In many cases, a few repairs may be all that’s needed to fix what’s ailing your home HVAC system. Here are a few telltale signs of when repairs are preferable to replacement:

• Reduced performance: Lack of proper maintenance can cause easily-solvable performance issues.
• Increase in energy consumption: A simple tune-up may be all you’ll need to make your system energy-efficient again.
• Increase in dust, humidity or both: These problems can be taken care of by a simple, yet comprehensive service visit.

On the other hand, there are times when an HVAC replacement is the better choice:

• Aged beyond its projected lifespan: The average HVAC system lasts anywhere from 14 to 25 years. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, you should be considering a replacement.
• Costs more to repair than to replace: Frequent HVAC repairs could cost you more money than replacing your system right off the bat.
• Costs more to operate each year: If your energy bills are steadily increasing each year, your old HVAC system may be the cause. Older units tend to burn more energy than today’s systems.
• Needs an R-22 refrigerant charge: R-22 is being phased out by 2020. As supplies dwindle, the costs of keeping your system cool with R-22 could skyrocket.
• Performance can’t keep up with your current needs: If your current HVAC system struggles to keep your home cool, then it might be time for a change.

If you’re looking for expert advice on your home HVAC system, contact the professionals at Aladdin Heating & Cooling today. We proudly serve the southeast Michigan area, including Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills and Madison Heights.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Quality of manufacture
• System design
• Daily hours of usage
• Competent installation
• Regular maintenance
• Local climate

Not all of these are under your control. Here’s what you can do to extend to the life of an HVAC system and get the most from your investment.

• Change the air filter monthly. Proper system airflow impacts almost all parameters including wear and tear. Buying filters in multiple packs is cost efficient and changing them is a straightforward DIY procedure.
• Maintain outdoor components. The outside condenser coil and fan should be kept clear of encroaching vegetation that obstructs air flow through the housing vents. Also, once a year shut off electricity to the unit and hose down the coil to remove dust, grass clippings, leaves and other debris.
• Allow full air circulation. Don’t close supply vents in unused rooms. It doesn’t reduce operating costs and can disrupt the home’s air balance, causing the heating or cooling system to run extended cycles and incur more wear and tear.
• Vacuum the grilles. Supply and return vents in individual rooms are a magnet for dust accumulation. Even small amounts of visible dust lower airflow through the vents and affect system performance and operating condition.
• Keep vents open. High-efficiency furnaces incorporate a PVC vent pipe that terminates outdoors. Make sure it’s kept clear of ice, snow and other obstructions. Standard furnaces exhaust to the roof through a metal vent. For home safety and system life, this should be inspected as part of an annual furnace check-up.

For more advice to extend the life of an HVAC system, in Farmington and Grosse Point contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling Company.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Professionalism: A little professionalism goes a long way. This includes punctuality, politeness and honesty. Leaving the work environment as neatly as you found is also the mark of a professional.

Punctuality: An HVAC professional will be there when he said he would be. If he is running late, a phone call as far in advance as possible is expected.

Honesty: Nothing is worse than receiving an invoice that is higher than the original quote. If there are unexpected costs along the way, these should be quickly and honestly communicated to you. Attempting to upsell expensive items and unnecessary add-ons is a poor excuse for HVAC customer service.

Doing what’s right for you: Trying to sell a new furnace when a repair will suffice is bad customer service. Also, letting you know that an expensive repair will be moot because other, more expensive repairs are required down the road is also the mark of a pro. Sometimes the least expensive option is not the best; likewise, the costliest option is also not the best either.

Communication: Keeping you in the loop every step of the way is also expected. Letting you know what is happening with the service call/installation/repair is mandatory.

Bottom line: There are a lot of other companies out there looking for your business, so finding one that offers impeccable HVAC customer service and that has your best interests in mind is your best bet for the long run.

For more expert HVAC advice and all other home comfort issues, please contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve been serving Grosse Pointe, Farmington, Detroit, and the surrounding communities for more than 65 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC customer service and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Consult a contractor: Finding an HVAC contractor who has experience with renovations is a good place to start. Ask if there are any special considerations you need to make for your project in regards to protecting your system.
• Turn off your HVAC system: Air circulation is a good thing most of the time, but not when there is debris from a renovation lying around. In order to keep the debris contained, don’t use your A/C or furnace while work is being done.
• Close or tape off registers: Debris may be able to sneak into nearby duct registers. You can either cover them with tape or simply close them in most cases.
• Work outside: Sanding, sawing and other typical renovation tasks create a ton of debris. If you can do all this work outside, you can prevent it from ever having the chance to damage your system.
• Contain the debris: Most of your work is likely to be isolated to one room or section of the home. By hanging up plastic tarps or similar sheets, you can create a temporary barrier to limit exposure to the rest of the home.
• Clean continuously: By avoiding massive heaps of debris, you have a better chance of keeping it contained. Vacuum and sweep as often as you can to keep the area clean.
• Have your system inspected: If you’ve taken precautions, there shouldn’t be any damage to your HVAC system. To be on the safe side, call in your contractor again to inspect your system.

