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SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This means it is the ratio rating of the cooling output of an air conditioner on certain seasons. A SEER rating divides the energy it consumes in Watt-Hours in order for you to identify the ratio.   The SEER value of modern air conditioners will range from 13 SEER to about 25 SEER.  A lot of confusion has been going around town and it’s time to further explain what SEER means.   SEER Value Cannot Predict Energy Usage   A SEER value often changes. You should not always rely on it regardless of the fact that it has a standard computation or formula. Hence, it doesn’t also mean that the higher your SEER value is, the more it is energy efficient. It depends on how long you use your unit and the type of weather you have. It also depends on how long it takes your A/C to reach the adjusted temperature.   Aside from that, air conditioning units which have a higher SEER rating tend to be more expensive. Although they can cost you more when you buy it, they last longer and often need less repairs. That’s the good thing about units with high SEER ratings. An air conditioner that has a SEER value of 14 or less has a higher maintenance cost. This is when compared to ones which have a higher SEER value.   SEER Value Doesn’t Increase by Upgrading Your Condenser   Don’t get fooled by sales talk. Upgrading your condenser unit to a higher SEER doesn’t provide your unit with a higher SEER value. If you need to upgrade, upgrade your entire unit or the entire system. It is the best advisable way in upgrading to equipment with a higher SEER value. And it involves upgrading the condenser, furnace, and evaporative coil. They all work together as a system.   The Best Advisable SEER Rating  

As spring approaches, it’s important that your HVAC system is in a good condition. Is it ready to work during the hot season? Here are some tips to help you prepare for Spring with your heating and air conditioning system. Clean Or Replace Your Filters During winter, a lot of dust and dirt had stuck inside your filters. You will find your coils covered in grime by then. If you’re using a washable air filter, then go ahead and clean it. For disposable filters, now is the time for you to replace it with a new one.    Remove the grime from your coils using a stiff brush or cleansing spray. When you do that, the place where you’ll be working on is clean. Avoid any foreign objects getting inside the unit. Otherwise, it may wreck up the system.    Cleaning your air filters and coils can prevent your unit from getting worn out. Dirty parts will make your HVAC unit work harder and longer. This does not only affect your entire system but also cost you more on energy consumption. Air Duct Testing and Cleaning With certain weather conditions, duct pipes can wear out. They may even have massive amounts of dirt in them already. If you’re unsure how to check your ductworks, have a licensed technician do it for you. Schedule an appointment with your technician and have them test your air ducts. Your technician will know if it needs cleaning, extra insulation, repair or replacement.    Like all other parts of the HVAC system, your ductwork is as important as the rest.  To avoid any system inefficiency, make sure that your ductworks are functional.  Have Your Programmable Thermostat Ready

  Do you feel that it is still way too hot in your house, even when the cooling level of your HVAC unit is at its highest? Does it take longer than it used to for your air conditioning to cool down your house? If you’re facing these problems, then there must be something wrong with your thermostat.    Here are signs to pay attention to and some helpful ways to check if your thermostat is working or not.   Must be the Switches   Check whether the thermostat switches aren’t loose or broken. Mercury and analog thermostats contain plastic parts which can snap off or break. If your furnace won’t turn on or off, don’t assume that there must be something wrong with your furnace yet. It could be your thermostat that’s causing your furnace not to turn on or off. It may also be that your thermostat might be in an area that’s too cold or is in a bad location.   If the switch also has a short in the wiring, then it won’t allow the furnace to turn on and heat or cool the air. It could also be that your thermostat is having electrical or programming issues. If you’re finding it hard to tell which is which, have a professional technician check it for you.   The Thermostat is Unclean   Dirt and grease residue can also be one reason why your thermostat is malfunctioning. The dust can build up on the components and wiring which can cause it to misbehave. If you see that your thermostat is unclean from the inside, then it’s time for you to clean it up. Use a can compressor to get rid of the dirt. You can use a small, soft paintbrush to get into the tight spots.   The Screen Won’t Turn On  

