REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Money Saving Tips

cleaning hvacAir Quality

Can I increase the efficiency  and longevity of my HVAC system with regular maintenance?
When it comes to the efficiency of your home’s HVAC system, having it on a regular maintenance plan is key. This includes having it cleaned and inspected regularly, and changing the filters often. If you want to avoid the problems that can arise from a dirty HVAC system, then you need to make sure that it is maintained. Keeping your system clean A build-up of dust and dirt inside the HVAC system can cause it to work harder than necessary, …
hvacFurnaces

Why do I need a maintenance plan from my HVAC Contractor?
At Doug’s Heating and Air Conditioning we want to help prevent as many HVAC breakdowns as possible and to help people understand why it is so important to have a regular HVAC maintenance program. Unchecked complications can lead to costly repairs or sudden failure are often the result. HVAC systems need to be regularly checked by a dependable heating and air conditioning specialist. Reliable maintenance is a service that examines, tests, and fixes essential components of the HVAC system. Professional …
Air Conditioning

York Mini-Split System
The YORK Mini-Split system is a highly-efficient with a flexible heating and cooling system that doesn’t require any duct work. Keep reading to find out if YORK mini-splits could be right for you. According to The U.S. Department of Energy, one of the main advantages of mini-splits are their flexibility for heating and cooling individual rooms. If you have certain rooms you use a lot more than others, this gives you the flexibility to heat and cool those rooms without …
Air Conditioning

How long does an Air Conditioning unit last?
The answer depends on several factors, and our team will be more than happy to provide customized estimates for your individual situation. Generally speaking, the average life span of an AC unit is 20 years if maintained properly. We recommend scheduling a precision tune-up, professional cleaning and safety inspection once a year. Regular maintenance will extend the ACs lifespan, and it will also reduce pollutants, reduce the risk of potentially dangerous malfunctions and maintain performance (see Doug’s Annual Maintenance Agreement …
Air Conditioning

Programmable Thermostats (Opportunities and Limitations)
Programmable thermostats are known to help create a comfortable in-door environment while saving money. The trick is to come up with an efficient pre-set schedule during the day. Depending on your daily routines (and thermostat model), you may choose six or even more temperature settings per day. There are digital, electromechanical and mixed system available. We recommend the digital one for tech-savvy individuals who appreciate a variety of setting. The electromechanical thermostat offers fewer features, but it is easier to …
Energy Efficiency

Myth Busters: Heating Edition II
Heating your home efficiently can be tricky which is why we addressed four heating myths back in February. Now it is time to address myths #5 through #8!     Myth #5: Space Heaters Are an Effective Alternative to Your Furnace   Solely relying on space heaters can become costly during the wintertime, because they are less efficient than a gas furnace. They are even less affordable than a wood-heated fire in most cases. This does not mean there is …
Insulation

Negative Impacts of Dry Winter Air on Your Family and Home
There are several ways to prepare for the fall and winter cold. This is definitely the time to schedule an annual check on your heating system.  Those of you with older units may want to consider replacing your current unit to gain efficiency. Others can do an energy audit to determine the best way forward. While you are checking your furnace, also take a look at the insulation in your home. Efficient insulation keeps your home warmer for a longer …
Money Saving Tips

Make the Most of this year’s MidAmerican Rebates
MidAmerican provides a whole range of Energy Efficiency Programs for their Iowa and Illinois customers. Some of these rebates apply to ductless mini-split units. Others focus on natural gas furnaces and smart thermostats. Not only do you receive rebates on new qualifying units, you may also receive a rebate on recycling your old unit. Here is a summary of what you need to know for both sides of the river. 2020 Illinois Energy Efficiency Rebate Information Illinois rebates range from …
Energy Efficiency

Myth Busters: Heating Edition
Even though we all heat our homes during the winter, there is still a fair amount of misleading information about how to keep your family cozy in the most efficient way. Let’s bust a couple of these heating myths! Myth #1: Floors and walls are always cold during the winter This may be true in some cases, but floors and walls should generally remain moderately warm. If they aren’t, we recommend checking for leaks around windows, doors and ductwork. There …
Energy Efficiency

It’s cold! Time to shut off unused heating vents?
Here’s something we all agree on:  Closing or blocking heating vents in unused rooms saves energy, because you’re not wasting it on a room that you’re not occupying, and the air gets redirected to the rest of the house, which makes it easier to heat your house and lowers your bill.  Except for one thing:  It isn’t true. A 2003 study by a long-time government scientist who studies ventilation issues is often cited to bust this myth.  Its conclusions?  “The …
Furnace

Propane Tanks *oink oink*
Propane tanks are often called “pigs” because of the shape of the tank and its short legs.  Some people make this point abundantly clear as you can see from these photos… Now, a lot of people think of pigs as cute and if you think so (or if you think Miss Piggy is cute), you can paint your “pig” that way… We all know family comes first and that counts for pigs, too… And finally, to paraphrase the great football …
GO TOP