Why Is My Heat Pump Making Loud Noises?

November 16, 2020

It’s not unusual for a heat pump to make noises, especially when it’s starting up or turning off. You should familiarize yourself with its normal sounds, such as a swooshing noise when it goes into defrost mode. That way you’ll know when loud noises are a cause for concern. Clanging When you hear this noise, turn the heat pump off and inspect the fan. This sound usually means the fan blades are hitting something inside of the unit. It could be a small branch, a chunk of ice, or a part that’s come loose. You’ll likely need to have your heat pump serviced by a professional. Not doing so can cause extensive damage. For people in Cheyenne, WY, Advanced Comfort Solutions is a trusted HVAC company that services heat pumps. Squealing This sound isn’t always a problem, as the screw compressor will often make it. However, if it’s a new loud noise, it may mean the motor is going bad or the refrigerant is overcharged. Another sign there’s a problem is if you can’t get your home to a comfortable temperature. Buzzing You may hear this noise in the winter when it’s nothing to worry about. However, if it’s loud...

View Article

Read More

An Introduction to SEER Ratings

October 20, 2020

When you’re in the market for a new air conditioner or heat pump for your home in Cheyenne, WY, energy efficiency will likely play a role in your decision about which product to buy. At Advanced Comfort Solutions, we’re proud to offer a variety of systems with different seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings. Read on to learn more about what a SEER rating is and why it matters. What a SEER Rating Is A SEER rating is a measure of how much cooling output a heat pump or air conditioner delivers compared to the amount of electrical input it requires. SEER is usually measured for a whole cooling season, which includes very hot days as well as moderate ones. SEER ratings range from 1 to 27. The Department of Energy requires all heat pumps and air conditioners to have a minimum SEER of 13. Why SEER Ratings Matter The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient a system is at cooling the indoor air. This matters because greater energy efficiency means lower operating expenses. A more efficient air conditioner won’t cost as much to cool your home. An air conditioner or heat pump with a SEER of 20 saves...

View Article

Read More

End of Summer AC Maintenance Could Help You Save Money Next Spring

September 20, 2020

Although the summer of 2020 is winding down, it’s not too late to start planning how to save on next year’s cooling costs. Spending a few minutes now could help you enjoy a more comfortable and affordable home next year. Use these three tips for end-of-summer AC maintenance to save money next spring in Cheyenne, WY. Replace the Air Filter During the autumn months of the year, the days can be warm. It’s possible that your air conditioner will cycle on some of these warm fall days. Now is a good time to replace your air conditioner’s filter. A dirty filter lowers air conditioner efficiency by as much as 15%. Even if the weather this autumn is cool, the new filter will be ready when the air heats up next spring. Wash the Outdoor Unit Pollen, tree sap, dirt, and dust can accumulate in the unit, reducing its efficiency. After a cooling cycle finishes, turn off the air conditioner’s power. Use your garden hose to wash the outdoor unit. Sanitize the Condensate Line Warm air holds a lot of moisture. When the warm air in your home passes over the cold refrigerant in the indoor unit’s evaporator coil, some moisture...

View Article

Read More

Are Ductless Air Conditioners Efficient?

August 17, 2020

If you have an older home without HVAC ducts or are adding a room to your house, a ductless AC unit may be a good option. The units are easy to install and offer many other benefits when it comes to temperature control. However, many Cheyenne homeowners are worried about the efficiency of these innovative systems. What Is a Ductless Air Conditioning System? A ductless air conditioning unit is similar to a window air conditioner. A ductless system is usually designed to cool a smaller space, such as a single room or workshop. The unit has an indoor component and an outdoor component. These components are connected by electrical wiring and a refrigerant tube. You can find ductless air conditioning systems that are sized for the room in which you are having it installed. How Efficient Are Ductless AC Systems? Ductless air conditioning systems use a different type of technology to cool the air in a room. Homeowners in Cheyenne and surrounding areas who purchase Energy Star ductless AC units find that they save as much as 60% on their energy bills compared to more traditional designs. One of the reasons for this incredible savings is that you lose a...

View Article

Read More

Tips to Extend the Life Expectancy of your Air Conditioner

July 16, 2020

An air conditioner is an important investment in your home. Keeping it well-maintained is an excellent way to save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Taking the time to keep your system working great is always worth the additional work and effort. Following a few tips can make a big difference in extending the lifespan of your air conditioner. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you to increase the life expectancy of your AC unit. 1. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat One of the easiest ways to extend the lifespan of your system is to buy a programmable thermostat. You can easily increase the temperature in your house while you are away, which reduces the strain on your unit. You can also save yourself plenty of money each month by using a programmable thermostat. 2. Change Your Air Filter Keeping a close eye on your air filter is important in allowing your system to operate efficiently. A dirty air filter causes your air conditioner to work harder, as dust and pollen can quickly add up in a short amount of time. Changing your air filter on a regular basis is an excellent...

