Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

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Fisher IL Air Conditioning Tip: How to Get your AC Ready for Spring

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

The Fisher IL air conditioning experts at Lanz Heating & Cooling are here to help you get your AC ready for spring with an annual tune-up. We have also put together a list of items that you can do to help ensure that your air conditioner is ready for the warmer months. In this blog post, you’ll find a list of routine maintenance tasks that are an easy and cost-effective way to ensure that your AC will provide lasting results.

Change Air Filters

Even before you turn on your AC system for the first time this season, make sure that there’s a new air filter in it. Your technician should also check this during a routine tune-up. But it is also important for you to change them regularly throughout the summer.

Check and Clean Condenser Coils

Dirty air conditioner condenser coils cause many problems. They reduce efficiency and cost you more money on energy bills, and they also shorten the lifespan of your AC system by putting undue stress on the equipment. Check both the indoor and outdoor coils to ensure that they are not excessively dirty, and make sure the outdoor unit is not blocked by trees or yard debris. You can clean the unit with a water hose, but make sure you know how much pressure to use so that you don’t damage the coils or fins.

Check Air Ducts for Damages or Air Leaks

Visually check your air ducts for any damages. The technician will also do this during an annual check-up, but you can save time by pointing out trouble spots. You can save up to 35% on utility bills by sealing air ducts and making sure that you are not losing money on leaky air ducts. Also check vents and return registers for damages since this can impede proper airflow. If you have dirty ducts, this can also effect airflow and efficiency, and with a duct cleaning service, you can also improve indoor air quality.

These are just three major things you can do to prepare for summer, in addition to scheduling your annual tune-up. Call Lanz Heating & Cooling for all your Fisher, IL air conditioning needs.

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Fisher IL Air Conditioning Tip: What to do When Your AC Breaks Down

Monday, February 11th, 2013

During the summers it can get hot and humid here in Fisher, IL which is why you need a good air conditioning system. But like all things, your AC system will eventually break down and need repairs. If your air conditioning system breaks down in the middle of a heat wave it can be seriously uncomfortable and, in certain cases, dangerous. At Lanz Heating and Cooling we provide complete air conditioning repairs in Fisher, IL. Here are some of the things that you can do if your AC system breaks down.

Check Your Air Conditioning System

Before you call a Fisher IL air conditioning professional for repairs, there are a couple things you can do.

  • Power supply – Make sure that the unit still has power. If your air conditioning system has come unplugged just plug it back in. But if your system still has power and it isn’t working head back inside and check the air filter.
  • The air filter – This is normally situated near the return air duct—which is where air is pulled into the system. If the air filter is clogged you should change it or, if you have a permanent filter, wash it out. The air filter is a common cause of air conditioning repairs in Fisher, IL.

If neither of those things work it’s time to call for air conditioning repairs. If you have a warranty for your system make sure that you find that and keep it handy.

Benefits of Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance in Fisher, IL

One of the best ways to avoid having your air conditioning system break down unexpectedly is to get it regularly maintained. Not only can this extend the life of your AC system, it can also help you avoid costly air conditioning repairs in Fisher, IL.

For all your air conditioning repairs and maintenance, call the AC experts at Lanz Heating and Cooling. Contact Lanz Heating and Cooling today!

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Can Duct Cleaning Really Help My Champaign, IL home?

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Have you ever wondered why your home is dusty, or why your family members with allergies suffer more inside your home than outside?  There are many things that can contribute to this. One of the largest reasons could be coming from your air ducts!  Dirty ductwork is one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality in your home.  You can do a simple inspection of your ductwork by removing a vent coveror register.  Also, you can disconnect and inspect your ductwork in your basement, crawl space, or attic for dust and allergens.  Duct cleaning can greatly improve your Indoor Air Quality by removing the dirt from your vents so it is not blowing around your home every time the furnace or A/C runs.  Let Lanz Heating & Cooling help you breathe easier today! Give us a call or schedule a service online!

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Urbana Heat Pump Question: Do Heat Pumps Work for Air Conditioning?

