Running the fan on the furnace continuously (or fan on mode) offers several advantages. Firstly, it helps to distribute air more evenly throughout the home, ensuring consistent temperatures in every room. This can result in increased comfort for occupants, as there are no sudden blasts of hot or cold air when the furnace cycles on and off. Additionally, continuous fan operation helps to improve air filtration by constantly circulating air through the furnace filter, which can lead to better indoor air quality by removing dust, allergens, and other particles. Running the fan constantly can also help to reduce humidity levels in the home during the cooling season by circulating air over the evaporator coil of the air conditioning system. You will need to be mindful of your air filter if you decide to run the fan continuously. It is likely to get dirtier faster and may need to be changed more frequently than during operation in the “Auto” mode. Some homeowners may not want to do this in the deepest part of winter as it may make the house feel drafty. Overall, maintaining a constant airflow with the furnace fan can contribute to enhanced comfort, better air quality, and improved energy efficiency.
Freon & Regulation Changes
The cost of your next new home air conditioner could exceed $12,000, as federal regulations contribute to the escalating expenses of keeping cool. Prior to 2020, purchasing and installing a residential central air conditioner typically totaled less than $10,000, with many jobs falling within the $6,000 to $7,000 range—approximately half of today’s prices.
Various factors, including increasing material costs, have contributed to this surge, but regulations have played a significant role. In January 2023, the Energy Department implemented a new efficiency standard for residential systems, necessitating costly redesigns that inflated prices. It remains uncertain whether consumers will recoup these higher upfront costs through long-term energy savings.
The next regulatory hurdle comes from the Environmental Protection Agency, with a regulation set to come into force in 2025. This mandate requires air-conditioning equipment manufacturers to adopt new, environmentally friendly refrigerants, which happen to be mildly flammable. While safety concerns may arise among potential buyers, the primary issue is cost. Compliant equipment prices are estimated to surge by at least 10%, according to manufacturers.
Beyond equipment costs, transitioning to flammable systems necessitates additional technician training and installation steps, likely driving up labor expenses for installations and repairs. The prospect of steep expenses for new systems may prompt many homeowners to extend the lifespan of their current units, yet the growing regulatory burden remains unavoidable.
Even maintaining older systems is not immune to rising costs; refrigerant leaks demand recharges with increasingly expensive and sometimes scarce older-style refrigerants, hiking repair costs by $400 to $500 compared to just a few years ago. Inflation, along with escalating salaries for service technicians and increased vehicle and insurance expenses, shares the blame.
Despite concerning trends, federal regulators show no signs of relenting.
Regular Maintenance Is Crucial!
Regular maintenance of a home air conditioner is crucial to ensure its optimal performance, longevity, and energy efficiency. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate in the unit’s filters and coils, obstructing airflow and reducing its cooling capacity. Additionally, worn-out parts or minor issues, if left unattended, can escalate into major problems that require costly repairs or even premature replacement of the entire system. By scheduling routine inspections and tune-ups, homeowners can identify and address potential issues early on, saving both time and money in the long run. Additionally, a well-maintained air conditioner operates more efficiently, consuming less energy to provide the same level of cooling, which translates to lower electricity bills and reduced environmental impact. Ultimately, investing in regular maintenance not only enhances the performance and lifespan of the air conditioning system but also ensures consistent comfort and cost savings for the household.
If you are interested in our maintenance plan please call the office at 816-384-6006 or speak to your service technician when he is at your home.
Best Time To Start My Air Conditioner For The Season
One of the biggest questions City Wide hears every year is: When should I turn on my air conditioner? As we know in the Kansas City area, the weather really starts to heat up in early May once we start getting rain the humidity ramps up.
The problem is most people wait until that first really hot day to turn on their air conditioner. Usually the best time to turn it on for the first time is when you really don’t need it yet. In this area we know that we will always get a 70 degree day either in March or April. And this year, we’ve really had a few warm days that qualify.
So why do it early? Because a large bulk of air conditioner issues happen when you first turn it on for the season. And if yours happens to break, there is less demand at that time and our service department can get to you earlier. If you wait until that first really hot day, demand really picks up and it may be more difficult to get to your home.
