brwm9028-yxpbgk7t61lz3xqq

Heating Tips

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 16:11:06 GMT

Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and lower the setpoint when you're sleeping or away from home.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended.
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to perform this task, contact a professional.
Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home -- typically making up about 42% of your utility bill.

No matter what kind of heating system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

Things To Consider When Purchasing An AC System

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 18:54:23 GMT

Air conditioners are still the best option if you are looking for a machine to cool your environment. Not only are ACs simple to use, but they can efficiently of shift temperatures from hot to cold. However, when it comes to buying the perfect air conditioning unit, you just can’t point and pick the fanciest system in the store. If you want to efficiently cool your indoors, you need to consider a couple of things when looking for the right AC.

Measurements

Air conditioners come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate all kinds of spaces. There are some that can cool larger areas, while others perfectly fit studio-size apartments. It is crucial to get your potential AC’s size correct the first time. If you don’t, setting up the system is going to be a headache. You have to go all the way back to the store where you purchased the wrong unit and ask for the correct size before installing the AC. What’s more, if you’ve equipped your room with the wrong-sized unit, the system will have a harder time keeping the place cool.

Type Of AC Unit

Having a variety of AC units allows all kinds of properties to effectively keep their rooms cool. There are air conditioners created for huge commercial spaces, while others work better in smaller areas. If you are unfamiliar with the types of AC units, here is a list of what you’d expect to see:

Window air conditioner – the most common
Through-the-wall air conditioner – similar to window ACs but heavier
Portable air conditioners – mobile, self-contained, and freestanding on the floor
Ductless mini-split system – a self-contained unit that comes in two parts but requires less space
Central air conditioners – expensive, but delivers excellent comfort levels and improved technology
Packaged terminal air conditioners – often found in hotels and offices

Energy Efficient AC, Yes Or No?

Modern air conditioning units now have high energy efficiency options. This means that you can set your unit to energy saving or eco-friendly mode to reduce your energy consumption. In the long run, lowering your energy usage does help you save some cash. But there are some properties that do not need to have a system that has energy-saving options. Why? Because even when energy efficient ACs lower your electricity bill, the unit itself can be expensive. You have to know how often you are going to use the unit. If you are planning to turn on the AC a couple of times a week, then an energy efficient system is for you. However, if you are only going to use it a few times a year, you can purchase a cheaper unit.

If you are still undecided on what type of unit to get, contact Tony’s Heating & Cooling for help. We provide outstanding air conditioning units for properties located in Saint Clair and Macomb Counties, MI . We have a system that can fit perfectly in your home, so give us a call at (586) 725-8669 .

How To Keep Cool Without Overworking Your AC

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 18:51:57 GMT

When you notice your surroundings getting warmer and your home feeling the effects, you power on your air conditioning system to keep things cool. However, it isn’t wise to use your AC for an extremely long period of time because overworking the air conditioner can cause it to malfunction much sooner.

It’s tough to balance your AC usage and home comfort but it isn’t impossible. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that you stay cool during hot summer months without overworking your AC:

Regular AC Maintenance

Even before summer starts, it’s smart to have your air conditioning system frequently checked. Regular AC maintenance not only prepares your AC for the hot days and warm weather ahead, but it also gives AC experts the opportunity to locate and rectify common issues your air conditioner encounters. They can also recommend AC replacement if your current air conditioner can’t support your cooling needs and electrical consumption.

Give Your Air Conditioner A Break

Giving your air conditioner a break will help prevent your AC from breaking down unexpectedly, but it also helps increase your energy savings. There are many alternatives that will help you achieve a cool and comfortable indoor environment. If you think that your air conditioning unit has been on for too long, switch it off and do the following instead:

Turn on your electric fans.
Open windows during the evenings.
Keep the shades and blinds closed during the daytime.
Avoid overusing appliances that generate heat like your oven or dryer.

Keep Cool With Tony's Heating & Cooling

Your air conditioner isn’t the only thing you need to keep an eye on. Extreme heat can also be a detriment to your health and put you at a higher risk of having a heat stroke. Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep cool without relying on your AC. These include:

Avoiding strenuous outdoor work. If it can’t be avoided, take plenty of breaks and hydrate yourself frequently.
Wear clothing made from light fabric and colors.
Drink plenty of water.

Your AC is an essential component in keeping your indoors cool and comfortable so it’s your responsibility to keep it working properly. Using your air conditioner sparingly might cause a bit of discomfort during summertime, but turning off your air conditioner for a few hours will make it last longer.

