What is a SEER Rating?

September 10, 2019

When purchasing a new air conditioner, you’ll run across the term “SEER rating.” What is it, and why is it so important? The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating measures efficiency. It’s determined by taking the total cooling output in a typical cooling season and dividing that by the total energy input during the same time period. Because it represents a ratio, a small increase in a SEER rating can translate into much greater efficiency and significantly lower utility costs. Like efficiency ratings on vehicles, the SEER rating describes the maximum abilities of a unit as opposed to what each customer is guaranteed to experience. A Wide Range In Illinois, the minimum SEER rating on new units is 14. To give you a better idea of how far the industry has come, a decade-old unit might have a SEER rating of 8 or 9. Even if you go with the minimum SEER rating for your replacement, you’ll be noticing a marked decrease in your monthly energy consumption. At the higher end of the spectrum, you could see SEER ratings of 21 or 22. These represent some of the most efficient units on the market. The trade-off is you go up...

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How to Save Money on Your Cooling Bills

August 5, 2019

It isn’t uncommon to use a fan or an air conditioner during the spring, summer, and fall months. Fortunately, there are ways to both keep your home cool and your utility bills at a reasonable level. Avoid Activities That Generate Heat The more heat and humidity that builds up in a room, the harder that fan or air conditioner has to work to remove it. Therefore, it can be a good idea to avoid taking a shower or cooking dinner indoors during daytime hours. Instead, it is a good idea to get clean at night or to cook food outside to keep the air cool and fresh. Use a Fan and an Air Conditioner in Tandem Air that is circulated by a fan can be several degrees cooler than air that is allowed to stagnate. Therefore, by circulating the air using a fan, you can keep the temperature on the thermostat higher. As long as the air conditioner is on, it can work to remove humidity from the air, which can make it feel more comfortable regardless of the actual air temperature. If you need to have your air conditioner inspected or repaired, the folks at in Springfield can help....

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Advantages of Regular Commercial Maintenance

July 9, 2019

While commercial and residential heating and cooling systems both provide temperature control, commercial systems operate on a much larger scale. Bigger buildings require increased capacity, which means more powerful heating and cooling systems that are more prone to breaking down. Regular maintenance can help catch issues with your system before they develop into problems that will be expensive to repair. Commercial Versus Residential A commercial structure is likely to be used in a variety of ways. This means that different areas may need to be kept at different temperatures. Larger systems necessitate a larger airflow volume, which means that more condensation will occur. Greater amounts of condensation require far more elaborate drainage, exhaust and ventilation components. Additionally, while residential systems are often installed at ground level, commercial systems are most frequently installed on roofs. Preventative maintenance is extremely important for commercial systems. Without regular maintenance, energy costs can soar, and expensive equipment can break down before owners have gotten the best return on their investment. A professional who’s familiar with the components and functional characteristics of a commercial system is your best resource for commercial maintenance. What Is Commercial Maintenance? Commercial maintenance plans involve a number of vital procedures. These...

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Detect Home Air Leaks in 3 Easy Steps

June 10, 2019

When your house is airtight, your furnace and air conditioner won’t have to work overtime to make up for unwanted drafts, chills, air leaks, and temperature fluctuations. Unfortunately, many homes naturally develop leaks over time, especially as they age or if the initial construction was faulty. Here at , we often hear customers ask how they can figure out if a home has air leaks. Using a few different methods, you can detect air leaks both large and small. 1. Find Large Leaks with Your Hand Large air leaks are the easiest to spot since they make the most obvious impact on your home. In fact, you may already suspect you have an air leak if you’ve felt a draft near a certain window or noticed your curtains moving. To confirm your suspicions, simply place your hand near the seals of all external facing doors and windows. If you feel a breeze or a temperature change, you have a leak in that spot. 2. Discover Medium Leaks Using an Incense Stick If you suspect you have a leak but the hand test didn’t yield confirmed results, you can try again with a lit stick of incense. Before starting the test,...

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Good Reasons to Get an AC Tune-Up

May 21, 2019

When the weather calls for hot temperatures and high levels of humidity, it is important that your home’s air conditioner is working properly. One of the ways to ensure that it functions like it should is to have an AC tune-up done at least once a year. The ideal time to schedule a tune-up is in the spring before your AC needs to be running 24/7. If possible, a tune-up in the fall is a good idea as well to do a system check for belts, bearings, and even duct or refrigeration leaks before the AC is covered and put away for the winter. Here are some benefits of getting an AC tune-up. Make Sure Everything Is Working Properly One of the key benefits of having an AC tune-up is that a professional can find any minor issues before they spiral out of control. In some cases, a minor issue may not be apparent until you start to use your air conditioner. In fact, the problem may not become apparent until well into the summer when it could be harder to get service in a timely manner. With a service package, repairs are usually done at a discount or free...