Monday, August 27th, 2012

It’s possible that in the course of your search for a new air conditioning system in Urbana, you read or were told about heat pumps. Doesn’t sound right, does it – heat pumps providing cooling for your home? Regardless of the seeming misnomer, heat pumps are actually much older and more reliable cooling technology than you know. And once you understand how these units work, the name makes much more sense.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Technically every refrigerant containing air conditioner is some form of heat pump. A heat pump is a device that removes heat from one area and transfers it to another. So, in the case of your air conditioner, warm air cycles into the condenser, the heat is removed, and the cooled air is circulated back through your home. The actual science behind this is slightly more complicated, but the gist is simple – cold air isn’t produced and then pumped into your home; warm air is removed.

Your refrigerator and freezer operate under the same principle. It works so well that it’s been a standard technology for nearly 100 years, albeit with quite a few upgrades and enhancements. So, if an air conditioner already is a heat pump, why are these devices called something different? Because heat pumps can do so much more.

Heat Producing Heat Pumps

A true heat pump can work in two directions. It can extract heat from your home or it can extract heat from outside and pump it into your home. A true heat pump offers year round climate control because it both heats and cools – not too shabby if you think about the cost of a furnace and central AC system. And with modern green technology, heat pumps can even be connected to geothermal systems that draw their energy from the earth – saving a tremendous amount of money.

So, back to the main question – should you purchase a heat pump for your air conditioning needs? The short answer is “it depends”. For the most part, a heat pump is comparable to the same air conditioning model in terms of energy efficiency and capacity. The major difference is its ability to heat your home. For more information about installing a heat pump in your Urbana home, give Lanz Heating & Cooling a call today!

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Urbana AC Question: Why is My Central Air Conditioner Making Noise?

Monday, July 30th, 2012

A good air conditioner is a life saver in the midst of a hot and sticky summer in Urbana, but just because the system makes you comfortable and makes the hottest months bearable doesn’t mean you want to hear it clanging and banging all summer. If you notice excess noise coming from your Urbana air conditioner, it might be a problem that can be fixed by your technician. Here are some common causes of excess noise from an air conditioner and what you can do to fix them.

  • Blower – The blower is a motor and fan blade assembly. If the blade touches the housing or if the motor needs a tune up, it might start to make excess noise. Loose screws, foreign objects, or a need for oiling or new parts will all cause noise problems but they are all easy fixes.
  • Ductwork – If the sounds you’re hearing are in the ductwork or vents, it may be due to expansion and contraction in your ventilation system. This is normal and while it may be obnoxious, it tends not to persist during the hottest months as temperature won’t fluctuate as much.
  • Bubbling Sounds – If you hear a gurgly or bubbly noise coming from your indoor unit, it may be due to a blockage in the condensate line. The easiest solution is to clean the condensate line and check for any clogs or blockages in the system.
  • Clicking Sounds – If you hear a clicking sound, it is likely from the relay or contactor in the system. If this is the case, have a professional check it right away. Electrical problems are not to be taken lightly where your air conditioner is concerned.
  • Foreign Objects – Sometimes, the condenser fan will make a lot of loud noise because foreign objects get stuck in there. Sticks, leaves, toys, food from small animals – it can all get stuck in the fans and make a tremendous amount of noise. Keep the area around your condenser unit clear of debris and check it often if you hear loud noises.

Most noises from your Urbana central air conditioning unit are explainable and can be fixed relatively easily. If you cannot find the source of the noise, however, and it is only getting worse, call Lanz Heating & Cooling before the problem grows.

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Ivesdale AC Guide: Common Air Conditioner Problems

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Our Ivesdale air conditioners are an important part of our lives. They keep us comfortable despite overbearing heat and humidity outside all summer, but because they run constantly for months and because they are such complicated pieces of machinery, they are prone to some problems. Here are some of the most common problems you’re likely to run into with an air conditioner and how to solve them:

Leaks

A common problem that many people ignore or are unaware of is refrigerant leakage. It is possible that when the system was installed, it wasn’t properly charged, but most of the time if your system is low on refrigerant, it is because of a leak. You can’t just pour more refrigerant in and call it good, though.

