American Weathermakers

Learn more on how to stay cool during this hot Chicago summer by taking a look at these helpful links!

• Head to EnergyStar.gov to see why it is so important to have your home’s air ducts sealed for comfort and efficiency.
   
• Learn more about the advantages of choosing air-source heat pumps to replace your furnace or boiler in this article from ACEEE.org.
   
• To get an idea of how heat transfer works when using a heat pump, head to this page from HowStuffWorks.com.
   
• See how using geothermal energy can be green, efficient, and comfortable.
   
• This article from FYPower.org can help you get your HVAC system ready for use with a heat pump unit.
   

Contact American Weathermakers for additional information on how routine AC tune-ups can improve your unit’s efficiency and extend its life, call (847) 509-7777 today!

A Brief History of Air Conditioning

Imagine Brooklyn in the summer of 1902. It was so hot that the colorful ink of a popular magazine’s cover slid right off of the page. Willis Carrier was contracted to provide a cooling and humidity control solution for the publisher. By harnessing the principle of evaporation and refining it, Carrier created a revolutionary way to cool commercial and residential buildings. Air conditioning changed how cities expanded and the very lives of people across the nation. Watch this clip from the popular program NOVA to see more.

American Weathermakers proudly offers experienced air conditioning repair and maintenance services. Contact us at (847) 509-7777 or visit our website to learn more about what we can do to keep your Chicago home comfortable!

What is Involved in a Routine Air Conditioning Tune Up?

Your air conditioner should be serviced at least once a year. These services are commonly called tune-ups; your air conditioning repair company will check the components of your air conditioner to ensure it is ready for the cooling season after its winter dormancy. A tune-up is an important part of regular AC maintenance that will help it stay as efficient as possible throughout the summertime. This keeps your comfort level high and your energy bills lower.

• Inspection and Cleaning: Your air conditioner needs to be in top condition for the summer. Your air conditioning repair specialist will thoroughly inspect vital components and moving parts inside and outside of your home. This ensures that everything is in good working order. Secondly, your technician will clean the condenser and evaporator coils. Dust buildup can greatly hamper the efficiency of your system, so clean coils are a must.

• Preventative Maintenance: The motor and other moving parts of your air conditioner need servicing, just like a vehicle motor. These parts will be lubricated as necessary. Fan belts and other components will be examined for signs of wear and replaced as needed. This extends the life of your system as a whole and ensures efficient performance. Your thermostat will also be calibrated for maximum accuracy along with your refrigerant charge, which will be checked to ensure it is at proper levels.

• Problem-Solving: One of the best reasons to have your air conditioner tuned every year is to spot potential problems before they grow into larger issues. When your air conditioning repair specialist is able to address small issues at the beginning of the cooling season, you lower the risk of encountering a system failure during the height of summer. For example, a minor refrigerant leak can eventually cripple an HVAC system, leaving you without air conditioning on a hot day.

This is a basic rundown of the steps your air conditioning technicians will take when they tune-up your air conditioner. If you live in the Des Plaines, Evanston, or Glenview area, schedule your annual service with American Weathermakers. Our air conditioning repair services will ensure that you enjoy a cool and comfortable summer, so contact us at (847) 509-7777.

How do Heat Pumps Work?

Heat pumps can be alternative or complementary to standard HVAC systems and are easily installed by an air conditioning repair company. They can be used alongside a furnace and air conditioner or replace these systems entirely in milder climates. Heat pumps use less energy than furnaces or air conditioners and can help homeowners feel the same comfort they enjoy with traditional HVAC equipment.

Heat Transfer and Efficiency
Heat pumps simply move heat from one area to another. While they do utilize refrigerant, they do not operate on the same principle of evaporation as an air conditioner does, nor upon heating air like a furnace or boiler. Instead, a heat pump absorbs heat energy from either inside or outside your home and transfers it to the opposite location. This makes heat pumps unique in that they can be used year round to augment the comfort of your home for far less energy. A well-maintained heat pump system can save you 30 to 40 percent on your utility bill, especially during the winter.

You can use a heat pump for the majority of your heating and cooling needs. Your air conditioner or furnace can then be reserved for only the hottest or coldest days of the season, which will help you save on your utility costs. You may find that a heat pump is ideal for all your home's heating and cooling needs, or you may decide to use it as an energy-efficient addition to your existing system. Your air conditioning repair company can help you understand which option is right for you!

Types of Heat Pumps
There are two types of basic residential heat pumps: air-source and ground-source. Air-source heat pumps use refrigerant coils, compressors, and fans to pump heat into or out of your home. Ground-source heat pumps operate slightly different, utilizing pipes laid into the ground and the Earth's natural energy to transfer heat. Ground-source heat pumps also remove humidity more effectively than air conditioners, which is ideal for the Chicago summer.

Learn more about the heat pump options available from American Weathermakers. We offer both ground-source heat pumps and air-source hybrid systems to the greater Chicago area. Contact us at (847) 509-7777 for more information.

For More Information About How American Weathermakers Can Help Keep Your Home Cool And Comfortable This Summer, See These Links!

• See how installing a programmable thermostat is one of 10 ways to save energy and money with this article from USNews.com.
   
• More thermostat programming tips can be found in this article from LivingEfficiently.org, which will help you balance comfort and savings.
   
• EPA.gov explains how you can go green at home with changes like using programmable thermostats and duct sealing.
   
• Explore what’s included in basic air conditioner maintenance in this article from Weather.com.
   
• On this page from EnergySavers.gov, you can see what components of your AC unit positively affect its efficiency when kept in good condition.

To learn more about how routine AC tune-ups can improve your unit’s efficiency and extend its life, contact American Weathermakers at (847) 509-7777! Read more about why you should keep your air ducts in good repair and how heat pumps function from the informational webpages below!