Before you turn it on, we would just offer a little advice:
- Make sure you have a clean filter in your furnace. A dirty filter makes your system work a little harder because it restricts air flow. And restricted air flow can lead to your air conditioning system freezing up.
- Wash out your air conditioner. A dirty air conditioner can cause the same issues because you don’t have proper air flow through your air conditioner. It also puts more load on the electrical components as well.
If you are not comfortable doing either of those, contact the office at 913-384-6006 and we would be happy to do that for you!
Carbon Monoxide – What is It and How Can It Harm You in Your Kansas City Area Home
It’s the time of year in Kansas City where the leaves change color and the weather gets cooler. It also means that homeowners start to turn on their furnaces to take the chill out of the morning air.
It also means that homeowners also need to be aware of carbon monoxide, which is a hidden danger capable of causing harm to them and their families.
So, What Is Carbon Monoxide & Where Does it Come From?
Carbon Monoxide (or CO for short) is a colorless, odorless gas. It can be produced from a variety of sources:
- Furnaces
- Gas Fireplaces
- Stoves
- Automobiles
- Grills
- Lanterns
- Generators
Carbon Monoxide can build up indoors and cause a multitude of issues: headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and even death. So it’s important that homeowners in Kansas City are aware of how you can prevent these issues.
How Can You Prevent Carbon Monoxide Issues in Your KC Home
There are a few things homeowners can do to prevent CO poisoning in their homes:
- Install a CO detector in your home. EVERY home should have a detector where it will wake you up if it sounds. The most common detectors are either battery operated or plug into an electrical socket. If battery operated, change the batteries every year when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
- Have your heating system inspected every year. A simple furnace tune-up can check for carbon monoxide coming from the system.
- Inspect the venting from your gas appliances on a regular basis. Over time your vents may develop rust or other issues, and proper venting ensures the carbon monoxide leaves your home.
- Never burn charcoal indoors.
- Never use a gas stove for heating your home.
- Don’t use a generator inside your home or garage or less than 20’ from a window.
- Have your chimney inspected every year to make sure there is no debris blocking the openings.
If your carbon monoxide detector alarm ever sounds or if you start to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, leave your home immediately and contact 9-1-1.
Carbon Monoxide is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. Much like all homes should have smoke alarms, they should also have working carbon monoxide detectors.
If you have any questions, contact City Wide Heating & Cooling at 913-384-6006.
Why City Wide Heating & Cooling
There are a lot of companies you can call for heating and cooling service in the Kansas City area. All of them offer basically the same things: maintenance plans, repairs, and new installations.
But how do you choose which one is the best for you? There are a couple of things you can look for in evaluating the best heating and cooling company for your family.
Are Their Technicians Paid On Commission?
A trend in the heating and cooling industry these days is to go to a Selling Technician model.
What this means for a customer is that the service technician dispatched to your home is paid based on what repairs they can find. They are then paid a commission for selling you that repair. In some cases the technician can even sell you a new system, and those commissions tend to be higher because of the cost of new equipment.
This can happen during a maintenance visit (that you have already paid for) or a demand call (where your equipment is broken and needs a repair).
City Wide Heating & Cooling does not pay their technicians a commission. The reason for this is it incentivizes the technician to look for something that may not be broken just to sell you a part. City Wide’s philosophy is to offer an honest assessment of your system and present options that work best for you and your budget.
Is The Company a Family Owned and Operated Company?
Kansas City has a lot of great heating and cooling companies that started as family owned businesses. But eventually companies may change ownership, so that family feeling tends to disappear as time marches on.
City Wide Heating & Cooling has been family owned and operated since 1949. The family is still involved on a daily basis, and if you ever need a new system you will have one of the owners coming to your home to talk about your options.
Is Customer Service Just Words Or A Way of Life?
Every company declares “Our Customer Service is the best and we will provide a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee”. But are they willing to stand behind those words and stand behind their customer all of the time?
City Wide has built their reputation on making sure their customers are the most important thing. Because they are!
A company does not survive for over 70 years without caring about the service they provide and the happiness of the customer who makes it all possible. This philosophy has always been the driving force behind this company and always will.
The next time you need service, give City Wide Heating & Cooling a try. We would love to be your heating and air conditioner provider in the Kansas City area!