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.

Common Problems Seen in Ann Arbor Heating & Cooling Equipment

Does your heating and cooling system break down frequently?

Does your heating and cooling system seem to require more and more maintenance?

We see a plethora of problems occurring every day that can be solved with tools you have at home. These problems include:

1. Leaking air conditioner – Caused when the evaporator coil is overflowing due to a clog in the drain tube.

The Quick Solution: Use  a long wire to clean any clogs that occur near the mouth of the drain tube. If it doesn’t work, call a professional!

2. Unit won’t turn on – Caused when the thermostat is defective, programmed improperly, or there is no power to the unit.

The Quick Solution: Check your circuit breaker to ensure that electricity is powering the unit. If it doesn’t work, call a professional!

3. Frozen A/C unit – Caused when there is improper airflow, or the blower fan is malfunctioning.

The Quick Solution: Check your air conditioning units filters, clean the coils of dirt, debris and other obstructions. If it doesn’t work, call a professional!

For more tips and tricks to solve common problems seen in heating and cooling units, sign up for the “7 Quick Ways To Save Money on Service Calls.”

Please don’t do anything that’s dangerous. If you’re not sure … call us! To avoid the common problems we see every day, we recommend that you schedule a “$99 Clean and Check Inspection” with one of our best heating and cooling  Ann Arbor service technicians. We will visit your home and evaluate your heating and cooling needs. We’ll help you increase your family’s comfort, health and safety. We have the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to service and repair all brands of HVAC systems. 

How the Housing Boom Led to Improper Installation of Heating & Cooling Equipment

“I bought this house because I thought that a new house is better than an old house. It had granite counter tops and hardwood floors. It looked nice when I bought it, but now I’m not so sure.”

We find that a lot of our customers don’t understand why a new house could have so many problems!

The housing boom is a big part of the reason, because your home may have been built to meet only the minimum housing code requirements. Builders couldn’t build houses fast enough during the housing boom. Unfortunately, fast doesn’t mean done right!

According to a nationwide Angie’s List poll, there were widespread issues with homes built between 1997-2007, including:

1. Improperly sized heating and cooling systems

2. Bad roofing jobs

3. Improper insulation

4. Dangerous electrical wiring

5. Plumbing problems

If you own a home built during the housing boom, or are considering buying one, hire a reputable contractor who cares about your safety, not just about the job. A contractor can offer you guidance on the best way to improve issues with your home.

A home comfort system is a large but necessary expense. You get what you pay for so it makes sense to do your homework. Check reviews! Are warranties available? Are your technicians knowledgeable in all things related to heating and cooling?

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 heating and cooling Ann Arbor technicians.

Have You Ever Thought About Which Air Conditioner is Right For You?

“I’m afraid of overpaying for an air conditioner that will only work for a few years, and then conk out on me. How can I find the right air conditioning unit that won’t spike my electrical bill, and that will last for many years?”

Research is important! You don’t want to spend a fortune on an air conditioner that isn’t top quality and wind up buying a new one in five years. The best HVAC business will be knowledgeable and experienced, will be able to advise you, and will guarantee your comfort in writing.

We offer our customers peace of mind. All our technicians are highly trained professionals who are constantly continuing their education through ongoing training, so they stay up to date, assuring you the best service available.

We recommend asking yourself the following questions when you’re looking to find an air conditioner that is right for you, including:

• Which climatic zone do you live in? Examples include polar, temperate, arid, tropical, Mediterranean, or mountain.
• How many rooms do you want to cool?
• What are the sizes of the rooms you want to cool?
• Do you have trouble sleeping when there are a lot of noises?
• Is your home well insulated?
• Do you suffer from allergies?

If you’re still unsure about how to pick the right air conditioner in Ann Arbor for your home, call us today! We have the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to recommend the correct size air conditioner. We can educate you far more than the big box stores can, and because we’re a family-owned business, we care about your satisfaction. We’re happy to install an air conditioner in Ann Arbor for you today!