Need an air conditioner inspection? Contact Tony’s Heating & Cooling today. We offer reliable air conditioning services in Saint Clair and Macomb Counties and we have experience servicing a variety of HVAC brands so we can work with any system. Give us a call at (586) 725-8669 if you have any concerns about your current air conditioner.

Why You Need To Get A Home Energy Evaluation

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:01:11 GMT

If you have not had a home energy evaluation , it’s high time you have one. Getting your home evaluated is necessary to find out where you should focus on making improvements that will make your home more energy efficient. Without a home energy evaluation, you may find yourself with rising energy costs that you don’t know how to address.

What Goes Into A Home Energy Evaluation

A home energy audit, as it is often called, is usually done by professionals who can assess why your home is using up more energy than it should. This often begins with a thorough inspection of your home, analyzing your energy bills, and an assessment of your heating and cooling systems. This diagnosis of your home will include the evaluation of your insulation, the state of your heater or air conditioner , and your ductwork, among other things.

All of these items are taken into consideration when a home energy audit is performed. Once all the factors are reviewed, recommendations are made to help make your home more energy efficient. Some of the recommendations you can expect from an energy evaluation include:

Cleaning your ducts
Air Sealing
Replacing doors and windows
Replacing HVAC systems with better ones

Benefits Of A Home Energy Evaluation

Once you have your home assessed for energy efficiency and you follow the recommendations from your home energy specialist, you will experience the following benefits:

Lower energy consumption – this comes from replacing and upgrading your cooling and heating systems so they work more efficiently. Energy efficient doors, improved insulation, and improved ductwork and air sealing will prevent warm or cold air from escaping, which means you get to retain heat and cold air better without needing to crank up your AC or your heater.
Savings on energy bills – with lower energy consumption comes lower energy bills, which can translate to 5% up to 30% off of your usual monthly energy costs.
Helps save the environment – another benefit that comes from a home energy audit and the changes that come with it is the reduction of your carbon footprint. Since you will be using less energy, you won’t be using up too much fuel in your home. This means you will be reducing your carbon footprint on the planet, and that is a good thing for the environment.

If you want to make your home in Saint Clair and Macomb County, MI more energy efficient and cost effective, the first step is to contact Tony’s Heating & Cooling for a home energy evaluation. Once this is done, we can also help you improve your home and make upgrades that will benefit your home comfort and your wallet.

Contact us at (586) 725-8669 so we can help you create an energy efficient home today.

Understanding The Different Components Of Your AC System

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:01:11 GMT

How The AC Converts Warm Air Into Cool Air

If you’re wondering how your AC turns warm air into cool air that keeps your home comfortable during warm days, then wonder no more. AC systems use refrigerants to cool the warm air that your AC takes in from your home. Also called coolants, this is what cools the air after it travels through the other parts of your air conditioning system. The cooling process happens in the evaporator and/or condenser coils of your AC system.

What The Evaporator Coil Does

The evaporator coil is a copper coil that helps cool hot air pulled in from your home. When hot air is pulled in by your AC, it passes through the evaporator coils, which then remove moisture and heat from the air, turning it into cool, dry air which is then pumped back into your home. The refrigerant that cools the air is located inside these copper coils.

What The Condenser Coil Does

Another component in your AC system is the condenser coil that plays an important role in the cooling process and leaves your home comfortably cool. When the refrigerant turns warm air into cold air, it absorbs the warmth, making the refrigerant warm. For the refrigerant to continue cooling down warm air, it has to return to a state that can cool down the air that the AC unit sucks in.

The condenser coil is what returns the refrigerant to its cooling form, with the help of the exhaust fan. Once the coolant is back to its cooling form, it gets pumped back into the evaporator coil and the cycle repeats itself - pumping out cool, comfortable air.

Why AC Maintenance Is Important

When your air conditioning system fails to keep your home warm, it can mean that something is wrong in the general cycle of your HVAC system and it also means something may be wrong with your condenser coil or evaporator coil. To prevent such problems, we recommend scheduling regular AC maintenance with our professional HVAC technicians at Tony’s Heating & Cooling .

To find out how you can keep your AC system in good working condition and how to keep it running smoothly, contact us online or give us a call at (586) 725-8669 , to learn more about our AC maintenance, AC repairs and other heating and cooling solutions in Michigan .