Many homeowners have bad habits with their heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It may seem like it doesn’t affect your home. In reality, these bad habits can lead to a lot of problems. These can include comfort issues, higher utility bills, and a shortened lifespan. Here are five common mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them. These tips can help you some money and help your HVAC system. Extreme Thermostat Temperatures Homeowners think it saves money to set the temperature to extreme levels when not home. Shut the system down and then let it adjust when you get home right? Wrong. This makes your HVAC system run for 3 to 4 hours as you wait for the system to reach the desired temperature. Set the thermostat to no more than 3 degrees higher than the normal temperature when you leave. This helps to avoid uncomfortable temperatures and excessive work for your HVAC system. Closed or Blocked Vents Another bad habit is closing vents in rooms that are rarely used. They believe that it will save them energy and money. This is impractical because closing vents will create negative pressure. This will send the air in places you do not want it to go. Closing vents will make your HVAC system work harder to maintain the set temperature. This will damage it as well as increase its energy consumption. There are better ways to seal off a room or adjust your system than blocking certain vents. Blocked Condenser An outdoor condenser releases the heat that the refrigerant absorbed inside the house. If covered by plants, weeds, and debris, it will hinder the airflow and it will not be able to do its job. To maintain the efficiency of your HVAC unit, clear anything around the condenser. It is also wise to have a professional clean the condenser coils at least once a year.

  Heating bills usually skyrocket to a lofty sum during a Chicago winter. If your energy bills are higher than normal, then check around your house for possible causes. Fixing them could help reduce your bills. Doing this can save you money while keeping your kids and family safe and warm during the cold season. Below are some tips on how you can reduce your heating bill. These are techniques on how to save energy and lower the cost of your heating bill. Prioritized in this article are the simplest and most cost-effective tips. Sunlight is the Best Heat Source You can raise your curtains up during the day to let the natural heat in. Nothing beats the lovely rays of the sun to warm you up and your home. Sunlight puts color on your skin. We all need the Vitamin D that the sun provides. We all love the sun, but make sure to always use sunscreen, especially on the kids.   Do Minor Repairs in Your Home Sometimes, the cold is due to leaks, cracks and “drafty” windows and doors. You would want to prepare for the colder season by getting these repairs done as soon as you see them. Get the repairman to fix all these repairs done. You can also opt for a cheaper alternative by covering your windows, with a plastic sheet on a frame. This would help the warm air remain inside and the cold air outside.   Adjust the Thermostat on Different Levels When You’re Awake and Asleep While awake in the house you can adjust the thermostat to as low as it is comfortable. And while asleep you can set the thermostat back to normal for the right number of hours necessary.   Tune-up the Fireplace Make sure to seal the damper when the fireplace is not in use. This heating process is good for the environment. This does not need any electricity at all, so you slash a significant amount off your energy bill. 

  Another winter is beginning to bear down on Chicago and the rest of the Midwest. Most people know how to prepare for nights that make central heating needed! But along with your comfort, you should also be thinking about your health. As we all know, during the toughest months of the year, a heating system is a must in every home, office, and building. Figuring out which heating system fits your needs best can be difficult. This is because the quality of the system matters. You may already have a functioning heating system. If so, it is important to maintain and repair your boiler or furnace often. This helps to ensure you are toasty and warm all winter. But do you know when it is time to consider installing a newer heating system? Most would prefer to wait to make serious changes when they are necessary. But, you could be unaware that a very big problem is impending. Your heating system could leave you in the cold facing the need for a full overhaul.  Here are five signs that your heating system might be due for new equipment this winter. The Current System Is Older Than 15 Years: Do you know how old your heating system is? When was the boiler or furnace you are relying on installed? Many older heating units can last roughly 16 to 20 years. Newer heating and air conditioning systems can last longer with proper maintenance. If you are unsure about the age of your heating, have Ardmore Fresh Air help you find out. If it has been more than 15 years, it would be wise to start considering an upgrade.