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Summer has finally started here in Kansas City. As temperatures start to heat up, houses start to heat up also. Thankfully most homes here in the KC area have air conditioners, but there are also ways you can help to keep your house cool and save a few bucks on your cooling bills.

Keep Those Blinds Closed During The Day

When your window blinds are wide open during the day, you are letting in hot sunlight, especially if you have windows that face the south and west.

Closing your window blinds can reduce the amount of heat that enters the home through the sun. And the less heat that enters the home means your air conditioner will work a little less. Plus, it will keep your rooms, and you, a lot cooler.

Adjust Your Ceiling Fans To Keep You Cool

In the summertime, adjust your ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise. There is usually a reversing switch on your ceiling fan that will make that happen.

When the blades turn counterclockwise, they push the cool air down toward the floor and create that wind-chill effect. Consequently you will feel cooler, and sometimes you can even set the thermostat up a degree or two.

Get Your Air Conditioner Tuned-Up

It’s also a good idea to get the air conditioner in your Kansas City area home maintained each year. A tune-up cleans the dirt from your outdoor unit, and that dirt can really affect how well your air conditioner operates.

In addition, the technicians also check your refrigerant levels and change your filter so your system will run more efficiently. As a result, it will use less energy, which in turn saves you money on your cooling bills.

Whether your home is in Lenexa, Overland Park, or anywhere in between, these tips will help on a hot summer day in our city!

If you have an older air conditioner in your Kansas City area home, it’s possible that you have added refrigerant every year for the last few years. Up until now, that cost has been relatively reasonable.

But in 2017, the cost of that R-22 refrigerant has gone through the roof! Commonly called Freon™, this refrigerant has been used for years. But its days are numbered.

Why Is R-22 Being Phased Out For Air Conditioners?

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that this refrigerant be phased out because of environmental concerns. Within the R-22 refrigerant is a compound (chlorine) that is considered ozone-depleting. As a part of The Clean Air Act, this refrigerant is considered dangerous to the ozone layer and needs to be removed from production.

So What Should You Expect For Your Air Conditioner?

This refrigerant will not be manufactured after 2020. Because of this timeline, supplies have started to be restricted for heating and cooling companies. After 2020, the only R-22 available will be recycled or reclaimed, which will drive the cost up even more.

At this point, if your air conditioner is over 15 years old, it’s time to seriously think about replacing that unit. Especially if you know it has a leak and has been filled each year with R-22. Newer air conditioners use a different refrigerant that is more friendly to our environment.

City Wide Heating and Cooling can install the proper air conditioners in Overland Park, Kansas City, and everywhere in between. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule your free estimate for a new air conditioning system.

If you are like most homeowners in the Kansas City area, you turn your air conditioner on the day your house really starts to warm up. Some people even try and wait as long as possible to try and save money on their cooling bills.

While there is nothing wrong with either of these, it IS a good idea to turn your air conditioner on BEFORE you really need it. And here is the main reason why:

Make Sure Your Air Conditioner Still Works

A large majority of breakdowns of air conditioning systems occur when they are first turned on for the season. So you want to know this BEFORE the outdoor temperature gets really hot.

That way you can get your air conditioner serviced and repaired early – before the mad rush of air conditioning season.

So When Do You Turn Your AC On? Good Question.

Before you turn the air conditioner on in your KC area home, make sure of the following two things:

1. Check your weather. In this area, make sure the outdoor temperature is above 65 degrees and has been for about 3 days before you turn on the AC.
2. Check your furnace filter to make sure it’s nice and clean. If it is dirty, replace it!

And if you are uncomfortable changing your filter or are worried about turning on your air conditioner, schedule preventive maintenance on your air conditioning system. A simple AC tune-up can make sure your system is fully cleaned and operational before the season.

City Wide Heating & Cooling can answer all your air conditioner questions for your home in the Kansas City area.

How many times have you walked across your Kansas City area living room in the winter, touched a door knob, and shocked your finger to the point where it makes you jump back a little bit?

And then, 20 minutes later you do it again. But why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

Humidity BAD in Summer, but GOOD in Winter

Your home is dry. When winter comes along, the humidity that we feel all summer goes away. The dry air that is outside is also inside as well. Consequently, you start to build up the static electricity that causes that “shocking” experience with your door handle.

But a dry home also causes other issues. Your wood floors or furniture can start to crack because the wood starts to dry out over the winter.

Your skin starts to become itchy and your sinuses start to get dry because there is no moisture in the air to keep you comfortable. This can lead to all kinds of issues with your health.

Dry air also feels colder. As we know from summer, humid air makes us feel warm. So the question is, how do you fix all of these issues?

Install A Humidifier In Your KC Area Home

A whole-house humidifier is the answer to your prayers. A humidifier hooks up to your furnace and your thermostat and adds the proper amount of moisture to your home to alleviate the issues that you face with a dry home.

A humidifier can make you feel more comfortable AND save you a few bucks on your heating bills. When you feel warmer, you tend to turn the thermostat down a degree or two. On top of that, you should see less static shock and skin that feels more comfortable.

A humidifier can be installed in just about any home. You can install a humidifier in Overland Park homes, older homes in the Waldo and Mission Hills area, and everywhere in between.

Add one today, and take “charge” (get it) of your comfort this winter!

In the Kansas City area, most homeowners turn their furnaces on for the first time when that first cold night shows up in the September or October time frame. If you are like most people, you don’t really worry about your furnace. You only care if it is keeping you warm and toasty.

But, it’s a good idea to have it checked once in awhile. Like a car, a furnace is a mechanical device, and here are a few reasons WHY you need to have it maintained.

Furnace Tune-Ups Save You Money

A furnace that is maintained on a regular basis will actually run better. This is because the technician will clean the system and replace the filter. When a furnace is cleaned, it will actually run more efficiently. This will save you money on your utility bills over the long term.

Furnace Maintenance Can Also Keep Your Family Safe and Sound

As furnaces age, they also get wear and tear on the internal parts. This could lead to gas or electrical issues that can be discovered ahead of time during routine maintenance.

The technician will also check to make sure there isn’t any deadly carbon monoxide being produced and released in your home. A simple yearly check can keep your family warm and safe.

Your Furnace Will Also Last Longer

When you perform regular maintenance on your heating system, you keep it clean and running efficiently. Because it’s not having to work as hard, it can actually last longer than a furnace that has been poorly maintained.

This saves KC area homeowners money in the long term because you aren’t having to replace that system as often.

Any time of the year is a good time to get your furnace maintained. City Wide Heating and Cooling always has technicians available to make sure you are safe and comfortable in your Kansas City area home.