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Now that the weather is warming up again, it’s important to consider a new air conditioning system when the time is right. We understand that the process of acquiring a new air conditioning system can seem daunting. There’s a lot to know, it’s a big decision to make, and you’re going to spend a considerable amount of cash in the process.
If you want to make your AC installation in Crystal Lake, IL the best it can possibly be, you’ve found the right blog. Today, we’re going to run through a few signs that you should consider a new air conditioning system and give you some vital upgrade tips to make the process as easy as possible.
We’re inching our way toward the official summer start date. As we get closer, the weather is going to get warmer and when this happens it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your air conditioning system. Sometimes, there are things that might go wrong with your home’s air conditioning system and you might not notice it right away. There are particular things that tend to go wrong in homes in our area at the start of the summer. If you don’t know what’s going to lead to AC repair in Algonquin, IL, then you’ve found the right blog. We’re a team of professionals who can help you with the early air conditioning problems you’re facing. We’re here to help you with everything you need to keep you cool this summer.
Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to start considering air conditioning maintenance. Air conditioning maintenance is a worthwhile investment because it’s going to change the way your air conditioning system performs. If you’re looking for quality work that’s backed by experts, we suggest you turn to our team members. We’re known for being helpful and always providing high-quality work.
If you’re looking for ac maintenance in Crystal Lake, IL, then we’re ready to provide. Today, we want to take the time to talk about why air conditioning maintenance is so worthwhile. Let’s get into the difference it can make in your home below…
The hottest month of the summer has arrived. We know that you’ve been feeling the heat. If you’re looking for ways to stay cool through the rest of the summer, then you’ve found the right blog.
One thing that we pride ourselves on doing here is passing on the knowledge we have to our customers. If you need quality air conditioning care in Crystal Lake, IL, then we want to help you with this. You should start out with the tips we list today. If you notice that you could use help getting better relief from the heat this summer, then we’re going to help you today.
Are you thinking about switching up your air conditioning this summer? You don’t need to stick with an air conditioner that doesn’t serve you well. We always want to remind you of this because we understand it’s easy to lose sight of these things. If you’d like to upgrade to a new air conditioning system, you need to make sure that you’re considering all your options.
Air conditioning in Crystal Lake, IL is our specialty. Make sure that you’re considering all the options available to you because you deserve to explore all of them. We’re the team that can walk you through everything and we’re going to start today with this blog.
Your air conditioner’s job is pretty simple—to keep you cool when you need it. Your air conditioner has seemed to try to rack up some extra points this summer though. It’s giving you a little misting and moisture on top of your temperature control or, in other words, a leak!
You noticed the leak, thought it was just a one-off, but it kept leaking—now what? If you’ve come to the conclusion that you should call an air conditioning professional, then you’re on the right path. You can get the right air conditioning services in Crystal Lake, IL. We’ll help you figure out the problem with your air conditioning leaking today.
When you’re upgrading from one air conditioning system to another, you want the effort to be worthwhile. How can you make sure that you’re getting a quality new air conditioning system? You’ve already taken the right first step by finding this blog.
Buying a new air conditioning system is a commitment. You’re buying this new air conditioning system expecting it to last you for the better part of a decade. If you want tips that are going to perfect your air conditioning system, then you can consult with our team. We’re specialists in air conditioning services in Crystal Lake, IL.
It’s warming up. Are you ready for the spike in our weather?
When we talk about preparing for warm weather, you might just focus on maintenance. While this is the core portion of preparing your home for summer, there are other things you can do to prepare your home as well. You need proper air conditioning care. There are blind spots that you might miss as a homeowner. If you’d like to make sure that you’re covering everything, then you’ve found the right blog. We’re prepared to help with your air conditioning in Crystal Lake, IL.
From high winds to lightning strikes to ice storms, many regions of this country are more prone to power outages than others throughout the year. However, a power outage doesn’t always require a major storm for it to occur. In fact, there are several reasons for a power outage that have nothing to do with the weather.
Sooner or later, we will all deal with a power outage. However, when you can narrow down the causes of your power outage, you may be able to gain better insight into how long you may be without power and what to do when one occurs.
Below are a few common causes of power outages, as well as what you can do in the event you experience a power outage in your home.
Common Reasons for a Power Outage
The causes of power outages can vary, and each one may affect the length of time it takes to restore power to your home. Here are a few of the most frequent causes of power outages.
Equipment Failure of Maintenance
While it doesn’t happen frequently, electricity equipment, such as transformers, can fail or short circuit, causing the flow of power in your home to stop. Additionally, if a utility company must perform maintenance on their equipment, they might want to temporarily switch off the power to protect their employees from injuries. Utility companies should be giving you advance notice for these planned outages.
Trees
One of the most common causes for power outages, aside from major thunderstorms, is falling trees or tree branches. Furthermore, if trees are growing right beneath an overhead power line, it’s possible that their branches may get caught in the power lines and cause a power outage. However, this doesn’t frequently happen because utility companies are allowed to cut down trees if they could potentially pose a threat to power lines.
Animals
Believe it or not, another common cause of power outages is due to animals. Squirrels and other small animals are known to chew through power lines relatively easily, which can quickly trigger a power outage. Because of this, many utility companies install “squirrel guards” around their utility poles to prevent them from climbing the poles.
