We are less than a month away from the official start of the summer season. Now is the time to take an inventory of your air conditioning system to see if it is prepared to make it through the heavy amount of labor it will need to perform all that through and into the fall. If you air conditioning system isn’t in good working order, you may end up with emergency repair calls and even an irrevocably broken AC. You don’t want that to happen, so here are a few steps to take to see that your air conditioner is ready for the coming season.
Summer Is Almost Here: Is Your Air Conditioner Ready?
May 25th, 2015Reasons Your Air Conditioning Bills Are So High
May 18th, 2015Do you think that you’re paying too much to keep your home cool through the hot season? Perhaps you’ve noticed that utility bills have been rising higher during the last year or so, despite no discernable increase in the amount that you use the AC. If this is the case, there are a number of possible reasons for it. In this post, we’ll look at a few of those reasons for rising cooling costs… and what you can do to reverse the trend.
3 Odd Noises from an Air Conditioner: What They May Mean
May 11th, 2015Whenever any mechanical device starts to make noises that are out of the ordinary, it usually means it’s malfunctioning and needs repairs (or in some cases a replacement). The air conditioning system that cools your home over the summer is no exception. Sounds that you aren’t used to hearing are a wake-up call to contact professionals for repairs. Below are three strange noises you may hear from a faulty AC and what they probably mean.
What Actually Separates a Heat Pump from an Air Conditioner?
May 4th, 2015If you have some level of familiarity with home comfort systems, you’ll likely know that a heat pump works in a similar fashion to an air conditioner. Both use a process of heat exchange involving the circulation of refrigerant that absorbs heat in one location and releases it in another. Both have similar indoor and outdoor units and contain compressors, an exhaust fan, a blower fan, and two sets of coils. The main difference between the two is that the heat pump can work in reverse so that it can bring heat into a home as well as remove it.
What Does the Refrigerant in an Air Conditioner Actually Do?
April 27th, 2015You probably know that one of the basic components that makes an air conditioner work (and most types of refrigeration equipment) is a chemical called refrigerant. But how much do you know about how refrigerant works to keep your home cool during the summer? If you’ve ever been curious about refrigerant, we have some facts to share with you. However, this information is no substitute for professional skill and training, so whenever your air conditioner starts to experience trouble doing its job, make sure to call on HVAC technicians to take care of the necessary AC repairs.
3 Reasons We Think You Should Look into a Mitsubishi Ductless Mini Split System
April 20th, 2015Are you in the market for a new cooling or heating system for your home? You have many options in today’s crowded HVAC technology market, and it might seem a bit overwhelming when it comes to making a choice that is not only right for your home but also will save your money.
When Should I Schedule Maintenance for My Air Conditioning System?
April 13th, 2015Summers can grow quite hot in Evanston: try to imagine making it through a week or even a few days in July without an AC that will always come on when its needed—and stay on as long as it’s needed. The best way to have this assurance of reliability and performance is to schedule maintenance for the system from a professional HVAC technician. You’ll receive a thorough check-up and inspection, plus any necessary adjustments, that will see that your air conditioner will remain energy-efficient and with little chance of encountering repair needs through the year.
To arrange for regular maintenance from some of the best AC technicians in Evanston, IL and the Chicagoland area, call up Malek Heating & Cooling today.
Here’s Why Low Refrigerant in an Air Conditioner Is a Serious Problem
April 6th, 2015The air conditioning that keeps your home cool during the summers uses a chemical blend called refrigerant to run. This is what allows the AC to carry out the process of heat exchange: the refrigerant absorbs heat from inside your house through evaporation, and then releases the heat to the outside through condensation.
There is something very important you need to know about refrigerant: it isn’t something your air conditioner “uses up.” It doesn’t work like gasoline for a car or natural gas for a furnace. The refrigerant inside the AC won’t dissipate as it goes through heat exchange, and it should remain at the same level (known as its charge) as long as you have your AC. If the charge drops because of a leak, your air conditioner will encounter major problems. At the first sign that your air conditioner is losing cooling power, call for repair technicians.
If you need air conditioning repairs done fast and done right, call on Malek Heating & Cooling for service in Skokie, IL and the surrounding areas. We have 24-hour emergency help available.
