Can a New HVAC Unit Increase My Home’s Value?

If you’re planning on moving in the next few years, it’s essential do what you can to increase your Cedarburg home’s value to ensure you have as much equity as possible when you sell it. This will allow you to have more money to put toward a new home. One important upgrade that some potential sellers consider is replacing their HVAC system. Since this represents a significant investment, it’s important to determine whether or not this purchase will give you a good bang for your buck. To help you make an informed upgrade decision, check out this insider’s guide from the pros at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric.

Not a Visual Upgrade

It’s important to remember that, for the most part, upgrading your HVAC system is not a visual upgrade. Adding a new air conditioner or furnace won’t have the dramatic initial effect that new floors or an updated bathroom can have. At the same time, visual upgrades aren’t the only upgrades that can add value or that help close purchase deals. Since a new HVAC system is difficult to notice at first glance, you must be sure to get the word out about it so that you can make the most of your investment. At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we recommend keeping all of the paperwork you receive after your new system is installed so that you can verify the age of your HVAC system for the real estate agent and any potential buyers.

Stage of Life

If you’re on the fence about upgrading your HVAC system, it’s important to consider your current system’s stage of life. For a system on its last legs, up elevating the entire system is an easy choice. After all, you don’t want the system to fail at some point during the buying process, leaving you with an unexpected expenditure and a lost sale. Even if your system still has some life left in it, you can expect a great return if you decide to upgrade your system. Since the new homeowners will likely keep the current system as long as possible, having a new HVAC system that you can include in the listing will help your home stand apart from the other listings. Let us assess your system for a professional opinion on the state of your current HVAC system.

Get Ahead of the Game

As the market slowly shifts back to a buyer’s market, words like “concessions” start to come into play. Buyers understand how expensive a new HVAC system can be, and this is money they don’t want to have to spend. If you find yourself at the negotiating table, a buyer may ask that you do at least a partial replacement of your HVAC system. But why give yourself a weak position when it’s time to negotiate the price? Rather than waiting to upgrade your HVAC system, get ahead of the game and let a company like Hometown Heating, Air & Electric give you a great deal on a new system so that you can impress any potential buyers.

Don’t Overspend

HVAC systems come in a wide variety of types and price points. While it would be generous to leave the next homeowners with a top-of-the-line geothermal system, you may not realize the turn on this major investment if you’re selling a high-end home. Instead, choose to invest in equipment known for its quality without costing a fortune, including equipment made by Lennox or Carrier. This will allow you to advertise new equipment in the listing and leave you with money to make other attention-grabbing improvements to your home.

Your HVAC Replacement Specialists

At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we work hard to ensure that all of our customers are comfortable in their homes for the entire time they own them. That’s why we provide air quality products and heating, cooling and thermostat installation, maintenance and repair services. We also perform a variety of electrical work, including repairing flickering lights and replacing worn-out wires. Since our founding, we’ve been committed to putting our customers first and making sure everything we do is done with integrity. That’s why we’re rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and have received an Angie’s List Super Service Award. That’s also why so many customers leave us five-star reviews. To learn more about increasing your home’s value with a new HVAC system, contact us at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric today.

Should You Cover Your HVAC System in the Winter?

If you own a home, it’s vital that you take steps to protect it along with all of the equipment and appliances that help maintain a livable environment. There are pros and cons to covering your HVAC unit during the colder months, so it’s ultimately up to you whether you decide to cover it or not. Here’s all you need to know.

Will Covering Your HVAC Unit Make a Difference?

HVAC professionals have been debating this topic for years. In some ways, it makes sense to cover your unit when it’s not in use because it will be protected from the harsh winter weather. However, many experts feel that doing so is unnecessary and a waste of time. Today, most units have been manufactured to withstand wind, ice, and snow.

At What Point Should Your HVAC Unit Be Covered?

HVAC units are built with efficiency and durability in mind, but some models may not be fully weatherproof. Although winter weather can wreak havoc on your home, it may be more important to try to protect your unit in the fall rather than the winter. Your unit may be built to withstand rain and snow, but it is not built to protect itself from leaves and other debris that fall from trees in the fall. When these things land in your HVAC unit, they can create more moisture and cause your unit to corrode. In addition, this debris can block the unit’s moisture drainage system and lead to significant damage. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, it may not be practical for you to cover your unit. Fall temperatures can often vary significantly, and there may be days when you still need to turn your air conditioning or heating system on.

