Last updated 2 days 5 hours ago
Programmable thermostats, recommended by your air conditioning repair company, are powerful tools for energy and money savings, but many homeowners miss out on their full potential. Taking advantage of the full capabilities of your programmable thermostat can help you realize greater savings than you even thought were possible.
Programmable thermostats offer a key advantage over traditional models: programs that can be tailored for the perfect balance between energy efficiency and comfort. By understanding what settings offer you the most benefit, you can help your programmable thermostat be an even more effective energy-saving tool.
- Read the manual and talk to your air conditioning repair specialist.
The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the operation of your programmable thermostat. Your air conditioning repair technician can not only explain the basic operations of your thermostat, but also help you understand how and why certain settings save more energy than others.
- Set your thermostat higher when you're not at home.
A typical energy-saving setting is 78 degrees, which is easy for most HVAC systems to maintain with minimal effort. But when you're away from the house, setting your thermostat higher can help you save more energy. As your home approaches the outside ambient air temperature, energy loss is minimized. The longer you can keep your thermostat at a higher temperature when you're not at home, the more energy savings you’ll realize.
- Pay attention to thermostat placement.
While your air conditioning repair specialist can help you replace an old thermostat or find an ideal location for your new one, it's important to keep heat sources or drafts away from the unit. This allows it to be as accurate as possible.
- Make smaller adjustments.
When you want to temporarily override your thermostat's programming and make your home more comfortable, set the thermostat to your desired temperature. Cranking the thermostat higher or lower only wastes energy and will not make your HVAC system adjust the temperature any faster.
If you would like to learn more about using your programmable thermostat optimally, contact American Weathermakers at (847) 629-4409. We can help you understand how to best choose and use a programmable thermostat. We are the air conditioning repair experts of Des Plaines, Evanston, and Glenview.
Last updated 9 days ago
If you found our recent blog posts interesting, explore the information below! These links include useful information about heating and cooling system maintenance that can reduce your energy costs and lengthen the lifespan of your air conditioner. To inquire about our air conditioner design, maintenance, and installation services call, American Weathermakers at (888) 865-2487.
To learn more about how to keep your home comfortable during any season, call American Weathermakers in Chicago at (888) 865-2487 today!
Last updated 9 days ago
Chicago summers can be brutally hot and humid. As the temperature gets warmer, you will rely on your air conditioner more and more to keep your home cool. Taking the correct precautionary measures will ensure that your air conditioner works optimally when summer rolls around. Here are some maintenance tips to follow to ready your home for the hot Chicago summer.
· Inspect and Repair Your Air Conditioner
One of the best ways to prepare your air conditioning system for the warmer months is to hire a professional to examine your system before the summer weather hits. Air conditioning systems can be complex, and it’s important to ensure that all components are in working order. Air conditioning units consist of an outdoor condenser unit and an interior evaporator coil. Both require regular maintenance to ensure long-term functionality.
· Change Air Filters
Changing the filters for your air conditioning unit is a relatively simple job that you can do yourself. High-quality filters keep the air in your home clean by reducing dust levels and blocking allergens. If your filter is too dirty, this could compromise airflow, which forces the air conditioner to work harder and expend more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. Whenever you stress your AC unit too much, you run the risk of causing damage. Changing your filters will ensure that your unit runs efficiently and will reduce the chance of any malfunctions.
· Clean the Air Ducts
Cleaning the air ducts of your air conditioning unit is another important step you can take to prepare your system for warmer months. This is a more difficult job than changing the filters, however, and you should call a professional. Cleaning the air ducts will increase airflow by clearing out any dust or debris that has accumulated in the system. This will in turn make your air conditioning unit more efficient and ready to handle increased usage.
If you want to know more about what you can do to prepare your home for the Chicago heat, call American Weathermakers at (888) 865-2487.
Last updated 15 days ago
There’s nothing worse than having your HVAC system break down when you need it most—except maybe paying for a new one, which can cost up to $15,000!
In this video, you will learn some steps you can take to make sure your HVAC system lasts as long as possible. For example, changing your filters every month is a great way to lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC system. Clean filters keep your system working efficiently by ensuring maximum airflow. This in turn reduces your energy costs. If your system has broken down completely, replacement will be expensive. Fortunately, new HVAC systems are significantly more efficient than their predecessors.
For more information about how to make your HVAC system last longer, call American Weathermakers at (888) 865-2487. We’re the Chicago area’s air conditioning repair experts!
Last updated 22 days ago
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that poses a serious health risk. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can even be fatal. For this reason, it is important to monitor carbon monoxide levels in your home and schedule any necessary HVAC repairs to prevent leaks. Here are some steps you can take to protect your home from dangerously high carbon monoxide levels.
· Appliance Inspections
The primary method of protecting your home from carbon monoxide is having your appliances regularly inspected. For example, as summer comes to an end, you should hire professionals to inspect your heating system. Gas leaks or malfunctions in your heating system can lead to carbon monoxide exposure.
· Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home is also a good way to monitor carbon monoxide levels. There are a number of different sensors on the market. A biometric sensor mimics the human respiratory system. A hemoglobin disc inside the alarm darkens when exposed to carbon monoxide. Once the darkness of the disc reaches a certain threshold, the alarm goes off.
Semi-conductor alarms rely on electronic sensors. They are powered by batteries, or can be plugged into an outlet, and use electrified tin to detect carbon monoxide. The tin attracts carbon monoxide molecules. A computer chip in the alarm monitors the influx of carbon monoxide; once it reaches a certain level, the alarm will go off.
The final type of detector is the safe air sentry alarm. Safe air sentry alarms use electro-chemical sensors that immediately detect an increase in carbon monoxide levels. Although they are generally more expensive, they are very reliable.
For more suggestions on how to monitor carbon monoxide levels in your home, call American Weathermakers at (888) 865-2487. We design, service, and install air conditioning systems for residential properties throughout Des Plaines, Evanston, and Glenview. In addition, we can help you keep the air in your home free of allergens and toxins like carbon monoxide.