If you need a professional’s opinion on protecting your southeast Michigan home’s HVAC system, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The Benefits of Fall HVAC Maintenance

Semi-annual tuneups cover a number of essential tasks that maximize energy efficiency, boost comfort and extend the life span of your HVAC equipment. Here are some of the crucial services that should be performed during a fall maintenance appointment:

• Check for thermostat accuracy and functionality. You technician may suggest switching to a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one, to customize comfort and energy consumption around your schedule.

• Inspect/tighten the electrical connections, and test current and voltage. Faulty or loose connections and incorrect current and voltage can adversely affect safe, efficient operation and increase the chances of an equipment failure.
• Lubricate all the moving parts. When moving parts like motors and fans aren’t adequately lubricated, the resulting friction impairs efficiency and can cause the components to overheat and fail. Overheating also creates a serious fire hazard.
• Check the condensate drain and trap. A blocked condensate drain can lead to excess humidity issues, bacteria, mold and mildew growth and water damage in a home.
• Test the system’s start-up and safety controls. These critical controls are what keep the HVAC system operating properly and safely.
• Inspect the exhaust system. Corrosion, leaks and back-drafts in the vent stack or chimney can allow lethal carbon monoxide and other combustion byproducts to build up in a dwelling.
• Check the burners, fuel lines and connections, and heat exchanger(s). If the burners are dirty, there are fuel leaks and/or cracks in the heat exchangers, the system’s energy efficiency drops and your safety is compromised.
• Replace the air filter. To maintain energy efficiency and protect the equipment, check the filter monthly in between tuneups, and replace it as needed.

To learn more about the importance of fall HVAC maintenance, please contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve proudly served Farmington, Rochester Hills, Oxford and all the surrounding areas since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The ventilation portion of your heating and cooling system is also important. The ductwork, air returns and fans all keep the heated and cooled air moving. HVAC systems use the same ductwork, and that means that the systems are connected.

How It Works

A furnace warms your home by burning fuel and generating heat for your home. A heat pump absorbs heat from the outside and moves it into the house, and it can absorb heat from inside your home and move it outside to cool the air in your home. Central air conditioning also absorbs heat from the air, cools it, and then the cooled air is blown into your home.

Right Size System

If you are replacing your furnace and air conditioner at the same time, your air conditioner needs to be the right size for your home. When an air conditioner generates more cold air than is needed, that air does not cool your home more quickly. When too much cold air is produced, it is wasted. Your technician will make sure your air conditioner is the right size.

System Problems

One of the problems that can affect both systems is a broken thermostat. If your thermostat is turned on and on the right setting but your system is not working, it may be time to call a professional.

Your filter is also essential for both systems and can cause problems with both heating and cooling if it is dirty or clogged. A clogged filter will reduce airflow with both the air conditioner and the heater. If replacing your filter does not make your home feel more comfortable, you may have a more serious problem and need a professional.

For more information on how your HVAC systems work together, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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HVAC Systems

A central air conditioning system cools and distributes air from a central location. Alternately, a heat pump cools or heats by moving heat inside in winter or  outside in summer. While single package systems combine heating and cooling in a single outdoor unit, split systems have separate indoor and outdoor equipment, and dual fuel systems combine a gas furnace with an electric heat pump to increase efficiency.

Equipment

The most common HVAC terms for components include:

• Air handler: indoor air conditioner or heat pump component that circulates treated air.
• Compressor: outdoor air conditioner or heat pump refrigerant compressor and pump.
• Condenser coil: outdoor air conditioner or heat pump equipment that collects or releases heat.
• Ductwork: metal channels through which treated air is distributed.
• Evaporator or indoor coil: air conditioner or heat pump component that collects heat from indoor air.
• Heat exchanger: furnace component that transfers heat to surrounding air.
• Humidifier: device that adds moisture to furnace-heated air.
• Thermostat: an often programmable device that regulates HVAC systems.
• Ventilator: system that replaces stale indoor air with filtered, fresh air.

Ratings and Measurements

When determining the best HVAC equipment for your home, look for these ratings.

• Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) indicates furnace efficiency, with higher numbers being more efficient.
• Combined Annual Efficiency (CAE) measures the heat produced per dollar of fuel for home and water heating.
• Energy Star products meet or exceed government high-efficiency guidelines.
• Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) indicates heating efficiency for heat pumps – the higher, the better
• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rates air conditioner efficiency, with higher numbers equaling greater savings.

Once you have a grasp on these basic HVAC terms, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling for more expert advice. We have served the Warren, Troy, and Southeast Michigan area since 1945, and we look forward to serving your home comfort needs today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terms and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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1. Do you need to replace it? There’s a right time for every decision. Some of the key indicators that you should replace your system are constant breakdowns, inefficient performance, and old age. Most well maintained systems last for 15 to 20 years depending on how much they are used and in what climates.
2. Do you have to replace the whole system at once? It makes sense to only want to replace a trouble unit, but you’re usually best off in the long run replacing the whole HVAC system. All parts of your system work together, so if you only replace one part of your system, it may lead to poor performance. In some cases, having an incompatible piece of equipment may lead to an early failure.
3. How big should the system be? Load calculations are important to size your system correctly for your home. If you have a system that is oversized, you’ll have an inefficient system. On the other hand, a small system won’t be able to keep up with your heating and cooling needs. Have a contractor perform these calculations for you to get sizing right.
4. What type of system do you need? As technology continues to improve you have more and more options for heating and cooling systems. Some homes would benefit from a high efficiency heat pump, while others may do better with a geothermal heating and cooling system. Get an HVAC professional’s opinion on your different options.

Before you make a big decision like replacing your HVAC system, consult a professional. To get expert advice in the Oxford and Clarkston area, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve helped homeowners like you since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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A few changes are set to take effect as a result of the settlement:

• The settlement vacates HVAC efficiency standards for residential nonweatherized gas furnaces in northern climates including Michigan.
• Furnaces sold nationwide are still required to achieve an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 78 percent until Nov. 19, 2015, when the standard is set to increase to 80 percent.
• Distributors throughout the South and Southwest have until July 1, 2016, to sell their inventory of 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) HVAC equipment manufactured before Jan. 1, 2015.
• The DOE will evaluate and likely revise its rulemaking processes for added transparency and greater industry input.

So what does this mean for your Grosse Pointe home? For starters, it could take as long as 2022 for the DOE to finalize new furnace standards. In the meantime, the following is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015:

• HVAC efficiency standards for split-system central air conditioners in northern climates will remain at 13 SEER.
• Regional standards for single-package air conditioners in northern climates are set at 14 SEER.
• Northern climates will be set at 14 SEER and 8.2 HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for split-system heat pumps and 14 SEER and 8.0 HSPF for single-package systems.
• Weatherized gas furnaces are expected to achieve an AFUE of 81 percent, while nonweatherized oil-fired furnaces achieve 83 percent AFUE by 2015.

For more information on how the coming change in HVAC efficiency standards will affect Grosse Point home, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC efficiency standards and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Examining the thermostat to ensure it’s functioning properly.

• Lubricating the moving parts of all motors. Inadequate lubrication results in friction that can increase your energy consumption.

• Checking the system controls and start-up cycle. Your system must start, run, and shut off properly to operate safely.

• Tightening all the electrical connections. This assures safe operation and helps extend the lifespan of critical system components.

• Checking for correct current and voltage on all motors.

• Inspecting the condensate drain. A blocked drain on a furnace, heat pump or air conditioner can result in increased humidity levels, or a back-up that causes water damage to a home.

• Cleaning, lubricating and adjusting the blower assembly. This can increase the comfort level in your home, and eliminate airflow issues that can lower your system’s efficiency by as much as 15 percent.

• Checking and adjusting the cooling system’s refrigerant level. Too little or too much refrigerant can decrease energy efficiency and shorten the equipment’s lifespan.

• Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils. When the coils are dirty, your air conditioner has to run for longer periods. This can increase your energy costs, and put added strain on the equipment.

• Checking the furnace fuel lines and connections. This helps prevent unhealthy and dangerous gas leaks, and lowers the risk of fire.

• Testing for proper gas pressure and burner combustion.

• Examining the heat exchanger for signs of damage or cracks that could result in deadly carbon monoxide (CO) leaks.

• Cleaning or replacing the air filter. To maintain your system’s efficiency and prevent possible damage that leads to a premature failure, you should check and clean or replace the filter monthly.

For more information about the importance of an HVAC diagnostic, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve served Southeast Michigan, including St. Clair Shores and Southfield, since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC diagnostics and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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