Air Quality This Winter

During the heating season, poor indoor air quality in your home can have an adverse effect on your family's health. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent bad air from infiltrating your house. To help you get started, we've listed 3 tips that will quickly improve the air quality in your home.

The Filter
A clean and regularly replaced filter is vital to the quality of your home's air. Your furnace filter removes dirt and debris from the air before it moves through your heating system and into your home. When you don't routinely change your filter, it is unable to perform its job, meaning dust, pollen, pet dander and other pollutants are not sufficiently extracted from your home's air. Luckily, poor air quality due to a dirty filter is an easy fix. By simply changing your filter every three months you can improve your home's air quality. However, if you have pets or a family member with allergies, you should consider replacing your furnace filter at a more frequent rate.

Open A Window
While opening a window in the dead of winter may seem counterproductive, it's actually beneficial to your home's air quality and the health of your family. Fresh air is key to keeping bacteria and viruses at bay. An open window a couple of minutes a day will invigorate the air in your home and help fight off many unwanted impurities or better yet, get a hrv/erv system installed. It will provide fresh air to your home will filtering and tempering it first.

Get Your Furnace Checked
Scheduling an annual maintenance check-up and cleaning will ensure your furnace is functioning properly, which will help improve your home's indoor air quality. Allowing years to pass without getting your furnace tuned-up won't only affect the air in your home, but it will also cut years off your appliance's life. When your unit is performing inefficiently due to a lack of maintenance you will notice increased energy bills and a more frequent need for repairs. All of these issues are easily avoidable with a yearly service plan.

If you would like to schedule a yearly service plan, please contact Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning and we'll be happy to help you.