Where to Find an HVAC Unit Cover

There are a number of different HVAC unit covers available on the market. Any home improvement store likely carries a wide variety of them. You can even order them online if you’re not finding what you want in the store. Just make sure you’re buying one that was manufactured to fit your unit. Your particular unit may even come with a cover specifically designed to fit it, as many manufacturers are starting to include them with the product. You should avoid trying to cover your unit with anything other than a manufactured cover designed to protect it.

Is Covering Your Unit Necessary?

Some people debate that covering your HVAC unit during the winter is not really necessary. Although it seems like a good idea to protect the unit when it isn’t in use, here are a few reasons you may choose not to cover it.

Your Unit Won’t Be Protected From Everything

A cover’s purpose is to keep out dirt, debris, and moisture, but since new units are designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions, covers may not provide much help. In addition, it isn’t possible to keep all moisture and dirt out of your unit, so going through the extra effort to cover it may be a waste of time.

Rodents May Seek Shelter

You might think a cover on your unit will keep out rodents and other pests, but that may not be the case. Rodents seek shelter during the winter months, which your cover can provide them. Because they can sneak into very small spaces, you may find that they’ve made a home in your unit and caused damage to it when you take off the cover in the spring.

Covers May Lead to Extra Moisture

HVAC units can withstand some moisture. In fact, it’s bound to sneak in at some point, so covering your unit may not be very beneficial. A cover could even cause the moisture already inside the unit to become trapped, which can lead to mold.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when deciding whether to put a cover on your HVAC unit during the winter months. While this could be a beneficial practice for an older unit, newer units may not see the same benefit since they’re designed to withstand the elements. No matter what you do, your outdoor HVAC unit will require maintenance at some point. Make sure you consult with a professional from Hometown Heating, Air & Electric if you have questions about your unit.

We offer heating, cooling, and electrical services to Cedarburg, WI residents. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Learn More About What Your Boiler Is Used For

There are many moving parts in your home that make it function the way you’re used to. If your home has a boiler, you may not realize that it is an important part of your hot water system. We realize that it may be confusing to learn about what this appliance is and what it does. So, you can learn right here what your boiler is and exactly what it is used for in your home.

What Is a Boiler?

If you look in your basement or utility closet, you may see a tall metal cylinder with a control panel. This is your boiler. Some boilers have a rectangular shape. A boiler is an appliance that moves water in and out as needed and heats it to temperatures that allow boiling or steaming.

The boiler may have multiple purposes in your home, but all of them have to do with its ability to store and heat water. Many homes also turn to a boiler system to effectively heat the space in the cold winter months, unlike a water heater that is only used for warming water around the house.

What Is a Boiler Used For?

A boiler can combine the functions of a furnace and a hot water heater. The boiler holds the water until you need it, boils it, and pushes it out of localized faucets. Your boiler can heat the water for the faucets around your home or make steam used in your home’s heating system. The steam can transfer the heat you need inexpensively and efficiently wherever you need it. A boiler may also be used for a floor heating system.

What Parts Make a Boiler Work?

Your boiler might use coal, electricity, oil, or gas. Most boilers will have a boiler unit as well as a tank to store hot water that looks very similar to a hot water heater. The boiler directs the hot water to the hot water tank and the building heat delivery system.

The primary parts for coal, oil, and gas boilers include a fuel supply, combustion system, feedwater system, and ventilation. The fuel starts the combustion system and begins heating the water. The feedwater system will pump and store the necessary water for the boiler. Finally, the ventilation system ensures all of the exhaust fumes are safely removed from the space so that you can breathe easier.

An electric boiler does not have a combustion system or a ventilation system. The water passed through a heating element. Electric boilers are extremely safe. They may be a good option if you want to reduce the need for fossil fuels.

Whichever system you have, all these parts must work together for your boiler to produce heat and hot water efficiently and prevent wasted water or fuel.

How Do Boilers Heat a Home?

