3 Energy Efficiency Tips

September 25, 2018

What if you could save the environment and money at the same time? Most of us would love to do that, which is where energy efficient tips come in. Today Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating and Cooling presents three energy efficient tips for homeowners in Downers Grove, IL. Reduce all of the costs of powering your home by going more efficient with actions you can take today. 1. Use a Programmable Thermostat All too often we see homeowners who have a programmable thermostat installed but they never use it. What a shame because this is one of the best ways to make your house energy efficient. Start by programming your thermostat when you are at work or away for a length of time. For winter months, set the thermostat for the heating system lower. In the summer and on warm days raise the temperature on your air conditioning. According to the US Department of Energy, this will cut your energy costs by 10 percent. 2. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance When is the last time you had HVAC maintenance conducted? Typically, homeowners wait until their heating and air conditioning system is broken before they call for service. However, by getting routine maintenance...

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Does Rain Damage My Heating and Cooling System Over Time?

September 10, 2018

An air conditioner unit consists of two parts, on inside and the other outdoors. Because water is known as the universal solvent, the question comes up sometimes as to whether or not rainwater is bad for the outdoor unit. It’s a natural question, as most people understand to take care of tools and equipment means not to leave them out in the rain. Fortunately, however, the air conditioning unit was designed by engineers to be weatherproof and won’t, under normal circumstances, be damaged by rain. The Effects of Rain on Your Air Conditioner Rainwater can, in fact, actually be good for the unit during moderate or light storms. The water can rinse off any accumulated dust or pollen in the coils as it flushes through the unit. Keeping the unit clean is an important part of an overall maintenance program as the conditioner can’t work properly if it becomes clogged, and can be forced to work harder than intended if it even becomes partially clogged. There’s also the basic fact that rain tends to cool the overall temperature, which is helpful toward simply not needing to use the air conditioner as much on a rainy day. So a typical rainstorm...

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The Wonderful Invention of Air Conditioning!

August 29, 2018

There is a good chance that when it’s really hot outside, you don’t even venture outdoors because you are staying cool in an air conditioned room. If you need to drive somewhere in the heat, you probably crank the air conditioning in your car in order to stay cool. Can you imagine not having this luxury? It’s hard to believe that there was a time, not all that long ago, that AC didn’t exist. The Invention of Air Conditioning Before air conditioning was invented, Americans sought to keep cool in the heat by fanning themselves, dousing themselves with water, or sitting in the shade. Some people even built their homes underground as a way to keep cool during the sweltering summer months. It wasn’t until the invention of electricity that Americans found better ways to stay cool. The first modern cooling system was invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier, who attempted to combat the humidity at the printing plant in which he worked. In 1922, Carrier invented the centrifugal chiller, which was a much smaller version of his first invention. These cooling systems were mainly used for commercial use, which is one reason going to the movies became so popular,...

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How Candles Affect Indoor Air Quality?

August 15, 2018

Candles can provide a beautiful and relaxing ambiance to any room, especially on special occasions like holidays. Candles were even an important source of lighting long ago. But did you know that candles can affect indoor air quality? It’s true. Effects of Candles on Air The smoke from candles can cause indoor air to become more polluted. In addition, the actual material in the candles can emit fumes as the candles burn. For example, scented candles may contain various chemicals that worsen air quality. Those effects from candles can be especially problematic for people who have respiratory issues, such as allergies, asthma, lung problems or colds. Healthier Candle Alternatives Certain types of candles are healthier and less problematic than others. For example, candles made of beeswax that are not scented can be great options. They look as beautiful as other candles and even have a mild, natural and pleasant fragrance from the beeswax. The Importance Proper Air Filters Make sure you pay proper attention to the air filters in your heating and cooling system. There are some great filters available that filter out much more from the air. Although they are more expensive than the cheapest standard filters, they are...

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What Does it Mean to be NATE Certified?

July 18, 2018

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) was founded in 1997 as a certification organization for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries. This NATE certified program is supported by the entire HVAC industry and when considering a contractor to provide services, it gives peace of mind to customers all over North America. Why NATE Certify In order to receive NATE certification, technicians must prove their knowledge in one or more specialty areas. They take exams developed by experts from all over the country. The tests are designed to validate the knowledge of the technicians who will need to prove that they have hands-on experience in the area they want to be certified. Some technicians will be certified in only one area and others will opt for multiple specialties. According to the NATE website testing is “rigorous, multiple choice and knowledge-based.” The specialties for which certification is available include; air condition and air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating and oil heating, ground source heat pump loop installer and Senior HVAC efficiency analyst. In the service only area, hydronics gas and hydronics oil, light commercial refrigeration, and commercial refrigeration are offered. NATE Certification Tests NATE Certification consists of more than...