Are We Reliant on Air Conditioning in Ann Arbor?

Would you be able to survive a scorching hot summer without the luxury of air conditioning?

Most people can handle hot summers; however, generally most elderly people physically can’t handle the heat. The elderly fail to produce enough sweat and have poor circulation, which causes their body temperatures to rise. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), 155 Americans died from extreme heat in 2012. 

So, in some ways, we ARE reliant on air conditioning to ensure our older residents are kept safe. In addition, no matter where we are, whether it’s going out to the store, the movie theater, or to our friends’ houses, we expect to walk into a climate-controlled facility in which coming in from outside allows us to breathe a sigh of relief. 

According to the research reports we found, there are also many other inventions and businesses that wouldn’t be possible without air conditioning, including:

1. Storing food and medicine in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
2. Protecting important documents from humidity damage, including art.
3. Helping computer systems stay cool.
4. Preventing dehydration and heat stroke at hospitals with elderly patients.
5. Shopping malls and movie theaters wouldn’t exist without good ventilation.
6. Controlling the temperature in a plane allows us to fly higher and make longer trips.

When you think about these inventions and businesses, it would have been next to impossible for success without the invention of air conditioning. Where would our society be without them? Air conditioning isn’t considered a luxury anymore, but a necessity to help keep your family safe and comfortable on hot summer days.

Do you have an air conditioner in your home that requires servicing? Call us today at (734) 424-9555 to schedule a “$99 Clean and Check Inspection” with one of our best air conditioning Ann Arbor service technicians. We will visit your home and evaluate your heating and cooling needs. We’ll help you increase your family’s comfort, health and safety. We have the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to service and repair all brands of HVAC systems. 

Do You Know What Ozone Color Warnings Mean?

Typically in the summertime you hear about ozone warnings, but you may not realize how the different color warnings can affect your health.

Do you have asthma?

Are you highly susceptible to respiratory illness?

Some people are more sensitive than others to the effects high ozone warnings can produce.

The Air Quality Index (AQI), can help you recognize what the different ozone color warnings mean in relation to your health.

Green – Air quality conditions are good, meaning little or no risk.

Yellow – Air quality conditions are moderate, meaning some pollutants may cause some health concerns for a small number of people.

Orange – Air quality conditions are unhealthy for certain groups, and the general public is not likely to be affected.

Red – Air quality conditions are unhealthy, meaning everyone may begin to experience health effects.

Purple – Air quality conditions are very unhealthy for the entire population.

Maroon – Air quality conditions are hazardous, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects.

If you find yourself indoors on a day with an ozone warning without air conditioning in Ann Arbor, call us to come and inspect your air conditioning unit. We will visit your home and evaluate your heating and cooling needs. We’ll help you increase your family’s comfort, health and safety. We have the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to service and repair all brands of HVAC systems. Call (734) 424-9555 today!

How to Pick the Right Home Generator in Ann Arbor For Your Needs

Can you go a day without your cell phone?

Are you able to detach yourself from your work email easily?

Today it’s almost next to impossible to live without electricity.

How would you like to never deal with power outages ever again?

Home standby generators are now on the market, so why wait for the power to come back on, when you don’t have to?

The HomeDepot recommends asking oneself the following questions when you’re looking to get started:

• Do you need a standby generator for your home, or a portable generator for the job site or recreational use?
• How many and what types of appliances or equipment do you need to power?
• Do you need to power hardwired items such as a furnace, well pump, or air conditioner; or only appliances that can be plugged into an outlet?
• Do you need your generator to start automatically when an outage occurs?
• Will you be powering computers, home electronics or other sensitive equipment? 
• What price range are you looking to stay within? Is the price a primary consideration?
• What generator accessories will help you gain better performance?

If you’re still unsure about how to pick the right generator for your home, call us today! We have the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to recommend the correct size home generator. We’re happy to install your home generator in Ann Arbor today!