Various kinds of boilers deliver heat to your home in different ways. These different boilers work relatively the same for the most part; the primary difference is in the way they deliver heat.

All boilers heat a home via hot water or steam, called hydronic heat. Many boilers use radiators to heat the building. The system might use cast-iron, baseboard, or panel radiators. They can also use an in-floor radiant system or fan coil units.

We Are Here to Help With Your Boiler Needs

At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we pride ourselves on providing top-tier heating and cooling services in Cedarburg, WI and surrounding areas. Cedarburg is known for harsh winter weather. Our team of HVAC professionals makes it a point to give you the best HVAC services we can offer, so you can enjoy complete comfort in your home no matter the season.

We offer a comprehensive list of heating and cooling services, including mini-split systems. We also install indoor air quality systems, ductwork, and thermostats. Additionally, you can come to us for electrical needs and metal fabrication.

Whether you need a repair, installation, or maintenance of your boiler or HVAC system, we’re here for you. All of our services are completed by our team of customer-focused HVAC experts. Hometown Heating, Air & Electric is dedicated to serving the people of Milwaukee County and beyond with smiles and excellent customer service so you can have complete confidence in your home boiler or HVAC system.

For more information or to speak with a professional, contact Hometown Heating, Air & Electric today!

What Does SEER Rating Mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures both how well an air conditioner cools a designated amount of space and also the amount of energy it takes to do this. A closely related idea is the EER, or Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is like a snapshot of an appliance’s energy efficiency at a given point in time.

By contrast, the SEER rating takes into account the appliance’s performance over the length of a season. The SEER rating is calculated by multiplying an air conditioner’s cooling output over the course of the cooling season by the energy, measured in Watt-hours, that the air conditioner uses. Cooling output, measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), is calculated using a constant indoor temperature number and a range of outdoor temperature numbers starting at 60 degrees Fahrenheit up to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. For the purposes of this calculation, 50% relative humidity is assumed.

The U.S. Department of Energy set the standard in January 2006 that every residential air conditioner sold in the U.S. must have a SEER of at least 13. Traditional air conditioners will typically have a SEER rating of between 13 and 21. Ductless mini-split air conditioning systems may have a much higher SEER rating, up to 42. Mini-split systems are often so efficient because you can choose which areas of your home get conditioned air, preventing your system from heating/cooling rooms that aren’t being used.

The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner will be. Keep in mind that in colder regions, having an air conditioner with a high SEER rating may be less important to you than it would be in a warmer climate.

If you choose an Energy Star-certified air conditioner, then you know that your appliance will have a SEER of a least 14. The Energy Star designation isn’t given to any appliances with a SEER of less than 14.

The Department of Energy says in its publications that replacing an appliance with a SEER of 9 with a new appliance with a SEER of 14 saves the homeowner about 35% on energy costs. So, for example, a homeowner who spends $100 a month on air conditioning with an air conditioner with a SEER of 9 would save $35 by switching to one with a SEER of 14.

Incentives for replacing older, less energy-efficient air conditioners with newer, more efficient ones may be available. Check with your tax professional to learn about available tax credits. Your local utility companies may offer additional incentives or rebates. In some cases, manufacturers’ rebates may be available as well.

How Can You Improve the Energy Efficiency in Your House?

Your home’s energy efficiency can vary based on factors that include your geographic location, your home’s size, and the rating of the insulation used in your walls and ceilings. A number of steps can help you increase the energy efficiency of your home’s air conditioning system:

  • Check for crushed or bent fins or coils in outdoor air conditioners.
  • Check for disconnected ducts.
  • Clean or replace filters once a month.
  • Close drapes and blinds during summer daylight hours.
  • Close fireplace dampers when they’re not in use.
  • During summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re not home.
  • During winter, set thermostats to no more than 68 degrees Fahrenheit during waking hours.
  • Get preventative checkups at least once a year.
  • Keep plants and debris away from outdoor air conditioners.
  • Let sunlight in during winter daylight hours.
  • Read the air conditioner owner’s manual.
  • Regularly have your ductwork cleaned.
  • Seal any leaks in your ductwork.

Poorly insulated and/or poorly sealed rooms decrease your home’s energy efficiency. To make your home more efficient, inspect for any leaks and cracks where air could be leaking in or out, and have these sealed.

