How to Choose Between a Central or Ductless Air Conditioner

April 18th, 2022

ductless-air-handlerWhen homeowners go to buy a new appliance, they’re usually in one of two scenarios:

  1. Their current appliance is breaking down or has already broken down and they need new equipment now or…
  2. Their budget allows for them to get an upgrade appliance, so they want the best that technology has to offer.

Whichever reason is yours, you should know that there is a preconceived notion that the more expensive the system is, the “better” it is, and that’s not necessarily true. The fact of the matter is, which system is right for your specific home is going to depend on many factors.

There are more options than just the central air conditioner and ductless system, but for the purpose of today’s blog posts, these are the two systems we’re going to focus on. Read on as we uncover the differences to help you decide what’s best for your specific needs.

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Tips for Boosting AC Efficiency This Year

April 4th, 2022

There aren’t many things that HVAC professionals will tell you to do on your own when it comes to servicing your HVAC systems. And there is definitely a reason for this when it comes to big repair needs. The fact of the matter is that there are some components of your air conditioning and heating systems that the pros need special training and licensing to handle. This includes working with components like refrigerant and natural gas.

Professional maintenance is vital for the health of your air conditioner, the efficiency of your home, and for your family’s comfort. Maintenance enables our technicians to comprehensively inspect your cooling system for problems, anything that may need adjusting, and anything that needs to be cleaned. It also allows us to alert you to repair needs. And lastly, maintenance helps your system work more efficiently. But there’s more you can do besides just scheduling maintenance. Read on to learn more!

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Have You Scheduled This Important AC Service Yet?

March 21st, 2022

two-techs-working-on-outdoor-ac-unitWhen you live in a climate such as ours, it’s not only recommended that you have a powerful and efficiently operating air conditioner; it’s absolutely vital that you have one. Why? Because without a great AC system, not only will your home not be comfortable, but it can cause health problems–especially for kids or older individuals.

So, how do you ensure that your cooling system is, in fact, powerful and efficient?

It starts with professional installation. Only a trained and experienced HVAC technician has the knowledge it takes to conduct a successful AC installation. Beyond installation, you should make sure that you’re having your air conditioner professionally maintained on a routine basis, and following up on ac repairs as needed.

Why is ac maintenance such an important service, and why should you schedule it now? Read on to find out!

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“Can I DIY My Furnace Installation?”

March 7th, 2022

man-looking-contemplativeWe live in a time of online tutorials galore–for just about any type of household project you want to pursue, you’ll be able to find instructions online. Of course, this doesn’t always mean those will be good instructions. When you don’t know who the tutorial is coming from, it can leave things a little up in the air.

This can sometimes be pretty inconsequential–like if someone is showing you how to paint a wall without streaks, the consequences aren’t going to be as bad if it’s done “incorrectly” compared to if someone is showing you how to, say, install a furnace–with the latter being a more costly mistake to make, for sure!

We get it, you might still be tempted to try it on your own. After all, you want convenience, right? And not working on a contractor’s schedule can seem convenient. But in actuality, many folks try a job like this on their own and then have to call us anyway when something goes wrong.

Read on to learn how it’s actually more convenient to hire a trained and experienced professional for your furnace installation, and how it can give you greater peace of mind!

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Sounds Your Furnace Shouldn’t Be Making

February 21st, 2022

woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listenWe’re sure it’s easy for some homeowners to ignore some of the noises that the various appliances in their homes make. It’s easy, after all, to deny that something may be amiss because repairing it can be an expensive nuisance. However, there are just some noises that just shouldn’t be ignored. While a slight rattle, for example, might just indicate a loose panel, it alternatively could be something more ominous, such as a cracked heat exchanger, which could potentially lead to a carbon monoxide leak.

Here at Ace Hardware Home Services, we understand just how vital it is to protect yourself and your family. If you do find yourself heating some suspicious sounds, don’t hesitate to give our number a call and schedule a visit from one of our technicians. In the meantime, read on to learn what the different sounds are that you should watch out for–or rather, listen for!

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Uh-Oh, Furnace Burners Aren’t Lighting?

February 7th, 2022

burners-of-a-gas-furnaceNo matter where you live. when temperatures drop to their coldest, it’s always nice to rely on the warmth and comfort that comes from your furnace system. All you need to do is switch the thermostat to heating mode, and there you go, you’re instantly invited to bask in the warmth of your home…

… unless you’re not. We can’t guarantee that your furnace will always work flawlessly. After all, any home comfort system is going to be susceptible to natural wear and tear over the years. Of course, you can prevent this by scheduling routine preventive maintenance once a year for that furnace.

When the furnace burners won’t light, that’s a pretty unpleasant surprise and seemingly big repair need. So, what’s going on? Read on to find out!

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Does Your Furnace Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

January 24th, 2022

gas-jets-of-a-furnaceAre you utilizing a gas-powered furnace inside your home? This doesn’t come as a surprise. The gas furnace, after all, is the most common heating system found in homes throughout the country, especially in spots like ours that have significantly cold winters.

Furnaces are very cost-effective, and a great option for most homeowners. However, while they are not harmful by nature, when you use natural gas in your home, there is always the risk of toxic gas leaks and combustion problems. The primary concern in avoiding this problem is taking good care of the furnace through professional maintenance–otherwise, your system could suffer from a cracked heat exchanger.

This is never something to be ignored. If you suspect you have a cracked heat exchanger or have been told you have a cracked heat exchanger, please cease use of your heater and give us a call right away. In the meantime, read on to learn more about this problem.

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3 Reasons You Should Consider Going Ductless This Winter

January 10th, 2022

woman-turning-on-ductless-air-handler-with-remoteThis isn’t the most popular time of the year for homeowners to consider a new heater installation. But we’re going to guess that if you’re starting the search now, you’re probably in a situation where you’re desperate for effective and efficient heating ASAP. The only problem with this is, a heater purchase is not something you should rush into!

Rushing into a purchase as significant as this one could leave you with a heating unit that’s not properly matched to or sized for your specific home and needs. Also, just because you’ve always used one type of system–for example, a furnace–doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your home, especially with the advancements in HVAC technology in even just the last decade!

All this said, you may do well to consider a ductless mini-split installation! Read on to learn 3 reasons why this may be the right choice for you.

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Have You Scheduled Heating Maintenance Yet?

December 27th, 2021

technician-working-on-furnaceIf you read the question above and your answer is “no,” not to worry–it’s not too late! While the holiday season is busy and it’s easy to let tasks like this get away from you, we really can’t stress just how important heating maintenance is.

Professional maintenance helps your HVAC systems operate as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible. During this service, we thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it. We alert you to small repair needs too, before they have a chance to grow into much bigger emergencies. We typically recommend that our customers have this service done in the fall, before they need their system the most. This allows you more time to take care of any repair needs that did crop up.

There’s no reason to skip this service now though, if you haven’t yet. Read on to learn the many benefits of this service!

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Here’s Why You Should Definitely Change Your HVAC Air Filter

December 13th, 2021

clogged-air-filterDo you know why the air filter inside your HVAC system is so important? Whether we’re talking about your furnace, heat pump, or central air conditioner, the air filter does have a very important job, but it’s probably not what you think.

Many homeowners believe that the air filter is in place to protect their indoor air quality. You wouldn’t be completely wrong if you believe this. The air filter certainly doesn’t hurt your indoor air quality. But its actual purpose is to protect the interior components of the HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can harm its sensitive components.

This means that it can cause problems for the HVAC system if it gets too clogged up, which is why you should change your air filter every 1-3 months. Read on to learn more about this!

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