Why is Now the Best Time to Replace Your HVAC?

Do you have high energy bills?

Are you thinking about replacing the air conditioner in your Ann Arbor home?

When is the best time to replace your air conditioner or furnace?

Energy Star says that you should “consider replacing your existing unit with one that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. 

Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.”

Before it’s the middle of summer and your old HVAC crashes, call the experts for air conditioners in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas today! If you wait till air conditioning needs are at their peak then we may be overwhelmed with a flood of phone calls. The best time to call us to replace your system is either before the intense heat of summer starts or before the extreme cold winter weather sets in.

What to Look For in an Air Conditioner For Your Ann Arbor Home!

Most good quality air conditioners will last at least ten years, like Bryant, Carrier, Honeywell or Mitsubishi, so what you pay when you run the system is at least as important as what you pay when you install it. You should also consider the cost of upkeep, maintenance and repair. Investing in one of these high quality systems will help ensure that your maintenance costs are reasonable, and your costs of repair are as low as possible.

Contact an Expert HVAC Contractor in Ann Arbor Today!

Give us a call at (734) 424-9555 to talk with the most customer-friendly provider of air conditioners in Ann Arbor! You can arrange an appointment for one of CMR Mechanical’s experienced technicians to visit your home or business to evaluate your heating and cooling needs. We’re happy to install your air conditioner in Ann Arbor today!

Vacationing? Your HVAC Deserves a Break, Too!

Is your air conditioner running too long?

Do you have high energy bills?

Do you give your air conditioner a break?

On those cool summer nights, it’s okay to turn off your air conditioner and give it a break! Feel free to turn it off, then back on the next day before the heat of the day.

Programmable thermostats make giving your air conditioner a break easy! There are a wide range of options available with this type of thermostat, from simply setting different temperatures during night and day to setting different temperatures for days of the week or even different areas in your house.

At CMR Mechanical, we’re all about ensuring your absolute comfort. We’d like to recommend other ways you can effectively cool your house down that allow your air conditioner a break, including:

1. Close your drapes and shades
2. Turn your fans on 
3. Open your windows at night
4. Turn off all appliances that give off heat
5. Consider using an energy saver button
6. And of course, program your thermostat!

We’ve got the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to service and repair all brands of HVAC systems for your home or business.

Air Conditioner Ann Arbor: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

Call us today at 734-424-9555 to schedule an appointment. We’ll measure your home and survey your needs to recommend the correct air conditioner for your Ann Arbor home to maximize your comfort. We’re committed to providing you excellent service. In fact, we put our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for equipment and all services in writing!

How to Know When To Fix Air Conditioning in Your Ann Arbor Home

Are you having trouble staying comfortable in your home during the summer?

As the temps outside rise, are they rising indoors, too?

Are you worried that something’s wrong with your air conditioning unit?

Trouble with your air conditioning during the summer is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, especially if you have elderly family members or pets living with you!

If you’re tired of all the little quirks of your system and want to know if you need to get it replaced, talk to the experts!

Our technicians work on air conditioning in Ann Arbor full-time in the summer, and they say the biggest factors to consider are:

• Unusual sounds
• High energy costs
• Old age
• Seasonal clean and checks
• Frequent air filter changes
• Low air flow
• Odors

If you go through the list above and think any of it applies to your AC unit, it’s time to call the pros. 

Don’t wait until the middle of July to get your unit inspected! Call CMR Mechanical today to schedule an appointment. We’ll visit your home and evaluate your unit to make sure everything is working properly. If your unit needs repairs or replacing, we have the expertise to advise you on that, too.

Call us right away at 734-424-9555 if you think you need work done on your air conditioning unit!

Get to Know the Parts of Your Air Conditioner

Love the cool, fresh air your AC provides, but have no clue how it works? Interested in an intimate look at your air conditioning unit? Want to impress with your knowledge of AC pieces and parts?

Naming all the parts of your air conditioning unit probably isn’t a great conversation starter, but as a homeowner, getting to know this important piece of equipment is to your benefit. If a problem with your HVAC ever pops up, you’ll be better equipped to handle it. Or, if you’re ever in the market for a new unit, knowing something about air conditioners will make you a smarter consumer.

Without further ado, meet five basic components of your AC unit!