Contact Hometown Heating, Air & Electric

When you need heating, cooling, and electrical services in the Cedarburg, WI area, contact the professionals at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric. Our team has years of experience installing and repairing air conditioners and heat pumps, cleaning air ducts, and installing ductless mini-split heating and cooling systems. We also work with improving indoor air quality and installing thermostats. If these are services that you need to help your home become more comfortable, get in touch with us today for a quote.

HVAC and Indoor Air Quality

Many people believe that their HVAC system only delivers warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer and provides some ventilation. But the fact is your HVAC system has a great impact on the quality of air in your home all throughout the year. Our HVAC professionals at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric know that a well-maintained system can improve your home’s air quality, while a badly maintained one can worsen it.

Good HVAC, Good Air

Among the things a well-maintained HVAC system does for your indoor air quality are:

  • Remove pollutants and odors
  • Discourage pests
  • Keep humidity low
  • Keep home well ventilated

Our customers are often surprised to learn that the air inside their home can be many times more polluted than the air outdoors. But your HVAC system filters the outside air as it comes in, and that filter traps pollutants such as pollen, dust, mold spores, viruses and bacteria. The cleaner air that results lowers the risks of you or members of your household suffering from allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems.

One of the best things your air conditioning does is lower the humidity in your home, as cold air does not hold moisture as well as warm air. High humidity can make you comfortable even if the temperature is not very high. It can also encourage the growth of pathogenic mold and mildew. On the other hand, the cold air of winter is extremely dry, and the warmed air of a heating unit carries enough humidity to keep the household comfortable.

One problem with new homes is that they are well sealed to help them be more energy efficient. But a drawback of this is the interruption of a healthy airflow. Stale air holds on to pollutants and uncomfortable levels of humidity. Fortunately, the ventilation part of HVAC is the simplest to employ. Ceiling fans, the fans found in HVAC units and open doors and windows help the flow of fresh air throughout your home.

Bad HVAC, Bad Air

An HVAC system that is in disrepair not only fails to deliver cooling, heating and ventilation adequately but can actually be dangerous to your health. Simply, all of the problems that are prevented by a functioning HVAC system are present in one that is either badly maintained or that has been badly installed or designed. This means it allows bad smells and pollutants, including bacteria, mold and dust into the indoor air and blows warm or cool air at such speeds that you’re always uncomfortable. A bad HVAC system also does not regulate humidity, which leads to discomfort and can promote the growth of mold.

Leaking ductwork not only reduces the efficiency of your HVAC, but many critters, including possums, mice and rats find them the perfect places to build a nest. The ductwork blows their droppings and other waste into your indoor air. Worse, it’s not uncommon for animals to die in your ductwork, and the smell of that lingers even if your HVAC system is working.

But pollutants and procreating or dead animals aren’t even the worst things that can happen with leaky ductwork. Backdrafting can happen when gas from your boiler, furnace or hot water heater re-enters your home instead of being vented to the outside. This can cause carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless, colorless and deadly gas to infiltrate your rooms.

Bad smells from the ductwork are one sign of poor air quality caused by your HVAC. Other signs may be more subtle. The inside of your home may still be uncomfortably humid even with the AC on. One room may be much cooler or warmer than the other even though you don’t have a zoned system. The system may be blowing air at too high a speed, which also causes discomfort.

Call Us to Learn More

Working HVAC systems are a must in Cedarburg, WI. They not only keep homes cool in the summers but protect you against our brutal winters. Because these systems have to work as hard as they do, they are subject to problems that make them less efficient. When they are less efficient, they can cause the quality of our customer’s indoor air to deteriorate, sometimes to the point where health is affected.

Don’t hesitate to call our HVAC professionals at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric to troubleshoot your system and make sure it and your indoor air quality are always in top condition.

When Should You Change Your HVAC Air Filter?

As air travels through your HVAC system, it’s forced through an air filter. This filter works to remove impurities from the air like pet dander and dust. To ensure that your air filter is consistently improving the quality of the air inside of your home, it’s important that it gets changed on a regular basis.

