Most systems have a lifetime of 10 to 20 years. As your equipment gets older, its efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often. When a unit begins to show its age, you have two choices. You can overhaul the system or replace it. Because heating and cooling technologies improve over time, a new system designed with newer, more energy-efficient equipment makes sense, especially if your system is 10 or more years old. Porterhouse Heating & Cooling & Sons can estimate the cost of a new system as well as a payback schedule that will show you how newer technology will pay you back through lower energy usage. Many homeowners also schedule AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, to help extend the life of their current systems.

No. Replacing only the outdoor unit will lower the efficiency of the unit. In fact, you can lose up to 15% of the unit's efficiency. Even worse, your system may fail sooner than normal, and most manufacturers' warranties will be voided. You should always replace the indoor cooling coil with the outdoor unit. Homeowners often look into AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, before deciding whether a full replacement is necessary.

No, you don't want your air conditioner to be too big. Air conditioners control the comfort level in your home by cooling the air and removing humidity. An oversized air conditioner will cool your home faster, but it will use more energy and will not remove humidity adequately. Many homeowners dealing with uneven cooling first explore AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, before replacing their systems. A unit that is too big for your home will have short run cycles. It may take only a short time to cool the air, but the unit shuts off before enough air blows across the indoor coil, where moisture condenses into water and drains from your system. Too much moisture left in the air can lead to mold and mildew problems. These short-run cycles also mean your system starts and stops more often, which uses more energy and causes a lot of wear and tear. An air conditioner operates more efficiently during long run cycles. The same holds true with heating systems. An oversized furnace will warm the house quicker, but it uses more fuel and causes greater temperature swings in the home.

A matched system is important for a variety of reasons. One is comfort. When all your components are properly sized for your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax. Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized. Homeowners researching AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, often learn the importance of properly matched equipment. Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency. Most systems people buy are too large for their homes, which uses more energy than needed for the home. A matched system outlined by a dealer who has completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need, so you get the most value for your utility dollar.

At the risk of telling you something you're tired of hearing, replace the air filter in your furnace on a regular basis. Dirty air filters reduce the amount of air flowing through a system and make the furnace work harder to maintain the temperature. How often you change the filter depends on the type of filter you use, whether you have pets, and the size of your equipment. Please give us a call, and we can give you proper guidance. Regular maintenance and AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, can also help keep your HVAC system running efficiently.

Proper air filtration is just as important to the health of your heating and cooling system as it is to the health of your family. Without proper filtration, dust and dirt can build up on your system, which impacts operation and efficiency. A high-efficiency filter will remove more dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and other particles from the air. If you suffer from allergies or other respiratory problems, you should strongly consider a high-efficiency filter. No matter what type of filter you have, make sure you change it regularly. Many homeowners who schedule AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, also upgrade their filtration systems for improved indoor comfort.

Yes. Keeping your system properly maintained will lower energy and repair costs, prevent breakdowns, and prolong the life of your equipment. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. Scheduling routine service and AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, can help keep your system operating properly year-round.

Without warranty coverage, a breakdown can mean significant expense in parts, labor, or both. However, with one of our service agreements, you avoid that unexpected significant expense. While no warranty can guard against every possible problem, we can explain the broad range of protection our service agreements afford. Many homeowners combine service agreements with routine AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, to better manage long-term HVAC costs.

With a high-efficiency air cleaner, you can remove up to 99% of the pollen and spores that find their way into the home. There is also a great reduction in household dust, dirt, smoke, and other air pollutants. Your indoor air will become cleaner and fresher while reducing the allergens and dust that circulate throughout the house. Many homeowners already investing in AC repairs in Frankfort, IL, also choose to improve indoor air quality. With a whole-house humidifier, you can relieve the irritating discomfort of dry indoor air. The humidifier reduces itchy skin, scratchy throats, static electricity, and damage to your furnishings and woodwork. Since humid air feels warmer than dry air, you do not have to set the thermostat as high to feel the comfort you want. A lower thermostat setting will reduce your energy costs.

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a role in nature by breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture. Click here to learn more about mold prevention in your home from the EPA. Porterhouse Heating & Cooling & Sons can also answer questions about indoor air quality and AC repairs in Frankfort, IL.

When humid air passes over chilled cooling coils, water condenses and drips through the coils into a collection pan, from which it continuously drains. Problems with these systems may occur when this water collects and becomes stagnant or when it becomes blocked, either on the coils or in the drip pan. The pan will grow mold that can infect your home with dangerous mold spores very quickly. Problems also exist when the HVAC ducting contains microscopic mold spores that stay continually present and blow contaminants around the home or office, often caused by mold in other parts of your home.

You can do three things to prevent mold growth in your system:

• Preventive maintenance will ensure that the collection pan under the indoor coil stays clean and clog-free.
• Install ultraviolet lights next to the cooling coils to kill any mold or bacteria growing on the coils or collection pan.
• Keep your ductwork clean and use a high-efficiency filtration system to keep your entire HVAC system clean.