View Article

Read More

Does The Outside Temperature Affect My AC?

June 18, 2020

People rely on their air conditioners to cool their homes during the hot summer months. The outside temperature has a large impact on your air conditioning system. These are the ways soaring outside temperatures affect the cooling of your home. How AC Systems Work An air conditioner uses refrigerant to cool the air. It pulls air in from your home, cools it down, and then pumps it back inside. The heat from your indoor air is released outside. An AC system also reduces the humidity level inside your home. How Soaring Outside Temperatures Affect Your AC The hotter it gets outside, the harder your AC system has to work to keep your home cool. This reduces the lifespan of the AC unit as high temperatures put a lot of strain on it. Parts wear out faster for homeowners who live in hot areas of the country than they do for people that live in more moderate climates. Your AC unit is designed to make your indoor air about 30 degrees cooler than outside. In areas where it can reach 115 degrees in the summer, getting your indoor air temperature down to a more comfortable 75 degrees means your AC system...

View Article

Read More

Things To Know About Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

May 14, 2020

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that has no color or odor. There is no way for you to tell it is in your home in Cheyenne, WY, unless you have a carbon monoxide detector. Exposure to carbon monoxide can quickly cause serious health effects, and prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide could be deadly. Understanding how carbon monoxide can get into your home in Cheyenne and recognizing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning allow you to take prompt actions to protect your health. How Carbon Monoxide Gets Into Your Home Carbon monoxide gets into your home if fuel isn’t fully burned. A faulty furnace, an oven or a water heater could cause it. Carbon monoxide is also in the exhaust of diesel, propane and gasoline engines as well as that of gas and charcoal grills. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Headache Fatigue Nausea Loss of balance Memory and vision problems Unconsciousness Pregnant women, babies and the elderly are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. If more than one person in your home has more than one of these symptoms, seek medical care. Pets can also be affected by carbon monoxide poisoning. If your pet...

View Article

Read More

Problems Caused by an Oversized Air Conditioner

April 17, 2020

Many homeowners think that there’s no such thing as an oversized air conditioner. They want the biggest AC unit there is, so their homes cool faster. Unfortunately, the size of the system doesn’t work that way. In fact, you want to have the right size AC unit based on the size of your home for a few reasons. Your Air Conditioner Cycles An oversized air conditioner rapidly cools a home. The AC unit cools your home so fast that it shuts off soon after starting. It will constantly turn on and off to keep your home at your preferred temperature. This power switch is terrible for an air conditioning unit and will dramatically reduce its longevity. It also increases your energy bills compared to having a right-sized air conditioner. Advanced Comfort Solutions of Cheyenne, Wyoming, will always make sure you have a right-sized system when performing an air conditioning system installation. Our technicians are fully trained, insured, and certified so they take measurements to ensure the system installed is the right size for your home. Reduced Comfort Your air conditioner does two things. It cools your home, of course. It also removes moisture from your home’s air. To remove moisture,...

View Article

Read More

Are Mini-Split Units Good for Heating

March 8, 2020

If you’re looking for a reasonable way to heat your home, or even a certain part of your house, you might want to consider mini-split units. These relatively compact units can both heat and cool one room or multiple rooms, and they make a lot of sense for many homeowners. The Benefits of a Mini-Split System Mini-split units are easy to install. A small hole needs to be drilled through a wall, but it only measures a few inches. This hole is used for the conduit and links the outdoor and indoor components of a mini-split unit. This means that no ductwork is necessary, and extensive work connecting this heating system to an existing heating system isn’t necessary. Many of our customers have installed mini-split units in additions and rooms that weren’t previously heated effectively. Mini-split units are good at their job. They use a relatively small amount of energy to heat a space, and very little energy is lost in the process. Since rising energy costs can be a concern, it’s always a good thing when you find a way to cut down on your monthly utility bill. How It Works The system consists of an indoor air-handling unit...

View Article

Read More

How To Change a Furnace Filter

February 5, 2020

Furnace units today can last anywhere from 15 years to more than 40 years depending on the make and model of the unit as well as proper maintenance over time. Using the tips that follow, learn how to quickly and effectively change your furnace’s filter regularly to maintain your unit for decades to come. Inspect Your Current Furnace Filter Inspect the current furnace filter your unit has in place by locating the furnace filter section of your unit. Furnace filters are often located on the exterior of the unit and may be enclosed with a simple covering. Be sure to turn off your heater prior to accessing your furnace filter to prevent issues or potential danger from arising. Once you have located the furnace filter area, remove the covering and pull the furnace filter out, taking note of how the filter goes into the area for future reference. Changing Your Furnace Filter in Two Easy Steps After you have removed your current furnace filter, follow these two easy steps to complete the installation of your new filter: Features: Take note of any size measurements, indicators, or markings that are listed on your current furnace filter, as this helps to determine...

View Article

Read More