Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc. Blog: Archive for April, Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Air Conditioning Tips for Summer

Monday, March 18th, 2024

Whether you own a central air conditioner or a mini-split system, having a reliable source of cooling can make a summer much more bearable. However, there are many ways that homeowners can improve the effectiveness of their air conditioning so it won’t have to work harder than it needs to. If you want to stay cool and comfortable while saving money, let’s take a look at five summer AC tips that everyone should know.

Pay Attention to Your Thermostat

Monitoring and adjusting your thermostat this summer can significantly boost your air conditioning efficiency. A smart thermostat offers the advantage of setting your air conditioning unit to operate less when you’re not home, which can lead to substantial savings on your energy bill. 

When you use your thermostat properly and pay attention to it, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard — reducing wear and keeping your home cool without unnecessary energy use. This proactive adjustment not only extends the lifespan of your AC unit but also contributes to a lower electric bill, making it a smart strategy for managing summer heat.

Make Sure the Filters Are Clean

Regularly cleaning or replacing the air filters in your air conditioning system is important too. A dirty air filter restricts airflow, which forces your AC to expend more energy to circulate cool air throughout your home. This can lead to a decrease in air conditioning efficiency, higher annual energy costs, and potential damage to your air conditioning unit.

Additionally, cleaning filters also improves indoor air quality — reducing dust and allergens that can accumulate during winter. This simple maintenance task can save money on expensive repairs and keep your cooling system running efficiently through the hottest months.

Seal Up Door and Window Gaps

Sealing gaps in doors and windows with weather stripping is a great way to enhance your air conditioning efficiency. Leaks in these areas can allow cool air to escape and warm air to enter, causing your air conditioning unit to work harder and use more energy to maintain a preferred temperature. 

By sealing these gaps, you can prevent the loss of conditioned air, leading to significant savings. This also helps to maintain consistent temperature settings, providing a more efficient cooling system and preventing the strain on your air conditioner.

Keep Out the Sun

Using shades to block sunlight can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home. By keeping the sun’s rays at bay — especially during the peak hours — you can maintain cooler indoor temperatures without relying heavily on your air conditioning system. 

Shades can not only improve energy efficiency but also protect your interior from sun damage. Effective use of shades, combined with ceiling fans and other summer AC tips, can enhance cooling efficiency and lead to noticeable savings.

Schedule Maintenance in Spring

Scheduling maintenance for your air conditioning system in the spring — before the onset of the hot summer weather — is a proactive measure that can prevent unexpected breakdowns. A professional HVAC technician can inspect and clean the condenser unit, coils, and air handler, ensuring that your cooling system is in optimal condition. 

Regular maintenance checks can identify and repair minor issues before they become expensive repairs, ensuring your air conditioner is ready to handle the summer. This not only prolongs the lifespan of your air conditioning unit but also secures energy savings by ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency.

For Professional Services for Air Conditioners, Call Comfort First Today

If you need a new air conditioner or need to repair or tune up your existing one, the team at Comfort First will be happy to help. We offer professional AC installations in the Joliet area, as well as AC maintenance and other services that will help your home beat the summer heat. Reach out today to schedule a service for your air conditioner system.

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Signs That It’s Time for an AC Upgrade

Monday, August 15th, 2022

ac-installNo air conditioner can last forever, although we wish that weren’t the case. Here at Comfort First, we are all about being transparent with our customers, which means giving you whatever information you need to make an informed decision about the future of your home comfort. If your cooling system is in good shape and can last many more years, we’ll tell you! But if we think it would be more economically beneficial for you to make an upgrade, we’ll tell you that.

This said, some homeowners are simply just curious to know when the best time to make an AC upgrade is. And that’s okay! We believe that all homeowners should be informed about their cooling systems and the status of their equipment. The more you know about your air conditioner, the more likely you’ll be able to make that educated decision about what to do about it. Read on to learn some signs that your air conditioner is indeed ready for an upgrade.

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Here’s What to Know About HVAC Duct Cleaning

Monday, August 1st, 2022

ductwork-of-hvac-systemIf you’re anything like the average homeowner, you probably don’t think about the ductwork running through your home and making your home comfort control possible. After all, air ducts are hidden from view for a reason. You shouldn’t really have to think about them very much.

But, occasionally they do need some attention. You certainly don’t need to know all the ins and outs of your HVAC ductwork, but there are a few things we do think you should know about duct cleaning and why it’s important.

Professional duct cleaning is a service that can clear out your air ducts–these ducts can accumulate pounds of dust in just a few short years. Duct cleaning is an absolutely necessary service.