Vehicle Accidents
With the number of electrical poles located throughout each community, it’s not unusual for a vehicle accident involving an electrical pole to cause a power outage. If a car crashes into an electrical pole, it may also result in a power outage in the entire region served by the specific electrical pole.
Human Error
Another common cause of power outages is human error. Though they are mostly avoidable, power outages caused by human error are somewhat prevalent. They often occur when excavation contractors or homeowners dig into their property before consulting with their local utility company or the national call-before-you-dig phone number (811) and accidentally come into contact with power lines.
What to Do During a Power Outage
Although power outages leave homeowners with a sense of helplessness, there are several things that you can do if you find yourself in the middle of one. Let’s take a look at a few of them below.
Safely Inspect the Area
When a power outage occurs, the first thing you can do is inspect your nearby area to narrow down the causes. Of course, you should do this as safely as possible, but here are a few things you can look for when inspecting your surroundings:
Check to see if there is a problem with your circuit breaker
Check to see whether or not your neighbors have power
Look for any downed power lines
Walk around your home to see if there is any flooding
Turn Off Major Appliances
Another good thing to do during a power outage is to turn off any major appliances that are plugged into the wall. While many homeowners often overlook this, doing this can help prevent electrical energy surges when the power returns and avoid severe damage to equipment such as computers and televisions.
Stay Safe
Above all, the best thing to do during a power outage is to stay safe. Though they can be unpredictable, the best way to deal with a power outage is to prepare for one. Be sure to keep bottled water, flashlights, and extra batteries on hand, as well.
Power Your Home with the Help of Althoff
When owning a home, knowing whether or not you have a professional electrical service you can call at a moment’s notice is critical. Whether your home needs electrical repairs, installations, upgrades, replacements, or inspections, Althoff has you covered.
Since 1961, Althoff has remained dedicated to providing the Chicago area and Northwest suburbs with professional home HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services. With our accredited and highly trained staff of electricians, no job is too big or too small for the Althoff team. We also provide mechanical and electrical contracting services for our Greater Chicago customers and members of the surrounding areas.
If you’re looking for residential heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and mechanical services in the Greater Chicago area, contact Althoff today or call our emergency service number at (815) 455-7000.
We all know that central AC is a must-have to keep your home cool during these hot summer months but a quality system has a range of benefits outside of just keeping temperatures regulated. Let’s take a look at 5 additional benefits of a central air conditioner outside of just keeping your home cool.
1. Regulate Humidity Levels
During the summer, high humidity is a given in the Midwest. Not only do high humidity levels make you hot and uncomfortable, but they can make you feel tired and foggy because your body is working harder to cool itself off.
Pests and allergens also thrive in humid environments so it is important to keep the humidity in your home around 30%-50% to stay both comfortable and healthy all summer long.
A properly installed central AC system is a great way to help regulate humidity levels in your home and can be paired with a dehumidifier to help further regulate moisture levels in the air!
2. Filter Out Harmful Dust and Debris
Filters may seem like nothing more than large pieces of cardboard with fibers or pleated paper-like material but they are actually extremely important to the functionality of your central AC system and an old filter could affect the air quality in your home.
Filters remove harmful dust and debris that could irritate your respiratory system and create cleaner air for you to breathe. Old air filters and low-quality air filters will not do a great job of filtering out these irritants and potentially recirculate particles back into your home. It is important that you change filters regularly and buy high-quality filters.
Make sure you look at the MERV value of the air filters you purchase. The higher the MERV value is, the more efficient the filter will be in trapping airborne particles. Our experts at Althoff typically recommend the high-quality filter and cabinet from Aprilaire. Our typical installation is either MERV 11 or MERV 13. To learn more about the Aprilaire air filters, visit our indoor air quality page!
3. Prevent Mold Growth
If your home is hot and humid, it could become the perfect environment for mold growth. Central AC units help to prevent mold by removing moisture (see Regulate Humidity Levels above) from the air that would otherwise shack up in walls and ceilings. During the hot, humid summer months, it is important that you set your central air conditioner between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain the proper humidity levels that we talked about earlier to prevent this unwanted mold.
4. Improve Sleep
The AC unit you have in your home can make a massive difference when it comes to the quality of sleep you are getting. Trying to sleep when you are too hot or cold is nearly impossible, and many have to suffer through sleepless nights, especially during summer because their AC system is inadequate. In addition, other options like window units or fans can be noisy and keep light sleepers up at night.
If your cooling system is keeping you up at night, we highly recommend contacting our HVAC experts to discuss installing a new system or upgrading your current one so you can finally get a good night’s rest, again.
5. Easier Installations & Maintenance
A huge benefit of having a professionally installed central AC system is that once it is there, you don’t have to worry about removing it and storing it in winter like bulky window units. Central AC systems can also be easily maintained and serviced. Instead of searching for what’s wrong with your AC, trying to fix it yourself, or buying a whole new unit, you can call the professionals at Althoff to come out and take a look.
If you are ready to invest in the comfort and air quality of your home, you can request a quote from our experts at Althoff Industries or give us a call at 815-455-7000 for more information.