How to Tell That Your Air Filter Needs Changing

The best way to determine that it’s time to change your air filter is to take a look at its state. As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to hold a new filter up to a light and see through it. When your air filter has reached the end of its lifespan, it will be packed full of dust and other debris. When you hold the filter up to a light, you’ll no longer be able to see through it.

How Often Should You Visibly Inspect Your Air Filter?

If you’ve done any research online to see how often your HVAC air filter needs to be replaced, it’s likely that you’ve run across the recommendation of replacing it every three months. While this is a good general time frame for most households, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. The specific conditions of your home, how often you run your HVAC system, and many other factors can affect how long your air filter will last. It’s typically recommended that you pull your air filter out once a month and check to see if it needs to be replaced.

Factors That Affect Filter Lifespan

The air filter inside of your HVAC system is a necessary component to ensure that the quality of your indoor air remains adequate. As soon as the filter starts to reach the end of its lifespan, it won’t be able to effectively filter out many of the harmful allergens that show up inside your indoor air. Households where family members have respiratory illnesses, asthma, allergies, and young children, should have their HVAC filters changed on a more consistent basis.

If you have multiple pets inside of your home, they’re constantly creating pet dander. This can make your air filter work much harder and greatly shorten its lifespan. Some other common factors that can influence the amount of time that the average filter will last in your HVAC system include smoking inside the home, how often you run your HVAC system, your typical household cleaning habits, and so much more.

How to Replace Your HVAC Air Filter

Changing out your HVAC air filter is something that you’re going to want to learn how to effectively do since it needs to be replaced on a consistent basis. Before you change out your filter, it’s a good idea to turn off your entire HVAC system. Next, you’ll want to access the filter housing. This may be located near the air handler or one of the wall vents, depending on the specific type of HVAC system that you have inside of your home. It’s a good idea to consult an HVAC professional or the instruction manual for your specific HVAC system to determine where the filter housing is.

Once you locate the filter housing, you’ll want to open it up and remove the old air filter. Go ahead and hold it up to a light source and see if it needs to be replaced. If so, you’ll want to have another filter on hand that is the exact same model number as the one that’s inside of your system. Make sure that you read the instructions that come with the new air filter to ensure that it’s being installed correctly. Many HVAC systems will have arrows that will help you to determine the appropriate direction to install the air filter so that it’s not installed backwards.

What Filter Replacement Should You Use?

When you go to purchase a new air filter for your HVAC system, you’ll need to have the existing filter’s model number so that you can purchase the same one. There are various different types of filters that you can purchase, including pleated, fiberglass, HEPA, and even reusable ones. Each of these different filters comes at its own price point and filtering capability.

It’s crucial to note that every HVAC air filter will have a MERV rating. MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value and is ranked on a scale from 1 to 16. The higher the MERV rank, the more efficient the air filter will be at trapping dust and other airborne particles. If you’re concerned about increasing the effectiveness of your HVAC air filter, you want to select one that has a higher MERV rating than your existing air filter.

Premier HVAC Services

Hometown Heating, Air & Electric offers premier HVAC services for the entire Cedarburg, WI, region. We can also assist with all of your electrical, duct cleaning, ductwork, metal fabrication, indoor air quality, and thermostat needs. Simply contact our office today to schedule your next service appointment.

How Long Can My Air Conditioner Run Continuously?

The humid Wisconsin summers mean that your air conditioner often has to work overtime to keep your home cool. As a result, we often get questions from customers asking if it’s okay for their air conditioning to run constantly. The answer is yes, it is fine if you leave your air conditioning constantly switched on. However, the condenser unit shouldn’t run constantly as this will quickly cause the motor to burn out. Moreover, if the condenser unit is running continuously, this indicates that your AC system isn’t working properly and needs to be repaired. To understand why, let’s take a look at cooling cycles to see how long the condenser unit should run under normal conditions.

Understanding Cooling Cycles

The condenser unit is the part of the air conditioning system that sits outside the home, and it serves two primary purposes. The first is to supply cold refrigerant liquid to the evaporator coil inside the indoor air handler unit, and the second is to release heat outside the home and compress the refrigerant back into a liquid.