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Air Cleaners For Allergies

July 16, 2018

One of the most frustrating, common health problems the average person experiences is allergies. People spend money on a variety of medications and treatments to ease the effects of environmental triggers. Allergies can cause additional problems such as tooth pain, bronchitis, and headaches. There is, however, a solution to maintaining your indoor atmosphere that can help ease allergy symptoms. Air cleaners are an effective solution that can make daily life easier and less of a headache. Indoor Air Quality The quality of the air circulating inside the home or business may not be something that most people think about, but if you are an allergy sufferer, then this issue should be a priority. The majority of allergy issues can be attributed to the quality of the air inside of the structure, whether it be at home or at work. If there are allergens being circulated throughout the area both day and night, it compounds the problem. Having the right equipment such as air purifiers, HVAC UV lights, and allergy air filters can dramatically improve air quality. Also, it is important to have your HVAC unit cleaned regularly to remove trapped pollutants from inside of the ducts. Analyze Indoor Air Quality...

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What is Preventative Maintenance?

June 8, 2018

Preventive maintenance can add years of life to your heating and cooling system, and at the very least, it will give you more efficient and better service throughout its lifetime. Poorly maintained HVAC systems break down more often, use more energy to heat and cool and may not do their job very well. To improve your HVAC system and keep it running longer, it is important to do at minimum yearly preventive maintenance. What is Preventative Maintenance? The name says it all. Preventative maintenance is doing maintenance on a scheduled basis to prevent larger issues to crop up unexpectedly. Similar to visiting your doctor yearly for a well checkup, preventative maintenance is a check on all HVAC systems to make sure they are working correctly, are clean and undamaged. Some preventative maintenance can be done by the homeowner. HVAC experts recommend checking air filters periodically, depending on usage, and replacing them when needed. You can also keep the outside of your unit clean and free of dust. Expert Maintenance Once or twice per year, you should schedule a qualified repair company to do a preventative maintenance check on your HVAC system. Experts, such as Fire N’ Ice Heating and Cooling,...

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5 Benefits of Indoor Air Quality

June 7, 2018

In Downers Grove, indoor air quality is a constant worry for our clients. The quality of the air you breathe in is impacted by many factors. Whether it is just the operation of your heating and cooling system, poor outside air quality, or even allergens present, you need help improving the air quality in your home. At Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating & Cooling, we provide you with solutions to do just that. Here’s why you need to do so: 1. Reduce Impurities Causing Illness If you have individuals in your home with an autoimmune disease, asthma, or allergies, you need to ensure the air quality is at its highest. Removing harmful products allows these individuals – as well as infants and seniors – to breathe better. 2. Helps Minimize Mold and Mildew Risks Most homes have some presence of mold and mildew. By improving the air quality, you can stop the spread of these dangerous pathogens through your home. You may find this is one of the best ways to get rid of that musky smell, too. 3. Better Sleep By removing the particles in the air, you do not have to breathe in these elements during the night. You...

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How Does Upgrading Your AC Unit Actually Save You Money?

May 21, 2018

If your old AC unit breaks down, repairing it is the first thing that will come to mind. Although it may seem cheaper at the moment, the best option is to actually replace it. The age of the system plays an important role in the process of deciding whether to repair or replace a broken-down HVAC system. Has the system been working for ten or more years? Do you have to endure hot or cold spells in certain rooms of the house? If the answer to any of the above questions is affirmative, you should consider having a new AC unit installed. Also, if you have to repair the AC unit every now and then, you need to replace it. Be proactive, have a licensed HVAC professional evaluate the unit and get their opinion. Having a worn out, inefficient model replaced with one that’s Energy Star-rated can save you a lot of money and make your house more comfortable. Here’s how upgrading your AC unit can save you money. Cut Repair Costs Repairing an old, inefficient AC unit can be expensive. During this exercise, you will have to buy complementary spare parts and meet the technician’s dues. It gets worse...

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What Is the Importance of an AC Maintenance?

April 27, 2018

When was the last time you had your air conditioning system serviced? For the average family on a hectic schedule, it’s easy for AC maintenance to fall by the wayside, especially if you haven’t had any problems out of your AC unit lately. But the longer you ignore AC maintenance, the greater your chances become of your AC system breaking down or failing to perform as it should. The importance of keeping your AC system in excellent shape can’t be overstated. Without regularly scheduled maintenance, your unit won’t be able to deliver the performance you’ve come to expect from your air conditioner. If you don’t want to be left sweaty and uncomfortable in your own home this summer, you should have your AC system serviced on a regular basis. As our team of highly-skilled technicians would tell you, there are plenty of good reasons why you should invest in AC maintenance: Better Performance – A well-maintained AC system is more than capable of keeping your home cool and comfortable no matter how hot the weather outside gets. Better Efficiency – With regularly scheduled AC maintenance, your AC system uses less energy to keep your home cool, resulting in lower utility...

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