• Evaporator: a series of coils which convert refrigerant liquid to gas, creating a cooling effect. A fan blows across the cold coils to bring cool air into the house.
• Expansion Valve: de-pressurizes liquid refrigerant, allowing the evaporator to do its job. 
• Condenser: condenses refrigerant vapor into a liquid which is used by the evaporator. 
• Compressor: pressurizes refrigerant so the condenser can work its magic, turning gas to liquid.
• Lineset: the copper highway which transports refrigerant between the other components.

With a few simple definitions, you now understand the basics of how an AC unit works. Now put that knowledge to work!

Still want to know more about your air conditioner? Give us a call! We’re happy to answer questions or provide heating and cooling services in Ann Arbor. CMR Mechanical prides itself on honest, quality service and we are ready to help you today!

10 Tips for Controlling Humidity in Your Home

Looking forward to the heat of summer, but not a fan of humidity? Need more options to control humidity in your home? Think you’ve tried everything?

No matter where you are, too much humidity can be seriously frustrating and uncomfortable! Whether humidity problems are keeping you up at night or putting a damper on your day, we have some tips to help you get the humidity under control. 

1. Ventilate areas that create moisture like the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Ventilation is more effective when directed out of the house. 
2. Take shorter or cooler showers to minimize steaminess. 
3. Keep your kitchen concoctions covered with a lid when possible. 
4. Open a window to let moisture out of the bathroom, kitchen, or other steamy rooms. 
5. Turn on your heat or air conditioning. 
6. Make sure your HVAC condensation lines are clear and not trapping excess moisture. 
7. Avoid overwatering house plants and consider moving plants outside for a few days. 
8. Remove rugs and carpets temporarily or permanently. Their fibers can hold onto a lot of moisture. 
9. Keep rainwater outside with clean gutters and downspouts, and landscaping that slopes away from the house. 
10. Consider a dehumidifier for a damp basement or a bathroom without sufficient ventilation. 

Putting these tips to work in your home will surely help you get a sticky humidity problem under control. You might be surprised how a few small adjustments can make a big difference!

If you have questions about the humidity level in your home or about services for heating and cooling in Ann Arbor, give us a call. CMR Mechanical prides itself on honest, quality service and we are ready to help you today!

3 Tips to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Looking for ways to improve the air quality in your home? Not sure where to begin?

When you’re cleaning your house, it’s easy to tell when your kitchen counters and bathroom sink are clean, not so much when you’re talking about the air. But that doesn’t mean the air quality in your home should be neglected! IAQ can be a crucial element to maintaining the comfort level of your home.

Below are three tips to significantly improve the indoor air quality of your home fast!

1.      Avoid Chemicals

When cleaning surfaces or freshening the air in your home, avoid harsh chemicals as much as possible. Some of the standard products we’re accustomed to using to clean household surfaces are incredibly toxic and should only be used if completely necessary. Vinegar and baking soda solutions are a great alternative to many cleaning products and don’t pollute your air. Essential oils are better for air freshening than many commercial chemical products.

2.      Keep It Clean and Dry

Regularly cleaning your home and making sure it stays relatively dry will cut down on the potential for indoor allergens like mold and dust mites. Upgrading your vacuum to one with a HEPA filter will help you purge your fabrics of many allergens. Don’t forget to vacuum surfaces like couches and drapes. Wash your sheets and pillows frequently to get rid of allergens. Make sure your kitchen and bathroom are ventilated well to get rid of moisture and deter mold. If your basement or other rooms tend to be moist, you may also want to invest in a dehumidifier.

3.      Encourage Ventilation

Promote ventilation in your home to avoid staleness, stuffiness, and pockets of hot or cold air. Good ventilation complements your other efforts of keeping your house clean and dry and avoiding chemicals. To assure good ventilation, perform maintenance tasks on your HVAC system such as cleaning vents, ducts, and blowers. When outdoor air quality is good, you should also try to open windows to circulate air. Ceiling fans can also be useful for ventilation.

 
Our three tips for improved indoor air quality are simple and easy to remember, but they do cover a lot of ground. If you have any questions about IAQ and how to make it better in your home, give us a call! We are here to help with all your HVAC needs from furnace inspection to air conditioning repair in Ann Arbor. Contact us today!