As hot air passes over the evaporator coil, the refrigerant absorbs much of the heat from the air. This causes the refrigerant to heat up and turn from a liquid to a gas. The hot refrigerant then travels back out to the condenser where it flows through another series of coils to allow the heat to be released into the air outside. Finally, the condenser forces the cooled refrigerant through a compressor, which turns the refrigerant back into a liquid.

Your thermostat signals the condenser to turn on and start this cycle when the house gets warmer than the temperature the thermostat is set to. Once the condenser unit is on, it should run for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before switching off again. Typically, the condenser will perform two full cycles every hour or possibly three cycles in hotter or more humid conditions.

If the condenser runs more frequently than this, it usually indicates that the system is short-cycling. This essentially means that the condenser unit is shutting off before completing a full cycle. When this happens, the unit will typically attempt to start a new cycle immediately, which means the system will run almost constantly. Short cycling leads to increased energy use as well as greater wear and tear on the condenser. If not taken care of, the problem will usually cause the condenser to burn out and need to be replaced.

Common Causes of Short-Cycling

Numerous issues can cause a condenser to short-cycle. One of the most common causes is a clogged air filter, and this issue can be overcome simply by replacing the air filter. To prevent this, all you need to do is make sure to replace your filter at least once every one to three months.

Short-cycling can also occur if the condenser is either oversized or undersized. If the unit is too small, it will need to run almost constantly since it isn’t powerful enough to properly cool the home. If the unit is too big, the thermostat will typically signal it to turn off before completing a full cycle. In both cases, the problem will lead to higher energy bills and decreased home comfort. In these situations, your only real option is to replace the unit with one that is the appropriate size for your home.

Short cycling can also indicate that there is a leak in one of the refrigerant lines. If the system doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it won’t be able to properly absorb heat from inside the home and thus will need to run almost constantly. This issue can also cause either the evaporator coil in the air handler or the condenser coil in the condenser unit to freeze up. If you attempt to run your air conditioning while it is frozen, it will quickly cause the condenser motor to overheat and burn out. To prevent this, it is important that you not turn the AC on until you have a technician repair the leak and add more refrigerant into the system.

Professional AC Repairs and Maintenance

If your condenser is short-cycling or you’re experiencing any other issues with your air conditioning system, the experts at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric are here to help. We are available 24/7 for emergency repairs, and our NATE-certified technicians can repair and maintain all AC makes and models. We also specialize in air conditioner installation and replacements as well as a full range of heating and electrical services. With two locations in Cedarburg and Brookfield, we serve customers throughout the greater Milwaukee area. For more information or to schedule service, give the team at Hometown Heating, Air & Electric a call today.

Prevent House Fires With These Space Heater Safety Tips

Sometimes there may be a room in your house that may not heat up as warm as you would like it. Installing a portable space heater can be a great way to help make that room warm up without having to increase the temperature for the entire house. If you’re thinking of putting a space heater in one of your rooms, you should follow these safety tips below to ensure that you don’t experience a house fire.

Be Home When It’s on

The most common reason that space heaters result in home fires is that the owners are not home when they’re running their space heaters. Your space heater should never be running if you’re not at home as you won’t be able to respond quickly if it has a problem. It’s also essential to note that you shouldn’t have your space heater running while you’re sleeping as you lack responsiveness during this time.

Give It at Least Three Feet

Due to the fact that space heaters let off a lot of heat, they can catch flammable objects on fire. It’s best to give your space heater three feet of open space the whole way around it. Be mindful of flammable objects like your curtains or your bookcase, as you don’t want them to be too close to your space heater. They could catch fire.

Go Directly to the Wall Outlet

Where you plug your space heater in will have a big impact on whether or not it’s safe. Space heaters draw a lot of energy which means they should be directly plugged into a wall outlet. And, you shouldn’t be using the outlet that is paired with it as you don’t want to draw too much energy from that circuit. Never plug your space heater into a power strip or an extension cord. This is due to the fact that many of these items cannot handle the amount of power that the space heater needs. They can easily get overloaded and end up causing a fire.

Ensure It Has a Safety Certification

Before you purchase your space heater, you should take the time to see if it has a safety certification on the box. There are three different types of safety certifications that can be given to a particular space heater, which are UL, CSA, and ETL. When the heater has this certification, it ensures you that it’s safe to use as it has passed rigorous testing.

