Author: dpdinc

Keep the Air in Your Kansas City Home Cleaner This Season

 

Around this time of the year in Kansas City, we start to feel the temperatures creep up, making the air a bit uncomfortable. Sometimes we open the windows to air out our homes, but then we have to worry about the air quality. Keep air pollutants out of your home with some of City Wide Heating & Cooling’s indoor air quality solutions.

A Standard Air Filter Works – Sort Of

A lot of homeowners have a 1” filter for their heating and air conditioning system. These filters typically were standard on systems that were installed years ago. They do filter out some of the air, but really only capture about 10% of what is in your home.

For the most part, this type of filter is capturing larger dust particles, but is not necessarily the best when it comes to allergens and other airborne particles. Fortunately, there are other options if you want to upgrade your air filtration, especially if you suffer from allergies or other health problems.

Take Your Air Quality Up A Notch With a 4-Inch Air Filter

If you want more than the standard filtration, City Wide also offers a 4” pleated filter system called the RAPAK4. This is our most economical filter because it typically only needs replacing twice a year, and it captures up to 85% of floating pollutant particles. This filter starts to collect more of the smaller particles that come from airborne allergens and mold.

Not only is this filter more effective at cleaning the air inside of your home, but it also helps your HVAC system perform more efficiently. This can save you money on energy costs and protect your system from breakdowns.

For more money and energy saving tips read this blog post: Top 8 Tips to Save Money on Energy Bills While You’re on Vacation.

Get The Best Possible Air Quality With an Air Purifier

For the cleanest and healthiest air quality, City Wide offers Carrier Air Purification Systems. They are ideal for homes with allergy concerns, those susceptible to airborne germs, and the effects of mold, pollen, pets and more. Our best selling system is the Infinity Air Purifier. It has been proven to kill 99% of germs in the air within 24 hours, including the flu, bacteria, or fungi.

For more information on City Wide Heating & Cooling indoor air quality services go to our website.

5 Things to Know Before Kansas City’s AC Season Is in Full Blast

It’s finally spring in Kansas City, and summer is close behind. But before it warms up too much, there are some things you should know about your air conditioner. Like, did you know that out of all the appliances in your home, your air conditioner is the biggest consumer of energy? City Wide Heating & Cooling wants to help you, so we compiled a list of ways to help you keep that energy bill down this season:

Avoid Turning Your Air Conditioner Off

This mistake could cost you some big bucks. Many people think turning your air conditioner off when you’re not home saves you money, but it’s actually costing you more! Your air conditioner uses a lot more energy to start back up and re-cool your home, than it would to continue keeping your home at a steady temperature. That brings us to our next bit of advice . . .

a picture of a thermostatKeep Your Thermostat Steady

Instead of turning off your air conditioner when you leave your home, adjust your thermostat. Turn your thermostat up 7 to 10 degrees when you are away, and if you can, keep your air conditioner somewhere between 75 and 78 degrees at all times. These small changes can save you up to 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling bills.

Get an Annual AC Tune-Up

Scheduling an annual tune up for your air conditioner can keep your system more efficient, which can result in great savings. Air conditioners that don’t receive a regular tune-up can lose up to five percent efficiency a year. And the cost of regular maintenance is much cheaper than having to pay for a new air conditioner when it breaks down.

Don’t Rely Too Heavily on Your Air Conditioner

Don’t rely solely on your air conditioner. There are other ways to keep cool. Try drawing the blinds before you leave the house. By doing this during the hottest part of the day (between 12-4 p.m.), it will prevent the sun’s rays from sneaking into your home and raising the temperature.  Also, make sure you’re using your ceiling fans to their maximum potential. They can help make a room feel cooler when used to supplement your AC unit. Adjust your ceiling fans so they spin counter clockwise, which will allow for a downdraft of cool air. This little trick can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler!

For more money saving tips when it comes to your energy bills, read our article on Top 8 Tips to Save Money on Energy Bills While You’re On Vacation.

To schedule your air conditioner tune-up this season, call City Wide!

How to Tell When You Need an Air Conditioner Tune-Up

Warmer weather is on the way! which means your air conditioner is going to be running more often and working harder. It probably sat dormant all winter, so we came up with a few things to look out for. Here are some signs you might need an A/C tune-up.

Your Energy Bills Are Sky High

This is an easy way to tell if you have a problem. In the early months of spring and summer your air conditioner shouldn’t be working too hard, so if you have a large energy bill you probably have an issue. If your air conditioner is not working at its prime it could be sucking-up more energy to get the job done. Read tips for staying cool in this article 3 Tips for Staying Cooling Without Cranking the AC.

Dirty air conditioner filter causes high electric bills

You Notice Odd Noises

It’s normal for your air conditioner to make some noise the first time it’s turned on for the year. However, if it keeps making noises hours after, there might be an underlying issue. Noises like whooshing or buzzing are normal when it’s first turned on and are usually just the air compressor working to get started. Noises to watch out for though, are squeals and roars that don’t go away. If you experience this, it’s probably time to call in the professionals.

The Temperature in Your Home Doesn’t Match the Thermostat

If you notice your room is much warmer or cooler than the thermostat setting it could be one of two things. Check your thermostat first to make sure the batteries are working. If the thermostat is running fine, then it’s probably your air conditioner. In that case, check your air filters to make sure they’re clean and change them if they’re dirty. If they’re already clean, it’s time to call City Wide!