The leak needs to be fixed, both for health and environmental reasons. If you notice that your system is low on refrigerant or you smell something off – often like acetone, call an Ivesdale air conditioning professional immediately for inspection and repair.

Sensors

An air conditioner doesn’t do you any good if the sensors don’t work properly. Improperly working sensors will fail to properly read the temperature in the home or from your thermostat. So, it might be 80+ degrees in your home but if the thermostat reads it as 72, the system won’t turn on. The air conditioner itself probably still works fine, but unless it can successfully read the temperature, you won’t get the cooling you need to stay comfortable.

Check first to see if the sensor was moved or knocked toward the evaporator coil (which will keep the temperature reading low).

Drainage Problems

Your Ivesdale  air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier as well, producing a liquid known as condensate. This liquid usually drains from the air conditioner into a designated area away from your home. However, if the condensate drain gets clogged or if the system wasn’t properly installed, that condensate can start to build up in your home. If you notice leakage around the coils, you may need a pump to remove the condensate properly.

Properly maintaining your air conditioner can usually be done with regular maintenance each year, but if one of these problems pops up, call Lanz Heating and Cooling and get them fixed right away.

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Air Conditioners and Energy Use by Percentage: A Guide From Ivesdale

Friday, September 9th, 2011

It’s no secret that air conditioners use up a lot of electricity and can add substantially to your energy bills during those warm summer months in Ivesdale. But did you know that they actually account for an estimated 11% of the total energy used in all buildings in the US each year? This is a staggering figure and makes it easy to see why it’s best to invest in the most energy efficient system possible.

Keeping Your Consumption Down

There are plenty of reasons to try and keep your energy consumption down. You want to save on your energy bills, and the less energy you use, the better it is for the environment. The best and most straightforward way to go about this is to purchase only highly energy efficient appliances and equipment, and that includes air conditioners.

Because air conditioner usage accounts for such a substantial part of the total energy used in this country, putting more energy efficiency models into use is the best way to cut that usage down.

Supplementary Cooling

However, there are other ways to reduce the workload of your air conditioner. For instance, you can use a ceiling fan to maintain good air circulation and keep your home cool. Using a ceiling fan with an air conditioner, even on the hottest days of the year, allows you to turn up your thermostat a bit to conserve energy while still enjoying a comfortable indoor environment. And because ceiling fans use so little energy to operate, you’ll come out ahead on your energy bill.

Passive Cooling

There are also several passive cooling methods you can employ to keep the temperature in your home down. Blocking out sunlight is the most important of these, so keep your blinds closed on any windows that receive direct sunlight, particularly in the early afternoon. Alternately, you can have awnings put up, which allow you to block the direct sun while still keeping the blinds open.

Shade is another effective passive cooling device. Planting trees around your home to block out the sun at the hottest times of day is a totally energy-free way of keeping your home cool and reducing the workload on your air conditioning system. The less your air conditioner has to work, the less energy it consumes and the lower your energy bills will be.

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How Does Central AC Work? A Question From Philo

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

We pretty much just take the fact of central air conditioning for granted these days in Philo. It is present almost everywhere and it is hard to imagine getting through a long hot summer without it. But if you are like most people, you probably do not actually know how central air conditioning works. While you can certainly take advantage of it without understanding it, the basic concept is pretty simple.

Basically, central air conditioning systems are composed of an outdoor unit that typically houses the compressor and condenser and an indoor unit that manages the flow of air throughout your house or other building. This indoor unit is typically either an air handler or a furnace, and it directs the flow of air through a series of ducts that feed into the various rooms of the house.

The cool air originates in the outdoor unit and is blown into the house, gradually absorbing heat as it goes, and that air is then returned to the outdoor unit to be re-cooled. What actually happens in the outdoor unit involves the cycle of a type of refrigerant from a gas to a liquid and back. In the condenser area of the outdoor unit, the pressure on the refrigerant is lessened and it is able to absorb heat from the air returning from the house.