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How to Cool Your 2-Story Home Efficiently!

Monday, July 18th, 2022

air-conditioner-outside-unitIf you own or live in a 2-story home anywhere in the Joliet area, then it’s no secret that you’d like to do everything you can to save money while living in it, right?

With wintertime demanding a lot of our heaters, it makes sense that when summer rolls around, we want to use as little power as possible with our air conditioners. But, we also want to be comfortable! Since heat rises, it can make it a bit challenging to enjoy your whole home during the summer months.

Fortunately, there are methods to more efficiently cool your 2-story living space. Read on to learn more!

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Signs You Might Be Paying Too Much for Your Air Conditioning

Monday, June 20th, 2022

outside-air-conditioning-unitYou might be thinking, “Well, of course I’m paying too much for my air conditioning! Energy prices are crazy these days.”

We get it, paying “too much” can be a little subjective. But what if we told you that you don’t have to pay that much and that there are things you can do to actually save money from month to month on your utility costs? It’s true, you can!

There are efficiency-boosting tips you can use in order to cool your home, stay comfortable, and spend less. If you’re not doing any of these things we’re about to share, then it definitely is a sign that you are paying too much for your air conditioning.

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How Will I Benefit from a Ductless Air Conditioner Installation?

Monday, June 6th, 2022

comfort-first-logoChances are, even if you weren’t quite aware of what exactly you were looking at, you’ve seen a ductless system before… or at least one of its air handlers. If you noticed a unit up high on the wall of a room that resembles a sleeker version of a window AC, yet doesn’t protrude through the back of the wall, that’s the air handler of a ductless system. These are also called ductless mini-split heat pumps and have a variety of benefits for homeowners.

Ductless air conditioners are comprised of a single outdoor unit and up to four indoor air handlers that can all work independently of each other. They also operate on heat pump technology, which means that not only can they effectively cool your home, but they also make efficient heaters as well.

These systems are becoming increasingly popular, not just in our little corner of the world, but throughout the U.S. Read on as we uncover why!

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Here’s Why You Need to Change Your HVAC Air Filter

Monday, May 23rd, 2022

comfort-first-logoBefore we get started on the “why” of changing your HVAC air filter, we have a few questions for you…

Did you know that your central air conditioning and furnaces have air filters? Did you know that the purpose of this air filter is actually to protect the HVAC systems themselves, and has little to do with protecting your indoor air quality? Do you know what can happen if you don’t change out this air filter on a regular basis?

Don’t worry if any of these questions left you confused or worried–you’ve come to the right place. We have all the answers you need when it comes to caring for your air conditioner in a way that ensures it operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. 

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6 Symptoms of an Air Conditioner in Disrepair

Monday, May 9th, 2022

outside-ac-unit-with-rust-on-top-and-meter-attached-to-test-itWhile it may not get as warm in the Joliet area as it does in other parts of the country, it still can get really uncomfortable if you have an air conditioner in disrepair. This is why it’s so important to have annual maintenance done for your AC–it allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. All of this ensures that your cooling system operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Maintenance even helps reduce repair needs by as much as 85%! This is because it lets us catch small, wear-and-tear issues before they have the opportunity to even grow into bigger emergency repair needs.

All this said, whether you had maintenance done in the past year or not, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your air conditioner needs repair. What are these signs? We’ve shared 6 below!

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Sounds You Don’t Want Your Air Conditioner to Make

Monday, April 25th, 2022

outside-ac-unitWhen springtime comes, we look forward to warmer temperatures and more time spent outside enjoying recreational activities. But as the temperatures get higher and higher, we also need a nice, comfortable home to come back to, right? Well, if your air conditioner isn’t operating as it should, that might not be what you get.

So what if your air conditioner is running but it’s making some funny noises as it does so? Is it cause for concern?

If these noises are outside of the normal day-to-day operational sounds that you hear it make, then yes, it is cause for concern. Read on as we uncover some odd sounds you might hear come from your air conditioner, what they might mean, and when to call a pro.

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What Actually Happens During an Air Conditioner Tune-Up?

Monday, April 11th, 2022

new-air-conditioner-outside-unitWe talk about maintenance because of how important a service it is. Homeowners often think this is just a sort of “luxury” service that only a few select people can afford. But maintenance is a preventative measure that actually helps you save money.

It does this, first, by enabling our technicians to locate small, wear-and-tear issues within your cooling system before they have a chance to grow into much bigger problems. In turn, this helps your system operate smoother and last longer, which is great news for your budget! But, what actually occurs during AC maintenance? What exactly does this service provide? Read on to find out!

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