Thermostat settings for air conditioner

For any heating or cooling services, call City Wide. And be sure to check out our website for special deals and promotions!

How a Late Season Furnace Tune-Up Can Help your Home During Air Conditioner Season

Winter is winding down in Kansas City, which means your furnace has been working hard for a few months now. But is it too late to schedule a late season furnace tune-up? The technicians at City Wide Heating & Cooling don’t think so. In fact, it will actually benefit your home during air conditioner season to schedule a furnace tune-up now.

Your Heating & Cooling System Work Hand in Hand

In most homes, your cooling system is a part of the central heating system. Why? Both your furnace and air conditioner share the same ductwork to spread heat or air throughout your home. Because of this, when one system is tuned-up and working at its peak efficiency, the other system will work better as well. When your heating and cooling system is operating at its peak efficiency, you are saving money on your energy bills.

40% of All Furnace Breakdowns are Caused by Dirt Buildup

Did you know that 40% of all furnace breakdowns are caused by dirt buildup? When the parts of your furnace are dirty, they are causing the system to work slower, until eventually it breaks down. Your air conditioner unit also depends on these parts to work properly. When you call a heating and cooling company to tune-up your furnace they will check the cleanliness of your system, in addition to checking your blower motor, electrical connections, control boards and more.

To schedule a late season furnace tune-up, contact City Wide Heating & Cooling at 913-384-6006.

Install an Energy-Efficient Furnace or AC Before Dec. 31st to Take Advantage of Tax Credits

On Jan. 1, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was extended, which continues tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes, including purchases of heating, cooling and water heating equipment made in 2012 and 2013. At City Wide Heating and Cooling, many of our customers will be able to take advantage of tax credits on their 2013 taxes because they installed a new high-efficiency furnace, AC, or heat pump. If you’ve been considering installing a new furnace or air conditioner, now is the time. It could mean hundreds of dollars in your pocket if you act quickly.

How Much Is the Government Offering in Tax Credits?

You must make sure your unit qualifies. Here are the qualification specifications and corresponding tax credits:

  • Air conditioners qualify for up to a $300 tax credit and must have a SEER of 16 or greater an EER or 13 or greater if it is a split system. If it is a package system, SEER must be 14 or greater and EER must be 12 or greater.
  • Natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces are eligible for up to $150 tax credit and must have an AFUE of 95 or greater.
  • Heat pumps are also eligible for up to a $300 tax credit. Split systems must have an HSPF greater than 8.5, an EER greater than 12.5 and a SEER greater than 15. For package systems, HSPF of 8 or higher, EER of 12 or higher and a SEER of 14 or higher.

There are also tax credits for tankless gas water heaters, high-efficiency gas boilers, and heat pump water heaters. So be sure to claim them if you’ve had any of these installed.

The maximum amount an eligible homeowner may receive in tax credits for improvements is $500. If you have already claimed credits of $500 or more from improvements made in any year prior, you are ineligible to claim new credits for any new improvements made during 2013.

Save Energy and Money with Tax Credits

With government tax credits for high-efficiency furnaces and ACs, not only will you save on energy bills, but you’ll save on your taxes too. But you must act quickly. Your new furnace must be purchased before the end of the year, so there are just a few weeks left. Call City Wide Heating and Cooling today and we’ll help you choose the right heat pump, furnace, or AC to install in your home and get you some great tax credits.

Does Your Home Need a Furnace Tune-Up?

In Kansas City, when the temperatures begin to drop, most homeowners turn on their furnace or heat pump to keep warm. Over the summer months, your furnace sat idle and now it has been called into action. The furnace starts right up and seems to be working fine on this mildly chilly day, so do you even need to schedule a furnace tune-up this year?

The answer is yes. There are multiple advantages to having a furnace or heat pump tune-up other than keeping your house warm during the cold months. City Wide Heating & Cooling breaks them down below.

Furnace Tune-Ups Help to Ensure the Safety of Your Family

By having your furnace cleaned and checked once a year, you are helping to ensure the safety of your family. A furnace or heat pump is a machine that can cause fires, emit carbon monoxide, and could generate other safety hazards. By scheduling a furnace tune-up, City Wide Heating & Cooling will be able to catch any problems before they become dangerous.

Save Money on Energy Bills with a Furnace Tune-Up

A clean furnace is a happy furnace. Why? Dirt buildup can greatly affect the performance of your furnace or heat pump. Some statistics say dirt alone can make your furnace as much as 40% less efficient. Because of this, City Wide Heating and Cooling cleans your unit during one of our furnace tune-ups.

Additionally, our technicians will check, lubricate, tighten, balance, replace broken or worn parts, and provide a complete gas and electric safety check as well.

Avoid Breakdowns During the Cold Months of Winter

Imagine the first big snowstorm of winter. The kids are home from school, the fire is blazing and all of a sudden your furnace or heat pump breaks down. Brrr!

Having an annual tune-up will help you avoid inconvenient breakdowns similar to this. Furnace and heat pump tune-ups not only help your system run more efficiently, they also are helpful in catching small problems before they turn into large, expensive problems.

To schedule a furnace tune-up today, give City Wide Heating & Cooling a call.

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