What Heating Systems Are Best For The Environment?

January 4, 2020

In Springfield, IL, is dedicated to conscientious customer service, and many of our clients ask about green energy solutions. According to the EPA’s Energy Star program, geothermal heating is the greenest option for warming your home or place of business. Geothermal pumps use an indoor heat exchange unit that interfaces with pipes buried 4–6 feet underground so that they’re able to access the earth’s heat. The heat exchange unit consists of a pump, a compressor and a fan. Fewer Greenhouse Gases Since geothermal pumps don’t use oil or natural gas to generate heat, they emit far fewer greenhouse gases. Power plants that use geothermal energy sources emit 11 times less carbon dioxide per unit of energy generated than a typical coal-fueled power plant. Geothermal heat pumps don’t generate carbon monoxide either, which means healthier air for you and your family. Energy Efficiency The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that geothermal heat pumps use as much as 75% less energy than traditional heating and cooling solutions. The EPA estimates that homeowners can save between 30% and 70% on heating costs and between 20% and 50% on cooling costs when they switch from conventional HVAC solutions to a geothermal pump. Geothermal solutions...

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Furnace Tips for the Holidays

December 17, 2019

The holiday season will soon be upon us. That means fantastic times with friends and family, gift-giving, New Year’s resolutions, and, yes, cold weather. As long as your furnace works during the holidays, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem with cold weather. Don’t be too passive with the heater, though. Here are a few tips for using the furnace during the festive season. Realize You’ll Have Guests You won’t be by yourself during a holiday party. Be aware that some adjustments might be necessary when 20 more people are in your home. Seventy degrees might be a little too hot for people dressed up for a party. If you are cooking hams and turkeys, then heat from the oven could drive up the temperature even further. You should lower the thermostat to compensate for these changes. Double-Check the Filter A dirty filter can cause all kinds of troubles for a furnace. Dirty filters also negatively affect air quality, and you don’t want guests breathing in any dirty air. Also, you don’t want them to freeze if the furnace overheats and shuts off. To prevent these issues, make sure the filter gets replaced. Also, look into any other preventive...

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Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

November 7, 2019

When cold air suddenly starts pouring from your furnace system, you’ll be looking for a fast fix. Sometimes, the problem has a simple solution that you can handle. Here are a few things to check before calling a heating expert. Check the Filter A dirty filter will restrict airflow in your home and could cause your heater to malfunction. If you haven’t been changing the filter regularly, you’ll want to set a reminder for yourself. Buy a stack of inexpensive filters at your local hardware store so you have them handy. Replace the filter every three months or more often in dusty climates. Keeping up with this one maintenance task can help keep the warm air circulating and your heater in good order. Check the Pilot Light If the pilot light is out on your heating system, then the air can’t be heated. If you continually need to relight the pilot light, it’s important to have the system inspected. It could be a sign of a worn-out part that must be replaced. For your safety, don’t let an unqualified person replace parts on your equipment. You can turn to in Springfield for assistance with a residential heating system. We’re available...

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Why Air Filters are Important for Your Heating System

October 15, 2019

When your furnace is working properly, it can keep your home at a comfortable temperature without using too much energy. Let’s look at some of the reasons air filters help a furnace operate at peak efficiency at all times. Air Filters Keep the Furnace Clean Perhaps the most important reason why a furnace needs an air filter is that it can reduce the amount of dust or dirt that gets into it. Dust, dirt, and other airborne particles can coat the surface of fans, motors, and other components, which can force them to work harder. At in Springfield, we can help put in or replace an air filter as well as take other steps to maintain or repair your furnace. Air Filters Can Minimize the Chances of Significant Damage If a motor has to work harder than it is designed to, there is a chance that it could break. The same is true if fan blades or other components are forced to work harder. This could lead to potentially costly repairs, and secondary problems could occur if your home gets too cold because the furnace is not operating as it should. Fires Could Occur When Furnace Fans and Blowers Work...

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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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