There are a number of reasons that low refrigerant is bad news for an AC and needs professional repairs right away:
- Drop in cooling power: Without the right level of refrigerant, the air conditioner will not be able to absorb the amount of heat from inside your home necessary to reach the cooling level you expect.
- Ice along the coils: The refrigerant that moves through the evaporator coil will not warm up enough because of its reduced amount; the remaining refrigerant will stay too cold and begin to freeze water moisture along the coils, which will further restrict heat exchange.
- Damage to the compressor: This is the most serious problem low refrigerant may trigger. The change in pressure in the air conditioner because of loss of charge will place extra stress on the compressor, leading to it rapidly wearing down. The compressor may also overheat because of the lower amount of refrigerant. A burnt-out compressor is the most expensive repair an air conditioner may require, so you must have low refrigerant fixed as soon as possible.
Malek Heating & Cooling has taken care of air conditioning repairs since 1998. Give us a call when you need help with your home cooling. If your AC has lost charge, we will seal up the leaks and recharge the refrigerant to the right level.
3 Air Conditioning Components You Should Know More About
April 3rd, 2015Most homeowners know very little about what goes on inside of the air conditioning system. And for the most part, this is okay. Why should you have to worry about the inner workings of your AC when you can call technicians to take care of AC services for you? For the most part, all you have to do is program your thermostat and let the system do the rest. But if you want to prevent problems from occurring with your air conditioning unit—or even prevent damage to your home—you may want to get a little more familiar with some of the key components featured in this guide. And call the friendly technicians at Malek Heating and cooling when you’re ready to schedule air conditioning services in Evanston, IL.
- Air Filter – You probably know that the air filter helps your family breathe a little easier by filtering out some common contaminants. But you may not know just how much damage a dirty filter can do. When the filter is clogged, air cannot get through, but your unit is designed to let in a certain amount of airflow. Without it, the evaporator coil can freeze over, and many of the components could falter as a result.
- Thermostat – Now, you probably already know the basics of how to use your home thermostat. But are you taking advantage of all of the features yours has to offer? Make sure to program your thermostat to cool your home at an efficient temperature when you are home, and to raise the temperature (or shut off the system) when you’re away. Try not to frequently adjust your thermostat or set it to a lower setting than is necessary, as this will reflect on your energy bills.
- Condensate Drain – This is a part you may be less familiar with, but it’s important to know that your air conditioner can leak and cause some major damage to the home, especially if your unit leaks through your ceiling and into your home. Have a technician visit for air conditioning maintenance to prevent this possibility.
Call Malek Heating & Cooling for professional air conditioning service in Evanston, IL. Whether it’s maintenance, repairs, installation, or replacement that you need, our qualified team is here to handle in for you.
Repairs a Radiant Heating System May Need
March 25th, 2015There are two different types of heaters that may be referred to as radiant heating systems. The first, electric radiant heaters, are composed of mats of electric coils which go under the floor or in the walls and ceilings. The second, hydronic radiant heating, uses hot water pipes under the floors delivered via a boiler in the home. Radiant heat fills a room more evenly, efficiently, and effectively than forced-air heating systems like furnaces. This is because radiant heat warms the objects and people in the room, not just the air. Radiant heating systems can last quite a while before running into any trouble, but when the time comes for heating repair in Wilmette, call the experts at Malek Heating & Cooling.
Electric Radiant Heat
Electric radiant heating systems consist of electric heating panels consisting of coils which are installed beneath tile floors, or possible in the walls and ceilings. Though they are more costly to run, most electric radiant heating systems do not experience trouble often, and they require very little maintenance over time. However, when there is trouble with the unit early on, it’s usually due to faulty installation. A new electric radiant floor heating system may trip the breaker frequently if installed improperly. Over time, a loss of heat may indicate a failing panel which needs replacement.
Hydronic Floor Heating
Since a hydronic heating system consists of a boiler, underfloor piping, and some mechanical components, it may need repairs more often. If one portion of your home does not feel as warm as the others, there may be an issue with the circulator pumps which move hot water through the system. You may also run into trouble with the boiler itself, which can encounter pressure troubles from a buildup of minerals. Over time, an older boiler will need replacement if it begins to rust. Call the friendly technicians at Malek Heating & Cooling at the first sign that your radiant heating system is not working properly. If you wait too long to call for repairs, your home may be without heat when you need it most. And our professional electricians are more than qualified for any heating repair in Wilmette and the surrounding areas.