This gas, while warmer than the liquid refrigerant, is still quite cold and acts to cool the air being passed back into the house. As that refrigerant moves along to the compressor area, the gas is converted to a liquid and is forced to release the heat it had been holding. In that way, the air conditioner is able to remove heat from the inside of your house and release it outside.

Your air conditioning system is also generally hooked up to a thermostat, which is what controls when the unit switches on and off. You can set the thermostat at the temperature you would like to maintain inside your house and the thermostat will signal the air conditioner to switch on when the indoor temperature rises above that level. And once the indoor temperature is again below the preset level on the thermostat, the air conditioner will switch off again.

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What Types of Air Conditioning Systems Are There? A Question From Bellflower

Monday, September 5th, 2011

Picking out the right air conditioning system for your Bellflower home can actually involve a lot of steps. There are many factors to consider and you will need to understand how each type of air conditioning system functions to know what will be best in your house. Of course, before you can compare them, you need to know what the different types of air conditioning systems actually are.

Packaged air conditioning systems are probably the type that the majority of people are most familiar with. They consist of an outdoor compressor unit that is connected to an indoor air handler or furnace through ductwork within the house. The air is cooled by the compressor and then blown into the house where it is circulated through the ductwork by the air handler.

Packaged air conditioning systems are appropriate for most residential buildings and they come in a variety of sizes so that it is easy to match one to the size and dimensions of your home. However, these types of air conditioning systems do require ductwork, so if you do not already have it installed in your house, putting it in can add considerably to the overall installation costs.

If you do not want to have ducts put in or if you are only trying to cool a small space within your home, you may want to opt for a ductless mini-split system. These types of air conditioning systems are becoming more and more popular because of their excellent energy efficiency and flexibility when it comes to installation options.

Ductless mini-splits also require an outdoor compressor unit, but this is connected to one or more indoor units through refrigerant lines rather than actual air ducts. These refrigerant lines are much easier and less costly to put in place than ducts are, so mini-split systems can be installed for much less than a packaged air conditioning system in a home that does not already have ducts.

These ductless mini-split systems can include only one or many indoor units. Each of these units is controlled independently of the others, making it possible to maintain different temperatures in different parts of your home.

For larger buildings and commercial spaces, central air conditioning systems are generally the preferred option. They are set up essentially the same way as packaged air conditioning systems but on a much larger scale. However, just like packaged air conditioning systems, central air conditioners rely on ducts to get the cooled air to the various areas of the building.

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Variety of Ways to Cool Your Home Naturally in Buckley

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

It is normal these days to simply switch on the air conditioning when the temperature begins to rise outside in Buckley. But this can get expensive quickly, so it is a good idea to look into some alternative cooling methods as well. Fortunately, there are actually some great ways to help keep your home cool without touching that air conditioning at all. You will probably still want to have it around for extreme circumstances, but the less you need to use it, the more you will save in the long run.

Using fans, ceiling fans in particular, can certainly help to keep you cool on many moderate summer days. But they are far from the only options available. In fact, the design and composition of your house itself will have a lot to do with how easy it is to keep it cool all summer long.

One of the main reasons that your house gets so hot inside during the summer is that sunlight heats the air inside when it hits the walls, roof and windows. Closing your blinds will help to keep some of this out, but there will still be plenty of heat from the sun working to increase the indoor temperature.

What you really want to do to keep your house from heating up because of sunlight is to actively reflect the sun’s rays away from your home. You can do this by having light colored roofing and exterior paint or siding put on. While the dark colors typically used for this type of work absorb the vast majority of the sunlight that hits them, lighter colors will reflect it away.

This works well for the walls, but on your roof it can be a bit more difficult to stop the absorption of heat from the sun because of the nature of typical roofing materials. What you can do, however, is add a reflective coating like white latex on the roof. This will dramatically reduce the amount of heat that is able to come into your home in this way.

Also, natural shade can do a lot to keep sunlight from getting to your home to begin with. Planting trees close enough to your home that they will block out the sun but far enough away that they have room to grow will eventually help to keep your home much cooler without any extra work whatsoever. If you have more questions about how to keep your home cool, contact your local HVAC professional.

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