Inspect It Often

Over time, natural wear and tear can deteriorate your space heater to the point where it needs to be replaced. You never want to run a space heater that has a cord with exposed wiring or housing that has started to crack. It’s best to do a quick check over of your entire space heater every time you go to plug it in to make sure that everything is in good condition.

Set Boundaries With Your Kids

Unlike adults, kids don’t always understand the dangers that come along with appliances. It’s highly advisable that you sit down and speak to your kids about boundaries regarding the space heater and the dangers that come along with it. Set restrictions for who is allowed to turn on the space heater and for how close your kids may get to the space heater.

Position It Low in Your Room

You want to avoid putting your space heater on all surfaces but the floor. It’s a bad idea to put a space heater on a coffee table, counter, cabinet, or even furniture for multiple reasons. The most important reason is that it’s more prone to being knocked over. When positioning your space heater, make sure that you don’t place it on the rug or carpeting that is prone to catching fire. Stick to hardwood or vinyl flooring.

Smoke Detectors

Before you opt for turning on your space heater, it’s a good idea to have smoke detectors installed throughout your home. You want to check these smoke detectors at least once a month and replace their batteries every six months. Most experts recommend placing a smoke detector outside the bedrooms in your home and as well as on each level of your home.

Outstanding Heating Services

Hometown Heating, Air & Electric offers outstanding heating services for the entire Cedarburg, WI, community. We’re also happy to help with all of your indoor air quality, AC repair, AC installation, and AC maintenance needs. Call our office today to schedule your next service appointment.

How to Test the Efficiency of Your AC

Your house has air conditioning, which is great, but you’re not sure how efficient it is. Many homeowners never question the status of their AC until it stops working. If your AC efficiency is questionable, you may be spending a lot more money than you need to. Regular checks of your air conditioner’s components, and a simple test will tell you if it is functioning properly.

Here are four things that can affect the efficiency of your air conditioner. Check these first to make sure that you get accurate test results. Any one of these can cause your air conditioner to struggle to maintain even room temperature.

1. Dirty Air Filter

The first thing to do is check your air conditioner’s air filter. Is it clogged with dust? A dirty filter can make it harder for the unit to pull in the fresh air. Air filters should be checked monthly and replaced when dirty.

2. Clogged Condenser

Can you hear the unit running? It should have a faint humming sound when turned on. The outdoor condenser unit can get clogged with dirt and debris from your yard. Give it a thorough cleaning with a garden hose and make sure it is free of leaves and grass clippings.

3. Closed or Blocked Vents

Do you feel cold air coming out of the vents in each room? The vents should be clear of dust and open to allow air to flow out.

4. Drafty Doors and Windows

Doors and windows can let in drafts that can affect your indoor temperatures. When you have the air conditioner on, close the blinds or cover windows to prevent heat transfer through the glass. The heat that comes in through the windows can make it hotter inside and increase humidity.

After checking the components of your AC system, perform the following test to see how well your system performs. This test will determine if you need to call a repair service or not.

Testing The AC

This simple test works perfectly on older systems since newer units are programmed for maximum efficiency. If you have a system that is between 5 and 10 years old, and it struggles to keep your home cool enough, then give this test a shot.

The only thing you need for this test is a thermometer. Allow your air conditioner to run for at least 20 minutes before performing the test. You can determine the efficiency of your AC by comparing the temperature of the air blowing out of the vent, to the temperature of the air being drawn into the system.

Hold a digital thermometer up facing the air coming out of the vent. Wait until the thermometer has a steady read. Now, repeat these steps for the return vent. You can also use a kitchen thermometer if that is all you have. Just set it inside where the air can blow on it.

Compare the temperatures from both readings. On a properly running air conditioning system, the air coming out should be 20 degrees cooler than the air going in. If the reading is less than 20 degrees difference, it could mean that the unit needs refrigerant or minor repair. It would be hard to properly diagnose the system without an inspection, but this is a common reason for an air conditioner not to be cooling efficiently.

Depending on the results of your test, you should consider contacting a heating and air conditioning company to inspect and repair the system before the problem gets worse. Fixing the issue now would be less costly than waiting until it stops working altogether.

