6 Ways to Ensure That Your AC in Ann Arbor Will Be at Peak Performance Next Year!

Whether you do-it-yourself or hire a professional, it’s important to get your air conditioner ready for next year! 

Do you consider yourself a do-it-yourselfer?

Do you like to tinker around the house?

In order to minimize wear and tear on your air conditioner, it’s important to conduct routine maintenance on all of your equipment. At a bare minimum if you have basic knowledge on how an HVAC system works, you should be able to perform tasks on a regular basis that can prolong the life of your equipment. 

Picture Courtesy from James Dulley of www.Cleveland.com

We suggest the following to get your air conditioner ready for next year:

1. Check your air filter and change it if it’s dirty.
2. Clean your outdoor condensing unit of leaves and debris.
3. Clean the indoor vents in your house.
4. Make sure all moving parts are lubricated.
5. Examine the fan belt and motor for tightness and wear.
6. Confirm that the thermostat is working properly.

If you’re unsure about how to do any of the above tasks, please feel free to contact our friendly AC Ann Arbor technicians. All our technicians are highly trained professionals who continue their education through ongoing training, so they stay up to date to assure you the best service available.

You don’t want to be frustrated when the time comes next year to turn on your ac unit, and nothing happens. You don’t want to be the only one on your block sweltering in the heat. Save yourself the trouble now and service your ac unit today!

CMR Mechanical has the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to service and repair all brands of HVAC systems for your home or business. Call us today at (734) 424-9555 to schedule a “$99 Clean and Check Inspection” with one of our friendly AC Ann Arbor technicians.

Should You Replace Your Furnace If You Have A Cracked Heat Exchanger?

We received a call for a clean and check inspection when we discovered a cracked heat exchanger in a forced air furnace. We verified that the heat exchanger was cracked by removing the plenum (top duct work on the furnace) and the air conditioner evaporator coil.  The crack in the heat exchanger has the potential to leak carbon monoxide into your home.  Some articles on Google mention that a crack in the heat exchanger is not a significant problem, this is simply not true.  

The heat exchanger separates the air stream entering the home from the exhaust gases in the furnace.  A crack is a compromised system and this must be addressed before allowing the homeowner to continue using the furnace to heat the home.  Carbon Monoxide poisoning in the worst cases has proven deadly, and while this is the worst case, we can't rule out the possibility.   

Cracked Heat Exchanger

This furnace ended up being replaced due to the age and the cracked heat exchanger.  Sometimes customers choose to replace the heat exchanger verses replacing the furnace.  This is a decision that the homeowner has to make based on cost and the age of the system.  Replacing a cracked heat exchanger is like doing open heart surgery on a furnace, and just because you have a new heat exchanger does not mean that the rest of the components are new.  Most furnaces that have cracked heat exchangers are older models 12-20 years old and the homeowners should consider replacement due to the age, as well as the general condition of the furnace.  

Some manufacturers have a 10-20 lifetime heat exchanger warranty.  This warranty is for parts only and doesn't include the labor in most cases.  The average heat exchanger replacement takes one technician 4-5 hours.  If a customer is told that they have a cracked heat exchanger by another company, CMR Mechanical requests that one of our technicians verify the findings before we offer any recommendations.  This is to ensure that the heat exchanger is in fact cracked, and that the diagnosis by another company is correct.  Only then can we move forward with verified information on the furnace.   

CMR Mechanical technicians do a thorough inspection of the furnace any time we are on a service call, on a clean and check, and when we replace the evaporator coil on the furnace.  CMR mechanical prides itself on honest, quality service. Call us today at (734) 424-9555 to receive a thorough inspection of your furnace!

Save Money on Heat Pump Service Calls

Is your heat pump frozen over?

Do you see steam rising from your heat pump?

Does your unit make odd noises?

Many heat pumps suffer problems, so you’re not alone. However, some signs are normal but may seem out of the ordinary to you. How are you supposed to know?

Everyone wants to be proud of their home. You want your house to be comfortable. You want your equipment to last a long time and not need service. In order to get the result you want, preventative maintenance will help keep your repair and operating costs low.

Picture Courtesy from www.bpu.com

If your house is heated by a heat pump, there are a few things you should know before calling a professional HVAC contractor for help, including:

1. Accumulating frost that doesn’t go away, gets thicker, or doesn’t melt is not normal. Call a professional!
2. Rising steam from your heat pump is normal due to defrosting. No worries!
3. Spinning fan blades off balance - or blower fan malfunctioning if you have a noisy unit. Call a professional!
4. Back-up auxiliary light on the thermostat (usually green or blue) on 24/7 is normal, however, if the light seems to be on more than usual during milder weather, it may be a sign that the outdoor unit is not operating properly. Call a professional!

Our heating and cooling Ann Arbor technicians offer our customers peace of mind. All our technicians are highly trained professionals who continue their education through ongoing training, so they stay up to date to assure you the best service available. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my electric heat is on when I'm using my heat pump?

Most heat pump thermostats have a small light which will light up when the electric heat is in use.

What does the EM HT switch do?

The "EM HT" switch is for "emergency heat," only if your heat pump isn't working or needs service.

Can I save money using a set-back thermostat with a heat pump?

It depends on whether you want to pinch pennies, but it could save you money in the long run. The recommended thermostat setting in the Ann Arbor area is 78 degrees in the summer and 70 degrees in the winter. 

CMR Mechanical has the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to service and repair all brands of heat pumps for your home or business. Call us today at (734) 424-9555 to schedule a "$99 Clean and Check Inspection" with one of our heating and cooling Ann Arbor technicians.