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Saving Money on Heating Bills During the Winter

March 20, 2019

Taking steps to lower your heating bills leaves more money in your pocket and more importantly, prolongs the life of your heating system. Between the efforts you make and the trusted experts at in Springfield, you’ll save energy without sacrificing comfort. Air Filters Make sure you check the air filter monthly during the peak of the heating season and change it when it’s covered with dust. A clean filter makes the furnace run more efficiently, which cuts your heating costs. When the filter is clogged, less air can flow through it. It slows the heating process, and the longer running time increases energy consumption. Routine Maintenance Gas furnaces and heat pumps need annual maintenance to maintain their energy efficiency and safety. A professional technician can clean, inspect and adjust all the parts. He or she will check the condition of the burner and adjust the fuel/air mixture for cleaner and more efficient burning. The safety switches in gas furnaces need to be tested to verify their operation. In addition, the vent or chimney needs to be clear for the combustion gases to exhaust outdoors. Periodically throughout the winter, look over the register covers to make sure that nothing is blocking...

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3 Tips for Troubleshooting Why Your Furnace Won’t Shut Off

February 19, 2019

When your furnace is having trouble shutting off, it’s either continuously running beyond the settings or failing to ever reach the set temperature. Sometimes, the solution is an easy fix you can do yourself. Other scenarios require a certified technician. 1. Check the Thermostat’s Set Temperature The first thing to do when a furnace won’t shut off is to compare the thermostat’s current temperature to the set temperature. A temperature set too high may cause too much demand on the heating system. Keep the temperature set at a reasonable level. 2. Check the Air Temperature Place your hand under the air blowing out of the vent to check if it’s hot or cold. If the air is cold, something may be wrong with the blower motor. Look at the thermostat to see if it’s in “on” or “auto” mode. If it’s in the on mode, switch it to auto and wait a few minutes to see if that solves your problem. The blower motor is responsible for circulating air over the heat exchanger. When something is wrong with the blower motor, you’ll need a professional to fix it. offers furnace repair services throughout Springfield and surrounding areas for all makes...

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Telling Signs You Need Furnace Replacement

January 22, 2019

Nobody looks forward to replacing a major household appliance, but Bormida Mechanical Services in Springfield, Illinois, is here to make the process easier if you find you need to replace your furnace or any part of your HVAC system. Continue reading to learn the signs that you need to replace your furnace. Your Energy Bill Is Rising If your energy bills keep rising, your furnace could be the culprit. If your furnace isn’t working efficiently, it’s going to cause your energy bill to slowly start creeping up. If you’ve investigated other possible reasons for a rising electric bill, it’s very likely you need a new furnace. Your Thermostat Seems Off Does the temperature in your home keep fluctuating even though your thermostat remains at the same temperature? This could be a sign your furnace isn’t working properly. It’s working harder to heat your home (hence, the higher energy bill), and it’s not always able to get heat to all the rooms of your home effectively. Your Furnace Is Old Sometimes, just the age of your system is enough to tell you it’s time to find a replacement. The average life span of a furnace is 18 years. If you’re coming...

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How Do Furnaces Work?

December 14, 2018

Understanding how a furnace works depends on the type of furnace you use to heat your home. Furnaces are made of several different parts that work together to produce heat. The type of furnace you have may have a lot to do with how cold it can get in Springfield, IL during the winter months. Different Types of Furnaces Single Stage Furnace Double Stage Furnace Modulating Furnace Single Stage Furnace The single stage furnace is the simplest of furnaces it is either turned on and producing heat or it is turned off and not producing heat. This type of furnace can be noisy because it is generally running at top speed to keep your home warm. This type of furnace is fairly inexpensive because it uses simple technology. Double Stage Furnace The two-stage furnace like the name implies has two stages. The first stage is running at high speed, and the second stage is running at half speed. Unless it is bitter cold this type of furnace usually runs at the half speed. It is also quieter and can keep the house at the desired temperature better than a single stage. Modulating Furnace The modulating furnace is energy efficient because...

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