Additional Signs of AC problems:

  • More humidity indoors
  • Increased utility bills
  • Frequent repair visits
  • AC cycles frequently

Call Us for Assistance

At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we proudly serve our community by ensuring the comfort of our customers. We have an A+ rating from the BBB and received the Super Service Award from Angie’s List in 2020, as well as the Best of Home Advisor Award. We pride ourselves on service and our team of NATE-certified technicians can fix just about any problem you have with your air conditioner.

We provide heating and cooling repair, indoor air quality checks, and system maintenance for the residents of Cedarburg and the surrounding area.

If your air conditioner is not as efficient as it could be, contact us today to schedule a repair service.

Common AC Problems in Summer

The heat has arrived, and you’re enjoying the cold comfort of your AC system. Suddenly, your unit stops working properly, and your indoor air begins to heat up. What’s causing the problem, and how do you get the issue fixed as quickly as possible?

Not every AC problem requires a professional’s skills and knowledge to get resolved. In fact, some air conditioning issues are easy for a homeowner to handle. Knowing how to respond to an AC issue quickly can mean a faster recovery. We’ve assembled a quick guide to outline what can happen and how to approach a repair.

Overall Cooling Is Deficient

There’s nothing worse than insufficient airflow on a hot day. When this problem crops up, your first task is to check for blocked vents. Move furniture, curtains, and other items away from vents. You’ll also need to check your outdoor compressor for debris that’s blocking the unit’s fan. If you still find your overall cooling experience lacking, request a system inspection from your local cooling company.

An inspection can tell you whether the unit you have is built to properly cool your floor plan. Replacing the unit with a larger capacity compressor could solve this issue. You can also choose to close vents and add portable air conditioners in important rooms. This isn’t an ideal way to solve the issue. However, it’s a good temporary solution until you have an updated air conditioner in place.

Air Flows Slowly From Vents

Check your air filter to take care of this issue. Dirty filters slow the airflow and can cause the system to struggle to operate. Regular filter replacement or cleaning is a necessary task for homeowners. Verify the state of your filters every three months or more often according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pet owners will need to replace filters more often.

When you need an AC repair in Cedarburg, Hometown Heating & Air is ready to help. Our technicians deliver fast, accurate results on a wide range of air conditioning problems. Let us know how we can solve your summer AC issues for you.

AC Delivers Hot Air

If your AC is blowing hot or warm air, then it’s a pretty sure bet that the refrigerant levels are deficient. Either there’s a leak in the component housing the refrigerant or there never was enough refrigerant in the system. The refrigerant is placed inside the system during the manufacturing process. This substance is not a fuel, so it won’t dissipate or get used up. If adequate levels aren’t there to begin with, your equipment can’t produce enough cold air for you.

This is an issue that requires an expert’s skill because of the chemical makeup and pressurized state of the refrigerant. Refrigerant is dangerous when handled incorrectly. EPA-certified technicians know how to locate and fix leaks. They also can safely add more refrigerant for you or dispose of any refrigerant when necessary.

System Won’t Turn On

For an AC system that won’t turn on at all, check your breaker box. Power surges on hot days can cause a breaker to flip. In order to protect your cooling equipment, make sure that the AC is turned off before flipping the breaker back on. When this doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to test the thermostat.

To do this, set your AC system to the ON mode. Next, make adjustments to your thermostat. Wait for your system to respond to your new temperature settings. If it doesn’t respond as it normally would, the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced.

Compressor Won’t Turn Off

A compressor that won’t shut off or short cycles is signaling that your thermostat is malfunctioning. A broken thermostat can’t tell the system how to operate, and that can cause it to run continuously. Although a repair may be possible, replacing the thermostat is usually the least expensive way to address this issue. A licensed, insured technician can handle this update for you.

Hometown Heating, Air & Electric is the company locals depend on for complete air conditioning services in Cedarburg. Our customer-focused approach is supported by our A+ rating and accredited standing with the BBB. We repair, maintain, and install heating and cooling equipment for residential properties. You can lean on us for indoor air quality testing, humidity control, and duct cleaning and sealing services as well. Plus, we provide a 24/7 emergency repair response. Call us today to schedule an appointment.