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.

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!